Kansas State University will host the Winter Ranch Management Series in February for cow-calf producers.

The meetings will feature a popular town-hall-style, question-and-answer session between Kansas cattle producers  and K-State Research and Extension specialists. Topics discussed may include considerations for managing bulls, trends in cattle feeding and strategies for beef cattle implant, though the agenda will vary slightly by location.

The dates and locations planned this year include:

• Feb. 8. K-State Research and Extension Center, Hays. Contact Alicia Boor at 620-793-1910 or [email protected].

• Feb. 10. Morris County Community Building, Council Grove. Contact Shannon Spencer at 620-767-5136 or [email protected].

• Feb. 15. Blue Valley High School Ag Ed Center, Randolph. Contact Shannon Blocker at 785-437-3319 or [email protected]. More information also is available at pottawatomie.ksu.edu.

• Feb. 24. Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, Oakley. Contact Kelsi Wertz at 785-673-4805 or [email protected].

First container of Kansas soybeans off to China

Lt. Gov. and Commerce Secretary David Toland congratulated Kansas grain wholesaler The DeLong Co., Edgerton, on its recent shipment of 500 metric tons of soybeans to Henan Shennong Extruded Feed Technology Co. in Henan, China — the first such direct containerized grain shipment to China ever from the state of Kansas.

The soybean shipment resulted from the 40-year sister-state relationship between the state of Kansas and the Chinese province of Henan. This soybean shipment marks the beginning of what the state hopes will be a continued dialogue, leading to more such deals.

Morel of the story

Kansas State University Research and Extension, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, is offering online classes on March 16 and 17 to help people earn the necessary approval to sell wild morel mushrooms.

The class will be offered online over Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. March 16, and 6 to 7 p.m. March 17.

The classes are intended to help ensure that wild harvested mushrooms sold as morels in the state of Kansas are safe to consume. Current regulations under KDA’s food safety and lodging program require that mushrooms picked in the wild for sale must be individually inspected for safety by an approved mushroom identifier.

Upon completing the class, which includes passing an online exam, participants will be recognized as approved morel identifiers in Kansas to meet this regulation. Registration for the class is now open at bit.ly/ksumorelid and costs $5. Participants will receive the Zoom link for the training after registering.

For questions or to register, call the Reno County Extension Office, at 620-662-2371, or email Pam Paulsen at [email protected], or Londa Nwadike at [email protected].