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Lettuce Eat Local: Toto, I have a feeling we’re in Kansas again….

By
tammiehoeme
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2

Amanda Miller
Columnist
Lettuce Eat Local

 

There’s the Fiesta Bowl, cereal bowls, open bowling. But the bowl I think of when I look outside these days is the Dust Bowl. 

Coming back from Ohio a couple weeks ago, I was again reminded of how my soul appreciates this big cloudless sky of ours. Ohio is just often so cloudy, so gray; Kansas weather is by no means perfect, but at least we almost always have sunshine and blue skies. 

Almost always. It’s still not gray out, but the blue has been losing out to brown recently. Clouds might even be better than this haze of dust blowing into everything from the sky to our lungs. I’m not surprised per se, as we’re no stranger to excessive heat and windiness. We definitely lean more towards an arid landscape rather than lush verdancy, and summers here with our dusty dry heat often remind me of when I lived in the desert in Kenya.

I’m fairly certain weather patterns like this week would actually cause Dorothy to say, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re in Kansas again.” 

At the same time, this unrelenting dry wind so early in the year seems extra Kansas-y even for Kansas. It makes me a bit concerned for actual summer, especially since our livelihood rests on raising healthy crops and cows. I recognize that history shows cycles of crazy weather, and this season may or may not be more egregious — but it’s happening to us, which makes it feel closer to home because it is. Creation care has always been important to me since I know the Creator; so we’ll keep on plugging away in our little corner (can you have corners in a round Earth?), trying to do the best for and with the world we have been given. 

And while the wind makes it a little harder to as fully enjoy the experience, we sure love getting our hands into the earth of this Earth. Another way we know we must be in Kansas is our nice early planting dates; people back East in Ohio were surprised to learn I was already behind on my garden timeline since I didn’t get potatoes and onions in by St. Patrick’s Day. Our zone’s frost free date is next week already, April 15, but it’s not for another month for my parents in central Ohio. It’s already probably too late for the peas I just planted, but at least this way we can say I tried to give peas a chance. 

I’m hoping it was the right time for the other seeds we threw in the ground this week, beets and carrots and radishes, etc. One section I’m calling “Brassica Surprise”: a row of sprouts my friend gifted us that she started from various cole crop members. They like cooler weather, which is why they get planted earlier, but who knows if it’ll be cool enough for them this year. 

Just today we had our first picking of the first thing I write about every spring — asparagus! I’m always overjoyed to find the harbinger of the growing season, although every year I also struggle to remember to keep finding it. I’m even less inclined to go hunting in the asparagus patch in assaultive Dust-Bowl-reminiscent wind like this, but at least I’ll know I’m in Kansas. 

 

Bowl of Kansas-Influenced Thai-Inspired Fried Rice

That’s quite a mouthful of a title, but it’s appropriate for the mouthfuls of flavor this dish provides. It’s been a bit of a crazy week, and fried rice is frequently one of my go-tos since it ticks so many boxes: satisfying, economical, versatile, speedy. A smidge of Thai spin with fish sauce and cilantro worked beautifully with our spring-style additions of asparagus and ham. The original recipe I consulted didn’t include eggs, so I didn’t either this time although I typically do.

Prep tips: the texture actually works out better with chilled rice instead of fresh, so make a rice-based meal earlier in the week and use the leftovers for this — especially handy since leftover bits of meat and veggies all work great here. 

a good dollop of fat of choice

1-2 cups diced ham

1 small bell pepper, diced

1 cup sliced fresh asparagus

½ cup frozen corn, thawed

1 small tomato, diced

3-4 cups cooked brown rice, cold

1 teaspoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce, plus more for serving

a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add ham and vegetables, sauteing until browned. Stir/chop in rice with both sauces, and heat fully. Top with cilantro and serve piping hot, with more soy sauce.  

Weeds no walk in the park for soybean growers

By
Guest Columnist
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0

Weeds are a hazard that requires diligence in soybean fields, Extension specialists say.

In the above photo, soybeans are shown in a bag and overflowing with credit to pnmralex at Pixabay.

Kevin Bradley

Kevin Bradley, a state Extension weed scientist and education director for the University of Missouri, said in his state many corn growers are also soybean producers, so they are well aware of the weed problems each crop faces.

“Our No. 1 worst weed in the Midwest is waterhemp,” he said. “It has been for some time and likely will be for some time to come. In the South, that changes to Palmer amaranth. In the Western corn belt, kochia is also a concern.”

Regardless of the crop, combating weeds is necessary.

“There are some obvious problems that may be present in fields that were intended for corn and had a fall herbicide application that only allows for corn in the rotation the next year,” he said.

Bradley writes for Mizzou Crop and Post News about the topics. As thinks about “soybean on soybean rotation” one concern is it puts a greater pressure on post-emergence herbicide and greater likelihood of resistance development.

Sarah Lancaster

Sarah Lancaster, an assistant professor and Extension specialist in weed science at Kansas State University, said growers should first think about what herbicides had been applied in the summer or fall of 2023 and if carryover injury might be a concern.

“The second thing to think about would be which herbicide-resistant trait to choose,” she said. “The most common ones in the marketplace are Enlist E3 or XtendFlex. I’m starting to hear some concerns about the availability of over-the-top dicamba formulations for the XtendFlex system, so I would encourage anyone interested in that system to contact their input providers as soon as practical.”

Treatments to consider

Bradley believes growers must rely on effective soil residual herbicide programs as much as possible. Currently soybean growers rely mostly on three active ingredients for post-emergence control of pigweed species—glufosinate, 2,4-D and dicamba.

If the Environmental Protection Agency does not allow dicamba application in 2025 it could make a difference on how soybean acres are allocated.

“I believe it would change the percentage of acres that get planted with XtendFlex soybeans quite a bit,” he said. “I would expect much more Enlist soybeans would get planted, and much more glufosinate and 2,4-D would get sprayed.”

Lancaster said one of the most important herbicide considerations for soybeans or corn is to use an effective and aggressive residual herbicide program. That starts with the burndown application. With the assumption that most soybean are going to be in a reduced tillage system, an early application to burndown emerged weeds should include herbicides like glyphosate, 2-4-D and dicamba.

A residual product like flumioxazin (Valor and similar products) or metribuzin (Tricor and similar products) can be helpful to prevent the emergence of new weeds, she said. Adding a contact herbicide like Sharpen or Reviton can help control difficult weeds like marestail, also known as horseweed.

Planting time

At planting, apply residual herbicides from at least two herbicide groups at full rates, Lancaster said. For Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, options include Group 15 herbicides like S-metolacher (Dual), acetocholor (Warrant), dimethenamid-P (Outlook) or pyroxasulfone (Zidua and Anthem) and Group 14 herbicides like flumioxazin (Valor) or sulfantrazone (Spart). Metribuzin (Group 5) is also an option.

“Be aware of maximum annual rates for products that are used in both the burndown and at planting application,” Lancaster said.

In season, the options depend on the herbicide-resistant trait that is chosen, she said. Regardless of the herbicide, timely application is the key to success. In the Enlist system, some of the best postemergence treatments for pigweed control include Enlist One in combination with Liberty. Glyphosate can be added for grass control, but avoid a Group 1 herbicide like clethodim (Select Max) or quizalofop (Assure II) because of concerns with angagonism.

In the XtendFlex system, Liberty remains a useful product; however, it cannot be tank mixed with XtendiMax, Engenina or Tavium, she said. Group 14 herbicides such as fomesafen (Reflex) can be mixed with dicamba products, but it is important that they be applied to small weeds (less than 4 inches) for a successful application.

My next crop to plant is Chinese cabbage

By
Guest Columnist
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0

After a few years of not planting any vegetables in my own garden due to multiple surgeries I have planted potatoes, kale, broccoli and cabbage so far. It felt really good to get back at it. My next crop to plant is Chinese cabbage.

 

Chinese cabbage is a cool season vegetable that can be planted in both spring and fall. It can be either heading or looseleaf. Heading types may be more familiar to American gardeners as “napa” cabbage and have thinner, more tender leaves than common cabbages. Looseleaf types are faster growing and are more similar to Bok choy or leafy greens grown for salads.

 

Variety considerations. Select early maturing, heat tolerant, and bolt resistant varieties of heading Chinese cabbage for planting in the spring. Most varieties will be successful for fall plantings. Looseleaf varieties grow fast enough that any type will perform well in spring or fall.

 

When to plant. Heading types of Chinese cabbage are difficult to plant in the spring because of a tendency for transplanted crops to bolt or go to seed. Select small, stocky plants and set them in mid-April, or direct seed by planting in the garden at the same time to prevent bolting. Young plants are prone to bolting if they are exposed to frost or cold overnight temperatures.

 

Looseleaf types of Chinese cabbage can be direct seeded or transplanted from late March to mid-April.

 

Spacing. Space head-forming plants 12 to 18 inches apart. If you are direct seeding, plant seeds about ½ inch deep. Plant looseleaf types 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on desired harvest size.

 

Crop rotation. If possible in your garden space, do not plant Chinese cabbage in areas where bok choy, cabbage, kale, or turnips have been planted in the past 3 to 4 years.

Care. Like its cabbage family relatives, Chinese cabbage needs a starter fertilizer at transplanting and regular fertilizing every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season. Critical periods when water is necessary are during head formation and enlargement. Row covers can help reduce insect problems in both spring and fall.

 

Harvesting. Heads of Chinese cabbage will be looser than cabbage and is more open on top. Feel through the leaves and cut it above the outer leaves when the head is firm and dense. Once seed stalks start to appear, all head development ceases; if bolting occurs, harvest and salvage what you can of the crop.

 

Looseleaf Chinese cabbage can be harvested at whatever size you prefer, starting at about 3 inches tall through mature size. Harvest individual leaves from the outside of the plant. If you want to harvest the entire plant, cut the plant at the soil level.

2024 Hort Newsletter No. 13

By
Guest Columnist
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0
Photo courtesy: K-State Horticulture

https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html

Blog Post: http://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org

https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/video-of-the-week-dividing-perennial-flowers

Video of the Week: Dividing Perennial Flowers
Cynthia Domenghini runs the Horticulture Response Center in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources at Kansas State University. Other contributors include K-State Extension Specialists.
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/announcements

Announcements
​ Callery Pear Buy-Back – Kansas Forest Service Follow the link for registration information. https://deeproots.org/callery-pear-events/ 2024 Kansas Turf and Ornamentals Field Day August 1,…
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/april-garden-calendar

April Garden Calendar
​Spring has arrived and there are plenty of tasks to do in the garden. From weeding and watering to fertilizing and even planting; check out the April garden calendar to plan for the growing…
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/caring-for-spring-flowering-bulbs7144384

Caring for Spring-Flowering Bulbs
At this point in the season minimal care is needed for spring-flowering bulbs. Enjoy those blooms and follow some simple care to ensure roots are taking in the nutrition to support future growth….
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/roses

Roses
​Before new leaf buds open (bud break), roses should be fertilized and pruned. April is a great time to plant new roses in the landscape as well. Specific maintenance practices vary based on the…
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/easter-lilies

Easter Lilies
Containerized lilies are common in the spring as they are used to celebrate the Easter holiday. This perennial bulb can be grown year-round in the landscape to enjoy for years to come. Easter Lily…
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/spring-weeds

Spring Weeds
​ Henbit and Chickweed Have you seen the purple splotches in lawns around your town? Henbit is in bloom creating waves of purple through the landscape. Weeds drive most gardeners crazy but many…
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/transplanting-success

Transplanting Success
Transplanting is done by relocating young or established plants from one growing space to another. In Spring this often refers to moving seedlings from small containers into the garden or landscape….
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/spring-perennial-care

Spring Perennial Care
Perennials are waking up and it’s time to offer some support. With a few maintenance tasks, plants will begin their growing season healthy which is the best way to prevent diseases and pests from…
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
https://www.ksuhortnewsletter.org/newsletters/gardening-with-herbs

Gardening with Herbs
Plants can perform many roles in the landscape including support for well-being. Herbs are great inclusions for a productive garden. Read the fact sheet below for information on selecting and caring…
www.ksuhortnewsletter.org
COMING UP NEXT WEEK…

Next week we will learn from long time gardener, Chuck Marr in the Community Garden Corner!

 

Contributors:

Cynthia Domenghini, Instructor and Horticulture Extension Specialist

Alex Stanton, HNR Graduate Student

Kansas Garden Guide

K-State Turfgrass Blog

 

Division of Horticulture

1712 Claflin, 2021 Throckmorton

Manhattan, KS 66506

(785) 532-6173

 

For questions or further information, contact: [email protected] OR [email protected]

This newsletter is also available on the World Wide Web at:

http://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html

 

The web version includes color images that illustrate subjects discussed. To subscribe to this newsletter electronically, send an e-mail message to [email protected] or [email protected] listing your e-mail address in the message.

Brand names appearing in this newsletter are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

K-State Research and Extension is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision or hearing disability, or a dietary restriction please contact Extension Horticulture at (785) 532-6173.

Wheat Scoop: Meeting at the Mill: Kansas wheat farmer Gary Millershaski reflects on recent USW board team trade mission to Sub-Saharan Africa

By
Guest Columnist
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0
Kansas Wheat

Contact: Marsha Boswell, [email protected]

For audio version, visit kswheat.com.

Developing international markets is not so dissimilar to planting a wheat crop, as Gary Millershaski, farmer and chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission, learned during a recent board team trade mission to Sub-Saharan Africa organized by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW). Both require substantial investments upfront, and it takes time to reap the returns. Ultimately, however, it is the people who take the time to share their experiences and expertise with others that allow farmers and end-users to weather the difficulties of the day.

 

“It’s not what we did yesterday, but it’s the knowledge we accumulate today to make us better understand how to deal with (the market) and make more sales tomorrow,” Millershaski said.

 

Millershaski joined wheat farmers Bill Schroeder from Ohio and RJ Parrish from Oklahoma on the 10-day Sub-Saharan Africa Board Team trade mission in March. The mission was led by USW Director of Programs Catherine Miller. The team was connected to millers and wheat buyers in South Africa and Nigeria by USW Regional Director Chad Weigand and USW-Cape Town Programs and Marketing Specialist Domenique Opperman.

 

Sub-Saharan Africa covers 42 countries on the African continent and is home to a population of 1.1 billion people, which continues to be fast-growing and young. The region has averaged five percent market growth in wheat imports since the 2012/2013 marketing year. But, the market is extremely competitive, and the European Union has dominated exports to Sub-Saharan Africa for the last two years.

 

Nigeria is the largest individual market within the region and traditionally imports a substantial amount of wheat. Thanks in large part to USW’s trade servicing and technical assistance and support from Kansas Wheat by organizing and hosting technical trainings and in-state trade team visits, Nigeria ranked as the fourth largest buyer of U.S. wheat in the 2021/2022 marketing year with a total of 65.15 million bushels (1.773 million metric tons), representing a 30 percent market share.

 

Shifting macroeconomic factors, however, are hurting the Nigerian economy, including inflation of more than 21 percent, a devalued currency that fell more than 70 percent against the U.S. dollar and escalating interest rates. When it comes to wheat, higher food prices have driven local consumption down. Millershaski reported that Nigerian flour mills — some of the largest in the world — were only running at 60 to 70 percent efficiency.

 

Those factors combined have meant a shift to importing the lowest-cost wheat in the world, in this case, of Baltic Sea origin. As a result, Nigerian imports of U.S. wheat are down more than 68 percent from the same time the year prior at 8.93 million bushels (243,000 metric tons) thus far in the 2023/2024 marketing year, according to the USW commercial sales report from March 21, 2024.

 

Despite the downturn, the USW board team members were welcomed by millers who purchase U.S. wheat as the team toured their facilities. These flour mills send regular representatives to the United States, including Kansas, to check out the growing wheat crop and snag rides in combines like Millershaski’s. Those relationships, developed by these back-and-forth trade missions, are part of that long-term investment between the two nations that helps weather economic difficulties and short harvests.0\

 

“We’ve sold a lot of wheat from Kansas to Nigeria, but not in the last year and a half,” Millershaski said. “It took us eight hours on two flights to get into Nigeria. The thing that really got me was that all of the mills were very happy to meet with us. And I was impressed.”

 

The earlier half of the USW board team mission provided an even closer-to-home moment of hope. On a tour of a flour mill in Durban, South Africa, the team met up with Shawn Thiele, associate director and flour milling and grain processing curriculum manager for K-State’s IGP Institute. Thiele was there as part of a technical assistance project to help South African mills improve their milling efficiency, including by running samples of U.S. wheat shipped over in containers. Working with flour millers is an important part of USW’s efforts in Africa, especially with up-and-coming millers who are just learning their trade.

 

“It was so cool. Here we are in this mill in South Africa, and we see Shawn showing them how to adjust their equipment to be more efficient,” Millershaski said. “To me, that’s what USW is all about — helping the buyers make sure what they are getting and getting the assistance they need — whether it’s procurement or milling classes.”

 

Millershaski and the other two wheat farmers on the trade mission returned home with a more global view of the struggles and success in the wheat industry. And as their wheat crops green up this spring, those millers overseas will certainly be keeping an eye out for a hopefully bountiful harvest.

 

Learn more about the USW board team trade mission at uswheat.org.

 

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Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat

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