Summer rains set stage for a 'really great fall harvest'

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 19 August 2008 15:03

SoybeansDoubleCropP8188994.jpg Double-cropped fields like this one south of Hillsboro have a chance to produce a good harvest, thanks to mulitple rains this summer. Rickey Roberts, Marion County extension agent, said the area received not just a million-dollar rain, “but maybe the 10-million-dollar rain, or even the tens of millions-dollar rain. I think this is tremendous.”

Marion County farmers have received the proverbial “million-dollar rain” in recent weeks, and local observers predict the economic impact will multiply until everybody benefits.

Agriculture watchers struggle to find an adequate euphemism to describe the benefit of the timely rain that arrived earlier this month.

Rickey Roberts, Marion County extension...

Read more: Summer rains set stage for a 'really great fall harvest'

EPA made right decision on renewable fuels

Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 19 August 2008 14:59

It’s important. It serves a vital purpose. It provides substantial economic benefits.

The “it” I’m writing about is the Renewable Fuels Standard. And now, thanks to an Environmental Protection Agency decision, implementation of the RFS will continue as legislated in the Energy Policy Act of 2007.

This decision ensures consumers will continue to benefit from an expanding supply of domestically produced renewable fuel, which is helping lower gas prices.

Those savings at the pump are considerable—as much as $500 per year for the average family, according to estimates by Merrill Lynch, Iowa State University and others.

The Aug. 7 decision is an important win for American consumers. People are justifiably focused on pocketbook...

Read more: EPA made right decision on renewable fuels

State FSA extends closing date for NAP applications

Written by Bill Harmon /Farm Service Agency Tuesday, 19 August 2008 14:58

Kansas Farm Service Agency has extended the application closing date for certain crops under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Crops eligible for NAP benefits are limited to those not insurable in the county and are produced for food or fiber.

The original Sept. 1 deadline has been extended three months to Dec. 1 as the final date to pay the applicable service fee and obtain 2009 NAP coverage for forage use of barley, rye, triticale, wheat, aquaculture, canola, Christmas trees and nursery crops.

The administrative service fee is $250 per crop per administrative county, not to exceed $750 per producer per administrative county and a $1,875 maximum fee for multi-county producers.

Interested producers must pay the fee...

Read more: State FSA extends closing date for NAP applications

WRAPS tours set for Aug. 26-27

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 19 August 2008 14:57

Workshops and tours about rangeland and pond management are planned for Aug. 26 and 27 in Geary and Marion counties.

The tours are being organized by area Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) projects including, Twin Lakes, Clarks Creek Melvern, Marion and Fall River.

The workshops will begin at 9:30 a.m. Speakers include: David Kraft, NRCS area rangeland specialist with the Natural Resource Conservation Service; Dale Kirkham of the Kansas Rural Center; and Harold Klaassen, retired fisheries biologist at Kansas State University.

These experts will cover such topics as range improvements after a burn, general range management tips and techniques, and managing ponds for livestock and wildlife benefits...

Read more: WRAPS tours set for Aug. 26-27