These large (1-1/3- to 1-5/8-inch long) wasps fly slowly above the ground. Cicada killers have a black body with yellow marks across the thorax and abdomen. Wings are reddish-orange.&nbsp;

Although these wasps are huge, they usually ignore people. Males may act aggressively if they are threatened, but are unable to sting. Females can sting, but are so passive that they rarely do. Even if they do sting, the pain is less than that of smaller wasps such as the yellow jacket or paper wasp and is similar to the sting of a sweat bee.&nbsp;

The cicada killer is a solitary wasp rather than a social wasp like the yellow jacket. The female nests in burrows in the ground. These burrows are quarter-size in diameter and can go 6 inches straight down and another 6 inches horizontally. Adults normally live 60 to 75 days from mid-July to mid-September and feed on flower nectar and sap. The adult female seeks cicadas on the trunks and lower limbs of trees. She stings her prey, flips it over, straddles it and carries it to her burrow. If she has a tree to climb, she will climb the tree so they can get airborne and fly with cicada back to the nest. If not, she will drag it. She will lay one egg per cicada if the egg is left unfertilized. Unfertilized eggs develop into males only. Fertilized eggs develop into females and are given at least two cicadas. Cicadas are then stuffed into the female’s burrow. Each burrow normally has three to four cells with one to two cicadas in each. However, it is possible for one burrow to have 10 to 20 cells.&nbsp;

Eggs hatch in two to three days, and larvae begin feeding on paralyzed cicadas. Feeding continues for four to 10 days until only the outer shell of the cicada remains. The larva overwinters inside a silken case. Pupation occurs in the spring. There is one generation per year. Cicada killers are not dangerous, but they can be a nuisance. If you believe control is necessary, treat the burrows after dark to ensure the female wasps are in their nests. The males normally roost on plants near burrow sites. They can be captured with an insect net or knocked out of the air with a tennis racket during the day. &nbsp; Permethrin may be used for control.&nbsp; Products with permethrin include the following.

&nbsp; Eight Garden Dust - Bonide&nbsp; &nbsp; Multipurpose Garden and Pet Dust - Green Thumb &nbsp; Garden, Pet &amp; Livestock Dust - Hi-Yield&nbsp;

&nbsp; 38 Plus Turf, Termite &amp; Ornamental Insect Spray - Hi-Yield&nbsp; &nbsp; Eight Vegetable, Fruit &amp; Flower&nbsp; Conc. - Bonide&nbsp; &nbsp; Eight Yard &amp; Garden RTS - Bonide&nbsp; &nbsp; Garden and Farm Insect Control- Hi-Yield

Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595861237756.png" alt="Cicada killer wasp. Photo courtesy of Kansas State University." />
 <figcaption>Cicada killer wasp. Photo courtesy of Kansas State University.</figcaption>
 </figure>These large (1-1/3- to 1-5/8-inch long) wasps fly slowly above the ground. Cicada killers have a black body with yellow marks across the thorax and abdomen. Wings are reddish-orange.&nbsp;Although these wasps are huge, they usually ignore people. Males may act aggressively if they are threatened, but are unable to sting. Females can sting, but are so passive that they rarely do. Even if they do sting, the pain is less than that of smaller wasps such as the yellow jacket or paper wasp and is similar to the sting of a sweat bee.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. " />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. </figcaption>
 </figure>The cicada killer is a solitary wasp rather than a social wasp like the yellow jacket. The female nests in burrows in the ground. These burrows are quarter-size in diameter and can go 6 inches straight down and another 6 inches horizontally. Adults normally live 60 to 75 days from mid-July to mid-September and feed on flower nectar and sap. The adult female seeks cicadas on the trunks and lower limbs of trees. She stings her prey, flips it over, straddles it and carries it to her burrow. If she has a tree to climb, she will climb the tree so they can get airborne and fly with cicada back to the nest. If not, she will drag it. She will lay one egg per cicada if the egg is left unfertilized. Unfertilized eggs develop into males only. Fertilized eggs develop into females and are given at least two cicadas. Cicadas are then stuffed into the female’s burrow. Each burrow normally has three to four cells with one to two cicadas in each. However, it is possible for one burrow to have 10 to 20 cells.&nbsp;Eggs hatch in two to three days, and larvae begin feeding on paralyzed cicadas. Feeding continues for four to 10 days until only the outer shell of the cicada remains. The larva overwinters inside a silken case. Pupation occurs in the spring. There is one generation per year. Cicada killers are not dangerous, but they can be a nuisance. If you believe control is necessary, treat the burrows after dark to ensure the female wasps are in their nests. The males normally roost on plants near burrow sites. They can be captured with an insect net or knocked out of the air with a tennis racket during the day. &nbsp; Permethrin may be used for control.&nbsp; Products with permethrin include the following.<h2>Dusts</h2>&nbsp; Eight Garden Dust - Bonide&nbsp; &nbsp; Multipurpose Garden and Pet Dust - Green Thumb &nbsp; Garden, Pet &amp; Livestock Dust - Hi-Yield&nbsp;<h2>Liquids</h2>&nbsp; 38 Plus Turf, Termite &amp; Ornamental Insect Spray - Hi-Yield&nbsp; &nbsp; Eight Vegetable, Fruit &amp; Flower&nbsp; Conc. - Bonide&nbsp; &nbsp; Eight Yard &amp; Garden RTS - Bonide&nbsp; &nbsp; Garden and Farm Insect Control- Hi-YieldLauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Cicada killer wasps

There are two sure-fire ways to avoid the pungent smell of a skunk: don’t get into areas where skunks may live, but if you do, for goodness sakes don’t get sprayed.

When those two factors collide, humans and pets usually get the short end of the deal.

“It’s certainly a better idea to prevent the problem than to try to deal with the after effects,” said Charlie Lee, a wildlife specialist with K-State Research and Extension.

It is rare for a healthy skunk to bite a human. However, one that is exhibiting active signs of rabies – aggressiveness, seizures or stumbling, to name a few – may be more inclined to bite and could transmit the disease to humans or animals.

More common, however, is that a skunk will try to chase away a predator or encroaching human by spraying a yellow-tinted, oily liquid – called a musk -- stored in two sacs near the anus of the animal.

“Each sac has about a teaspoon of musk, which is enough for multiple sprays,” Lee said. “The musk is discharged through nipples that help skunks target those things they are trying to repel. Each nipple has its own musk sac, so a skunk can shoot with both barrels, and they can discharge the musk in a mist or a stream.”

The musk cannot transmit the rabies virus, Lee said, but it can temporarily blind or stun individuals if they are sprayed in the face.

While the health effects of being sprayed by a skunk are minimal, it is nonetheless unpleasant to rid hair, clothes and body of the bitter smell. Lee said the following mixture, discovered by chemist Paul Krebaum, has been shown to be effective:

“Mix those three ingredients in an open container and use it immediately,” he said. “Do not mix these ingredients in advance because when oxygen is released, the container can explode.”

The mixture can be used on people and pets, but Lee cautioned users to avoid splashing it in the eyes or mouth. On pets, allow the mixture to sit for five minutes before rinsing.

For inanimate objects – surfaces, decks, chairs and other outside objects – Lee suggested a mixture of 1 cup of liquid laundry bleach and 1 gallon of water. “Be aware that bleach may stain surfaces,” he said.

Lee added that some of the effective commercial products available in many stores include Skunk-Off, Odormute, Fresh Wave, Epoleon N-100 and Neutroleum Alpha.

“Neutroleum Alpha is one that has been used to control odor from skunks in a variety of settings,” Lee said. “It deodorizes by masking the odor with a different one that is described as minty or pleasant. You can use it directly on surfaces or it can be used as an air deodorizer by placing it on paper towels or napkins and then hanging them in the area.”

Lee noted that one home remedy thought to work is probably not what folks think it is: “Tomato juice is not something I recommend,” he said. “It appears to be only marginally effective.”

“There are a lot of products out there that will help consumers through a difficult or uncomfortable situation. Keep in mind that at times when humidity is high or it rains, the odor will appear to come back. In those times, simply re-apply the product.”

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592579538317.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>There are two sure-fire ways to avoid the pungent smell of a skunk: don’t get into areas where skunks may live, but if you do, for goodness sakes don’t get sprayed.When those two factors collide, humans and pets usually get the short end of the deal.“It’s certainly a better idea to prevent the problem than to try to deal with the after effects,” said Charlie Lee, a wildlife specialist with K-State Research and Extension.It is rare for a healthy skunk to bite a human. However, one that is exhibiting active signs of rabies – aggressiveness, seizures or stumbling, to name a few – may be more inclined to bite and could transmit the disease to humans or animals.More common, however, is that a skunk will try to chase away a predator or encroaching human by spraying a yellow-tinted, oily liquid – called a musk -- stored in two sacs near the anus of the animal.“Each sac has about a teaspoon of musk, which is enough for multiple sprays,” Lee said. “The musk is discharged through nipples that help skunks target those things they are trying to repel. Each nipple has its own musk sac, so a skunk can shoot with both barrels, and they can discharge the musk in a mist or a stream.”The musk cannot transmit the rabies virus, Lee said, but it can temporarily blind or stun individuals if they are sprayed in the face.While the health effects of being sprayed by a skunk are minimal, it is nonetheless unpleasant to rid hair, clothes and body of the bitter smell. Lee said the following mixture, discovered by chemist Paul Krebaum, has been shown to be effective:<ul>
 <li>1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide.</li><li>¼ cup of baking soda.</li><li>1 teaspoon of liquid determent.</li>
 </ul>“Mix those three ingredients in an open container and use it immediately,” he said. “Do not mix these ingredients in advance because when oxygen is released, the container can explode.”The mixture can be used on people and pets, but Lee cautioned users to avoid splashing it in the eyes or mouth. On pets, allow the mixture to sit for five minutes before rinsing.For inanimate objects – surfaces, decks, chairs and other outside objects – Lee suggested a mixture of 1 cup of liquid laundry bleach and 1 gallon of water. “Be aware that bleach may stain surfaces,” he said.Lee added that some of the effective commercial products available in many stores include Skunk-Off, Odormute, Fresh Wave, Epoleon N-100 and Neutroleum Alpha.“Neutroleum Alpha is one that has been used to control odor from skunks in a variety of settings,” Lee said. “It deodorizes by masking the odor with a different one that is described as minty or pleasant. You can use it directly on surfaces or it can be used as an air deodorizer by placing it on paper towels or napkins and then hanging them in the area.”Lee noted that one home remedy thought to work is probably not what folks think it is: “Tomato juice is not something I recommend,” he said. “It appears to be only marginally effective.”“There are a lot of products out there that will help consumers through a difficult or uncomfortable situation. Keep in mind that at times when humidity is high or it rains, the odor will appear to come back. In those times, simply re-apply the product.”Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Got skunked? Here's some tips

Nearly every day when I bike commute I see the garden beds behind Washington School in Great Bend. The Barton County Master Gardeners and school district employees must have green thumbs, because everything looks great.

If you are enjoying abundant garden produce and are thinking about preserving things to enjoy later, remember that K-State Research and Extension has some great resources related to food preservation. We are fortunate to have Karen Blakeslee, director of our Rapid Response Center at KSU just a phone call away with answers to specific food preservation questions. I believe her “Home Canning Mistakes article I saw in her monthly newsletter is worth sharing.&nbsp;

Many resources show canning methods that are not safe. Here are a few.

We have an excellent resource available at each of our Cottonwood District offices in Great Bend and Hays. So Easy to Preserve, is a canning guide researched and written by the University of Georgia Extension Service. I like the fact that it has a trouble-shooting guide to help determine what went wrong in the food preservation process. The book costs $15.00 and is well worth it.

One other service I want to call your attention to is that we can test the dial gauge from your canner lid. Dial gauges can be examined and checked for accuracy in a matter of minutes. It is a good idea to do this check up every couple of years. Give Berny or me a call at either of our district offices to arrange a time to have your gauge tested. I will also have the tester set up at the Great Bend Farmer’s Market on August 6th and September 3rd.&nbsp;

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593016082485.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. " />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. </figcaption>
 </figure>Nearly every day when I bike commute I see the garden beds behind Washington School in Great Bend. The Barton County Master Gardeners and school district employees must have green thumbs, because everything looks great.If you are enjoying abundant garden produce and are thinking about preserving things to enjoy later, remember that K-State Research and Extension has some great resources related to food preservation. We are fortunate to have Karen Blakeslee, director of our Rapid Response Center at KSU just a phone call away with answers to specific food preservation questions. I believe her “Home Canning Mistakes article I saw in her monthly newsletter is worth sharing.&nbsp;Many resources show canning methods that are not safe. Here are a few.<ul>
 <li>Canning in the oven – Canning jars may not withstand the thermal shock and can break. Also, oven heating filled jars of food is slow and can encourage potential bacteria growth.</li><li>Open kettle canning – This is filling jars and closing them without further heat processing. This also includes inverting jars or setting the jars in the sun. Without water bath canning or pressure canning, spoilage will likely occur and food will be lost or people may become sick.</li><li>Electric multi-cookers – While some electric multi-cookers have a “canning” button but no research is available to back up this function. Use these appliances for cooking only!</li><li>The jar sealed, it has to be safe! – What happened prior to putting a lid on the jar is critical to canned food safety. Just because a jar seals does not guarantee safety.</li>
 </ul>We have an excellent resource available at each of our Cottonwood District offices in Great Bend and Hays. So Easy to Preserve, is a canning guide researched and written by the University of Georgia Extension Service. I like the fact that it has a trouble-shooting guide to help determine what went wrong in the food preservation process. The book costs $15.00 and is well worth it.One other service I want to call your attention to is that we can test the dial gauge from your canner lid. Dial gauges can be examined and checked for accuracy in a matter of minutes. It is a good idea to do this check up every couple of years. Give Berny or me a call at either of our district offices to arrange a time to have your gauge tested. I will also have the tester set up at the Great Bend Farmer’s Market on August 6th and September 3rd.&nbsp;Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

KRUG: Avoid home canning mistakes

If you have spent any time outdoors walking around, you may have noticed a very distinct, grotesque looking insect on trees, shrubs, or near homes. The insect is the wheel bug (Arilus cristatus), which is common, and widely distributed throughout Kansas. 

Wheel bugs, also called assassin bugs, are predators that feed on many insect pests. However, the nymphs and adult can inflict a painful bite if handled by humans. Adult wheel bugs are 1 to 1-1/4 inches long, robust with long legs and antennae, and have a stout beak and large eyes on a narrow head. They are dark-brown to gray and possess a wheel or crest with 8 to 12 protruding teeth-like structures (tubercles) on the thorax that resembles a cogwheel; similar to the dinosaur—Stegosaurus. 

Wheel bugs have two long, slender antennae that are constantly moving or weaving around. Females are typically larger than males. Females lay eggs that resemble miniature brown bottles with white stoppers. Eggs are laid in clusters of 40 to 200. The eggs are glued together and covered with a gummy cement, which protects eggs from weather extremes and natural enemies (e.g. parasitoids and predators). Egg clusters are located on leaves, or the trunk or branches of trees or shrubs. Nymphs hatch (eclose) from eggs and are bright red with black markings. The nymphs do not have the wheel or crest. The life cycle, from egg to adult, takes three to four months to complete. Wheel bugs are active day and night, and are very shy, tending to hide on leaf undersides. The wheel bug overwinters as eggs with one generation per year in Kansas. Wheel bugs are voracious predators feeding on a wide-variety of insects, including caterpillars, beetles, true bugs, sawflies, and aphids.

Unfortunately, wheel bugs will feed on beneficial insects such as ladybird beetles and honey bees. The mouthparts are red-brown and resemble a tube or straw that is located underneath the head. The mouthpart extends out when wheel bugs are ready to “stab” prey. Wheel bugs paralyze prey with their saliva that contains a toxic substance, which immobilizes prey within 30 seconds. In addition to feeding on insects, wheel bugs are cannibalistic, and will feed on each other if they cannot locate a food source (prey). What is there not to like about “bugs?”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592579538317.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>If you have spent any time outdoors walking around, you may have noticed a very distinct, grotesque looking insect on trees, shrubs, or near homes. The insect is the wheel bug (Arilus cristatus), which is common, and widely distributed throughout Kansas. Wheel bugs, also called assassin bugs, are predators that feed on many insect pests. However, the nymphs and adult can inflict a painful bite if handled by humans. Adult wheel bugs are 1 to 1-1/4 inches long, robust with long legs and antennae, and have a stout beak and large eyes on a narrow head. They are dark-brown to gray and possess a wheel or crest with 8 to 12 protruding teeth-like structures (tubercles) on the thorax that resembles a cogwheel; similar to the dinosaur—Stegosaurus. Wheel bugs have two long, slender antennae that are constantly moving or weaving around. Females are typically larger than males. Females lay eggs that resemble miniature brown bottles with white stoppers. Eggs are laid in clusters of 40 to 200. The eggs are glued together and covered with a gummy cement, which protects eggs from weather extremes and natural enemies (e.g. parasitoids and predators). Egg clusters are located on leaves, or the trunk or branches of trees or shrubs. Nymphs hatch (eclose) from eggs and are bright red with black markings. The nymphs do not have the wheel or crest. The life cycle, from egg to adult, takes three to four months to complete. Wheel bugs are active day and night, and are very shy, tending to hide on leaf undersides. The wheel bug overwinters as eggs with one generation per year in Kansas. Wheel bugs are voracious predators feeding on a wide-variety of insects, including caterpillars, beetles, true bugs, sawflies, and aphids.Unfortunately, wheel bugs will feed on beneficial insects such as ladybird beetles and honey bees. The mouthparts are red-brown and resemble a tube or straw that is located underneath the head. The mouthpart extends out when wheel bugs are ready to “stab” prey. Wheel bugs paralyze prey with their saliva that contains a toxic substance, which immobilizes prey within 30 seconds. In addition to feeding on insects, wheel bugs are cannibalistic, and will feed on each other if they cannot locate a food source (prey). What is there not to like about “bugs?”&nbsp;Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: A closer look at the wheel bug

I guess you could say “The Heat is on!”&nbsp; But after all it is July and County Fairs are in full swing, so what else could we expect?&nbsp; As we look ahead to a forecast of triple digit heat it seems like the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of staying hydrated. A good rule of thumb for the amount of water you need is to divide your body weight by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you should be drinking under normal circumstances and more is needed as summer temperatures and humidity rise. So for an example, a 150-pound individual should have at least 75 ounces, but more during this heat wave. Sometimes we forget that 55-75 percent of our body’s weight is water; the brain is 70 percent water; blood is 82 percent water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. Water is also responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells; cushions organs, tissue, bones and joints; removes waste; and regulates body temperature.

Exposure to the sun or getting sunburned will speed fluid loss, and so will drinking beverages containing caffeine or alcohol, which both act as diuretics. Fluid replacement is essential, but it is best to not wait until you are thirsty. Excessive water loss or dehydration can impair body function and lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke and can be life threatening. It is a good idea to become familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion. They include: dizziness, weakness, feeling thirsty, uncoordinated or nauseated. Most people sweat a lot during heat exhaustion. The signs of a heat stroke are different. They include: a body temperature of 104 or above, confusion, staggering, possible fainting, either a rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse, and not sweating, despite the heat. It is important to get medical help right away if you suspect a heat stroke.

Cool water is recommended for the majority of fluid replacement because it is easily absorbed. Many foods also have a high water content and should be included in a healthy summer diet. Melons and most other fruits, along with tomatoes, vegetables, soups, smoothies, puddings and gelatin salads should not be overlooked. Sports beverages may be helpful for athletes who are exercising more than one hour and are in need of electrolytes and quick energy, but consider diluting them with water in order to reduce sugar consumption.&nbsp;

The bottom line on staying hydrated is to drink fluids before you become thirsty. As we age our ability to sense thirst declines, leaving older people unable to rely on their thirst to prompt them to drink enough fluids. Infants and small children also need to be monitored closely to assure that dehydration does not occur. Little ones lose more fluids because they have a greater proportion of skin surface in relation to their size. Offer water frequently, each time a child passes through the kitchen and before, during and after play.

Let’s hope that the heat breaks soon before the 2020 summer goes into the record books.

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. She may be reached at (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578680101176.jpeg" alt="onna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>onna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>I guess you could say “The Heat is on!”&nbsp; But after all it is July and County Fairs are in full swing, so what else could we expect?&nbsp; As we look ahead to a forecast of triple digit heat it seems like the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of staying hydrated. A good rule of thumb for the amount of water you need is to divide your body weight by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you should be drinking under normal circumstances and more is needed as summer temperatures and humidity rise. So for an example, a 150-pound individual should have at least 75 ounces, but more during this heat wave. Sometimes we forget that 55-75 percent of our body’s weight is water; the brain is 70 percent water; blood is 82 percent water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. Water is also responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells; cushions organs, tissue, bones and joints; removes waste; and regulates body temperature.Exposure to the sun or getting sunburned will speed fluid loss, and so will drinking beverages containing caffeine or alcohol, which both act as diuretics. Fluid replacement is essential, but it is best to not wait until you are thirsty. Excessive water loss or dehydration can impair body function and lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke and can be life threatening. It is a good idea to become familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion. They include: dizziness, weakness, feeling thirsty, uncoordinated or nauseated. Most people sweat a lot during heat exhaustion. The signs of a heat stroke are different. They include: a body temperature of 104 or above, confusion, staggering, possible fainting, either a rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse, and not sweating, despite the heat. It is important to get medical help right away if you suspect a heat stroke.Cool water is recommended for the majority of fluid replacement because it is easily absorbed. Many foods also have a high water content and should be included in a healthy summer diet. Melons and most other fruits, along with tomatoes, vegetables, soups, smoothies, puddings and gelatin salads should not be overlooked. Sports beverages may be helpful for athletes who are exercising more than one hour and are in need of electrolytes and quick energy, but consider diluting them with water in order to reduce sugar consumption.&nbsp;The bottom line on staying hydrated is to drink fluids before you become thirsty. As we age our ability to sense thirst declines, leaving older people unable to rely on their thirst to prompt them to drink enough fluids. Infants and small children also need to be monitored closely to assure that dehydration does not occur. Little ones lose more fluids because they have a greater proportion of skin surface in relation to their size. Offer water frequently, each time a child passes through the kitchen and before, during and after play.Let’s hope that the heat breaks soon before the 2020 summer goes into the record books.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. She may be reached at (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

KRUG: Tips on managing heat, humidity safely

During the summer grazing months many producers run into issues with lame cattle. The effects of lameness may show itself by decreased fertility, weight loss, decreased performance, and increased labor and medicine costs. It has been estimated that 88-92% of lameness in cattle stems from the foot. Several issues could be the culprit, but we will review some of the common causes and the key differences between the clinical signs. It is a good idea to contact your local veterinarian to create a treatment plan for these conditions prior to the grazing season.

The first way to determining the cause of lameness is to observe obvious swelling. The swelling most commonly effects the lower limb, indicating the area of inflammation just above the hoof. It is important to distinguish if the swelling is symmetrical (equal on both sides of the foot), or asymmetrical (only effecting one side). Swelling may also be noticed effecting single or multiple joints in both calves and cows.

Footrot is a common disease process that occurs in pasture cattle. Footrot is a bacterial infection of the foot that manifests itself with symmetric swelling encompassing the lower limb just above the hooves. Upon closer inspection, producers will notice a crack in the skin between the hooves and a foul pungent odor. Injectable antibiotic treatment is typically very rewarding when treated in the early stages of the disease. With delayed or late treatment of cases, however, deeper structures of the foot (tendons, joints, even bone) may become involved. Delayed treatment often requires extended therapy, and leads to increased cull rates from the herd.

It is always important to closely inspect symmetric swelling cases in the pasture settings. Wire, bale wrap, or other foreign bodies can wrap around and entrap the lower foot causing very similar symptoms as footrot. If the swelling has a well demarcated line horizontally across the foot, further investigation in warranted. The entrapping foreign body must be removed.

Single sided or asymmetric swelling of the foot often indicates a more serious condition in cattle. This type of clinical sign is often the result of deep structure issues. Puncture wounds, sole abscesses, or chronic infections can cause single sided joint, bone, or tendon infections. Extensive footwork on a tilt table or under sedation is often indicated in these cases. Contact your veterinarian when these cases are identified.

Single or multiple joint swelling with lameness can also be observed in pasture settings. In calves this is often the result of septic arthritis. This is a bacterial infection of the joints. In very young calves it can be the sequela of naval ill, or from bacteria that get into the blood stream. It is not uncommon to see this condition a week to 10 days following a bout of respiratory disease with some pathogens as well. Even with appropriate treatment, the inflammation in the joint often takes several weeks to resorb back into the body. Joint swelling in mature animals can also occur. Many times this is a result of an orthopedic break down. Torn cruciate ligaments in the stifles of breeding bulls, or hock damage from riding activity are examples of these conditions. Consult with your veterinarian for potential treatment or course of action if these situations occur.

Obvious lameness to one or more limbs with no noticeable swelling can often be challenging to diagnose appropriately. One of these conditions is called Hairy Heel Warts, also known as Digital Dermatitis, or Strawberry Footrot. These animals often display obvious lameness and will attempt to walk on the “tippy toe” of the foot. Upon closer observation you will notice wart like growths or bright red scab lesions below the dewclaws and above the heel bulbs of the foot. Topical treatment with an astringent or antibacterial solution is warranted for this condition.

The last condition we see more commonly in newly arrived stocker calves, is called toe tip necrosis (toe abscesses). These animals often appear with shifting lameness of the back legs. They will usually stand in strange orientations to protect and get pressure off the of the damaged toe. The rear, outside hooves are most often affected. Treatment of these consists of picking up the feet and using hoof testers to confirm the condition. Then the toes are slightly opened with hoof nippers to release the pressure. Without opening the toes, healing will not occur.

Lameness can be challenging to diagnose in a field situation, but understanding the subtle differences will help will proper and timely treatment. Visit with your veterinarian about any non-responsive lameness issues. Further diagnostics and treatment may be indicated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592579538317.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the summer grazing months many producers run into issues with lame cattle. The effects of lameness may show itself by decreased fertility, weight loss, decreased performance, and increased labor and medicine costs. It has been estimated that 88-92% of lameness in cattle stems from the foot. Several issues could be the culprit, but we will review some of the common causes and the key differences between the clinical signs. It is a good idea to contact your local veterinarian to create a treatment plan for these conditions prior to the grazing season.Lameness with Swelling:The first way to determining the cause of lameness is to observe obvious swelling. The swelling most commonly effects the lower limb, indicating the area of inflammation just above the hoof. It is important to distinguish if the swelling is symmetrical (equal on both sides of the foot), or asymmetrical (only effecting one side). Swelling may also be noticed effecting single or multiple joints in both calves and cows.Footrot is a common disease process that occurs in pasture cattle. Footrot is a bacterial infection of the foot that manifests itself with symmetric swelling encompassing the lower limb just above the hooves. Upon closer inspection, producers will notice a crack in the skin between the hooves and a foul pungent odor. Injectable antibiotic treatment is typically very rewarding when treated in the early stages of the disease. With delayed or late treatment of cases, however, deeper structures of the foot (tendons, joints, even bone) may become involved. Delayed treatment often requires extended therapy, and leads to increased cull rates from the herd.It is always important to closely inspect symmetric swelling cases in the pasture settings. Wire, bale wrap, or other foreign bodies can wrap around and entrap the lower foot causing very similar symptoms as footrot. If the swelling has a well demarcated line horizontally across the foot, further investigation in warranted. The entrapping foreign body must be removed.Single sided or asymmetric swelling of the foot often indicates a more serious condition in cattle. This type of clinical sign is often the result of deep structure issues. Puncture wounds, sole abscesses, or chronic infections can cause single sided joint, bone, or tendon infections. Extensive footwork on a tilt table or under sedation is often indicated in these cases. Contact your veterinarian when these cases are identified.Single or multiple joint swelling with lameness can also be observed in pasture settings. In calves this is often the result of septic arthritis. This is a bacterial infection of the joints. In very young calves it can be the sequela of naval ill, or from bacteria that get into the blood stream. It is not uncommon to see this condition a week to 10 days following a bout of respiratory disease with some pathogens as well. Even with appropriate treatment, the inflammation in the joint often takes several weeks to resorb back into the body. Joint swelling in mature animals can also occur. Many times this is a result of an orthopedic break down. Torn cruciate ligaments in the stifles of breeding bulls, or hock damage from riding activity are examples of these conditions. Consult with your veterinarian for potential treatment or course of action if these situations occur.Lameness with no noticeable swelling:Obvious lameness to one or more limbs with no noticeable swelling can often be challenging to diagnose appropriately. One of these conditions is called Hairy Heel Warts, also known as Digital Dermatitis, or Strawberry Footrot. These animals often display obvious lameness and will attempt to walk on the “tippy toe” of the foot. Upon closer observation you will notice wart like growths or bright red scab lesions below the dewclaws and above the heel bulbs of the foot. Topical treatment with an astringent or antibacterial solution is warranted for this condition.The last condition we see more commonly in newly arrived stocker calves, is called toe tip necrosis (toe abscesses). These animals often appear with shifting lameness of the back legs. They will usually stand in strange orientations to protect and get pressure off the of the damaged toe. The rear, outside hooves are most often affected. Treatment of these consists of picking up the feet and using hoof testers to confirm the condition. Then the toes are slightly opened with hoof nippers to release the pressure. Without opening the toes, healing will not occur.Lameness can be challenging to diagnose in a field situation, but understanding the subtle differences will help will proper and timely treatment. Visit with your veterinarian about any non-responsive lameness issues. Further diagnostics and treatment may be indicated.Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Summer grazing and lame cattle

This is the time of year when people really notice crabgrass infestations. By far the best way to control crabgrass is to prevent it by maintaining a good, thick lawn. Crabgrass is an annual that must come up from seed each year and the seed must have light in order to germinate. If a lawn is thick enough that sunlight does not reach the soil, the crabgrass will not germinate. Under Kansas conditions it is not easy to maintain such a lawn; so many gardeners do the next best thing and apply a crabgrass preventer in the spring. Crabgrass preventers kill the seed as it germinates. Most do not have any effect on crabgrass that has already come up. If we are too late to apply a preventer, we do have other herbicides that will kill crabgrass plants including Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max +Crabgrass Control, Fertilome Weed-Out with Crabgrass Control, Monterey Crab-E-Rad and BioAdvanced Lawn Weed &amp; Crabgrass Killer. Each contains quinclorac, which is a crabgrass herbicide, as well as other active ingredients that control broadleaf weeds. Quinclorac is an excellent crabgrass killer that controls not only crabgrass, but also has good activity on foxtail and certain broadleaves such as field bindweed, black medic, and clover. However, it does little to nothing to goosegrass.

​Fortunately, crabgrass starts declining about the middle of August. This is about the same time that cool- season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass start to come out of their summer doldrums. By the first of September, the crabgrass will be less noticeable. Therefore, a small infestation is best ignored. Remember that crabgrass is a warm-season annual and will be killed by the first frost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580750915301.jpeg" alt="Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the time of year when people really notice crabgrass infestations. By far the best way to control crabgrass is to prevent it by maintaining a good, thick lawn. Crabgrass is an annual that must come up from seed each year and the seed must have light in order to germinate. If a lawn is thick enough that sunlight does not reach the soil, the crabgrass will not germinate. Under Kansas conditions it is not easy to maintain such a lawn; so many gardeners do the next best thing and apply a crabgrass preventer in the spring. Crabgrass preventers kill the seed as it germinates. Most do not have any effect on crabgrass that has already come up. If we are too late to apply a preventer, we do have other herbicides that will kill crabgrass plants including Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max +Crabgrass Control, Fertilome Weed-Out with Crabgrass Control, Monterey Crab-E-Rad and BioAdvanced Lawn Weed &amp; Crabgrass Killer. Each contains quinclorac, which is a crabgrass herbicide, as well as other active ingredients that control broadleaf weeds. Quinclorac is an excellent crabgrass killer that controls not only crabgrass, but also has good activity on foxtail and certain broadleaves such as field bindweed, black medic, and clover. However, it does little to nothing to goosegrass.​Fortunately, crabgrass starts declining about the middle of August. This is about the same time that cool- season grasses such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass start to come out of their summer doldrums. By the first of September, the crabgrass will be less noticeable. Therefore, a small infestation is best ignored. Remember that crabgrass is a warm-season annual and will be killed by the first frost.Lauren Fick is the Horticulture Extension Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District. If you have questions she can be contacted by e-mail at lfick@k-state.edu or by phone at 785-628-9430 or 620-793-1910.&nbsp;

FICK: Crabgrass control

By CORINNE BOYER <a href="https://www.hppr.org/post/look-sizable-pool-candidates-hoping-represent-kansas-big-1st">Kansas News Service</a>

GARDEN CITY, Kansas — Four Republicans and two 
Democrats are running for Kansas’ 1st Congressional District seat. It’s 
open because Republican U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall hopes to win the&nbsp; U.S. 
Senate seat held by Pat Robers, who is retiring.

Known as the 
Big 1st, the congressional district encompasses 63 counties (more than 
half in the state) and starts just past Manhattan in eastern Kansas, 
going south to Hutchinson and west all the way to the Colorado border.&nbsp;

The Kansas News Service interviewed five of <a href="https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/elections_upcoming_candidate_display.aspx?id=27">the candidates</a> ahead of the Aug. 4 primary to find out where they stand on major issues; Republican <a href="https://michaelsoetaertforcongress.com/">Michael Soetaert</a> did not respond to requests for an interview. The candidates are divided by party, and listed in alphabetical order after that.

Kali Barnett Age: 35&nbsp;&nbsp; Lives in: Manhattan&nbsp;

About her: Barnett was born and grew up in Garden 
City. She grew up singing with her dad in church, eventually becoming a 
public school music teacher.

Why she’s running: 
Barnett was inspired by the number of women who ran for Congress in 2018
 and the massive teacher strikes during the same year. “I’m incredibly 
passionate about fighting for our education system, especially our 
public schools and especially our rural communities and the need for our
 schools to be thriving,” she said.

Government’s handling of COVID-19:
 On the state level, Barnett thinks Gov. Laura Kelly made sound 
decisions and acted quickly. But she said that wasn’t the case for the 
federal government’s response: “As a country, there’s been a lot of 
division on what the best decisions have been and how to act quickly on 
that.”

Killing of George Floyd and police violence:
 “My thoughts go out to the family of George Floyd and all of the 
families who have experienced this brutality and their life ending too 
soon because .... being at the hands of the police.” She said she 
doesn’t condone violent protests, adding, “I understand the sadness, the
 hurt and the rage that our black communities and our people of color 
are experiencing … and have experienced for decades.” If elected, 
Barnett said she will continue to “stand up for justice and our 
communities, and that includes our people of color that are here.”

Agriculture:
 Barnett supports farmers and ranchers and said issues like trade 
instability and the farm-economy need to be addressed to help 
agriculture thrive. “It’s incredibly important that we are a voice for 
our family farms and their interests and not corporations,” she said. 
Barnett’s family in 2002 lost their wheat farm, the only source of 
income, when she was 17. She said a few weeks later, she sang with her 
dad in a wedding in the morning, and he died from a heart attack at 47 
that afternoon.

Immigration: Barnett said there 
should be “a path to citizenship that is created for our immigrant 
families and communities, especially people that have been here for a 
very, very long time.” She added: “It is really important that we 
support all of our people here in the 1st district.”

Health care:
 Barnett wants to “build off of” the health care system President Barack
 Obama put into law, saying “we cannot eliminate that right now.” She 
supports universal health care, saying that it “includes mental health 
care, eye care and dental care.” Telemedicine is also an important part 
of health care in the largely rural district, she said.

Climate change:
 Whether dealing with flooding or drought, Barnett said ranchers and 
farmers will continue dealing with extreme weather. She wants to reduce 
carbon emissions and work with farmers and ranchers “to not put 
regulations that will hinder them, but that will empower people to have 
this positive change.” She pointed to Kansas’s wind energy industry as a
 renewable source that is working well.

Christy Davis Age: 45 Lives in: Cottonwood Falls

About her: Davis grew up in Harvey County and has 
worked in all 105 Kansas counties. She and her husband have an 
8-year-old son, and Davis owns her own historic preservation company. 
She’s been involved with the Democratic Party for about 20 years and 
worked on now-Gov. Laura Kelly’s state Senate campaign in 2004.

Why she’s running:
 Davis wants to be a voice for rural communities. “People in rural 
communities have pretty strong opinions about things, and I know a lot 
of folks ... feel like they're being left out,” Davis said. In the past,
 she said people in communities dealing with rural hospital and 
community development issues have asked for her help. “And over time 
then there came to be an open seat,” she said, “So that was an 
opportunity.” Davis has received endorsements from former Kansas Gov. 
John Carlin, former Kansas U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda and former U.S. 
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman.

Government’s handling of COVID-19:
 She said she applauds Kelly’s handling of the public health crisis. 
Davis said it’s important that people have access to information and had
 more of it been available, it could have saved lives. She said some 
good leadership came from the federal government: “When you don’t have 
good administration, it’s hard to keep those good public employees. So 
I’m grateful given the situation that we've had with dismantling 
government, that we've had some good folks remain.”

Killing of George Floyd and police violence:
 “I’m not of the camp that all police are bad,” Davis said. “I’m out of 
the camp that there are bad apples, but there are systematic changes 
that should be taking place.” For Davis, everyone should have the right 
to experience life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. “We have folks
 who haven't had access to those basic values,” Davis said, adding that 
her experience with police differs from what people experience in big 
cities. “Nobody should be in a situation where they live in fear of the 
people who are supposed to be protecting us,” she said.

Agriculture:
 Davis grew up on a dairy farm until she was 11. “In the ’80s, like a 
lot of dairy farms, it went under,” she said, likening that decade to 
the present where consolidation and bankruptcies are impacting family 
farms. Producers, she said, aren’t benefiting from meat prices, but they
 should be. “Because of my background, because of the folks that I work 
with every day, I’m going to err on the side of the producers … family 
farmers (and) family ranchers.”

Immigration: 
Looking back at the history immigration in the 19th century, Davis said 
immigrants contributed to and “played central roles in communities, and 
that there was also a pretty fast-track way for folks to become 
citizens.” She wants people to have the opportunity to immigrate here 
legally.

Health care: She is concerned about the
 Republican candidates who want to see the health care law eliminated. 
She advocated for the act, passed in 2010, after her sister, who was a 
doctor in Salina, told her about low-income people who don’t have access
 to health care. Davis's sister died from a rare form of cancer. It’s 
not a perfect solution, Davis said, but it is important to her because 
it protects people with pre-existing conditions. “I have the BRC1 gene,”
 she said. “In order to address the concerns, as far as my risk for 
(breast) cancer, that could kill me, I had to have prophylactic 
surgery.”&nbsp;

Climate change: Because farmers and 
ranchers’ “entire livelihood depends on climate” and is “tied to weather
 on both a macro and micro level,” Davis said the conversation should 
start with them: “I'm going to be the person who is advocating, getting 
lots of different perspectives and identifying specific approaches that 
folks should take when addressing the issue.”

Two GOP candidates took part in a
 June debate that included a guest speaker from the organization 
Understanding the Threat, which says on its website that “the mission … 
is to empower citizens, elected officials and police to dismantle the 
Marxist/communist and jihadi networks inside the United States and 
re-establish America’s founding principles in their communities.” We 
asked those candidates about the organization, and their answers are 
below.

Bill Clifford Age: 65 (66 in July) Lives in: Garden City

About him: At 17, Clifford left his home state of 
New Jersey, eventually joined the Air Force and became a fighter pilot. 
Clifford is an ophthalmologist and has lived in Garden City for 25 
years; the couple adopted five children and have six kids.

Why he’s running: Clifford
 thought being a Finney County Commissioner would be his “terminal 
service to community.” But once the congressional seat opened up, people
 asked him to consider running. “I wasn't seeking it, but they said ‘You
 are the right kind of person; you have the right attitude. You can get 
along with people.’” He says his ideology also matches the district 
well: He’s conservative, pro-life and supports President Donald Trump.

Government’s handling of coronavirus: As
 a physician, Clifford said his perspective is unique. He has close 
friends working in ICU units who are in constant contact with people who
 have the virus. He said Finney County has had to modify its reopening 
because of the number of cases. But he says there’s been an overreach in
 blue states. “I do think this pandemic has brought it home to citizens 
how arbitrarily their rights can be taken away by government,” Clifford 
said, “and as a conservative, I totally disagree with that approach.”

Killing of George Floyd and police violence: Clifford
 said he sends prayers to the family of Floyd and called his death, 
which happened when a Minneapolis officer kneeled on his neck for almost
 nine minutes, “a great tragedy.” He supports free speech and protests. 
“My support ends when windows start breaking and vehicles start being 
torched and first responders are attacked,” he said, adding that he 
backs Trump’s “law and order approach.”

Agriculture and immigration: Clifford’s
 grandparents immigrated from Ireland, and he said he understands the 
immigrant story. He also sees the importance of immigration to 
agriculture, as Kansas’ cattle, grain operations and dairies rely on 
immigrant labor. First, he wants the border secured and backs Trump’s 
efforts to do that. “But then we’ve got to get these visa processes 
correct,” he said, also noting the government needs to get the 
guest-worker program “right.”

Health care: Clifford
 said access to health care is a problem: “You could give everybody 
insurance, but there aren’t enough doctors, nurse practitioners, 
physicians, assistants to see all those people.” He’d like to see the 
Medicare budget increased “so we can get more physicians trained.” 
Prescription drug coverage and availability is something Clifford’s 
patients say affects them, and his solution is to bring drug production 
back to the U.S. As far as the affordability of health care, Clifford 
supports “free-market solutions rather than government solutions” 
because he says competition will push down costs.

Climate change: Clifford
 pays attention to scientific data, and said the Earth goes through cold
 and hot cycles. “I do feel we are in a cycle of warming. I think we may
 just find ourselves back in the cooling phase,” he said. Clifford added
 that he doesn’t support “actions, especially unilateral actions by our 
country that would be harmful to our economy.”

On Understanding the Threat organization:
 Clifford said he had not heard of the organization. He said he doesn’t 
need to agree with the group to have participated in the debate, and 
thinks more people running for office should be opening to ideas from 
the left, right and center. Clifford also said he lived in Saudi Arabia 
for a year and understands Islam: “I would disagree with anyone who 
would truncate our ability to worship freely in this country, because 
that's a founding principle.”

Tracey Mann Age: 43&nbsp; Lives in: Salina

About him: Mann grew up in Quinter in Gove County, 
where his family has farmed and raised cattle for more than a century. 
He played eight-man football growing up and attended Kansas State 
University where he studied agricultural economics. Mann, who has four 
children, said the bulk of his career has been as a realtor and property
 developer. He also was the state’s 50th lieutenant governor, serving in
 former Gov. Jeff Colyer’s administration.

Why he’s running: Mann
 said he wants “to take Kansas conservative values and to advocate for 
agriculture in Washington, D.C.,” adding: “I see what’s happening in 
D.C. with A.O.C. (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) and The Squad and Bernie 
Sanders and this march toward socialism, and it really alarms me.”

Government’s handling of coronavirus: In
 early June, Mann said it was past time to reopen and “get back to 
work.” “Steps were taken to flatten the curb early on but those things 
are behind us and we need to restart the economy,” he said.

Killing of George Floyd and police violence: Mann
 called Floyd’s killing horrible. “It was murder, as I see it, from a 
police officer, and that person should be charged to the fullest extent 
of the law,” he said. Mann agrees with peaceful protests,but, he said, 
“As protests become violent and they damage other people’s property, 
that is not right either, and we’ve got to be a country of law and 
order.”

Agriculture: Mann said he’s a proponent 
for agriculture, and has the backing of the Kansas Farm Bureau. He said 
the industry is facing a number of issues like “low commodity prices, 
lack of free trade or trade barriers” and “burdensome regulation from 
the EPA and others.” He added that “free trade is the future of ag.” By 
increasing demand, Mann said that will improve commodity prices, “which 
will help main streets in Garden City, Scott City, throughout southwest 
Kansas and throughout the entire state.”

Immigration: Mann
 supports legal immigration and Trump’s border wall. He said securing 
the border is the first step. “Beyond that, we need a system in place 
where people can come to the country legally and do jobs needed for our 
economy,” Mann said.

Health care: It begins with
 having “good doctors,” Mann said. Having the University of Kansas 
School of Medicine in Salina helps “because (there’s a) much higher 
likelihood that those students will stay in our more rural underserved 
areas,” he said. As far as health care coverage, Mann said he “rejects 
Obamacare. I do not think that government should take over our medical 
system.”

Climate change: Mann said scientific 
data shows that the “climate is changing” and “scientific data that says
 it’s not.” He doesn’t think any changes need to be made to the economy 
because of climate change. “I hear stories about smog and various 
things, the climate and how it was decades ago, and is getting much 
better,” he said. “I don’t believe the federal government needs to be 
adding more regulations at this time.”

On Understanding the Threat organization: Mann
 also said he had not heard of the group. He said America is a democracy
 and debates are fundamental to a democracy. “I’m delighted to talk 
about issues with whoever arrives,” he said, adding: “Freedom of 
religion is one of our basic founding principles.”

Jerry Molstad Age: 63&nbsp;&nbsp; Lives in: La Crosse

About him: Molstad grew up in Colby and has served 
in the military — from the Army National Guard in Dodge City and 
Missouri, as well as the Air Force Reserves in Wichita and Colorado. The
 physicians assistant in family practice and emergency room medicine 
used to be a pharmaceutical sales representative for Eli Lilly in 
western Kansas. He has six kids and is also one of six siblings.&nbsp;

Why he’s running: He
 ran as a Democrat in the 1st District in 1992, but since then, he’s 
“been outside the box of on the military side” and as a first responder.
 “All my life ... I was in ambulances and fire departments and ERs.” He 
doesn’t think being a congressman or a senator should be a lifetime 
appointment, and wants to “make a bigger difference” in a “short amount 
of time.”

Government’s handling of coronavirus: Overall,
 he thinks the government did a good job handling the pandemic, but that
 cities like New York weren’t prepared. He remembers the September 11 
terrorist attacks.“You have to put this (on) the same page as a 
biochemical attack and you do need the resources, the ventilators, the 
masks,” he said. His job gave him a front-row seat on how the virus 
affected the rural 1st district. “Little places out here in western 
Kansas, we could handle so much,” he said. “Then you have to go to a 
referral center like St. Catherine's or even here at Hays Medical 
Center, it was overwhelming.”

Killing of George Floyd and police violence: Molstad
 watched the video and said it was “absolutely painful.” He also said he
 doesn’t want to stigmatize police, but “the race issues that are going 
on, I understand it. I really do.” He has discussed it with his 
coworkers, saying: “We don't understand how a peaceful thing can turn 
into a free-for-all breaking into businesses that goes against 
everything I think about protesting.”

Agriculture: Molstad
 has cattle in Scott County and used to have farm ground in Thomas 
County. He said cattle producers are getting hurt by prices. “They feed 
them, take care of them, and then when you try to sell them, no one 
wants to pay a premium dollar for them,” he said, adding, “Someone's 
making money off this now, but it sure as heck isn’t the Kansas 
rancher.”

Immigration: “Without the Hispanic 
population in southwest Kansas, there would be no beef in this industry 
whatsoever,” he said. He wants immigrants to be able to get visas and 
work because they are doing jobs like driving grain trucks and working 
in meatpacking, that other people don’t want to do. Those industries “be
 high and dry without these people that have a really high work ethic,” 
he said.

Health care: Molstad said Obama’s 
health care law was a good start, but thinks the standards should be 
loosened because he knows there are people who can’t afford insurance. 
“There's people who just make $1 more than they should, and they're 
ineligible for Medicare, Medicaid or Medicaid or (KanCare)” he said.

Climate change: Molstad
 said climate change is happening, and it should be up to individuals to
 change their own habits. “Don’t use your car, don't drive all over. Be 
efficient with your use of energy.” Taxing industries, like airlines, 
won’t help, he said, rather, “it just runs the cost up,” he said.

Clarification: This story previously stated a Democrat last held the seat in the 1950s. Congressional district borders change over time. A southwest Kansas Democrat served in Congress in the 1960s.

Corinne Boyer covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter<a href="https://twitter.com/Corinne_Boyer"> @corinne_boyer</a> or email cboyer@hppr.org.

Sizable pool of candidates hoping to represent Big First 

In the last 3 to 4 years now, there have been problems with chinch bugs coming out of mature wheat fields and feeding on the small sorghum plants, and this year is no exception.&nbsp;

The overwintered adults emerge in early spring and fly into small grains where they mate and produce the first generation. Most problems in milo or feed occur when large groups of the immature, wingless nymphs migrate from maturing wheat fields and invade adjacent sorghum or sorghum/sudan hay fields where they attempt to complete development. They typically do not infest the entire field but can take out several rows of milo next to the wheat. &nbsp;

Problems with this insect were historically confined to eastern and central Kansas, with damage beginning in May or June, but in recent years, chinch bugs have become more of a problem further west in the state.&nbsp;

Chinch bugs puncture vascular tissues to extract plant juices and secrete digestive enzymes that cause the breakdown of surrounding plant tissues. Feeding punctures also can allow pathogens to enter the plant.&nbsp; Consequently, damaged plants present a variety of symptoms including stunting, yellowing, wilting, and necrotic lesions. The effect nymphal feeding has on plants depends to a large degree on the size, health and nutritional status of the plants. Growth stage and water balance are critical because small or drought-stressed plants have less ability to tolerate or recover from chinch bug feeding damage.&nbsp;

Using seed treatments: clothianidin (Poncho), imidacloprid (numerous products) and thiamethoxam (Cruiser) at planting can potentially decrease chinch bug damage and may protect plants for up to 3 weeks, unless the migration is heavy. Growers can use follow-up sprays on border rows if protection wears off before the end of chinch bug migration.&nbsp;

Most often the damage is noticed only after several rows of sorghum or feed have been severely stunted or killed. Ideally treating promptly as migrations begin and before significant numbers of bugs enter the field and small plants are affected is best.

An insecticide spray can be used over the affected rows and approximately an additional 100 feet beyond. Also, spraying about 100 feet into the wheat stubble is advisable if chinch bugs are still coming out of the wheat field.

Most currently approved insecticides have good efficacy against chinch bugs, if three factors are considered. First, it is important to use the full recommended rate of the selected insecticide, preferably applied in 20 to 40 gallons of water per acre. High gallonage ensures good plant coverage and enhances the movement of material into protected plant parts such as leaf sheaths, which increases the probability of contact with bugs. Second, the material should be applied with properly adjusted and calibrated equipment. Cone nozzles designed for high-pressure use will create smaller droplets and improve coverage. Third, the timing of the insecticide application is critical. Early morning applications are preferred because winds are calm (reducing drift), temperatures are cool (reducing volatilization of chemicals), and a large proportion of the chinch bug population will be on the plants and exposed to the application. None of the materials currently registered for use against chinch bugs has long residual efficacy and plants can outgrow the protection. Because peak migrations may continue for 10 days or more, monitoring is required to determine if additional applications to border rows are necessary.&nbsp;

There are several insecticides labeled for the control of chinch bugs listed in the K-State Research &amp; Extension publication “Sorghum Insect Management” which can be found on our web site at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>

If you have any questions or need further information, contact me at the Cottonwood District Extension Office in Hays.&nbsp;

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574181994278.png" alt="Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>In the last 3 to 4 years now, there have been problems with chinch bugs coming out of mature wheat fields and feeding on the small sorghum plants, and this year is no exception.&nbsp;The overwintered adults emerge in early spring and fly into small grains where they mate and produce the first generation. Most problems in milo or feed occur when large groups of the immature, wingless nymphs migrate from maturing wheat fields and invade adjacent sorghum or sorghum/sudan hay fields where they attempt to complete development. They typically do not infest the entire field but can take out several rows of milo next to the wheat. &nbsp;Problems with this insect were historically confined to eastern and central Kansas, with damage beginning in May or June, but in recent years, chinch bugs have become more of a problem further west in the state.&nbsp;Chinch bugs puncture vascular tissues to extract plant juices and secrete digestive enzymes that cause the breakdown of surrounding plant tissues. Feeding punctures also can allow pathogens to enter the plant.&nbsp; Consequently, damaged plants present a variety of symptoms including stunting, yellowing, wilting, and necrotic lesions. The effect nymphal feeding has on plants depends to a large degree on the size, health and nutritional status of the plants. Growth stage and water balance are critical because small or drought-stressed plants have less ability to tolerate or recover from chinch bug feeding damage.&nbsp;Using seed treatments: clothianidin (Poncho), imidacloprid (numerous products) and thiamethoxam (Cruiser) at planting can potentially decrease chinch bug damage and may protect plants for up to 3 weeks, unless the migration is heavy. Growers can use follow-up sprays on border rows if protection wears off before the end of chinch bug migration.&nbsp;Most often the damage is noticed only after several rows of sorghum or feed have been severely stunted or killed. Ideally treating promptly as migrations begin and before significant numbers of bugs enter the field and small plants are affected is best.An insecticide spray can be used over the affected rows and approximately an additional 100 feet beyond. Also, spraying about 100 feet into the wheat stubble is advisable if chinch bugs are still coming out of the wheat field.Most currently approved insecticides have good efficacy against chinch bugs, if three factors are considered. First, it is important to use the full recommended rate of the selected insecticide, preferably applied in 20 to 40 gallons of water per acre. High gallonage ensures good plant coverage and enhances the movement of material into protected plant parts such as leaf sheaths, which increases the probability of contact with bugs. Second, the material should be applied with properly adjusted and calibrated equipment. Cone nozzles designed for high-pressure use will create smaller droplets and improve coverage. Third, the timing of the insecticide application is critical. Early morning applications are preferred because winds are calm (reducing drift), temperatures are cool (reducing volatilization of chemicals), and a large proportion of the chinch bug population will be on the plants and exposed to the application. None of the materials currently registered for use against chinch bugs has long residual efficacy and plants can outgrow the protection. Because peak migrations may continue for 10 days or more, monitoring is required to determine if additional applications to border rows are necessary.&nbsp;There are several insecticides labeled for the control of chinch bugs listed in the K-State Research &amp; Extension publication “Sorghum Insect Management” which can be found on our web site at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>If you have any questions or need further information, contact me at the Cottonwood District Extension Office in Hays.&nbsp;Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Don’t forget about chinch bugs after wheat harvest 

County Fairs create memories that last a lifetime. I remember as a 4-H’er in Washington County Kansas I loved helping plan and build our Busy Bee 4-H Club float for the two parades down Main Street. It was not uncommon for me to be knitting the last row on a sweater or sewing the hem of a skirt the night before judging was supposed to take place. When our three kids were growing up in 4-H, preparations for the Fair made life in the Krug household a bit hectic at times. Now, more than a few years later, I have the privilege of helping teach my young granddaughters sewing and fiber arts skills as they complete their 4-H projects.&nbsp;

The 2020 Fair season in Kansas is going to have a different look this year. The Barton County Fair is one of the earliest Fairs in the state so with the uncertainty of COVID19 restrictions, a more virtual Fair is taking shape. Michelle, our 4-H and youth agent, has embraced the technology needed to pull this off and I’m along for the ride. Earlier this week I got to take a peek at several of the videos our young 4-H’ers completed in their various projects. They made me smile!

It’s so good to see these young people telling about what they learned in completing their projects. After all, sharing what they learned and building relationships with other 4-H’ers and volunteer leaders are really the most important reasons to participate. After the videos are judged, the public will have an opportunity to view them by going to flipgrid.com&nbsp; The flip code you will need to type in is: btcofair&nbsp;

The Ellis County Fair will get into full swing as the Barton County Fair is winding down. As of today, most of their Fair events will be face to face. Precautions are being made to provide more space between participants as items are being judged and exhibited. Hand sanitizing stations and masks will be available for Fairgoers and volunteers as well.

Most likely the other 103 Kansas Counties will have Fairs that run the gamut between completely virtual to a more normal slate of activities. I hope you will find a way to follow your favorite 4-H’ers in whatever format is provided.&nbsp;

And if there is an open class division at your County Fair, consider entering an exhibit. I just completed my on-line entry for the Barton County Fair with a photo of several tatted snowflakes that I made during the stay at home order. I call them my (don’t laugh) “Corona Flakes.”

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593016082485.png" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>County Fairs create memories that last a lifetime. I remember as a 4-H’er in Washington County Kansas I loved helping plan and build our Busy Bee 4-H Club float for the two parades down Main Street. It was not uncommon for me to be knitting the last row on a sweater or sewing the hem of a skirt the night before judging was supposed to take place. When our three kids were growing up in 4-H, preparations for the Fair made life in the Krug household a bit hectic at times. Now, more than a few years later, I have the privilege of helping teach my young granddaughters sewing and fiber arts skills as they complete their 4-H projects.&nbsp;The 2020 Fair season in Kansas is going to have a different look this year. The Barton County Fair is one of the earliest Fairs in the state so with the uncertainty of COVID19 restrictions, a more virtual Fair is taking shape. Michelle, our 4-H and youth agent, has embraced the technology needed to pull this off and I’m along for the ride. Earlier this week I got to take a peek at several of the videos our young 4-H’ers completed in their various projects. They made me smile!It’s so good to see these young people telling about what they learned in completing their projects. After all, sharing what they learned and building relationships with other 4-H’ers and volunteer leaders are really the most important reasons to participate. After the videos are judged, the public will have an opportunity to view them by going to flipgrid.com&nbsp; The flip code you will need to type in is: btcofair&nbsp;The Ellis County Fair will get into full swing as the Barton County Fair is winding down. As of today, most of their Fair events will be face to face. Precautions are being made to provide more space between participants as items are being judged and exhibited. Hand sanitizing stations and masks will be available for Fairgoers and volunteers as well.Most likely the other 103 Kansas Counties will have Fairs that run the gamut between completely virtual to a more normal slate of activities. I hope you will find a way to follow your favorite 4-H’ers in whatever format is provided.&nbsp;And if there is an open class division at your County Fair, consider entering an exhibit. I just completed my on-line entry for the Barton County Fair with a photo of several tatted snowflakes that I made during the stay at home order. I call them my (don’t laugh) “Corona Flakes.”Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>.

KRUG: The fair is coming!

This year, the Barton County Fair is going to be quite different. The static exhibits such as foods and crafts are all going to be shown online, not out at the Expo buildings in plain view. Livestock shows will go on, but with a different schedule and with no spectators. This is all in place because of Covid 19 restrictions that needed to be in place in May to even be able to plan for a fair.&nbsp;

Before Covid sent us all to our homes, most 4H’ers were already hard at work so their projects would be them ready at Fair time. For example, in order to participate in the 4-H Market Beef show, that animal needs to be weighed and tagged by the Extension office. The weigh in date for 2020 was back on February 29th.&nbsp; (This is just one beef project).&nbsp; For a Foods project, the 4-H’er should be learning about the project and cooking all year long. Art projects are worked on for the entire year at times, and to get the perfect snowstorm picture, you need to have snow. Fair is the culmination of their yearlong hard work, and it is meant to celebrate the 4H’ers and what they have learned along the way.&nbsp;

For 2020, even though you cannot come out to the Expo grounds to view all of the finished projects, you can still help celebrate the children and their hard efforts. There will be several avenues to be able to view their projects. On flipgrid.com, you can search for 4-H Public Showcase with the flip code “btcofair” to view some of the virtual videos of the 4Hers and their projects! You can also visit the Barton County Fair website at bartoncountyfair.com. Facebook will also be busy with livestreaming! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ksrecottonwood">https://www.facebook.com/ksrecottonwood</a> will livestream the livestock shows for people to be able to still watch amongst other activities. You can also go to the Barton County Fair’s Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BartonCoFair">https://www.facebook.com/BartonCoFair</a> for fun and exciting content!&nbsp;

This year has been challenging for many reasons; and The Barton County Fair falls in that category. With a little ingenuity, willingness to be flexible and the ability to learn new things, we will do our absolute best to celebrate what 4-H is about; the learning process and the journey it takes to get there above all!

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592579538317.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>This year, the Barton County Fair is going to be quite different. The static exhibits such as foods and crafts are all going to be shown online, not out at the Expo buildings in plain view. Livestock shows will go on, but with a different schedule and with no spectators. This is all in place because of Covid 19 restrictions that needed to be in place in May to even be able to plan for a fair.&nbsp;Before Covid sent us all to our homes, most 4H’ers were already hard at work so their projects would be them ready at Fair time. For example, in order to participate in the 4-H Market Beef show, that animal needs to be weighed and tagged by the Extension office. The weigh in date for 2020 was back on February 29th.&nbsp; (This is just one beef project).&nbsp; For a Foods project, the 4-H’er should be learning about the project and cooking all year long. Art projects are worked on for the entire year at times, and to get the perfect snowstorm picture, you need to have snow. Fair is the culmination of their yearlong hard work, and it is meant to celebrate the 4H’ers and what they have learned along the way.&nbsp;For 2020, even though you cannot come out to the Expo grounds to view all of the finished projects, you can still help celebrate the children and their hard efforts. There will be several avenues to be able to view their projects. On flipgrid.com, you can search for 4-H Public Showcase with the flip code “btcofair” to view some of the virtual videos of the 4Hers and their projects! You can also visit the Barton County Fair website at bartoncountyfair.com. Facebook will also be busy with livestreaming! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ksrecottonwood">https://www.facebook.com/ksrecottonwood</a> will livestream the livestock shows for people to be able to still watch amongst other activities. You can also go to the Barton County Fair’s Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BartonCoFair">https://www.facebook.com/BartonCoFair</a> for fun and exciting content!&nbsp;This year has been challenging for many reasons; and The Barton County Fair falls in that category. With a little ingenuity, willingness to be flexible and the ability to learn new things, we will do our absolute best to celebrate what 4-H is about; the learning process and the journey it takes to get there above all!Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.

BOOR: Big changes at Barton Co. Fair in 2020

By BERNY UNRUH K-State Research &amp; Extension

Calling all Ellis County bakers! Join us at the Ellis County Fair for the King Arthur Flour contest. It has some great prizes in both the youth and the adult division.&nbsp; The rules and guidelines for this contest and all the other opportunities can be found at <a href="http://www.ellisco.net">www.ellisco.net</a>&nbsp; Look under Government and then under Ellis County Fair and “4-H Events” to find the Open Class portion of the fair book.&nbsp;

All fair entries must be pre-entered in advance at <a href="http://www.fairentry.com">www.fairentry.com</a> by Monday, July 6. This will allow entry cards to be printed and ready for you when you arrive to enter your exhibits.&nbsp; At the FairEntry website, search for Ellis County Fair in Kansas then set up your account using your email address and a password. You will receive email confirmation that your entry has been received.&nbsp;

For the King Arthur Flour baking competition, the exhibitor must bring the opened bag of King Arthur Flour OR submit a UPC label from the bag when the entry is made at the fair. The contestants will bake bar cookies from a recipe of their choosing. Bar cookies are baked in a shallow pan and they should be cut into 2”x 2” bars when cool.&nbsp; Place 3 bar cookies on a disposable plate or covered cardboard, then cover it with a plastic bag and secure it closed and bring it to the fair. Don’t forget to bring the recipe on entry day. Open class foods entries must be brought to the Fairgrounds exhibit hall between 8 and 9 am on Tuesday, July 14th.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Another opportunity to share your baking skills is the Special Class challenge that is open to anyone who wants to get in on the fun.&nbsp; The theme for this year is “A dozen of your favorite cookies”. The prizes awarded in this class include, “bragging rights”, your name added to the traveling trophy and a chance to taste the competitor’s entries. The judging for this class takes place at the conclusion of the open class foods judging.&nbsp;

So now is the time to plan your fair exhibits and get them entered online by July 6th to make the most of the Ellis County Fair experience. There really is something for everyone at the Ellis County Fair!&nbsp;

Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593190326422.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BERNY UNRUH K-State Research &amp; ExtensionCalling all Ellis County bakers! Join us at the Ellis County Fair for the King Arthur Flour contest. It has some great prizes in both the youth and the adult division.&nbsp; The rules and guidelines for this contest and all the other opportunities can be found at <a href="http://www.ellisco.net">www.ellisco.net</a>&nbsp; Look under Government and then under Ellis County Fair and “4-H Events” to find the Open Class portion of the fair book.&nbsp;All fair entries must be pre-entered in advance at <a href="http://www.fairentry.com">www.fairentry.com</a> by Monday, July 6. This will allow entry cards to be printed and ready for you when you arrive to enter your exhibits.&nbsp; At the FairEntry website, search for Ellis County Fair in Kansas then set up your account using your email address and a password. You will receive email confirmation that your entry has been received.&nbsp;For the King Arthur Flour baking competition, the exhibitor must bring the opened bag of King Arthur Flour OR submit a UPC label from the bag when the entry is made at the fair. The contestants will bake bar cookies from a recipe of their choosing. Bar cookies are baked in a shallow pan and they should be cut into 2”x 2” bars when cool.&nbsp; Place 3 bar cookies on a disposable plate or covered cardboard, then cover it with a plastic bag and secure it closed and bring it to the fair. Don’t forget to bring the recipe on entry day. Open class foods entries must be brought to the Fairgrounds exhibit hall between 8 and 9 am on Tuesday, July 14th.&nbsp; &nbsp;Another opportunity to share your baking skills is the Special Class challenge that is open to anyone who wants to get in on the fun.&nbsp; The theme for this year is “A dozen of your favorite cookies”. The prizes awarded in this class include, “bragging rights”, your name added to the traveling trophy and a chance to taste the competitor’s entries. The judging for this class takes place at the conclusion of the open class foods judging.&nbsp;So now is the time to plan your fair exhibits and get them entered online by July 6th to make the most of the Ellis County Fair experience. There really is something for everyone at the Ellis County Fair!&nbsp;	Berny Unruh is the Family and Community Wellness Agent for the Cottonwood Extension District.&nbsp; She can be reached at 785-628-9430 or at <a href="mailto:bunruh@ksu.edu">bunruh@ksu.edu</a>

Ellis County Fair will feature special contests

While uprooted trees and downed power lines caused a lot of damage in the Father’s Day storm that hit Great Bend, it could have been so much worse. I must admit it was a little scary sitting at the dining room table watching significant sized tree limbs fall from our previously well-shaped locust tree. Our power was just off a couple of hours which is a real testament to the power company workers who jumped into high gear and worked tirelessly to restore service.&nbsp;

Not everyone had their power restored so quickly so today I want to share some tips related to food safety during power outages. The temperature and sanitation of food storage areas is crucial to preventing bacterial growth, and severe weather and other emergencies can compromise this. Knowing what to do in these instances can minimize the need to throw away food and the risk of getting sick.

Before the power goes out, have coolers and frozen gel packs or ice on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. When the power goes out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if you keep the door closed. A full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).

After the power returns, you will need to evaluate each item separately. When in doubt, throw it out. With frozen food, check for ice crystals. The food in your freezer that partially or completely thaws may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Discard any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture, or feels warm to the touch. Never taste a food to determine its safety. Realize too, that while re-freezing foods that still contain ice crystals may be safe to consume, often times the quality of the food product is reduced.

There is an excellent website, Foodsafety.gov that has a list of common foods stored in the refrigerator and freezer with specific guidelines. It would be handy to print it off and keep it close by for the next time the power goes off.

As households get back to normal following the last round of severe weather, remember we’re right in the middle of summer storm season. The neatest thing I saw happen following last weeks’ storm was the number of neighbors helping neighbors with the cleaning up and hauling off of tree debris. So during this time of so much uncertainty, it is good to see the spirit of our Central Kansas communities is stronger than ever!&nbsp;

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578680101176.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>While uprooted trees and downed power lines caused a lot of damage in the Father’s Day storm that hit Great Bend, it could have been so much worse. I must admit it was a little scary sitting at the dining room table watching significant sized tree limbs fall from our previously well-shaped locust tree. Our power was just off a couple of hours which is a real testament to the power company workers who jumped into high gear and worked tirelessly to restore service.&nbsp;Not everyone had their power restored so quickly so today I want to share some tips related to food safety during power outages. The temperature and sanitation of food storage areas is crucial to preventing bacterial growth, and severe weather and other emergencies can compromise this. Knowing what to do in these instances can minimize the need to throw away food and the risk of getting sick.Before the power goes out, have coolers and frozen gel packs or ice on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. When the power goes out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if you keep the door closed. A full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full).After the power returns, you will need to evaluate each item separately. When in doubt, throw it out. With frozen food, check for ice crystals. The food in your freezer that partially or completely thaws may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Discard any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture, or feels warm to the touch. Never taste a food to determine its safety. Realize too, that while re-freezing foods that still contain ice crystals may be safe to consume, often times the quality of the food product is reduced.There is an excellent website, Foodsafety.gov that has a list of common foods stored in the refrigerator and freezer with specific guidelines. It would be handy to print it off and keep it close by for the next time the power goes off.As households get back to normal following the last round of severe weather, remember we’re right in the middle of summer storm season. The neatest thing I saw happen following last weeks’ storm was the number of neighbors helping neighbors with the cleaning up and hauling off of tree debris. So during this time of so much uncertainty, it is good to see the spirit of our Central Kansas communities is stronger than ever!&nbsp;Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research &amp; Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>.

KRUG: Food safety following a power outage

Some of them are creepy and crawly. Others can be vicious blood-suckers. Still others slowly whittle away at the wood in your home. But one thing homeowners know about all of the pests they may find is they would rather do without them.

This time of year, that’s nearly impossible, said Kansas State University entomologist Jeff Whitworth, who notes that many of the most common household pests become more active after March each year.

“Arthropods – insects, mites, spiders and others – are our No. 1 competitors for food and fiber, including wooden structures,” Whitworth said. “So, it behooves all of us to know as much as possible about these competitors so that we know which one’s are pests, which one’s are helping us, and the vast majority of which just occupy ecological niches that do not affect us.”

Whitworth is a co-author of the K-State Research and Extension publication,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3291.pdf">Household Pests of Kansas</a>, a 112-page guide to the most common pests in the Sunflower State.

“This book will help folks identify pests, or identify that the bug they have found is not a pest,” Whitworth said. “If it is a pest to be concerned about, they can read a little about what to expect and how to best get rid of them or keep them out of the house.”

Termites are one of the most worrisome insects for homeowners.

“It’s been said that every wooden structure has had, has, or will have an infestation of these wood-destroying insects,” said Whitworth, noting that termites have “swarmed a little later this year than usual.”

He added that&nbsp;Household Pests in Kansas&nbsp;includes a good description of how to tell the difference between termites and ants, and a recommendation to call a pest control professional as soon as you realize you have termites.

Some of the many pests that Whitworth said homeowners should be aware of include:

Most household pests are inactive from October through March, Whitworth said, though a few “pantry pests” stay active during that time because they feed on stored foods that are generally kept at temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. “Cockroaches and bed bugs can certainly be active year-round, anywhere that temperatures are above 50 F,” he said.

In addition to his publication, Whitworth said two other books –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S131.pdf">Insects in Kansas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S152.pdf">Crop Insects in Kansas</a>&nbsp;– will help homeowners identify pests.

“Your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">local extension office</a>&nbsp;can also help,” he said. “Take the best, close-up photos you can, from several angles, and place something beside the specimen so the person making the identification can get an idea of size. You can also take the actual specimen in as good of condition as possible to the local extension office.”

When pest control measures are warranted, Whitworth recommended contacting an established company. “Get several estimates and each company’s tactic to manage your problem,” he said. “They will be different, but they will probably be happy to provide a free estimate. Don’t forget to get a warranty or guarantee, because they should provide these.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592579538317.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.</figcaption>
 </figure>Some of them are creepy and crawly. Others can be vicious blood-suckers. Still others slowly whittle away at the wood in your home. But one thing homeowners know about all of the pests they may find is they would rather do without them.This time of year, that’s nearly impossible, said Kansas State University entomologist Jeff Whitworth, who notes that many of the most common household pests become more active after March each year.“Arthropods – insects, mites, spiders and others – are our No. 1 competitors for food and fiber, including wooden structures,” Whitworth said. “So, it behooves all of us to know as much as possible about these competitors so that we know which one’s are pests, which one’s are helping us, and the vast majority of which just occupy ecological niches that do not affect us.”Whitworth is a co-author of the K-State Research and Extension publication,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3291.pdf">Household Pests of Kansas</a>, a 112-page guide to the most common pests in the Sunflower State.“This book will help folks identify pests, or identify that the bug they have found is not a pest,” Whitworth said. “If it is a pest to be concerned about, they can read a little about what to expect and how to best get rid of them or keep them out of the house.”Termites are one of the most worrisome insects for homeowners.“It’s been said that every wooden structure has had, has, or will have an infestation of these wood-destroying insects,” said Whitworth, noting that termites have “swarmed a little later this year than usual.”He added that&nbsp;Household Pests in Kansas&nbsp;includes a good description of how to tell the difference between termites and ants, and a recommendation to call a pest control professional as soon as you realize you have termites.Some of the many pests that Whitworth said homeowners should be aware of include:<ul>
 <li>Mosquitos and ticks.&nbsp;Aside from being blood-sucking nuisances, both can vector diseases.</li><li>Spiders.&nbsp;Most are harmless, but often scare homeowners. All spiders are poisonous but only two – the black widow and brown recluse – may require medical attention for both animals and humans.</li><li>Ants.&nbsp;They are mostly just a nuisance, constantly on the search for food scraps. The exception is the carpenter ant, which may start living in soft woods, insulation or other areas.</li><li>Carpenter bees.&nbsp;These are “always” a nuisance in late June to mid-July, Whitworth said. They don’t eat wood, but do tunnel and nest in it. The males have a habit of “dive-bombing” humans who approach their nests before the females have mated.</li>
 </ul>Most household pests are inactive from October through March, Whitworth said, though a few “pantry pests” stay active during that time because they feed on stored foods that are generally kept at temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. “Cockroaches and bed bugs can certainly be active year-round, anywhere that temperatures are above 50 F,” he said.In addition to his publication, Whitworth said two other books –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S131.pdf">Insects in Kansas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/S152.pdf">Crop Insects in Kansas</a>&nbsp;– will help homeowners identify pests.“Your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">local extension office</a>&nbsp;can also help,” he said. “Take the best, close-up photos you can, from several angles, and place something beside the specimen so the person making the identification can get an idea of size. You can also take the actual specimen in as good of condition as possible to the local extension office.”When pest control measures are warranted, Whitworth recommended contacting an established company. “Get several estimates and each company’s tactic to manage your problem,” he said. “They will be different, but they will probably be happy to provide a free estimate. Don’t forget to get a warranty or guarantee, because they should provide these.”Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Troublesome pests crawling out of the woodwork

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — More than a century after the arrival of the railroads to the Flint Hills of Kansas, a large-scale track expansion is tearing up a scenic stretch in some of the last remaining tallgrass prairie left in the nation.

The multiyear project by BNSF Railway to build a second main line of track in Kansas got little public attention until construction this year on a nearly 42-mile stretch of track that the railroad is laying from Ellinor to El Dorado. Located south of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the new line will run alongside much of Highway 177, a national scenic byway through the Flint Hills.

The work is occurring along the railroad’s right-of-way and 19 parcels of land it is acquiring, BNSF spokeswoman Amy Casas said in an email.

The project involves eight minor wetland fills, realignment of streams at three locations, seven new bridges and 36 culvert extensions, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers documents.

When Wichita resident Clayton Jamison and his wife traveled to Cottonwood Falls in late May, he was shocked as they came over a rise in the road a few miles north of Cassoday and saw the size of the excavation.

“It looked like a bomb went off,” Jamison said.

At one time, 150 million acres of tallgrass prairie stretched from Texas to Canada. Today only 4% of that ecosystem survives, with the largest piece in the Flint Hills, according to the Flint Hills Learning Center.

The Flint Hills, once an ancient inland seaway, has very shallow soil and hard limestone rocks that kept settlers from plowing it. Tallgrass prairie grasses grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall, with roots that extend up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) deep. Its ecosystem supports threatened species like prairie chickens.

“Up there that is a special place,” Jamison said of the Flint Hills. “It is just one of those things that have been that way for millennium times. It hasn’t changed a lot.”

BNSF said its earth moving is only temporary and that it will restore the area and plant native grass as required by its state construction stormwater permit and in “voluntary consultation” with The Nature Conservancy.

“We are also a big supporter of the ongoing efforts to preserve the tall grass prairie of the Flint Hills,” Casas wrote, noting donations the railroad has made to such efforts.

The Nature Conservancy said in an email that its land protection director is scheduled to look at the rail expansion project with BNSF next week.

“It’s always unfortunate to lose more native prairie, especially in the Flint Hills, which is the last uninterrupted expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America,” said Laura Rose Clawson, spokeswoman for The Nature Conservancy. “We understand the necessity of BNSF’s expansion project, but we hope they take steps to mitigate this loss of prairie.”

No environmental impact statement or public notice was required because the work is allowed under an existing nationwide permit, said Mark Frazier, regulatory branch chief for the Corps of Engineers’ Kansas City district.

The Corps, which has jurisdiction over U.S. waters, considered the impacts of each of the project’s 42 water crossings separately, Frazier said.

But even if federal regulators had considered the Flint Hills rail expansion as a single project, Frazier does not believe an environmental impact statement would have been required.

“When you consider them as separate projects the way we did for these permits, most of the impacts were temporary to allow for construction. Then they will be restored once they are done working,” said Sarah Reznicek, the Corps’ regulatory project manager who handled its review.

The expansion is being done to help with the transportation of consumer goods. BNSF said the project supports its customers’ growth. It noted that the railroad has invested about $815 million in Kansas during the last five years to maintain the railroad and expand it where needed.

Officials in the area say most of the complaints they have heard are from visitors, not locals.

“It’s not bothering us,” Chase County Register of Deeds Kathy Swift said.

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — More than a century after the arrival of the railroads to the Flint Hills of Kansas, a large-scale track expansion is tearing up a scenic stretch in some of the last remaining tallgrass prairie left in the nation.The multiyear project by BNSF Railway to build a second main line of track in Kansas got little public attention until construction this year on a nearly 42-mile stretch of track that the railroad is laying from Ellinor to El Dorado. Located south of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the new line will run alongside much of Highway 177, a national scenic byway through the Flint Hills.The work is occurring along the railroad’s right-of-way and 19 parcels of land it is acquiring, BNSF spokeswoman Amy Casas said in an email.The project involves eight minor wetland fills, realignment of streams at three locations, seven new bridges and 36 culvert extensions, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers documents.When Wichita resident Clayton Jamison and his wife traveled to Cottonwood Falls in late May, he was shocked as they came over a rise in the road a few miles north of Cassoday and saw the size of the excavation.“It looked like a bomb went off,” Jamison said.At one time, 150 million acres of tallgrass prairie stretched from Texas to Canada. Today only 4% of that ecosystem survives, with the largest piece in the Flint Hills, according to the Flint Hills Learning Center.The Flint Hills, once an ancient inland seaway, has very shallow soil and hard limestone rocks that kept settlers from plowing it. Tallgrass prairie grasses grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall, with roots that extend up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) deep. Its ecosystem supports threatened species like prairie chickens.“Up there that is a special place,” Jamison said of the Flint Hills. “It is just one of those things that have been that way for millennium times. It hasn’t changed a lot.”BNSF said its earth moving is only temporary and that it will restore the area and plant native grass as required by its state construction stormwater permit and in “voluntary consultation” with The Nature Conservancy.“We are also a big supporter of the ongoing efforts to preserve the tall grass prairie of the Flint Hills,” Casas wrote, noting donations the railroad has made to such efforts.The Nature Conservancy said in an email that its land protection director is scheduled to look at the rail expansion project with BNSF next week.“It’s always unfortunate to lose more native prairie, especially in the Flint Hills, which is the last uninterrupted expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America,” said Laura Rose Clawson, spokeswoman for The Nature Conservancy. “We understand the necessity of BNSF’s expansion project, but we hope they take steps to mitigate this loss of prairie.”No environmental impact statement or public notice was required because the work is allowed under an existing nationwide permit, said Mark Frazier, regulatory branch chief for the Corps of Engineers’ Kansas City district.The Corps, which has jurisdiction over U.S. waters, considered the impacts of each of the project’s 42 water crossings separately, Frazier said.But even if federal regulators had considered the Flint Hills rail expansion as a single project, Frazier does not believe an environmental impact statement would have been required.“When you consider them as separate projects the way we did for these permits, most of the impacts were temporary to allow for construction. Then they will be restored once they are done working,” said Sarah Reznicek, the Corps’ regulatory project manager who handled its review.The expansion is being done to help with the transportation of consumer goods. BNSF said the project supports its customers’ growth. It noted that the railroad has invested about $815 million in Kansas during the last five years to maintain the railroad and expand it where needed.Officials in the area say most of the complaints they have heard are from visitors, not locals.“It’s not bothering us,” Chase County Register of Deeds Kathy Swift said.