In vitro embryo production has increased over the last years as a tool to obtain genetically superior animals. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and antral follicle count are phenotypes associated with in vitro embryo production but are less accessible at the farm level. Anogenital distance (length from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris) has been...
Heifer reproductive performance has gained attention from both the dairy industry and academia. Thus, strategies tested in cows have been proposed to be used in heifers at the field level. The current field trial tested the hypothesis that administering GnRH at the time of insemination would increase pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in dairy heifers bred at estrus...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between estrus expression and fertility outcomes in nulliparous Holstein heifers and high-producing lactating dairy cows submitted to GnRH-based timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols. Retrospective data from the Kansas State University Dairy Teaching and Research Center from 2021 to 2024 were used in the study. Data...
The objective of this study was to assess the effects of replacing soybean meal with a novel high-protein corn co-product (HPCC) as a protein source in dairy calf starter grains. Forty-two Holstein calves were blocked by sex and birthdate and assigned to one of three starter grain treatments offered from 14 to 84 days of age. Assigned diets replaced 0 (CTRL), 50 (50HPCC), or 100...
Intrava DX is a new premix herbicide for potential use in fallow and corn. Data from Manhattan showed Intrava DX provided exceptional (≥ 95%) weed control of key weed species when applied preemergence (PRE) to corn. Corn injury was less than 6%, and no difference was observed in grain yield. At Garden City, most Intrava DX treatments provided greater than 90% visual weed control...
All herbicides evaluated provided good control of velvetleaf and Russian thistle at Garden City, and did not differ between treatments. Although slight differences occurred among treatments for kochia control, all herbicides provided at least 90% control early and late in the season. Surtain plus Armezon, atrazine, and glyphosate applied early postemergence (EPOST) as well as...
Maverick herbicide was evaluated as a preemergence (PRE) treatment at Manhattan, and as a PRE and postemergence (POST) treatment at Garden City. Early in the season, Maverick applied preemergence (PRE) was as effective as Bicep II Magnum, Harness Xtra, Verdict, Resicore, or Acuron for kochia, Palmer amaranth, and green foxtail control at Garden City. Maverick PRE also controlled...
All herbicides evaluated provided good control of Palmer amaranth, kochia, and Russian thistle at Garden City and Palmer amaranth and common sunflower at Manhattan early in the season. Control of Russian thistle at Garden City, sunflower at Manhattan, and Palmer amaranth at both locations. remained high with all treatments throughout the season. Trivolt at 20 oz/a controlled...
A strong preemergence herbicide program is an essential best management practice for multiple herbicide-resistant weeds. Palmer amaranth is a prolific seed producer that has evolved resistance to 6 herbicide sites-of-action in Kansas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of overlapping and mixing residual herbicide programs with different sites-of-action...
The management of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is a challenge in Kansas soybean production, particularly due to its high seed production, persistence in the soil seedbank, and herbicide resistance concerns. Harvest Weed Seed (HWSD) control strategies have shown promise in mitigating this issue by targeting weed seeds during harvest. A field trial assessed the...
A strong preemergence herbicide program is an essential best management practice for multiple herbicide-resistant weeds. Palmer amaranth is a prolific seed producer that has evolved resistance to 6 herbicide sites-of-action in Kansas. The objective of this study was i) to evaluate the effectiveness and crop safety of residual herbicide programs with single and multiple sites-of...
Intrava DX, KFD-881, and Preview herbicide mixtures provided excellent control of kochia, Palmer amaranth, and Russian thistle through four weeks following application at Garden City and near complete common lambsquarters and horseweed control at Hays. At Garden City, Russian thistle control exceeded 94% with all herbicides at 77 days after treatment (DAT). Kochia control...
The addition of Voraxor improved the burndown rate of all weed species evaluated compared to Zidua SC plus Enlist One, Boundary 6.5, or Matador-S alone early in the season. The 1.0 oz rate of Voraxor was as effective as the 1.4 oz rate for most species evaluated; only Palmer amaranth and green foxtail responded differently between Voraxor rates. Voraxor-containing treatments...
The addition of Status herbicide to Halex GT generally increased the control of kochia, Palmer amaranth, and johnsongrass compared to Halex GT alone. The tank mixture of Status plus Zidua SC with or without Callisto was as effective as Resicore, Halex GT plus Status, Acuron GT plus Status, and Callisto plus Sequence and Status on kochia and Palmer amaranth. Diflexx Duo plus...
This study compared several glufosinate-containing herbicides for efficacy in Enlist corn. Treatments were applied at several application timings, including preemergence (PRE), early postemergence (EPOST), postemergence (POST), and late postemergence (LPOST). All herbicides controlled velvetleaf, Venice mallow, and Russian thistle well late in the season. Atrazine PRE followed by...
Proper irrigation scheduling is one of the critical fundamentals of successful cotton establishment in arid and semi-arid regions. Soil moisture monitoring could be one of the practical methods to schedule irrigations to optimize cotton growth. However, finding a suitable value of soil moisture that can be used as a trigger point for irrigation initiation during the growing...
Beginning in 2012, research was conducted near Garden City and Tribune, KS, to determine the effect of a single tillage operation every 3 years on grain yields in a wheat-sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation. Treatments included no-till, single tillage post wheat harvest in mid-August, and single tillage in mid-June during the fallow phase. This study was revised with the addition of...
Grazing cover crops (CCs) could provide an economic benefit to offset potential lost revenue when grain crop yields are decreased after CCs in dry years. However, there is limited guidance on the optimum biomass removal rate that balances soil health and grazing goals. An on-farm study was established in fall 2022 on a 50-acre producer field in Russell County, KS, to investigate...
Summary of 2024 weather for research conducted at the research locations included in the 2025 Western Kansas Agricultural Research report.
Summary of 2024 weather for research conducted at the research locations included in the 2025 Western Kansas Agricultural Research report.
Soil health and ecosystem benefits of cover crops (CCs) in semi-arid dryland cropping systems are dependent on CC biomass productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of CC planting time (spring vs. fall) on CC biomass, and fallow management [no-tillage (NT) vs. occasional tillage (OT)] and CC effects on residue cover, and soil aggregate stability in a...
Declining water well capacities across southwest Kansas and the High Plains have forced many producers to reassess crop selection for their irrigated acreage. One strategy that could stabilize irrigated acreage as well as on-farm economic returns and potentially reduce the rate of aquifer depletion is the incorporation of more drought-tolerant crops like cotton. However, in...
Replacing fallow with dual-purpose cover crops (CCs) can increase the profitability of dryland crop rotations in the semi-arid Great Plains. Little research information is available on CC mixtures that optimize productivity and profitability in dryland environments. Field experiments were conducted from 2015 to 2017 at the Kansas State University Hearting Beason (HB) Ranch near...
The effective management of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) seedbanks is a critical challenge in Kansas soybean production. This study investigates Palmer amaranth seed production and retention at the time of soybean harvest, providing insights into the weed’s seed production in Kansas soybean fields and the potential effectiveness of harvest weed seed control tactics for...