Latest news with #PawneeCounty
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mid-June harvest expected for area
Jun. 6—PAWNEE COUNTY — Barring additional moisture, area wheat stands are approaching what is expected to be a mid-June start to harvest. Kim Barnes, of Pawnee County Co-op Association in Larned, said this week that if the weather cooperates, harvest could begin by June 15 in the county. "My prediction was around June 15, but that really depends upon the weather," Barnes said. "The recent rain really did help to boost expected yields by about 10 bushels per acre. But what we really need is a succession of really warm days to get things dried out." Others weren't as optimistic, but were leaning toward getting started by the first week in July. "If we get more rain, and it is kind of looking like we will, we could be looking at cutting wheat on the July 4 holiday," noted local Pawnee County farmer, realtor and appraiser Tyson Steffen. "We've done that plenty of times before." Results from May's 2025 Kansas Wheat tour sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Quality Council predicted that the winter wheat crop statewide yield could surpass 345 million bushels, up from 307.5 million bushels harvest in 2024. Average yield for the state was estimated at 50 bushels per acre, with higher yields in the eastern part of the state and areas receiving more rain, with lower averages expected in western portions still feeling the effects of multi-year drought. Fall planting was a mixed bag, with some producers dusting in their crops. Others got moisture for planting and setting root structure in November, but then the water tap shut off until April. With rains in late spring, nearly half the Kansas harvest is being considered in good-to-excellent condition, with only 7% receiving the lowest very poor rating. In May, the crop production report released by USDA-NASS was somewhat positive, with an increase of about 2% in total production over last year. As is expected, the crop is variable in terms of crop conditions and disease and pest pressures. Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus is being reported in Kansas stands.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Larned DAR chapter plans Tuesday program on Ash Valley
Jun. 6—ASH VALLEY, Kan. — The history of settlement in Pawnee County predates the county's official organization in 1873, as the eighth of 65 counties organized in that year. As an official township, Ash Valley was organized in 1881, with a community of the same name first opening a post office in 1877. Settlers arrived as early as 1875 and the Pieschl family arrived in 1877; while the original homestead no longer exists, Marc Pieschl still farms in the area roughly 15 miles north of Fort Larned, which actively operated until 1878. Remains of several buildings may still be viewed, as well as a well-maintained cemetery; Ash Valley Methodist Church is a well-maintained edifice, as it continues in non-profit status as the Pleasant Hill Community Center. While residents of Ash Valley are now few in number, there are plenty of surviving stories among the old-timers still living nearby. These and other moments in history will be explored Tuesday, June 10 as the Larned Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution hosts a special program featuring a historic narrative delivered by Pawnee County resident Tom Giessel at the church. A piece of history? One such story centers on a concrete marker erected in 1917 at a bridge close to the church near the intersection of 160th Ave. and West Road in Pawnee County. The marker contains an etched limestone fragment that, according to local legend, was unearthed by former Ash Valley resident Cliff Line as he was digging a posthole. Etching on the stone indicates that in June 1841, W.D. Silver was shot with an arrow in what was suspected as an Indian attack. The site is 30 miles from the Santa Fe Trail, and so it is possible that the person could have been out hunting before he was attacked. History notes that a small caravan of Trail travelers reached Ash Creek on June 1, 1841 on their way to Santa Fe, but little else remains extant about the trip. The concrete marker encasing the stone (which used to be behind glass that is now missing) was erected by workers for what was to become the Wichita Northwestern railroad line in the county. Local historians have doubted the veracity of the marker, but many Ash Valley residents recall being told about the incident while in their childhood. Larned DAR's program begins at 2 p.m. at the church and is free to the public.
