Corn

Checking irrigated corn near St. John, Kansas

FIELD CHECK: Marlyn Spare, farms in the shadow of Quivera National Wildlife Refuge.

Jennifer M. Latzke, Editor

August 6, 2024

3 Min View

Marlyn Spare farms in the shadow of St. John, Kan., a gateway to the Quivera National Wildlife Refuge. This corn and alfalfa farmer says irrigation and access to water is on the top of his mind.

In the past decade there has been a struggle between the refuge and area farmers over water. Quivera holds senior water rights, and twice in the last five years it’s called on the state of Kansas to limit nearby irrigation to keep streamflow in the Rattlesnake Creek at acceptable levels for the migratory birds and other wildlife.

According to the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture, Stafford County farmers raised a total of $238 million in agricultural products — $87 million of which was sales of grains and oilseeds. Irrigation is a big factor in that economic success.

Spare, like other area farmers uses the water to irrigate his crops, such as the irrigated corn field we visit in this Field Check episode. Spare says he had to pre-water before planting because the area was dry from February to April. But then, the rains came and brought challenges of their own, namely corn leaf spot and southern leaf rust, which the Spares just sprayed fungicide to control.

The forecasted weather for the week of July 29 was hot and dry, with temperatures across the state in the triple digits. That may affect corn crops going into August, according to reports.

Learn more in the Field Chat video above. And if you’ve got crop reports to share from your farms, email [email protected].

About the Author

Jennifer M. Latzke

Jennifer M. Latzke

Editor, Kansas Farmer

Through all her travels, Jennifer M. Latzke knows that there is no place like Kansas.

Jennifer grew up on her family’s multigenerational registered Angus seedstock ranch and diversified farm just north of Woodbine, Kan., about 30 minutes south of Junction City on the edge of the Kansas Flint Hills. Rock Springs Ranch State 4-H Center was in her family’s backyard.

While at Kansas State University, Jennifer was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and a national officer for the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. She graduated in May 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications and a minor in animal science. In August 2000 Jennifer started her 20-year agricultural writing career in Dodge City, Kan., on the far southwest corner of the state.

She’s traveled across the U.S. writing on wheat, sorghum, corn, cotton, dairy and beef stories as well as breaking news and policy at the local, state and national levels. Latzke has traveled across Mexico and South America with the U.S. Wheat Associates and toured Vietnam as a member of KARL Class X. She’s traveled to Argentina as one of 10 IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism. And she was part of a delegation of AAEA: The Ag Communicators Network members invited to Cuba.

Jennifer’s an award-winning writer, columnist, and podcaster, recognized by the Kansas Professional Communicators, Kansas Press Association, the National Federation of Presswomen, Livestock Publications Council, and AAEA. In 2019, Jennifer reached the pinnacle of achievements, earning the title of “Writer of Merit” from AAEA.

Trips and accolades are lovely, but Jennifer says she is happiest on the road talking to farmers and ranchers and gathering stories and photos to share with readers.

“It’s an honor and a great responsibility to be able to tell someone’s story and bring them recognition for their work on the land,” Jennifer says. “But my role is also evolving to help our more urban neighbors understand the issues our Kansas farmers face in bringing the food and fiber to their store shelves.”

She spends her time gardening, crafting, watching K-State football, and cheering on her nephews and niece in their 4-H projects. She can be found on Twitter at @Latzke.

See more from Jennifer M. Latzke

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