The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
(Vol. 19 No. 36)
IN THIS ISSUE...
2013 KANSAS 4-H STATE LIVESTOCK SWEEPSTAKES
The 2013 Kansas 4-H State Livestock Sweepstakes will be held August 24-25 at Kansas State University's Weber Hall in Manhattan. All Kansas 4-H'ers are invited to participate in a livestock learning and competition experience. 4-H'ers can test their knowledge in Livestock Judging, Meats Judging, Livestock Skillathon, and Livestock Quiz Bowl. Prizes will be given in each contest, with the addition of overall Sweepstakes buckles to the team placing the highest in all four contests.
Sweepstakes rules, individual contest rules, a coaches guide, tentative schedule, and list of references are located on the website, www.YouthLivestock.KSU.edu. If you have any questions, please contact Youth Livestock Program coordinator, Kristine Clowers at clowers@ksu.edu or 785-532-1264. --Kristine Clowers
BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOMS
Once again hot temperatures are leading to toxic levels of blue-green algae in farm ponds and streams.
In 2012, county Extension agents, veterinarians, and others submitted water samples along with filter paper samples as part of a research project. It was determined that filter paper samples can be used to detect blue-green algae from green algae. At some point in the future, when equipment prices decline, it may be possible for county agents to do the filter paper test in the local office.
However, water samples can provide additional information, such as species and density, which are important when determining the risk to livestock. Water samples should be collected and submitted for testing as described in MF-3065, Identification and
Management of Blue-green Algae in Farm Ponds. Cost is $20/sample for either water or filter paper samples. Collect water samples for testing from the greenest (algae-laden) part of the lake.
While blue-green algae toxin is very persistent in lab samples, in natural systems, rain, temperature, light, and water flow can all dissipate toxins. Re-test water after the bloom has disappeared to determine if toxin levels are low enough for the water to be safe for drinking. --Deon Van Der Merwe dmerwe@k-state.edu
KSRE HEALTHY YOU - WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE
 The KSRE Healthy You - Wellness in the Workplace Team reminds you that
increasing water intake might be one of the easiest changes to make to increase
your health. What difference does water make?
Water contributes to brain
health. Dehydration can cause headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion and
disorientation.
Water can aid in weight loss. It contains no calories,
may help reduce appetite and assists in metabolizing fats.
Water
contributes to muscle function. Dehydration can lead to weakness, cramping and
loss of muscle coordination.
The simplest way to tell if a person is
properly hydrated is to check the color and quantity of urine. Dark urine is a
signal that the body needs more fluids. When urine is a clear, light color the
body has a normal water balance.
Water remains the best drink for keeping
humans hydrated because it's easiest for people to absorb. Cool water absorbs
more readily than warm, hot or ice water.
For additional information, see
"Liquid Assets: The Value of Fluids to Your Health," a K-State Research and
Extension publication written by Barbara Ames, Wildcat District Extension Family
and Consumer Sciences Agent. For more information go to
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/bookstore/pubs/MF2738.pdf. --KSRE Healthy You - Wellness in the Workplace Team
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