Share Your Input: Digital Ag and AI Survey for Farmers Are you a Kansas farmer working in row crops, specialty crops, or livestock/ ranching? We invite you to share your perspective on Digital Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in farming systems by completing a brief survey.

Fall—Now is the time to improve cow condition As the forage in our pastures becomes more brown than green in appearance, it is not uncommon to notice a few thin cows within the herd. As forage quality declines in late summer/fall, it can be difficult for some cows to maintain body condition, especially young cows (first- or second-calf cows) or those with relatively high lactation potential. However, the best time to improve cow body condition on spring-calving cows is post-weaning during the fall.

Sorghum Ergot in Kansas In the past week, sorghum ergot has been detected in several locations in Kansas, primarily in forage sorghum fields, but also in grain sorghum. This is a relatively rare event, with notable prior occurrences in 1997 and 2017. Sorghum ergot in the U.S. is caused by the fungus Claviceps africana. Claviceps africana has been reported in Australia, Central America, North America, South America, and South Africa. Sorghum ergot is not the same pathogen that causes ergot in wheat (Claviceps purpurea).

Fall Soil Sampling Soil testing provides producers and homeowners with important information about soil fertility. This information can help produce better crops and reduce costs by guiding management decisions, such as the type and amount of fertilizers to apply.

The Power of Prescribed Fire Fire is an ecosystem driver that facilitates other processes, such as the nutrient or water cycle. Fire cannot work alone; the climate and vegetation are partners.

Managing Phragmites in Waterways, Wetlands, and Roadsides Late summer is an ideal time for herbicide applications to control Phragmites, also known as common reed, a perennial plant that is increasing in Kansas waterways, wetlands, and roadsides.

Success in the garden requires planning. To give your plants a healthy start next year, rotate crops within the same family to a different location than where they’re growing this year. This is known as crop rotation and offers several benefits.

Body Condition Scoring – A Herd Management Tool Body condition scoring (BCS) is a method for determining the relative fatness of beef cattle. The system used by beef producers in the United States rates body condition on a scale from 1 to 9, with one being severely emaciated and nine extremely obese. Animals are judged by fat thickness in areas such as the spine (vertebrae), ribs, hooks and pins, tailhead, brisket, and muscling in the round and shoulder.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Management Wheat streak mosaic complex devastated many wheat fields across central and western Kansas in 2025. The wheat streak mosaic complex comprises three viruses: wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and High Plains wheat mosaic virus.

Wheat Streak Mosaic Management Wheat streak mosaic complex devastated many wheat fields across central and western Kansas in 2025. The wheat streak mosaic complex comprises three viruses: wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, and High Plains wheat mosaic virus.