COMMENTARY- NBAF project would be a boon for Kansas

Written by John Schlageck / Kansas Farm Bureau Wednesday, 20 June 2007 01:44

In Kansas and our neighboring states, protecting our food supply—crops and animals—is key. This nation’s economy depends on farmers and ranchers and those who work in this valuable sector.

Agriculture provides more the 22 million jobs in the United States even though less than 2 million are farmers and ranchers. The agribusiness sector contributes more than $1 trillion annually to this nation’s economy. This amounts to 15 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

There are many reasons to believe rogue governments and extremist groups might prefer to use agricultural biological weapons against the United States rather than targeting people in our nation’s cities.

First, the technology involved is less sophisticated and...

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Army worms launch latest attack on farm crops

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 13 June 2007 09:27

Worms.jpg This infestation of army worms shows the potential for damage they pose as they move through a field of brome grass or wheat. The army worms in many cases are stripping the brome grass down to the central rib of the blade, says Kevin Suderman, agronomist with Cooperative Grain & Supply. Photo courtesy of Kevin Suderman and CG&S. Click image to enlarge.

 

Just when you thought the freeze-damaged wheat couldn’t possibly be hurt anymore, along comes word that army worms are eating their way across the country as a final blow.

A final blow does sound like the logical outcome to most people when they first hear about army worms moving in. But Kevin Suderman, agronomist with Cooperative Grain...

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Commentary-Storm’s path left a hard, long trail

Written by John Schlageck /Kansas Farm Bureau Wednesday, 13 June 2007 09:17

While it’s been more than a month since the monster storm system hit Kiowa, Edwards, Stafford, Barton and Saline counties, it’s difficult to erase the images, smells and feelings of this disaster from my mind.

I traveled through these counties 10 days after May 4. I saw with my own eyes the aftermath of the storms while listening to stories by the people who road them out.

Listing all of the details about this storm would be impossible. Instead, here are some of the more vivid ones.

The first thing was the length and width of these storms. The path was more than 90 miles long and in some places nearly 23 miles wide. On the map it appeared to be about 3 inches long, but in reality this pattern of destruction continued mile after...

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Nominees sought for FSA Area No. 1 opening

Written by Bill Harmon /Farm Service Agency Wednesday, 13 June 2007 09:14

The election of local farmers and ranchers to Farm Service Agency county committees is important in giving producers a voice in how federal farm programs and services are administered in their local areas.

It also maintains a direct link between the agricultural community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

FSA is accepting nominations from qualified candidates until Aug. 1. Producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate. In addition, organizations representing socially disadvantaged (minorities and women) groups may nominate candidates.

Candidate are being solicited for Marion County Local Administrative Area No. 1, which is made up of...

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