Agriculture Today

Latest Episodes:

2295 - Stable, But Tight Grain Market...Grain Economics Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Kansas Commodities Grain Market
Grain Logistics and Profitability
First Kansas Freeze

00:01:05 – Kansas Commodities Grain Market: Beginning our show is K-State grain economist, Daniel O'Brien, and the senior economist at the IGP Institute, Guy Allen, as the pair discuss Kansas commodities and how much space the United States has for grain storage.

00:12:05 – Grain Logistics and Profitability: Daniel and Guy continue today's show as they explain grain logistics in the state and country while also looking into sector profitability.

Daniel on AgManager.info

Guy on AgManager.info

00:23:05 – First Kansas Freeze: K-State meteorologist Chip Redmond concludes the show sharing how some Kansans saw their first freeze and if the cooler temperatures will continue.

Mesonet.ksu.edu

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.

2294 - Economics of Nitrogen...Extension Agents Supporting Agriculture Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Nitrogen Prices and Trends
K-State Extension Agriculture Agents
Sweet Potato Harvest

00:01:05 – Nitrogen Prices and Trends: K-State Extension farm economist, Gregg Ibendahl, begins today's show as he discusses nitrogen price trends and how producers can hopefully make the most economical decision.

The Cheapest Month to Buy Nitrogen

00:12:05 – K-State Extension Agriculture Agents: Extension agents Richard Fechter from the Rolling Prairie District and David Hallauer from the Meadowlark District join the second segment to chat about agriculture in their region and how producers are handling challenges.

RollingPrairie.k-state.edu

meadowlark.k-state.edu

extension.k-state.edu

00:23:05 – Sweet Potato Harvest: Ending the show is K-State horticulture expert Matt McKernan as he explains how to harvest, cure and store this year's sweet potato harvest which is currently underway in Kansas.

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

2293 - Harvest Fuel Relief Program Announcement...Appropriate Soil Sampling and Testing Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Farm Aid Program Announced
Getting a Soil Sample and Understanding a Lab's Method, Part 1
Getting a Soil Sample and Understanding a Lab's Method, Part 2

00:01:05 – Farm Aid Program Announced: K-State and Washburn law professor, Roger McEowen, kicks off the show discussing a recent announcement from USDA about a Harvest Fuel Relief Program. He says what is known and who it may impact.

USDA's $8 Billion Farm Aid Program

Roger on AgManager.info

washburnlaw.edu/WALTR

00:12:05 – Getting a Soil Sample and Understanding a Lab's Method, Part 1: Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, K-State soil fertility specialist, and Bryan Rutter, K-State soil testing lab manager, keep today's show rolling as they explain their recommendations when it comes to growers collecting soil samples, packaging the sample and deciding where to submit the sample.

00:23:05 – Getting a Soil Sample and Understanding a Lab's Method, Part 2: Ending the show is Dorivar and Bryan as they conclude their conversation sharing about what resources are available at K-State's soil testing lab.

The Challenge of Collecting a Representative Soil Sample

Fall Soil Sampling: Sample Collection and Submission to K-State Soil Testing Lab

K-State Soil Testing Lab

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

2292 - Are Bats in Kansas a Concern?...Protein Supplementation Choices for Cows Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Fins, Fur and Feathers: Bats in Kansas
Cow Protein Supplementation Options
Another HPAI Detection on Kansas Farm

00:01:05 – Fins, Fur and Feathers: Bats in Kansas: The show starts with part of a Fins, Fur and Feathers podcast episode from Drew Ricketts and Joe Gerken as the pair discuss bats in Kansas and if they are a concern to residents.

Fins, Fur and Feathers

wildlife.k-state.edu

00:12:05 – Cow Protein Supplementation Options: Jason Warner, K-State Extension cow-calf specialist, keeps the show rolling as he chats about protein supplementation for cows and the things producers need to consider.

KSUBeef.org

00:23:05 – Another HPAI Detection on Kansas Farm: K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk wraps up the show explaining what another detection of HPAI on a Kansas farm earlier this month means for Kansas dairy farmers.

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

2291 - Cattle Numbers...Project for Wheat Conservation Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Cattle Market Prices and Slaughter Numbers
Conservation Practices Project for Kansas Wheat, Part 1
Conservation Practices Project for Kansas Wheat, Part 2

00:01:05 – Cattle Market Prices and Slaughter Numbers: A discussion on the cattle market from University of Missouri-Columbia livestock economist, Elliott Dennis, begins today's show. He covers what is happening in feeder cattle, value of gain, live cattle and slaughter.

00:12:05 – Conservation Practices Project for Kansas Wheat, Part 1: The show continues with K-State's Romulo Lollato, Jessy Wilkes and Ted Hinton as the group explains a project they are a part of that is working on adoption of conservation practices for wheat producers in Kansas. They chat about how they are working to help growers and how growers can learn more information.

00:23:05 – Conservation Practices Project for Kansas Wheat, Part 2: Romulo, Jessy and Ted end the show by wrapping up their conversation with opportunities within the project.

KSWheat.com

Lollato@ksu.edu - Romulo

Jawilkes@ksu.edu - Jessy

Tbhinton@ksu.edu - Ted

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

2290 - Corn has Biggest Story After Reports...Are Blister Beetles Still in Alfalfa? Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Up and Down in the Grain Market
Cold Weather Influence on Insects
Normal October Weather Pattern

00:01:05 – Up and Down in the Grain Market: K-State grain economist, Daniel O'Brien, kicks off today's show discussing how the markets reacted to last week's WASDE reports and what grain commodity saw the most change. He also highlights what he sees looking forward.

Daniel on AgManager

00:12:05 – Cold Weather Influence on Insects: Jeff Whitworth, K-State crop entomologist, continues the show as he explains what cold weather does to insects, if blister beetles are likely to still be in alfalfa cuttings and if we will keep seeing armyworms.

00:23:05 – Normal October Weather Pattern: Concluding the show is Chip Redmond, K-State meteorologist, talking about what is normal weather for October in Kansas and what is impacting the current weather pattern the most.

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

2289 - Recognizing Cooperatives for Kansas...Safety for Wildlife Harvest Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Cooperative Resources in Kansas
Connecting with Cooperatives and Safe Wildlife Harvest
Home Landscape Weed Control

00:01:05 – Cooperative Resources in Kansas: Today's show begins with Brian Briggeman, director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center, and Russell Plaschka, president and CEO of the Kansas Cooperative Council, as the pair discuss their involvement in cooperatives in Kansas for Cooperative Month. They explain the landscape and how they see things moving forward.

00:12:05 – Connecting with Cooperatives and Safe Wildlife Harvest: Brian and Russell wrap up their conversation in the second segment, chatting about how people can find more information. We are then joined by Drew Ricketts and Joe Gerken with a few reminders when it comes to hunting season.

www.accc.k-state.edu

bbrigg@ksu.edu

www.kansasco-op.coop

russell@kansascoop.coop

Fins, Fur and Feathers - After the Harvest (Episode)

00:23:05 – Home Landscape Weed Control: K-State Extension horticulture expert, Matt McKernan, ends the show saying fall is the best time for weed control in the home landscape.

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

2288 - Producer Payments and Learning...Why to Test Soil and Apply Fertilization in the Fall Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

ARC and PLC Payments for Producers
Soil Testing and Fertilization in the Fall
Livestock Emergency Response Plan Training

00:01:05 – ARC and PLC Payments for Producers: David Schemm, executive director of the Kansas Farm Service Agency, starts the show as he highlights what payments have been for ARC and PLC and what learning he has done to better serve Kansas producers.

Farmers.gov

00:12:05 – Soil Testing and Fertilization in the Fall: Keeping the show rolling is K-State sustainable cropping systems agronomist, Cristie Preston, discussing fall soil testing and fertilization. She says what she finds most important for producers to get a return on their investment.

Fall Soil Testing of Hayfields and Pastures

Fall Fertilization of Smooth Brome and Tall Fescue

agronomy.k-state.edu/eupdates

00:23:05 – Livestock Emergency Response Plan Training: K-State beef cattle specialist, Justin Waggoner, wraps the show with information about livestock emergency response plan training and why it is important for Kansas emergency responders.

KSUBeef.org

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

2287 - Getting Control of Weeds this Fall...Feedlot Specialist Joins K-State Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Fall Weed Control with Herbicides
New K-State Feedlot Specialist
2026 World Dairy Expo

00:01:05 – Fall Weed Control with Herbicides: Beginning today's show is K-State weed specialist, Sarah Ganske, as she explains fall herbicide applications and what needs to be specifically paid attention to for marestail in fields.

Controlling Annual Weeds with Fall-Applied Herbicides

Get Control of Fall-Emerged Marestail Before Next Spring

00:12:05 – New K-State Feedlot Specialist: Rebecca McDermott, K-State Extension feedlot specialist, continues the show by introducing herself to Kansas producers and sharing what she hopes to develop and learn about from Kansans and students.

Rebecca McDermott

00:23:05 – 2026 World Dairy Expo: K-State dairy specialist, Mike Brouk, ends the show discussing what he saw at the World Dairy Expo and what impressed him when it comes to the latest technology for milk line sensors and robotic batch milking.

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

2286 - Beef and Dairy Cow Slaughter...Rural Development Goals Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Beef Slaughter and Trade
USDA Rural Development Undersecretary
Too Many Leaves in Ponds

00:01:05 – Beef Slaughter and Trade: A cattle market update from Tyler Cozzens, director of the Livestock Marketing Information Center, begins the show discussing beef and dairy slaughter as well as beef imports and exports.

lmic.info

00:12:05 – USDA Rural Development Undersecretary: The show continues with Glen Smith, USDA undersecretary for rural development, as he highlights what he sees for rural development in Kansas and what he hopes to continue to provide to rural communities.

rd.usda.gov

00:23:05 – Too Many Leaves in Ponds: Joe Gerken, K-State fisheries and aquatics Extension specialist, concludes today's show explaining how too many leaves in ponds or waterways can create issues for ponds and communities.

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected