If selecting a cut tree, watch for these signs that the tree is too far gone.
– Needles are a dull, grayish-green color
– Needles fail to ooze pitch when broken apart and squeezed
– Needles feel stiff and brittle
– Needles pull easily off tree
Once you have your tree home, recut the trunk about one inch above the
original cut. This will open up clogged, water-conducting tissues.
Immediately place the trunk in warm water.
Locate the tree in as cool a spot as possible. Avoid areas near fireplaces,
wood-burning stoves, heat ducts and television sets as the heat will result
in excess water loss. Make sure the reservoir stays filled. If the reservoir
loses enough water that the bottom of the trunk is exposed, the trunk will
need to be recut. Adding aspirins, copper pennies, soda pop, sugar and
bleach to the water reservoir have not been shown to prolong the life of a
tree.
If you choose a living Christmas tree, be sure to dig the planting hole
before the ground freezes. Mulch the hole and backfill soil to keep them
from freezing. Live trees should not be kept inside for more than three
days. Longer periods may cause them to lose dormancy resulting in severe
injury when planted outside. You may wish to tag the tree at the nursery and
then pick it up a couple days before Christmas. After Christmas, move the
tree to an unheated garage for several days to acclimatize it to outside
temperatures. After planting, water well and leave some mulch in place to
prevent the soil water from freezing and becoming unavailable for plant
uptake. (Ward Upham)
Choosing and caring for your Christmas Tree
USDA Conducting 2014 Census of Horticulture
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties to provide a comprehensive picture of the horticultural sector of the U.S. economy. It is the only source of detailed production and sales data for the U.S. floriculture, nursery and specialty crop industries, including greenhouse food crops.
“The recent Census of Agriculture quantified the value of nursery and floriculture products alone at more than $14.5 billion in 2012, showing just how important this part of U.S. agriculture is,” said NASS Administrator Joseph T. Reilly. “Additional information supplied in the 2014 Census of Horticulture will be used to help develop new technologies and programs to support sustainability and growth within this agriculture sector.”
In mid-December, NASS will mail the census to approximately 40,000 horticultural operations in the United States that grew and sold $10,000 or more of horticultural specialty products, as reported in the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Producers are asked to provide information on horticultural activities conducted during 2014, including production of horticultural crops, value of products, square footage used for growing crops, production expenses and more. Growers can complete the census securely online at www.agcensus.usda.gov, or return their questionnaire by mail by February 5, 2015.
“The opportunity to respond to the Census of Horticulture only comes along once every five years,” said Reilly. “Participation is important because it’s a unique opportunity to help improve production methods, marketing tactics and other industry developments over the next several years.”
Federal law (Title 7, U.S. Code) requires all producers who receive a form to respond and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential. NASS will publish the results in December 2015. For more information about the Census of Horticulture, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.
KFU Member Call to Action: Beef Checkoff Reform
The Beef Checkoff began in order to fund promotion of wholesome US beef. Since its inception in the mid 80’s, the national checkoff has come under the direction and control of people who oppose Country of Origin Labeling. That opposition accomplishes two negative objectives. It denies the ability for Kansas cattlemen to see their product showcased in consumer markets as a safe and wholesome local product. It also denies the rights of consumers who want to know where the food they serve their families came from.
Kansas farmers and ranchers should be assured that the checkoff money they give in support of born, raised, and slaughtered, wholesome US beef, is used for that purpose and that purpose alone.
If those things are important to you too, read NFU president Roger Johnson’s letter here:
Then go to the USDA website where comments are being accepted through December 10 and make your feelings known; Any organization that politicizes the check off and uses its economic power against US farmers and ranchers is clearly wrong.
Your comments can be recorded here:
Arkansas River Compact Administration to meet December 17
Manhattan, Kan. – The Arkansas River Compact Administration (ARCA) annual meeting will be on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST) (8:30 a.m. MST) in the Lamar Elks Lodge No. 1319, 28157 US Highway 287, Lamar, Colorado. The meeting will recess for lunch and reconvened for the completion of business in the afternoon as necessary.
ARCA administers provisions of the Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact, including operations of the John Martin Reservoir. Topics to be covered at the annual meeting include a review of John Martin Reservoir operations, compliance update, committee reports, and updates from state and federal agencies.
Kansas has three representatives who serveon ARCA, including David Barfield, chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources; Randy Hayzlett, Lakin; and Hal Scheuerman, Deerfield.
ARCA’s Operations, Administrative and Legal, and Engineering committees will meet on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. CST (1:30 p.m. MST) also at the Lamar Elks Lodge No. 1319.
The annual and committee meetings are open to the public. Individuals who require special accommodation should notify Stephanie Gonzales at (719) 734-5367 at least three days prior to the meeting. The meeting agenda will be posted on the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s website at http://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/dwr/interstate-rivers-and-compacts/kansas-colorado-arkansas-river-compact.
The Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact was negotiated in 1948 between Kansas and Colorado with participation by the federal government. Its stated purposes are to settle existing disputes and remove causes of future controversy between Colorado and Kansas regarding Arkansas River water and to equitably divide and apportion the water between Colorado and Kansas, including benefits arising from John Martin Reservoir.
Holding on to your car
Tips for a safe, long-lasting vehicle
(Family Features) While driving a new vehicle off the lot may sound tempting, the financial commitment it brings is not an option for most families.
Instead, hanging on to your old set of wheels is the smarter choice for a number of reasons. Taking good care of your car not only improves safety and dependability, it can have a positive impact on your wallet.
“Hanging on to your current vehicle allows you to redirect money you would spend on a new car to pay off credit card debt, college loans and other bills, beef up savings or even take a road trip vacation,” said Rich White, executive director with the Car Care Council. “By simply budgeting the equivalent of just one new car payment, consumers could cover an entire year’s worth of basic maintenance.”
Even the cost of fixing a serious engine issue is a more sensible economic decision, added White. For the cost of an average down payment on a new car or truck, a vehicle can be repowered with a remanufactured or rebuilt engine and gain years of reliable service.
“The bottom line is that a properly maintained vehicle is safer, more dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable,” White added.
The experts at the Car Care Council offer these 10 general tips for those looking to maintain the life of their vehicle:
1. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze or coolant.
- Check hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of wear.
- Check the battery and replace if necessary.
- Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise.
- Check engine performance to make sure it is delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy and producing the lowest level of emissions.
- Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and safety.
- Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.
- Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
- Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.
The next time you consider purchasing a new car, think about investing in the vehicle you already own for significant savings, as well as enhanced reliability and safety. For more tips to extend the life of your car, visit www.carcare.org.
Source: Car Care Council
