1) Not All Coupons Offer Savings

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Grocery coupons can offer savings, but may not be the bargain they seem, said Mary Meck Higgins, Kansas State University Research and Extension state leader in nutrition. 

If a coupon offers cents off on a regularly-used product, watch for a sale before the coupon expires to purchase the product for a lower price, Higgins said. If a merchandiser offers to double coupons, purchasing the product on sale when a coupon is doubled – or tripled – can offer a still greater savings.    

Purchasing a nationally branded product with a cents-off coupon may, however, still cost more than a similar generic or store brand product that fulfills the same purpose, Higgins said.

If a coupon is for a product that is not normally used or for a new product that may not be a good fit for your needs, using the coupon may cost, rather than save, she said.

To save on groceries and household supplies, watch sale fliers to stock up on staples at the lowest possible prices, said Higgins, who advised keeping a running list of prices for favorite items, rather than relying on memory, to verify a low price before buying in quantity.

More information on food, food safety, nutrition, health, and managing food dollars is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and on Extension Web sites: www.oznet.ksu.edu, www.oznet.ksu.edu/humannutrition and www.oznet.ksu.edu/foodsafety/.

                                                                       

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2) Landscape Answers: Live With, Don’t Feed Squirrels

Q: I spray deer repellent on my trees, and it controls the squirrels pretty well, too. Unfortunately, one of my neighbors puts out food for the squirrels, and that keeps them in the neighborhood, digging in my yard. Added to that, another neighbor has a cat that uses my back yard as a litter box. Is there a way to take care of both problems without hurting either animal?

A: Digging is what squirrels do – to find and to cache food. Nothing you try is likely to stop it.

They actually dig more than you’d think they need, because squirrels also forget – i.e., plant trees.

Still, you need to plead with your first neighbor to quit feeding the squirrels this spring, now that natural food supplies are becoming more available. Also urge your neighbor not to start feeding them again next fall.

Feeding typically sparks a population increase that’s artificial. The squirrels may reproduce beyond the numbers their habitat alone can support. That leaves them open for problems, such as mange.

If your neighbor will allow the squirrels to learn to fend for themselves again, undoubtedly some will leave to look for a better natural food supply. You and the squirrels both will benefit.

Fortunately, their ideal habitat is simply any area with mast trees (fruit- or nut-producing).

Some people keep a dog in their yard to chase the squirrels away, but dogs tend to be a better deterrent for deer and rabbits. Depending on the dog, you can also have to worry about noise ordinances.

A motion-activated sprinkler can keep cats from using your yard as a litter box. Under the right conditions, it can frighten away some wildlife, too – but generally not squirrels.

Homeowners who like folk remedies have experimented by sprinkling their yard with hot pepper powder – a popular repellent for squirrels foraging in bird feeders. Apparently, the diggers didn’t mind a bit.

– Source: Charlie Lee, Kansas State University Research 
and Extension wildlife damage control specialist


 

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3) Discolored, Concave Tree Bark May Have Sunscald Injury

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Damage is showing up on some central U.S. trees that have relatively smooth, thin bark. They include the ash, honeylocust, linden, maple, oak, willow, and all region-hardy fruit trees.

“Late spring to early summer is when bark injured by wintertime sunscald finally starts to look sunken and discolored – even though the damage probably occurred weeks or months earlier. Eventually, that bark will crack and then slough off,” said Ward Upham, Master Gardener program coordinator for Kansas State University Research and Extension.

In many cases, the trees can recover, he added. But, they will need extra care for a long time.

They’re injured because thin, sun-exposed bark can break dormancy – lose cold hardiness – much earlier than it should. So, any later cold weather before spring can freeze the newly activated cells.

Sunscald typically develops during late winter’s occasional warm, sunny days, Upham said. Due to the position of the sun then, the injury happens on the south or southwest side of the tree.

“Research in Georgia showed just how hot the sunny side of a trunk can be then,” Upham said. “One study found that the southwest side of a Georgia peach tree in winter will be up to 40 degrees warmer than the shaded side.”

The younger the tree, the more serious the impact of sunscald can be, the horticulturist warned.

“In fact, if you plant a thin-bark tree this year, you also should protect it with tree wrap – from ground level up to where it starts branching,” he said. “Wrap it some time next October or November.”

The only way to help trees already hurt by sunscald is to try to protect them from further stress.

“If nothing else, make very sure they get enough water during dry periods,” Upham advised.


 

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4) Check Eligibility for Food Assistance

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansans of any age with a low income and limited resources may qualify for the Kansas Food Assistance Program, said Mary Meck Higgins, Kansas State University Research and Extension state leader in nutrition. Those who are struggling with circumstances such as job loss, illness or a disability that limits their ability to work may also qualify.

Kansans and others can learn more about the program, including their own eligibility by calling a toll-free number: 1-800-221-5689, or visiting the Web site, www.fns.usda.gov/fsp. The national service center can provide information in English and Spanish and link consumers to their state program, Higgins said.

More information on food, food safety, nutrition, health, and managing food dollars to prepare meals easily is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and on Extension Web sites: www.oznet.ksu.edu, www.oznet.ksu.edu/humannutrition and www.oznet.ksu.edu/foodsafety/.


 

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5) K-State Beef Conference ‘Managing Cow Costs’ Slated August 7-8 in Manhattan

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University Research and Extension will host the K-State Beef Conference “Managing Annual Cow Costs” Aug. 7-8 in Manhattan.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Barry Dunn of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas.

Presentation topics at the conference will include:

• Cow economics in the ethanol era;
• Summer and winter grazing systems;
• Alternative forage options;
• By-product feeding options;
• Supplementation strategies and decisions;
• Pasture evaluation;
• Cow herd management strategies; and
• By-product feeding.

More information about the conference is available by contacting Larry Hollis at lhollis@ksu.edu  or 787-532-1246 or Linda Siebold at lsiebold@ksu.edu or 785-532-1281.