ISSUE DATE: 03/26/2012
By Larry Dreiling
Sorghum is a crop well suited for conditions often considered unfavorable for other crops. While it is known for being hardy under relatively dry environments, sorghum still needs moisture to survive.
Improving sorghum yields under these conditions requires the development of new germplasm that can withstand these tough situations.
That's the job of Ramasamy (Ram) Perumal, Ph.D., sorghum breeder for Kansas State University Research and Extension. Perumal, based at the K-State Agricultural Research Center-Hays, is scouring gene banks around the world to find parental lines to offer commercial breeders seeking drought- and cold-tolerant traits to add to their hybrid lines.
"Day by day, because of global warming, water scarcity keeps going up," Perumal said. "In Kansas, most of the growers want to go with drought-loving crops. They use minimum-till and no-till. They want to spend minimum amounts for inputs. From that, they want a good level of output. In this situation, sorghum is their best option."
NEWS
AFBF supports farm truck measures in transportation bill Century farms site seeks submissions Extension helps find tasty alternatives for gluten-free diets Extension to offer extrusion workshop Farmers, ranchers contribute to hunger program Fear of spiders is universal FSA offers new options for beginning farmers, ranchers Funding available to plant shelterbelts/windbreaks Going nuclear Kan. farmer urges Congress to embrace robust crop insurance plan Kids build robots with LEGO parts Lawmakers sign letter calling for RFS increase Like the Lorax, Nebraska Forest Service speaks for the trees NAYI applications available OFB recognizes legislative leadership Raw milk poses risk Rural Development assists Kan. agribusinesses Search for drought, cold tolerance goes global Senate Ag Committee holds hearings on farm bill safety net Senators call for extension of wind energy tax credit USDA affirms safety of lean finely textured beef product USDA Rural Development hosts Turkish delegation CROPS
8 UNL faculty, staff honored with Holling Awards Ag Entrepreneurship Initiative launches Affiliates Program Applications for NRCS Organic Initiative due March 30 Applications for NRCS Organic Initiative due March 30 April 15 is deadline for Kansas Wheat Yield Contest Court backs need for science in federal water rules Cover crop field day set for March 27 near Malcom Crop prices attractive but input costs up Elk City to host Southwest Farm & Home Expo Ethanol industry good for corn, livestock producers Extension entomologist receives IPM Award for Excellence Fighting crop pests with tape GEAPS, K-State announce grain operations management credentials program Lawmakers, farmers share the bounty at special breakfast MAESTRO has producers singing a happy tune NGFA president to retire Oklahoma conservation highlighted at White House water quality summit Organizations stand strong for Conservation Title Salina site of Women in Ag Conference Soy checkoff farmer-directors reshape USB for the future Survey: Agland values jump 31 percent in 2011 Trinidad Moruga Scorpion deemed hottest pepper on the planet Vigorous wheat stripe fungus accelerates Watley Seed Company settles PVP infringement case LIVESTOCK
Animal health protocols key BQA program seeks nominations for Trainer of the Year Cast your vote for the 2012 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Crossroads Center scheduling riders for spring Determine when to give colostrum Expo features the latest pork industry developments Fewer cattle mean higher beef prices Hereford Dams of Distinction numbers jump Iowa Swine Day returns at Iowa State Kansas represented at livestock show in Russia KLA member makes sizable donation possible K-State makes veterinary medicine appointments Managing lameness in dairy heifers Minimizing losses from calving difficulty in heifers NCBA pushes for beef checkoff reform NCBA supports legislation to end 'man-made drought' in Calif. NCBA, PLC recommend changes to Endangered Species Act NFU Convention features 'Taste of Nebraska' event NMSU to host youth ranch management camp Quality beef draws diners to restaurant Research discovers solution to control PRRS virus Responding to demand for beef RWDCA announces summer intern Student Taste of Elegance contest features pork entrees Without a history, premiums paid don't mean profit made EDITOR
Moving toward a bio-based economy Priorities Spring into discussion COLUMNS
A plan of attack Fractured and failing infrastructure Just a scoop full New crop system extends weed control New insecticide approved by EPA New soybean products offered for 2013 growing season Smartphone app helps farmers market grain The world is bright outside the cave Voters question Santorum's ties to HSUS and 'consistent conservative' label MARKETS
Aberdeen cattle sales report Ada livestock auction report Amarillo livestock auction summary Apache livestock auction report Arkansas livestock auction summary Clovis livestock auction report Colorado feeder cattle summary Dalhart livestock auction report Dodge City cattle sales report Dunlap feeder cattle auction Ericson livestock auction report Ft. Smith livestock auction summary Georgia livestock auction summary Grain market close Grains start week lower Hay trade mixed Hay trade slow High Plains slaughter news Joplin regional cattle sales report Keoco feeder cattle auction report McAlester livestock auction report McAlester livestock auction report Most of state receives some rainfall North Arkansas livestock auction report Ogallala livestock market report OKC West livestock sales reporrt Pratt 3 p.m. cattle sales report Pratt livestock auction report Salina cattle sales report San Angelo livestock auction report South Central direct sheep report Springfield livestock auction report Superior video auction report Texas Direct feeder cattle summary Tulia livestock auction report Tulsa livestock auction report Warm temperatures encouraged growth West Plains regional cattle sales report Windy, unseasonably warm weather in Kansas Woodward livestock auction report RANGE
Cover crops a good step toward soil and livestock health Feed high-quality hay after calving Improve beef, wildlife production with rotational grazing Planting alfalfa in the spring Prescribed burns scheduled this spring Rains green things up, but hay, grazing still in short supply Test purchased hay for nitrates Tornadoes spread insulation, plastic in livestock pastures FAMILY
4-H Carnival is March 31 Bring the family together this Easter with easy, memorable recipes c_ Caring for marigolds Extension to host home and garden workshop Freezing weather a threat for peaches and other early crops Game and Parks hires new director Growing trees and flowers successfully Keeping lawns 'weed free' Kelton FFA celebrates National FFA Week Learn the basics of pruning Legislature celebrates Kansas Ag Week with food drive competition Make a seed tape Mild winter weather leads to flea, tick problems National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic draws 22,136 New 'Money Tip$' blog offers research-based information Pancakes to flip over Pheasants Forever names new regional representative Prepare an evacuation 'Grab and Go' box Reusing potting soil Rooks' contemporary look has many features Rose researcher evaluates sustainability Starting garden plants indoors saves cash 'Stay Strong, Stay Healthy' program offered Take a slow and steady approach to lose weight Teens invited to attend job preparation workshop Top 10 of Iowa's Best Burger contest named Volunteer training offered
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