Kansas feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.40 million cattle on feed on April 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 1% from last year.

White grubs, identifiable by their ivory white bodies and brown heads, feed on the root systems of brome fields causing plant loss, said K-State entomologist, Anthony Zukoff, noting that the pests are currently showing up in some eastern Kansas fields.

Kansas inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2024, was 1.97 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was up 6% from March 1, 2023, but down 1% from December 1, 2023.

Milk production in Kansas during February 2024 totaled 328 million pounds, down slightly from February 2023, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of milk cows was 172,000 head, 6,000 head less than February 2023. Milk production per cow averaged 1,905 pounds.

Two members of the GFWC Modern Pioneers, Peg Chapin and Susan Graham, attended the 128th GFWC of Kansas State Convention in Goddard April 19-20. They took 17 pieces of student art from Washington County and Republic County Schools to the state art contest.

The growing popularity of a plan that encourages people to eat more healthy foods and less added sugars is not really about getting rid of specific foods in the diet completely, says a K-State Research and Extension agent in Johnson County.

By Maddy Rohr, K-State Research and Extension news service Most gardeners think soil testing only determines nutrient deficiencies, but the tests also help gardeners understand whether the soil contains adequate nutrients. Basic tests check the soil’s pH, and the phosphorus and potassium levels.

Here’s a thought that will make a lot of people cringe: Snakes in your house. This time of year, “snakes are coming out of hibernation,” said Drew Ricketts, a wildlife specialist with K-State Research and Extension, “and when they do that, they get pretty active because they’re hungry and they need to eat.” “They are poking around and exploring and when that happens, they end up inside buildings or homes.

City of Washington The Washington City Council met Jan. 2. Present: mayor Ryan Kern, council members Mary Ann Crome, Jerry Fuhrken, Terry Morse, Carolyn Pinnick, Roxanne Schottel. Staff Present: Carl Chalfant, City Administrator, Denise Powell, City Clerk, Caroline Scoville, Fulltime EMT, Leland Cook, EMS Director, Chris Milam, 6:40 p.m. Others: Amy Anderson, Washington, Garett Edgar, Washington, Chris Farabee, Farabee Mechanical, Kevin Devalkenaere, Farabee Mechanical, Aubrey Schaefer, Hanover Hospital, Jayda Edgar, Hanover Hospital.

Billy Wilkins, Director Development for NextEra Energy Resources and the High Banks Wind Energy Center, submitted a letter to the editor to the Washington County News last week providing an update on various aspects of the High Banks wind project. Following is the letter: