August 2025
K-State in the news
Some of the top stories mentioning Kansas State University are posted below. Download an Excel file (xls) with all of this month's news stories.
Monday, Aug. 11, 2025
National/International
Ranchers say expanding herds to take advantage of record beef prices isn’t so simple
08/10/25 The Cedar Rapids Gazette
Glynn Tonsor, who leads the Meat Demand Monitor at Kansas State University, said taste is the most important consideration when shoppers choose proteins — and beef remains the favorite.
State/Regional
Investing in Kansas' first line of defense against animal disease
08/09/25 Salina Post
When diseases can cross cattle pens and county, state and national lines in just a few hours, having a robust disease testing system and provider is crucial, and the KVDL, housed at Kansas State University, has served that role well for the state for several decades.
Summer heat can speed up your composting process. Follow these 6 tips
08/08/25 Kansas City Star
By Horticulture agent, Johnson County Kansas State University.
Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
National/International
Scientists track individual atoms during real-time chemical bond formation
08/07/25 Technology Networks
"Using this method, we were able to precisely track how the iodine atoms assemble while the methylene group is cleaved off," explains Artem Rudenko from Kansas State University, USA, the principal investigator of the experiment. The analysis revealed that both synchronous and asynchronous mechanisms contribute to the formation of the iodine molecule—a result that was supported by theoretical calculations.
How city-owned grocery stores can tackle food insecurity
08/08/25 CounterPunch
The Rural Grocery Initiative at Kansas State University provides one-on-one support to new grocery stores — from initial feasibility studies and market research to employee training and operational management — through a statewide healthy food initiative. “The grocery industry was once thought of as a multigenerational industry where the business was passed down from parents to their kids,” the program’s director Rial Carver, told Inequality.org in a recent interview.
Get the Facts: Why ground beef prices are soaring and could continue
08/08/25 WAPT-TV/Hearst Media
Ground beef prices in the U.S. reached an all-time high in June, averaging $6.12 per pound, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a steep 12% increase from last June. But even as prices rise, consumer demand for ground beef remains strong. In March, beef had a demand index of nearly 91, according to data from Kansas State University. The demand index measures the ratio of buying pressure to selling pressure and is scaled out of 120.
State/Regional
Numbers don’t lie: Cowherd expansion has yet to materialize
08/08/25 High Plains Journal
“The latest reports confirm suspected cattle supply tightness will continue and that we may have some limited or initial efforts at herd expansion via measured heifer retention,” said Glynn Tonsor, a professor in the department of agricultural economics at Kansas State University. Tonsor specializes in livestock and meat marketing and price analysis.
Local
K-State band director talks ‘Farmaggedon’ in Ireland
08/06/25 KSNT
This year, the Kansas State Marching Band ‘The Pride’ won’t be in Kansas anymore when they leave for Ireland on Aug. 20. They will be in Dublin for four days, but will be packing their schedule full of events and appearances across the city. The event will feature performances by K-State’s ‘Pub Crawl’ band at local pubs and bars, a show with the full band at the Guinness Storehouse and more that will be announced in the coming weeks. “When we found out we’d be playing ISU, I immediately reached out to Michael Golemo (director of bands at ISU) about getting together,” Director of Bands at K-State Frank Tracz said. “It was a no-brainer to combine our bands in some way.”
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025
National/International
State/Regional
Fall armyworms are still present in Sedgwick County, officials say
08/05/25 KAKE
Last month, KAKE News reported on the return of fall armyworms. Now, an update from K-State Research and Extension's Sedgwick County office says they're back yet again.
KSU expert provides parents with helpful information for their children going to school for the first time or transitioning
08/05/25 Salina Post
Jessica Lane, associate professor of counseling in Kansas State University's special education, counseling and student affairs department, says parents can start preparing now to help support their children and navigate their emotions throughout the transition.
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025
National/International
Addressing your feelings can help your finances, experts say
08/04/25 CNN
Money stress exists at all socioeconomic levels. It causes prolonged and serious fights in relationships, is linked to insomnia and stomach ulcers, and acts as a major stressor for most Americans, according to Dr. Megan McCoy, a financial therapist and associate professor at Kansas State University.
Pooling Knowledge
08/04/25 WEF.org
Kansas State University takes an interdisciplinary approach to addressing water challenges. The Kansas Water Institute is reimagining how researchers, industries and communities collaborate on some of the most pressing water concerns.
Monday, Aug. 4, 2025
National/International
Data-driven decisions improve herd performance
8/1/2025 AGRI-VIEW
Like a coach studying game statistics to unlock a team's potential, it's equally important for cattle producers to track herd data to make informed breeding, feeding and marketing decisions. Understanding what data matters most can be overwhelming. That's why Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute veterinarians Brad White and Bob Larson, along with agricultural economist Dustin Pendell – shared insights on setting data priorities for beef operations in a recent episode of Cattle Chat.
Risk Factors Associated with BRD in Preweaned Calves
8/4/2025 DROVERS
A well-managed Midwest cow-calf ranch has a problem with respiratory disease in its preweaned calves. They retain ownership, artificially inseminate and manage everything well according to Kansas State Veterinarian Brad White. During a recent "Bovine Science with BCI" podcast, Kansas State University veterinarians Brad White and Bob Larson explore potential causes for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in preweaned calves and how to mitigate the problem.
State/Regional
K-State connects entrepreneurs and communities with first-in-Kansas immersive conference
8/3/2025 Salina Post
On a recent summer day in Kingman, visitors to Main Street could walk into The Rural Muse art gallery, Brick Road Coffee or Trinity Fitness. But instead of ordering a latte or starting a workout, they would instead find groups of people discussing ways to use technology for building renewal, how to create welcoming communities or why mental health support is important for entrepreneurs. That was the scene when Kingman recently hosted the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference — a first-in-Kansas immersive conference experience led by Kansas State University and partners to support rural entrepreneurship across the state. The conference takes place in communities with populations of fewer than 10,000 people and focuses on engaging with small communities and highlighting businesses and the people who live and work there.
Forbes ranks K-State No. 3 among America's best employers for women
8/2/2025 Salina Post
Kansas State University's commitment to being a top employer in Kansas and higher education was recognized in the national spotlight on July 30 when Forbes ranked the university No. 3 on its list of America's Best Employers for Women. Forbes also included a profile on the university as one of its featured companies.
One's trash becomes another's treasure at Furniture Amnesty Day
8/1/2025 WIBW
The community got crafty and what it came up with is an annual event people have been looking forward to for the past 11 years. "There's [a lot] of furniture that turns over being in a college town," says Del'Sha Roberts, program administrator at the Staley School of Leadership. "And I think there are a lot of people that could use this furniture, so we re-home it, save it from being thrown away, because there’s a lot of good stuff." … The city of Manhattan hosts Furniture Amnesty Day. Partnerships with the Staley School of Leadership, Konza United Way and HandsOn K-State make it possible.
Local
K-State expects third consecutive year of enrollment growth
7/18/2025 The Mercury
Following years of decline in student enrollment, K-State saw a small turnaround in enrollment trends in the past two years. University leaders anticipate another increase this fall. "We expect that someday we will be at about 23,000, that's our goal in terms of undergraduate and graduate and campus-based, between the three campuses," said Marshall Stewart, K-State vice president of external engagement and chief of staff. He also explained current enrollment goals as well as what the university hopes to reach in the future.
Friday, Aug. 1, 2025
National/International
Wildfire burn scar mushrooms delight foragers... and elude scientists
7/31/25 KUNC Radio
When a burn comes through, Kansas State University fungal ecologist Ari Jumponnen said there are several things that could be happening to spark a morel flush. “We do not exactly know where that morel comes from,” he said. “Is it spore stimulation by the heat pulse, or is it something that changes the chemistry of the soil? It is not quite a straight cut question as one might imagine.”
Former FDA scientist named K-State-AAFCO ingredient review manager
7/25/25 Pet Food Industry
Kansas State University Olathe has appointed Garret Ashabranner as program manager for the Scientific Review of Ingredient Submissions (SRIS), a partnership between the university and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Ashabranner will manage the scientific review process for animal food ingredient definition submissions, serving as the primary liaison between K-State Olathe and AAFCO while overseeing a team of subject matter experts conducting scientific evaluations of newly submitted ingredients for pet food and livestock feed.
Industry leaders unite to launch Mobility Pathfinders: Advancing Women in Parking and Mobility
8/1/25 International Parking & Mobility Institute
A powerful new force is emerging in the parking and mobility industry: Mobility Pathfinders, a nonprofit association dedicated to supporting and advancing women across the sector. Founded by a group of dynamic industry leaders, Mobility Pathfinders was created to close the gender gap and build a future where women at every level can lead, connect, and thrive. The founding Board of Directors includes Adrienne Tucker, director of parking and transportation at Kansas State University who will serve as board president.
State/Regional
Trade pacts trickle in, but details scant on benefits for US ag exports
7/31/25 Successful Farming
But analysts told Agri-Pulse that producers should temper expectations. The country is already a major beef producer, they said, and U.S. producers would likely only see demand for premium, or specialty products, rise significantly. “I do not expect very large volumes of U.S. beef to go to Australia,” said Glynn Tonsor, a professor in Kansas State University’s department of agricultural economics.
Local
K-State Salina invites incoming freshman and transfer students to join "Evening with the Cats"
7/31/25 Salina Post
K-State Salina is inviting incoming freshman and transfer students in the upcoming 2025-2026 school, to join a virtual experience for an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about college success throughout the sessions with campus experts.