Kansas Region Research Articles

Rebound Effects of New Irrigation Technologies: The Role of Water Rights

AbstractWe study how institutions such as water rights can complement new irrigation technologies in promoting the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. Using data from the Ogallala‐High Plains Aquifer region of Kansas, we find that water extraction moderately increases after adopting Low Energy Precise Application (LEPA) irrigation, and this rebound effect is in general higher for farmers with larger water rights. About half of the LEPA's rebound effects arise because adopters tend to irrigate more land and grow more water‐intensive crops, with the remaining half attributable to more intensive irrigation. Farmers with greater water rights use more water, with two‐thirds of the effects arising from irrigating larger land areas, and one‐third of the effects attributable to more intensive irrigation. A 10% reduction of water rights will reduce water use by 5% in the long run, and if the reduction targets the majority of the water rights, which lie between 100 and 500 AF, LEPA's rebound effect decreases by 15.4%. Finally, we find that farmers have an incentive to apply a small amount of water in order to preserve their water rights, but the associated water waste is insignificant.

Optimized Yellow Dwarf Virus Multiplex PCR Assay Reveals a Common Occurrence of Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAS in Kansas Winter Wheat

Barley yellow dwarf is an aphid-transmitted virus disease caused by yellow dwarf virus (YDV) species in the family Luteoviridae. Previous partial sequencing efforts conducted in Kansas revealed that Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAS (PAS) occurs in winter wheat fields, and currently available YDV multiplex reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assays do not detect this species. To enable precise determination of YDV species for research, disease diagnostic, and plant breeding programs, this study enhanced and validated the utility of a multiplex RT-PCR protocol to discriminate six YDV species, including PAS, in archived and fresh field samples. From a representative subset of samples collected from commercial and variety trial locations across nine wheat growing regions of Kansas, PAS and Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (PAV) were equally prevalent in single or mixed infections, and other YDVs occurred in mixed infections with PAS and/or PAV in low numbers. The optimized multiplex assay provided robust and specific detection of YDVs and showed promise as a diagnostic tool for determining species occurrence and composition of YDVs in an intensive wheat cropping region of the United States.

Energy, water and carbon exchange over a perennial Kernza wheatgrass crop

The ecological impacts resulting from global warming and conventional agricultural practices are predicted to affect crop productivity and reduce the land area available for agriculture in the near future. Perennial crops can sustain high yields without replanting for numerous consecutive years, resulting in important climate benefits. At this time, the coupling between these ecosystems and the atmosphere is not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine the magnitude and temporal variability of the surface energy, water and carbon exchanges in a perennial Kernza wheatgrass crop in Salina, north-central region of Kansas (KS), USA. The study period comprised approximately 4.5 years (May 2012-October 2016) of eddy covariance observations collected at the US-KLS AmeriFlux tower established in April 2012. We analyzed the temporal dynamics of the fluxes of radiation, water and carbon in the perennial wheatgrass crop during five growing seasons. The results obtained here demonstrated the ability of the perennial Kernza in maintaining a relatively high water-use efficiency throughout the whole growing season and its highest evapotranspiration and net carbon uptake rates, particularly when compared to annual counterparts. These findings are important in order to better understand the coupling between the hydrologic and carbon cycles in these novel agroecosystems as well as to understand the benefits and disadvantages in relation to annual crops.

Composition study of a targeted sampling of Ixodidae family ticks and their pathogen status throughout the Flint Hills region of Kansas

Bovine anaplasmosis is an economically significant disease of cattle concerning the producers and veterinary practitioners of the state of Kansas as well as the rest of the United States. Its transmission by iatrogenic vectors has been well classified. The role of persistently infected ticks in the transmission of Anaplasma marginale is also well known, but their role as biological magnifiers and their ability to harbor the bacteria in novel ecological areas warrant further examination. The objective of this study was to quantify the distribution and infection status of Ixodidae ticks throughout the rangeland of the Flint Hills region of Kansas.

KVC's Bridging the Way Home: An innovative approach to the application of Trauma Systems Therapy in child welfare

This article presents implementation study findings from a large-scale evaluation of an intervention model for children in foster care, aimed to improve care within the services system. This Bridging the Way Home Initiative, funded by the Anne E. Casey Foundation, and conducted under the auspices of KVC Kansas (KVC) in Kansas created processes by which a defined trauma-informed intervention model (Trauma Systems Therapy-TST) could inform the work of all those involved in the care of a foster child (i.e., clinical and non-clinical providers, and foster parents). This study focuses on how effectively TST was integrated into the full continuum of care at KVC, an organization that provides out-of-home care to children served by the Kansas Department for Children and Families in the Kansas City Metropolitan and East Kansas regions. The implementation study helps explain findings from a complementary outcomes study—covered in a separate article also submitted for review. We found the process of implementing and expanding TST demanding, iterative and complex, yet ultimately TST was implemented across levels. The majority of staff and foster parents completed training in TST, and fidelity measures showed progress in TST use over time. KVC's implementation of TST provided both the knowledge and the tools necessary for foster parents to better care for the children in their homes. KVC's efforts show it is possible to infuse trauma-informed care into a large child welfare organization across all levels of care.

Effects of Intensive Late-Season Sheep Grazing Following Early-Season Steer Grazing on Population Dynamics of Sericea Lespedeza in the Kansas Flint Hills

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata; SL) is a high-tannin, invasive forb in the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem. In Kansas, sericea lespedeza infests 980 square miles of pasture, primarily in the Flint Hills region. Sericea lespedeza infestations reduce native grass production by up to 92% through a combination of aggressive growth, prolific reproduction, canopy dominance, and chemical inhibition (allelopathy). Herbicides retard the spread of sericea lespedeza, but application is laborious and expensive; moreover, herbicides are lethal to ecologically-important, non-target plant species. Increased grazing pressure on sericea lespedeza by domestic herbivores may slow its spread and facilitate some measure of biological control. Unfortunately, mature plants contain high levels of condensed tannins, which are a strong deterrent to grazing by beef cattle. Small ruminants have greater tolerance for condensed tannins than beef cattle. Sheep, in particular, appear less susceptible to certain plant toxins than beef cattle and may be useful to selectively pressure noxious weeds like sericea lespedeza. The predominant grazing management practice in the Flint Hills region of Kansas involves annual spring burning followed by intensive grazing with yearling beef cattle from April to August. During seasonal grazing, 40 to 60% of annual graminoid production is removed and pastures remain idle for the remainder of the year. Under this prevailing management practice, invasion by sericea lespedeza into the Tallgrass Prairie biome has steadily increased. Sericea lespedeza flowers and produces seed in late summer from August to September. The absence of grazing pressure during this interval strongly promotes seed production, seed distribution, and continued invasion of the Flint Hills ecoregion by this noxious weed. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate effects of late-season sheep grazing following locally-conventional steer grazing on vigor and reproductive capabilities of sericea lespedeza.

Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations

Producers are interested in growing forages, yet the southwest region of Kansas lacks proven recommended crop rotations such as those for grain crops. Forage production is important to the region’s livestock and dairy industries and is becoming increasingly important as irrigation well capacity declines. Forages require less water than grain crops and may allow for increased cropping intensity and opportunistic cropping. A study was initiated in 2013 comparing several 1-, 3-, and 4-year forage rotations with no-till and minimum-till (mintill). Data presented are from 2013 through 2014. Winter triticale yields were not affected by tillage in 2013 but were increased by tillage in 2014. Double-crop forage sorghum yielded 30% of full-season forage sorghum in 2013, which was a drought year, but across years yielded 70% of full-season sorghum. Oats failed to make a crop during the drought year and do not appear to be as drought tolerant as spring triticale or forage sorghum. Subsequent years will be used to compare forage rotations and profitability.

Roost-Site Characteristics of the Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus) in the Red Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma

Little is known about roost-site characteristics of the pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) in the Red Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma. The species is listed as a Species in Need of Conservation within the state of Kansas. We investigated diurnal roost characteristics of the pallid bat during two summers in the Red Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma. Mist nets were used to capture bats within three 314-ha study sites. Radio transmitters were attached to 10 pallid bats and bats were tracked daily. Physical characteristics of 11 pallid bat roosts were recorded. Two of the 10 pallid bats radioed were females, one of which was tracked to a suspected maternity roost. The largest roost observed was a bachelor colony of 10 individuals. Most roosts (n = 8) were in vertical crevices, but pallid bats also used vertical or horizontal crevices or exfoliated cliff faces. Pallid bats roosted on cliff faces with a westerly aspect (mean = 285° ± 51.3° s). Lengths of roosting crevices ranged from 0.3 m to 3.2 m and approximate widths ranged from 3 cm to 20 cm. Roost heights above talus piles ranged from 0 m to 13 m. Most roost sites (n = 8) had no surrounding tree canopy cover. Distances from netting locations to roosts ranged from 120 m to 1200 m. Knowledge of roost sites used by pallid bats in the Red Hills could aid in management to protect habitat for this species as developments (e.g., wind turbines and electrical transmission lines), woody encroachment by eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and related control measures, and other activities intersect this species' habitat.

Insecticide ear tags numerically improve grazing cattle performance (2013)

Stocker cattle grazing pastures during the summer months face challenges due to horn flies, which can result in reduced weight gains and less efficient use of forages. One strategy for controlling horn flies is insecticide-impregnated ear tags. The use of pesticide ear tags may be an effective management practice to improve overall productivity during a grazing season. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of insecticide ear tags as a means of improving growth of stocker calves grazing native pastures in the Flint Hills region of Kansas.

Assessment of Regional Global Climate Model Water Vapor Bias and Trends Using Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) Observations from a Network of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Receivers in the U.S. Great Plains and Midwest

Abstract Precipitable water vapor (PWV) observations from the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCAR) SuomiNet networks of ground-based global positioning system (GPS) receivers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Profiler Network (NPN) are used in the regional assessment of global climate models. Study regions in the U.S. Great Plains and Midwest highlight the differences among global climate model output from the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2 scenario in their seasonal representation of column water vapor and the vertical distribution of moisture. In particular, the Community Climate System model, version 3 (CCSM3) is shown to exhibit a dry bias of over 30% in the summertime water vapor column, while the Goddard Institute for Space Studies Model E20 (GISS E20) agrees well with PWV observations. A detailed assessment of vertical profiles of temperature, relative humidity, and specific humidity confirm that only GISS E20 was able to represent the summertime specific humidity profile in the atmospheric boundary layer (<3%) and thus the correct total column water vapor. All models show good agreement in the winter season for the region. Regional trends using station-elevation-corrected GPS PWV data from two complimentary networks are found to be consistent with null trends predicted in the AR4 A2 scenario model output for the period 2000–09. The time to detect (TTD) a 0.05 mm yr−1 PWV trend, as predicted in the A2 scenario for the period 2000–2100, is shown to be 25–30 yr with 95% confidence in the Oklahoma–Kansas region.

Application of Rosgen’s BANCS Model for NE Kansas and the Development of Predictive Streambank Erosion Curves1

Sass, Christopher K. and Tim D. Keane, 2012. Application of Rosgen’s BANCS Model for NE Kansas and the Development of Predictive Streambank Erosion Curves. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(4): 774-787. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2012.00644.x Abstract: Sedimentation of waterways and reservoirs directly related to streambank erosion threatens freshwater supply. This study sought to provide a tool that accurately predicts annual streambank erosion rates in NE Kansas. Rosgen (2001, 2006) methods were employed and 18 study banks were measured and monitored from 2007 through 2010 (May-June). Bank profiles were overlaid to calculate toe pin area change due to erosional processes. Streambanks experienced varied erosion rates from similar Bank Erosion Hazard Index (BEHI)-Near Bank Stress (NBS) combinations producing R2 values of 0.77 High-Very High BEHI rating and 0.75 Moderate BEHI rating regarding predictive erosion curves for NE Kansas. Moderate ratings demonstrated higher erosion rates than High-Very High ratings and BEHI trend lines intersected at lower NBS ratings, suggesting a discrepancy in the fit of the model to conditions in the NE Kansas region. BEHI model factors were evaluated and assessed for additional influences exerted in the region. Woody vegetation adjacent to the stream seemed to provide the most variation in erosion rates. This study’s findings allowed us to calibrate and modify the existing BEHI model according to woody vegetation occurrence levels along streambanks with high clay content. Modifications regarding vegetation occurrence of the BEHI model was completed and the results of these modifications generated new curves resulting in R2 values of 0.84 High-Very High BEHI and 0.88 Moderate BEHI ratings.

Spatial Ecology of Eastern Yellow-Bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) and Great Plains Rat Snake (Pantherophis emoryi) in a Contiguous Tallgrass-Prairie Landscape

Abstract The Flint Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma encompasses the largest, contiguous tallgrass prairie in North America and is an important conservation area for many tallgrass-prairie species. We conducted a radiotelemetry study with the use of temperature-sensitive transmitters to characterize the spatial ecology of two species of snakes within a portion of this contiguous grassland. We monitored Eastern Yellow-Bellied Racers (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) from 2006 to 2008 and Great Plains Rat Snakes (Pantherophis emoryi) from 2007 to 2008 at the Konza Prairie Biological Station in the northern Flint Hills. Although racers (mean = 67.3 ± 10.6 m, n = 12) and rat snakes (mean = 41.3 ± 4.7 m, n = 12) differed in the distance moved per day, they did not differ significantly in home-range size. The minimum convex polygon (MCP) home range averaged 11.45 ha (SE = 3.06, n = 12) for racers and 15.06 ha (SE = 2.48, n = 12) for rat snakes. By analyzing the autocorrelation of locations (M...

The Prolonged 1954 Midwestern U.S. Heat Wave: Impacts and Responses

Abstract The highest recorded temperature in Illinois, 117°F (47.2°C) occurred on 14 July 1954 in East St. Louis. This occurred in the midst of a widespread, long-lasting heat wave covering significant parts of 11 states: from eastern Colorado through Kansas, Oklahoma, part of Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas, southern Illinois, and extending to western Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and parts of the Carolinas. According to historical climate data, this event ranked as one of the top five extended periods of heat in these states since 1895. No such prolonged heat wave has occurred in the Midwest since 1954. It stands to reason that since prolonged widespread heat waves have occurred in the last 100 years, there is a distinct possibility that they will occur again, and reviewing past impacts could help us plan for future events. This research examines the impacts of the heat felt in the Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas region, as well as the responses to the extreme temperatures. Impacts on human health and well-being, water resources, utilities, agriculture, and commerce are described, as well as responses by individuals, communities, and governmental bodies. The extreme heat resulted in many deaths and much discomfort. Sizeable infrastructure repair costs from buckled streets and warped railroad ties were accrued in 1954. Energy and water resources were significantly strained. However, the most costly governmental interventions were those related to the agricultural community. Recent activities in heat wave and drought preparedness that may help alleviate impacts of future heat waves are discussed.

Altered Ecosystem Nitrogen Dynamics as a Consequence of Land Cover Change in Tallgrass Prairie

ABSTRACT In recent decades, substantial areas of North American tallgrass prairie have been lost to the establishment and expansion of woodlands and forests, including those dominated by eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana). This shift in dominant plant life form, from C4 grasses to coniferous trees, may be accompanied by changes in productivity, standing stocks of biomass and nutrients and biogeochemical cycles. The goal of this study was to quantify and compare major pools and fluxes of nitrogen in recently established (≤ 80 y) redcedar forests and adjacent native grasslands. Three former grassland sites in the Flint Hills region of Kansas that developed closed-canopy redcedar forests in the recent past were paired with adjacent grassland sites on similar soil type and topographic position (n = 3 sites/land cover type), and selected soil and plant nitrogen pools and fluxes were measured in replicate plots (n = 6/site) along transects in each forest or grassland site over a 20-mo period. We found ...

A cluster of farms experiencing severe porcine circovirus associated disease: Clinical features and association with the PCV2b genotype

The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical, histopathological, and virological features of an outbreak of severe porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) on four farms located in the same geographical region of Kansas. The outbreak of PCVAD was evident by increased mortality and the appearance of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, and neurological signs. Whole porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) genomes were derived by sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products amplified from tissues. Nucleotide differences between North American and European isolates were used to construct a genotype-specific PCR assay for detection of different genotypes. Genetic sequencing of PCV2 from 12 PCVAD-affected pigs showed that all viruses were associated with the PCV2b genotype and were distant from historical PCV2a isolates. Routine virus isolation from tissues of PCVAD-affected pigs yielded both PCV2a and PCV2b viruses, as well as a porcine teschovirus.The identification of PCV2b in Kansas is consistent with the increased incidence of both severe PCVAD and variant PCV2 genotypes worldwide. The ultimate source of the PCV2b virus within the production systems studied remains unclear. Genotype-specific PCR assays provide new tools for understanding the contributions of PCV2a and PCV2b viruses to PCVAD.

Low back pain and musculoskeletal symptoms among Kansas farmers

Farming continues to rank as one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among the farmers and to examine the factors associated with occupational back pain. Farmers in a predominately corn and soybean growing region of Kansas served as the study sample. Questionnaires were mailed out to 499 active farmers of a Farmers' Cooperative in Southeast Kansas. The self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of back pain and other MSDs and to determine the strength of associations between back pain and work factors. The participation rate was 57.2%. The low back was the anatomical area with the highest prevalence of self-reported work-related pain (37.5%), followed by the shoulders (25.9%), knees (23.6%), and neck (22.4%). Close to 60% of the farmers reported that they experienced farm work-related MSD symptoms in at least one of the nine body areas in the previous year. Nearly one quarter of the farmers reported seeing a physician for their low back symptoms, and one in five farmers had to modify their work habits due to low back symptoms during the previous year. Low back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions are a significant problem for Kansas farmers. This group of Kansas farmers experienced low back pain at a much higher rate than the general working population and higher than other groups of farmers previously studied.

Floristic Quality as an Indicator of Native Species Diversity in Managed Grasslands

We undertook floristic studies of 104 grasslands in the tallgrass prairie region of Kansas to examine differences in the floristic quality of five common grassland management systems. The different grasslands were warm-season prairie hay meadows, warm-season native pastures, cool-season planted hay fields, cool-season planted pastures, and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields. We recorded 383 vascular plant taxa of which 79% were native and 21% were non-native. Species richness at our sites ranged from seven for a cool season pasture to 109 for a warm-season hay meadow. Our results show that warm-season hay meadows exhibit highest species richness (256 taxa) and are habitats for highly conservative native taxa, while degraded grasslands have a higher number of alien taxa (29% in cool season planted hay fields) and lower species richness (136 for cool season hay fields). We computed Floristic Quality Assessment Index (FQI) values, which ranged from 0.3 for a cool-season pasture to 41 for warm-season prairie hay meadows while modified FQI ranged from 0.09 for a cool-season pasture to 4.48 for a warm-season prairie hay meadow. FQI values across management types differed significantly from each other (p=0.000). We conclude that native prairie hay meadows are significant reservoirs of conservative grassland species. In addition, the FQI can be a useful tool for discerning effects of land management on grassland vegetation.

Effects of Different Burn Regimes on Tallgrass Prairie Herpetofaunal Species Diversity and Community Composition in the Flint Hills, Kansas

The Flint Hills region of Kansas is the largest contiguous area of tallgrass prairie remaining today. Historically, the tallgrass prairie burned every 2–3 yr on average, but current land managers have altered burn regimes, resulting in a range of habitats from annually burned to long-term unburned. We used drift fence/funnel trap arrays and coverboards to estimate species richness, evenness, and diversity of herpetofauna within three different burn regimes: annual, 4-yr, and long-term unburned at Konza Prairie Biological Station, Riley County, Kansas. During the spring and fall of 2003–2004, 315 individuals from 20 species were captured across all burn regimes. Herpetofaunal species richness, evenness, and diversity estimates were not different between the three burn treatments. However, because of species-specific responses to individual burn regimes, community composition was significantly different between the habitats (χ2 = 158.19, df = 20, P < 0.001). Four species exhibited preferences among burn regimes, which differed significantly from independent assortment, with Eumeces obsoletus and Phrynosoma cornutum preferring annual burn treatments, Scincella lateralis preferring 4-yr burn treatments, and Diadophis punctatus preferring long-term unburned treatments. Species-specific responses were likely because of changes in vegetation structure and microhabitat (temperature and moisture content) created through different frequencies of fire disturbances. Maximizing large-scale herpetofaunal diversity across the Flint Hills' rangelands could be accomplished by creating a large number of small scale habitat types through a mosaic style burning plan.

How Newspapers in Kansas Are Using News Releases from K-State Research and Extension

This study looks at how newspaper editors in Kansas use news releases from Kansas State University Research and Extension (KSRE), which distributes more than 700 news releases annually to newspapers across the state. An analysis of clippings over 10 weeks showed that editors rarely change the original text or headline in KSRE news releases, and more than half of the releases were published within 10 days of release. KSRE news releases were published in all regions of Kansas. Using a formula to determine the advertising equivalency value of news clips, the data indicates a value of $33,286.94 for the sample studied. The findings provide one way in which to report accountability to the organization’s administrators, as well as a better understanding of possible areas of improvement for the KSRE news office.

The influence of canopy green vegetation fraction on spectral measurements over native tallgrass prairie

Spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) calculated from remotely sensed data are routinely used to monitor spatial and temporal changes in vegetation biophysical characteristics. The most commonly used SVI, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), has been criticized because of its sensitivity to atmospheric conditions and substrate reflectivity, as well as its insensitivity to increases in vegetation biomass past particular thresholds. Yet, the use of NDVI remains widespread and is attractive because of the ease with which it is calculated. This article examines the utility of NDVI for monitoring the biophysical characteristic of green vegetation fraction (GVF) in comparison to other SVIs suggested as improvements. Statistical relationships between spectral response, presented in the form of SVIs, and GVF of a native tallgrass prairie canopy are explored. Broadband spectra were gathered from close-range during the 1999 growing season at the Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS), located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas, USA. Through simple regression analyses, spectra were related to GVF estimates derived from digital color photographs. SVIs evaluated are the NDVI, the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and the square of scaled NDVI ( N* 2). Results show that NDVI and N* 2 were statistically related to GVF ( R 2 for NDVI=.77, N* 2=.78) throughout the growing season. The least-squares line defining the relationship between N* 2 and GVF approximated a 1:1 line. For June sample dates, all three SVIs were significant statistical predictors of GVF ( R 2 for NDVI=.89, N* 2=.91, SAVI=.89). Regression coefficients for late-season sample dates were weaker, yet still significant in statistical terms ( R 2 for NDVI=.70, N* 2=.70). While encouraging, these results suggest that further analyses are required to determine the usefulness of SVIs calculated from broadband devices for estimation of GVF when leaf litter dominates the scene.