4-H members from the Southwind Extension District excelled at the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes event on August 19-20 in Kansas State University’s Weber Hall. Participants from the Southwind Extension District were MaKinlee Bloesser, Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, McKinley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, Emery Yoho, Chanlynn Wrestler, Carly Dreher, Kyser Nemecek, Brady Hurt, Tate Crystal, Carla Nemecek (coach), Byron Fry, and Reegan McDaniel. The Southwind District is especially proud that 4-H members represented 4-H Clubs from Allen, Bourbon, Neosho, and Woodson Counties.

4-H members learned gained new knowledge and worked on livestock skills to be competitive in the Sweepstakes event which consisted of blending scores in four contests. Southwind Extension District completed the weekend by being named the 2023 Reserve Champion State 4-H Sweepstake Team. The top ten individual Sweepstakes winners for Southwind were Tate Crystal 3^rd; Reegan McDaniel 4^th and Carly Dreher 9^th after excelling in all contests.

The Livestock Quiz Bowl started with a qualifying exam. The twelve teams with the highest average scores advanced to the quiz bowl competition. Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was seated first after the test and was later named the 3^rd Overall Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #2 (Fry, Yoho, McDaniel, Wrestler) earned 6^th best team.

The Livestock Judging contest consisted of nine judging classes and four sets of reasons with 212 contestants and 41 teams from across Kansas. Southwind #1 (Dreher, Crystal, Hurt, Nemecek) was 1^st in Sheep; 1^st in Hogs; 3^rd in Cattle, and 1^st in Reasons and named Champion Team Overall. Individual livestock judging results are as follows:

• Brady Hurt – High Individual Reasons; 2^nd Sheep; 6^th Swine; 3^rd Overall
• Kyser Nemecek – 2^nd Reasons; High Individual Sheep; High Individual Swine; 5^th Overall
• Carly Dreher – 3^rd Reasons; 6^th Sheep; 3^rd Swine; 8^th Overall
• Tate Crystal – 9^th Reasons; 10^th Beef; 10^th Overall

The Meats Judging contest was based on the identification of thirty retail cuts, six placings classes, and three sets of reasons. The Intermediate Meats Judging Team continues to shine and was named Champion Team for the second consecutive year. Members include Hailey Shadden, Marley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, and MaKinlee Bloesser and they were 1^st in Placings; and 1^st in Retail ID. Individual intermediate meats judging results are as follows:

• Marley Sutton – 4^th Retail ID; 5^th Placings; 3^rd Overall
• Hailey Shadden – 1^st Retail ID; 4^th Overall
• MaKinlee Bloesser – 5^th Retail ID; 7^th Placings; 5^th Overall
• Kendyl Bloesser – 6^th Retail ID; 4^th Placings; 6^th Overall
• McKinley Sutton – 3^rd Placings; 9^th Overall

Senior Meats Judging results include: Southwind #1 (Fry, Crystal, McDaniel, Dreher) was 4^th in Placings, 3^rd in Reasons, 4^th in Retail ID and Third Team Overall. Individual senior meat judging results are as follows:

• Byron Fry – 5^th Retail ID; 4^th Overall
• Reegan McDaniel – 7^th Reasons
• Brady Hurt – 10^th Reasons

In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation, and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating quality assurance protocols and judging wool. Out of 30 teams and 156 individuals, Southwind #1 (Crystal, Dreher, Hurt, Nemecek) was 4^th in Exam, 2^nd in Practicum; and Reserve Champion Team Overall. Southwind #2 (McDaniel, Wrestler, Yoho, Fry) was 3^rd in Exam, 4^th in Practicum; 3^rd Team Overall. Southwind #3 (Sutton, Sutton, K. Bloesser, Shadden) was 6^th in Practicum and 11^th Overall Team. Individual Skillathon results are as follows:

• Reegan McDaniel – 4^th Exam; 5^th Practicum; 4^th Overall
• Tate Crystal – 4^th Practicum; 6^th Overall
• Hailey Shadden – 9^th Overall

 

This group worked hard and studied a great deal of material to prepare for four state contests. To be named the Champion Livestock Judging Team, Reserve and 3^rd Skillathon Teams, 3^rd & 6^th Quiz Bowl Team Teams, Champion Intermediate & 3^rd Senior Meats Judging Teams, and Reserve Champion Sweepstakes Team at the state contests shows how hard these 4-H members pushed each other to “Make the Best Better.”  The Southwind District is grateful for the support of their parents and very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future growth and learning.

 

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K-State, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.  K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

By Clara Wicoff

Southwind Extension District

 

The recent miserably hot weather has had many (myself included) desperately looking forward to cooler temperatures. As I am writing this, more than half of the state of Kansas is under an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, more than 100 Kansans are hospitalized each year as a result of heat stress. So, what can you do to beat the heat? Check out these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Stay in an air-conditioned space as often as possible. If you do not have air conditioning at home, remember that your local public library may serve as a cooling center!
• Protect yourself from the sun. Since sunburn can cause dehydration, be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you have to go outside.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car. Try giving yourself visual cues to help prevent this from happening, such as always keeping a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat and then placing that stuffed animal in the front of the car with you after your child is buckled in.
• Stay hydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty since the feeling of being thirsty lags behind your body’s need for water. To learn more about the importance of fluids to your health, visit bit.ly/ksreliquidassets to check out a recently released fact sheet from K-State Research and Extension.
• Keep your pets hydrated, too!
• Know the signs of heat-related illness. These can include (but are not limited to) confusion, dizziness, fainting, headache, losing consciousness, nausea or vomiting, and tiredness or weakness. Visit bit.ly/heatsigns to learn more about warning signs and what to do if someone shows these signs.

 

To learn more about hot weather tips from the CDC, visit bit.ly/cdchotweathertips. For more information, please contact me at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Although many gardens are still producing, it is time to get our fall vegetables planted. Believe it or not, fall is a great gardening season!

When you think about it, fall weather is much like spring – warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. Rainfall is typically more abundant in the fall than summer so less irrigation is needed and fall gardens often have fewer insect pest and disease problems. Combine all of these and you have the ingredients for a great garden! And of most importance is the taste of the produce grown. Flavors of fall grown vegetables are often sweeter and milder in taste than those grown during hot summer weather.

Some of the best vegetables for a fall garden are lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets, cabbage, turnips and carrots because of their frost-tolerance. These vegetables can be planted directly into your garden wherever space can be found – next to plants still growing in the garden like tomatoes, cucumbers and pumpkins. Plant mid-August until the first week of September.

Left over seed from spring planting can be used as long as it was stored in a cool, dry location. To speed up germination and seedling emergence, soak the seeds overnight before planting. If you are purchasing new seed, look for the shortest season cultivars that you can find to insure harvest before a killing frost. The average fall freeze date for our area is around October 24 according to the Weather Data Library on the K-State campus.

Sometimes establishing a fall garden can be difficult during the summer when soil temperatures are extremely high. One way to avoid this is to establish plants in containers or pots for transplanting into the garden later in the season when the weather begins to cool. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and collards can be grown in cooler protected areas for 2-4 weeks prior to setting in the garden. Be sure to acclimatize crops for several days before transplanting directly into the garden.

Garden soil should be prepared just like for spring. An application of fertilizer will probably be necessary for optimum plant growth. Use one pound of a complete analysis fertilizer, such as 12-12-12, applied per 100 square feet of garden area. Weeds and grasses will also grow well in a fall garden so mulching may be warranted.

If you do not have a traditional garden space, think about doing a container garden. Just about anything that will hold soil and have a drain hole in the bottom can be used.

Everyone gets geared up to plant vegetables in the spring, but the fall season offers many benefits to gardening. Few take advantage of the season, but consider giving it a try this year.

The Extension office has the “Vegetable Garden Planting Guide” publication available free of charge. This guide offers information such as days to first harvest, days to germination, planting depth, frost resistance, and more.

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer

A Loss without a Card

I am talking about ambiguous loss which is often unclear and without closure.

This type of loss is a common part of life but is often the most difficult and stressful one to deal with.  I recently learned more about it while viewing a webinar by Dr. Michelle Krehbiel with the University of Nebraska who also refers to University of Minnesota Extension’s A Changing Way of Life:  Ambiguous Loss and Farming and Dr. Pauline Boss’s research.

 

So, what is ambiguous loss?  It is a loss that is confusing, uncertain, unverified, and can go and on.  It can be a physical loss such as a missing person or having to downsize the farm due to drought or disaster.  It can also be psychological such as a loss of a loved as you knew him/her due to dementia or of your own identity due to being newly retired.

 

We’ve all dealt with something that did not have an official ritual to show that a loss occurred such as:  divorce, miscarriage, a financial fall out, addiction, infertility, deployment, immigration, retirement, traumatic brain injury, or a natural disaster.  What do we do to not get stuck in this complicated grief?  In short, build resilience to lower the stress and anxiety caused by this loss and create a new narrative that one can live with.  Here’s a few ways to work towards moving forward.

 

1. Name what you are going through

Acknowledge that you have had a loss and name the feelings you are going through.  Also do this with other family/friends that are affected.

2. Make new meaning of the loss

There is no magic recipe that can do this, it will take time and a combination of answers to assist.  However, reconstructing your identity within this loss may help.  For example, if you struggle with retirement, you may embrace that you are now a full-time grandpa and volunteer.

3. Normalize Ambivalence

Work towards ‘both and thinking’.  It’s ok to have two opposing ideas in your mind at the same time. For example, he is both gone and may return (missing in action soldier); she is both gone and still here (dementia).

4. Discover Hope

We know this is extremely important in suicide prevention.  Hope may look different for you amidst loss but look for ways to discover it.

5. Seek information and humor

If it’s an illness learn more about what you can do, become an advocate.  When dementia gets particularly trying keep that sense of humor or it truly would be overwhelmingly sad.

6. Engage in Self Care

Dr. Pauline Boss states that respite is essential and no one should feel guilty about taking it.  Figure out what it means to you and make time for it!

7. Evaluate and Build a Circle of Support

Sadness is often treated with human connection.  Find, engage, and check in on your ‘community’.  This could be faith based, friends/family, mental health, or support groups.

I hope to acknowledge my own and others’ ambiguous losses more adequately.  We can all work together for better.  For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

 

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.

 

The recent stormy weather in southeast Kansas has left some without power for several days this month. In addition to losing power, this meant that some also lost food when their perishable food was not able to be refrigerated properly. So, how can you prepare to keep food safe during the next storm? Check out these tips from FoodSafety.gov:

• Put an appliance thermometer in your refrigerator and in your freezer. The temperature in your refrigerator should be 40°F or below and the temperature in your freezer should be 0°F or below. In the case of a future power outage, these thermometers will help you figure out if the food in your refrigerator and freezer is safe.
• If the power does go out, try to keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If unopened, a refrigerator will keep food safe for four hours. A full freezer will maintain its temperature for 48 hours (or 24 hours if it is half full).
• Once the power is back on, check the temperature on the appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer to see if the food was kept at a safe temperature. Perishable foods which were not kept at a safe temperature should be thrown away. Never taste food to test if it is safe. When in doubt, throw it out!

 

To learn more about keeping food safe before, during, and after emergencies, visit bit.ly/preparingforthestorm. Please contact me with questions at [email protected] or 620-365-2242.

 

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and

 

Being outside during the summertime can feel like a constant battle against nature and all the creepy crawly things. Mosquitos, ticks, and chiggers are some of the hardest pests to fight during this time of year.

A recent wild blackberry picking excursion left me covered in chigger bites and desperate for a solution to the uncontrollable urge to scratch. After doing some research, I found the following information from Mississippi State University Extension.

Chiggers, also called redbugs, have lots of myths surrounding them and how to go about treating their bites. These tiny bugs crawl up to the highest point on a plant and wait for an animal or person to walk by. When they fall onto a person, they typically land on shoes or lower pantlegs and begin to crawl up the body looking for a place to bite. Their ideal feeding grounds are on thin skin, which is why children and women make the perfect targets. They go for soft, light, and moist areas of the body where sun and weather haven’t made the skin tough and dry.

Contrary to what many think, they do not burrow into the skin. Instead, they attach at the base of a hair follicle and inject digestive fluid into the skin. The fluid dissolves skin cells, chemically boring a hole into the skin. Our bodies’ reaction to the saliva and digestive enzymes is to blame for the incessant urge to scratch.

Another common myth about treatment is how to “dry them out”. The best solution to fight these pesky bugs and the reactions they cause is to bathe in hot, soapy water as soon as you can. Many do not notice bites immediately after being outside as they can take a while to settle down and attach. So even if you think you don’t have any or only notice a spot or two, you can prevent a full feast by washing them away quickly. If left alone, chiggers can continue to eat for several days. To help combat the itching sensation, treat bites with calamine lotion or an antihistamine cream, or oral medication. Avoid harsh substances like nail polish or bleach as those can cause further irritation to the skin. If the bites are severe enough, physicians can prescribe anti-itch creams.

Chiggers do not carry diseases like ticks do. They are just incredibly annoying. Any infection that arises from chigger bites is likely due to excessive scratching, so it’s important to fight the urge to scratch. Children are more prone to scratching so clip fingernails to a short length, repeatedly apply calamine lotion, and use antihistamines suitable for their age to help them heal more quickly.

To help reduce the likelihood of running into them, avoid tall grassy and brushy areas. If that’s not possible, wear long pants, boots, and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into tall socks and apply a permethrin-based insect repellent to clothing – not directly to your skin.

Had I known all this before my recent berry-picking experience, I would have taken some precautions and probably prevented some discomfort. For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

Event highlights factors that affect cattle production

PARSONS, Kan. – Outside forces have made managing forage even more important in cattle production, says Kansas State University beef systems specialist Jaymelynn Farney.

 

High input prices, weather events, insect invasions…they’re all important topics that affect cattle producer’s profits.

 

Farney said those are topics that will highlight the annual Beef Cattle and Forage Field Day in Parsons on Aug. 3. The field day will be held at the Southeast Research and Extension Center (25092 Ness Road in Parsons) beginning at 8:30 am with registration.

 

The rest of the program includes an afternoon trip to the field to view a broomsedge control demonstration plot and discussion on interseeding warm season annuals into cool-season perennials. Farney said the field day also includes several indoor presentations, which will be recorded and posted online at www.southeast.ksu.edu/field_days.

 

Presentations and presenters include:

• Let’s Talk about Flies and Ticks, Cassandra Olds, K-State.
• Herd dispersal and getting back into production the “Ins and Outs” – Scott Lawson, Oklahoma State University.
• Different forms of supplement for stocker steers on pasture – Farney.
• Pasture management (or recovery) during drought – Dale Helwig, K-State Cherokee County Extension.
• Cull cow demonstration – Wendie Powell, K-State Wildcat Extension District

 

The field day is free to attend and includes lunch. This year’s field day sponsors include Frontier Farm Credit, Producers Coop, and Zoetis.

 

Those interested in attending are urged to contact Aly Volz by 620-820-6133 or online at https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/forms/SV_b1Kv7cYtOIZz7Rs to help organizers with a meal count by August 1.

 

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K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

 

For more information:

Jaymelynn Farney

620-820-6125

[email protected]

 

 

[email protected], 620-244-3826

So Now What? Tips for Managing Life after Retirement
Your finances are all in order and your bucket list is complete. You are officially ready to retire, right? Not so fast. Research has shown that we need to be concerned about more than just money before and during retirement.

Leaving the workforce has implications for your wallet, of course, but it can also affect relationships, physical and emotional health, and even your ability to live independently for longer periods of time. The good news? You can make a difference in all of these areas by being aware and making smarter, well-informed choices.

Researchers at Kansas State University worked to understand steps individuals can take to live a successful, healthy retirement. Here are four key steps that help avoid common challenges and improve the overall retirement experience.
1. Focus on your fundamental relationships. Retirement can have a significant impact on your most meaningful relationships. It is crucial to have conversations that will establish expectations, lay out plans, and allow others to provide input about their role in your well-deserved free-time.
2. Live a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that retirement has the ability to either improve your health or send you packing to the doctor. Whether you choose the path of pajamas and relaxation or activities galore, it is important to ensure that you are taking adequate care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. It is never too late to develop a healthy lifestyle!
3. Find your balance. Leaving a 40-hour workweek can be tough, and establishing a new normal may not be a breeze for everyone. Some may dive head-first into volunteering, babysitting, socializing, and doing all of their long-desired hobbies. Others might be unsure of what to do with all of their time. Establishing a balance that works for you is an important factor of living a successful retirement.
4. Continue planning for the future. Just because your retirement funds are set does not mean you are done planning and preparing for the years ahead. It is valuable to identify ways in which you can continue to manage your finances, prepare for future medical crises, and prepare your home for long-term living.
Looking to the future can be exciting and stressful all at the same time! It’s never too early to start action planning, taking goals one step at a time, asking for help when needed, and remember to celebrate what you accomplish along the way. Use retirement as a time to thrive and enjoy life, but also to take care of your relationships, yourself, and your future — you deserve it!

For more information, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, [email protected], or by calling 620-244-3826.

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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts.