Kansas Ag Report

During national soyfoods month this April, we share how soar can be an important part of your diet the united states department of agriculture agrees including soy food products supports healthy eating recently usda issued updated dietary guidelines for Americans soy based foods fit into four of the six core dietary elements dairy oils vegetables and protein foods so its prominence in the guidelines demonstrates a major success for the soybean checkoff the checkoff has worked to position soy as a sustainably sourced ingredient with many nutritional benefits including that it boosts heart health and serves as a supplemental protein the kansas soybean commission encourages consumers to celebrate national soyfoods month by exploring soy foods and seeing how they may work in your meal rotation brighten up stir fry and salads with edamame a or bake with a soy flour blend and margarine there are many options just waiting for you to try them be sure to check out KansasSoyBeans.org slash consumers for this month's soy food recipes brought to you by Charlene Patton.

USDA has announced it will begin making Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments to cattle producers and farmers in April, the agency will implement an increase in CIF AP one payment rates for cattle based on the number of head in inventory from April 16 to may 14 of 2020. cattle producers with approved to see fat one applications automatically will receive these payments, only those who previously applied for CPF one are eligible to receive the payment. additional assistance of $20 per acre also will be provided to producers of eligible crops identified as CIF AP to flat rate or price trigger crops. The Farm Service Agency automatically will issue payments based on the eligible acres included on CIF app to applications producers do not need to submit a new application. For more information on the additional payment rates for cattle or a list of eligible crops go to farmers.gov backslash CIF app, USDA also is establishing a new initiative to bring financial assistance to a broader set of producers than previous aid package. Through the pandemic assistance for producers program USDA will dedicate at least $6 billion to developing several programs or modify existing proposals using Coronavirus funding that wasn't spent by the previous administration. The initiative will include possible expansions and corrections to see fap such as support for dairy or other livestock producers. It will be subject to rulemaking but USDA has indicated that will begin to spring.

Kansas grain sorghum commission continues to highlight its leaders ahead of this year's spring planting season including a drive to the farm of its chairman Steven Bigge.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture works with conservation districts across the state, which act on a local level to promote conservation of soil and other natural resources. And KDA is proud to be involved in a new partnership effort, the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, which is working to expand the information and tools that are available to Kansas farmers, ranchers and landowners who are committed to improving soil health across the state. Thanks to all of you who are working side by side with all of us as we preserve and enrich this critical resource that's at the base of our agricultural roots healthy Kansas soil.

Visit the KDA here( bit.ly/3mzN5ol ) for more information and resources.

And our guest this week is Taylor Williamson who is the director of government affairs for the Kansas association of wheat growers.

Fertilizer prices are up dramatically this spring increasing input costs for growers data from usda shows the prices are up between 17 and 57% since the fall david wedmore of ag economic insights says that while nitrogen often gets the most attention phosphorous prices are up the most anhydrous ammonia and urea are up 37% from fall but considerably smaller increases over spring of last year meanwhile liquid nitrogen prices only up 9% over last year but 20% higher than last fall now the increase in fertilizer prices means that fertilizer expenses up $29 an acre from last spring or 30% higher but widmark does note the increases follow a strong downturn from a year ago adding prices are up from historic lows and for the most part remained well below the levels of 2011 through 2014 the exception however is phosphorus fertilizer up 51% compared to last fall former kansas senator pat roberts landing a new gig now serving as a partner with the dc firm capitol console roberts the only member of congress to serve as chairman of both the house and senate ag committees will serve as a senior counselor to those firm's clients he will offer his insight and advice of legislative strategy and his deep understanding of the executive branch and this summer hundreds of kansas four h members will disconnect from technology and immerse themselves in the beauty of the great outdoors rock springs for each center making preparations to host the youth again this summer several summer camps currently scheduled from june 6 through the 30th if you're interested in participating in summer camps at rock springs urge to contact your local k state research and extension office as soon as possible since space is limited now some scholarships may be available to help with the cost to attend camp gore ag news at ag view dotnet we'll have more in a moment kansas ag report brought to you in part by kansas grain sorghum growers working together learn more at ks grain sorghum.org grass and grain online or in the mail keeping kansas farmers informed for over 60 years grass and grain.com and ag view dotnet serving the beef belt and western corn belt with reliable and relevant agriculture information www.agview.net.

As farmers are making planning decisions the spring the Kansas grain sorghum commission caught up with its at large Commissioner for Coldwater Clark Bibb.

Wheat fields are greening up across Kansas — just in time for the 2021 National Wheat Yield Contest to open for grower enrollment. Learn more at yieldcontest.wheatfoundation.org.

All eyes are on Wednesdays planting intentions report from the USDA.