Cash hog prices have fallen from the record highs of 2014 and the long-feared packing capacity crunch is now upon us, pushing hog prices to their lowest level since 2009. However, the lowest production costs since 2010, continued strong domestic demand for U.S. pork and rebounding U.S. pork exports are mitigating the impact of large pork supplies and extremely high capacity utilization, but losses for producers this fall and into 2017 will be substantial.

Many cuts of pork are as lean or leaner than chicken and provide many important vitamins and minerals. Any cuts from the loin — like pork chops and pork roast — are leaner than skinless chicken thigh, according to USDA data.

In her day-to-day work as an extension agent in northeast Kansas, Jody Holthaus often gets calls from landowners looking for information and solutions for blue-green algae – a phenomenon that renders ponds and lakes unsafe for people and animals.

Kansas feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.54 million cattle on feed on Oct. 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 7 percent from last year. Placements during September totaled 490,000 head, up 13 percent from 2019. Fed cattle marketings for the month of September totaled 410,000 head, up 6 percent from last year. Other disappearance during September totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.

The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires all foreign owners of U.S. agricultural land to report their holdings to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Farm Service Agency administers this program for USDA.

On Oct. 19 an offcer was dispatched to 1644 Sunflower Road for a report of criminal damage to property.

Milk production in Kansas during September 2020 totaled 332 million pounds, up 7% from September 2019, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of milk cows was 171,000 head, 8,000 head more than September 2019. Milk production per cow averaged 1,940 pounds.

The Greenleaf American Legion, Shaw Post #235, will be hosting a community wide “Trunk or Treat” on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 pm. to 6 pm at 400 block Commercial Street in Greenleaf, next to the mall. Businesses and individuals who worry about trick or treaters coming door to door are welcome to join for the fun. Prizes will be given for best business and individual “trunk.” Participants are encouraged to dress up and find ways to hand out treats. People are asked to wear gloves and masks. Social distancing is required. For more information or to register, contact Denise Farmer at 785-630-1355.

The Washington Public Library has Interlibrary Loan Service as well as the library's book sale. Interlibrary Loan Service will be as before except that any book(s) ordered from another library will be quarantined for 7 days before the patron can pick up the book(s).

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare Part D is from October 15 through December 7 each year. All Medicare Beneficiaries are encouraged to have their Part D plans reviewed to see if there is a less expensive plan available for their medications. According to RSVP Director, Joni Spellmeier, “We have been advised that a Medicare beneficiary had received their annual notice of change and that they would be paying $74.00 a month instead of $22.20.”