Western Kansas

With the recent rise in fuel and fertilizer costs and continued concern for water quality issues here in Southwest Kansas, producers have to be more innovative and diligent in their management procedures and farming practices to survive in the agriculture industry.

In January, producers will have the opportunity to learn more about new technologies and production practices to improve their operation at the inaugural conference, "Farming to Survive on the High Plains" This conference will be held in Dodge City, Kansas on the campus of Dodge City Community College Jan. 5. The program begins with registration at 8:30 a.m.

Some of the topics and speakers for the day include:

--Ron Hale, the Southwest Area Extension Specialist in Livestock Production will present information on irrigated grass.

--Summer annuals will be the topic presented by Gary Kilgore. Kilgore is the Southeast Area Extension Specialist in crops and soils.

--Mike Stamm, the new canola breeder at Kansas State University will be on hand to present new information on canola and to answer producer's questions.

--Nutrient management and the economics of fertilization will be a topic presented by Troy Dumler, Southwest Area Extension Agriculture Economist.

--Alan Schlagel, a research agronomist from the Southwest Area Research Center at Tribune will present information on crop water usage.

--Other topics will include GPS Guidance Systems, Spray Drift Technology and Strip Till.

Hopefully, by participating in this conference, producers of Southwest Kansas will have a better understanding of the continuous changes in the industry and be able to easily incorporate them into their particular operation.

This program is sponsored by Unruh-Foster in Montezuma, ADM Grain with locations in Kinsley, Trousdale, Cullison, Greensburg, Jetmore, Montezuma and Cimarron; Sharp Brothers Seed Company in Healy, Right Coop Association in Wright, Crop Quest Inc., Dodge City, Dodge City Community College and the Ford, Hodgeman, Gray, Edwards, Stafford and Pawnee County Extension Councils.

There are eight hours of continuing education units (CEU's) are available for this conference for those needing them. There will be one hour of nutrient management, one hour of pest management, one hour soil and water and five hours of crop production. For more information on this, please contact the Ford County Extension Office.

Registration includes lunch, refreshments, conference proceedings and the opportunity to network with others during an industry trade show with booths from program sponsors. For registration information, contact the Ford County Extension Office at 620.227-4542. Pre-registration is required.