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Insight from Kansas Farm Bureau

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Bernard Warkentin couldn’t have known that when he planted wheat in central Kansas in 1874 he was sowing Kansas’ legacy as the Wheat State. Allegedly, Warkentin was the first to plant Turkey Red wheat, a hard winter variety that was well conditioned to the Kansas climate and soils. Born in 1847 in what’s now Crimea, Warkentin came to the United States in 1871 with other German- Mennonites fleeing Russian persecution. He chose to settle in Halstead, which in many important ways, like temperature and rainfall, was similar to the steppes of Ukraine.
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Rachael Brooke, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources

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Mineral Supplementation for the Cow Herd Although the upcoming grazing season may be hard to picture at this point, it’s not too early to begin making preparations. Among those preparations is selecting a mineral supplement, especially for operations looking to take advantage of “early booking” discounts for mineral orders. It can be challenging to choose a mineral program, as many different products and mineral formulations are currently available. When evaluating mineral supplements, the phosphorous concentration may be used as an essential guide to determine if the mineral fits the production stage of the herd and forage base.
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Rachael Brooke, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources

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Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus Confirmed in Three Kansas Counties in 2024 Wheat streak mosaic virus has been confirmed in Russell, Barton, and Ellis counties in 2024. Now is a good time to start scouting for this disease. Factors such as hail and delayed harvest in 2023 may contribute to higher- than-expected disease pressure in 2024. Wheat streak mosaic virus is just one of several viruses that we need to keep an eye out for in the spring.
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Insight From Kansas Farm Bureau

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Looking at my large paper calendar prominently on display in the mudroom, I know January has 31 days. However, after wickedly cold temperatures, a hefty dose of snow and an equally hefty dose of strong winds that drifted shut roads and kept our kids from going to school for many days this month, I’m convinced the January on my calendar is missing some days.
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A blast of bitterness and cold

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A blast of bitterness and cold Greg Doering, Kansas Farm Bureau Despite living my entire life in Kansas, I’ve never fully acclimated to the blasts of polar weather we occasionally receive. I’m fully prepared for cabin fever to set in these next few days as another round of bone-chilling cold sweeps across the landscape.
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Rachael Brooke, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources

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Beef Cattle Management Considerations for January Cow Herd Management— Body condition score (BCS) for both spring and fall calving cows. Target BCS for spring calving cows at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young females. Adjust the nutrition program before calving as needed. Ensure fall-calving cows maintain BCS through winter if still nursing calves. Continue grazing crop residues and dormant pastures as available, but be prepared to move cattle or provide supplemental feed as conditions dictate. Be ready to react to severe winter weather effects on cow nutrient requirements by providing additional feed. Review nutrition program and test harvested forages for the following: moisture/ dry matter, crude protein, energy (NEm, NEg, and/or TDN), fiber components (ADF, NDF), macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and salt), nitrates when appropriate and starch for silage crops. Manage young and mature bulls during the offseason to ensure bulls are BCS of at least five before the next season of use and have adequate winter protection.