1)   Storm-Damaged Trees an On-Going Concern
2)   On-Farm Energy Costs Increased Dramatically Before $4 Diesel
3)   Squash Bug Control Not for the Squeamish
4)   K-State to Host Horticultural Field Day Aug. 28 in Colby
5)   Summer Fund Raiser Boosts KARL Coffers

1)  Storm-Damaged Trees an On-Going Concern

           
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Starting with last winter’s limb-bending ice storm, the weather has been wreaking havoc on central U.S. landscapes.

“I keep hearing a lot about the length of time people are having to wait to get onto a certified arborist’s schedule. People also are concerned about whether a tree that is leaning now will straighten out in time on its own,” said Charles Barden, forester with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Unless a damaged tree is a hazard for people or property, its post-storm cleanup and repair isn’t likely to be an emergency, Barden said. Mature trees, in particular, tend to be amazingly patient.          

But, leaning or blown-over trees can be an exception.

“A tree that’s slightly bent over may appear to straighten up as growth occurs on its upright branches. Still, the trunk’s lean will remain,” Barden said. “Smaller trees – especially river birch – need to be pulled upright and staked for a year or two. Otherwise, they’ll be more prone to future storm damage.”

Severe “posture” problems can be fatal for trees unless owners take action, he warned.

The tornado that hit the K-State campus June 11 created a large-scale example. The wind blew over an entire, long-lived Scots pine planting that was about five trees wide and one-half block long. Some of the pines also broke. But, many were left lying with their roots in the air, next to a gaping hole.

“Often you can save uprooted trees if you pull them back into place within a few days,” Barden said. “You’ll also need to stake them, settle loose soil around the roots, and apply mulch and water.”

The forester cautioned that working around storm-damaged trees can be hazardous, due to nearby power lines, the often surprising force and weight of falling wood, and the tension of tree branches.

“If you aren’t familiar with this kind of work, don’t attempt it or hire some unknown who shows up at your door. You’ll be better off if you just wait for a local, reputable tree service to do the work,” he said.

2)  On-Farm Energy Costs Increased Dramatically Before $4 Diesel

           
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Even before 2008's repeatedly record-high oil prices, energy was rapidly escalating Kansans’ cost of doing business on the farm.

For non-irrigated crop farms in the Kansas Farm Management Association, last year’s average energy-related costs per acre were 37 percent higher than their previous five-year (2002-06) average. In contrast, total crop production costs for 2007 were 29 percent higher, according to Michael Langemeier, agricultural economist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

“To keep this in perspective, though, you’ve got to remember that in addition to price changes, technology and crop mix can impact per-acre energy costs,” Langemeier said. “Adopting no-till or reduced tillage systems, for example, is a change in technology. Adoption of those systems has increased in recent years. And, as a result, this on-going change in tillage systems actually dampened the impact that 2007’s energy price hikes had on energy-related cropping costs.”  

The percentage rise in fertilizer costs was even higher than the one for energy, he said. In part, that’s because a large part of fertilizer’s entire 2002-07 cost increase occurred just last year.

“Compared to the per-acre average for non-irrigated crop farms from 2002 through 2006, last year’s fertilizer costs were 60 percent higher,” Langemeier said. 

More information on general farm management, as well as past production costs for crop and livestock farms, is available on the K-State Extension Agricultural Economics Web site (www.agmanager.info).

           
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Their name itself suggests a good way to control the big, gray, shield-shaped squash bugs that often become the bane of vegetable gardens as summer heats up.

The pests’ goal in life is to suck plants dry, especially squash and pumpkin vines. Squash bugs sometimes reach that goal, too, by building huge populations in the final months of the growing season, said Jennifer Smith, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.

Each female can lay up to 600 eggs, Smith explained. And, generations of the bugs can overlap.

“By early to mid August, the same plant can be hosting eggs, nymphs and egg-laying adults,” she said. “But, the newly hatched nymphs – which look like miniature, but more lightly colored adults – are the only growth stage that will be vulnerable then to insecticide sprays.”

The bugs’ pinhead-size, orange to brown eggs are impervious to sprays. As the hatched nymphs grow to three-fourths inch long, their bodies also harden to the point that insecticides can’t affect them

Even so, the real key to controlling squash bugs is to check plants early and often, looking on the undersides of each leaf, Smith said. If possible, also get rid of the bugs found – immediately and on-site.

In keeping with their name, the control for the eggs and adults is to “squash ‘em,” she added.

“Just remember that even if your plants survive, squash bug feeding can reduce yields and fruit quality,” Smith said. “When I have any doubts about stomping on these little creatures, I just think about zucchini, fresh off the grill with a little olive oil, or a succulent spaghetti squash, coming out of the oven.”

For gardeners who want to control just-hatched nymphs with an insecticide, the horticulturist advises reading labels carefully and finding a product that’s safe for the infested plant species and will control immature squash bugs. Then, closely follow the selected product’s label instructions.

“You’ll need to spray plants thoroughly, perhaps repeatedly to reach the tiny nymphs,” she said.

4)  K-State to Host Horticultural Field Day Aug. 28 in Colby

           
COLBY, Kan. – Information on caring for trees, vegetables, flowers and turfgrass will be highlights of the 2008 Horticultural Field Day at Kansas State University’s Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby Thursday, Aug. 28.

The field day begins with registration at 5:30 p.m. CDT, and the program starts at 5:50 p.m.

“Anyone who is interested in learning more about common garden and landscape problems encountered in northwest Kansas is invited to share a relaxing and educational evening with us,” said K-State’s Rodney Zimmerman, who is coordinating the event. “Specialists from across the state will be present to answer questions and offer advice on proper horticultural practices.”

The field day’s presentation topics include:

            *  Caring for trees in northwest Kansas,

            *  Vegetable production and disease problems,

            *  Turfgrass care and disease problems, and

            * K-State’s 2008 Prairie Star flower trials

More information about the field day is available by contacting Vicki Brown in Colby at 785-462-6281 or vbrown@ksu.edu.

5)  Summer Fund Raiser Boosts KARL Coffers

           
GARDEN CITY, Kan. -- The Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program grossed more than $28,900 from its July 18 Old West Fest benefit in Garden City. Hosted by area KARL alumni and board members, the event had scores of businesses and individuals assisting as underwriters and contributing auction items.

Many of the contributors were long-time donors or KARL graduates who increased their contributions from past levels, said Jack Lindquist, KARL Inc. president and program coordinator.

“Our graduates have always made events successful by providing or acquiring the bulk of donated items, pitching in labor and purchasing auction items,” Lindquist said. “More graduates have been involved with this summer’s activities, though, than at any time in the past. To date, graduate cash contributions, in-kind donations and benefit auction purchases have totaled more than $50,000 for the Class IX general fund.”

KARL Inc. is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to identifying and developing leaders who can help enhance the quality of life for all Kansans. KARL's budget is about $450,000 for two years of training for 30 class participants. Participants pay 20 percent of the total as tuition, and donors contribute the remaining $12,500 per member.

KARL Inc. is a 501c3 charitable, educational organization, funded entirely from private sources. More information about applying to participate in the KARL program or donating to KARL is available on the Web at http://www.karlprogram.com or by phone at 785-532-6300.

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