As harvest is upon us, here are some interesting facts about corn production in Stevens County:

* Corn is generally planted in mid to late April and harvested for grain in early October.

* Corn uses as much as 24” of water from germination to maturity.

* Approximately 115,000 acres are planted each year with a production of 20,000,000+ bushels!

* The vast majority of corn we produce in the county is irrigated from the Ogallala Aquifer.

* Most of the corn production goes to feed livestock such as hogs and cattle.

* After grain harvest many corn fields are used to graze livestock over the winter months.

* Corn production is an important part of the economy of Stevens County!

Hi, my name is Grant Niehues, and I am a member of the Stevens County 4-H Wranglers Club.

I am a senior at Hugoton High School and have been a member of 4-H since second grade. For the past two years, I have been leading the 4-H plant science project in Stevens County.

I have enjoyed covering topics such as learning about pasture grasses and area. Teaching has been very rewarding, allowing me to work on my leadership and communication skills, as well as learn more about plant science while teaching other kids about the project.

If you’re considering 4-H for your child, I highly encourage you to come and learn about our local program. 4-H is not just about animals and crops; it can be anything you want it to be. It brings families together, and everyone learns, including parents!

I have made lifelong friends of all ages through 4-H. If you want to discover the talent in our community, you will through 4-H.

We have many volunteers who generously share their knowledge with our youth. Enrollment for the new 4-H year begins October 1, 2024. For more information, please call our local Wild West Extension Office at 620-544-4359 or stop by the office at 114 East Fifth Street in Hugoton.