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Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Submitted

Sericea Lespedeza Weed Control in Rangeland and Pasture

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Christopher Petty, M.S. Extension Agent Livestock Production and Forage Management K-State Research and Extension Southwind Extension District 210 S. National Fort Scott, KS 66701 (620) 223-3720 Work (620)224-6031 Cell [email protected]

According to Walt Fick, a K-State Research and Extension Range Specialist, Sericea lespedeza has been a statewide noxious weed in Kansas since July 1, 2000. Despite control efforts, this introduced, invasive species continues to persist on rangeland, pasture, and CRP acres in the state. Sericea lespedeza has a tremendous seed bank that helps reestablish stands following control efforts. Sericea lespedeza currently infests nearly 500,000 acres in Kansas.

There are no known biological controls that can be effectively used on sericea lespedeza. However, grazing with sheep and goats can suppress sericea lespedeza stands and produce a saleable product. Cattle supplemented with corn steep liquor (CSL) have been shown to consume more sericea lespedeza than animals not supplemented with CSL. Frequent mowing will reduce sericea lespedeza, but is also damaging to plants that might be growing/competing with sericea. A single mowing in mid- to late-July will eventually reduce stands of sericea lespedeza to some extent but has not eliminated sericea, even after several years of mowing. A late-summer mowing will eliminate most seed production. Application of appropriate herbicides about 4-6 weeks after mowing will help reduce sericea lespedeza stands, but will also damage other forbs. Prescribed burning in April seems to stimulate seed germination. Burning in August and early September nearly eliminates seed production.

Herbicides applied at the correct time and under favorable environmental conditions can significantly reduce sericea lespedeza, but retreatment has proven to be required. Early summer is a good time to consider spraying sericea lespedeza. Plants are in a vegetative growth stage and previous research has indicated good to excellent control at this time.

Remedy Ultra (triclopyr) and PastureGard HL (triclopyr + fluroxypyr) can provide effective control when applied during June and into early July when the sericea plants are in a vegetative growth stage.

Products containing metsulfuron, such as Escort XP, Cimarron Plus, and Chaparral, are generally more effective in the late summer when sericea lespedeza is actively blooming.. Use a non-ionic surfactant with all of these products. These products containing metsulfuron may stunt tall fescue.

For spot applications, mix 0.5 fl oz PastureGard HL per gallon of water, use a 1 percent solution of Remedy Ultra in water or 1 gram Escort XP per gallon of water.

Herbicide treatments will need to be repeated at least every 2 to 4 years to keep this invasive species in check. Initial treatments should reduce dense stands to the point where spot treatment can be used in future years. Left untreated, sericea lespedeza will quickly dominate a site, greatly reducing forage production and species diversity.

If you are unfamiliar with sericea lespedeza, learn how to identify the species and get started with a control program. Be persistent with control efforts to keep this invasive species at manageable populations. Contact Southwind Extension District Agent Christopher Petty at 620-223-3720 or by e-mail at [email protected] for more information.

Obituary

Obituary for Fredrick F. Hutchison

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Fredrick F. Hutchison

Fredrick F. Hutchison, age 82, a resident of Fort Scott, KS, died Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Mercy Hospital.

He was born June 13, 1936, in Sheldon, MO, the son of Fred and Leota Withrow Hutchison. He graduated from Ft. Scott High School with the class of 1954. He then attended Ft. Scott Junior College before entering the Navy in 1955. Fred served our country proudly for 30 years in the Navy before retiring. He then worked for the Navy as a civilian for another 10 years. He returned to Ft. Scott for the last 20 years, to the hometown he loved. He was an outdoorsmen and professional bass fisherman.

Survivors include two daughters, Marilyn Machelle Greene, Austin, TX, and Mindi Yvonne Elam and husband Dale, Tuscaloosa, AL; two brothers, Donald “Butch” Hutchison and wife Karen, Ft. Scott, and Denny Hutchison, Cody, WY; a sister, Kay Arnold, Ft. Scott; 9 grandchildren, Alexandria Floyd, Colleen Redding, Katlin Greene, Charlotte J. Hutchison, Travis Hines, Ashley Arner, Raschelle Boeve, Madison Johnson, and Dalton Estes; 8 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Frances Hutchison; son Fredrick Andrew Hutchison; and daughter Tracy C. Craig.

Hospice Chaplain Jeff Owen will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Monday, June 18th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post #1165 V.F.W. Memorials are suggested to the V.F.W. Post #1165, and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Opinion

Amanda’s Wedding by Patty LaRoche

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At weddings, my dress purse contains three things: lipstick, a nail file and Kleenex—lots and lots of Kleenex. This past weekend, I was in good company. By the time the celebration was over, there weren’t many dry eyes left.

This past Friday, I witnessed a sacred marriage union in which Tyler and my granddaughter, Amanda, committed themselves to God first, and each other, second. From the time they met fifteen months ago until this past Friday, they determined to keep their relationship pure. Their first kiss came at their engagement, and their next, after their wedding vows. Was it hard? According to them, crazy hard!

I pray you readers have had an opportunity to witness such a marriage. Perhaps it was your own. If so, you surely appreciated a sense of reverence and knew that you were a spectator to something extraordinary. Honoring God above all else has a way of causing that to happen.

Tyler and Amanda have many common interests. She works in the children’s ministry at church, and he is headed to seminary in North Carolina in the fall. They both ride dirt bikes, golf, line-dance and two-step, adore children and pray together daily.

At the rehearsal, the pastor brought everyone together to instruct us that this wedding would be God-centered and those in attendance would be encouraged to follow in the bride’s and groom’s footsteps and ask Jesus into their hearts. This would be no foo-foo message.

On the wedding day, the four sets of grandparents met at the church 30 minutes before the ceremony started; we were greeted by a scene that silenced our small-talk-ramblings: With heads bowed, the groom and his eight groomsmen huddled in prayer. During the ceremony, the pastor held true to his rehearsal instructions. The entire service was about God being foundational to a great marriage.

The rehearsal was no different. Toasts from the bridesmaids and groomsmen all confirmed what every guest knew: This couple had remained pure and couldn’t wait to spend their lives together honoring Jesus. Even their fun, crazy friends—most of them, actually–recognized something special in this couple. Three of Amanda’s maids-of-honor had known her since pre-school days. Together they had played softball and volleyball, ridden motorcycles, wakeboarded and taken years of dance lessons. Her friends had celebrated when—and yes, I will brag here just a little– she was voted Prom Queen her senior year, the most coveted honor at her high school, but most importantly, that she had grown in her love of the Lord and her desire to honor Him.

The groomsmen had similar stories about Tyler, and following their toasts, his mother spoke. Ever since her youngest son was born, she shared, not a day had gone by that she had not prayed for God to bring a strong Christian woman into his life. She fought tears while sharing that Amanda far surpassed anything she could have chosen.

By then, I had used (or shared) the entire box of Kleenex I had stuffed into my purse. I was not the only one grateful for table napkins.

Like I said, honoring God above all else has a way of causing that to happen.

Next time, I will bring a satchel.

Obituary

Obituary of Susan O’Bryan

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Susan E. O’Bryan, age 75, a resident of Uniontown, KS, died Monday, June 11, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

She was born July 17, 1942, in Hiawatha, Kansas the daughter of Forest Lydick and wife Mary Beth.  Susan graduated from Hiawatha High School. She received a degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University and went on to receive an English undergraduate and graduate degree from Pittsburg State University.  Susan’s passion was to teach English and shared it with students in the Frontenac, Uniontown, Mound City, and Fort Scott school districts.  Her hobbies included; accomplished seamstress and quilter, UTV trail riding, traveling, reading, outdoor activities, list making and watching hummingbirds from her front porch.  Susan loved spending time with her grandchildren.

 

Survivors include her three children; Tom O’Bryan and wife Debra, Ann O’Bryan and spouse Todd May, Tim O’Bryan and wife Dianne.  Also surviving are five grandchildren; Lauren, Jake, Kate, Jenna, and Ben. She was preceded in death by her husband Mike O’Bryan and parents.

 

There was cremation. Private family burial will take place in the Uniontown Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled from 1:00 – 4:00 pm on July 14 at the Empress Event Center in Fort Scott.  Light hors-d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.  Memorials are suggested to the Mercy Cancer Center and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Kansas

Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy Available for Limited Time

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Kansas residents receive support to quit smoking and end tobacco products use

 

TOPEKA –  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)’s Bureau of Health Promotion is encouraging Kansas residents who want to quit using tobacco products to take advantage of the opportunity to get free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The NRT will be shipped directly to their homes by calling the Kansas Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Tips from Former Smokers campaign that began in April, the Kansas Tobacco Quitline is offering a free two-week supply of NRT to all callers who register, while supplies last.

 

About one in six (17.2 percent) Kansas adults, age 18 years and older, are current cigarette smokers. And more than half of them have tried to quit smoking at least once in the past year.

 

“Quitting smoking not only benefits the health of the smoker but also helps to protect their loved ones from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure,” said Dr. Greg Lakin, KDHE Chief Medical Officer.

 

The Kansas Tobacco Quitline is a free, 24/7 resource available to Kansas residents to help them quit smoking. The Quitline provides help, such as counseling, a personalized Quit Plan and quitting support by phone and through online services. The Quitline can be reached by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visiting www.KSQuit.org.

 

“We want people to know that although quitting tobacco is hard, they can do it,” said Matthew Schrock, KDHE Tobacco Cessation Program Coordinator. “Smokers often need to make several quit attempts before succeeding, but proven treatments and services are available that can improve your chances to quit for good.”

The Kansas Tobacco Quitline is supported by KDHE. For more information on the Kansas Tobacco Use Prevention Program, visit www.kdheks.gov/tobacco.

Area News

Wine Stroll, Art Walk, Concert on Main Street July 27

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Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk

and Concert Slated for July 27

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (June 14, 2018) – Looking for one of Fort Scott’s coolest summer events? Mark your calendar for Friday, July 27.

The Mercy Health Foundation Fort Scott has partnered with the City of Fort Scott, the Bourbon County Arts Council (BCAC) and other local businesses to host the second Hit the Bricks Wine Stroll, Art Walk, and Blane Howard concert in downtown Fort Scott.

The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. and features a variety of events to appeal to a broad audience and all ages. Main Street will be blocked between 1st and 2nd Streets for the event beginning at 3:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

The art walk, coordinated by the BCAC, is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the works displayed by area artists and sounds of local musicians.

The wine stroll will feature a sampling of wines from several Kansas vineyards. New to the event this year are samples of distilled spirits. Cost for the wine stroll is $25. The event is open to those age 21 years and older and includes a commemorative wine glass. A valid ID is required at check-in located outside of 119 S Main. Only paid participants with a valid wristband are able to sample product.

Topping off the night, country music sensation Blane Howard will have folks dancing at Liberty Theatre beginning at 8:30 p.m. Concert tickets are $35 each. Modern Woodmen of America is the corporate sponsor for the concert.

Patrons can save $10 if they purchase both the wine stroll and concert tickets for $50. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/HitTheBricksTix2.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mercy Health Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation which is fundraising to purchase a new transport ambulance for Mercy Fort Scott EMS.