AGP Executive Report

Cattle Industry: A cattle group warns that mandatory country-of-origin labels in the Senate Farm Bill could raise ranchers’ compliance costs and beef prices, without reliably increasing demand for U.S. beef. Kansas Fields: Recent rain improved drought conditions across much of the state, though parts of Barton County remain in moderate to severe drought; drier weather is helping wheat planting and harvest resume. Energy Costs: Kansas regular gas averaged $4.07 a gallon for the week ending Oct. 3, while diesel averaged $6.09, keeping fuel costs a concern for households and businesses. Data Centers: Proposed projects are drawing local scrutiny: De Soto neighbors are skeptical of household payments tied to its plans, while Emporia voters will weigh data center and battery-storage questions. Agriculture Research: KU researchers received a $1.9 million grant to study fungi that could help crops tolerate drought. Workforce: Textron launched aviation youth apprenticeships in Kansas, aiming to build a pipeline into the state’s aerospace industry.

Agriculture: Recent rain eased dry conditions across Kansas, with 51% of the state now outside drought; much of southern Barton County remains in moderate to severe drought. The drier stretch is helping wheat planting and harvest resume. Water Infrastructure: Russell City Council approved an application for a Kansas water loan for the R-9 Ranch pipeline project, advancing a key local supply investment. Data Centers: Emporia voters will decide whether to ban high-impact data centers and certain battery-storage systems within city limits; the proposed data-center threshold is a power load above 10 megawatts or water use above 100,000 gallons a day. Farm Innovation: Kansas corn growers and staff have joined national industry action teams, while a $1.9 million KU grant will support research into crop drought tolerance.

Farm Finance: U.S. farm debt has topped $605 billion, a record that may still understate what growers owe as borrowing from suppliers and other nontraditional lenders grows. High input costs and disrupted export markets are adding pressure. Fuel Costs: Kansas diesel averaged $6.09 a gallon for the week ending Oct. 3, squeezing farm and trucking budgets as fuel prices remain high. Energy and Data Centers: Kansas’ incentives for data-center construction are under debate in the governor’s race, with candidates split over the policy as electricity demand rises. Crop Research: A $1.9 million grant will support KU research into fungi that could help crops withstand drought. Manufacturing and Aviation: Great Bend’s Chamber marked Manufacturing Month with local companies, while Textron Aviation has launched a youth apprenticeship program in Kansas.

Professional Services: Kansas employers filed 448 H-1B petitions in 2025, with 99.1% approved; filings fell 16.1% from 2024. Black & Veatch led the sector with 103 petitions. Manufacturing & Workforce: Great Bend businesses marked Manufacturing Month, while Textron Aviation launched Kansas youth apprenticeships to build the aviation workforce. Energy & Development: Plans for a large battery-storage system in Pratt add to a growing debate over data-center incentives, power demand and farmland. Agriculture: A $1.9 million grant will support KU research into fungi that may help crops withstand drought, as farm debt and labor costs continue to weigh on producers.

Fuel and Energy: Kansas fuel experts say President Donald Trump’s agreement to import Russian diesel may do little to ease prices; farmers could see only modest savings from a separate waiver allowing red-dyed diesel on highways. Kansas regular gas averaged $4.07 a gallon and diesel $6.09 in the week ending Oct. 3. Agriculture: U.S. farm debt has reached a record $605 billion as producers face mounting financial pressure. USDA’s October crop report also raised questions for grain markets, while its higher sorghum-yield estimate adds another factor for Kansas growers. Investment and Infrastructure: A proposed 5.8-gigawatt-hour thermal battery project in Pratt puts Kansas in the race to store renewable power. Meanwhile, the governor’s race is sharpening debate over state incentives for data centers. Workforce: Textron is launching aviation youth apprenticeships in Kansas, a bid to build a local pipeline of skilled workers for the industry.

Crop Resilience: KU researchers will use samples from the university’s fungi library in a $1.9 million study of drought tolerance in wheat and rice, aiming to strengthen crops and reduce irrigation needs. Farm Outlook: USDA raised its Kansas sorghum yield estimate, but forecast production of 159.25 million bushels—down from 252 million last year—as drought and fewer harvested acres weigh on the crop. Energy & Investment: Antora Energy announced a 5.8-gigawatt-hour thermal storage project in Kansas. Meanwhile, data-center tax incentives have become a flashpoint in the governor’s race, with candidates divided over a pause and tighter financial and environmental rules. Farm Pressures: Record U.S. farm debt and labor shortages are adding strain for producers, while high diesel costs remain a major concern for Kansas agriculture.

Water-Smart Farming: Kansas State-led SatRAP researchers are testing satellite data with producers to sharpen irrigation decisions as High Plains water supplies decline; drought is also slowing the soybean harvest and hurting western Kansas corn yields. Feedyard Technology: Dodge City-based Crop Quest is using drones to count cattle, giving feedyards faster inventories without sending workers into pens. Farm Costs: Farmers are squeezed by high diesel and fertilizer costs, and industry voices say the federal dyed-diesel order will offer little relief as U.S. farm debt reaches a record. Energy Investment: A 5.8-gigawatt-hour thermal battery project planned for Pratt would add large-scale, multi-day energy storage in Kansas. Infrastructure: KDOT plans a $2.5 million resurfacing project on nearly 15 miles of U.S. 24 in Osborne County, starting the week of Oct. 12; crews expect to finish in November.

Kansas Agriculture: Drought is slowing the soybean harvest, while farmers face record U.S. farm debt and uneven meat-market margins. Kansas fuel experts also warn that the red-dyed diesel order may bring little relief and could complicate pricing for farmers. Manufacturing: Newton-based Park Aerospace reported second-quarter sales of $20.8 million, up from $16.4 million a year earlier, and earnings nearly doubled to $4.5 million. Energy: A 5.8-gigawatt thermal battery project planned for Pratt could put Kansas on the map for large-scale energy storage. Nuclear Development: Deep Fission cleared an initial federal safety-design milestone for its planned reactor in Parsons, even as questions about the project’s finances cloud its outlook. Stadium Development: Wyandotte County commissioners voted to opt out of specified parts of the Kansas Sports Authority law, citing local oversight as they continue negotiating terms for a proposed Chiefs stadium.

Agribusiness Leadership: Omaha-based Scoular named seven vice presidents to its leadership team, including executives overseeing finance, HR, IT and its ingredients and oilseed division. Stadium Financing: Wyandotte County is weighing changes that would reduce local oversight of financing for the proposed Chiefs stadium, a project estimated at $3 billion. Beef Production: A Kansas State University study found Charolais-cross cattle generated the highest modeled value across beef production stages, outperforming Angus-cross cattle by $14.87 per head at a matched carcass weight. Data Centers: Google’s Project Helium campus in Barber County was approved, part of a broader wave of large-scale data center development. Farm Finances: U.S. farm debt has topped $605 billion, and federal figures may miss growing loans from suppliers and other nontraditional lenders. Farmers and truckers also say a federal dyed-diesel tax break will offer little relief from high fuel costs.

Workforce: Textron Aviation has launched a youth apprenticeship program in Kansas, building a pipeline for aviation jobs. Rural Health: KHI will support Kansas organizations seeking newly announced rural health transformation grants. Energy Storage: A company confirmed plans for a major battery-storage project in Pratt, a potential boost to the state’s energy infrastructure. Beef Industry: Southwest Kansas communities and meatpacking businesses are still dealing with the fallout from immigration raids, which disrupted a workforce vital to the region. Farm Costs: Farmers and truckers say the federal order allowing dyed diesel on highways offers little relief from steep fuel costs. Agriculture: K-State is expanding its regenerative agriculture work, while CPKC reported record grain movement—two developments with implications for producers and rural supply chains.

Energy Investment: Antora Energy plans a 5.8-GWh thermal battery in Pratt, a major project to store electricity as heat. Agriculture & Labor: Immigration raids detained more than 100 people in southwest Kansas, straining families and the beef industry; Gov. Laura Kelly addressed the fallout with meatpacking unions in Dodge City. Dry weather is also hurting western Kansas corn yields. Transportation & Construction: KDOT awarded a $104.7 million contract for the north segment of the South Lawrence Trafficway expansion. Wakarusa Drive work is set to resume after utility delays disrupted access to nearby businesses, and KDOT apologized to Lawrence. Farm Costs: Kansas diesel averaged $6.21 a gallon in reports for the week ending Sept. 26, while Rice County’s lowest reported price was $6.29. A new federal order temporarily eases road-tax rules for dyed diesel, which could offer farmers some relief.

Campus & Education: Emporia State’s finalized Campus Master Plan was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents, including a King Hall addition, an outdoor amphitheater replacing Roosevelt Hall, removal of Science Hall and Cremer Hall, and a Memorial Union redesign plus new plazas. Ag Policy: A Kansas State University economist says the delayed 2026 ARC/PLC decision window gives wheat and other producers extra time to use harvest and USDA price info before choosing federal farm program options. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show diesel and E85 deals across Kansas counties, with Wabaunsee County’s lowest diesel at $5.69/gal and Coffey County’s lowest E85 at $3.09/gal, underscoring ongoing fuel-price volatility. Local Development: Douglas County’s drafted Wakarusa River Valley Vision Plan aims to balance conservation with growth and expand recreation and access, with commissioners reviewing findings after 18 months of input. Workforce Housing: Construction has started on a 38-unit workforce housing project in North Park, targeting households at up to 80% of area median income. Higher Ed/Policy: A KU petition from Trans Solidarity KU asks the university to clearly define how it will handle SB 244, and KU says it’s assessing feasibility and legal implications. Politics & Markets: Reuters reports the dollar stays under pressure as traders await Fed minutes and speeches for rate-hike signals.

Kansas Broadband & Local Tech: Nowata City Commissioners heard a proposal from IdeaTek for a fiber-optic internet build through city limits, with no vote taken but talks set to continue. Freight & Agriculture: CPKC set new grain-hauling records in September and the third quarter across Canada and the U.S., underscoring steady demand for rail logistics tied to Kansas-area farming. Energy Policy & Farm Costs: Trump signed an executive order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel, aiming to cut fuel pressure on agriculture and broader prices—though analysts warn the impact may be limited by state rules and supply. Property Tax Education: IAAO launched a new consumer site, whypropertytaxesmatter.org, to explain how property taxes connect to local services like schools, roads, and public safety. Kansas Construction & Infrastructure: Construction is underway on a new VA clinic in Junction City, while Lawrence businesses report impacts from a KDOT project extension. Local Government: Russell County commissioners approved consolidating the Noxious Weed Department office to save costs and advanced landfill concrete fees starting Jan. 1, 2027. Entertainment & Media Business: UTA signed Foolish Club Studios, the Kansas City Chiefs’ entertainment arm, expanding its film/TV reach.

Energy & Industry: Pratt Energy in Pratt is moving ahead with a 5.8 GWh multi-day thermal battery project from Antora Energy, aiming to deliver stored heat for ethanol operations and support 100+ construction and operations jobs. Agriculture & Markets: Feed ingredient pricing stayed mostly steady for poultry producers, while cattle and hog futures showed mixed pressure—cattle pressured by technical selling as corn weakens, lean hogs ticking higher. Local Infrastructure: Junction City is building a new Northeast Kansas VA clinic (46,000 sq. ft.) with radiology and more specialty care, targeting completion by winter 2028. Construction Disruption: Lawrence businesses at Clinton Parkway and Wakarusa Drive are dealing with extended KDOT South Lawrence Trafficway delays after utility issues pushed the closure timeline. Real Estate & Development: Overland Park broke ground on Hunt Midwest’s Canvas luxury apartments (227 units) with retail and amenities, slated for early 2029. Transportation & Logistics: XPO opened new freight service centers in Mesa, AZ and Cameron, MO to add capacity in major metro markets. Public Finance & Sports Business: Kansas City released details on a proposed Royals Crown Center stadium impact study, outlining expected attendance and a TIF district tied to public revenue projections.

Data Centers & Local Politics: Emporia’s data center and battery storage ballot fight is getting messier as residents argue petition language misreferences city planning rules, with clerical “drafting error” claims now shaping what voters will actually decide. Agriculture Innovation: UK-led Niab is launching a new international wheat pre-breeding and trait validation program, with Kansas State University and USDA research partners helping speed promising traits from lab to field. Workforce & Training: South Central Kansas workforce centers are spotlighting “shocking work positions,” including HVAC and maintenance roles, as employers push to fill skilled jobs. Public Health: Alfalfa sprout illnesses tied to a contaminated seed lot have spread to more states, including Kansas, prompting broader kitchen-level recalls. Water & Farming: Kansas officials are pushing back on a southwest plan to stabilize the Ogallala Aquifer, raising the stakes for conservation districts and future water rules. Healthcare Funding: Congress is moving to offset looming rural hospital funding cuts after a major 2025 bill set aside money that won’t directly plug hospital losses. Energy & Growth: Tonganoxie residents rallied against Project Bluestem, a proposed hyperscale data center campus, arguing local government inaction is letting big development steamroll community concerns. Business & Markets: Rising bond yields are squeezing mortgages and borrowing costs, adding pressure to household budgets and investment plans. Sports Business (Kansas City): Chiefs’ receiver injuries have reignited talk of a Tyreek Hill return, while Tyquan Thornton’s gruesome ankle injury could reshape the team’s near-term receiving depth.

Kansas Politics & AI/Data Centers: A new Kansas governor race fault line is forming around data centers and AI, with Democratic nominee Cindy Holscher pointing to public concern and pushing for a moratorium on new builds while Republican Senate President Ty Masterson faces pressure to address the issue. Public Health: An alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to a single seed lot has expanded to 76 illnesses across 16 states, including Kansas, as recalls reach more kitchens. Workforce & Immigration: Kansas educational employers filed 373 H-1B petitions in 2025, with a 97.9% approval rate, led by University of Kansas Medical Center and major school districts. Cybersecurity: A new report warns Kansas and other states that cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are a top concern, especially for smaller local governments with limited resources. Local Governance: Russell City Council will meet Oct. 6 with public hearings on a water loan for the R9 Ranch Water Pipeline Project and a neighborhood revitalization boundary amendment. Consumer/Industry Watch: Trump tariffs are prompting some auto investment in the U.S., but analysts say uncertainty is slowing bigger production gains.