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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

June 16, 2020

Virtual Training on Water Quality and Aquatic Plant Management Offered for County Agents

Submitted by Melissa Harvey

Algae in ponds can pose health dangers to livestock and pets.

Beginning today (June 16), this workshop series will provide overviews on a variety of key issues related to livestock pond management. There are three sessions included in this series: topics include aquatic plants and vegetation control in ponds; sources of water contamination and monitoring methods; and issues associated with blue-green algae and prevention strategies in livestock ponds, with examples from ongoing projects.

Using an online format, each of the three sessions will feature expert speakers, who will provide a live, 40-minute presentation, followed by a discussion forum moderated by a panel of specialists. Participants will be able to ask questions and follow up with both presenters and panelists. At the end of the training, participants will be able to access digital online documents that include the slides, Extension publications, and other materials relevant to each topic.

These series are offered as Professional Development Events by Natural Resources PFT and the Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE). More information on this training, as well as previous trainings in this series, can be found on the KCARE website.

Participants can access all five trainings in this series using Zoom. Interested agents can contact Aleksey Sheshukov, ashesh@ksu.edu, for assistance.

The training agenda is shown in more detail below:

Day 1: Tuesday, June 16; 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Aquatic plant management in ponds
Summary: Vegetation is an important part of many ponds, but sometimes it can get out of control and create problems. This presentation will explain the benefits of aquatic plants, describe the problems they can cause, identify some common species, and offer practices for effectively managing them.
Presenter: Charlie Lee, Extension Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University

Day 2: Thursday, June 18; 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Water contaminants affecting cattle health
Summary: Water quality is essential for cattle health and performance. Managing water sources is a critical component of ensuring livestock wellbeing because certain contaminants can have dire impacts on cattle health. This presentation will explore some of the sources of these contaminants, their effects and methods to monitor water contamination.
Presenter: A.J. Tarpoff, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Veterinarian, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University

Day 3: Tuesday June 23; 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Blue-green algae and its dangers to livestock and pets
Presenters: Steve Ensley, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University; Scott Fritz, Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Jody Holthaus, Extension Agent, Meadowlark District; and Elizabeth Smith, KDHE Bureau of Water