Agriculture News & Events
Agriculture News & Events
Douglas County Extension's Agriculture (Ag) program works with individuals to address issues that impact their operations such as: pasture and forage management, soil fertility, crop production, weed management and livestock production.
Please note, that the K-State Research and Extension Douglas County office, does not provide farm vehicle rentals, tools, sprayers or chemicals. Please see the The Douglas County Conservation District or the Douglas County Noxious Weeds Department for the above needs.
Rooted in Ag
Listen in to our new "Rooted in Ag" segment! "Rooted in Ag" refers to the deep connection and importance of agriculture to a region's history, culture, and identity. It shapes its values, traditions, and way of life, as well as the practical aspects of food production and land management.
Join Margit, our Agriculture Agent, and her co-host/guest, Elesha, our Communication Coordinator as they explore Margit's role/history in agriculture. They also discuss what to expect from future show segments and provide important resources for producers!
We welcome back Margit K., our Agriculture Agent, for another episode of Rooted in Ag! She is joined by her guest, Green Cover's Keith B., and they talk regenerative agriculture. More specifically, the cover crops side of regenerative agriculture and how they can build resilience, biologically, agronomically, and economically.
Learn how to be a "student of the soil" as these two experts talk about the benefits and a little about how to navigate the risks of transitioning over to regenerative agriculture. Our non-farmer listeners can enjoy a brief lesson on the soil and a little bit about all the hard work it does in the "farm to table" process!
Resources
K-State Agronomy About Cover Crops Web Page
Green Cover Free Educational Resources
Cover Crops 101 – New Book by Green Cover Seed available for purchase or Free Download).
Soil Tests at Douglas County Extension
Douglas County Conservation District Cost Share Programs
Soil Health Nutrient Tool (Haney Test) - PDF
KAWS Cover Crops (in the Upper Wakarusa or Lower Kansas Watersheds).
Farmers for Soil Health “Transition Incentive Payments (TIPs) of $50 per acre spread over a three-year period.” $50 per acre spread over a three-year period.”
KDWP Habitat First (Food Plots can serve a dual purpose).
No Till on the Plains – Cover Crop Program ($20/AC – Waitlist for 2026)
KDA Riparian Wetlands Projects
Midwest Cover Crop Council is another excellent resource
Smart Mix Calculator From Green Cover Seed (No purchase necessary)
Articles on Nitrogen Management as Affected by Cover Crops
SARE – Cover Crops for Sustainable Crop Rotations
Understanding Nitrogen in Soils – University of MN see attached
Nitrogen Benefits of Winter Cover Crops -University of Cornell, Agronomy
Considerations of Fall Applied Anhydrous Ammonia – Kansas State Agronomy
Nitrogen: The Double-Edged Sword – Dr. Christine Jones
Other Events, Resources, and Networks
Southeast KS Soil Health Conference Dec 10 -11th 2025
Cover Crops 101 – New Book by Green Cover Seed available for purchase or Free Download
No Till On the Plains – January 20-21, 2026
Cover Crop Strategies podcasts, articles, videos
Cattle Chat: Importance of clean water in cattle production
Cattle Chat: Data driven decisions to improve herd performance
"MANHATTAN, Kan. — Like a coach studying game statistics to unlock a team’s potential, it’s equally important for cattle producers to track herd data to make informed breeding, feeding and marketing decisions.
Understanding what data matters most can be overwhelming. That’s why Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute veterinarians Brad White and Bob Larson, along with agricultural economist Dustin Pendell – shared insights on setting data priorities for beef operations in a recent episode of Cattle Chat."
Survey data Needed
Help shape forage extension programs in eastern Kansas
Forages—both native and tame—cover approximately 40% of Kansas and are essential to the state’s cattle industry. Yet, despite their widespread use and importance, forage systems receive relatively limited research funding, particularly when it comes to management practices.
To better understand current production methods and improve extension programming across eastern Kansas, a short survey is being conducted. The survey asks about location (county), forage type, and key management practices.
Additional Resources
Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition is supported by K-State - Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops