American quarter horse enthusiasts should not miss the KineticElite American Quarter Horse Association Ranch Versatility Horse Show at the Kansas State Fair, at 1 p.m. Sept.12 and 9 a.m. Sept. 13. The ranch versatility horse competition demonstrates skills in six classes: Ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch reining, ranch- cow work, ranch cutting and ranch conformation.

The contest features a $7,000 prize pot to be split among winners, made possible thanks to $5,000 from KineticElite and $2,000 from the Kansas State Fair.

“KineticElite is proud to support the high-performance horses and riders in this iconic competition,” says John McCurry, KE Feeds sales team leader. “American quarter horses are central in working ranch life, and showcasing their abilities brings awareness and financial support to the craft.”

For more information about the KineticElite AQHA Ranch Versatility Horse Show, visit the Kansas State Fair horse show webpage or contact show manager Sue Nickel at 620-874-2452.

National animal science awards

The American Society of Animal Science recognized two Kansas State University professors at its annual meeting in late July in Louisville, Ky.

Bob Goodband, professor of animal sciences and industry, received the 2021 ASAS Fellow Award for Extension. Mike Tokach, KSU distinguished professor in animal sciences and industry, was recognized as the 2021 New Frontiers in Animal Nutrition Award recipient. Tokach is also the ASAS president for 2021-22.

Both are known for their teaching, Extension and research work in swine science and swine nutrition.

Shop Kansas Farms

One year after Rick McNary started the Shop Kansas Farms Facebook group in response to seeing his local grocery store’s meat counter empty, the group now boasts more than 148,500 members across the nation. It’s all an effort to connect consumers across the country with locally grown foods from Kansas farmers and livestock producers. McNary spoke July 2 during K-State Research and Extension’s First Friday e-Calls.

He says Shop Kansas Farms LLC has since added a website, shopkansasfarms.com, and has formed connections with the From the Land of Kansas program managed by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. He says many of the 775-plus producers selling products on his site have reported as much as a 500% to 600% increase in direct sales to customers.

Kansas Soybean Commission leaders

Four Kansas Soybean commissioners will continue their officer positions following the annual meeting officer election July 26. The slate of officers remained unchanged from the previous year’s, and the officers were elected unanimously.

Bob Haselwood, Berryton, will remain chairman; Ron Ohlde, Palmer, will remain vice chairman; Gary Robbins, Havensville, will remain secretary; and Raylen Phelon, Melvern, will remain treasurer for the calendar year.

The Kansas Soybean Commission’s annual meeting also included granting no-cost funding extensions to three projects, identified potential areas for funding, reviewed the upcoming request for proposal process and more.

The soybean commission will convene Dec. 2 to 4 in Manhattan to review funding proposals and make fiscal 2023 funding decisions. For more information, visit kansassoybeans.org.

Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission election

The Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission’s board of directors elected Kevin Kniebel, White City, as chairman at its meeting July 22. Stephen Bigge, Stockton, has chaired the commission since 2015 and will finish his term as vice chairman. Nathan Larson, Riley, was reelected secretary and treasurer. To learn more, visit ksgrainsorghum.org.

KLA visits Capitol Hill

Kansas Livestock Association volunteer leaders and staff spent three days in Washington, D.C., the week of July 23.

While on Capitol Hill, the contingent met with the Kansas congressional delegation and with staff from both the Senate and House ag committees. The topics discussed included: cattle marketing, proposed tax code changes, and the lack of labor in the livestock industry. KLA leaders explained the need for a guest worker program that fits the year-round labor needs of feedyards and dairies, and the need for policies that encourage domestic workers to reenter the labor force. To learn more, visit kla.org.