First, the Drought Monitor which didn’t include last Tuesday night’s rain showed some easing in the western third of the state.  With the precipitation and cooler weather of the last week, much of the state should show improvement with this coming week’s report.  This column normally focuses on crops but today, with the official start of summer, a column on livestock to change things up a bit.

Those in the Barton County area are likely familiar with the problems over the last few years at Veterans’ Lake in Great Bend during hot summer weather.  Blue-green algae blooms that resulted in toxic substances in the water that were hazardous to people and pets.  These blooms result from an abundance of nutrient minerals in the water, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, resulting from fertilizers and/or manures entering the water.  Blooms typically present a hazard in more stagnant waters.  The result is an overabundance of the organisms and they can release toxic compounds, especially as they die off.  They can release two types of toxins – neurotoxins that naturally affect the nervous system and hepatotoxins affecting liver function.

These blue-green algae actually aren’t algae at all but cyanobacteria that can reproduce quite rapidly, doubling in population within twenty-four hours.  There are specific species that will release these toxins and these compounds can be lethal to animals and people.  You can differentiate them from mosses as these organisms tend to feel slimy, almost paint like.  The problem commonly occurs during stretches of hot weather and is exacerbated by high nutrient contents in the water.  A problem that can occur in easily in ponds used to water livestock and even in stock tanks.  However, there are steps to take that can minimize the problem.

First, if you suspect a problem, contact your local extension agent and they can help you obtain a sample and send it off to the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic lab in Manhattan.  So what can you do?

For Ponds

• The algae tend to form on the downwind side so fence off that area.
• If withdrawing water from a pond for livestock, take it from the middle of the pond and from as deep as practical as the blooms tend to be at the edge.
• For a small pond and stock tanks, there are chemicals to help keep the problem in check which may be applied but caution needs to be taken to prevent harm to livestock.

For stock tanks

• If practical, drain and clean the tank every ten days to two weeks during hot weather. This has the added benefit of increasing livestock water intake with cleaner water and may help keep mosquito populations down.
• If cleaning is impractical, there are algicides available to keep the blue-green algae in check and that are safe to livestock when label directions are followed. Copper sulfate is one product but the label must be followed to protect livestock.  Unscented bleach is also an option but again care must be taken.  The general rule for bleach is two to three ounces per fifty gallons.  If you have questions contact your local extension office.

Is this a huge problem in our area?  Normally not, but as in many things an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure or the livestock lost.

The City of Great Bend was featured heavily in the Summer 2018 edition of Kansas! Magazine. The magazine has over 25,000 subscribers that were able view and read about attractions and things to do on a weekend in Great Bend.

Community Coordinator Christina Hayes was excited about the recognition the City received after the magazine contacted her.

Christina Hayes Audio

The feature titled “A Great Bend Weekend” takes tourists through a weekend of activities including the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, canoeing on the Arkansas River, birdwatching at Cheyenne Bottoms, and plenty of local dining options.

Kansas! Magazine features people, communities, food, cultures, and scenery from around the state in each edition.

Midwest Energy is seeking Board of Directors approval for proposed electric rate changes, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

A Public meeting to discuss the changes is being held in Great Bend on July 3 at 6 p.m., at Barton County Community College, Fine Arts Building, Room 30.  Another meeting takes place in Macksville on July 5 at 6 p.m., at the American State Bank & Trust Building.  Previous meetings on the rate changes were held in Hays and Colby.  All Midwest Energy customers are welcome to attend.

The rate changes, if approved, would be revenue-neutral for the company.  This is Midwest Energy’s first general electric rate change since 2011.  It is needed to address significant differences between similar customers on the M and W Systems, as well as simplify rate structures.  If approved, the proposed rate changes will take place over a three-year period.   Details on the proposed rate changes are available on the Midwest Energy website at www.mwenergy.com/residential/electric-rate-changes.

Midwest Energy is a customer-owned cooperative, serving 50,000 electric and 42,000 natural gas customers in central and western Kansas.

One of the biggest battles of scheduling sporting events throughout the summer is with mother nature. Rain and storms cause delays or postponements, but the Great Bend Recreation Commission has acquired the services of Rainout Line. The service allows residents to quickly find out if ballfields in Great Bend are useable for practices, games, or other events.

Rec Center Sports Director Chris Umphres says the phone line or the online application makes it easy to figure out the status of fields.

Chris Umphres Audio

The service allows anyone to call 620-792-3214 to receive the updates or download the app to your phone. Once downloaded, you can receive notifications for certain fields when their statuses change so you do not have to constantly check the app.

The service includes updates for all baseball fields including T-Ball fields, Cavanaugh Soccer Complex, tennis courts, swimming lessons, Rec Center activities, and more in Great Bend.

The entertainment and excitement of racing at the SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend does not come without risks and dangers. The emergency crews and one driver found that out last weekend for the start of the Rocky Mountain Race Week.

Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes says emergency crews responded quickly and the driver from Missouri was not seriously hurt.

Christina Hayes Audio

The car struck the middle barrier at the Dragstrip, went airborne, flipped, and started on fire after landing back on the track.

Pictures were taken by Cole Reynolds.

Three people were arrested on drug related charges after a domestic incident near Gorham this week.

According to the Russell County Sheriff, deputies were called to the 17000 block of Balta Road just before 5:30 p.m. Thursday for the report of a possible gunshot wound and domestic situation.

When they arrived at the residence of Ryan Paul Thompson and Dorene E.D. Thompson deputies located Dorene Thompson and two small children. But Ryan Thompson had fled the area.

A short time later Thompson was located and taken into custody along with Amber Holm by the Hays Police Department.

While searching the vehicle officers located a handgun, according to the Sheriff. It was determined that a shot had been fired inside the Thompson residence but no one was injured.

Dorene Thompson was also arrested.

On Friday members of the Russell County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence in the 17000 block of Balta Road.

According to the Sheriff, “numerous items of evidence were recovered during this search.”

Ryan P. Thompson was arrest on suspicion of aggravated endangerment of a child, aggravated domestic battery, felon in possession of a firearm, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Dorene E.D. Thompson was arrested on suspicion of aggravated endangerment of a child, aggravated domestic battery, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Amber A. Holm was arrested on suspicion of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

written by: Rip Winkel – Horticulture Agent, Cottonwood Extension District

This year there has been a number of inquiries from both within and outside of the office from gardeners who have tomato plants with leaves that are curling up. If that is what they are doing, the problem could be environmental, chemical, or biological.

There are basically four reasons that can cause the leaves to curl up; weather stress, non-parasitic leaf roll, herbicide damage, or virus (TYLCV).

The first problem, leaf curling due to the weather can and usually does take care of itself. For instance, when tomato plants grow vigorously in mild, spring weather the top growth often exceeds the root development. When the first few days of warm, dry summer weather hit, the plant ‘realizes’ that it has a problem and needs to increase its root development. The plant tries to reduce its leaf area by rolling its leaves. The leaves curl along the length of the leaf (leaflet) in an upward fashion. It is often accompanied by a thickening of the leaf giving it a leathery texture.

Though rolling usually occurs during the spring to summer shift period, it may also occur after a heavy cultivating or hoeing, high winds with blowing dust and low humidity, a hard rain, or any sudden change in weather. This leaf roll is a temporary condition that goes away after a week or so when the plant has a chance to acclimate, recover from injury, or the soil has a chance to dry out.

Non-parasitic leaf roll is another environmental problem. Irregular irrigation and improper pruning cause the leaf edges to roll inward, sometimes to the point of overlapping. When most of the leaves on the plant are showing this condition it may look serious, but it too is only temporary. The cure for the curl is deep, even watering regularly, with careful pruning.

Even if you are a conscientious gardener, and don’t use herbicides in your garden, overspray and wind-blown droplets may find their way to your tomato plants. Leaf curl is one sign of herbicide
damage, and can plague the plant for some time, causing little to no growth, as well as little to no fruit production. Depending on the herbicide, leaves may tilt down with curled edges to form cupped leaves, or the leaves may pucker and curl. Vegetables can also be damaged by herbicides left in mulch or compost made with hay or manure from fields where herbicides have been sprayed.

Avoid using herbicides in general and never use herbicide-treated lawn clippings as mulch. Watering affected tomato plants regularly may help them recover if the herbicide damage is mild.

And the last possible reason for your tomato leaves to be curling, is if the tomato plant has been infected by certain viruses. There are certain strains of the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) that can cause leaf malformation and "fernleafing,". But the most common symptom of this virus is a light- and dark-green mosaic pattern on the leaves. Another example is the yellow leaf curl disease, caused by the pathogen ‘tomato yellow leaf curl virus’ (TYLCV).

An aggressive education program curbed the spread of the disease, but it has not been completely eradicated. Diseased plants are stunted, with small leaves with edges that curl upward. Blossoms drop and the plants don’t fruit. Virus, however, as being the cause of the leaf curling on your tomatoes is probably the least frequent reason of them all.

Are you a woman entrepreneur, a woman in business, or perhaps you are thinking of starting a business? Then, you need to join The Tribe! A new group has formed in Barton County, designed to help women support and encourage one another in their professional endeavors. The Tribe gathers on the third Thursday of each month at a local restaurant (location changes each month).

The informal gatherings provide an opportunity to discuss new ideas, get input from other women in business, celebrate successes, help each other solve business problems, and most of all build relationships with other business women! For more information or to get involved, visit their Facebook page, or contact Sonya Rein at 620-617-8195.