Stacy Campbell Cottonwood Extension District, Hays

A K-State Sorghum Production school will offer in-depth information for sorghum growers and key stakeholders. 

The school is sponsored by Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. 

It will be on Thursday, January 30th at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, Burnside Room, 1214 Stone Street. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. the program starts at 8:45 a.m. and concludes at 1:00 p.m.&nbsp;

The sorghum school will cover a number of issues facing sorghum growers: risk management, marketing opportunities, weed control, crop production practices, and nutrient and soil fertility.&nbsp;

Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. 

There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to pre-register by Monday, Jan. 27. 

Online registration is available at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a> or by calling the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend office at 620-793-1910.

Stacy Campbell Cottonwood Extension District, HaysA K-State Sorghum Production school will offer in-depth information for sorghum growers and key stakeholders. The school is sponsored by Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. It will be on Thursday, January 30th at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, Burnside Room, 1214 Stone Street. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. the program starts at 8:45 a.m. and concludes at 1:00 p.m.&nbsp;The sorghum school will cover a number of issues facing sorghum growers: risk management, marketing opportunities, weed control, crop production practices, and nutrient and soil fertility.&nbsp;Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission. There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to pre-register by Monday, Jan. 27. Online registration is available at <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a> or by calling the Cottonwood Extension District, Great Bend office at 620-793-1910.

K-State Sorghum School set for Thursday

The Farm Bill enrollment is open at this time and will be until March 15. Many producers have already made their decisions for the next 2 years, but some of you may still have questions on what program you want to choose. Although the decision is for just for 2 years this time, it is still important in your farm’s management.&nbsp;

If you have questions, or just want a little clarification, you can call the Cottonwood Extension District and make an appointment with us to run a decision tool. This can help give you more information to make your choices. All you need to bring in with you is the abbreviated 156 farm record form from your FSA office and the decision tool will take your yield data along with the national factors to give you a close estimate about what possible payments you will see over the next 2 years. The Great Bend office number is 620-793-1910 and ask for Alicia. For the Hays office, call 785-628-9430 and ask for Stacy.

The decision tools that are out there are meant to be a guide to help you get the best information out there for the most informed decision that you can make. K-State Research and Extension is here to assist you with the tools and any updated information that we have.&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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.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>The Farm Bill enrollment is open at this time and will be until March 15. Many producers have already made their decisions for the next 2 years, but some of you may still have questions on what program you want to choose. Although the decision is for just for 2 years this time, it is still important in your farm’s management.&nbsp;If you have questions, or just want a little clarification, you can call the Cottonwood Extension District and make an appointment with us to run a decision tool. This can help give you more information to make your choices. All you need to bring in with you is the abbreviated 156 farm record form from your FSA office and the decision tool will take your yield data along with the national factors to give you a close estimate about what possible payments you will see over the next 2 years. The Great Bend office number is 620-793-1910 and ask for Alicia. For the Hays office, call 785-628-9430 and ask for Stacy.The decision tools that are out there are meant to be a guide to help you get the best information out there for the most informed decision that you can make. K-State Research and Extension is here to assist you with the tools and any updated information that we have.&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: Open enrollment season for 2020 farm programs

	The wintery weather we are having makes me think of how good a piping hot bowl of soup would taste. Whether it’s a prize winning recipe for chili or a recipe you are preparing for the first time, soups can be a great way to add nutrition and a sense of warmth to any meal.

	There are several distinct kinds of soups. Many times a meal starts off with a broth type of soup. This can help whet the appetite for the rest of the meal. A broth type soup can also help keep a person hydrated since we often don’t drink enough water on a cold wintery day. One of our favorite soups is Miso soup. It’s simple to make, and besides tasting good, the miso paste added at the end of the cooking time, has cancer fighting properties.

	Savory soups and stews are popular in the winter months because they stick to your ribs. As a general rule, a savory soup may cook more slowly, like in a slow cooker or electric roaster. The added benefit of preparing a soup in this way is that you get to enjoy the smell of the soup while it is cooking throughout the day. You can add just about any vegetable to a savory soup and not be disappointed.&nbsp;

	And finally, there are creamy soups. Recipes abound in this category. Some creamy soups are milk based but you can also find recipes where you pull out a few ladles full of the chunky ingredients and use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup before adding it back in to the entire pot full. This will thicken the soup and provide an almost creamy texture.&nbsp; Perhaps a family member is not fond of the texture of a soup ingredient; by pureeing it like I’ve described, you can almost hide an ingredient.

	Whatever type of soup you choose to prepare, you will find that cooking from scratch has many advantages. I try to avoid using canned soups as much as possible because they add a large amount of sodium and other preservatives to your diet. If you do purchase canned soup, make sure you look for low sodium options.&nbsp;

	If I have made you just a little bit hungry for soup, I hope you will mark your calendar for Sunday, January 26th. That is the date of our next Healthy Community Potluck from 4-6 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Great Bend. The focus of our January potluck will be on plant based soups, so start looking for a recipe to prepare and share. I will do a short cooking demonstration at 4 and then we’ll enjoy sampling all of the soups brought by everyone. Make sure you bring a recipe and following the potluck we will e-mail all of the recipes out to everyone. I hope to see you on the 26th!

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/2019/11/1574802720194.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>	The wintery weather we are having makes me think of how good a piping hot bowl of soup would taste. Whether it’s a prize winning recipe for chili or a recipe you are preparing for the first time, soups can be a great way to add nutrition and a sense of warmth to any meal.	There are several distinct kinds of soups. Many times a meal starts off with a broth type of soup. This can help whet the appetite for the rest of the meal. A broth type soup can also help keep a person hydrated since we often don’t drink enough water on a cold wintery day. One of our favorite soups is Miso soup. It’s simple to make, and besides tasting good, the miso paste added at the end of the cooking time, has cancer fighting properties.	Savory soups and stews are popular in the winter months because they stick to your ribs. As a general rule, a savory soup may cook more slowly, like in a slow cooker or electric roaster. The added benefit of preparing a soup in this way is that you get to enjoy the smell of the soup while it is cooking throughout the day. You can add just about any vegetable to a savory soup and not be disappointed.&nbsp;	And finally, there are creamy soups. Recipes abound in this category. Some creamy soups are milk based but you can also find recipes where you pull out a few ladles full of the chunky ingredients and use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup before adding it back in to the entire pot full. This will thicken the soup and provide an almost creamy texture.&nbsp; Perhaps a family member is not fond of the texture of a soup ingredient; by pureeing it like I’ve described, you can almost hide an ingredient.	Whatever type of soup you choose to prepare, you will find that cooking from scratch has many advantages. I try to avoid using canned soups as much as possible because they add a large amount of sodium and other preservatives to your diet. If you do purchase canned soup, make sure you look for low sodium options.&nbsp;	If I have made you just a little bit hungry for soup, I hope you will mark your calendar for Sunday, January 26th. That is the date of our next Healthy Community Potluck from 4-6 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Great Bend. The focus of our January potluck will be on plant based soups, so start looking for a recipe to prepare and share. I will do a short cooking demonstration at 4 and then we’ll enjoy sampling all of the soups brought by everyone. Make sure you bring a recipe and following the potluck we will e-mail all of the recipes out to everyone. I hope to see you on the 26th!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: Super soups are great comfort foods

GREAT BEND — Tenants and landlords of farm and pasture land make plans to attend a workshop on agricultural leasing presented by Mykel Taylor, K-State Extension Ag Economist on Tuesday, Jan. 21, beginning with registration at 12:30 p.m. The program starts at 1:00 and concludes at 3:00 p.m. It will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th Street, Great Bend.&nbsp;

Topics of discussion will be differences &amp; similarities of various leasing arrangements, active management of landowner-tenant relationships through effective communication, recognition of incentives and the principles of calculating an equitable lease.&nbsp;

There is no cost to attend. RSVP by Monday, Jan. 20, at the Cottonwood Extension Office, Great Bend 620-793-1910, or email Brenda at <a href="mailto:bwalton@ksu.edu">bwalton@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574651358684.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND — Tenants and landlords of farm and pasture land make plans to attend a workshop on agricultural leasing presented by Mykel Taylor, K-State Extension Ag Economist on Tuesday, Jan. 21, beginning with registration at 12:30 p.m. The program starts at 1:00 and concludes at 3:00 p.m. It will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th Street, Great Bend.&nbsp;Topics of discussion will be differences &amp; similarities of various leasing arrangements, active management of landowner-tenant relationships through effective communication, recognition of incentives and the principles of calculating an equitable lease.&nbsp;There is no cost to attend. RSVP by Monday, Jan. 20, at the Cottonwood Extension Office, Great Bend 620-793-1910, or email Brenda at <a href="mailto:bwalton@ksu.edu">bwalton@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;— Cottonwood Extension District

Workshop will focus on farm, pasture land leases

What gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but is cited as the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? If you guessed radon you are absolutely right.&nbsp; January is noted as Radon Action Awareness Month so it is the perfect time to share up-to-date information on this important topic.

Radon surveys show that 6 percent of homes in the U.S. have average concentrations above the recommended maximum level. However, the Kansas survey demonstrated that one in four homes were high. This information is provided by Bruce Snead, K-State Research and Extension residential energy specialist.

So how does this cancer causing gas enter a house? The most common way is it can seep from the soil beneath the foundation through cracks or joints. Another factor, soil porosity, under and around the basement or foundation, also affects the radon levels in homes and public buildings. &nbsp;

Detection of radon is relatively simple. We recommend purchasing a short term radon detection kit. We have these available at both of our Cottonwood District offices, (Great Bend and Hays). The kits cost $6.50 and we have a good supply available for purchase. Radon tests may also be found at hardware stores and on the Internet, usually for $25 or less.

Testing is important, because it is the only way to tell how much of the gas is present. We advise people to test in the lowest level where they spend time, such as a bedroom, living or family room. Avoid testing in a kitchen or bathroom, since the higher humidity in those areas can alter the test results. The testing device needs to be at least 20 inches above the floor and be left in place for two to four days. The goal is to measure the potential for elevated concentrations that come from the soil beneath the homes= foundation.&nbsp;

If the initial test result is 4 pico curies per liter of air or higher, a follow-up test is recommended. If you find that you need to contact a contractor to help mitigate radon, give me a call. I have an up to date list of certified mitigation technicians and laboratories providing services in Kansas. Certification through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for radon professionals was required starting in July 2011.

In Kansas, since July 1, 2009, residential real estate contracts must contain a specific paragraph recommending radon testing in real estate transactions and disclosure of test results. There are, however, currently no laws requiring such tests or mitigation of high levels of radon. &nbsp;

Consider testing your home soon. The cost of the test kit is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing the radon level in your home.

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District – Great Bend Office. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141417887.jpeg" alt="Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District</figcaption>
 </figure>What gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but is cited as the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers? If you guessed radon you are absolutely right.&nbsp; January is noted as Radon Action Awareness Month so it is the perfect time to share up-to-date information on this important topic.Radon surveys show that 6 percent of homes in the U.S. have average concentrations above the recommended maximum level. However, the Kansas survey demonstrated that one in four homes were high. This information is provided by Bruce Snead, K-State Research and Extension residential energy specialist.So how does this cancer causing gas enter a house? The most common way is it can seep from the soil beneath the foundation through cracks or joints. Another factor, soil porosity, under and around the basement or foundation, also affects the radon levels in homes and public buildings. &nbsp;Detection of radon is relatively simple. We recommend purchasing a short term radon detection kit. We have these available at both of our Cottonwood District offices, (Great Bend and Hays). The kits cost $6.50 and we have a good supply available for purchase. Radon tests may also be found at hardware stores and on the Internet, usually for $25 or less.Testing is important, because it is the only way to tell how much of the gas is present. We advise people to test in the lowest level where they spend time, such as a bedroom, living or family room. Avoid testing in a kitchen or bathroom, since the higher humidity in those areas can alter the test results. The testing device needs to be at least 20 inches above the floor and be left in place for two to four days. The goal is to measure the potential for elevated concentrations that come from the soil beneath the homes= foundation.&nbsp;If the initial test result is 4 pico curies per liter of air or higher, a follow-up test is recommended. If you find that you need to contact a contractor to help mitigate radon, give me a call. I have an up to date list of certified mitigation technicians and laboratories providing services in Kansas. Certification through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for radon professionals was required starting in July 2011.In Kansas, since July 1, 2009, residential real estate contracts must contain a specific paragraph recommending radon testing in real estate transactions and disclosure of test results. There are, however, currently no laws requiring such tests or mitigation of high levels of radon. &nbsp;Consider testing your home soon. The cost of the test kit is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing the radon level in your home.Donna Krug is the District Director and Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District – Great Bend Office. You may reach her at (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu&nbsp;

KRUG: Now is the time to test for radon

&nbsp;Every day you can graze corn stalks or winter pasture saves you fifty cents to a dollar compared to feeding hay or silage.&nbsp; Protein supplements are critical to your success, though.

Winter grazing saves lots of money and usually takes less labor than feeding cows all winter.&nbsp; But these advantages become meaningless if cows don’t stay healthy or loose condition due to a lack of protein.

Why is protein so important?&nbsp; In ruminants, like cattle, protein is used twice – first by the microbes in the rumen that are digesting the fiber in the corn stalks and winter grass and secondly by the animal.

For the microbes to digest these low quality forages, the diet must contain at least seven to eight percent protein.&nbsp; Otherwise the microbes become protein deficient and are unable to work effectively.&nbsp; When this happens, the amount of energy the animal receives from the forage is low and the animal becomes energy deficient.&nbsp; So one major reason to supplement protein with winter forages is to make sure the microbes are fed properly so your animal does not become energy deficient.&nbsp; In other words, protein increases energy.

The protein supplement you use is important.&nbsp; Many cheap protein sources contain mostly urea and other forms of non-protein nitrogen.&nbsp; These supplements are less effective at this time of year when cattle are eating mostly winter forages that contain low energy.

Instead, use supplements that contain more all-natural protein.&nbsp; Alfalfa often is the cheapest natural source of protein, but other sources also work well.

Winter grazing can reduce winter feed costs and labor.&nbsp; Feed the right protein with it, and you will be successful.

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&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.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>&nbsp;Every day you can graze corn stalks or winter pasture saves you fifty cents to a dollar compared to feeding hay or silage.&nbsp; Protein supplements are critical to your success, though.Winter grazing saves lots of money and usually takes less labor than feeding cows all winter.&nbsp; But these advantages become meaningless if cows don’t stay healthy or loose condition due to a lack of protein.Why is protein so important?&nbsp; In ruminants, like cattle, protein is used twice – first by the microbes in the rumen that are digesting the fiber in the corn stalks and winter grass and secondly by the animal.For the microbes to digest these low quality forages, the diet must contain at least seven to eight percent protein.&nbsp; Otherwise the microbes become protein deficient and are unable to work effectively.&nbsp; When this happens, the amount of energy the animal receives from the forage is low and the animal becomes energy deficient.&nbsp; So one major reason to supplement protein with winter forages is to make sure the microbes are fed properly so your animal does not become energy deficient.&nbsp; In other words, protein increases energy.The protein supplement you use is important.&nbsp; Many cheap protein sources contain mostly urea and other forms of non-protein nitrogen.&nbsp; These supplements are less effective at this time of year when cattle are eating mostly winter forages that contain low energy.Instead, use supplements that contain more all-natural protein.&nbsp; Alfalfa often is the cheapest natural source of protein, but other sources also work well.Winter grazing can reduce winter feed costs and labor.&nbsp; Feed the right protein with it, and you will be successful.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&nbsp;

BOOR: Supplementing protein when winter grazing

Mark your calendars for the 17th annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference! It will be held on Jan. 14 and 15 at the Gateway in Oberlin.&nbsp;

A research based educational conference for producers and industry. It's a conference for new ideas and updates in crop production practices relevant to the Central Plains. This is a producer driven conference program resulting from a partnership of K-State Research and Extension and the Northwest Kansas Crop Residue Alliance.

Alternative Crops-What We Know, Don’t Know, and Should Be Thinking About by Lucas Haag, NW Extension regional agronomist.&nbsp;

Beyond Grain: The Value of Wheat in the Production Chain by Aaron Harries, VP of Research &amp; Operations - Kansas Wheat.

Cover Crops as a Weed Management Tool by K-State agronomy graduate students.&nbsp;

Current Financial Status of NW Kansas Farms by Jordan Steele, NW Farm Management Association economist and field man.&nbsp;

Insect Management in Dryland Corn by Sarah Zukoff, SW Extension entomologist.&nbsp;

Planter Technology Advancements by Ajay Sharda, K-State Research &amp; Extension Ag Engineer.&nbsp;

Soil Testing- Interpretations Matter by Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, Extension soil fertility specialist.&nbsp;

The War on Weeds by Jeanne Falk Jones, Multi-County Extension agronomist.&nbsp;

What Drives Efficiency and Profitability in Irrigated Corn? Lessons Learned From the TAPS Grower Competition by Daran Rudnik, UNL Irrigation Management specialist.&nbsp;

Why Does a Food Company Care About Soil? An intro to General Mills’ Ag Commitment by Steve Rosenzweig, soil scientist General Mills.&nbsp;

And the always popular producer panel will discuss various alternative crop options in the region. Potentially included in the discussion will be winter canola, dry edible beans, field peas, barley, and triticale.&nbsp;

There will be equipment displays, vendor booths and company representatives to visit with.&nbsp;

Early Bird Registration – Deadline is Jan. 8.&nbsp;

It will be the same program both days $50 for Tuesday, $45 for Wednesday, $65 for both days. After the deadline $65. On Tuesday immediately following the conference there is a social hour with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. &nbsp;

Certified Crop Advisor and Commercial Applicator CEU’s have been applied for.&nbsp;

I plan to attend on the 15th, if you would like to ride along give me a call. If you have any registration questions call our Colby Area Office at 785-462-6281

Register online, view full schedule and meet the speakers to find out what they plan to discuss at <a href="http://www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres">www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres</a>&nbsp;

Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141087694.png" alt="Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Mark your calendars for the 17th annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference! It will be held on Jan. 14 and 15 at the Gateway in Oberlin.&nbsp;A research based educational conference for producers and industry. It's a conference for new ideas and updates in crop production practices relevant to the Central Plains. This is a producer driven conference program resulting from a partnership of K-State Research and Extension and the Northwest Kansas Crop Residue Alliance.Presentations and speakers:&nbsp;Alternative Crops-What We Know, Don’t Know, and Should Be Thinking About by Lucas Haag, NW Extension regional agronomist.&nbsp;Beyond Grain: The Value of Wheat in the Production Chain by Aaron Harries, VP of Research &amp; Operations - Kansas Wheat.Cover Crops as a Weed Management Tool by K-State agronomy graduate students.&nbsp;Current Financial Status of NW Kansas Farms by Jordan Steele, NW Farm Management Association economist and field man.&nbsp;Insect Management in Dryland Corn by Sarah Zukoff, SW Extension entomologist.&nbsp;Planter Technology Advancements by Ajay Sharda, K-State Research &amp; Extension Ag Engineer.&nbsp;Soil Testing- Interpretations Matter by Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, Extension soil fertility specialist.&nbsp;The War on Weeds by Jeanne Falk Jones, Multi-County Extension agronomist.&nbsp;What Drives Efficiency and Profitability in Irrigated Corn? Lessons Learned From the TAPS Grower Competition by Daran Rudnik, UNL Irrigation Management specialist.&nbsp;Why Does a Food Company Care About Soil? An intro to General Mills’ Ag Commitment by Steve Rosenzweig, soil scientist General Mills.&nbsp;And the always popular producer panel will discuss various alternative crop options in the region. Potentially included in the discussion will be winter canola, dry edible beans, field peas, barley, and triticale.&nbsp;There will be equipment displays, vendor booths and company representatives to visit with.&nbsp;Early Bird Registration – Deadline is Jan. 8.&nbsp;It will be the same program both days $50 for Tuesday, $45 for Wednesday, $65 for both days. After the deadline $65. On Tuesday immediately following the conference there is a social hour with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. &nbsp;Certified Crop Advisor and Commercial Applicator CEU’s have been applied for.&nbsp;I plan to attend on the 15th, if you would like to ride along give me a call. If you have any registration questions call our Colby Area Office at 785-462-6281Register online, view full schedule and meet the speakers to find out what they plan to discuss at <a href="http://www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres">www.northwest.ksu.edu/coveryouracres</a>&nbsp;Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Cover Your Acres Winter Conference is this month

Few topics in rural Kansas life are more filled with fact and fiction than Kansas Fence Law. Yes, we have a fence law in Kansas. We have had for a long time. It specifies who is and isn’t responsible for building and maintaining a fence and it even gives specifics on what qualifies for a legal fence including stone walls and hedge fences!

Kansas is considered a fence in state. In other words, we are not “open range." The owner of the livestock is responsible for keeping them “fenced in.” With that said, a public road MAY go through private property where the cattle are not restricted from access to the road, so be alert to this fact in the more rural areas of the state. In general, livestock are to be kept behind a fence.

Kansas law states that adjoining property owners are equally responsible for maintaining a fence, or as the statute is written, “in equal shares”. Unless the adjoining owners agree otherwise. Contrary to what many landowners practice, the right-hand or left-hand rule is convention, not statute. What this means is that where two properties adjoin, the two property owners are responsible for building or maintaining that fence. What often happens is that the two owners will agree that if they meet at the middle of the fence, each will take the half of the fence to the right or left. This works fine when the entire length of the fence is on fairly level land. However, if there is a big difference in the lay of the land (flat vs. hilly) then one property owner is being taken advantage of. For this reason, the law states that each owner is equally responsible so that the added cost of the adverse terrain is not wholly on just one owner. If a fence is along a county road though, the full cost of the fence is on the sole property owner. There is a special provision in the statutes however, that pertain to fences along state highways.

Most partition fences, as these are called, are constructed of barbed wire. What constitutes a legal barbed wire partition fence is actually far less than what most cattle producers would ever consider building! A legal barbed wire partition fence must be at least three wires. The third wire from the ground not less than 44 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground; bottom wire must be between 18 and 24 inches from the gound; center wire must be equidistant between the upper and lower wires; all wires must be well stretched and barbed; barbs must average not more than 9 inches apart; all wires must be securely fastened to the posts. Posts must not be more than two rods apart (a rod is an old surveyor’s measurement and is 16.5 feet in length so two rods is 33 feet) and not less than 20 inches in the ground. There are even requirements of size of wire, but that is too complex to include here!

Occasionally the question comes up by owners of small rural residential properties if an adjoining property owner can force them to pay for half of the fence. The answer to that is a gray area. There is a provision in the law that states non-livestock owners who do not want their land enclosed cannot be forced to pay for an equal share of the partition fence. There are several conditions to that exception, it can get quite complex, and the statute has never been interpreted by an appellate court in Kansas. It might be beneficial in these situations that adjoining landowners share in the costs, if they can afford to do so, to maintain good neighborly relations.

Good fences do make good neighbors. However, make sure that you fully understand the fence law so that you are following legal statutes, not long standing tradition that may or may not be factual!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141087694.png" alt="Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Few topics in rural Kansas life are more filled with fact and fiction than Kansas Fence Law. Yes, we have a fence law in Kansas. We have had for a long time. It specifies who is and isn’t responsible for building and maintaining a fence and it even gives specifics on what qualifies for a legal fence including stone walls and hedge fences!Kansas is considered a fence in state. In other words, we are not “open range." The owner of the livestock is responsible for keeping them “fenced in.” With that said, a public road MAY go through private property where the cattle are not restricted from access to the road, so be alert to this fact in the more rural areas of the state. In general, livestock are to be kept behind a fence.Kansas law states that adjoining property owners are equally responsible for maintaining a fence, or as the statute is written, “in equal shares”. Unless the adjoining owners agree otherwise. Contrary to what many landowners practice, the right-hand or left-hand rule is convention, not statute. What this means is that where two properties adjoin, the two property owners are responsible for building or maintaining that fence. What often happens is that the two owners will agree that if they meet at the middle of the fence, each will take the half of the fence to the right or left. This works fine when the entire length of the fence is on fairly level land. However, if there is a big difference in the lay of the land (flat vs. hilly) then one property owner is being taken advantage of. For this reason, the law states that each owner is equally responsible so that the added cost of the adverse terrain is not wholly on just one owner. If a fence is along a county road though, the full cost of the fence is on the sole property owner. There is a special provision in the statutes however, that pertain to fences along state highways.Most partition fences, as these are called, are constructed of barbed wire. What constitutes a legal barbed wire partition fence is actually far less than what most cattle producers would ever consider building! A legal barbed wire partition fence must be at least three wires. The third wire from the ground not less than 44 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground; bottom wire must be between 18 and 24 inches from the gound; center wire must be equidistant between the upper and lower wires; all wires must be well stretched and barbed; barbs must average not more than 9 inches apart; all wires must be securely fastened to the posts. Posts must not be more than two rods apart (a rod is an old surveyor’s measurement and is 16.5 feet in length so two rods is 33 feet) and not less than 20 inches in the ground. There are even requirements of size of wire, but that is too complex to include here!Occasionally the question comes up by owners of small rural residential properties if an adjoining property owner can force them to pay for half of the fence. The answer to that is a gray area. There is a provision in the law that states non-livestock owners who do not want their land enclosed cannot be forced to pay for an equal share of the partition fence. There are several conditions to that exception, it can get quite complex, and the statute has never been interpreted by an appellate court in Kansas. It might be beneficial in these situations that adjoining landowners share in the costs, if they can afford to do so, to maintain good neighborly relations.Good fences do make good neighbors. However, make sure that you fully understand the fence law so that you are following legal statutes, not long standing tradition that may or may not be factual!Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Kansas fence law — fact and fiction

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Grain marketing is no easy task, the more information one has can be useful in making those difficult marketing decisions. One mission of any land grant university such as K-State is to provide unbiased research based information.&nbsp;

K-State grain market economist Dan O’Brien will discuss the current market overview and price prospects of corn, sorghum, wheat and soybeans; and the 2020 marketing strategies and opportunities – from USDA January 10th and forward. Then local elevator merchandisers will have a panel presentation and discussion on basis trends and local market factors. As always there will be time for questions and answers from the audience during the program.&nbsp;

Two of these programs will be offered by the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays and Great Bend on Jan. 7. In Hays at the Agricultural Research Center, 1232 240th Ave. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. the program will run from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. A complimentary noon meal will be provided by sponsors.&nbsp;

Following in Great Bend at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th Street. Registration at 5:30 p.m. (complimentary supper) program starts at 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;

RSVP is requested for meal count by Friday, Jan. 3, for either location at 785-628-9430 or email Stacy Campbell <a href="mailto:scampbel@ksu.edu">scampbel@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

Cover Your Acres Winter Conference&nbsp;

Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference! It will be held on January 14 and 15th at the Gateway in Oberlin.&nbsp;

A sampling of some of the speakers and what they plan to discuss are:

Cover Crops as a Weed Mgt. Tool by K-State agronomy graduate students.&nbsp;

Insect Mgt. in Dryland Corn by Sarah Zukoff, SW Extension entomologist.&nbsp;

Planter Technology Advancements by Ajay Sharda, K-State Ag Engineer.&nbsp;

The War on Weeds by Jeanne Falk Jones, Extension agronomist.&nbsp;

There will be equipment displays, vendor booths to view and to visit with the company’s representatives.&nbsp;

For further information and the registration information will soon be available go to <a href="https://www.northwest.k-state.edu/events/cover-your-acres/">https://www.northwest.k-state.edu/events/cover-your-acres/</a>

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension DistrictGrain marketing is no easy task, the more information one has can be useful in making those difficult marketing decisions. One mission of any land grant university such as K-State is to provide unbiased research based information.&nbsp;K-State grain market economist Dan O’Brien will discuss the current market overview and price prospects of corn, sorghum, wheat and soybeans; and the 2020 marketing strategies and opportunities – from USDA January 10th and forward. Then local elevator merchandisers will have a panel presentation and discussion on basis trends and local market factors. As always there will be time for questions and answers from the audience during the program.&nbsp;Two of these programs will be offered by the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays and Great Bend on Jan. 7. In Hays at the Agricultural Research Center, 1232 240th Ave. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. the program will run from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. A complimentary noon meal will be provided by sponsors.&nbsp;Following in Great Bend at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th Street. Registration at 5:30 p.m. (complimentary supper) program starts at 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;RSVP is requested for meal count by Friday, Jan. 3, for either location at 785-628-9430 or email Stacy Campbell <a href="mailto:scampbel@ksu.edu">scampbel@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;Cover Your Acres Winter Conference&nbsp;Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Cover Your Acres Winter Conference! It will be held on January 14 and 15th at the Gateway in Oberlin.&nbsp;A research based educational conference for producers and industry. It's a conference for new ideas and updates in crop production practices relevant to the Central Plains. This is a producer driven conference program resulting from a partnership of K-State Research and Extension and the Northwest Kansas Crop Residue Alliance.A sampling of some of the speakers and what they plan to discuss are:Alternative Crops-What We Know, Don’t Know, and Should Be Thinking About by Lucas Haag, NW Extension regional agronomist.&nbsp;Cover Crops as a Weed Mgt. Tool by K-State agronomy graduate students.&nbsp;Insect Mgt. in Dryland Corn by Sarah Zukoff, SW Extension entomologist.&nbsp;Planter Technology Advancements by Ajay Sharda, K-State Ag Engineer.&nbsp;Soil Testing- Interpretations Matter by Dorivar Ruiz-Diaz, Extension soil fertility specialist.&nbsp;The War on Weeds by Jeanne Falk Jones, Extension agronomist.&nbsp;What Drives Efficiency and Profitability in Irrigated Corn? Lessons Learned From the TAPS Grower Competition by Daran Rudnik, UNL Irrigation Management specialist.&nbsp;Why Does a Food Company Care About Soil? An intro to General Mills’ Ag Commitment by Steve Rosenzweig, soil scientist General Mills.&nbsp;And the always popular producer panel will discuss various alternative crop options in the region. Potentially included in the discussion will be winter canola, dry edible beans, field peas, barley, and triticale.&nbsp;There will be equipment displays, vendor booths to view and to visit with the company’s representatives.&nbsp;For further information and the registration information will soon be available go to <a href="https://www.northwest.k-state.edu/events/cover-your-acres/">https://www.northwest.k-state.edu/events/cover-your-acres/</a>Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Grain market outlook and strategies for 2020

Grain marketing is no easy task, the more information one has can be useful in making those difficult marketing decisions. 

Farmers and landlords make plans to join us at the "Grain Market Outlook and Strategies for 2020" program on Tuesday, January 7 in Hays and Great Bend.

In Hays, it will be held at the Agricultural Research Center, 1232 240 Ave. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. the program is scheduled from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. 

In Great Bend it will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10 Street. Registration begins at 5.30 p.m. and the program is scheduled for from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. 

K-State Extension grain market economist Dan O'Brien will discuss Current Market Overview &amp; Price Prospects of Corn, Sorghum, Wheat &amp; Soybeans; and 2020 Marketing Strategies &amp; Opportunities-from USDA January 10" &amp; Forward. Then there will be a panel discussion by local elevator cooperatives on Basis Trends &amp; Local Market Factors

To RSVP for either location contact the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays at 785-628 9430 by Friday, January 3 for the Grain Market Outlook &amp; Strategies program on January 7.

Stacy Campbell Cottonwood Extension District, HaysGrain marketing is no easy task, the more information one has can be useful in making those difficult marketing decisions. Farmers and landlords make plans to join us at the "Grain Market Outlook and Strategies for 2020" program on Tuesday, January 7 in Hays and Great Bend.In Hays, it will be held at the Agricultural Research Center, 1232 240 Ave. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. the program is scheduled from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. A complimentary noon meal is provided.In Great Bend it will be held at American Ag Credit, 5634 10 Street. Registration begins at 5.30 p.m. and the program is scheduled for from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. A complimentary supper is provided.K-State Extension grain market economist Dan O'Brien will discuss Current Market Overview &amp; Price Prospects of Corn, Sorghum, Wheat &amp; Soybeans; and 2020 Marketing Strategies &amp; Opportunities-from USDA January 10" &amp; Forward. Then there will be a panel discussion by local elevator cooperatives on Basis Trends &amp; Local Market FactorsTo RSVP for either location contact the Cottonwood Extension District in Hays at 785-628 9430 by Friday, January 3 for the Grain Market Outlook &amp; Strategies program on January 7.

Dan O'Brien to discuss grain market strategies and opportunities in Hays

By DONNA KRUG District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent – Cottonwood Extension District

	Tis the season for entertaining and with the decorations and fun comes spills and stains.&nbsp; The following tips, from a newsletter I found in my files from the Whirlpool company, should help handle every drip and drizzle of the 12 stains of Christmas! &nbsp;

12 Candles dripping.&nbsp; Scrape off excess wax with a dull knife.&nbsp; Place stain between white paper towels. Press with a warm iron from back of fabric.&nbsp; Then place stain face side down on clean paper towels and sponge with a dry cleaning solvent.&nbsp; Air dry and launder as usual.&nbsp; If traces of color remain, launder again using bleach (chlorine or color-safe) according to fabric instructions.

11 Aunties kissing.&nbsp; To remove lipstick, scrape fabric stain with a dull knife.&nbsp; Use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with detergent or stain treatment.&nbsp; Wash in warm water and air dry.

10 Chocolates melting.&nbsp; Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent or soak fabric in warm water using a detergent containing enzymes.&nbsp; Difficult stains may require a bleach safe for the garment.

9 Toasts a tipping.&nbsp; To remove wine, rinse in cold water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent, weighted with a towel to keep submerged.&nbsp; Launder in hottest water safe for fabric and color.&nbsp; Air dry and repeat if necessary.

8 Hosts perspiring.&nbsp; Dampen stain with warm water and rub with bar soap.&nbsp; Launder in hot water with appropriate bleach is safe for the fabric.&nbsp; Note:&nbsp; if perspiration has changed the color of a fabric, apply ammonia to fresh stains or vinegar to old stains and rinse.&nbsp; Launder in the hottest water safe for fabric and color.

7 Fruits a falling.&nbsp; Rinse in cold water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent.&nbsp; Launder in warm water.&nbsp; Air dry and repeat if necessary.

6 Cups of coffee, tea or soda.&nbsp; To remove coffee, tea or soda, sponge or rinse stain promptly in cold water.&nbsp; Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent, launder using color safe bleach and the hottest water safe for the fabric.

5 Candy canes.&nbsp; To remove colored candy stains, rinse in warm water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Wash in warm to hot water and dry as usual.

4 Meat slices.&nbsp; To remove grease or cooking oil, use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with a laundry product by rubbing into stain until saturated.&nbsp; Wash in warm to hot water. Air dry and repeat if necessary.

3 Trees a tipping.&nbsp; To remove tree sap, use dry cleaning solvent and then wash in detergent in warm to hot water.&nbsp; Dry and repeat if necessary.

2 Upset egg nogs.&nbsp; To remove milk or other dairy products, rinse in cold water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Soak up to 30 minutes with detergent.&nbsp; Wash in warm water and air dry.

And one gravy boat splashing. Scrape off excess with a full knife if dried.&nbsp; Pretreat by soaking in a laundry product containing enzymes or rub with a paste of powdered laundry detergent and water. &nbsp;

	And here are some good stain removal reminders from my files.&nbsp; First, treat stains as soon as possible to avoid having them set permanently.&nbsp; Always remember to test for colorfastness prior to treatment.&nbsp; Try any treatment on an unexposed area such as an inside seam or pocket.&nbsp; Air dry treated items until you are certain the stain is removed.&nbsp; Drying in a dryer heat sets the stain.&nbsp; And finally, if the care label recommends dry cleaning, take items to your favorite drycleaners and inform them about the type of stain.

	I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that 2020 brings health and happiness to you and your family!

Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director in the Cottonwood Extension 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/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By DONNA KRUG District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent – Cottonwood Extension District 	Tis the season for entertaining and with the decorations and fun comes spills and stains.&nbsp; The following tips, from a newsletter I found in my files from the Whirlpool company, should help handle every drip and drizzle of the 12 stains of Christmas! &nbsp;	12 Candles dripping.&nbsp; Scrape off excess wax with a dull knife.&nbsp; Place stain between white paper towels. Press with a warm iron from back of fabric.&nbsp; Then place stain face side down on clean paper towels and sponge with a dry cleaning solvent.&nbsp; Air dry and launder as usual.&nbsp; If traces of color remain, launder again using bleach (chlorine or color-safe) according to fabric instructions.	11 Aunties kissing.&nbsp; To remove lipstick, scrape fabric stain with a dull knife.&nbsp; Use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with detergent or stain treatment.&nbsp; Wash in warm water and air dry.	10 Chocolates melting.&nbsp; Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent or soak fabric in warm water using a detergent containing enzymes.&nbsp; Difficult stains may require a bleach safe for the garment.	9 Toasts a tipping.&nbsp; To remove wine, rinse in cold water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent, weighted with a towel to keep submerged.&nbsp; Launder in hottest water safe for fabric and color.&nbsp; Air dry and repeat if necessary.	8 Hosts perspiring.&nbsp; Dampen stain with warm water and rub with bar soap.&nbsp; Launder in hot water with appropriate bleach is safe for the fabric.&nbsp; Note:&nbsp; if perspiration has changed the color of a fabric, apply ammonia to fresh stains or vinegar to old stains and rinse.&nbsp; Launder in the hottest water safe for fabric and color.	7 Fruits a falling.&nbsp; Rinse in cold water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent.&nbsp; Launder in warm water.&nbsp; Air dry and repeat if necessary.	6 Cups of coffee, tea or soda.&nbsp; To remove coffee, tea or soda, sponge or rinse stain promptly in cold water.&nbsp; Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent, launder using color safe bleach and the hottest water safe for the fabric.	5 Candy canes.&nbsp; To remove colored candy stains, rinse in warm water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Wash in warm to hot water and dry as usual.	4 Meat slices.&nbsp; To remove grease or cooking oil, use a dry-cleaning solvent or pretreat with a laundry product by rubbing into stain until saturated.&nbsp; Wash in warm to hot water. Air dry and repeat if necessary.	3 Trees a tipping.&nbsp; To remove tree sap, use dry cleaning solvent and then wash in detergent in warm to hot water.&nbsp; Dry and repeat if necessary.	2 Upset egg nogs.&nbsp; To remove milk or other dairy products, rinse in cold water to dilute stain.&nbsp; Soak up to 30 minutes with detergent.&nbsp; Wash in warm water and air dry.	And one gravy boat splashing. Scrape off excess with a full knife if dried.&nbsp; Pretreat by soaking in a laundry product containing enzymes or rub with a paste of powdered laundry detergent and water. &nbsp;	And here are some good stain removal reminders from my files.&nbsp; First, treat stains as soon as possible to avoid having them set permanently.&nbsp; Always remember to test for colorfastness prior to treatment.&nbsp; Try any treatment on an unexposed area such as an inside seam or pocket.&nbsp; Air dry treated items until you are certain the stain is removed.&nbsp; Drying in a dryer heat sets the stain.&nbsp; And finally, if the care label recommends dry cleaning, take items to your favorite drycleaners and inform them about the type of stain.	I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that 2020 brings health and happiness to you and your family!Donna Krug is the Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent and District Director in the Cottonwood Extension District. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or <a href="mailto:dkrug@ksu.edu">dkrug@ksu.edu</a>&nbsp;

Fixing these "12 Stains of Christmas" is easy with these hints

The flu bugs are nasty this year, and with so many families spending time together over the holidays, it is likely that you or someone close to you may catch it. The most important step to include in your daily routine if you want to avoid contagious illnesses is to wash your hands often.

Washing your hands at every step in the food preparation process will certainly help from spreading those germs. Whenever you touch your face or hair, or after sneezing our coughing into your hand you will want to wash. Reminding children to wash up after they have been playing outside, or with the family pet is another key.

The correct way to wash hands is to wet them with warm water. Lather with soap and rinse; the whole process should take around 20 seconds. Make sure you wash the cuticle area and around jewelry especially well. Keep a clean hand towel near every sink or consider switching to paper towels that can be disposed of.

The use of hand sanitizers may sound like a good idea, but when we have shared our glow germ activity, we found lots of germs survive the use of such cleansers. The use of warm water and soap works best.

Besides regular handwashing there are some other things you can do to avoid becoming ill. Getting plenty of rest and eating right, including lots of fruits and vegetables, is a great idea. Make time in your day for some quiet time to reflect and relax.

Keeping the stress level down can help promote health. Make time for regular exercise during this busy time of year. Limit visits with people who have a compromised immune system, especially if you have any symptoms of illness.&nbsp;

Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141404420.png" alt="Donna Krug" />
 <figcaption>Donna Krug</figcaption>
 </figure>The flu bugs are nasty this year, and with so many families spending time together over the holidays, it is likely that you or someone close to you may catch it. The most important step to include in your daily routine if you want to avoid contagious illnesses is to wash your hands often.Washing your hands at every step in the food preparation process will certainly help from spreading those germs. Whenever you touch your face or hair, or after sneezing our coughing into your hand you will want to wash. Reminding children to wash up after they have been playing outside, or with the family pet is another key.The correct way to wash hands is to wet them with warm water. Lather with soap and rinse; the whole process should take around 20 seconds. Make sure you wash the cuticle area and around jewelry especially well. Keep a clean hand towel near every sink or consider switching to paper towels that can be disposed of.The use of hand sanitizers may sound like a good idea, but when we have shared our glow germ activity, we found lots of germs survive the use of such cleansers. The use of warm water and soap works best.Besides regular handwashing there are some other things you can do to avoid becoming ill. Getting plenty of rest and eating right, including lots of fruits and vegetables, is a great idea. Make time in your day for some quiet time to reflect and relax.Keeping the stress level down can help promote health. Make time for regular exercise during this busy time of year. Limit visits with people who have a compromised immune system, especially if you have any symptoms of illness.&nbsp;Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!Donna Krug is the District Director and Family &amp; Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu

KRUG: Spread joy, not germs this winter

The
Cottonwood Extension District is looking for new master gardeners to
fill the ranks of it’s community-based program.

“[Master gardener] is
an educational, volunteer community program sponsored by K-State Research and
Extension,” said Margie Hammerschmidt, master gardener. “Through this program volunteers
are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas.”

Those
individuals will then use their knowledge in the community through volunteer
work. &nbsp;

“You
get the benefit of learning about gardening and horticulture, but then [you] also
get to have fun and help your community,” said Lauren Fick, horticulture extension
agent.

The
programs will include 40 hours of classroom training from K-State professors
that travel to Hays to teach the courses.

The
program runs eight weeks with a full day of training every Wednesday, starting
Jan. 29.

“We
open the program up to anyone that wants to be a master gardener,” Fick said. “That’s
the beauty of this training, you get all of the knowledge to be a master
gardener.”



The
program draws interest from a diverse group in the community.

 “We have a wide range of folks that are in the
program,” Fick said and she encouraged anyone with an interest in gardening to
check out the program.

After
the volunteers complete their training, they apply those skills in community service projects,
with another 40 hours of volunteer work required to become certified.

“There’s
plenty in place. It’s not a problem finding projects to do,” Fick said.

After
the person completes the first year and becomes a certified master gardener,
they then must complete eight hours of horticulture-related training per year and volunteer 20 hours to remain certified.

Those
projects are chosen and completed by the gardener.

“It
really is their own group,” Fick said.

“There
is so much to learn, and giving back to the community doesn’t have to feel like
a chore,” Fick said. “Gardening is truly fun and therapeutic.”

One project is the demonstration gardens at the Ag Research Center. While
the program helps the community, it also helps the center to complete research
into a variety of areas related to horticulture.

“A
part of the master gardener, being a partner with K-State,&nbsp; is that you do get access to do the research,
or you get to help them with it," Fick said, "which might seem daunting to some people, but
honestly doing the research is fun, because it's created just for your
community.

“You get to test things out. You get to say, ‘We like
this,’ or ‘We don’t like this.’ You get to do the research and then you get to
start promoting that stuff to the community, telling them all about it.

That
research keeps master gardeners at the leading edge of the field.

“You
are the one that did the research, so, in my opinion, that’s super amazing. You
are the expert.”

K-State gives the gardener a lot of flexibility in picking a research area, and then they
assist the master gardener with the project.

Hammerschmidt pointed to a recent example of researching mulch use to help conserve water in
Hays.

“We
learn during the process, then we go out and share that information with the
community,” Hammerschmidt said.

The
master gardeners work out of the extension office, 601 Main St.

The
application deadline for the program is Jan. 13. 

The
program cost is $110, including course materials and can be broken into three
payments.

For
more information about the program, or to sign up visit <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/MasterGardeners.html">https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/MasterGardeners.html</a>.
&nbsp;

Applications can also be filled out at
the extension office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577121015318.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Kick your gardening up a notch with the master gardener program " height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/7qqeg-cc5de6?from=yiiadmin&download=1&version=1&skin=3&btn-skin=101&auto=1&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&download=1&rtl=0&pbad=1"></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostThe
Cottonwood Extension District is looking for new master gardeners to
fill the ranks of it’s community-based program.“[Master gardener] is
an educational, volunteer community program sponsored by K-State Research and
Extension,” said Margie Hammerschmidt, master gardener. “Through this program volunteers
are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas.”Those
individuals will then use their knowledge in the community through volunteer
work. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577131035991.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Ellis County Master Gardeners" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Ellis County Master Gardeners</figcaption>
 </figure>“You
get the benefit of learning about gardening and horticulture, but then [you] also
get to have fun and help your community,” said Lauren Fick, horticulture extension
agent.The
programs will include 40 hours of classroom training from K-State professors
that travel to Hays to teach the courses.The
program runs eight weeks with a full day of training every Wednesday, starting
Jan. 29.“We
open the program up to anyone that wants to be a master gardener,” Fick said. “That’s
the beauty of this training, you get all of the knowledge to be a master
gardener.”

The
program draws interest from a diverse group in the community. “We have a wide range of folks that are in the
program,” Fick said and she encouraged anyone with an interest in gardening to
check out the program.After
the volunteers complete their training, they apply those skills in community service projects,
with another 40 hours of volunteer work required to become certified.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577131232286.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Ellis County Master Gardeners" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Ellis County Master Gardeners</figcaption>
 </figure>“There’s
plenty in place. It’s not a problem finding projects to do,” Fick said.After
the person completes the first year and becomes a certified master gardener,
they then must complete eight hours of horticulture-related training per year and volunteer 20 hours to remain certified.Those
projects are chosen and completed by the gardener.“It
really is their own group,” Fick said.“There
is so much to learn, and giving back to the community doesn’t have to feel like
a chore,” Fick said. “Gardening is truly fun and therapeutic.”One project is the demonstration gardens at the Ag Research Center. While
the program helps the community, it also helps the center to complete research
into a variety of areas related to horticulture.“A
part of the master gardener, being a partner with K-State,&nbsp; is that you do get access to do the research,
or you get to help them with it," Fick said, "which might seem daunting to some people, but
honestly doing the research is fun, because it's created just for your
community.“You get to test things out. You get to say, ‘We like
this,’ or ‘We don’t like this.’ You get to do the research and then you get to
start promoting that stuff to the community, telling them all about it.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577131302207.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Ellis County Master Gardeners" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Ellis County Master Gardeners</figcaption>
 </figure>That
research keeps master gardeners at the leading edge of the field.“You
are the one that did the research, so, in my opinion, that’s super amazing. You
are the expert.”K-State gives the gardener a lot of flexibility in picking a research area, and then they
assist the master gardener with the project.Hammerschmidt pointed to a recent example of researching mulch use to help conserve water in
Hays.“We
learn during the process, then we go out and share that information with the
community,” Hammerschmidt said.The
master gardeners work out of the extension office, 601 Main St.The
application deadline for the program is Jan. 13. The
program cost is $110, including course materials and can be broken into three
payments.For
more information about the program, or to sign up visit <a href="https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/MasterGardeners.html">https://cottonwood.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/MasterGardeners.html</a>.
&nbsp;Applications can also be filled out at
the extension office.

Applications open for master gardener training program

Do you have a wood-burning fireplace or an insert? If so, you might want to think about the species of wood you are burning and how efficient it is.

 Not all firewood is created equal. In fact, some species of trees are able to produce much more heat per cord of wood.&nbsp; A cord is the amount of wood in a well-stacked woodpile measuring 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 4 feet high.

Following are heat values (in million BTUs) per cord for various species of tree.&nbsp; The higher the value, the better the wood.

Ash, Green &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 22.8 Cottonwood&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 15.9 Elm, American&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19.8 Difficult to split Elm, Siberian &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20.9 Difficult to split Hackberry&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21.0 Honeylocust&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 25.6 Locust, Black &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 28.3 Difficult to split Maple, Sugar &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 24.0 Maple, Silver &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 18.9 Mulberry&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 25.3 Oak, Red &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 24.0 Oak, Bur&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 24.9 Oak, Post&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 25.6 Osage Orange&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 32.6 Sparks, do not use in open fireplace&nbsp; Sycamore&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19.5 Difficult to split Walnut, Black &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21.8

The Kansas Forest Service has a publication titled “<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/mf773.pdf">Managing Your Woodland for Firewood</a>” that is quite helpful.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Remember to obtain firewood locally. Emerald Ash Borer is now in Kansas because of transported wood.

If you have questions, please contact your local Extension agent!

Lauren Fick is horticulture agent with&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension's Cottonwood District. <a href="http://lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576770510734.png" alt="A half cord of firewood." />
 <figcaption>A half cord of firewood.</figcaption>
 </figure>Do you have a wood-burning fireplace or an insert? If so, you might want to think about the species of wood you are burning and how efficient it is. Not all firewood is created equal. In fact, some species of trees are able to produce much more heat per cord of wood.&nbsp; A cord is the amount of wood in a well-stacked woodpile measuring 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 4 feet high.Following are heat values (in million BTUs) per cord for various species of tree.&nbsp; The higher the value, the better the wood.Ash, Green &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 22.8 Cottonwood&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 15.9 Elm, American&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19.8 Difficult to split Elm, Siberian &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20.9 Difficult to split Hackberry&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21.0 Honeylocust&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 25.6 Locust, Black &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 28.3 Difficult to split Maple, Sugar &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 24.0 Maple, Silver &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 18.9 Mulberry&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 25.3 Oak, Red &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 24.0 Oak, Bur&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 24.9 Oak, Post&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 25.6 Osage Orange&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 32.6 Sparks, do not use in open fireplace&nbsp; Sycamore&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19.5 Difficult to split Walnut, Black &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21.8The Kansas Forest Service has a publication titled “<a href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/mf773.pdf">Managing Your Woodland for Firewood</a>” that is quite helpful.&nbsp;&nbsp;Remember to obtain firewood locally. Emerald Ash Borer is now in Kansas because of transported wood.If you have questions, please contact your local Extension agent!Lauren Fick is horticulture agent with&nbsp;K-State Research and Extension's Cottonwood District. <a href="http://lfick@k-state.edu">lfick@k-state.edu</a>

FICK: Not all firewood is created equal

BY BERNY UNRUH Cottonwood Extension District

	It is so close to Christmas and gifts have still not been purchased and wrapped.&nbsp; Ask yourself this question, “Do I really need to buy a gift?”&nbsp; Are there gifts that our children need that cannot be bought, but come from the heart?

	Here are ten gifts that I believe we need to give our children. These were shared by a speaker at a national 4-H meeting many years ago. &nbsp;

1.&nbsp; The joy of learning.&nbsp; Hopefully, we never stop learning. We can encourage our children to listen to others and learn from them. Teachers and all those who are interested in their well-being have a gift to share.

2.&nbsp; The gift of hope. Isn’t it nice to know there’s still hope for our young people? Give them hope in a world that weighs a little too heavy on the negative.

3.&nbsp; The gift of communication. Learn to communicate with your spouse and with your children.&nbsp; Communication involves listening and then responding and then listening again.

4.&nbsp; The gift of laughter. Experts say we need to laugh 15 times a day to stay healthy.

5.&nbsp; The gift of uniqueness. Let’s teach our children to be themselves.&nbsp; We do need role models, but we do not need our children to be just like so-and-so.

6.&nbsp; The gift of flexibility. Try new things. Do new things. Today is different than yesterday.

7.&nbsp; The gift of balance. We all need a good balance of work and play. Maybe as grownups we need to go fly a kite or play a game of dominos.

8.&nbsp; The gift of respect. To earn respect, you must be respectful. Our children’s thoughts and opinions are very important and we need to respect them.

9.&nbsp; The gift of spirituality. Time to get to know ourselves is needed in today’s busy lifestyle.&nbsp; Preschooler often get a “time out” to think about it.&nbsp; Maybe adults need the same thing?

10.&nbsp; The gift of love. The most personal and special present is YOU!&nbsp; Your time may be the best way to share your love.

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/2019/12/1576703168607.png" alt="Berny Unruh" />
 <figcaption>Berny Unruh</figcaption>
 </figure>BY BERNY UNRUH Cottonwood Extension District 	It is so close to Christmas and gifts have still not been purchased and wrapped.&nbsp; Ask yourself this question, “Do I really need to buy a gift?”&nbsp; Are there gifts that our children need that cannot be bought, but come from the heart?	Here are ten gifts that I believe we need to give our children. These were shared by a speaker at a national 4-H meeting many years ago. &nbsp;1.&nbsp; The joy of learning.&nbsp; Hopefully, we never stop learning. We can encourage our children to listen to others and learn from them. Teachers and all those who are interested in their well-being have a gift to share.2.&nbsp; The gift of hope. Isn’t it nice to know there’s still hope for our young people? Give them hope in a world that weighs a little too heavy on the negative.3.&nbsp; The gift of communication. Learn to communicate with your spouse and with your children.&nbsp; Communication involves listening and then responding and then listening again.4.&nbsp; The gift of laughter. Experts say we need to laugh 15 times a day to stay healthy.5.&nbsp; The gift of uniqueness. Let’s teach our children to be themselves.&nbsp; We do need role models, but we do not need our children to be just like so-and-so.6.&nbsp; The gift of flexibility. Try new things. Do new things. Today is different than yesterday.7.&nbsp; The gift of balance. We all need a good balance of work and play. Maybe as grownups we need to go fly a kite or play a game of dominos.8.&nbsp; The gift of respect. To earn respect, you must be respectful. Our children’s thoughts and opinions are very important and we need to respect them.9.&nbsp; The gift of spirituality. Time to get to know ourselves is needed in today’s busy lifestyle.&nbsp; Preschooler often get a “time out” to think about it.&nbsp; Maybe adults need the same thing?10.&nbsp; The gift of love. The most personal and special present is YOU!&nbsp; Your time may be the best way to share your love.	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>

UNRUH: The gifts we need to give

Merry Christmas, everyone! At this time of year, we bring plants into our house to help decorate for the season. Many of these, such as trees and poinsettias are removed and discarded at the end of the season, but Christmas Cactus are plants that you can enjoy all year long! I found a short article on them to share with you this week that goes over care if you have one already, or what to do if you are looking at getting a Cactus. I hope you enjoy this and I hope each and every one of you has a Very Merry Christmas!

&nbsp;Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) and Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) are epiphytes native to the jungles of South America. Epiphytic plants grow on other plants and use them for support but not for nutrients. Though these cacti are different species, they will hybridize and produce varying stem shapes. 

Christmas cactus normally has smooth stem segments, and Thanksgiving Cactus has hook-like appendages on each segment. Both of these cacti prefer bright indirect light. Too much sun can result in the leaves turning yellow. Common household temperatures are fine. Soil should be kept constantly moist but not waterlogged. Give them a light fertilization every other week. Blooming will normally cease in late winter to early spring, but continue to keep them moist and fertilized until fall. During the fall, stop fertilizing, and give the plants only enough water so the stems do not shrivel in order to encourage flower bud formation. 

Though these plants seem to flower best if kept a little pot bound, flowers will diminish if they are too crowded. If you haven't repotted in several years, or if you notice a decrease in flowering from the previous year, move the plant to a larger pot in the spring. If possible, move the plants outside for the summer. Choose a shady spot because these plants will not tolerate full sun. Leave the plants outside until frost threatens. Normally, the plants will have received enough cool nights in the 50- to 55-degree range that flower buds will have formed. However, if they haven't, subjecting the plants to nights greater than 12 hours long and temperatures between 59 and 69 degrees can also generate flowers. 

Twenty-five consecutive long nights is enough for flower initiation. Place the plants in an unused room or cover them with a dark cloth or cardboard box to insure that they receive uninterrupted darkness. After the flower buds have formed, it takes an additional nine to 10 weeks for flowers to complete development and bloom.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573141354634.png" alt="Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research and Extension." />
 <figcaption>Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research and Extension.</figcaption>
 </figure>Merry Christmas, everyone! At this time of year, we bring plants into our house to help decorate for the season. Many of these, such as trees and poinsettias are removed and discarded at the end of the season, but Christmas Cactus are plants that you can enjoy all year long! I found a short article on them to share with you this week that goes over care if you have one already, or what to do if you are looking at getting a Cactus. I hope you enjoy this and I hope each and every one of you has a Very Merry Christmas!&nbsp;Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) and Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) are epiphytes native to the jungles of South America. Epiphytic plants grow on other plants and use them for support but not for nutrients. Though these cacti are different species, they will hybridize and produce varying stem shapes. Christmas cactus normally has smooth stem segments, and Thanksgiving Cactus has hook-like appendages on each segment. Both of these cacti prefer bright indirect light. Too much sun can result in the leaves turning yellow. Common household temperatures are fine. Soil should be kept constantly moist but not waterlogged. Give them a light fertilization every other week. Blooming will normally cease in late winter to early spring, but continue to keep them moist and fertilized until fall. During the fall, stop fertilizing, and give the plants only enough water so the stems do not shrivel in order to encourage flower bud formation. Though these plants seem to flower best if kept a little pot bound, flowers will diminish if they are too crowded. If you haven't repotted in several years, or if you notice a decrease in flowering from the previous year, move the plant to a larger pot in the spring. If possible, move the plants outside for the summer. Choose a shady spot because these plants will not tolerate full sun. Leave the plants outside until frost threatens. Normally, the plants will have received enough cool nights in the 50- to 55-degree range that flower buds will have formed. However, if they haven't, subjecting the plants to nights greater than 12 hours long and temperatures between 59 and 69 degrees can also generate flowers. Twenty-five consecutive long nights is enough for flower initiation. Place the plants in an unused room or cover them with a dark cloth or cardboard box to insure that they receive uninterrupted darkness. After the flower buds have formed, it takes an additional nine to 10 weeks for flowers to complete development and bloom.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&nbsp;

BOOR: The joy of Christmas cactus

Too often producers do not notice mustard weeds in their wheat fields until the mustards start to bloom in the spring. As a result, producers often do not think about control until that time. Although it is still possible to get some control at that time with herbicides, mustards are much more difficult to control at that stage and often have already reduced wheat yields by then.

To minimize yield losses, mustards should be controlled by late winter or very early spring, before the stems begin to elongate (bolt). If mustards are present in the fall, they can be controlled with ALS-inhibiting herbicides such as Ally, Amber, Finesse, Affinity, Rave, Olympus, or PowerFlex. Huskie, Talinor, Quelex, 2,4-D, and MCPA can also provide good control of most mustards if the weeds are at the right stage of growth and actively growing, and if the wheat is at the correct growth stage (fully tillered for 2,4-D). Dicamba and Starane are not very effective for mustard control.

In the late winter or early spring, blue mustard is perhaps the most difficult of the winter annual broadleaf weeds to control because it bolts very early. To be effective on blue mustard, herbicides typically need to be applied in late February or early March. Blue mustard is more difficult to control than tansy mustard with 2,4-D because blue mustard has often already bolted by the time 2,4-D can be safely applied to wheat. Thus, 2,4-D often is applied too late to be effective on blue mustard.

Most ALS-inhibiting herbicides control winter annual mustards very well, although there are populations of bushy wall flower (treacle mustard) and flixweed in Kansas that are ALS-resistant and cannot be controlled by these products. Alternative measures will be needed to control these populations. The best approach to control ALS resistant broadleaf weeds is to use other herbicides or tank-mixes with 2,4-D, MCPA, Huskie, or Talinor. MCPA can be applied after the wheat is in the 3-leaf stage; but as mentioned above, 2,4-D should not be applied until after wheat is fully tillered -- which often does not occur until spring. Huskie and Talinor can be applied from the 2-leaf to the flag leaf stage of growth. None of these herbicides have much residual control, so the majority of weeds need to be emerged and actively growing at the time of treatment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574181994278.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Too often producers do not notice mustard weeds in their wheat fields until the mustards start to bloom in the spring. As a result, producers often do not think about control until that time. Although it is still possible to get some control at that time with herbicides, mustards are much more difficult to control at that stage and often have already reduced wheat yields by then.To minimize yield losses, mustards should be controlled by late winter or very early spring, before the stems begin to elongate (bolt). If mustards are present in the fall, they can be controlled with ALS-inhibiting herbicides such as Ally, Amber, Finesse, Affinity, Rave, Olympus, or PowerFlex. Huskie, Talinor, Quelex, 2,4-D, and MCPA can also provide good control of most mustards if the weeds are at the right stage of growth and actively growing, and if the wheat is at the correct growth stage (fully tillered for 2,4-D). Dicamba and Starane are not very effective for mustard control.In the late winter or early spring, blue mustard is perhaps the most difficult of the winter annual broadleaf weeds to control because it bolts very early. To be effective on blue mustard, herbicides typically need to be applied in late February or early March. Blue mustard is more difficult to control than tansy mustard with 2,4-D because blue mustard has often already bolted by the time 2,4-D can be safely applied to wheat. Thus, 2,4-D often is applied too late to be effective on blue mustard.Most ALS-inhibiting herbicides control winter annual mustards very well, although there are populations of bushy wall flower (treacle mustard) and flixweed in Kansas that are ALS-resistant and cannot be controlled by these products. Alternative measures will be needed to control these populations. The best approach to control ALS resistant broadleaf weeds is to use other herbicides or tank-mixes with 2,4-D, MCPA, Huskie, or Talinor. MCPA can be applied after the wheat is in the 3-leaf stage; but as mentioned above, 2,4-D should not be applied until after wheat is fully tillered -- which often does not occur until spring. Huskie and Talinor can be applied from the 2-leaf to the flag leaf stage of growth. None of these herbicides have much residual control, so the majority of weeds need to be emerged and actively growing at the time of treatment.Quelex is a premix of a short-lived ALS herbicide and an auxin-type herbicide called halauxifen. It generally can provide good control of most mustard species. Quelex can be applied from the 2-leaf up to flag leaf emergence growth stages of wheat and should be applied in combination with nonionic surfactant or oil concentrate for control of small, actively growing weeds.&nbsp; If ALS-resistant weeds are present, Quelex alone may not be effective.Some producers commonly apply ALS herbicides with fertilizer in January or February. Unfortunately, MCPA, 2,4-D, and Huskie are most effective when applied to actively growing weeds, so application when weeds are dormant may not provide good control. As a result, if an ALS-inhibitor tank-mix with one of these herbicides is applied to dormant ALS-resistant mustards in the winter, poor control could occur.ALS-resistant bushy wallflower seems to be present in a number of fields in central Kansas. ALS-resistant flixweed has only been confirmed in the Saline county area, but may also be present elsewhere. Producers should watch for cases of poor control, and consider alternative herbicides or herbicide tank-mixes to help prevent or manage ALS-resistant weeds.Crop rotation with corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, or sunflowers is a good way of managing mustards as long as they are controlled in the spring prior to producing seed. Crop rotation will usually result in a gradual reduction of mustard populations in the future as the seedbank in the soil gradually decreases.For detailed information concerning the different mustard species in Kansas, see the article on our web site <a href="http://www.cottonwood.ksu.edu">www.cottonwood.ksu.edu</a>&nbsp; “Kansas weeds: Know your mustard species”.Stacy Campbell is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or calling 785-628-9430.