(TOPEKA) – Wells Ranch will host the August 28 Kansas Livestock Association (KLA)/Kansas State University Ranch Management Field Day south of Gridley in Woodson County. The agenda will include discussions on the Asian longhorned tick and noxious weed control.
K-State extension beef veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff will provide an overview of the life cycle and identifying characteristics of the Asian longhorned tick, which is known for spreading a blood-borne parasite in livestock that causes theileriosis. To date, the tick has not been found in Kansas, but has been identified in neighboring states. Theileriosis, however, has been diagnosed in Kansas in cattle imported from other states. Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of the new disease and what to look for in livestock.
During another session, David Kraft with the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition (KGLC) will discuss resources available to producers to help with noxious weed management. He will share how KGLC has worked alongside Wells Ranch as they have improved their grazing land. Wade Newland with Newland Ag Drones also will be on hand to provide a spray drone demonstration for attendees.
Ranch owner Terry Wells will provide a history of the cow-calf, stocker and backgrounding operation, and take attendees on a tour of his cattle handling facility. He will highlight modifications that have been made over the years to improve efficiency.
Registration for the field day will begin at 3:30 p.m. CDT and conclude with a complimentary beef dinner at 7:00 p.m. CDT. All livestock producers and others involved in the business are invited to attend.
To get to the ranch from Gridley, travel south on Emmer Road for about 4 miles until it turns into Elk Road. Continue south (straight) on Elk Road for 2 miles, then turn west (right) onto 200th Road and travel 3 miles to the field day site. Those coming from Yates Center can travel north on US-75 for about 7 miles, then turn west (left) on 180th Road and go 10 miles. At Coyote Road, turn north (right) and travel 2 miles, then turn west (left) onto 200th Road and go 1 mile to the field day site. Directional signs will be posted.
For more information, go to www.kla.org and click on Events & Meetings or call the KLA office at (785) 273-5115. The Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and Huvepharma are sponsoring the event.
KLA is a trade organization representing the business interests of independent livestock producers at the state and national levels. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep.
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