On today’s episode: county-by-county estimates on ARC program payments for wheat producers on the 2017 crop; an update on spring crop pests; agricultural news, and this week's edition of "Milk Lines"; habitat changes for the western meadowlark…

Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Eric Atkinson and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.

00:01:30 – Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) Payments:  K-State risk management specialist Art Barnaby talks about the just-updated county-by-county estimates on A-R-C program payments for wheat producers on the 2017 crop, which will be issued this fall...he also addresses the issue of whether grain farmers are getting their futures contract orders appropriately filled in the current electronic trading format.

00:13:00 – Spring Crop Pests:  K-State crop entomologist Jeff Whitworth talks about the notable lack of alfalfa weevil pressure in stands so far this spring, a void that unfortunately is being filled by an onrush of pea aphids infesting alfalfa...he also talks about possible insect problems in seedling corn stands.

00:24:30 – Ag News:  Eric Atkinson covers the day's agricultural news headlines, and K-State Research and Extension dairy specialist Mike Brouk has this week's edition of "Milk Lines."

00:33:06 – Western Meadowlark:  K-State wildlife specialist Charlie Lee looks at how habitat changes have affected the western meadowlark, which is the official state bird of Kansas.

Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to [email protected].

K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.