Lower prices for oil is an early indication of direction for diesel

A year-over-year drop in oil prices is a sign that farmers may get a modest break in the price they will pay for diesel fuel this summer, says Kansas State University agricultural economist Gregg Ibendahl.

“Last year about this time, oil prices were in the $70 range, but have since declined and now are in the $60 range,” Ibendahl said. “That’s a good sign that diesel prices may be more moderate this year, compared to last year.”

Ibendahl notes that diesel is one of farmers’ major expense categories, since it fuels tractors and combines and other farm equipment. Farmers often buy diesel fuel annually, and store it on-farm for use throughout the year.

“And certainly there are times of the year that you can get a better price than at other times,” Ibendahl said.

This summer, he adds, is one of those times to save money on diesel fuel, indicated by the “softening” of oil prices.

“What we’ve seen the last two years is that the price premium for diesel kind of peaks in the winter time, and then it tends to go away or become very small closer to summertime,” Ibendahl said.

“Once the summer midpoint has been reached, it starts to go back up again.

“So, that’s why I’m really seeing diesel prices probably declining between now and summertime.”

Ibendahl said a summer decline in the cost of diesel is not solely due to a lower price for oil. Refineries can affect the price of diesel based on their emphasis to provide fuel for gas engines, versus the demand for diesel engines.

“One of the main factors is our refinery capacity in the United States; we are very constrained by our refinery capacity,” he said. “If would be wonderful if we could get a new refinery built in the U.S., or do some expansion. Refineries do have some capability of adjusting from gas to diesel to some degree, but what we generally see in our country is more of an emphasis on meeting the demand for gas.”

Ibendahl said the price premium for gas and diesel can vary widely, sometimes causing diesel prices to rise as much as a full dollar per gallon over gas prices. Other times, the price difference is as low as five or ten cents per gallon.

For now, he says, there’s a good chance that farmers will see a good opportunity this summer to buy at a more affordable price.

“If you buy diesel for the fall harvest in October, when you’re using it, you’re probably going to pay a little higher price than if you buy it in the summertime,” he said. “Storage for diesel fuel, I think, pays for a lot of farmers because it does give you better options to buy when prices are lower.”

He adds: “I don’t think farmers are going to pay more for diesel fuel this summer than they did last year. That’s a positive for farmers and will definitely help their net farm income at the end of the year.”

Ibendahl’s full analysis of diesel fuel prices is available online and at https://agmanager.info.

Madinger explains how producers can protect their livestock from theft

In 2025, cattle producers continue receiving record prices for their livestock at local sale barns and auction markets. While many enjoy the spoils of their labor after years of discouraging events like drought and herd reduction, this surge in value beckons unwanted attention.

Scarlett Madinger, the vice president of communications at the Kansas Livestock Association, said producers always hold their cattle and livelihood in high regard. However, current market conditions provide thieves an opportunity to take advantage of those lucrative and unattended livestock.

“Some people see it as an ‘easy way to earn a dollar’ by stealing cattle; they think that they can make a quick turnaround on some dollars,” she said. “Livestock especially at risk are those that are easily accessible.”

With calving season wrapping up, young animals and cow-calf pairs might be more likely to fall victim to theft, depending on what criminals think they can get away with.

The first step in preventing livestock theft involves permanently identifying cattle through techniques like hot brands and ear notches. On the other hand, thieves can easily remove ear tags and other temporary identifiers.

“Branding is the most surefire way to positively identify cattle,” Madinger said. “If someone is trying to sell them at a regional auction market, somebody else is most likely to recognize that brand and know that ‘hey, that isn't who dropped them off.’”

Another crucial step in warding off theft includes restricting access to pens and pastures by using locks, chains and other security measures.

“Anything that causes someone to take an extra step that's looking to steal cattle serves as a deterrent,” Madinger said. ”Especially if you have portable facilities or movable pens, chain those up so they're not easily accessible to somebody looking to back up and load your cattle out.”

Other livestock theft prohibition methods:

• Do not leave cattle penned overnight.
• Be extra vigilant of activity near pens or pastures that sit near high-traffic areas like highways or interstates.
• Check and count cattle frequently, keeping written records, especially if housed in multiple locations.
• Take note of any suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles driving by a property, within reason.

After a suspected crime, Madinger said producers should first contact their local county sheriff’s office, then the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health.

“Call that county sheriff, so that they can come out as quickly as possible and take down any details,” she said. “The division of animal health is the next one because they can send information about stolen livestock to auction markets around the state, so they are aware of them.”

Producers who are members of the Kansas Livestock Association can report stolen livestock to that organization’s office, which will institute a reward program and send out more information about the crime to other members.

While multiple agencies within the state respond to incidents, ranchers should also look outside Kansas for pilfered livestock.

“You’re going to want to broaden your search radius for those counties that border Nebraska, Oklahoma or Colorado,” she said. “Your radius depends on your location and how many auction markets are nearby.”

K-State beef cattle experts share operational goals relating to calving

When an athlete is aiming to improve their performance, they begin with a starting measurement, and as they train, they continue to assess their abilities to measure progress. For cattle producers, that scorecard may include pregnancy percentages, the number of calves weaned and, in some cases, death loss.

This was a topic of discussion on a recent Cattle Chat podcast hosted by faculty at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. K-State veterinarian Bob Larson joined with K-State beef extension specialist Jason Warner to set goals for cow-calf operations.

“This is a good time of year to review your records and if the numbers aren’t where you want them to be, you can make management adjustments under the guidance of your veterinarian, nutritionist or another advisor,” Warner said.

Two areas that Warner tells producers to focus on are the number of live calves born compared to the number of cows exposed to bulls at the start of the breeding season; and the number of cows that became pregnant early in the breeding season.

A top priority for Larson is to have calves born early in the calving season.

“The goal is to have 65% of the calves born in the first 21 days, and 85 to 90%% of the calves born within the first 42 days of the season,” Larson said. “If that happens, I know that the cows were in good body condition at the start of the breeding season and the bulls were fertile.”

As far as the percentage of live calves weaned relative to the number of pregnant females, Warner says the goal is at least 90%.

“The national average is between one to two percent for calf death loss and that will vary from year to year within the same operation,” Larson said. “If the producer is calving out a high percentage of heifers, that can influence the calf death loss percentage.”

To hear the full discussion, listen to Cattle Chat on your preferred streaming platform.

K-State beef cattle experts offer recommendations on how to reduce expenses on a cow-calf operation

Each April, many business owners evaluate their annual spending at the time they submit their taxes. Like their fellow business owners, many cattle ranchers are seeing an increase in their input costs and looking for ways to minimize expenses.

To offer some advice on how to manage the ranch expenses, K-State beef cattle extension specialist Jason Warner joined the Beef Cattle Institute experts on a recent Cattle Chat podcast to address this topic.

“To answer the question of where to cut costs on the operation, first you have to know what your costs are,” Warner said. “You also need to look at current calf prices and cow prices to understand where the enterprise is to make an accurate determination of cost levels and overall profitability.”

One factor that producers need to include in their calculation is depreciation, K-State agricultural economist Dustin Pendell said.

“Depreciation is an asset that is becoming worth less over time,” Pendell said. “In the case of a cow, if she stays in the herd another year, that has a different cost calculation than buying a replacement heifer, for example.”

Unlike equipment that is documented, figuring cow depreciation is often a hidden cost, K-State veterinarian Brad White said.

“When it comes to depreciation, we often talk about equipment because that is coming off our taxes, but managing cow depreciation costs is important to the operation’s bottom line,” White said.

To help keep the costs for cow maintenance down, Warner recommends matching the calving season to the forage availability.........

Click Here to View Full Article

K-State livestock specialist discusses concentrated animal feeding operations

Since their implementation many decades ago, concentrated animal feeding operations have continued to sustain meat and dairy industries by providing a steady flow of livestock for food chains for home and consumers abroad.

Contrary to popular belief, Kansas State University extension livestock specialist Joel DeRouchey recently said on the Agriculture Today radio program that CAFOs present a more efficient opportunity to raise livestock with less stress on the environment.

“CAFOs are strictly permitted to have full containment of all rainwater and runoff that reaches a pen surface, and the same goes for cleaning pen surfaces,” he said. “Manure must be stored in a contained area until it's moved out to fields for spreading.”

In Kansas, any facility with an animal unit capacity of 300 or greater must register with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Additionally – regardless of size – any facility that presents a significant water pollution potential must obtain a permit as determined by KDHE.

CAFOs include cattle and small ruminant feedlots, confined large indoor and outdoor swine and poultry operations and dairy facilities that meet the criteria as a CAFO. Once a CAFO is designated for a site, it has both state and federal requirements under which it must operate.

“Feedlot cattle over 700 pounds would be considered a single animal unit, 700 pounds and less is a half and cattle such as a lactating dairy cow would be considered 1.4,” DeRouchey said. “These figures relate to their feed intakes and the amount of manure produced per body weight.”...............

Click Here to View Full Article

Maximize garden space by growing vertically

K-State horticulture instructor says a vertical garden offers many benefits in addition to needing less space

Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini says home gardeners can expand garden space by taking it to the next level…literally.

Domenghini said many crops can be grown vertically, including the more traditional tomatoes, pole beans, and peas as well as vining crops such as cucumbers, melons, squash and gourds.

“Elevating plants off the ground increases the air flow which can help prevent disease,” Domenghini said. “Bringing the height of the produce up also makes harvesting easier.”

Domenghini recommends edible-pod and snow peas because those crops have longer vines and are therefore more appropriate for growing vertically than English (shelling) peas.

Bush-type vining crops produce short vines and are consequently less suitable for vertical growth. “Be mindful of crops that grow large fruit as they could damage the vine if grown vertically,” Domenghini said.

Supporting your vertical garden with a sturdy structure is also important. Domenghini suggests bamboo poles.

“Create a pup tent or A-frame structure by leaning two cattle panels or pallets together and securing them at the top. Alternatively, a single panel can be tied upright to T-posts for support. Plant vining crops at the base and train them to grow upward,” she said.

Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.

Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions to hortsupport@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Research and Extension office.

K-State horticulture expert says poison ivy grows in various forms

Most people accept that avoiding poison ivy is good advice, but Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini said doing so starts with correctly identifying the allergenic plant.

Domenghini said poison ivy grows in multiple forms with varying leaf appearances. Three varieties of poison ivy include erect woody shrub, climbing woody vine and groundcover.

“In the vining habit, aerial roots give the vines a fuzzy, rope-like appearance. As a groundcover, poison ivy is often confused with Virginia creeper or Woodbine,” Domenghini said. “Poison ivy shrubs can appear in fields, pastures, woods or even the home garden.”

Domenghini describes the many leaf margins as toothed, incised, lobed or smooth, but notes that poison ivy typically appears with leaves in groups of three.

“The leaf size can vary, but the middle leaflet is the only one with a long stalk and is larger than the other two. The other two leaves are closely attached to the petiole (leaf stem),” Domenghini said.

When removing poison ivy plants, Domenghini recommends wearing pants, long sleeves and gloves, and washing clothing and skin to remove traces of plant toxins when complete.................

Click Here to View Full Article

K-State horticulture expert says not all trees should be savaged

A Kansas State University horticulture expert says not all trees should be salvaged if they were damaged by storms and heavy winds that hit parts of Kansas in late April.

Cynthia Domenghini said landowners should evaluate trees to determine if the bark has been split, exposing the cambium, or those where the main trunk has split.

“These trees are not likely to survive,” Domenghini said. “Trees with so many broken limbs that the structure is altered also may best be replaced.”

Damaged trees may put on new growth, but Domenghini notes that they are under such extreme stress that they are much more susceptible to diseases and pests, and can be dangerous due to increased risk for further breaks.

For trees with less damage, Domenghini offers tips to help them heal:

• Prune broken branches to the next larger branch or the trunk. Do not cut flush with the trunk, but rather to the collar area between the branch and the trunk. “Cutting flush to the trunk creates a larger wound that takes longer to heal,” she said.
• Cut back large limbs progressively. The first cut should be made on the underside of the branch about 15 inches away from the trunk. Cut about one-third of the way through the limb. The second cut should be made on top of the branch, but about two inches further away from the trunk, creating an angle when joined with the first cut. A third cut should be made at the collar, to remove the resulting stub.
• 
  

Additional help and information may be available at local extension offices in Kansas.

~ Pesky Pests ~

Latest discovery marks 16 Kansas counties with destructive beetle

The Kansas Forest Service has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer within the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge near Pleasanton, the first confirmed sighting found in Kansas this year.

KFS, working with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension, confirmed an adult insect specimen on April 24. Officials say the pest had been suspected in the area for several years, but only recently have they found a verifiable physical specimen, which is required to make the detection official.

“Although we are pleased to have confirmed ongoing suspicions, the detection of emerald ash borer in Linn County marks another step in the insect’s steady spread across Kansas,” said Shad Hufnagel, the forest health program coordinator with the Kansas Forest Service.

The emerald ash borer is an exotic, invasive beetle from eastern Russia and northeastern Asia that likely was brought to the U.S. in infested packing material. The beetle threatens urban and rural forests by killing North American ash species and their cultivars.

KFS officials note that at least 70 million ash trees have already been destroyed due to the emerald ash borer, and as many as 9 billion North American ash trees will eventually be functionally rooted out and destroyed from the continent.

The discovery in Linn County makes 16 Kansas counties in which the emerald ash borer has been confirmed, including Wyandotte (2012), Johnson (2013), Leavenworth (2014), Douglas (2015), Jefferson (2015), Atchison (2016), Doniphan (2017), Shawnee (2017), Miami (2019), Jackson (2019), Brown (2022), Osage (2022), Franklin (2023), Lyon (2024) and Nemaha (2024).

Forest officials say landowners should learn the signs and symptoms of emerald ash borer in their ash trees, including thinning canopies. As the feeding progresses, trees may begin to sucker (a process called epicormic sprouting) where branches appear near the trunk or lower canopy..............

Click Here to View Full Article

Interfering with wildlife may lead to a variety of consequences, possibly legal

While that fawn lying alone in a patch of thick vegetation might seem vulnerable and in trouble…odds are, it’s not.

Kansas State University wildlife specialist Drew Ricketts said many species of wildlife, like white-tailed deer, have adapted to hide and hold entirely still when young, which makes it common for people to think they've been abandoned.

“Most likely that critter was left there by its mom, and she's off forging nearby,” he said. “If we pick that deer fawn up and try and take it home, we're taking it away from where it's supposed to be and where it has the best chance of surviving.”

Not only can those who intervene possibly upset natural animal processes, but they also risk contracting several diseases that wildlife carry.

“Pretty well all species that folks might encounter out on the landscape can carry diseases that can be passed to humans,” Ricketts said. “Raccoons, foxes, coyote pups – all can carry canine distemper virus, while foxes and coyotes also could have parvovirus.”

Human-wildlife interactions expose domestic pets to the numerous zoonotic diseases wildlife can transfer.

“There are ectoparasites like mange mites and ticks, and lots of wildlife have parasitic worms too,” Ricketts said. “Another concern is that we could bring avian influenza virus home right now if we deal with waterfowl.”

Beyond health concerns, Ricketts reminds those who enjoy wildlife that legal issues may arise if found possessing them without proper licensing.

“It’s not legal in Kansas for citizens who do not have a wildlife rehabilitator license..................

Click Here to View Full Article

Homeowners may have few options until after summer, says K-State’s Ricketts

It’s no coincidence that Kansas State University wildlife expert Drew Ricketts’ phone rings a bit more often this time of year with residents feeling a little bit batty.

The dark, flying mammals come out of hibernation in spring and are more active through August. Ricketts says he gets phone calls from “people who are also starting to detect signs that they might have bats living in the house.”

So long as the bats are not in the home’s main living space, Ricketts might suggest leaving them alone. That's because some control measures could create a bigger issue.

“If the bats are in the attic, or they’re living in the upper portion of the house, it’s really hard to go in there and actually find all of those bats, catch them effectively and try to take them back outside the house,” Ricketts said. “So, that’s not the way we do it.”

The most efficient way, he notes, is to install a ‘bat excluder’ or ‘bat valve’ in a spot where the homeowner believes the bats are getting in.

“These can be a homemade device made out of onion sack material that we staple really tightly around the entryway and then it hangs down, or commercially produced bat valves,” Ricketts said. “The bats can get out, but they can’t figure out how to get back under the device to get back in.”

Doing so, keeps that bat out of the attic, but it may not resolve the problem. Bat babies – called pups – are often born in April or early May, and are unable to fly through at least August. If the female can’t get back in to feed its pups, they are likely going to starve to death.................

Click Here to View Full Article

Larson notes that more than 600 Americans die annually due to ATV, UTV accidents

As Kansas’ weather warms, the use of off-road vehicles becomes more common on the state’s farms and ranches.

Tawnie Larson, the program manager for the Kansas Agriculture Safety and Health program at Kansas State University, said All-Terrain Vehicles, or ATVs, and Utility Task Vehicles, UTVs, are “essential tools on farms and ranches.”

“But they also pose significant risks if not used properly,” Larson said.

She notes that Ag Injury News, a database that compiles agriculture-related incidents from public news sources, reports that over the last several years in Kansas, at least 10 people have died in ATV and UTV crashes.

The majority of fatalities in the Sunflower State involve men between the ages of 55 and 83 using ATVs for work. Some fatalities have involved passengers during recreational use.

Nationally, Purdue University reports that more than 101,000 people are treated annually for ATV or UTV injuries, and approximately 10,000 are hospitalized each year. More than 600 people die each year as a result of an ATV or UTV accident.

“UTVs are generally considered more safe than ATVs due to their design,” Larson said. “UTVs include roll bars, seat belts and speed governors. UTVs are larger, heavier and typically operate at lower speeds, making them ideal for farm work, such as transporting tools, feed and even calves.”

Larson shared some safety measures for UTVs:

• Never allow human passengers to ride in the cargo area.
• Always wear seatbelts.
• Plan routes carefully, avoiding obstacles, washouts and rocks.
• Stay within the recommended speed limits and operate with caution.

ATVs are often used for recreation, as well as agricultural work, including checking livestock and spraying weeds. Larson said they are more often involved in crashes compared to UTVs; most fatalities on ATVs are linked to excessive speed and inattentive driving.

She notes that common ATV hazards include underage operators, extra passengers (ATVs are usually designed for a single rider), rough terrain, and roadway collisions.

Safety measures for ATVs include:

• Wear protective gear, including a helmet, eye protection, long sleeves and pants, and proper footwear (boots, not sandals or flip-flops).
• Follow age guidelines. The minimum age to operate an ATV on public land and roads in Kansas is 16. “Remember that not all children have the strength, skill or judgment needed to operate an ATV,” Larson said.

Larson also suggests that parents, grandparents and other guardians require children to take a training class to learn proper handling techniques; and to understand how shifting weight forward or backward is helpful in certain conditions.

More information is available online at https://atvsafety.org, or by contacting Larson by email (tawnie@ksu.edu) or phone (785-532-2976).

~ Upcoming Programs ~

May

May 26: Memorial Day - Extension offices Closed

May 28: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Training for 4-H/FFA Youth.

June 1: MiCo Fair Horse ID Papers due

June 1: Miami Co. Fair Online FairEntry System Open

June 2: Keep Me Safe Event - Mound City Library

June 3: Keep Me Safe Event - Pleasenton, Ks

June 5: ATV Safety Training @ Discovery Day, Manhattan, KS

June 15: Kansas State Fair & Kansas Junior Livestock Show Livestock Nominations due

June 19: Extension Offices Closed - Juneteenth

K-State Research and Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact Katelyn Barthol two weeks prior to the start of the event at 913-294-4306 or kbarth25@ksu.edu.  Requests received after this date will be honored when it is feasible to do so. 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

 K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.