This is day 5 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Harvest is progressing steadily across parts of Kansas, with yields generally around average despite challenges like strong winds, scattered rain and wheat streak mosaic virus. Weather and market conditions remain obstacles. Growers are staying optimistic and focused on finishing the season successfully.

Jess Schwieterman, who farms with his wife Laryce in Hamilton County near Syracuse, reports that this year’s harvest has been going well, despite strong winds and a few rain showers. They received a good November rain, but no winter moisture and a dry March and April until it started raining the week after Easter. The grain fill conditions were excellent, and yields have been right around average, similar to last year. Test weights have held up around 60 to 61 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;

High winds brought in a spring infection of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, turning the fields yellow. Schwieterman mentioned several varieties that have proven to have good resistance - KS Territory, KS Bill Snyder and KS Dallas. Their harvest began on June 20 and is nearly halfway finished. However, others in the area are just getting started. They have been pleased with yields, noting that the longer the fields are in no-till, the better they yield. They also manage for higher yields and have a strong fertility program. The biggest challenge this year has been the depressed wheat prices.

Kris Allen, general manager of Randall Farmers Coop in Jewell County, reports that harvest has been moving steadily across their two locations. Since taking in their first load on June 16, they’ve brought in around 700,000 bushels. Yields are ranging from 45 to 60 bushels per acre, and protein levels are holding solid at 12.6. Depending on the area, fields are about halfway to two-thirds cut, with combines rolling steadily. While this year isn’t quite as massive as last year’s crop, fueled by failed acres the season before, it’s still shaping up to be a strong and successful year.&nbsp;

Over halfway done with harvest, Brian Sieker, a farmer in Rice county, is facing the challenges of a wet season head-on, and staying optimistic.

“Mud is a challenge, but we’re grateful for it,” Sieker said. “Moisture is a welcome sight for our crop.”

On average, fields have produced 40-70 bushels per acre. Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV) has taken a toll on both yield and test weight this year, prompting a change in how he’ll select varieties going forward.

“In the future, I will be taking varieties for WSMV; I haven’t in the past,” Sieker said. “We have to protect our neighbors because the investment is huge and margins are thin.”

With winter in mind, Sieker said he’s glad to have residue left in the fields. “It’s nice to have the stubble. It will hold us through the winter.”

Above all, he encourages others to check in with each other and find joy in the season.

“Check on your neighbors," he said. "Enjoy the process. Harvest is a fun but stressful time.”

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use #wheatharvest25. Tag at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750987519617.jpeg" alt="Day 5 Harvest Reports 2025; photo courtesy of Kansas Wheat" />
 <figcaption>Day 5 Harvest Reports 2025; photo courtesy of Kansas Wheat</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThis is day 5 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Harvest is progressing steadily across parts of Kansas, with yields generally around average despite challenges like strong winds, scattered rain and wheat streak mosaic virus. Weather and market conditions remain obstacles. Growers are staying optimistic and focused on finishing the season successfully.Jess Schwieterman, who farms with his wife Laryce in Hamilton County near Syracuse, reports that this year’s harvest has been going well, despite strong winds and a few rain showers. They received a good November rain, but no winter moisture and a dry March and April until it started raining the week after Easter. The grain fill conditions were excellent, and yields have been right around average, similar to last year. Test weights have held up around 60 to 61 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;High winds brought in a spring infection of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus, turning the fields yellow. Schwieterman mentioned several varieties that have proven to have good resistance - KS Territory, KS Bill Snyder and KS Dallas. Their harvest began on June 20 and is nearly halfway finished. However, others in the area are just getting started. They have been pleased with yields, noting that the longer the fields are in no-till, the better they yield. They also manage for higher yields and have a strong fertility program. The biggest challenge this year has been the depressed wheat prices.Kris Allen, general manager of Randall Farmers Coop in Jewell County, reports that harvest has been moving steadily across their two locations. Since taking in their first load on June 16, they’ve brought in around 700,000 bushels. Yields are ranging from 45 to 60 bushels per acre, and protein levels are holding solid at 12.6. Depending on the area, fields are about halfway to two-thirds cut, with combines rolling steadily. While this year isn’t quite as massive as last year’s crop, fueled by failed acres the season before, it’s still shaping up to be a strong and successful year.&nbsp;Over halfway done with harvest, Brian Sieker, a farmer in Rice county, is facing the challenges of a wet season head-on, and staying optimistic.“Mud is a challenge, but we’re grateful for it,” Sieker said. “Moisture is a welcome sight for our crop.”On average, fields have produced 40-70 bushels per acre. Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV) has taken a toll on both yield and test weight this year, prompting a change in how he’ll select varieties going forward.“In the future, I will be taking varieties for WSMV; I haven’t in the past,” Sieker said. “We have to protect our neighbors because the investment is huge and margins are thin.”With winter in mind, Sieker said he’s glad to have residue left in the fields. “It’s nice to have the stubble. It will hold us through the winter.”Above all, he encourages others to check in with each other and find joy in the season.“Check on your neighbors," he said. "Enjoy the process. Harvest is a fun but stressful time.”The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use #wheatharvest25. Tag at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 5: Kansas Wheat Harvest report

This is day 4 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Harvest is underway across the state, with progress varying by region. Yields are showing improvement in some areas, while scattered showers and heavy rains have slowed harvest in others. Test weights remain steady overall, though some growers continue to face challenges from wheat streak mosaic virus.

Harvest is in full swing for producers in Russell County, where yields are proving to be a bright spot in the 2025 Kansas wheat harvest. Jayce Dickerson reported their first load went to the elevator on June 18, and as of June 24, they were about halfway through harvest.&nbsp;

“We’re averaging around 60 bushels per acre,” Dickerson said. “We’re doing really good.” That’s a solid rebound compared to previous seasons—especially three years ago, when the family didn’t cut any wheat at all. “Two years ago, we cut some; last year, we cut most; and this year, we’re cutting it all because it’s actually really good.”

In Wilson County, farmer Randy Small began harvesting around June 12, with a short pause before getting back into the fields on June 19. Now nearing the finish line, he expects to wrap up within the next couple of days if everything goes to plan. Test weights have been averaging around 57 to 58. While the recent moisture could have caused delays, Randy says conditions have remained favorable overall. He planted three different wheat varieties this season and reports that all have performed consistently across the board.

Harvest is underway in Bazine, where CGS General Manager Brad Cowan reported they took in their first load on June 18. He says the elevator has received around 235,000 bushels, and harvest is about 20 to 25 percent complete. Yields are averaging near 50 bushels per acre, though it’s still early to get a full picture. Protein levels are running lower than usual, currently averaging 11.12, with a wide range from 9 to 14. While harvest began about five days earlier than it did last year, challenges remain. Wheat streak mosaic virus is showing up in isolated pockets and hitting those fields hard, and heavy rainfall from about 10 days ago is still causing problems in certain areas.

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use #wheatharvest25. Tag us at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001vWIe3q-2Xf8VubAIhuF7BpW3vRKRjw5glpRwQJOHY6s7LyjCFk0U6BpK3TAzLBgYKcUQ8RKcKW8PhSVusiRUnchWV0uaOreYyWaZ3_EjFAso9UooJ50PEbc9U5XcKcSmHVyeCjWLt3BTcxDrglmInS287ZvMAgyQXlXX8d6LcqpwxiBuCGCwRtKGXS4amNJ7SkDyANaTdUK62znNxcA9bxnhX0L4mu3R&amp;c=EMvdhVZ_U_9rFl9MA0yP9ibhgaValMUExIyCAm3VGVJRneqmS3jhfg==&amp;ch=lS9mqr_x-ZxBVXm_D2RgS0waZCBpDsQL8TkBGARKCNiiFFGvScZCTQ==">#wheatharvest25</a>. You can tag @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750818188535.png" alt="Kansas Wheat Harvest Report Day 4; photo courtesy of Kansas Wheat" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Wheat Harvest Report Day 4; photo courtesy of Kansas Wheat</figcaption>
 </figure>This is day 4 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Harvest is underway across the state, with progress varying by region. Yields are showing improvement in some areas, while scattered showers and heavy rains have slowed harvest in others. Test weights remain steady overall, though some growers continue to face challenges from wheat streak mosaic virus.Harvest is in full swing for producers in Russell County, where yields are proving to be a bright spot in the 2025 Kansas wheat harvest. Jayce Dickerson reported their first load went to the elevator on June 18, and as of June 24, they were about halfway through harvest.&nbsp;“We’re averaging around 60 bushels per acre,” Dickerson said. “We’re doing really good.” That’s a solid rebound compared to previous seasons—especially three years ago, when the family didn’t cut any wheat at all. “Two years ago, we cut some; last year, we cut most; and this year, we’re cutting it all because it’s actually really good.”In Wilson County, farmer Randy Small began harvesting around June 12, with a short pause before getting back into the fields on June 19. Now nearing the finish line, he expects to wrap up within the next couple of days if everything goes to plan. Test weights have been averaging around 57 to 58. While the recent moisture could have caused delays, Randy says conditions have remained favorable overall. He planted three different wheat varieties this season and reports that all have performed consistently across the board.Harvest is underway in Bazine, where CGS General Manager Brad Cowan reported they took in their first load on June 18. He says the elevator has received around 235,000 bushels, and harvest is about 20 to 25 percent complete. Yields are averaging near 50 bushels per acre, though it’s still early to get a full picture. Protein levels are running lower than usual, currently averaging 11.12, with a wide range from 9 to 14. While harvest began about five days earlier than it did last year, challenges remain. Wheat streak mosaic virus is showing up in isolated pockets and hitting those fields hard, and heavy rainfall from about 10 days ago is still causing problems in certain areas.The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use #wheatharvest25. Tag us at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001vWIe3q-2Xf8VubAIhuF7BpW3vRKRjw5glpRwQJOHY6s7LyjCFk0U6BpK3TAzLBgYKcUQ8RKcKW8PhSVusiRUnchWV0uaOreYyWaZ3_EjFAso9UooJ50PEbc9U5XcKcSmHVyeCjWLt3BTcxDrglmInS287ZvMAgyQXlXX8d6LcqpwxiBuCGCwRtKGXS4amNJ7SkDyANaTdUK62znNxcA9bxnhX0L4mu3R&amp;c=EMvdhVZ_U_9rFl9MA0yP9ibhgaValMUExIyCAm3VGVJRneqmS3jhfg==&amp;ch=lS9mqr_x-ZxBVXm_D2RgS0waZCBpDsQL8TkBGARKCNiiFFGvScZCTQ==">#wheatharvest25</a>. You can tag @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 4: Kansas Wheat Harvest report

HANNAH BLODGETT Kansas Wheat Commission&nbsp;

This is day 3 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Harvest is finally in full swing across much of southern and central Kansas. Wheat streak mosaic virus continues to challenge growers in parts of the state, impacting yields and test weights. After rains and humidity have slowed harvest progress, farmers are getting back into fields but having to dodge muddy areas.

Officially, the Kansas wheat harvest is only 20 percent complete, well behind 49 percent complete last year and behind 31 percent on average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending June 22, 2025. Winter wheat conditions were rated 23 percent poor to very poor, 32 percent fair and 45 percent good to excellent.

Blake Connelly with Alliance Ag &amp; Grain in Ford County reports that harvest in the area began around June 12 and is currently about 40 percent complete. If the weather holds, he expects farmers to begin finishing up by the end of this coming weekend. Yields are up compared to last year, but protein levels are running lower, with most in the low to mid 11s. He says one of the biggest challenges they’ve seen this year has been wheat streak mosaic virus in a few locations, which is having a significant impact on yields and test weights.

Sarah Dodge with Farmers Cooperative Equity Co. in Barber County reported they took in their first load of wheat on June 10 at their Medicine Lodge location. As of Sunday, June 22, they’ve brought in about 1.1 million bushels company wide. Yield reports are ranging from around 45 to 60 bushels per acre, she said. Protein levels haven’t been as strong as in recent years and are averaging in the mid 11s across the company. Harvest is about halfway done overall, with some locations close to 70 percent after successfully managing to miss the recent rains. Dodge says the extra moisture and the timing of storms have brought down test weights, but she’s hopeful that some of the later loads will come in stronger and help boost the overall average.

Olson Farms near Gypsum in Saline County began harvest on June 12. Bryant Olson said their overall farm average is hovering near 50 bushels per acre this year, which is an improvement from last year.&nbsp;

“Overall, the wheat has been a lot better than last year,” Olson said. While not a record-setting crop, test weights have consistently come in at or above 60 pounds per bushel with protein levels around 12 percent. “This year’s crop is slightly above an average crop but definitely not a bumper crop,” he said.

Disease pressure and weather have presented challenges in this region of central Kansas.&nbsp;

“Some challenges we have faced this year were wheat streak mosaic virus, and rain has stopped our harvest progress,” Olson reported. “WSMV took over half of what the wheat could’ve potentially made. We haven’t seen any in the area in a while,” he said. Saline and Dickinson counties have been hot spots for the disease this year.&nbsp;

Despite those issues, some varieties have shown promise this harvest.&nbsp;

“Some specific varieties we are very happy with are KS Mako and KS Providence,” Olson said. “KS Mako took the wheat streak very well.”

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019apQV4OXfqbM8qQuGUN0Fik6-IlqlKMjd2i24dngA8jlOs6RkAVUix9uZe-EJ5PLMcfaJ36AdPQbpS1Ess8vxZNe3Bm58vj7kkHkdG6aVgXZkrhYV7r55k0MaKJXKiRxhJtD0NVKyVfd8TiUUrFXXTC3UKK-1U_ZQoGfSSHoikSfJgCj3mR-NF8KrKOrKfIuPfGw9_ZFBVmaXB9E3x7aMizFKxLmO1dP&amp;c=6tPySRzcCQ35_Jf4zG9Cgl0t6rcKhCWU8y4mZxcLmIN253CyYJI2-Q==&amp;ch=O6cTHAFxlMBQjpclUnSd_GuUq75LBjEfrZ1rHMm454JtP6sj-vwVcw==">#wheatharvest25</a>. Tag us at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750727689845.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HANNAH BLODGETT Kansas Wheat Commission&nbsp;This is day 3 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Harvest is finally in full swing across much of southern and central Kansas. Wheat streak mosaic virus continues to challenge growers in parts of the state, impacting yields and test weights. After rains and humidity have slowed harvest progress, farmers are getting back into fields but having to dodge muddy areas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684379707210.png" alt="K" />
 <figcaption>K</figcaption>
 </figure>Officially, the Kansas wheat harvest is only 20 percent complete, well behind 49 percent complete last year and behind 31 percent on average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending June 22, 2025. Winter wheat conditions were rated 23 percent poor to very poor, 32 percent fair and 45 percent good to excellent.Blake Connelly with Alliance Ag &amp; Grain in Ford County reports that harvest in the area began around June 12 and is currently about 40 percent complete. If the weather holds, he expects farmers to begin finishing up by the end of this coming weekend. Yields are up compared to last year, but protein levels are running lower, with most in the low to mid 11s. He says one of the biggest challenges they’ve seen this year has been wheat streak mosaic virus in a few locations, which is having a significant impact on yields and test weights.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600284821318.jpeg" alt="<a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/diesel-fuel-injector-rebuilds?useYB=2,4&amp;cam=ppc-m-m178243-c851458-g-">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/diesel-fuel-injector-rebuilds?useYB=2,4&amp;cam=ppc-m-m178243-c851458-g-">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Sarah Dodge with Farmers Cooperative Equity Co. in Barber County reported they took in their first load of wheat on June 10 at their Medicine Lodge location. As of Sunday, June 22, they’ve brought in about 1.1 million bushels company wide. Yield reports are ranging from around 45 to 60 bushels per acre, she said. Protein levels haven’t been as strong as in recent years and are averaging in the mid 11s across the company. Harvest is about halfway done overall, with some locations close to 70 percent after successfully managing to miss the recent rains. Dodge says the extra moisture and the timing of storms have brought down test weights, but she’s hopeful that some of the later loads will come in stronger and help boost the overall average.Olson Farms near Gypsum in Saline County began harvest on June 12. Bryant Olson said their overall farm average is hovering near 50 bushels per acre this year, which is an improvement from last year.&nbsp;“Overall, the wheat has been a lot better than last year,” Olson said. While not a record-setting crop, test weights have consistently come in at or above 60 pounds per bushel with protein levels around 12 percent. “This year’s crop is slightly above an average crop but definitely not a bumper crop,” he said.Disease pressure and weather have presented challenges in this region of central Kansas.&nbsp;“Some challenges we have faced this year were wheat streak mosaic virus, and rain has stopped our harvest progress,” Olson reported. “WSMV took over half of what the wheat could’ve potentially made. We haven’t seen any in the area in a while,” he said. Saline and Dickinson counties have been hot spots for the disease this year.&nbsp;Despite those issues, some varieties have shown promise this harvest.&nbsp;“Some specific varieties we are very happy with are KS Mako and KS Providence,” Olson said. “KS Mako took the wheat streak very well.”The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019apQV4OXfqbM8qQuGUN0Fik6-IlqlKMjd2i24dngA8jlOs6RkAVUix9uZe-EJ5PLMcfaJ36AdPQbpS1Ess8vxZNe3Bm58vj7kkHkdG6aVgXZkrhYV7r55k0MaKJXKiRxhJtD0NVKyVfd8TiUUrFXXTC3UKK-1U_ZQoGfSSHoikSfJgCj3mR-NF8KrKOrKfIuPfGw9_ZFBVmaXB9E3x7aMizFKxLmO1dP&amp;c=6tPySRzcCQ35_Jf4zG9Cgl0t6rcKhCWU8y4mZxcLmIN253CyYJI2-Q==&amp;ch=O6cTHAFxlMBQjpclUnSd_GuUq75LBjEfrZ1rHMm454JtP6sj-vwVcw==">#wheatharvest25</a>. Tag us at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 3:  Kansas Wheat harvest report 

This is day 2 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Harvest was off to a rapid start in southwest Kansas on Thursday with temperatures topping out about 100 degrees. There will be more information available on how yields and quality will compare to average by the beginning of next week when reports start to come in.

In central Kansas, harvest came to a halt after Tuesday’s rainfall but will pick back up by the weekend with high winds and nearly triple digit temperatures in the forecast.

Derek Sawyer who farms in McPherson County reports that before Tuesday’s rain they were cutting wheat that was yielding 80 bushels per acre. But Tuesday brought the area 5 to 6 inches of rain, up to 10 inches in some places, and 80 mile per hour sustained winds. This took kernels out of the heads in many wheat fields. He estimates that they probably lost 25% of the yield potential. Test weights were good, but will no doubt decrease with the rain. Some fields are in standing water and may not be able to be harvested. While he should be over halfway done with harvest, Sawyer reports that he barely even got started, and won’t be able to get into even the fields with the least amount of rainfall until the weekend at the earliest. The creek is out of its banks and roads are flooded in the area.

Lee Scheufler who farms in Rice and Ellsworth counties reports that harvest began on June 10 and that yields were average up to 20 percent above average. They’ve had a couple rain delays, including Tuesday’s rainfall which ranged from 1.75 to 4 inches in the area, with localized flooding. He was able to find dry ground on Thursday and get back to harvest before the weekend. After the rains, test weight has decreased slightly but is still around average. He is only about 15 to 20 percent of the way done with harvest and has at least a week left.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RBQl_GT3aEsX0ESQwwMAUvSoXou4YEV69JJqtvxgy4Hu3DC_8JCtbM7kQ4XottcAivE-qPOsfgFl6PvTnZHOjUeKWbbRZiC5UqeWdIF0UJMXaH3yKUblZ3KG666WUxEwe1_Fy2QXZlTuXOtbukvo1Edc4dZgTFvyBPmtQiJHVGr1ZOt5NTwHbQd6V6VTu3jPXNKHExEtyNLPshwBtAxrQCbdE1Bo4wXR&amp;c=TMLa8DiFW4kqs47l_eHok70MNX1y7Zin77wTmxF1a5ivs-T9m8cUMA==&amp;ch=pQO21TEmsGAJEJjUfinXmglbntkW1tqSUSL9I_OgQ863IAVHSOjzJA==">#wheatharvest25</a>. Use tag for @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750374328494.png" alt="Kansas Wheat Harvest Report Day 2; photo courtesy of Kansas Wheat.png" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Wheat Harvest Report Day 2; photo courtesy of Kansas Wheat.png</figcaption>
 </figure>By: MARSHA BOSWELLKansas WheatThis is day 2 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Harvest was off to a rapid start in southwest Kansas on Thursday with temperatures topping out about 100 degrees. There will be more information available on how yields and quality will compare to average by the beginning of next week when reports start to come in.In central Kansas, harvest came to a halt after Tuesday’s rainfall but will pick back up by the weekend with high winds and nearly triple digit temperatures in the forecast.Derek Sawyer who farms in McPherson County reports that before Tuesday’s rain they were cutting wheat that was yielding 80 bushels per acre. But Tuesday brought the area 5 to 6 inches of rain, up to 10 inches in some places, and 80 mile per hour sustained winds. This took kernels out of the heads in many wheat fields. He estimates that they probably lost 25% of the yield potential. Test weights were good, but will no doubt decrease with the rain. Some fields are in standing water and may not be able to be harvested. While he should be over halfway done with harvest, Sawyer reports that he barely even got started, and won’t be able to get into even the fields with the least amount of rainfall until the weekend at the earliest. The creek is out of its banks and roads are flooded in the area.Lee Scheufler who farms in Rice and Ellsworth counties reports that harvest began on June 10 and that yields were average up to 20 percent above average. They’ve had a couple rain delays, including Tuesday’s rainfall which ranged from 1.75 to 4 inches in the area, with localized flooding. He was able to find dry ground on Thursday and get back to harvest before the weekend. After the rains, test weight has decreased slightly but is still around average. He is only about 15 to 20 percent of the way done with harvest and has at least a week left.&nbsp;&nbsp;The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RBQl_GT3aEsX0ESQwwMAUvSoXou4YEV69JJqtvxgy4Hu3DC_8JCtbM7kQ4XottcAivE-qPOsfgFl6PvTnZHOjUeKWbbRZiC5UqeWdIF0UJMXaH3yKUblZ3KG666WUxEwe1_Fy2QXZlTuXOtbukvo1Edc4dZgTFvyBPmtQiJHVGr1ZOt5NTwHbQd6V6VTu3jPXNKHExEtyNLPshwBtAxrQCbdE1Bo4wXR&amp;c=TMLa8DiFW4kqs47l_eHok70MNX1y7Zin77wTmxF1a5ivs-T9m8cUMA==&amp;ch=pQO21TEmsGAJEJjUfinXmglbntkW1tqSUSL9I_OgQ863IAVHSOjzJA==">#wheatharvest25</a>. Use tag for @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

Kansas Wheat: 2025 Harvest day two

This is day 1 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Harvest moved into southern Kansas about a week ago, but since then it has been slow going. With scattered showers and high humidity, most days the combines can’t get rolling until late-afternoon. There are reports that farmers have gotten into dry fields along the I-135 corridor, as far north as Mitchell County.

Officially, the Kansas wheat harvest is only 3 percent complete, well behind 25 percent complete last year and behind 11 percent on average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending June 15, 2025. Winter wheat conditions were rated at 21 percent poor to very poor, 30 percent fair and 49 percent good to excellent.

Chris Stevens, General Manager of Farmers Coop Grain Association in Conway Springs, reports that harvest began last Monday, June 9, but it has been hit or miss. They’ve only taken in about 10% of the bushels they expect, but should be halfway complete by now. So far, it’s too early and too spotty to tell how test weights are going to average, but they’ve heard yield reports from 26 to 50 bushels per acre, which would be an average crop. He mentioned that some of the later maturing varieties had the advantage this year because of the rains. The area doesn’t have any disease pressure so far this year. Stevens is hoping that forecasted showers dodge them and it gets hot and dry for harvest this weekend.

However, the National Weather Service in Wichita is forecasting thunderstorms across the harvest area Tuesday afternoon. Winds up to 80 mph, hail up to tennis ball size and heavy rainfall are all possible.

Chris Fryer, Grain Merchandiser with CoMark Equity Alliance LLC in Cheney, says they’ve only taken in about 5% to date, even though harvest started last Tuesday, June 10. They would normally be about a third done by now, but rains have kept harvest from progressing. The quality has been very good so far, and yields are better than last year.

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001KDJ21xX4XLyWWUOQKCC88RcWEQgwhmgjn-GLPouKHi02xF1cRS6lYs9IMDVcdWw8E-QIotQcNsdWxuDKmjByLdCqXnmvQN39BzUIaXuAyfy_nxKSrOj3lNEEAGanBNFZfpatPR_N8hVGwYYAkaGm321JZfag_G1k216_uQWWXZHBfZEqXtd2DhNanTmBdi8Sy3lkrIZMo-Kw4FhITVwIGOPxoBPmAK0Q&amp;c=dIpjfW3pd5IXHXkaC-FDZB0Ma2pk0J03DdkhHfuumrM2pmtM6kb4IQ==&amp;ch=5xVmxX5RFXodoggIw6F5Z-66eWc735abml4K_lRERhlXiEfdd6uDFw==">#wheatharvest25</a>. Tag us at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750116113185.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>This is day 1 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Harvest moved into southern Kansas about a week ago, but since then it has been slow going. With scattered showers and high humidity, most days the combines can’t get rolling until late-afternoon. There are reports that farmers have gotten into dry fields along the I-135 corridor, as far north as Mitchell County.Officially, the Kansas wheat harvest is only 3 percent complete, well behind 25 percent complete last year and behind 11 percent on average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending June 15, 2025. Winter wheat conditions were rated at 21 percent poor to very poor, 30 percent fair and 49 percent good to excellent.Chris Stevens, General Manager of Farmers Coop Grain Association in Conway Springs, reports that harvest began last Monday, June 9, but it has been hit or miss. They’ve only taken in about 10% of the bushels they expect, but should be halfway complete by now. So far, it’s too early and too spotty to tell how test weights are going to average, but they’ve heard yield reports from 26 to 50 bushels per acre, which would be an average crop. He mentioned that some of the later maturing varieties had the advantage this year because of the rains. The area doesn’t have any disease pressure so far this year. Stevens is hoping that forecasted showers dodge them and it gets hot and dry for harvest this weekend.However, the National Weather Service in Wichita is forecasting thunderstorms across the harvest area Tuesday afternoon. Winds up to 80 mph, hail up to tennis ball size and heavy rainfall are all possible.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600284821318.jpeg" alt="<a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/diesel-fuel-injector-rebuilds?useYB=2,4&amp;cam=ppc-m-m178243-c851458-g-">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.dieselfuelinjectionrepair.com/diesel-fuel-injector-rebuilds?useYB=2,4&amp;cam=ppc-m-m178243-c851458-g-">Click here to visit Diesel Control Technicians website</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Chris Fryer, Grain Merchandiser with CoMark Equity Alliance LLC in Cheney, says they’ve only taken in about 5% to date, even though harvest started last Tuesday, June 10. They would normally be about a third done by now, but rains have kept harvest from progressing. The quality has been very good so far, and yields are better than last year.The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on social media, use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001KDJ21xX4XLyWWUOQKCC88RcWEQgwhmgjn-GLPouKHi02xF1cRS6lYs9IMDVcdWw8E-QIotQcNsdWxuDKmjByLdCqXnmvQN39BzUIaXuAyfy_nxKSrOj3lNEEAGanBNFZfpatPR_N8hVGwYYAkaGm321JZfag_G1k216_uQWWXZHBfZEqXtd2DhNanTmBdi8Sy3lkrIZMo-Kw4FhITVwIGOPxoBPmAK0Q&amp;c=dIpjfW3pd5IXHXkaC-FDZB0Ma2pk0J03DdkhHfuumrM2pmtM6kb4IQ==&amp;ch=5xVmxX5RFXodoggIw6F5Z-66eWc735abml4K_lRERhlXiEfdd6uDFw==">#wheatharvest25</a>. Tag us at @kansaswheat to share your harvest story and photos.

Kansas Wheat: 2025 Harvest day one 

With harvest season just around the corner, local authorities and agricultural officials are reminding motorists to stay alert and cautious when encountering slow-moving farm equipment on rural roads.

As farmers across Kansas gear up for one of the busiest times of year, rural roadways will see an increased presence of large machinery and trucks. These vehicles, which often travel at speeds of 25 mph or less, can pose safety challenges for unsuspecting drivers.

Harvest season is a critical time for our agricultural communities. It’s also a time when there are more accidents involving farm equipment, most of which are preventable with a little extra caution.

Here are safety tips to help prevent accidents:

Your family is waiting for you take a few extra seconds to be safe — it could save a life.”

With cooperation and caution, both farmers and drivers can help ensure a safe and productive harvest season across Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749561950525.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>With harvest season just around the corner, local authorities and agricultural officials are reminding motorists to stay alert and cautious when encountering slow-moving farm equipment on rural roads.As farmers across Kansas gear up for one of the busiest times of year, rural roadways will see an increased presence of large machinery and trucks. These vehicles, which often travel at speeds of 25 mph or less, can pose safety challenges for unsuspecting drivers.Harvest season is a critical time for our agricultural communities. It’s also a time when there are more accidents involving farm equipment, most of which are preventable with a little extra caution.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718310200821.png" alt="Reno County farmer Lauren Alderson harvests a field of wheat in the northern area of Reno County on Tuesday, June 28, 2022." />
 <figcaption>Reno County farmer Lauren Alderson harvests a field of wheat in the northern area of Reno County on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.</figcaption>
 </figure>Here are safety tips to help prevent accidents:<ul>
 <li>Slow down and be patient: Farm machinery moves significantly slower than regular traffic. Allow extra time to reach your destination and resist the urge to speed or pass hastily.
</li><li>Stay alert and avoid distractions: Keep your focus on the road and your surroundings. Distractions like cell phones can delay your reaction time in critical moments.
</li><li>Give extra space: Large farm vehicles have limited visibility and require more time to stop. Maintain a safe following distance.
</li><li>Pass with care: Only pass farm equipment when it’s safe and legal. Make sure you have a clear view of the road ahead and confirm the equipment isn’t preparing to turn.
</li><li>Be aware of wide turns: Tractors and combines often need additional room to navigate intersections or turn into fields. Slow down and watch for turning signals.
</li><li>Recognize slow-moving vehicle signs: Farm vehicles are marked with a red-and-orange triangular emblem, indicating they are traveling 25 mph or slower.
</li><li>Don’t assume the operator sees you: Loud engines and blind spots can prevent farmers from noticing nearby vehicles. Always drive defensively.
</li>
 </ul>Your family is waiting for you take a few extra seconds to be safe — it could save a life.”With cooperation and caution, both farmers and drivers can help ensure a safe and productive harvest season across Kansas.

As harvest begins, drivers urged to use caution around farm equipment

By LESLIE MANNING <a href="https://www.facebook.com/southeastspotlight/">The Spotlight</a> “We’ve never really been a one size fits all,” Mason Winter said. “In the sale barn industry, you get a taste of it all, and make due with what you’ve got.”

In December, Winter came on board at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, Salina, representing the new ownership, Winter Livestock.

“We are going to keep everything the same,” Winter said. “Salina is the largest sale barn in Kansas, so whatever they were doing is working really well for them.”

Winter was born and raised in Dodge City, where his family owns and operates a sale barn, Winter Livestock, that began with his great-grandpa.

“I’m the fourth generation,” Winter said. “My family came to Dodge in 1936. My great-grandpa, Karl, bought stock yards from the railroads, and turned it into the local sale barn. It’s treated us pretty well ever since.”

Winter Livestock expanded throughout the generations, to its current capacity of three sale barns in Kansas, one in Colorado and one in Wyoming. Winter, one of four siblings, earned a degree in ag business from Oklahoma State, while returning home on weekends and for Wednesday sales to help operate the Dodge City sale barn. Upon graduation, Winter ran the Dodge City location.

“(Growing up) I was around the sale barn as much as possible,” Winter said. “I tried to dive in as much as I could. Once I got to high school, I started helping and not being in the way of everybody.”

Since December, Winter has dove in at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, learning everything he can from sale barn manager, Mike Samples.

“It’s no secret in the state of Kansas that this is Mike Samples’ sale barn,” Winter said. “This place was built on his shoulders. We are happy to build off of what he has built.”

Samples will stay on as manager for two more years, to teach Winter the ropes of the structures in place at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.

“There’s not really a secret formula,” Winter said. “You work really hard and treat people well, and they seem to do the same back to you. (Sale barns) all kind of follow the same plan, and the same systems, with their own personal touches on them.”

Farmers and Ranchers Livestock will continue to operate with a flat rate commission per head. Preparing cattle for the auctions on Mondays and Thursdays, with special auctions for vaccinated calves on Tuesdays, will remain a priority.

“The feeding, the watering and the facilitating of the cattle is a job in and of itself,” Winter said. “We’re trying to get as close to what they weighed at home. We want the smallest amount of shrink as possible. Through grass hay and pellets, we try to mitigate that shrink as much as possible.”

Kyle Elwood, will remain the assistant manager at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, preparing the cattle for sale days. Elwood has been the assistant manager and an auctioneer for Farmers and Ranchers Livestock for over 30 years.

“Kyle has about as good of eye as anyone I’ve met,” Winter said. “He knows what is going to sell each week, and what the buyers are looking for. It’s impressive how in tune he is with where the cattle need to be and how they need to be sorted.”

Packaging the producer’s cattle, by characteristics like color, weight and sex, will remain the same.

“Each producer’s cattle is represented in categories in and of themselves,” Winter said. “Buyers are looking for the biggest bunch of like cattle that they can put together. As long as there’s something for them to buy, they make our job really easy. They are competing against each other, so their competitive spirits drive up the costs.”

Buyers will continue to see a selection of bottle calves, weaned calves, cow/calf pairs, cows and bred cows.

“We’ve got every facet covered and the buyers make our job really easy,” Winter said.

According to Winter, the hardest part of the job is unloading and loading and keeping everything straight.

“Everything that comes in has to go back out to its new home with low stress and no injuries,” Winter said. “It’s a lot of thankless jobs, that we wouldn’t be able to do without. It’s a lot of getting cattle in and getting cattle out.”

Horse sales will also continue at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, with the 2025 sales scheduled for May 17 and one in October. Hog sales will continue on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. A buffalo sale is planned for December.

“I am here to learn as much as I can from Mike and Kyle,” Winter said.

Mike Samples began managing Farmers and Ranchers Livestock on August 31, 1987. Raised on an 80-acre farm north of Erie, he joined the FFA chapter in high school under the direction of vo-ag teacher, Ken Nuntin. Samples’ first FFA project was raising six pigs, leading him into raising hogs and cattle.

Also, while in high school, Samples went to the sale barn in Parsons as often as he could. Wanting to be a part of the auction world, he started driving and traveling with famous cattleman, E.J. Peck, learning about the cattle industry.

Samples worked for the Fredonia market, later running the Chanute Sale Barn for a short while before becoming the manager of the Parsons Livestock Market for Russell and Mark McKee. He had been running the sale barn in Parsons, when he left to take over Farmers and Ranchers Livestock in Salina.

“It was in pretty sad shape when I got here,” Samples said. “I’ve never had a lot of give up in me. I just went to driving around the country and meeting people. A lot of places I went to, people actually ran me off their property, because they didn’t like Farmers and Ranchers. I just kept coming back. Most of those people made really good customers of mine.”

In 1987, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock was owned by Joe Clemence, John Clemence, Chris Hoffman and Bill Hoffman. Joe Clemence was the son of an original owner, Laurence Clemence. Laurence Clemence started Farmers and Ranchers Livestock with Merrill Christiansen and Bob Muir in 1966.

“There were two sale barns already in Salina,” Samples said. “They shut the other two barns down. They got all the cattle and the other barns just went away.”

According to the Kansas State Department of Agriculture, by 1987, numbers were down, with Farmers and Ranchers Livestock running 88,606 head of cattle across the auction block during the year. By building relationships with producers and buyers, Samples increased those numbers to over 200,000 head each year.

“They didn’t have buyers and they didn’t have an active market,” Samples said. “Roger Johnson told me when I got here, ‘You’ll never be able to fill this barn back up, because you don’t have the buyers.' I got the buyers, I got the cattle and I got the market and all is good.”

Samples knew buyers, and began calling people. Now, every major feeding group in the Midwest is represented in the buyers’ seats at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.

“When I got here, Junction City was getting a lot of cattle,” Samples said. “I just, slowly but surely, got the farmers to bring their cattle to us. It was not an easy task and it was not a quick task. It took time. After I got the thing going and started, then we became the largest livestock auction in Kansas.”

Winter Livestock owned the two largest sale barns in Kansas, Dodge City and Pratt. According to Samples, Dodge City had the biggest sale barn in Kansas for 50 years. Mike Lewis, a friend of Samples, ran the Winter Livestock sale barn in Pratt.

“When I started getting the business going, Mike Lewis was trying to pass Dodge,” Samples said. “Nobody had every passed Dodge. We joked with each other that I was going to pass them both after Pratt passed Dodge.”

Samples attributes the success of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock to several factors, including the location. With Salina at the junction of I-135 and I-70, the sale barn was easily accessible to both buyers and sellers. In addition, Samples notes, the conditions of the region allows for good livestock production.

“I like this part of the world, because there’s grass,” Samples said. “There are cattle and crops to feed the cattle.”

The success is also rooted in Samples’ drive and motivation.

"I had always wanted to run a big successful sale barn,” Samples said. “You gotta love what you do, people have to know that you like what you do and enjoy what you are doing.”

In 2021, Samples was inducted into the Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing, as the backbone of true price discovery.

“Farmers and Ranchers is very highly respected in the auction business in Kansas and the Midwest,” Samples said. “We get sellers from Western Kansas, from Oklahoma, from Missouri and all over the state of Kansas.”

Samples intends to manage the barn for the next two years, and introduce Mason to the network of buyers and producers composing the business of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.

“The main thing, I have a very tight relationship with my customers,” Samples said. “I thought when I first met Mason he would fit in. He’s met the people well, and they like him. People were looking for a home. They were going other places, and we give them a home.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740163753293.jpeg" alt="Mason Winter Photos Courtesy Leslie Manning" />
 <figcaption>Mason Winter Photos Courtesy Leslie Manning</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE MANNING <a href="https://www.facebook.com/southeastspotlight/">The Spotlight</a> “We’ve never really been a one size fits all,” Mason Winter said. “In the sale barn industry, you get a taste of it all, and make due with what you’ve got.”In December, Winter came on board at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, Salina, representing the new ownership, Winter Livestock.“We are going to keep everything the same,” Winter said. “Salina is the largest sale barn in Kansas, so whatever they were doing is working really well for them.”<h2>Under new ownership</h2>Winter was born and raised in Dodge City, where his family owns and operates a sale barn, Winter Livestock, that began with his great-grandpa.“I’m the fourth generation,” Winter said. “My family came to Dodge in 1936. My great-grandpa, Karl, bought stock yards from the railroads, and turned it into the local sale barn. It’s treated us pretty well ever since.”Winter Livestock expanded throughout the generations, to its current capacity of three sale barns in Kansas, one in Colorado and one in Wyoming. Winter, one of four siblings, earned a degree in ag business from Oklahoma State, while returning home on weekends and for Wednesday sales to help operate the Dodge City sale barn. Upon graduation, Winter ran the Dodge City location.“(Growing up) I was around the sale barn as much as possible,” Winter said. “I tried to dive in as much as I could. Once I got to high school, I started helping and not being in the way of everybody.”Since December, Winter has dove in at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, learning everything he can from sale barn manager, Mike Samples.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740163646969.jpeg" alt="Mike Samples" />
 <figcaption>Mike Samples</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s no secret in the state of Kansas that this is Mike Samples’ sale barn,” Winter said. “This place was built on his shoulders. We are happy to build off of what he has built.”Samples will stay on as manager for two more years, to teach Winter the ropes of the structures in place at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.“There’s not really a secret formula,” Winter said. “You work really hard and treat people well, and they seem to do the same back to you. (Sale barns) all kind of follow the same plan, and the same systems, with their own personal touches on them.”Farmers and Ranchers Livestock will continue to operate with a flat rate commission per head. Preparing cattle for the auctions on Mondays and Thursdays, with special auctions for vaccinated calves on Tuesdays, will remain a priority.“The feeding, the watering and the facilitating of the cattle is a job in and of itself,” Winter said. “We’re trying to get as close to what they weighed at home. We want the smallest amount of shrink as possible. Through grass hay and pellets, we try to mitigate that shrink as much as possible.”Kyle Elwood, will remain the assistant manager at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, preparing the cattle for sale days. Elwood has been the assistant manager and an auctioneer for Farmers and Ranchers Livestock for over 30 years.“Kyle has about as good of eye as anyone I’ve met,” Winter said. “He knows what is going to sell each week, and what the buyers are looking for. It’s impressive how in tune he is with where the cattle need to be and how they need to be sorted.”Packaging the producer’s cattle, by characteristics like color, weight and sex, will remain the same.“Each producer’s cattle is represented in categories in and of themselves,” Winter said. “Buyers are looking for the biggest bunch of like cattle that they can put together. As long as there’s something for them to buy, they make our job really easy. They are competing against each other, so their competitive spirits drive up the costs.”Buyers will continue to see a selection of bottle calves, weaned calves, cow/calf pairs, cows and bred cows.“We’ve got every facet covered and the buyers make our job really easy,” Winter said.According to Winter, the hardest part of the job is unloading and loading and keeping everything straight.“Everything that comes in has to go back out to its new home with low stress and no injuries,” Winter said. “It’s a lot of thankless jobs, that we wouldn’t be able to do without. It’s a lot of getting cattle in and getting cattle out.”Horse sales will also continue at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, with the 2025 sales scheduled for May 17 and one in October. Hog sales will continue on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. A buffalo sale is planned for December.“I am here to learn as much as I can from Mike and Kyle,” Winter said.<h2>Building a sale barn</h2>Mike Samples began managing Farmers and Ranchers Livestock on August 31, 1987. Raised on an 80-acre farm north of Erie, he joined the FFA chapter in high school under the direction of vo-ag teacher, Ken Nuntin. Samples’ first FFA project was raising six pigs, leading him into raising hogs and cattle.Also, while in high school, Samples went to the sale barn in Parsons as often as he could. Wanting to be a part of the auction world, he started driving and traveling with famous cattleman, E.J. Peck, learning about the cattle industry.Samples worked for the Fredonia market, later running the Chanute Sale Barn for a short while before becoming the manager of the Parsons Livestock Market for Russell and Mark McKee. He had been running the sale barn in Parsons, when he left to take over Farmers and Ranchers Livestock in Salina.“It was in pretty sad shape when I got here,” Samples said. “I’ve never had a lot of give up in me. I just went to driving around the country and meeting people. A lot of places I went to, people actually ran me off their property, because they didn’t like Farmers and Ranchers. I just kept coming back. Most of those people made really good customers of mine.”In 1987, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock was owned by Joe Clemence, John Clemence, Chris Hoffman and Bill Hoffman. Joe Clemence was the son of an original owner, Laurence Clemence. Laurence Clemence started Farmers and Ranchers Livestock with Merrill Christiansen and Bob Muir in 1966.“There were two sale barns already in Salina,” Samples said. “They shut the other two barns down. They got all the cattle and the other barns just went away.”According to the Kansas State Department of Agriculture, by 1987, numbers were down, with Farmers and Ranchers Livestock running 88,606 head of cattle across the auction block during the year. By building relationships with producers and buyers, Samples increased those numbers to over 200,000 head each year.“They didn’t have buyers and they didn’t have an active market,” Samples said. “Roger Johnson told me when I got here, ‘You’ll never be able to fill this barn back up, because you don’t have the buyers.' I got the buyers, I got the cattle and I got the market and all is good.”Samples knew buyers, and began calling people. Now, every major feeding group in the Midwest is represented in the buyers’ seats at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.“When I got here, Junction City was getting a lot of cattle,” Samples said. “I just, slowly but surely, got the farmers to bring their cattle to us. It was not an easy task and it was not a quick task. It took time. After I got the thing going and started, then we became the largest livestock auction in Kansas.”Winter Livestock owned the two largest sale barns in Kansas, Dodge City and Pratt. According to Samples, Dodge City had the biggest sale barn in Kansas for 50 years. Mike Lewis, a friend of Samples, ran the Winter Livestock sale barn in Pratt.“When I started getting the business going, Mike Lewis was trying to pass Dodge,” Samples said. “Nobody had every passed Dodge. We joked with each other that I was going to pass them both after Pratt passed Dodge.”That is exactly what happened.Samples attributes the success of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock to several factors, including the location. With Salina at the junction of I-135 and I-70, the sale barn was easily accessible to both buyers and sellers. In addition, Samples notes, the conditions of the region allows for good livestock production.“I like this part of the world, because there’s grass,” Samples said. “There are cattle and crops to feed the cattle.”The success is also rooted in Samples’ drive and motivation."I had always wanted to run a big successful sale barn,” Samples said. “You gotta love what you do, people have to know that you like what you do and enjoy what you are doing.”In 2021, Samples was inducted into the Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing, as the backbone of true price discovery.“Farmers and Ranchers is very highly respected in the auction business in Kansas and the Midwest,” Samples said. “We get sellers from Western Kansas, from Oklahoma, from Missouri and all over the state of Kansas.”Samples intends to manage the barn for the next two years, and introduce Mason to the network of buyers and producers composing the business of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.“The main thing, I have a very tight relationship with my customers,” Samples said. “I thought when I first met Mason he would fit in. He’s met the people well, and they like him. People were looking for a home. They were going other places, and we give them a home.”

'Winter Livestock' takes ownership of 'Farmers and Ranchers Livestock'

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Amy France from Scott City Kansas. She is chairman of the National Sorghum Producers Association and testified before a U.S. Senate committee last week.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yjo5T4F0Z5Y?si=zvLRdXCigR7GItCb" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Amy France from Scott City Kansas. She is chairman of the National Sorghum Producers Association and testified before a U.S. Senate committee last week.

Forward Ever: Amy France, chairman of National Sorghum Producers Association

<a href="mailto:jbklaudt@ksu.edu">By JACOB KLAUDT </a>K-State Research and Extension news service

The inaugural Kansas Landowner Conference took place in 2023, helping landowners removed from agriculture learn more about managing their properties and developing relationships with tenants.

This year, K-State Research and Extension farm economist Robin Reid said event coordinators added a day to the conference due to positive feedback from past attendees.

The conference is set for Oct. 10-11 at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas.

“We had a great turnout at the first conference,” she said. “Previously, it was all in one day. We have found since then that there are many issues that landowners want to learn more about, so we expanded it to two days, giving participants more availability to desired information.”

“We know that this is smack dab in the middle of harvest for some people,” said Ashlee Westerhold, K-State director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition. “However, our target audience are those who own Kansas land but are not operating the land themselves.”

Reid added, “A demographic that we really want to experience this conference are those who did not necessarily grow up on the farm or those who inherited a farm and do not know where to start on how to handle being a landowner and working with a tenant.”

Due to the recent downturn in the farm economy, Reid said this year’s event will include more breakout sessions around topics that will “impact every Kansas landowner’s bottom line.”

“For crop-share landlords that do their grain marketing, we have an awesome session on how to put together a marketing plan, navigate crop insurance and select government support programs,” she said.

“Some of the other sessions revolve around components of a well-written lease, leasing rates and how to effectively negotiate with tenants.”

Additional breakout sessions happening during the 2024 Kansas Landowner Conference on Oct. 10 include:

Wind and Solar Leases, with Kansas Farm Bureau’s Wendee Grady – 1:30 p.m.

Climate and Carbon Credits, with K-State’s Micah Cameron-Harp – 1:30 p.m. Hunting leases, with K-State wildlife specialist Drew Ricketts – 2:30 p.m. &nbsp;Charitable Strategies in Agriculture, with K-State Foundation senior director of gift planning Darci Cain – 2:30 p.m.

Reid said landowners on the fence about participating should strongly consider it because industry experts will be presenting on the topics they receive the most questions about.

“The agricultural economics department gets information requests all the time about things like ‘What is the going rate for pasture rental in my area?’, ‘What are the legal implications of renting?’ and ‘What should I have in a written lease?’” she said.

“Our attendees will be able to answer those questions after the conference, feel comfortable with that information and know the people to contact if they want to learn more,” Westerhold said.

Currently, the early-bird cost of attendance is $350 per person, or $650 for two business partners. Westerhold said prices will increase after Sept. 15.

“At the 2024 conference, we are offering a business partner discount rate because we know a lot of our attendees are couples, siblings and parents/children, so having both people there to experience this event is something we wanted to encourage,” she said.

More event information is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://agmanager.info/landowner">K-State Department of Agricultural Economics</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725463500929.png" alt="K-State Research and Extension farm economist Robin Reid says the 2024 Kansas Landowner Conference will be a completely in-person event with no virtual option. " />
 <figcaption>K-State Research and Extension farm economist Robin Reid says the 2024 Kansas Landowner Conference will be a completely in-person event with no virtual option. </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:jbklaudt@ksu.edu">By JACOB KLAUDT </a>K-State Research and Extension news serviceThe inaugural Kansas Landowner Conference took place in 2023, helping landowners removed from agriculture learn more about managing their properties and developing relationships with tenants.This year, K-State Research and Extension farm economist Robin Reid said event coordinators added a day to the conference due to positive feedback from past attendees.The conference is set for Oct. 10-11 at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas.“We had a great turnout at the first conference,” she said. “Previously, it was all in one day. We have found since then that there are many issues that landowners want to learn more about, so we expanded it to two days, giving participants more availability to desired information.”“We know that this is smack dab in the middle of harvest for some people,” said Ashlee Westerhold, K-State director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition. “However, our target audience are those who own Kansas land but are not operating the land themselves.”Reid added, “A demographic that we really want to experience this conference are those who did not necessarily grow up on the farm or those who inherited a farm and do not know where to start on how to handle being a landowner and working with a tenant.”Due to the recent downturn in the farm economy, Reid said this year’s event will include more breakout sessions around topics that will “impact every Kansas landowner’s bottom line.”“For crop-share landlords that do their grain marketing, we have an awesome session on how to put together a marketing plan, navigate crop insurance and select government support programs,” she said.“Some of the other sessions revolve around components of a well-written lease, leasing rates and how to effectively negotiate with tenants.”Additional breakout sessions happening during the 2024 Kansas Landowner Conference on Oct. 10 include:Wind and Solar Leases, with Kansas Farm Bureau’s Wendee Grady – 1:30 p.m.Climate and Carbon Credits, with K-State’s Micah Cameron-Harp – 1:30 p.m. Hunting leases, with K-State wildlife specialist Drew Ricketts – 2:30 p.m. &nbsp;Charitable Strategies in Agriculture, with K-State Foundation senior director of gift planning Darci Cain – 2:30 p.m.Reid said landowners on the fence about participating should strongly consider it because industry experts will be presenting on the topics they receive the most questions about.“The agricultural economics department gets information requests all the time about things like ‘What is the going rate for pasture rental in my area?’, ‘What are the legal implications of renting?’ and ‘What should I have in a written lease?’” she said.“Our attendees will be able to answer those questions after the conference, feel comfortable with that information and know the people to contact if they want to learn more,” Westerhold said.Currently, the early-bird cost of attendance is $350 per person, or $650 for two business partners. Westerhold said prices will increase after Sept. 15.“At the 2024 conference, we are offering a business partner discount rate because we know a lot of our attendees are couples, siblings and parents/children, so having both people there to experience this event is something we wanted to encourage,” she said.More event information is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://agmanager.info/landowner">K-State Department of Agricultural Economics</a>.

Kansas Landowner Conference 2024 schedule

&nbsp;As grasses within a pasture mature, various physical changes occur, which impact the cattle grazing them. For instance, older plants dry out and lose nutritional value, but also develop coarse stems – making cattle more susceptible to injuries involving their face and eyes.

<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">On a recent episode of the Cattle Chat podcast</a>, Kansas State University veterinarians recommend producers watch for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue as their pastures start getting “stemmy.”

“Green, growing grass isn’t likely to cause these problems,” said K-State veterinarian Bob

Larson. “Lumpy jaw and wooden tongue happen when the tissues of the mouth are damaged on rough textured forages.”

In the case of wooden tongue, damaging incidents to the mouth allow for germs that live within the animal to cause an infection.

“It’s not really something that cattle get from other cattle. It’s caused by bacteria that are normally in the mouth and throat area,” Larson said.

K-State veterinarian Brad White adds: “Coarse feeds and grasses can damage the mucous membranes and cause lesions.”

Cattle with wooden tongue display obvious physical symptoms, according to Larson and White.

“Their tongue gets large and tends to hang out of their mouth, making eating difficult. They look like they are panting or drooling,” Larson said.

“It gets stiff, swollen and painful,” White said. “You do not very often see an animal – a cow especially – sticking their tongue out of their mouth; they’re not doing it to play. They are doing it because their tongue won't go back in.”

Like wooden tongue, cattle contract lumpy jaw through the bacteria that inhabit their mouths.

“After an injury, (bacteria) gets into some of the other tissues of the mouth,” Larson said. “What's dangerous about that one is it can invade bone. If that happens, it becomes difficult to cure.”

Larson said when producers discover lumpy jaw and wooden tongue in their earlier stages, cattle have a better chance of recovering.

“A lot of times these cases will be treated intravenously,” he said. “This is pretty effective at bringing those two syndromes back to normal but contact your local veterinarian before making any treatment decisions.”

When examining an animal’s mouth and face for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue, Larson suggests that producers monitor the eyes as well for squamous cell carcinoma, or cancer eye.

If this affliction goes untreated, cattle may face the same fate as their lumpy jaw and wooden tongue-infected counterparts.

“Cattle can get a cancer of the eye – often in their third eyelid. If you treat it early with surgical removal of that area, those animals respond well and can go ahead and have multiple years of productive life after that,” Larson said.

However, “If that cancer spreads and it involves the bones of the head, that is not going to get better, and it is time to think about euthanasia just from an animal welfare standpoint.”

To hear the full discussion,&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">listen to Cattle Chat&nbsp;</a>on your preferred streaming platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722362402192.jpeg" alt="Wooden tongue and lumpy jaw – diseases that affect older cattle – become more prevalent as grasses and forage mature. K-State veterinarians share their causes, and treatments and discuss another facial disease: cancer eye." />
 <figcaption>Wooden tongue and lumpy jaw – diseases that affect older cattle – become more prevalent as grasses and forage mature. K-State veterinarians share their causes, and treatments and discuss another facial disease: cancer eye.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACOB KLAUDT KSRE&nbsp;As grasses within a pasture mature, various physical changes occur, which impact the cattle grazing them. For instance, older plants dry out and lose nutritional value, but also develop coarse stems – making cattle more susceptible to injuries involving their face and eyes.<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">On a recent episode of the Cattle Chat podcast</a>, Kansas State University veterinarians recommend producers watch for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue as their pastures start getting “stemmy.”“Green, growing grass isn’t likely to cause these problems,” said K-State veterinarian BobLarson. “Lumpy jaw and wooden tongue happen when the tissues of the mouth are damaged on rough textured forages.”In the case of wooden tongue, damaging incidents to the mouth allow for germs that live within the animal to cause an infection.“It’s not really something that cattle get from other cattle. It’s caused by bacteria that are normally in the mouth and throat area,” Larson said.K-State veterinarian Brad White adds: “Coarse feeds and grasses can damage the mucous membranes and cause lesions.”Cattle with wooden tongue display obvious physical symptoms, according to Larson and White.“Their tongue gets large and tends to hang out of their mouth, making eating difficult. They look like they are panting or drooling,” Larson said.“It gets stiff, swollen and painful,” White said. “You do not very often see an animal – a cow especially – sticking their tongue out of their mouth; they’re not doing it to play. They are doing it because their tongue won't go back in.”Like wooden tongue, cattle contract lumpy jaw through the bacteria that inhabit their mouths.“After an injury, (bacteria) gets into some of the other tissues of the mouth,” Larson said. “What's dangerous about that one is it can invade bone. If that happens, it becomes difficult to cure.”Larson said when producers discover lumpy jaw and wooden tongue in their earlier stages, cattle have a better chance of recovering.“A lot of times these cases will be treated intravenously,” he said. “This is pretty effective at bringing those two syndromes back to normal but contact your local veterinarian before making any treatment decisions.”When examining an animal’s mouth and face for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue, Larson suggests that producers monitor the eyes as well for squamous cell carcinoma, or cancer eye.If this affliction goes untreated, cattle may face the same fate as their lumpy jaw and wooden tongue-infected counterparts.“Cattle can get a cancer of the eye – often in their third eyelid. If you treat it early with surgical removal of that area, those animals respond well and can go ahead and have multiple years of productive life after that,” Larson said.However, “If that cancer spreads and it involves the bones of the head, that is not going to get better, and it is time to think about euthanasia just from an animal welfare standpoint.”To hear the full discussion,&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">listen to Cattle Chat&nbsp;</a>on your preferred streaming platform.

KSRE Cattle Chat: Cattle Chat: Look out for lumpy jaw and other facial diseases

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-winter/">ALLISON WINTER</a>

WASHINGTON — The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division — a contrast from the legislation’s history of bipartisanship.

Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm bill. The omnibus law that began 90 years ago as various kinds of payments to support farmers now has an impact far beyond the farm, with programs to create wildlife habitat, address climate change and provide the nation’s largest federal nutrition program.

The current farm bill process, already nearly a year behind schedule, is at an impasse as Democrats and Republicans clash over how to pay for the bill and whether to place limits on nutrition and climate programs. The previous farm bill expired in September 2023 and has been extended through the end of this September.

Historically, farm bills were completed within a few months of their expiration date. Ten of the 13 farm bills since 1965 were enacted by December 31 in the year of their expirations. But three of the four farm bills since 2008 went beyond that date.

The last three bills — including the 2018 bill, which is the one recent version that passed on time — each had partisan disagreements about spending.

The trend represents a change in how the once-bipartisan legislation is viewed.

“The last two farm bills were the anomaly,” said Jonathan Coppess, a professor of Agricultural Law and Policy at the University of Illinois who has written a history of the farm bill. “Now that it has been three in a row, I’m not sure that holds.”

A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R45210.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service notes that starting in 2008, farm bills have been subject to delays, vetoes and insufficient votes to pass on the floor.

The report concluded: “Over time, farm bills have tended to become more complicated and politically sensitive. As a result, the timeline for reauthorization has become less certain.”

That uncertainty is true of the current farm bill, as Republicans in the House and Senate push for spending limits that Democrats say are non-starters.

“I don’t think we’re close to getting a farm bill done until the folks who are negotiating the farm bill are realistic about what’s doable within a constrained resource environment,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an interview on the radio program&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DjdcUT0r3o" target="_blank">AgriTalk</a>&nbsp;June 21.

The Republican-led House Agriculture Committee approved its farm bill proposal&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/05/24/farm-bill-advances-from-u-s-house-panel-but-faces-a-tough-row-to-hoe/" target="_blank">largely on party lines</a>&nbsp;at the end of May, after hours of debate and complaints from Democrats that the process had not been as bipartisan as in years past.

Four Democrats voted for the bill in committee, but they joined 20 other Democrats on the committee in a “dissenting views” letter expressing “genuine concern over the trajectory of the Majority’s partisan farm bill” — which they predicted would be stuck in delay and dysfunction without significant changes.

The Senate Agriculture Committee has yet to vote. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the committee have each put forward contrasting bills and expressed their frustration.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie&nbsp; Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat who is retiring after this term, has called the process the “most frustrating” of her career and said she would not let the Republican approach for the farm bill be her legacy.

“I’ve actually been involved in six farm bills and led on three of them, and this has been the most frustrating time,” said Stabenow&nbsp;<a href="https://michiganadvance.com/2024/06/26/stabenow-says-gop-farm-bill-is-not-balanced-and-wont-pass-through-the-us-senate/" target="_blank">in an interview with&nbsp;Michigan Advance</a>&nbsp;at the end of June. “Because it’s so much more partisan than usual and particularly around food assistance.”

Partisan division is not uncommon in today’s Congress but is notable on the farm bill, which had historically brought together lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Bipartisan support can be necessary for final passage because the size of the $1.5 trillion farm bill means it inevitably loses some votes from fiscal conservatives and others.

“If you don’t have a bipartisan bill, this is not going to happen, and that is no matter who’s in charge. The margins are too close to be able to get this done without bipartisan support,” said Collin Peterson, a former Democratic House member from Minnesota and Agriculture Committee Chairman.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/05/24/u-s-house-panel-debates-nutrition-benefit-changes-farm-bill/" target="_blank">key dispute</a>&nbsp;for Democrats this year is a funding calculation that would place limits on the “Thrifty Food Plan” formula that calculates benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP.

Republicans are using the limits to offset other spending in the bill on crop subsidies. The top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, said he wants to put “more farm in the farm bill.”

Peterson, who is now the head of an eponymous consulting firm, said in an interview with States Newsroom that Republicans would likely have to make changes to the nutrition title to get a bill to final passage.

“It is unrealistic to think they are going to get this done without significant changes in that part of the bill,” he said.

The nutrition program that is at the center of the impasse was added to the legislation 50 years ago to help build a coalition of wide-ranging bipartisan support.

Lawmakers added the nutrition title to the farm bill in 1973, a move that widened the vested interest in the bill in the House. Lawmakers who wanted to increase payments for cotton and wheat farmers in their districts were able to bring in support from representatives from districts whose citizens could benefit from food aid.

“That was the first coalition building between the two interests,” Coppess said. “But it was pretty intense. And it was an uneasy alliance from the start.”

Since then, the farm bill in many ways has become a food bill. Three-quarters of the mandatory spending in the bill falls under the nutrition title, which includes SNAP, the largest U.S. program that addresses hunger.

The program, formerly called food stamps, supplements food budgets for low-income households. Anti-hunger groups have joined the outside interests pushing for the bill every five years.

But with such a large funding line, the nutrition program has become a target for Republicans who want to cut it to offset other spending in the bill.

“The dispute is all the pay-fors,” Peterson said. “And that has been the issue for the last three farm bills and issue on this one as well.”

Peterson, who was chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for the 2008 farm bill and was the top Democrat on the committee for the 2013 and 2018 bills, said partisan division on the committee is not unfamiliar at this phase of the process.

The farm bills he worked on also had partisan votes in the House but eventually found support from both sides after conferencing with the Senate.

“At the end of the day, every one of those bills was partisan, until we got through the conference committee, and then at that point it was bipartisan, because the Senate brought some of that to the table,” Peterson said. “So, kind of, what’s going on here went on the last three farm bills.”

The most recent farm bill in 2018 was marked by contentious partisan debate centered on SNAP’s work requirements and other eligibility rules.

The House Agriculture Committee’s bill that year initially failed on the House floor and later squeaked through on a 213-211 vote. Twenty Republicans joined all House Democrats in voting against that bill.

After reconciling with the Senate bill and the removal of some of the contentious changes to SNAP, most Democrats flipped their votes in support and the House agreed to the final conference report in a bipartisan vote of 369-47. The dissenting votes included 44 Republicans and three Democrats.

The partisan division over the nutrition title creates new fault lines for the farm bill.

Historically, farm bill alliances were more regional than partisan. They were built on a common ground of support for shared crops or producers: cotton in the South, corn in the Midwest and wheat in the Western Plains.

“What was our biggest issue back in the four farm bills that I wrote was not Republican versus Democrat. It was usually Midwest against the Southeast or the Northeast or the Southwest from a crop standpoint,” former Senator Saxby Chambliss said in an interview.

Chambliss, a Republican from Georgia, was on the House Agriculture Committee from 1995 to 2002 and the Senate Agriculture Committee 2005 to 2011, which included a stint as chairman and ranking member.

“There’s a different political dynamic that exists in the Senate today that did not exist when I was there,”&nbsp; Chambliss said. “How much of that bleeds into the farm bill? I don’t know the answer to that, but obviously it’s a little more acrimonious than what I ever experienced.”

As partisan politics have become more entrenched in regions of the country, with the South becoming more closely aligned with the Republican Party, it has played out in farm-bill politics.

“You see a staunch realignment around where the regional and the partisan are now very similar,” said Coppess.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625596705829.png" alt="Partisan gridlock in Congress has led to a stalemate on the current farm bill, which provides crop subsidies and nutrition assistance. Hays Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Partisan gridlock in Congress has led to a stalemate on the current farm bill, which provides crop subsidies and nutrition assistance. Hays Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-winter/">ALLISON WINTER</a>WASHINGTON — The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division — a contrast from the legislation’s history of bipartisanship.Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm bill. The omnibus law that began 90 years ago as various kinds of payments to support farmers now has an impact far beyond the farm, with programs to create wildlife habitat, address climate change and provide the nation’s largest federal nutrition program.The current farm bill process, already nearly a year behind schedule, is at an impasse as Democrats and Republicans clash over how to pay for the bill and whether to place limits on nutrition and climate programs. The previous farm bill expired in September 2023 and has been extended through the end of this September.Historically, farm bills were completed within a few months of their expiration date. Ten of the 13 farm bills since 1965 were enacted by December 31 in the year of their expirations. But three of the four farm bills since 2008 went beyond that date.The last three bills — including the 2018 bill, which is the one recent version that passed on time — each had partisan disagreements about spending.The trend represents a change in how the once-bipartisan legislation is viewed.“The last two farm bills were the anomaly,” said Jonathan Coppess, a professor of Agricultural Law and Policy at the University of Illinois who has written a history of the farm bill. “Now that it has been three in a row, I’m not sure that holds.”A recent&nbsp;<a href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R45210.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service notes that starting in 2008, farm bills have been subject to delays, vetoes and insufficient votes to pass on the floor.The report concluded: “Over time, farm bills have tended to become more complicated and politically sensitive. As a result, the timeline for reauthorization has become less certain.”<h2>Spending debate</h2>That uncertainty is true of the current farm bill, as Republicans in the House and Senate push for spending limits that Democrats say are non-starters.“I don’t think we’re close to getting a farm bill done until the folks who are negotiating the farm bill are realistic about what’s doable within a constrained resource environment,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an interview on the radio program&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DjdcUT0r3o" target="_blank">AgriTalk</a>&nbsp;June 21.The Republican-led House Agriculture Committee approved its farm bill proposal&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/05/24/farm-bill-advances-from-u-s-house-panel-but-faces-a-tough-row-to-hoe/" target="_blank">largely on party lines</a>&nbsp;at the end of May, after hours of debate and complaints from Democrats that the process had not been as bipartisan as in years past.Four Democrats voted for the bill in committee, but they joined 20 other Democrats on the committee in a “dissenting views” letter expressing “genuine concern over the trajectory of the Majority’s partisan farm bill” — which they predicted would be stuck in delay and dysfunction without significant changes.The Senate Agriculture Committee has yet to vote. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the committee have each put forward contrasting bills and expressed their frustration.<h2>‘The most frustrating time’</h2>Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie&nbsp; Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat who is retiring after this term, has called the process the “most frustrating” of her career and said she would not let the Republican approach for the farm bill be her legacy.“I’ve actually been involved in six farm bills and led on three of them, and this has been the most frustrating time,” said Stabenow&nbsp;<a href="https://michiganadvance.com/2024/06/26/stabenow-says-gop-farm-bill-is-not-balanced-and-wont-pass-through-the-us-senate/" target="_blank">in an interview with&nbsp;Michigan Advance</a>&nbsp;at the end of June. “Because it’s so much more partisan than usual and particularly around food assistance.”Partisan division is not uncommon in today’s Congress but is notable on the farm bill, which had historically brought together lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Bipartisan support can be necessary for final passage because the size of the $1.5 trillion farm bill means it inevitably loses some votes from fiscal conservatives and others.“If you don’t have a bipartisan bill, this is not going to happen, and that is no matter who’s in charge. The margins are too close to be able to get this done without bipartisan support,” said Collin Peterson, a former Democratic House member from Minnesota and Agriculture Committee Chairman.The&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/05/24/u-s-house-panel-debates-nutrition-benefit-changes-farm-bill/" target="_blank">key dispute</a>&nbsp;for Democrats this year is a funding calculation that would place limits on the “Thrifty Food Plan” formula that calculates benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP.Republicans are using the limits to offset other spending in the bill on crop subsidies. The top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, said he wants to put “more farm in the farm bill.”Peterson, who is now the head of an eponymous consulting firm, said in an interview with States Newsroom that Republicans would likely have to make changes to the nutrition title to get a bill to final passage.“It is unrealistic to think they are going to get this done without significant changes in that part of the bill,” he said.<h2>‘An uneasy alliance’ from the start</h2>The nutrition program that is at the center of the impasse was added to the legislation 50 years ago to help build a coalition of wide-ranging bipartisan support.Lawmakers added the nutrition title to the farm bill in 1973, a move that widened the vested interest in the bill in the House. Lawmakers who wanted to increase payments for cotton and wheat farmers in their districts were able to bring in support from representatives from districts whose citizens could benefit from food aid.“That was the first coalition building between the two interests,” Coppess said. “But it was pretty intense. And it was an uneasy alliance from the start.”Since then, the farm bill in many ways has become a food bill. Three-quarters of the mandatory spending in the bill falls under the nutrition title, which includes SNAP, the largest U.S. program that addresses hunger.The program, formerly called food stamps, supplements food budgets for low-income households. Anti-hunger groups have joined the outside interests pushing for the bill every five years.But with such a large funding line, the nutrition program has become a target for Republicans who want to cut it to offset other spending in the bill.“The dispute is all the pay-fors,” Peterson said. “And that has been the issue for the last three farm bills and issue on this one as well.”Peterson, who was chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for the 2008 farm bill and was the top Democrat on the committee for the 2013 and 2018 bills, said partisan division on the committee is not unfamiliar at this phase of the process.The farm bills he worked on also had partisan votes in the House but eventually found support from both sides after conferencing with the Senate.“At the end of the day, every one of those bills was partisan, until we got through the conference committee, and then at that point it was bipartisan, because the Senate brought some of that to the table,” Peterson said. “So, kind of, what’s going on here went on the last three farm bills.”The most recent farm bill in 2018 was marked by contentious partisan debate centered on SNAP’s work requirements and other eligibility rules.The House Agriculture Committee’s bill that year initially failed on the House floor and later squeaked through on a 213-211 vote. Twenty Republicans joined all House Democrats in voting against that bill.After reconciling with the Senate bill and the removal of some of the contentious changes to SNAP, most Democrats flipped their votes in support and the House agreed to the final conference report in a bipartisan vote of 369-47. The dissenting votes included 44 Republicans and three Democrats.<h2>A trend toward fracture</h2>The partisan division over the nutrition title creates new fault lines for the farm bill.Historically, farm bill alliances were more regional than partisan. They were built on a common ground of support for shared crops or producers: cotton in the South, corn in the Midwest and wheat in the Western Plains.“What was our biggest issue back in the four farm bills that I wrote was not Republican versus Democrat. It was usually Midwest against the Southeast or the Northeast or the Southwest from a crop standpoint,” former Senator Saxby Chambliss said in an interview.Chambliss, a Republican from Georgia, was on the House Agriculture Committee from 1995 to 2002 and the Senate Agriculture Committee 2005 to 2011, which included a stint as chairman and ranking member.“There’s a different political dynamic that exists in the Senate today that did not exist when I was there,”&nbsp; Chambliss said. “How much of that bleeds into the farm bill? I don’t know the answer to that, but obviously it’s a little more acrimonious than what I ever experienced.”As partisan politics have become more entrenched in regions of the country, with the South becoming more closely aligned with the Republican Party, it has played out in farm-bill politics.“You see a staunch realignment around where the regional and the partisan are now very similar,” said Coppess.

‘Frustrating’ partisan stalemate: the new normal for farm bills?

K-State Research and Extension news service

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718831025726.jpeg" alt="Protecting sweet corn from raccoons. K-State horticulture expert shares tips for raccoon control. Image Courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Protecting sweet corn from raccoons. K-State horticulture expert shares tips for raccoon control. Image Courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and Extension news serviceWhile they may be a more common pest in garbage, raccoons also target the home garden. Ever-so-clever, it seems as though racoons harvest sweet corn right before it is to be picked.Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini says fencing may be the best way to prevent raccoons from stealing the year’s harvest.Electric FencingTo install electric fencing, use two or more wires, the first about five inches above the ground and the second four inches above the first (or nine inches above ground). Raccoons must not be able to crawl under, go between or go over the wires without being shocked.Fence posts and insulators used for electric fences work well for this application.“It is much easier to use the woven electric wire with strands of wire embedded than to use a solid metal wire. The woven wire is easier to bend around corners and to roll up when done for the year,” Domenghini said.Domenghini suggests using battery operated fencing rather than plug-ins.“Start the charger before the corn is close to being ripe. Once raccoons get a taste of the corn, they are more difficult to discourage,” Domenghini said.She encourages weed control around the wire to prevent them from intercepting the voltage.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/42c272c9-264b-4518-95cd-9b37f9bf3c0a">SFD launches lifesaving Safe Haven Baby Box initiative</a>Kennel FencingKennel fencing can also be an alternative protection from raccoons.“Make sure that the panels are tied together well enough that raccoons can’t squeeze through corners,” Domenghini said.A covering over the top may be needed if the raccoons figure out how to climb the panels.Welded garden fence can work well for this.Domenghini and her colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">Horticulture Newsletter</a>&nbsp;with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as submit their garden and yard-related questions, by sending email to Domenghini at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Cdom@ksu.edu">Cdom@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.