MANHATTAN — It’s been a long summer for most of the world, including Russia and Kansas. Russia has banned the export of wheat because of the drought and severe wildfires in that country. Kansas has lost thousands of head of cattle this summer because of “a perfect storm” of extreme heat and humidity, said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty. Kansas farmers and ranchers can sympathize with Russian farmers because they know how cruel Mother Nature can be, he said. Kansas legislators shouldn’t aggravate the situation of ranchers and farmers by cutting state taxes, he said. He says that usually means local governments will have to increase property taxes to make up for state cuts. Property taxes of all taxes hit farmers and ranchers the hardest, he said.
Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1 p.m.
