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Occasional Tillage In A Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation, A. Schlegel, J. Holman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Beginning in 2012, research was conducted in Garden City and Tribune, KS, to determine the effect of a single tillage operation every 3 years on grain yields in a wheat-sorghum- fallow (WSF) rotation. Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum were generally not affected by a single tillage operation every 3 years in a WSF rotation. Grain yield varied greatly by year from 2014 to 2020. Wheat yields ranged across years from mid-20s to 90 bu/a at Tribune and less than 10 to 100 bu/a at Garden City. Grain sorghum yields ranged from 40 to greater than 140 bu/a, depending …

Tillage Intensity In A Long-Term Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation, A. Schlegel, A. Burnett

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This study was initiated in 1991 at the Kansas State University Southwest Research-Extension Center near Tribune, KS. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of tillage intensity on precipitation capture, soil water storage, and grain yield in a wheat-sorghum- fallow rotation. Grain yields of wheat and grain sorghum increased with decreased tillage intensity in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. In 2020, available soil water at sorghum planting was greater for no-tillage (NT) than reduced tillage (RT), which was greater than conventional tillage (CT). For wheat there was a similar pattern as sorghum, with available soil water at wheat …

Bermudagrass Fertility Trial In Southeast Kansas, 2020, D. Helwig, M. Haywood, J. K. Farney, B. C. Pedreira, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In 2020 a bermudagrass fertility study was conducted at the K-State Research and Ex­tension experiment station outside of Columbus, KS. The purpose of the study was to simulate forage producer practices of managing bermudagrass and determine how each practice affects forage production and quality. Addition of fertilizer, and mowing were tested to determine the impact on forage biomass production and quality. Fertilizer increased both biomass production and forage quality. However, greater improvements in forage quality were observed by mowing the bermudagrass.

Auxinic Herbicide Mixtures For Controlling Multiple Herbicide-Resistant Kochia In Fallow, V. Kumar, T. Lambert, R. Liu, R. S. Currie, P. W. Stahlman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kochia resistant to glyphosate (Roundup), chlorsulfuron (Glean), and dicamba (Banvel or Clarity) has become quite common in the U.S. Great Plains, whereas multiple resistance to additional herbicides, including fluroxypyr (Starane Ultra), atrazine (AAtrex), and metribuzin (Sencor) has also been reported recently. Effective management of these multiple herbicide-resistant (MHR) kochia populations warrants the need of alternative herbicide strategies. The main objective of this research was to investigate the efficacy of auxinic herbicides, including Duplosan (dichlorprop-p), Weedone (2,4-D), Clash (dicamba), and/or Pixxaro (premix of halauxifen and fluroxypyr) alone or in various combinations for controlling MHR kochia. Separate greenhouse and field experiments were …

Effects Of Prescribed Fire Timing On Native Plant Composition, Forage Biomass Accumulation, And Root Carbohydrate Reserves In The Kansas Flint Hills: Year 2 Of 6, Z. M. Duncan, A. J. Tajchman, M. P. Ramirez, J. Lemmon, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to document the effects of prescribed fire timing on native plant composition, forage biomass, and root carbohydrate concentrations in key native tallgrass species in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:This experiment was conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. Eighteen pastures were grouped by watershed and assigned to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 7 ± 2.1 days), summer (August 21 ± 5.7 days), or fall (October 2 ± 9.9 days). Botanical composition, forage biomass, and root carbohydrate concentrations in big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian grass, and purple prairie clover were evaluated …

Form Of Supplement And Addition Of Ionophore Effects On Steer Performance While Grazing Bromegrass And Subsequent Effects In Feedlot And Carcass Measures, J. K. Farney, K. Malone

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Stocker steers were grazed on bromegrass from April to the end of August and were supplemented with several different forms of products. Treatment structure was a 2 × 2 + 2 factorial (six total treatments). Treatments evaluated included mineral only; free-choice supplementation in the form of liquid feed (MIX30) or block format (Mintrate); hand-fed supplement of corn:dried distillers grains at 0.25% of body weight on a dry matter basis offered three times per week; and ionophore (Rumensin) was included in one block and hand-fed supplement. Steers were weighed every 28 days while on grass and in the feedlot. Steers were …

Effect Of Burning And Tillage Options On Yields In A Continuous Wheat-Double-Crop Soybean Rotation, D. W. Sweeney, D. R. Presley, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Double-cropping soybeans after wheat is common in southeastern Kansas and yields of double-crop soybean during the three years of this study were not affected by manage­ment of previous wheat straw practices such as burning or tillage done before plant­ing. However, in the second and third year of the study, subsequent wheat yields were increased by 30% or more when the wheat residue had been burned the previous year.

Southeast Kansas Wheat Variety Test Results - 2020, G. F. Sassenrath, L. Mengarelli, J. Lingenfelser, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the winter wheat production conditions in southeast Kansas in 2019-2020 and the results of the variety testing. Fifteen hard red and ten soft red winter wheat varieties were compared for yield and test weight. High spring rainfall increased disease pressure; cultivars were rated for Fusarium head blight and stripe rust. Average yield of hard red wheat varieties was above average at 81.1 bu/acre across all varieties. Soft red wheat yield was 102.4 bu/acre across all varieties. For comparison, previous variety yield results are reported from 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Using Cover Crops To Suppress Weeds And Improve Soil Health, J. A. Dille, L. I. Chism, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Herbicide-resistant weeds are creating challenges for producers to control weeds in crop fields. This study explores the potential of cover crops to reduce weed pressure and im­prove soil health. Cover crops were planted after corn harvest in tilled and no-till fields, and included Graza radish, winter wheat, annual ryegrass, spring oats, winter oats, and forage collards. The control was fallow with herbicide application but no cover crop. Soil health was determined prior to cover crop termination. Graza radish and forage collards did not grow consistently in all plots due to poor germination and winter kill. Significant weed biomass was produced …

Effect Of Late Planting Dates On Corn Yield, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Planting date studies have been conducted for corn over many years. Often the focus has been to determine optimum planting date for maximizing yield. In some areas, planting early-maturing corn hybrids as early as possible has been a successful strategy for avoiding hot, dry conditions at the critical pollination and early grain fill stages. Planting later can be an alternative strategy that attempts to avoid the most intense heat by moving the critical growth stages for corn centered around pollination to later in the growing season. This strategy has been adopted by some growers in areas that often encounter heat …

Tillage Study For Corn And Soybeans: Comparing Vertical, Deep, And No-Tillage, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Trends from a tillage study conducted since 2011 have shown no clear differences between tillage systems for either corn or soybeans in lighter soils under irrigation. One year out of eight years has shown a yield advantage for either corn or soybeans for any tillage system, which appears to be related to environmental conditions experienced during the season. Averaged across all years of the study, the treatments with deep tillage either every or every-other year had about 3.5% higher corn yields, and soybeans had up to a 2.9% yield increase with some form of tillage.

Sorghum Grain Filling And Dry Down Dynamics For Hybrids Released Over The Past Six Decades In The Us, P. A. Demarco, L. Mayor, P. V. Prasad, C. D. Messina, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL. Moench) is mainly grown in the Great Plains region of the United States, with the state of Kansas as the premier cropland for its cultivation. Over time, improvements in sorghum have been related to genetic and management interactions, however, scarcity of information on the grain filling and the dry down processes have been reported. This study characterizes grain filling and dry down dynamics for hybrids with different released years. Field trials were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Kansas, testing 20 commercially available grain sorghum hybrids released between 1963 and 2017. Grain dry …

Preliminary Classification Of Soil, Plant, And Residue Cover Using Convolutional Neural Networks, D. Nahitiya, M. N. Bisheh, R. P. Lollato, A. Patrignani

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In agricultural fields, knowledge about the proportion of the soil surface covered with crop residue and vegetation canopy is key for improving soil and water conservation practices. In this study we trained a deep convolutional neural network to automate the classification of bare soil, crop stubble, and live vegetation from downward-facing images of agricultural fields. A comprehensive generic dataset, consisting of 3300 training and 645 test images, was collected from agricultural fields across Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Stations and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Material Center located near Manhattan, KS. Despite the intricate patterns and color textures resulting …

Field Station Weather Reports, M. Knapp, E. A. Adee

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This report includes the annual summary of precipitation from 2020 at the research locations represented in the 2021 field report and further details about the Kansas River Valley locations and the east central Kansas locations.

Control Of Volunteer Enlist Corn In Enlist E3 Soybean, R. Liu, I. Effertz, T. Lambert, V. Kumar

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Recent development of Enlist corn allows the use of 2,4-D choline (Enlist One), glyphosate (Roundup PowerMax), glufosinate (Liberty), and aryloxyphenoxypropionate (FOPs) herbicides for controlling grass and broadleaf weeds. However, volunteer Enlist corn plants can cause infestation in subsequent Enlist E3 soybean (resistant to 2,4-D, glyphosate, and glufosinate) in areas where a corn-soybean rotation is commonly practiced. The main objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of cyclohexanedione (DIMs) herbicides alone or in tank-mixtures with Enlist One for Enlist corn control in Enlist E3 soybean. A field study was conducted in the 2020 growing season at the Kansas State …

Dual-Purpose Cover Crop Effects On Soil Health In Western Kansas No-Till Dryland Cropping, L. M. Simon, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, S. K. Johnson, K. L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Increasing interest in soil health has led producers in western Kansas to consider cover crops (CCs) for increased soil cover and improved soil properties. However, grain yield reductions following CCs in dryland cropping systems necessitate dual-purpose forage harvest to balance goals of environmental and economic sustainability. This study was initiated in 2015 near Brownell, KS, to investigate the effects of dual-purpose CC management in place of fallow on selected soil chemical and physical properties in a no-till winter wheat-grain sorghum-fallow cropping system. Mixed oat and triticale cover crops were either mechanically harvested as hayed forage to a height of 6 …

Southeast Kansas Weather Summary - 2020, G. F. Sassenrath, M. Knapp, X. Lin

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

This is a summary of the weather conditions in southeast Kansas during the 2019/2020 growing season. The wet weather pattern that began in 2019 continued into the spring of 2020, creating adverse conditions for spring crop establishment. Dry conditions dur­ing the summer and fall limited crop and pasture production. Temperatures were very near the 10-year averages at each location.

Yearling Cattle Grazing Pastures Burned During Summer Perform Similarly To Cattle Grazing Pastures Burned In Early Spring: Year 2 Of 6, Z. M. Duncan, A. J. Tajchman, M. P. Ramirez, J. Lemmon, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to evaluate the impact of prescribed fire timing on grazing performance of yearling beef cattle in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:This study was conducted at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. Yearling stocker cattle were assigned randomly to one of three prescribed-burn treatments: spring (April 7 ± 2.1 days), summer (August 21 ± 5.7 days), or fall (October 2 ± 9.9 days) and grazed from May to August of 2019 and 2020. Individual body weights were recorded at the beginning and end of the grazing season to determine total body weight gain and …

2020 K-State Industrial Hemp Cbd Variety Trial, Jason Griffin, Clint Wilson, Tami Myers

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hemp is a broad term used to describe the many varieties ofCannabis sativaL. that produce less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The crop is globally significant, but only recently was allowed to be grown once again in the United States. Varieties have been selected and are currently grown with a wide cannabinoid profile. Cannabinoids are of high interest for their putative medical and therapeutic role in humans and companion pets. Cannabidiol (CBD) and THC are the two cannabinoids of primary interest. THC is of interest because it determines whether the final product is considered hemp (0.3% THC). CBD is …

Biomass And Nutrient Accumulation By Dual-Purpose Hemp And Concurrent Soil Profile Water Depletion At Two Locations In Kansas In 2020, Kraig Roozeboom, Jason Griffin, Lucas Haag, Gerard Kluitenberg, Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, Michael Shelton, Tami Myers, Clint Wilson, Jared Petz, Matthew Nielsen, Andrew Euler

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Some crop producers are considering hemp as an alternative to the typical crops grown in the region. Hemp is viewed as a crop to potentially access new markets. Two of those potential markets are hemp grain and fiber. Little information is available for this region about production management for hemp intended for those markets. Experiments were planted in 2020 at Manhattan, Haysville, and Colby, KS, to characterize plant growth, nutrient uptake, and soil water depletion. Results illustrated typical biomass and nutrient uptake patterns. Half of the total biomass was accumulated by 2,200 growing degree days (GDD), but accumulation continued until …

2020 Kansas State University Industrial Hemp Dual-Purpose And Fiber Trial, Jason Griffin, Kraig Roozeboom, Lucas Haag, Andrew Euler, Michael Shelton, Tami Myers, Matthew Nielsen, Jared Petz, Clint Wilson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Hemp is a broad term used to describe the many varieties ofCannabis sativaL. that produce less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The crop is globally significant, but only recently was allowed to be grown again in the United States. There are many uses for industrial hemp, which include oil, seed, and fiber, and the market for industrial hemp is rapidly growing as more states are legalizing its production. The market for industrial hemp is expected to grow from $5.33 billion in 2020 to 15.26 billion (15.8%) by 2027 as it gains more popularity (Grand View Research 2021, Valuates Reports …

Effects Of Late Summer Prescribed Fire On Botanical Composition, Soil Cover, And Forage Production In Caucasian Bluestem-Infested Rangeland In The Kansas Smoky Hills: Year 2 Of 4, M. P. Ramirez, A. J. Tajchman, Z. M. Duncan, J. Lemmon, K C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective was to document the effects late-summer prescribed fire on soil cover, botanical composition, and forage production in the Kansas Smoky Hills and the associated effects on dense Caucasian bluestem (Bothriochloa bladhii) stands therein.

Study Description:The study took place on a private ranch in Ellsworth County, in the Kansas Smoky Hills. Eighteen one-acre plots were assigned randomly to one of three prescribed-fire treatments: no burn, single burn (i.e., one burn treatment only in 2019), or biennial burn (i.e., two burn treatments in 2019 and 2021). Soil cover, plant composition, and forage production were evaluated annually. …

Irrigated Corn Response To Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization, A. Schlegel, D. Bond

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated corn in western Kansas. In 2020, N applied alone increased yields by 85 bu/a, whereas P applied alone increased yields 10 bu/a. Nitrogen and P applied together increased yields up to 136 bu/a which is 11 bu/a less than the 10-year average of 147 bu/a. The application of 120 lb N/a (with highest P rate) produced 98% of maximum yield in 2020, which is greater than the 10-year average (2011–2020). The application of 80 instead of 40 lb P₂O_{5 …}

Fallow Weed Control With Vida Tank Mixtures, R. S. Currie, P. W. Geier

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of the study was to compare Vida (pyraflufen) with various tank mix partners for glyphosate-resistant kochia control. Flixweed control was complete in fallow with all herbicides by 28 days after treatment. Kochia control was best when Vida was applied with glyphosate and Spartan. However, due in part to the extremely dry conditions, no treatment controlled kochia by more than 83% at 28 days after treatment, and kochia control began to decline after this 28 DAT.

Weather Information For Tribune, 2020, D. Bond, J. Slattery

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Summary of 2020 weather for research conducted at the Tribune Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station field location.

Southwest Research-Extension Center Field Day 2021

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Report on agricultural research performed at the Southwest Research-Extension Center.

Do Different Wheat Varieties Respond Differently To Nitrogen Rates In Terms Of Grain Yield And Grain Protein Concentration In Kansas?, N. Giordano, R. P. Lollato

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Nitrogen management in wheat can result in positive impacts on grain yield and grain protein concentration (GPC) if addressed correctly. The aim of this study was to compare whether different varieties responded differently in terms of grain yield and GPC to management of nitrogen (N) rate across different environments. Factorial field experiments were carried out in a split-plot design in four different Kansas locations to evaluate the combination of four N rates (whole plot, 0, 40, 80, and 120 lb N/a) and fourteen different commercially available winter wheat varieties (sub-plots). Grain yield and GPC were measured at harvest maturity. The …

Evaluation Of Warm Season Annual Forages For Livestock: Biomass And Cost Of Production, J. K. Farney, M. E. Reeb, Z. T. Buessing, K. Malone, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seventeen warm season annual forage options were evaluated as livestock feed to be grazed, hayed, ensiled, or left as a cover crop. Treatments were planted in mid-May and terminated in late September with one harvest for silage, two hay cuttings, and three grazing rotations. One additional treatment was unharvested to serve as a cover crop. Biomass production and cost to produce final outputs were determined. Even with restricted rainfall during the summer months in 2020, the growth for the chosen forage options was at least 1,500 lb of dry matter (DM) per acre, with the exception of sun­flowers that had …

Impact Of Fertility And Mowing On Crabgrass Quantity And Quality For Hay Production In Southeast Kansas, D. Helwig, M. Haywood, J. K. Farney, B. C. Pedreira, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A crabgrass variety trial comparing Quick-N-Big and MoJo crabgrasses was conducted during the summer of 2020 at the K-State Research and Extension experiment station near Columbus, Kansas. The trial evaluated quantity and quality of forage produced under different nitrogen fertility scenarios and mowing management techniques. MoJo produced more biomass than Quick-N-Big. Addition of nitrogen fertilizer increased biomass production and forage protein content. Mowing was also found to enhance forage quality.

Evaluation Of Grazing Options During Summer For Growing Heifers, J. K. Farney

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Developing methods to provide high quality forage through a majority of the year is important for cattle operations. The purpose of this study was to determine forage management options to offset the summer “slump” with fescue. Four grass pasture treatments (10 pastures total; 4 acres) were used in a completely randomized design and stocked with growing heifers (n = 47; initial wt 419 ± 20 lb). Pasture treatments consisted of novel fescue (FES), crabgrass (CRAB), bermudagrass (BERM), and sor­ghum-sudan interseeded into novel fescue (SS-FES). Heifers were weighed and grazed FES/SS-FES pastures April to November (213 d) or CRAB and BERM …