Farms.com Home   News

Kansas Forage And Grassland Council Revives

The newly invigorated Kansas Forage And Grassland Council is putting together its first event in years – looking at national issues such as alfalfa crop insurance and the 2014 Farm Bill.

The event, to be held Sept. 17 nearly 10 miles south of Larned (at Hwy 19 and D road), will start at 10 a.m. with a Farm Bill implementation listening session.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) has been invited to attend. Either he or a representative from his office will gather input from producers on the possible inclusion of alfalfa in the federal crop insurance program. Moran was instrumental in adding alfalfa crop insurance language to the current Farm Bill.

Although founded in 1988, KFGC have been inactive the past few years. That’s all changing, says Jenni Carr, an ag and natural resources agent with Kansas State University Extension.

“There’s some new energy behind it,” says Carr, who’s recently become the group’s volunteer executive secretary. “We have a good board with some great ideas. Sometimes you just need fresh blood.”

Darrin Unruh, Pretty Prairie, is one of the hay growers helping to re-establish KFGC. He says that the listening session is one of just four being conducted nationwide.

“It’s a fabulous opportunity for producers to have some input on this new program. We have the chance to make our voices heard.”

Carr hopes that growers from Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Missouri will attend and participate in the listening session.

The rest of the day’s tentative schedule includes research-plot tours, pest-control presentations and forage management sessions by Kansas State University experts. Lunch will be provided.

The gathering will kick off KFGC’s future, Carr says.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

It’s Time To Simplify Your Grain Marketing

Video: It’s Time To Simplify Your Grain Marketing

Ag commodity marketing is too complex, largely misunderstood, and the industry is full of products and services you probably don’t even need to profitably market your grain. That truth bomb — along with many more — is courtesy of Joe Vaclavik of Standard Grain. Mr. Vaclavik, a former grain trader turned commodity marketing commentator, says there are only three things a farmer needs to be profitable. Conversely, there are nine things almost no farmer EVER needs to use, including options trading, long range weather prognosticators, and exotic grain marketing contracts. Joe keeps it simple. And blunt. If you’re thin-skinned, don’t tune into this episode. For the rest of you in Ag, enjoy!