Kansas State University research available

Kansas State University provides you with research-based information through many avenues. Locally, your contact is the Bourbon County Extension Office, located on the first floor of the Courthouse. Hundreds of publications and fact sheets, written by K- State researchers and specialists, are available in the office or through the university's Publications Library, www.ksre.ksu.edu/library. Another alternative is to research the information provided on our website, www.bourbon.ksu.edu

However, not all of our services can be found on the internet. One of the most utilized resources is soil testing. K-State Research & Extension can test soil for $10 per sample. Soil testing is recommended every three to four years to determine the available nutrients in the soil. This is beneficial for gardens, lawns, pastures and crop ground.

Feed and forage testing is also offered. The only way to know for certain the quality of the feed is to get a lab analysis of it, to take a forage test. A forage test costs vary depending on what tests are to be ran. Other tests that are available include Radon test kits ($5) and water quality testing resources.

Have you ever wondered what that unidentified pest or plant lurking around your home may be, or even how you can get rid of it? The Extension Office has expertise and resources available to identify pests that are common to our area and in Kansas. This includes home and crop insects, weeds, and various plants. We can also provide information on how to remove or control the pest, depending on your situation.

This time of the year, Farm and Family Account Books ($3) are a popular purchase. If you have not made the transition to computerized record keeping, this resource allows for an accurate accounting of your finances in a form that makes completing taxes easier.

Area farmers and ranchers often utilize the Kansas Performance Tests for various crops to determine which varieties will grow best in Southeast Kansas. This month, the 2010 Hybrid Reports for Corn, Soybean, and Grain Sorghum arrived in the Extension Office. This is in addition to the Wheat Seed Book that is available in late summer after wheat has been harvested and data collected.

The 2011 Chemical Weed Control Guide was published this month and provides suggestions for chemical weed control in several major crops. It offers recommendations and guidelines for crop specific chemicals.

Extension publications are very accessible to the public; most are free if you pick them up in the Extension Office or you may print them off yourself.

As a consumer, you have many options for finding the answers to your questions. By choosing Extension, you can be sure you are getting research-based, unbiased information. Come by the Extension Office and let us help answer your questions.

Editor's Note: Delta George is a K-State Research and Extension agriculture and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720.