Ellis County Conservation District, KS

08/25/2026

Attending Management Unit meeting in Russell. Lots of discussion and information exchanging! Russell County Conservation District Trego County Conservation District Kansas Association of Conservation Districts

08/20/2026

Local producers and representatives from Ellis County Fire, KSU Ag Research Center, KS Forest Service, NRCS, Ellis County Commission, and KSU Cottonwood District all gathered for lunch to discuss prescribed burns. It was a 🔥 topic! Thank you to the 29 people that participated today! Kansas Association of Conservation Districts Kansas Forest Service K-State Extension

08/04/2026

07/27/2026

What grows best in May may struggle in July.

Native warm-season grasses, bermudagrass, crabgrass, and summer annuals typically thrive during Kansas heat. Cool-season forages like smooth brome and tall fescue often produce most of their growth earlier in the year and may slow during summer stress.

Kansas grazing reminder:
👉Match your grazing expectations to the type of pasture and livestock you're managing.
🗓️The calendar matters just as much as the grass species.

NOT ALL PASTURES PEAK AT THE SAME TIME.

07/22/2026

Successful harvest doesn't begin when the combine enters the field.
It starts with:
🌾 Equipment that's ready to go
🌾 Moisture checks
🌾 Fields mapped and prepared
🌾 A plan for collecting valuable harvest data
The work you do before harvest helps maximize efficiency and sets you up for better decisions after harvest.
Need help preparing your harvest maps?
https://heartlandsoilservices.com/contact

07/22/2026

Informational article from National Park Service about prescribed burning.

Fire managers may “prescribe” a treatment for resource benefits or research that includes lighting a fire in an area for various purposes after careful planning and under carefully controlled conditions.

07/22/2026

A good use for bindweed!

07/22/2026

Poison Ivy sometimes seems like it's...everywhere. And there can be a lot of it. But the old adage "Leaves of three, let it be" can sometimes make it seem like it's taking over the world, when really you may be looking at some lovely and beneficial Fragrant Sumac.

So here's some helpful tips for identifying Poison Ivy:

🍃 Three leaflets make up the leaf of poison ivy. The middle leaflet has a much longer stem. The other two leaflet stems are barely visible. Sometimes it looks red in the center where the leaflets meet.
🌱 The leaflets often have a mitten shape, but not always.
🎨 Color changes with the seasons — Reddish in spring, green in summer, and yellow, orange, or red in fall.
🌿 Can grow as a vine, shrub, or along the ground. The vines are hairy.

Throughout the year, the oils that give you a rash are present on the plant, even on the vine, stems, roots, and berries. So if you can't make a good ID, it's definitely okay to let those leaves of three be. Better than getting a nasty rash 🤷 If you've got helpful tips for cleaning off poison ivy oils or treating the rash, drop them below!

07/22/2026

You may have seen recent reports about cyclosporiasis in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health has confirmed cases of this intestinal illness, which is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Cyclospora is commonly linked to contaminated produce such as leafy greens, herbs, berries, and other fruits and vegetables. Symptoms usually begin about one week after consumption and may include:
Watery diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Bloating and gas
Fatigue
Nausea
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Low-grade fever
To stay up to date with Cyclospora news, go to https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/2044.

07/22/2026

HEAT STRESS IS ABOUT MORE THAN TEMPERATURE.

Cattle comfort is influenced by a combination of factors, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.

The Kansas Mesonet Animal Comfort Tool combines these weather conditions to help producers monitor livestock comfort and identify periods when heat stress risk may increase.

Kansas grazing reminder:
🌡️Don't just watch the thermometer.
🐮Watch animal comfort conditions.

Learn more at mesonet.k-state.edu.