May 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.
Friday, May 29, 2025
State/Regional
A bumblebee lookalike could be gnawing through your Kansas deck this spring
5/29/25 The Wichita Eagle
The carpenter bee is native to the United States, said Raymond Cloyd, Ph.D. and an entomology professor at Kansas State University, and the adults usually come out in the months of April and May. “They’ll mate, and then the female will find a location, wood, to develop a nest, and then she’ll provision it with some pollen [and] nectar,” he said.
Will consumers pull back on beef purchases?
5/30/25 Ag Info
The Market Intel report also highlights findings from Kansas State University showing that meat price inflation in 2025 has outpaced inflation for other goods and has remained elevated for five straight years. That could reflect higher production costs, continued strong demand, or both.
Local
K-State's McCain Performance Series lineup announced for 2025-26 season
5/30/25 WIBW
The 2025-2026 series schedule, which was announced Friday morning by Kansas State University, features a lineup of Broadway hits, including “Hadestown,” “A Christmas Story: The Musical” and “TINA -- The Tina Turner Musical.”
Thursday, May 29, 2025
State/Regional
Healthy body, healthy mind: The food you eat can affect your mood
5/28/2025 High Plains Journal
“If we think about our brain cells, our nerves, our gut and other parts of our body, the food we eat is going to be part of those cells,” said Priscilla Brenes, a nutrition and wellness specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “So, what we eat will in turn affect the mood we have (and) the way we sleep. All of it affects our mental health.”
Local
Within Reason with Mike Matson 05/29/25: Jill Haukos, Konza Prairie
The Konza Prairie Biological Station is a one-of-a-kind environment for ecological research, education and conservation. Konza Prairie environmental educator Jill Haukos joins Mike on today’s show to discuss ways to support and continue those efforts.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
National/International
US keeps defenses up against ASF outbreak
5/27/2025 Pet food Processing
Speaking at the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) earlier this year, Jordan Gebhardt, assistant professor of swine production at Kansas State University, said the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and industry officials are going to great lengths to keep the disease outside US borders. … "The most significant economic implications would be related to trade,” Gebhardt said. "Today, the US swine industry exports nearly 30% of the pork it produces. If it is detected here, those exports would shut down very rapidly or be greatly reduced."
Study: Dog owners willing to pay more for food labeled with health claims
5/27/2025 PetFood Industry
University researchers analyzed dog food pricing to reveal which health-related attributes command higher costs — and what that means for brands and buyers. … Anderson and co-author Dr. Lonnie Hobbs Jr., assistant professor at Kansas State University, analyzed dry dog food because of its dominant global market share. Using a pricing model that excluded brand names to avoid bias, the researchers examined 60 brands of dry dog food to determine how specific health claims influenced price. They chose dry food because it has the highest market share among all other pet food markets globally.
State/Regional
Trade policy, getting a Farm Bill passed are top of mind for Kansas rancher, K-State professor
5/27/2025 Kansas Reflector
Kansas farmers and ranchers are paying close attention to tariffs and whether other countries will show up for negotiations, and they need a Farm Bill to pass in Washington, two agricultural experts said. Alan Featherstone, head of the Agricultural Economics department at Kansas State University, and Hal Luthi, president of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association and a third-generation rancher in Madison, both spend part of their days studying what’s happening in Washington. Everything there has an effect on Kansas agriculture, Featherstone said, rattling off a quick list: trade policy, energy policy, interest rates, passage of a Farm Bill, crop and livestock insurance and tax policies.
Slowing pivots could improve water efficiency
5/27/2025 Great Bend Tribune
With irrigation systems running across Kansas fields, a simple adjustment could make a big difference in conserving water and boosting crop performance —slowing down the speed of center pivot systems. Kansas State University water resource engineer Jonathan Aguilar said, "When a pivot moves too quickly, much of the water applied doesn't have time to soak into the soil. Slowing down the pivot gives the soil more time to absorb moisture, improving irrigation effectiveness."
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
National/International
Swine team studies soybean meal variety
05/25/25 WV News
Swine producers commonly use soybean meal as one of the largest protein sources in diets, so over the years, researchers have examined soybean meal quality thoroughly. However, Kansas State University assistant research professor in swine nutrition Katelyn Gaffield said her research team took a new approach to investigating soybean meal quality by evaluating novel factors like the impact of adding back soybean byproducts into meal when feeding pigs.
State/Regional
How one rural Kansas town is bringing kids and nursing home residents together
05/27/25 The Wichita Eagle
With children’s shouts echoing off of playground equipment, the Logan Manor doesn’t look or sound like your typical nursing home. That’s because it’s also a school. This rural farm town, with a population of 436, recently welcomed nursing home residents and students into its new intergenerational facility, called the Logan Intergenerational Family Education Center. By bringing different age groups together under the same roof, LIFE Center administrators are hoping to foster connection and learning across generations.
Entomologists test alfalfa’s ability to detect mercury in water
05/23/25 High Plains Journal
Kansas State University nano-entomologist Amie Norton describes a process in which researchers discovered alfalfa’s ability to detect contaminants in water and milk. The finding may lead to a more efficient way to test liquids for the presence of contaminants, something that could help save lives in regions or countries where water is compromised by environment or other conditions. She added that the university’s work provides a reliable test for consumers who might want to test their tap water at home.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
National/International
Handling the Heat
5/21/25 Angus Journal
Four key factors that affect heat stress are temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation, says A.J. Tarpoff, associate professor and beef extension veterinarian at Kansas State University. He explains those factors, along with the cattle’s accumulative heat load, contribute immensely to their comfort level in higher temperatures.
Local
Sunset Zoo invites public to celebrate chimpanzee’s 71st birthday
5/21/25 WIBW
The zoo credits the care and dedication to the zoo’s animal care team and their partners at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
National/International
The McCarty Magic: How a Family Farm Became the Dairy Industry’s Brightest Star
5/20/25 The Bullvine
They worked with Kansas State University to redesign sand reclamation units that now capture over 97% of sand for reuse as bedding.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
National/International
Vision Galveston to re-engage community for plan refresh
05/19/25 The Galveston County Daily News
Vision Galveston is not a government agency, but it is working with the city of Galveston and the Environmental Protection Agency to improve woebegone Shield and Jones parks. Vision Galveston is writing grants to fund environmental cleanup at Shield Park, 3300 Church St., and the EPA is working with Kansas State University’s Technical Assistance program on the process — all at no cost to the city.
Colorado Water Center grant supports farm management decision research
05/19/25 Colorado State University
The Colorado Water Center at Colorado State University recently awarded nearly $25,000 to support research into how farming decisions affect input efficiency and profitability. The research will use data from Testing Ag Performance Solutions farming competitions, including CSU-TAPS and programs at Kansas State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Feed Ops: Staying vigilant against ASF
05/19/25 World Grain
Speaking at the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) earlier this year, Jordan Gebhardt, assistant professor of swine production at Kansas State University, said the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and industry officials are going to great lengths to keep the disease outside US borders. Speaking at the International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) earlier this year, Jordan Gebhardt, assistant professor of swine production at Kansas State University, said the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and industry officials are going to great lengths to keep the disease outside US borders.
State/Regional
K-State gives over 2,000 pieces of furniture away to non-profits, K-State departments
05/19/25 WIBW-TV
Kansas State University gave over 2,300 pieces of furniture away to local non-profits and other K-State departments. K-State’s divisions of Financial Services, Information Technology, and Facilities coordinated a surplus giveaway with an abundance of furniture, supplies, and office items to clear out. It took a great effort to empty a seven-story building of furniture with 38 hours of planning, 272 staff and volunteer hours, and the participation of 34 departments and 41 non-profits, to be exact.
Improving Water Efficiency and Yields
05/20/25 KSAL-AM
With irrigation systems running across Kansas fields, a simple adjustment could make a big difference in conserving water and boosting crop performance —slowing down the speed of center pivot systems. Kansas State University water resource engineer Jonathan Aguilar said a simple but often overlooked adjustment — slowing the speed of center pivot irrigation systems — could significantly improve water use efficiency and crop yields.
Monday, May 19, 2025
National/International
Farmers could sustain higher yields and maintain profitability
5/19/2025 Ag Proud
A Kansas State University agronomy professor is part of an international team calling for a new approach to estimate crop yield potential and gaps – information critical in planning how to meet the world’s growing demand for food. Romulo Lollato says the research will challenge conventional ways of predicting yields for many farm crops, which could have implications regarding future policies related to agricultural commodities.
How much did last year's solar storm cost farmers? The answer may surprise you
5/16/2025 Michigan Farm News
While it didn’t cause massive damage, it did take a toll on ag, according to Terry Griffin, a professor of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University. "Not all farms were affected, but those that were lost on average about $17,000 per farm," he said. "It's not catastrophic, but they'll miss it." All told, the storm resulted in an estimated $565 million in losses for midwestern crop producers.
State/Regional
Kansas State University shines purple pride at graduation
5/17/2025 WIBW
Kansas State University held six graduation ceremonies on Saturday for colleges within the University as part of the university's graduation weekend. "It's awesome," Kansas State Graduate Dylan Smith told 13 NEWS. "I love this place, it's always been a dream to come to school here as a kid, so it's an awesome day to be able to graduate from here and call this place my Alma Mater."
Friday, May 16, 2025
National
Unconventional education
5/15/25 QS Insights Magazine
If puppet arts and folklore studies seem a bit left-field, the bachelor’s degree in Bakery Science and Management at Kansas State University is a little more oven-ready for the world of work. Launched over 60 years ago, it prepares students for a career in the baking industry, specifically for global baking companies such as Grupo Bimbo and Montelez that produce bread, cookies and other grain-based foodstuffs. It’s the only degree of its kind in the US.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
State/Regional
Wheat streak mosaic virus impacting farms in Kansas
5/13/25 KWCH
Dr. Kelsey Andersen Onofre, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at Kansas State University, explains that although the virus can reduce a farmer’s yield, it will not impact the overall food supply. “The good news is that wheat viruses cannot affect humans or animals. They are very specific to the wheat crop,” Dr. Onofre stated.
One Kansas town fostering intergenerational connections
5/13/25 Derby Informer
Kirkendall thinks Logan could be a model for other communities trying to improve well-being. So do researchers at Kansas State University. They’re studying whether the new facility can boost social skills and academic achievement in kids and reduce cognitive decline and depression in residents.
Alternative crops
5/13/25 High Plains Public Radio
K-State argonomist Logan Simon interview on alternative crops of western Kansas for this broadcast story.
Summer reading for some college students
5/13/25 KMUW
Kansas State University is encouraging students to read “Together the healing power of human connection in a sometimes lonely world,” by former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
Local
K-State and Kansas Sorghum receive state funding for Collaborative Investment Program
5/13/25 WIBW
“Sorghum is a unique crop,” Sarah Sexton-Bowser, who works with the K-State Center for Sorghum Improvement, told 13 NEWS. “It’s a commodity, it’s grown, there’s a full value chain, and yet it’s relatively small compared to other crops. Kansas farmers and sorghum farmers across the country stepped up and said if we want to fill a gap for the crop, we want to fill that gap by taking ideas, novel research, and pulling them through to novel applications at the farm gate.
K-State president optimistic for continued growth in student enrollment
5/13/25 Manhattan Mercury
Since arriving at Kansas State over three years ago, president Richard Linton has been tasked with increasing student enrollment. After nearly a decade of declines, K-State has seen increases each of the past two years, including a 2.8% enrollment increase last fall.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
National/International
Massive geomagnetic storm reveals Earth's technological vulnerabilities
05/13/25 Earth.com
Space weather rarely makes headlines, but on May 10, 2024, it became impossible to ignore. That day, a powerful geomagnetic storm battered Earth, disrupting satellites, power grids, and navigation systems. In the U.S. Midwest, GPS-guided tractors veered off course, compounding problems for farmers who were already battling heavy rains. “Not all farms were affected but those that were lost on average about $17,000 per farm,” noted Terry Griffin, a professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University.
State/Regional
Hear Me See Me: The silent struggle of mental health in the agriculture community
05/12/25 WIBW-TV
The National Rural Health Association states suicide rates among farmers are 3.5 times higher than the general population, plaguing those who make sure we have food on our tables daily. In Kansas, unpredictable weather patterns accompanied by spending hours in isolation may contribute to the rising rates. Beyond raising awareness, leaders said we have to break the stigma and let our agriculture community know they’re not alone. “We recognize that a lot of times, if a person gets the help they need, they may never be suicidal again,” said Rebecca McFarland with the K-State Research and Extension Stress and Resiliency Team.
Friday, May 9, 2025
State/Regional
How one rural Kansas town is bringing kids and nursing home residents together
5/9/2025 KMUW
Kirkendall thinks Logan could be a model for other communities trying to improve well-being. So do researchers at Kansas State University. They’re studying whether the new facility can boost social skills and academic achievement in kids and reduce cognitive decline and depression in residents. “Having Logan step forward with a very innovative idea that’s not often (seen) in the United States is exciting,” said Natalie Barlett, a teaching assistant professor of psychology at K-State who is studying its impact on students.
K-State lab remains vigilant toward protecting food systems
5/9/2025 Rural Messenger
“Most of the foods in Kansas grocery stores were not grown in Kansas; they were produced elsewhere and transported into Kansas,” said Jim Stack, plant pathologist at K-State. “That is true for most U.S. states and many countries globally. Our foods are grown in multiple locations and transported to multiple locations. This creates the significant risk of transporting pests and pathogens with their foods and their containers.”
Local
Decline in insects causes rise in concerns for environment
5/8/25 Wildcat 91.9
"Scientists generally agree there is a problem in not just insects, but the natural world, and we've been cognizant for a very long time that something happening to the insect population,” said Zolnerowich. “The problem is we often don't even know it's in our own backyard.”
Architecture and design students showcase work in Kansas City
5/8/25 The K-State Collegian
“Really, our agenda is about creating communities, connecting to communities,” said Nathan Howe, interior architecture and industrial design department head. “...Our alumni come [to Manhattan] for reviews and whatnot, they do great. But, what better way [to connect] than to go to their home and showcase our work there?”
Thursday, May 8, 2025
National/International
Cassava Flour, Chips, Bread, and More Contain High Levels of Lead
5/7/25 Consumer Reports
There’s nothing about the cassava plant that should make it more likely than other root vegetables to absorb lead, according to Ganga Hettiarachchi, PhD, a professor of soil and environmental chemistry who studies trace metal and nutrient chemistry at Kansas State University in Manhattan. But it is possible that some cassava could be grown in highly polluted areas, or handled or processed in ways that introduce lead, she says.
State/Regional
K-State’s Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab regains funding
5/7/25 FarmProgress
Kansas State University announced April 30 in a statement that the Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab will continue its work after federal funding resumed in April.
Local
New agritourism certificate to help K-State students support rural economies
5/6/25 WIBW
A new agritourism certificate at Kansas State University will train students to support the economic development of rural communities.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
National/International
K-State celebrates major milestone in Innovation Center construction
05/05/25 Commerical Banking
A little under a year after Kansas State University broke ground on the Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation (GCGFI), the university has reached the next major milestone in its Agriculture Innovation Initiative. K-State’s College of Agriculture held a Topping Out Picnic on May 2 to mark the placement of the final beam of the GCGFI structure. The event included more than 100 guests, ranging from K-State students and alumni to faculty and supporters of the project, including members of the Kansas Livestock Association and community members.
A Sweet Partnership: Kansas State University is helping keep imported honey pure
05/05/25 RFD-TV
Kansas State University is partnering with the American Honey Producers Association to ensure that imported honey is pure. The United States consumes nearly 600 million pounds of honey each year, but only 125 million of that is produced on U.S. soil. Some of those imports have been found to be altered with cheap sweetener ingredients. The newly formed American Honey Institute at K-State will help provide independent testing for certification to recognize pure, unadulterated honey, ultimately strengthening the honey supply chain.
U.S. pet owners open to insect protein, but knowledge lags
05/05/25 Petfood Industry
As the pet food industry seeks sustainable alternatives to traditional animal-based proteins, insect protein is gaining ground — but consumer education will be critical for widespread adoption. That’s the message from Dr. Lonnie Hobbs, assistant professor at Kansas State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics, who recently presented new research on U.S. dog owners’ perceptions and willingness to pay for insect-based pet food.
Tips to help curb impulse buying habits
05/06/25 Glamour Magazine
According to Megan McCoy, PhD, LMFT, CFT, assistant professor of personal financial planning at Kansas State University, a few quick questions can help you figure out if spending your hard-earned money on your latest whim is truly worth it. The next time you’re hit with an irresistible impulse, she recommends going through a list of questions. “If, after a pause, you still want it, it’s more likely a genuine decision and not an impulse buy,” Dr. McCoy says.
State/Regional
KSU Lab Protecting Food Systems
05/06/25 KSAL-AM
Americans trust the safety and security of their food. Kansas State University plant pathologist Jim Stack says our trust is well-founded, pointing to a series of checks and balances that help to ensure that the food we eat arrives safely and on time at the dinner table. Consider this: Farm crops — be they wheat, corn, soybeans, sorghum or many others — face daily challenges in the farmer’s field due to such threats as insects, diseases, weeds and weather events.
Local
Kansas State University Innovation Lab aims to double the world’s food supply by 2050
05/05/25 WIBW-TV
One of Kansas State University’s Innovation Labs aims to double the world’s food supply by 2050. The Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab continues work after federal funding resumed in early April. The innovation lab will aim to help double the supply through crop production improvements for four of the world’s most important cereals: sorghum, millet, wheat, and rice. All four crops are grown in the United States, and more than 50% of sorghum is grown in Kansas.
Monday, May 5, 2025
National/International
Investigation exposes painful new fallout from record-breaking disasters: 'It's a double-edged sword'
5/3/2025 Yahoo! News
When extreme weather hits, such as a hurricane, the effects can be devastating. Lives and homes can be lost. Food and clean water can be difficult to find. But, as an investigation from NC Newsline shows, there's another, often-overlooked loss that can come from these storms: child care. … "Having early care and education as part of a recovery strategy is … one of the first things that I think really should happen," Bradford Wiles, an early childhood development specialist at Kansas State University, told NC Newsline. "That alleviates not only the stress and difficulty of trying to parent in that time, but really frees up the adults to help their entire community recover."
State/Regional
Kansas State University ag research lab only one to get nod from feds to continue work
5/1/2025 Kansas Reflector
The Trump administration defunded 16 of 17 Feed the Future labs across the country … After months in limbo, Kansas State University found out its lab is the lone survivor. Two K-State labs that are part of the Feed the Future network received stop work orders in January. In early April, K-State officials received notice that the Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab could resume work, said Timothy J. Dalton, professor of agricultural economics and interim director of the lab.
Vet Med ROCKS camps return to K-State this July
5/2/2025 Great Bend Tribune
Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine invites elementary, middle school, high school and college students to explore the world of veterinary medicine at the 2025 Vet Med ROCKS summer camps. The series of day camps for youth will take place July 28-30 and are hosted by the Vet Med Recruitment and Outreach Club at Kansas State University, or Vet Med ROCKS, a student organization in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Friday, May 2, 2025
State/Regional
Military Friendly School: K-State’s military-supportive environment helps soldiers thrive
05/02/25 Sunflower State Radio
When U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Hannah Brouwer was transitioning to Fort Riley from Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, she faced a common military challenge: continuing her education while serving on active duty. Her search for flexibility led her to Kansas State University, which was recently recognized as a Top Ten Military Friendly School and a Top Ten Military Spouse Friendly School by Military Friendly.
K-State recognizes Kansas High School Science Teachers of the Year
05/02/25 Sunflower State Radio
Kansas State University is recognizing five outstanding Kansas teachers with its High School Science Teacher of the Year Award. The award highlights and rewards inspirational and impactful high school science teachers throughout the state. Biology, chemistry, geology and physics faculty members in K-State’s College of Arts and Sciences selected the recipients based on student nominations.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
National/International
Funding restored for one of USAID's agricultural research labs at Kansas State
4/30/25 USA Today
President Donald Trump's administration has restored federal funding for an agricultural research grant to Kansas State University worth between $22 million and $37 million.
State/Regional
See the Midwest's only operational roller mill as it makes it once-a-year run Saturday
4/30/25 Salina Journal
In addition to Entz, he said there will be couple more professional millers on hand to operate and guide the tours on that day, plus some students and faculty from Kansas State University. "It's one of the few, if not the only places, you can get a four-year degree in flour milling," Pracht said. "I think it's going to be at least the third year they've sent professors and students to be tour guides."
‘It takes a village’: K-State helps rural Kansas community meet all generations’ needs
4/30/25 Sunflower State Radio
Kansas State University researchers are helping a rural Kansas town evaluate whether its new multi-use, multigenerational community center is meeting residents’ needs in a way that improves educational outcomes, enhances quality of life and is fiscally sustainable.