K-State in the news

Recent news highlights

Read some of today's top stories mentioning Kansas State University. Download an Excel file (xls) with all of the day's news stories.

See more K-State faculty, staff and students in the news in the clip archives.

Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

National/International

Meatpacking market bad blood dragged into spotlight thanks to Argentine beef brouhaha
10/24/2025 MSN and Washington Examiner
Those defending the current market structure will also point out that while beef prices are high right now, the structure has been in place for a long time, and that ups and downs are a natural part of the industry. "So that's been the case during good times and bad times for beef prices, and good times and bad times for cattle prices," Glynn Tonsor, professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University, told the Washington Examiner. … Tonsor additionally said profit margins for meatpackers aren't very high. "Margins historically are very tight for packers," he said. "I mean, there has been times they've been good, but long term, they are narrow compared to most things in our society. So the evidence of those accusations is thin."

Researchers make stunning discovery after studying farmland treated with organic fertilizers for years: 'This is the first direct evidence'
10/26/2025 Yahoo! News; The Cool Down
Interestingly, as Canadian Light Source reported in 2024, researchers from Kansas State University studied the ways various farming methods influence how much carbon gets stored in soil, finding that the use of organic fertilizer not only increased the amount of carbon stored but also improved soil health. … "To my knowledge, this is the first direct evidence of mechanisms through which organic enhancements improve soil health, microbial diversity, and carbon sequestration," K-State professor of soil and environmental chemistry Ganga Hettiarachchi explained.

Researchers aim to reduce gluten allergenicity in wheat
10/25/2025 AGRI-VIEW
Kansas State University researchers and the state's farmers are putting their collective support behind a project to reduce the allergenicity of gluten in wheat, while maintaining the grain's ability for bread and other products. Eduard Akhunov, a University Distinguished Professor in Kansas State University's department of plant pathology, said his team is identifying proteins in the wheat genome that trigger allergic reactions in people with celiac disease. The autoimmune disorder causes the immune system to react abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

State/Regional

Researchers target swine feed efficiency with soybean meal studies
10/24/2025 High Plains Journal
Kansas State University researchers are shedding new light on swine nutrition, with findings that could help producers fine-tune diets for growing pigs — and improve both feed efficiency and economic returns. Much of the recent work, to be presented at the university’s annual Swine Day on Nov. 20, centers around soybean meal — a major protein source in swine diets — and how it is best incorporated alongside synthetic amino acids.

Local

Wheat Scoop: Moisture boosts fall wheat outlook, but delays drilling
10/26/2025 JC Post
According to K-State wheat production specialist Romulo Lollato, recent rainfall has provided strong moisture reserves, though planting remains well behind normal. "We've received quite a bit of rain the last two weeks, with parts of the state close to five inches," Lollato said. "Once fields dry, that moisture sets us up for good stand establishment." He added that statewide planting progress is about half the long-term average for this date.