Kansas NRCS Announces Funding to Plant Cover Crops on Flooded Cropland Acreage

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Salina, Kansas - June 27, 2019—USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering a special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up for farmers in Governor-declared counties in Kansas who could not plant their crops because of flooded or wet fields. This sign-up provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers plant cover crops, an alternative to letting fields go fallow and uncovered. The deadline to apply is July 26, 2019.

Excessive moisture and flooding in 2019 have prevented or delayed planting on many farms across the country. Many producers are unable to plant crops by a final planting date or have experienced significant delays in planting. Fields that are saturated for an extended period can lose important soil organisms. Cover crop roots add organic matter and create pathways for air and water to move through the soil, which is key to restoring its health.

“Cover crops help farmers to manage soil erosion, weeds, and pests and to improve soil health,” said Karen A. Woodrich , NRCS State Conservationist in Kansas. “They can also help your soil health recover after a flood or a long period of remaining wet.”

To apply for this special EQIP funding, contact your local NRCS office. 

Other USDA Programs

Farmers with prevented planting coverage through USDA-administered crop insurance can hay, graze, or chop a cover crop. USDA’s Risk Management Agency adjusted the final haying and grazing date from November 1 to September 1 to help farmers who were prevented from planting or delayed in planting due to flooding and excessive rainfall.

More Information

USDA offers a disaster assistance discovery tool that walks producers through five questions to help them identify personalized results of what USDA disaster assistance programs meet their needs. For more information on disaster assistance programs, contact your local USDA service center or farmers.gov/prevented-planting.

KFB Member Benefit: Ford Bonus Cash 2019

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Ford Bonus Cash

Ford Bonus Cash Offer at time of purchase. Certificate required. (See link below)

You must have an active Kansas Farm Bureau membership for at least 30 consecutive days prior to date of purchase to be eligible for this incentive.

$500 on Ford vehicles* - Farm Bureau members get $500 Bonus Cash* toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2018/2019/2020 Ford vehicle.

$750 on Lincoln vehicles* - Members get $750 Bonus Cash* toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new intelligently designed 2018/2019/2020 Lincoln vehicle

*Ford/Lincoln Program Disclaimer - Farm Bureau Bonus Cash is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. This incentive is not available on Shelby GT350®, Shelby® GT350R, Mustang BULLITT, Ford GT, Focus RS and F-150 Raptor. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company and Lincoln Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply.  Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase and take new retail delivery from dealer by January 2, 2020. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or LincolnFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford or Lincoln Dealer for qualifications and complete details.

KFB Featured Member Benefit: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

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Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort or something more cost-effective, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has the right hotel for you! Farm Bureau Members receive up to 20% off the Best Available Rate* at approximately 8,000 participating hotels worldwide. A vast portfolio of hotels and resorts offer a variety of accommodations to meet your travel needs.

The discount is available on all Wyndham brands, including:

  • AmericInn®

  • Baymont Inn & Suites®

  • Days Inn®

  • DAZZLER Hotels®

  • DOLCE Hotels & Resorts®

  • Esplender Boutique Hotels®

  • Hawthorne Suites®

  • Howard Johnson®

  • LaQuinta®

  • Microtel®

  • Ramada encore®

  • Ramada Worldwide®

  • Super 8®

  • TM Trademark Collection by Wyndham®

  • Travelodge®

  • TRYP®

  • Wingate by Wyndham®

  • Wyndham®

  • Wyndham Grand®

Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Delegates 2018

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Members from Sedgwick County joined more than 800 Farm Bureau members of Kansas during Kansas Farm Bureau's 2018 Annual Meeting in Manhattan Dec. 2-4. They wrapped up important business for their farm organization after debating and adopting policy statements for 2019. These policies will now become the road map for the organization during the upcoming legislative session.

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Conservation Funding for Farmers & Ranchers Available

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Farmers and ranchers interested in funding to help with the cost of implementing conservation practices in 2019 that provide environmental benefits have until Dec. 21, 2018, to apply.

Karen A. Woodrich, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service state conservationist in Kansas, announced that farmers and ranchers interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program should apply by Dec. 21, 2018, for funding in 2019.  Applications are being taken at all USDA Service Centers in Kansas.  

NRCS provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers and ranchers implement conservation practices that provide environmental benefits to help sustain agricultural operations. Conservation program participation is voluntary and helps private landowners and operators defray the costs of installing conservation practices.

Kansas Forest Service supports farmers and ranchers interested in managing their forests through the EQIP for Forestland Health program. Forests, woodlands, the renovation of existing windbreaks and planting of new windbreaks are projects that may qualify for financial assistance if identified as a resource concern. The program is particularly aimed at the health and condition of trees in windbreaks and forests, plus soil erosion that impacts water associated with excessive sediment.

KFS district foresters will prepare a required forest manage plan or Forest Stewardship Plan at no cost to the applicant. Plans are not required before application, but they can speed up the process. NRCS will refer the applicant to a KFS district forester who will visit the property to develop a management plan that guides the project. Learn more about the available funding and assistance athttps://bit.ly/2KM0lnb.

NRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round, but applications for 2019 funding consideration must be submitted by the Dec. 21, 2018 deadline. Applications made after Dec. 21 will be considered in the next funding cycle. Additional information is available on the Kansas NRCS website atwww.ks.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab or contact your local NRCS service center.

For more information:

Cassie Wandersee, wande@ksu.edu

May's Featured Benefit is the John Deer GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards

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This month’s featured benefit is the John Deere GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards!

This program is offered to members of Kansas Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau members receive discounts, special low rate financing, and all other benefit associated with GreenFleet Platinum 2 status. It’s easy to become a GreenFleet member too! Just sign up for John Deere GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards program using a valid member ID and zip code for membership verification, and become a Platinum 2 level by visiting: www.johndeere.com/farmbureau.

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Visit www.KFB.org/Benefits to view more details about this benefit. If you have any questions on how to utilize this benefit, feel free to contact Debbie Hargrave.

Legislative Tour Stops at AGCO plan in Hesson

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The Legislative Tour included a stop at the AGCO plant in Hesston today. Ryan Flickner and Leigh Ann Maurth from Manhattan office, District 4 Administrator Sandy Manner and District 4 State Board Member Steve McCloud, District 4 Margaret Goering, Carole and Rick Schlender from Harvey County, Representatives Leo Delperdang, Joe Seiwert, Emil Bergquist and Senators Lynn Rogers,  Dan Kerschen. Sedgwick County board members Bill Carp, Mick Rausch, Donna Wise, Jon Kerschen  and office administrator Gayle Ross with Extension agent Zack Simon. Lunch at Quincy’s in Mound Ridge finished the tour.

March 2018 Featured Member Benefit (EXPIRED)

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This month’s featured member benefit is Ford’s Bonus Cash* towards qualifying Ford and Lincoln vehicles and the Built For Tough F-150 Sweepstakes!

Visit www.KFB.org/Benfits to help a member obtain their certificate. To redeem, members can take the certificate to the Ford dealer at time of purchase. The $500 rebate will be applied to the purchase price. This offer may not be used in conjunction with other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. This offer is limited to five (5) vehicles per year per member. This incentive program is valid 365 days after purchase of an eligible vehicle if the Kansas Farm Bureau member was qualified to receive the incentive at the time of purchase.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES: You must be a member in good standing of the Kansas Farm Bureau for at least 30 consecutive days prior to date of purchase to be eligible for this incentive. Limit one $500 Bonus Cash offer per Ford vehicle purchase or lease. $750 on the purchase or lease of Lincoln vehicles.

Built Ford Tough F-150 Sweepstakes
Kansas Farm Bureau members are eligible to enter the Built Ford Tough F-150 Sweepstakes* for a chances to win a 2-year lease on a brand new 2018 F-150! To enter, visit https://www.fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/sweeps or text the word SWEEPS to 46786.** We encourage you to share this with your county members!

Maize FFA Places 2nd in South Central District Chapter Discussion Meet

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Congratulations to Maize FFA! The chapter recieved their check for 2nd place in South Central District Chapter Discussion Meet. Individual Awards were awarded to Brandon Carp, 2nd (state qualifier), Braeland Booth, 7th, and Cora Carpenter, 8th. The three winners are pictured here with instructor Jay Super and SCFBAA President Max Tjaden.

DICAMBA INFORMATION

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KSRE Sedgwick County will be hosting a dicamba training on Monday, March 5th in the afternoon (exact time TBA) in 4-H Hall at the Extension Education Center located at 7001 W. 21st St North.

Below are some common questions I have received regarding these changes with some answers.

Q: Is all dicamba now a restricted use pesticide (RUP)?

A: No, only the new formulation of dicamba, the products that are approved for use in crops with XtendiMax technology (i.e.: Engenia, FeXapan, and XtendiMax)

Q: What if my hired help runs the sprayer working under my pesticide license, do they need the training?

A: Yes, even if they are working on your pesticide applicators license (commercial or private). Anyone operating the application machine is required to have the training in order to legally apply the product.

Q: Where can I get the training completed?

A: K-State Research and Extension as well as many private companies have been approved to provide the training to applicators. Just be sure that the training is approved by EPA/KDA and that you sign and provide your information on a sheet upon completion of the training so that you become officially registered as completing the training. Below is a link to the list of trainings KSRE currently has. Please check back if you do not find one near you, as it is constantly being updated. 
https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/pesticides-ipm/private-applicator.html (scroll to Dicamba training). More information is available by contacting Miller at fmiller@ksu.edu.

Please see the article released from K-State Research and Extension below for more information on the recent changes:

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Unintentional damage to millions of acres of crops from the herbicide dicamba last year prompted changes in regulations. Anyone planning to buy one of the new dicamba formulations in 2018 must have either a private applicator or category-specific commercial applicator license and attend specific applicator training, according to Frannie Miller, integrated pest management coordinator at Kansas State University.

According to a Nov. 1, 2017, Environmental Protection Agency report, more than 3.6 million acres of soybeans, including 100,000 acres in Kansas were damaged by dicamba last year. Other crops including tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, vegetables, plus trees and shrubs were also adversely affected.

"As we embark on the 2018 growing season, producers should be aware that dicamba herbicides Engenia, FeXapan, and XtendiMax are classified as Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs)," said Miller, who is a pesticide safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension. "In order to be able to purchase these herbicides, you must possess either a private applicator license or a 1A (Agriculture Plant) commercial applicator license."

In addition, the products have additional label restrictions when applying. An applicator must attend specific auxin inhibitor (dicamba) training in order to apply these products in the field for 2018. In Kansas, the trainings will be sponsored by K-State Research and Extension, as well as industry representatives from BASF, Dow/Dupont and Monsanto. It will be the responsibility of the applicators to obtain this training before the application of these herbicides.

The trainings will cover the label changes in detail and provide information on what you as an applicator need to do to meet these requirements, Miller said. The labels for these herbicides now include mandatory record keeping requirements, a reduced maximum wind speed (from 15 miles per hour down to 10 miles per hour), limited times of day applications can be made (between sunrise and sunset), revised list on sensitive crops and sensitive sites, and revised tank-clean out requirements.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email me at
316-660-0153, zsimon@ksu.edu.

Sincerely,
Zach Simon
Sedgwick County Extension Ag & Natural Resource Agent

K-State Production Schools

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K-State Corn Management Schools

A series of three K-State Corn Production Management Schools will be offered in early January of 2018 to provide in-depth training targeted for corn producers. 

Topics are focused on agronomic practices and research updates.  Each school's sessions are designed to fit the farmers in the region.  Topics include: Weed Control, Production & Nutrient Mgmt., Insect & Disease Updates, Planter Technology Update, Corn Marketing and Price Update, and Usable Corn Condition Progress Tools.

 Schools are free to attend thanks to the generous support of DuPont Pioneer and Kansas Corn.  Lunch is included, so please pre-register online at:  KScorn.com/cornschool

For more information call your local Extension agent, or contact Ignacio Ciampitti, Crop Production & Cropping Systems Specialist, ciampitti@ksu.edu.

K-State Soybean Schools

A series of three K-State Soybean Production Schools will be offered in late January 2018 to provide in-depth training targeted for soybean producers and key stakeholders.  The schools will be held at three locations around the state.

The one day schools will cover a number of issues facing soybean growers including: weed control strategies, production practices, nutrient fertility, and insect and disease management.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of Kansas Soybean Commission (main sponsor of the schools).  The schools will also be supported by Channel Seeds.There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to pre-register by Jan. 17th.  Online registration is available at:  K-State Soybean Schools

You can also preregister by emailing or calling the local K-State Research and Extension office for the location you plan to attend.

 K-State Sorghum Schools

A series of three K-State Sorghum Production Schools will be offered in early February 2018 to provide in-depth training targeted for sorghum producers and key stake-holders.  The schools will be held at three locations around the state.

The one-day schools will cover a number of issues facing sorghum growers:  weed control strategies; production practices; nutrient fertility; and insect and disease management.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission.  There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to pre-register by Jan. 31st.  Online registration is available at: http://bit.ly/kssorghumschools

You can also pre-register by emailing or calling the nearest local Research and Extension office for the location you plan to attend.

For more detailed information go to Extension Agronomy eUpdate. 

Zach Simon
Sedgwick County Extension
Natural Resource and Agricultural Agent
316-660-0153

Permit fee reduction for use of agriculture buildings in Sedgwick County

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The Sedgwick County Commission recently voted to reduce our building permit fees for agricultural buildings in the county. The fee changes amounted to a  33-67% reduction from previous charges. This is an initiative led by County Commissioner Richard Ranzau as a result of phone calls from a constituent and Senator Carolyn McGinn.

  • Old rates:  38 cents per square foot for finished space and 30 cents per square foot for unfinished space
  • New rates:  25 cents per square foot for finished space and 20 cents per square foot for unfinished space up to 5,000 square feet and then 10 cents per square foot thereafter.