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Local corn crop called a ‘disaster’
Federal panel supports Kan. biosecurity lab project
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Heat, drought blamed for poor turnout
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Even a scaled back plan would have adequate protections, committee says
By Adam Strunk Astrunk@ljworld.com
Recent rain has greened up some lawns, but not Pat Ross’ 2,400-acre corn crop. It’s beyond saving. The rains shut off in June and July, when Ross’ corn needed it most. Ross, of North Lawrence, could only watch out his office window, as storms passed over him and his crop wilted. “It’s emotionally draining to see them wither and die,” said Ross, of Nunemaker-Ross Farms. “It’s probably the largest loss of crop in the smallest period of time I think I have ever seen.” According to the National Weather Service, just 0.18 of an inch of rain fell in Lawrence between June 1 and July 12. That’s 5.5 inches less than average. Temperatures in July are supposed to be in the 90s, not 108 degrees. “It’s devastated it (the corn crop) with the hot, dry temps,” said Matthew Vajnar, Ottawa Co-op grain merchandiser. Vajnar called the local corn crop a “disaster,” estimating it would yield 0-20 bushels per acre. This is the worst year he has seen since Ottawa Co-op purchased the South Lawrence Co-op elevator in 2001. This year follows the worst Kansas crop in 29 years, with the state averaging 107 bushels of corn per acre in 2011, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Ross doesn’t plan on harvesting 20 percent of his crop. Instead, he will cut it for silage to feed his 600 cattle. He said he has been fortunate with them. He has only lost three to the heat.
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By John Milburn Associated Press
Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo
KENT NUNEMAKER, OF LAWRENCE, foreground, co-owner of Nunemaker-Ross farms, installs new belts on a silage cutter Friday while Lyle Nunemaker, Lawrence, center, and C.J. Bunce, of Perry, repair brakes on a 1978 International truck. Friday’s rain delayed a plan to cut corn for silage but provided an opportunity to do some farm equipment repairs.
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If it continues another couple of weeks of hot and dry weather, certainly the crops are going to continue to be damaged and have even greater yield loss.” — Adrian Polanski, Kansas Farm Service Agency executive director Ross has it bad, and the rest of Kansas hasn’t fared much better. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 82 Kansas counties federal disaster areas because of drought. “Almost the entire state is seeing significant deterioration of corn and soy beans but also hay and pasture,” said Adrian Polanski, Kan-
sas Farm Service Agency executive director and former Kansas ag secretary. “If it continues another couple of weeks of hot and dry weather, certainly the crops are going to continue to be damaged and have even greater yield loss.” Polanski said the drought has affected about 150,000 Kansas farmers and land owners. Those
in the disaster areas will qualify for emergency government loans. Douglas County and Ross don’t qualify. He has given up on his corn crop. With crop insurance he may break even. Ross must now put his hope in his 2,200 acres of soybeans, also damaged by the drought. Ross said the recent rains helped the crop, but it needs more precipitation. So Ross is left again, looking out his office window for rain. “I’m an optimist,” he said. “I think about all farmers are. I keep saying it will come, it will come.”
TOPEKA — A government-backed committee of the National Research Council issued a report Friday saying the United States would have adequate biosecurity protections even if plans for a proposed $1.14 billion lab in Kansas are scaled back. The study was prepared by a subcommittee formed this spring to look at three options for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility that is to be built in Manhattan near the Kansas State University campus. The report was in response to tighter federal revenues and budget controls that are forcing agencies to rethink spending priorities. DHS asked the National Kansas Research Council to re- Gov. Sam view the threats of foreign Brownback animal disease, the capabilities needed to address such and Repubthreats and analyze options lican U.S. for building the lab as pro- Sens. Pat posed or scaling back the size and scope. A third op- Roberts tion included keeping the and Jerry current research lab at Plum Moran isIsland, N.Y. sued a joint While the committee found that the need for a statement lab hadn’t changed since Friday apthe project was first pro- plauding posed in 2006, it did find that DHS had two options the comfor completing the goal of mittee’s developing the capabilities report. with a laboratory designed specifically to respond to a biosecurity threat. However, the report concluded that both options had drawbacks. “We really did not rank any of the options that we were given,” said Terry McElwain, chairman of the committee. “There is a really more thorough and comprehensive analysis that would need to be made by decision-makers before a decision is made, and Please see LAB, page 2A
Kansas River earns national designation; center to be dedicated By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com
Two conservation projects in Kansas are being celebrated this week. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Gov. Sam Brownback were scheduled to announce this morning the designation of the Kansas River as the newest addition to the National Water Trails system. “We are thrilled this is happening,” said Laura Calwell, the Kansas Riverkeeper. “This
really recognizes the Kansas River as a recreational resource for the state,” Calwell said. She said the national designation will pro- Salazar vide funds for highway signage that will direct people to boat and canoe access ramps along the river. Adding the Kansas River, often called the Kaw, to the Na-
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velopment is the dedication of a $6 million visitor center and headquarters at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City. Salazar and Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius were on hand Friday evening for that event. The preserve is co-managed by the National Park Service and Nature Conservancy. Both the National Water Trails designation and new facilities at the Tallgrass Prai-
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tional Water Trails system will make the river more widely known, officials said. The designation “will draw additional visitors to experience the recreation and great outdoors along the Kansas River,” said Linda Craghead, assistant secretary for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Salazar, Brownback and others will hold a news conference on the river designation at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan. Another conservation de-
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rie National Preserve are part of President Barack Obama’s “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative. Obama unveiled the initiative in 2010 to work with states, communities, conservation groups and others to establish a conservation ethic and to reconnect Americans, especially young people, with the natural world, according to the White House. — Statehouse reporter Scott Rothschild can be reached at 785-423-0668.
New drug allegations Federal prosecutors say eight Ottawa residents could face life in prison if convicted on new allegations in a prescription drug trafficking case. Page 3A
Vol.154/No.196 24 pages