Prescribed Burning Season Begins in Kansas: Planning Is Key for Success

By Lonnie Mengarelli- Southwind Ag and Natural Resources Agent

Prescribed burning season is approaching across Kansas, and as ranchers and land managers prepare to use fire as a management tool, careful planning and attention to safety are essential. When conducted under the right conditions, prescribed burning provides long-term benefits to rangeland, livestock performance, wildlife habitat, and overall landscape health.

Brush control and improved stocker cattle gains are often the primary reasons producers use prescribed fire. Research conducted over several decades consistently shows that mid- to late-spring burning can increase stocker gains by an average of 32 pounds per animal on burned pastures. These gains have been observed even during dry years.

Prescribed fire is also an effective tool for managing woody vegetation, particularly once plants have leafed out. Eastern red cedar is an exception, as it can be controlled by fire at nearly any time of year. Additional benefits of burning include conserving native plant communities, improving grazing distribution, enhancing wildlife habitat, and reducing fuel loads that can contribute to severe wildfires. Fire is commonly used to maintain Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres as well. In Kansas, CRP burning is generally allowed from Feb. 1 to April 15 in the eastern counties. Summer burns after July 16 are also permitted. Producers should always check with their local Farm Service Agency office for county-specific requirements.

Weather conditions play a critical role in conducting a safe and effective prescribed burn. Recommended conditions typically include: Wind speeds between 5 and 15 miles per hour, Relative humidity from 40 to 70 percent, and air temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to wind speed and direction, cloud cover and mixing height influence smoke dispersion. Hourly forecasts can help identify potential wind shifts that may occur during the burn period.

Several online tools are available to assist with burn planning. The Kansas Fire and Smoke Model (ksfire.org) predicts smoke movement based on weather conditions, fuel load, and burn size for Flint Hills counties, as well as Johnson, Wyandotte, and Sedgwick counties. The Kansas Mesonet (mesonet.ksu.edu) provides real-time data on humidity, wind direction, and current and forecasted fire danger from more than 70 locations across the state. Forecasts are available through National Weather Service offices. The NWS offices that serve southeast Kansas are Springfield, MO, Kansas City, MO, Wichita, KS, and Topeka, KS. Visit weather.gov and search for the appropriate office for your area.

Burn conditions can change quickly, and recent moisture does not always reduce fire behavior. This year, land managers should be mindful that fires may burn more aggressively and unpredictably, particularly during light-wind conditions. Cutting wider fuel breaks, planning for less effective timber control lines, and having additional personnel and equipment available can help reduce the risk of fire escape. Monitoring the forecast two to three days in advance, ensuring fires are fully extinguished, and considering delays until green-up is more established are additional steps that can improve safety and outcomes.

Kansas regulations require individuals conducting a prescribed burn to notify local fire authorities, avoid creating traffic or airport hazards, and supervise the fire until it is completely extinguished. Some counties also require burn permits. Always confirm local requirements before conducting a prescribed burn.

Prescribed burning remains one of the most effective land management tools available in Kansas. Safety, as always, is the top priority for a successful prescribed burn. Creating a burn plan in advance can be the difference between success and disaster.  With proper planning, use of available resources, and adherence to safety guidelines, producers can successfully use fire to improve rangeland productivity while protecting people, property, and natural resources. If you have any questions about prescribed burning, please feel free to call your local extension office and ask for me! I am more than happy to help.

 Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to the Southwind District. He may be reached at mengo57@ksu.edu or 620-223-3720

Beyond the Bite Understanding Ticks & Alpha-Gal

Because one bite can change a life

Ticks are more than just a nuisance—they can carry diseases and,
in some cases, trigger long-term, life-altering health conditions
such as Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Join Southwind Extension to learn
how to protect your family and navigate life after an Alpha-Gal
diagnosis.

The program will feature two K-State experts:
Priscilla Brenes, MPH, Ph.D. will talk on how Alpha-Gal affects the body and nutritional strategies for managing life with AGS.

Raymond Cloyd, Ph.D. will talk on tick species, life cycles, and behavior, diseases associated with ticks, and prevention and personal protection tips

Whether you spend time outdoors for work, recreation, or everyday
life, this program offers practical, research-based information to
help reduce risk and increase awareness.

Monday, March 23
Fort Scott Community College
Ellis Meeting Rooms
6:00 p.m.
Call 620-244-3826 by March 20 to register.

Beyond the Box: Easy Biscuit Making

3.7.26 Ft. Scott Biscuit Flyer

Learn to make both drop and rolled biscuits while building
practical, from-scratch baking skills. This Southwind
Extension Food Volunteers class explores ingredient function,
simple techniques, and the benefits and tradeoffs of
homemade versus mix-based options.

Saturday, March 7, Noon – 2pm
First Southern Baptist Church
1818 S. Main in Fort Scott
$10 supplies fee

Contact Sandy Haggard to register:
620-365-2242 or sjhaggard@ksu.edu

Why Checking Your Blood Pressure Matters More Than You Think

Most of us don’t think about our blood pressure until a doctor mentions it—but waiting can be risky.  High blood pressure is often called a “silent” condition for a reason—you can have it without feeling any symptoms. Yet it remains one of the top risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

In Kansas, 34.3% of adults—about 750,000 people—have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, enough to fill Arrowhead Stadium nearly ten times. It’s a reminder of just how common this condition is and why keeping an eye on your numbers is so important.

The first step in understanding your blood pressure is simple: check it regularly. Accurate, consistent readings help you notice patterns and spot changes early. This information also helps you have more informed conversations with your healthcare provider and take action before small issues grow into serious health problems.

Recognizing the need for easier access to blood pressure monitoring, five local libraries have joined together to launch the Libraries with Heart initiative. This program aims to make blood pressure checks and related education more accessible to everyone in the community.

Program Highlights

• Blood Pressure Monitors for Checkout: Patrons can borrow validated monitors through each library’s Library of Things catalog.
• Easy-to-Understand Educational Materials: Resources help users learn how to take readings, understand their results, and take steps toward better heart health.
• Connections to Local Healthcare Providers: Additional support and follow-up care are available through local partners.

The Libraries with Heart initiative is supported by a Basic Human Needs grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, in partnership with K‑State Extension, the American Heart Association, and participating libraries.

Heart‑Healthy Habits to Start Today

• Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly
• Eat Smart: Choose herbs and spices instead of salt.
• Move More: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity daily.
• Sleep Well: Get 7–9 hours each night to support heart recovery.
• Manage Stress: Try deep breathing, stretching, or a short walk.
• Avoid Tobacco: Your heart begins to heal within weeks of quitting.

For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith at tsolomon@ksu.edu or 620‑244‑3826.

Educational Program to Address Theileria in Cattle

FORT SCOTT, Kan. — Area cattle producers are invited to attend an educational program focused on Theileria in cattle: understanding risk, spread, and management on Wednesday, February 25, at 5:30 p.m. The program will be held at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd., Fort Scott.

Theileria is an emerging concern for cattle producers in Kansas, and the meeting will provide practical, research-based information to help producers understand the disease and reduce risk in their operations.

Presenters include Dr. Cassandra Olds, K-State veterinary entomologist, and Hunter Nickell, Southwind Extension agent. Topics will include an overview of Theileria in cattle, transmission pathways, entomology considerations, arthropod control strategies, and management decisions that reduce disease risk while minimizing insecticide resistance. There will also be a short discussion on reporting losses to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and some programs they offer for assistance.

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

There is no cost to attend, but reservations are encouraged. For questions or to reserve a spot, call 620-365-2242 or email nickell99@ksu.edu.

Kansas State University is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

A new year often feels like a fresh notebook, clean pages, new possibilities, and plenty of motivation to make positive changes. January is when many people sit down to set personal goals, and while health-related resolutions are often top of mind, your financial health deserves the same level of attention. Just like an annual physical helps you stay on track with your well-being, a financial checkup can give you clarity, direction, and renewed confidence in your money management.

K‑State Extension offers a practical and easy-to-use resource titled How Are You Doing? A Financial Checkup, which walks individuals and families step-by-step through evaluating their current financial situation. The publication is available online through the K‑State Extension bookstore, or printed copies can also be picked up at your local Extension office.

A financial checkup is simply a structured way to take stock of where you are and where you want to go. There’s no universal formula for financial success; every household faces different needs, priorities, and challenges. But having a clear picture of your finances can help you identify what’s working, what needs attention, and what steps will move you closer to your goals.

One of the first tools in the publication is the Financial Fitness Quiz, a short but meaningful self-assessment designed to help you reflect on important parts of your financial life, scoring your responses to give you a better understanding of strengths and areas where habit improvements could happen, such as:

• Financial Management: Do you keep accurate records, use a checking account to pay bills, or follow a budget or spending plan?
• Saving and Investing: Are you building an emergency fund, saving regularly for long-term goals, or investing for retirement?
• Insurance & Estate Planning: Do you have the insurance coverage you need? Is your will or estate plan up to date?

The publication goes a step further by guiding you through practical tasks such as creating a net worth statement, a simple calculation of what you own (assets) minus what you owe (debts). Many people find this eye-opening, and it often serves as a motivational starting point for reducing debt or increasing savings. You’ll also find tips for setting clear, realistic financial goals and building a spending plan that reflects your priorities rather than simply tracking where money went in the past.

As part of a complete financial review, the checkup encourages you to look over your taxes, obtain and examine your credit reports, review insurance policies, and evaluate retirement accounts and other investments. These periodic reviews help ensure your financial decisions remain aligned with the changes in your family, job, income, or long-term plans.

Start the year with clarity and confidence. Your future self will be grateful for the steps you take today.

For more information, please contact Community Vitality Agent Amanda Clasen at any Southwind District office or at amclasen@ksu.edu.

What do we mean by eating “real food”?

 Do you ever glance in someone’s grocery cart and see all processed, easy-to-warm-up box meals, chips, sodas, and such, and wonder how healthy they are? What does your own shopping cart look like? Do you buy ingredients to make meals? You may have seen in the news recently that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Agriculture released their new dietary guidelines for the next five years.

These new guidelines place a heavy emphasis on eating real, whole foods and encourage individuals to increase the nutrient-dense foods they consume, while reducing heavily processed foods. The new guidelines do retain many of the previous recommendations, but it is important to understand the key differences between them. The hope is that these guidelines will help Americans make informed nutrition decisions for themselves and their families for the next five years.

Key Takeaways from the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

 Build most meals around whole foods with limited ingredients.

• Consume a variety of protein foods from animal and plant sources.
• When cooking, focus on baking or grilling rather than deep-frying.
• Incorporate fiber rich foods such as beans, lentils, and other legumes.
• Avoid highly processed foods that contain many ingredients such as chips, cookies, candies, and sodas. When consuming processed foods, choose those with shorter ingredient lists.
• Pay attention to portion sizes, especially for foods higher in calories.

Eating real food means choosing foods with a few ingredients without added sugars, industrial oil, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Did you know there is such a thing as a “healthy fat”? Examples would include meat, seafood, dairy, nuts, olives, and avocados. It’s also recommended to avoid trans fat oils such as canola, and to use oils such as olive, avocado, peanut, or safflower oil.

Understanding changes in dietary guidelines can be overwhelming and confusing. Research is always happening, and we are continuing to learn more about foods and what they do for and to our bodies. The first step in taking charge of your health is becoming more informed. Focusing more on protein and vegetables can support muscle health, metabolic function, gut health, and stable energy while naturally phasing out of eating highly processed foods.

You may have heard of the MyPlate Eating Plan of one fourth each of the plate for vegetables, fruit, protein, and grains. This has been replaced by an “upside down pyramid” which recommends 3 servings of vegetables, 2 servings of fruit, 2-4 servings of whole grains, and 1.2-1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (approximately 5-7 ounces per day).

Instead of the MyPlate diagram of the past, the recommended visual is the Healthy Eating Plate from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, which emphasizes consuming more protein and vegetables:

For more information, visit realfood.gov, or contact Sandy Haggard, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health Agent, Southwind District at SJHaggard@ksu.edu or by calling 620.365.2242.

K-State Garden Hour – 2026 Line-Up

If you haven’t participated in the K-State Garden Hour in the past, plan to start this year! The K-State Garden Hour began in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way for K-State Research and Extension horticulture experts to share research-based information to gardeners of all abilities and experience. Due to the overwhelming success, the K-State Garden Hour is gearing up for its sixth year!

The 2026 lineup has been announced, featuring great topics and hosted by K-State Research and Extension horticulture staff across the state. Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of each month, online from 12 noon to 1 p.m. (CST), including a 45-minute presentation and 10-15 minutes for viewer questions.

The 2026 webinars are based on the topics participants request most often. A one-time registration gives viewers free access to all of the 2026 sessions, which include:

• February 4 – Honey Bee Colony Management and Key Floral Resources in Kansas

• March 4 – Naturalistic Landscape Design Style

• April 1 – April Showers, Rain Garden Flowers

• May 6 – Natives vs. Cultivars – Making Informed Choices for Your Landscape

• June 3 – Maximizing Garden Success with Extension Resources

• July 1 – Addressing Food Insecurity Through Extension

• August 5 – Local Food Gardening Projects in Kansas

• September 2 – Garden Renewal – How to Divide and Transplant Like a Pro

• October 7 – Groundcovers for Kansas – Covering Your Bases

• November 4 – Houseplant Propagation and Care

• December 2 – Spiff, Sharpen, and Stow – Wintering Garden Tools

To register for this free, online series, visit: hnr.k-state.edu/extension/consumer-horticulture/garden-hour/ If you cannot join the live session, all sessions are recorded and can be accessed later at the same link.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at kharding@ksu.edu or 620-244-3826.