ISSUE DATE: 08/15/2011
By Doug Rich
As Mark Graf walked the fields of his southwest Oklahoma farm this summer the only green crop in sight was sesame. This relatively new crop is grown in arid regions around the world, which makes it a good fit for the High Plains.
When Danny Peeper, SESACO Seed Company, travels across the area promoting sesame he emphasizes that it is a drought-tolerant crop with a really deep root system and it is very forgiving as far as when it gets rain. By the first week in July Graf's crop had been in the ground for over a month with no rain, but Peeper said it could still make a crop if it rained.
SESACO contracted 120,000 acres of sesame in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas this year with over half of those acres in Oklahoma. Globally, Asia produces 65 percent of the sesame with the three largest producers being India, China, and Myanmar.
NEWS
Additional counties eligible for drought term permits Ag losses could set new record Barn Fest will put limestone in the limelight Brownback announces Ag Remediation Board appointments Congressman Lucas ready to start farm bill process Disaster declaration made in 74 counties Farm Bureau applauds drought relief effort Farm Bureau to host drought summit Gov. Nixon requests federal damage assessments Leopold Center begins search for new director Meetings will cover biomass projects More farmers market directly to consumers Moving forward from here Moving forward from here Narrowbanding deadline nears for mobile radio operators NEST Scholarship Contest announced Obama signs Kansas disaster declaration Producers encouraged to contact local FSA office Symposium addresses ag risk USDA funding available to meet urgent credit needs of producers UW Extension offers seminars at Laramie County Fair CROPS
AgriLife 'genetically fingerprinting' E. coli from watersheds American Quality harvesters hurry up and wait Biodiesel achieves 5-to-1 return of renewable energy Buck Creek Watershed meeting is Aug. 25 Cercospora leaf spot in sugarbeets possible Cooperative ag statistics program ending CSU to host Ag Day Sept. 10 Estimating corn yield potential Field day will feature smartphone technology Graves-Chapple Research Center to host field day Heat aiding soy-hungry bollworms Hoffman Harvesting ready to cut spring wheat Home harvest is history for Rolands Industry leaders gather at Bioproducts Symposium Kansas corn crop forecast down 15% Kansas plans for food, agriculture emergencies K-State offers agribusiness conference K-State to Host Field Day in Garden City Managing crops during dry times Meadowlark Extension to host Demonstration Plot Tour MU hosts Pest Management Field Day NASS to focus on 2011 small grains production Nigerian trade team visits Kansas, Nebraska Noxious Weed Advisory Committee calls for nominations NRCS announces more funding for conservation programs Nutrient deficiencies concern growers Plasticulture grant funds available Researchers study pesticide pathways into the atmosphere Sesame is drought tolerant but not drought proof Soybean genetic treasure trove found Sunflower Showcase to be held in Delphos UNL Food Processing Center offers Extrusion Workshop UNL professor named Jefferson Science Fellow USB farmer-leaders focus on increasing soybean yields USDA, EPA announce rural water partnership Use speed scouting to gauge soybean aphid damage Using seed from wheat streak mosaic-infected plants Wheat trade team from Mexico visits Colorado Winners named in 2011 Kansas Wheat Yield Contest LIVESTOCK
Beef processor gets probation in calf cruelty case Caring for sheep and goats in drought Cattle ranchers fear less of a market for brands Cattlemen hear good news about U.S. beef exports Closely monitor medicated mineral intake Extension to offer beef quality assurance training Goat producers face challenges as breeding season nears Junior Hereford Herdsman of the Year named Kansas Hereford Association to host tour KLA, K-State to host ranch management field day K-State to host Swine Day Nov. 17 Livestock producers culling herds NCBA accepting public policy intern applications Quality assurance sessions offered for pork producers Register now for beef seminars SDSU Cow/Calf Unit plans relocation Sheep flock to new flavors of feed Small-scale poultry operations show promise Survey gauges value of sire groups EDITOR
Improved efficiency Should we give Congress a mulligan? USCA responds to Senate, House livestock hearings COLUMNS
A commercial driver's license to operate a tractor? Are U.S. growers losing their competitive edge because of regulatory hurdles? Don't count on the rabbit's foot Just a scoop full Project Runway meets the sheep project MARKETS
Aberdeen livestock sales report Ada livestock auction report Amarillo livestock sales summary Apache livestock market report Arkansas livestock auction summary Brief rains provide little relief Clovis livestock auction summary Conditions vary across Colorado Dodge City cattle sales report Drought affects Texas crops Dunlap feeder cattle auction Ft. Smith livestock auction report Georgia cattle auction summary Grain market close Grain, soybean bids see sharp losses Hay trade moderate High Plains slaughter news Joplin regional cattle sales report Lexington livestock market report McAlester livestock auction report Montana wheat harvest begins More seasonable weather Most classes of hay selling steady Nebraska wheat harvest nears completion North Arkansas livestock auction report OKC West livestock sales report Pasture conditions continue to decline Pratt 3 p.m. cattle sales Pratt livestock feeder cattle report Rain provides little relief for Kansas farmers Rains improve conditions in isolated areas Salina livestock sales report Small grain harvest progressed moderately Small grain harvest progresses across Wyoming South Central direct sheep Springfield livestock market report Tulsa livestock auction report Warm weather allows crops to progress West Plains regional cattle sales West Plains regional cattle sales report Woodward livestock auction report Wyobraska cattle sales report RANGE
Allow pastures time to recover Cover crops and alfalfa field day set for Aug. 22 CRP policies modified because of drought Dairy grazing focus of conference, farm tours Drought drives feral hogs to forage farther FSA announces CRP haying and grazing options Planning for fall forage seeding Rangeland Monitoring Workshops planned Seedbed preparation, management crucial during development USDA extends emergency grazing of CRP acres Vigilance needed against musk thistle, spotted knapweed FAMILY
4-H Hall of Fame honors 21 volunteer leaders Buy local During Colorado Proud Month Extreme heat can take a toll on plants Flavorful, festive and fun Former 4-H Foundation manager remembered Garden tips for August Ground turkey recall a reminder for consumers Helpful household tips Kloster ideal for wooded, beachfront property Large wasps creating a buzz Manage turfgrass problems Master Gardener class begins in September Meditation for 8-15-11 Nebraska 4-H Foundation plans alumni reception at state fair Oklahoma Food Safety Task Force meets Plums + apricots = pluots Potato trials and research provide grower information The Wall Tour will cover high tunnel, hydroponic research Watch out for the Loose Caboose
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