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Not everyone is convinced wheat crop will be a record

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Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 15 May 2012 14:00

Looking at Kansas wheat across the state during the first few days of May, members of the Wheat Quality Council labeled the crop in “pretty good shape.”

While the wheat in the western third to half of the state needs a drink, the 100 participants of the 55th annual tour agreed the crop is two to three weeks ahead of schedule and combines will begin rolling into the fields in May, which is unheard of.

After three days on the road, 63 participants of the WQC tour estimated the 2012...

Family nurtures next generation of ag entrepreneurs

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Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 15 May 2012 13:46

The Meyer family sets up for some sheep shearing. From left: Nick, Cassie, Mark and Elizabeth. The family also raises poultry and cattle along with a rabbit two dogs and a lot of cats.

Mark and Marsha Meyer of rural Hillsboro and their three children, Nick, 16, Elizabeth, 13, and Cassie, 10, are living the country life and enjoying all that comes with it.

Marsha said she and her husband were raised on farms—Mark on a dairy farm near Burdick and she near Jetmore.

Now it’s their children’s turn to figure out the best fit for each of them, she said.

For Nick, their young entrepreneur, it’s about learning a business, starting with young turkeys, known as poults, and all the work that goes with that.

In addition to more than 120 poults, which will soon be free-range, Nick has 300-plus Barred Rock chicks.

“We raised chickens (when I was a child),” Marsha said, “but not nearly this many. I was...

Higher expenses prompts MILC payments for nation’s dairies

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Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 08 May 2012 14:15

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Milk Income Loss Contract program administered by county offices of the Farm Service Agency compensates dairy producers when domestic milk prices fall below a specified Boston Class I milk price level.

In addition, a feed cost adjuster applies over the life of the program, which adjusts the support level upward depending on the cost of feed rations.

Because of recent higher expenses recognized in dairy feed rations, MILC payments are triggered for milk produced and commercially marketed in the United States during the March 2012. The 2008 Farm Bill re-authorized the MILC program through Sept. 30, 2012.

FSA will disburse MILC payments to eligible dairies at the rate of $0.826 per hundred pounds...

Collett is appointed as judge

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Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 01 May 2012 14:32

Keith L. Collett of Marion has been appointed Dickinson County District Magistrate Judge to succeed Hon. John E. Barker, who retired effective April 16.

The appointment, announced Monday in Topeka, followed interviews of nine persons applying for the position that were conducted in Abilene Friday, April 20.

Also applying were John R. Harwood Jr., Bryan Dunlap, Andrea E. Patrick and D. Jeanie Cameron, all of Abilene; Ralph DeZago, Herington; Bradley D. Jantz, Newton; Travis J. Elliott, Chapman; and Bradley J. Scholz, Junction City.

Collett has been in private practice in Kansas since 1985, following a brief stint as an associate attorney in an Ohio law firm.

He currently is a partner in his law firm, Brookens and Collett, which has...

Mueller rates at KSU Royal

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Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 01 May 2012 14:30

Darren Mueller, a freshman at Kansas State University and an alum of Hillsboro High School, took reserve champion for “Experienced Dairy Showmanship” at KSU’s 84th annual Little American Royal Saturday April 21 in Weber Hall Arena. Mueller also won the “Dairy Herdsman” award.