Agriculture Today

Latest Episodes:

2155 - Feral Swine Damage and Management...Being Aware of Ticks Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Fins, Fur and Feathers: Feral Swine
Ticks are Out in Kansas
Dairy Employee Training

00:01:05 – Fins, Fur and Feathers: Feral Swine: Drew Ricketts and Joe Gerken from K-State start today's show with part of a Fins, Fur and Feathers podcast episode where they chat about feral swine in Kansas and the management of them.

Fins, Fur and Feathers

wildlife.k-state.edu

00:12:05 – Ticks are Out in Kansas: K-State livestock entomologist Cassandra Olds continues the show as she describes this year's ticks and the common concerns for animals and humans.

00:23:05 – Dairy Employee Training: Ending the show is K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk as he discusses the importance of employee training on dairy farms. He says surveys show employees prefer hands-on training with a co-worker or manager with skills in a particular area over watching videos.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.

K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2154 - Increases in the Cattle Market and Demand...Seeing Already Planted Corn and Getting Planted Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Consumer Demand for Beef
Getting Corn Planted
Starch Breakdown in the Rumen

00:01:05 – Consumer Demand for Beef: Glynn Tonsor, K-State livestock economist, begins today's show as talks about the cattle market and how consumer demand for beef has historically changed. He also takes a look at the Meat Demand Monitor.

Glynn on AgManager.info

00:12:05 – Getting Corn Planted: K-State Extension agronomists Logan Simon and Tina Sullivan continue the show as they discuss corn planting and what they are already seeing across the state and what they expect moving forward.

Spring Planting in Kansas: Soil Temperature and Moisture Status

Corn Planting: Optimal Seeding Rate Recommendations

eUpdate.agronomy.ksu.edu

00:23:05 – Starch Breakdown in the Rumen: Ending the show is Justin Waggoner, K-State Extension beef cattle specialist, as he explains how starch breakdown can be impacted by its processing.

K-State ASI Newsletters

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2153 - Grain Market Impacts and Prices...Planting Soybeans in the Field Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

How Recent USDA Grain Reports Compare to Expectations
Getting Soybeans Planted
Another Weather Pattern for Kansas

00:01:05 – How Recent USDA Grain Reports Compare to Expectations: Daniel O'Brien, K-State grain economist, starts the show as he discusses what was in the recent prospective plantings and grain stocks reports and the impact they've had on the market.

Daniel on AgManager.info

00:12:05 – Getting Soybeans Planted: Keeping the show rolling are K-State Extension agronomists Tina Sullivan and Logan Simon as they chat about reminders for soybean planting and what is unique this year.

Spring Planting in Kansas: Soil Temperature and Moisture Status

Soybean Row Spacing and Seeding Rates: What Works Best in Kansas?

Soybean Planting Date and Maturity Group Selection for Kansas

eUpdate.agronomy.ksu.edu

00:23:05 – Another Weather Pattern for Kansas: K-State meteorologist Chip Redmond ends today's show as recaps the recent precipitation and what weather pattern Kansans can be expecting.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2152 - Weevils and Aphids in Alfalfa...Winter Canola Freeze Concerns Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Continued Weevil and Aphid Concerns for Alfalfa
Conditions of the Winter Canola Crop
Ornamental Grass Maintenance

00:01:05 – Continued Weevil and Aphid Concerns for Alfalfa: K-State crop entomologist, Jeff Whitworth, kicks off the show as he provides alfalfa growers with an update on what pests he is seeing in alfalfa fields and management options that are available.

00:12:05 – Conditions of the Winter Canola Crop: Mike Stamm, K-State canola breeder, continues today's show discussing the current condition of the winter canola crop and if it was impacted by the cold weather and additional temperature swings.

Late Freeze Effects on Winter Canola

eUpdate.agronomy.ksu.edu

agronomy.k-state.edu

00:23:05 – Ornamental Grass Maintenance: Ending the show is K-State Extension horticulture expert, Matt McKernan, as he explains why now is a good time to cut back and divide ornamental grasses, such as pampas grass and switch grass, in the home landscape.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2151 - Programs for Farmers....Learning Opportunity for Women in Cattle Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

FSA's Conservation Reserve Programs
K-State's Cow Camp
Should Calves get Vaccines and Implants Following Birth?

00:01:05 – FSA's Conservation Reserve Programs: Starting the show is David Schemm, state executive director of the Kansas Farm Service Agency, as he highlights the multiple conservation reserve programs and what emergency plans they have in place.

Farmers.gov

00:12:05 – K-State's Cow Camp: K-State beef systems specialist Jaymelynn Farney keeps the show going as she discusses the Cow Camp in eastern Kansas and what hands-on learning will take place for the attendees.

Cow Camp

jkj@ksu.edu

00:23:05 – Should Calves get Vaccines and Implants Following Birth?: Part of the Beef Cattle Institute's Cattle Chat podcast ends the show as Brad White, Bob Larson and Todd Gunderson chat about calf care right after birth when it comes to vaccines and implants.

BCI Cattle Chat Podcast

Bovine Science with BCI Podcast

Email BCI at bci@ksu.edu

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2150 - Kansas Feedlots Inputs and Outputs...Ag Tech Day for Youth Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Focus on Feedlots: Continued Heavy Cattle
NASA STELLA at Ag Tech Day
Reducing Corn Silage in Cow's Diet

00:01:05 – Focus on Feedlots: Continued Heavy Cattle: Justin Waggoner, K-State beef cattle specialist, starts today's show as he recaps the recent "Focus on Feedlots" report and where cattle are currently finishing in terms of weight.

Focus on Feedlots

KSUBeef.org

jwaggon@ksu.edu

00:12:05 – NASA STELLA at Ag Tech Day: The show continues with Jacob Orser, program support specialist with NASA Acres, as he discusses NASA's STELLA and what he will be teaching kids at the upcoming Ag Tech Day.

NASA - STELLA

Ag Tech Day

00:23:05 – Reducing Corn Silage in Cow's Diet: K-State dairy specialist, Mike Brouk, ends the showing saying how recent studies show that a BMR male sterile sorghum hybrid can effectively replace about 25-30% of the corn silage in a lactating cow's diet.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2149 - Supply of the Cattle Market...Agriculture in Brazil Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Demand and Questions in the Cattle Market
KARL Program Travels to Brazil
Pros and Cons of Turkey Vultures

00:01:05 – Demand and Questions in the Cattle Market: A cattle market update from Oklahoma State University livestock economist, Derrell Peel, begins the show as he talks about the mixture in the futures, cash and boxed beef market. He also comments on questions he is frequently asked.

00:12:05 – KARL Program Travels to Brazil: Continuing the show are four Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership program participants, Trevor Pederson, Ryan Gilliland, Lisa Schemm and Janae McKinney, as they share about their current international tour in Brazil.

Karlprogram.com

00:23:05 – Pros and Cons of Turkey Vultures: Drew Ricketts, K-State wildlife specialist, ends today's show as he discusses benefits and issues turkey vultures can cause.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2148 - Factors Outside of the Grain Market...Mites Damaging Wheat Fields Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Grain Market Volatility
Brown Wheat Mites
Spring or Summer Weather?

00:01:05 – Grain Market Volatility: Daniel O'Brien, K-State grain economist, kicks off today's show with his grain market update where he chats about upcoming grain stocks and acreage reports and the impact they may have.

Daniel on AgManager.info

00:12:05 – Brown Wheat Mites: K-State Extension entomologist, Anthony Zukoff, continues the show as he discusses brown wheat mites and what issues they are causing for growers.

Brown Wheat Mite Active in Western Kansas

00:23:05 – Spring or Summer Weather?: Wrapping up the show is K-State meteorologist Chip Redmond as he comments on the recent summer-like weather and if there is spring weather in the forecast.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2147 - How Wheat is in Kansas...Combination of Issues for Wheat Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Wheat Status: Cold, Hot, Mites and Drought, Part 1
Wheat Status: Cold, Hot, Mites and Drought, Part 2
Pruning Trees

00:01:05 – Wheat Status: Cold, Hot, Mites and Drought, Part 1: K-State Extension agronomists Jeanne Falk Jones and Logan Simon are on today's show to explain the current status of wheat in Kansas. They mention how the cold snap impacted the crop and if they think it will recover.

00:12:05 – Wheat Status: Cold, Hot, Mites and Drought, Part 2: Jeanne and Logan continue the show and their conversation as they chat about how fields can differ in regions and their recommendations.

Wheat Status: Injury Symptoms from Freeze Damage

Mesonet.k-state.edu

00:23:05 – Pruning Trees: Ending the show is K-State Extension horticulture expert, Matt McKernan, discussing the basic guidelines for pruning and how to find an arborist when the project is too big to tackle yourself.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

2146 - States Impacting Food and Agricultural Laws...Marestail Control Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

American Food Market Developments
Getting a Handle on Marestail
Implications of Weight-Loss Medications

00:01:05 – American Food Market Developments: Beginning the show is K-State and Washburn law professor Roger McEowen as he explains three developments that have taken place in food and agricultural law so far in 2026.

From Pasture to Plate -- Navigating the New Legal Feudalism

00:12:05 – Getting a Handle on Marestail: Sarah Ganske, K-State weed specialist, adds to show as she discusses marestail and what options growers have for helping control this weed.

Marestail in Soybeans: Strategies for the Best Control

00:23:05 – Implications of Weight-Loss Medications: Part of a Cattle Chat podcast episode from the Beef Cattle Institute concludes today's show as Brad White chats with Abby Heidari about GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

BCI Cattle Chat Podcast

Bovine Science with BCI Podcast

Email BCI at bci@ksu.edu

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.

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