Opinions

Spending time at a pool has always been an integral part of summer for my little family. My kids have participated in swim lessons every summer since they were born. From participating in the “mommy and me” lessons offered by a local YMCA, to group lessons at a nearby community pool, my two children have spent many of their summer days looking forward to a refreshing break from the Kansas heat by jumping into a pool.

Have you noticed it is a little warm outside? I just came in, sweating and miserable and wished for fall. I think we have a little white to go but I wouldn’t mind the heat if we could get rid of the humidity. I keep thinking we are drawing the alligators up from Louisiana.

Now that the 2020 wheat harvest is almost completed, especially with the moisture that we have received from “mother-nature”, weed pressure in the wheat stubble is increasing rapidly!

My 35th birthday is this week. Though some women beyond their 20s don’t like to share their age, I have no problem admitting it.

The older I get and the more life I live (which are not the same) the more credence I put to the old adages my mother used to throw in my direction.

Judging by my mailbox, TV and social media, we are in the silly season of politics. Yes, the August primary is drawing near and the last, final and, in some cases, desperate push for your vote is happening. This year is a critical year for those of us in agriculture to make sure ag-friendly candidates are elected. I would also make the case that for those of you not involved in agriculture it is in your best interest as a consumer of food to elect ag-friendly candidates.

Well wheat harvest is progressing around north central Kansas and harvest season can be a very stressful time for farm families, so it is important to remember to practice safety guidelines to keep everyone safe. However, producers simply move onto the next management decision on their farm. Life must continue even in this crazy situation with Covid-19! The cow-calf enterprise is the most prominent component of the livestock sector in this area, so producers are continually faced with management decisions every day.

A recent survey of Kansas Ag Alliance members reveals the economic turmoil wrought by Covid-19 on the state’s farmers, ranchers and ag retailers. The survey was conducted in late May. Responses came from a broad spectrum of growers and other agriculturally related businesses across the state.