Roberts: This week could be a critical one for corn

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 14 May 2013 13:35

This could be a critical week for getting the 2013 Marion County corn crop into the ground.

The questions about whether it’s getting late to plant corn, and whether ground is going to be dry enough to plant in time are “some tough calls to make,” according to Rickey Roberts, Marion County extension agent.

Of major concern, he said, is whether wheat straw stubble left from last year’s crop for no-till planting of corn will dry sufficiently, given the additional time needed because of the dense covering compared to conventional tillage. Rather than an advantage for moisture conservation, the situation may have turned into a short-term disadvantage.

Roberts said that some corn already planted has come up in spotty stands because...

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Freezes batter wheat crop in west Kansas

Written by John Schlageck Tuesday, 30 April 2013 12:03

Just when Kansas wheat growers thought this year couldn’t get any worse, Mother Nature dealt them a cruel blow with a record freeze. April 23 may have driven the final nail in the coffin for some wheat fields in southwestern Kansas.

Temperatures were plenty cold in Ford County, where Rick Konecny recorded 18 degrees for an overnight low. East of his farm, Dodge City reported a 23-degree night and north in Garden City the mercury dipped to 19 degrees.

“I’m not sure if our wheat crop can survive this freeze,” Konecny said. “This is a pretty severe freeze for this time of the year.”

While he’s worried about the wheat crop, the veteran Ford County farmer hasn’t given up.

“Who knows what may happen,” he said...

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Family rediscovers ‘home’ after a stint in California

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 16 April 2013 12:51

The Novak family takes a break from the farm activities. Chris and Stevi and their children (from left) Cali, Madi and Hunter are enjoying the transition from California back to the family farm. Chris Novak left a water-diving career based in California he began at age 21 to return home in his late 30s to a cow-calf family farming corporation near Tampa.

Novak may have been following a trend for young farm-raised people approaching middle age to return to farm roots, although his brother, Nick, stayed in California.

Novak joined his father, Kelly, who farms full time, and his uncle, Ken, who farms part-time while running a farm chemical business, in a family farm corporation centered on calving and growing improved grade Angus cattle.

The Novaks also share labor and expensive machinery for joint use with a neighboring farmer, Scott David, he said.

Novak’s return to the farm included wife Stevi and their three children...

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Reservoir cleanup day is April 20

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 09 April 2013 12:51

The 11th annual Marion Reservoir Cleanup Day will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20.

Volunteers are needed to pick up trash around the reservoir and all connecting waterways and riparian zones.

Organizers ask those planning to participate should dress accordingly, but gloves, trash bags and refreshments will be provided.

All volunteers will meet at the Corps of Engineers office on the east side of the dam.

For more information or to sign up, call 620-382-2006 or 620-382-2101.