HARVEST SHOWCASE

The 2010 edition of the wonderful Henry County Harvest Showcase is close upon us, Saturday, July 31, to be exact. This is the 11th annual celebration of all food, services, and crafts available in Henry County, with a big Agricultural flair. In fact, we sometimes refer to this event as the ‘largest free all local agricultural fair in Kentucky’, and no one has challenged that claim yet.

The entire event stems from the wish of the Henry County Farmers Market Association to have ‘lunch at the Farmers Market’ some years back, as a means to show folks just how good and nutritious buying local fruits and vegetables can be. It was quickly determined that moving the ‘Farmers Market’ from the Courthouse lawn to a larger venue was necessary, so for this one last Saturday in July, the Henry County Farmers Market is held at the Henry County Fairgrounds. Event goers will be able to purchase local produce and fruit from a large contingent of local farmers, with many treats available through the day.

For those getting up early on the 31st, tune in to Reed Yadon, Channel 11 Meteorologist, to learn about the weather, but more importantly, to see some of your fellow Henry Countians take their turns to ‘be on TV’! Then move on to the fairgrounds for the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast and to get your farm fresh produce. Sticking around a bit longer will give you the chance to eat locally prepared, locally grown items from several lunch vendors. Walk through the antique tractor show, all the vendor booths, listen to live entertainment all afternoon, and stroll through the Petting Barn.

Admission to this incredible event is FREE! If you chose to purchase any produce or crafts, you are assured that your dollars are staying in Henry County and assisting the goal of ‘keeping Henry County a well farmed countryside’. Hope you can attend.

More Info: http://henrycountygov.com/showcase/index.html

SUMMER WATERING

When summer weather heats up with no sign of rain, gardeners hook up the water hose to give their thirsty landscapes a drink. It seems like a simple enough task, but there are some tips to help you get the most from your efforts.
Plants benefit more from occasional heavy watering than from frequent shallow watering. Water equal to about 1-inch of rain penetrates the soil to a depth of about 6 inches which is enough to sustain most plants for a week. Light watering generally wets the soil to a depth of only an inch or less. This top inch of soil may hold some of the plant’s roots, but it will dry very rapidly. That means the water is not available to the plant for very long. It is much more effective to water less frequently and more thoroughly. During hot weather, some plants will wilt toward the end of the day – this is normal even if the soil has enough moisture. Look at plants in the morning for signs of drought stress (wilting, cupping of leaves, rolling of grass blades) and apply water when these signs are present. Wait until the next morning if you only see these signs at night.

Morning is the best time to take care of any overhead watering. This gives wet foliage a chance to dry in the sun. Flowers, leaves and stems that stay wet for several hours can have a higher incidence of disease.

For more information about caring for your home landscape and gardens, contact the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 845-2811.

KENTUCKY GRAZING SCHOOL

The next KY Grazing School is coming up August 9-10 at the Woodford Co. Extension Office in Versailles. Please contact us at the Henry County Extension Office for registration and details.

7/21/10

ABUNDANCE OF CLOVER IN 2010

Nearly every farmer and homeowner has noticed an abundance of clover in 2010. In the farming sector, this has raised concerns about bloat and a few local farmers have experienced cattle losses due to bloat.

There are several reasons for the high percentage of white clover this year. Ironically the drought years of 2007 and 2008 set the stage. During those years many pastures in Kentucky were overgrazed due to restricted plant growth and they simply could not sustain the number of cattle on most farms. Even the pastures that were not overgrazed had thin stands as many pasture plants died due to drought. Simply put, there just was not enough forage to support the normal number of cattle raised on Kentucky farms. When normal precipitation returned during the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009 white clover that had been dormant in the soil for years had bare soil and perfect conditions to germinate and grow. Throughout 2009 clover continued to germinate and grow leading to a higher than average abundance. Additionally, the abnormally cool moist conditions during 2009 were perfect for white clover to spread due to aboveground runners or stolons. Ample precipitation continued during the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010 allowing additional seed to germinate and more spreading to occur and clover seemed to take over many pastures.

In short, the clover abundance of 2010 goes back 4 years with bare ground caused by drought in 2007 and 2008, and above average precipitation and cool growing conditions during 2009 and 2010. And although clover is very high quality and desirable as forage, too much clover can lead to bloat in grazing cattle.

Mulches, Mushrooms And Molds

Mulching offers many benefits for landscaping in your yard and gardens. Some of these include retained moisture, weed control, improved drainage, lower soil temperature, erosion prevention and protection from mowers and trimmers.

Wet weather can cause mulch to produce some undesirable consequences. Gardeners most often spread mulch in spring and fall. The combination of seasonal rains and fresh wood chip or bark mulch can result in the growth of nuisance fungi on the mulch surface.

Some forms, like stinkhorns, bird’s nest fungus, earth stars, toadstools and slime molds are unattractive but fairly harmless. Other types, like the shotgun or artillery fungus are truly a nuisance. The artillery fungus shoots tiny masses of black spores onto nearby surfaces like home siding and cars.

Hardwood mulches, especially when they are finely ground, contain a large amount of cellulose which decomposes rapidly and leads to nuisance fungi unless they are composted first. Mulches low in wood content and high in bark content are less vulnerable to fungi.

Mulch should be applied no more than 2 inches in depth and should be soaked immediately after application to enhance the colonization of beneficial bacterial. Avoid sour mulches with an acrid odor. They are highly acidic and can injure plants.

For more information about how to care for you home landscape and gardens, contact your Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 845-2811.

7/7/10

SPIDERS AND SNAKES

Spiders and snakes are predators that prey on insects and other animals that feed on many plants found in yards and gardens. Both of these backyard visitors are often misunderstood. While it is true that some snakes and spiders will bite if disturbed, generally, neither are aggressive toward humans and actual bites in the yard are rare.

Two spiders found in Kentucky are considered dangerous; the brown recluse and the black widow. Both of these spiders prefer to live in dark, seldom disturbed areas. You are more likely to find them hiding in garages and storage sheds than among plants in your yard or garden. For this reason, it is always a good idea to wear gloves when searching through items in these areas.

Of the 33 snake species found in Kentucky, only four are venomous; the Northern copperhead, Western cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake and pygmy rattlesnake. These four species have very specialized habitat requirements and are rarely found around suburban homes and buildings.

Garter snakes, rat snakes and Eastern Milk snakes are harmless and more likely to be seen in populated areas. These beneficial species prefer damp, dark and cool areas where food is abundant. Stacked firewood, old lumber or junk piles, heavily mulched gardens, lawns and abandoned lots with tall vegetation, cluttered basements and attics, and feed storage areas in barns where rodents may be abundant, provide attractive habitats.

There a several ways to differentiate between venomous and harmless snakes. For a detailed list of identifying characteristics, go to the website: http://www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/publications_wildlife.php.

If you encounter a snake, the best approach is to retreat. A cornered animal is more likely to strike, but if left alone, the intruder will probably initiate its own retreat. If a problem persists, homeowners can try altering the habitat to make it less attractive. No chemicals exist to kill snakes so cultural practices such as mowing, removing clutter and controlling rodent populations must be used to reduce opportunities for human-snake interactions.

As predators, spiders and snakes are an important part of our natural world. They provide free pest control by reducing populations of undesirable insects and rodents that can damage crops, landscaping and property.

For more information about wildlife in your backyard, contact the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 845-2811.

6/23/10

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Controlling Weeds in the Vegetable Garden

Home gardeners look forward to that first ripe tomato or ear of corn picked from their own carefully tended gardens.  But after some vigorous hoeing on a hot humid day, some may be asking themselves if it is all worth it.

Weeds compete with crop plants for water, nutrients and sunlight, and can result in fewer fresh vegetables for your table.  There are some preventive practices that effectively combat weeds.  Frequent hoeing or rototilling on a weekly basis helps eliminate weeds when they are small and easily removed.

By planting rows a little closer, vegetable crops provide more shade which also helps to reduce weed pressure.  After harvesting a crop, plant another in its place to continue using the space.

Mulching works very well in the home garden.  Use organic material such as grass clippings, leaves or straw to eliminate weed growth and build up organic matter to make the soil more fertile and friable. Be careful about the kind of organic material you use.  Hay can introduce a considerable load of weed seeds into your garden.

Black plastic mulch is of specific benefit to certain vegetables including tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and vine crops.  In addition to shading out and eliminating weeds, plastic mulches conserve moisture and promote early crop growth by helping to heat up the soil in spring.  Landscape fabric has the added advantage of being water permeable and can be used for multiple years; although it is more expensive than black plastic.

Most importantly, do everything possible to keep garden weeds from going to seed.  One red root pigweed plant can produce 100,000 seeds that can continue to germinate over the next 15 to 20 years.

For more information about how to get the most from your home vegetable garden, contact the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 845-2811.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

FRESH PRODUCE FOR SALE

If you have decided not to grow your own garden, you can still get high quality, fresh, and locally grown vegetables from our Henry County Farmers Market or the Capstone Produce Market. The Farmers Market is open for business at the Courthouse Lawn on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Capstone Produce Market will be operating on Friday mornings at 11 am for the next two weeks.

6/9/10

HOW WE GOT PHASE I TOBACCO MONEY

Twelve years ago history was made when the Master Settlement Agreement was signed, giving Kentucky over $100 million in payments annually to be used at the digression of the Legislature.

Unlike many states that quickly shuffled the funds into a general account, Kentucky's Legislators made history by passing House Bill 611, committing 50% of these annual payments to the development of Kentucky's rural and agricultural communities.

The establishment of the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund in HB 611 created an unprecedented opportunity for Kentucky farmers. In the ten years since the bill was signed into law millions have gone into the agriculture economy to help diversify agriculture and improve net farm income. In Henry County, over $4 million has been put into farm infrastructure through the Phase I 50% Cost Share programs involving virtually all farm enterprises.

The local entity responsible for the final dispensation of Henry County Phase I Funds is the Henry County Agriculture Development Council. This 8 person Council appointed by Agriculture related agencies in the County has been working diligently for the past 10 years, carefully plotting each years’ program to get maximum benefit from the funding. The Council is currently undergoing it’s biennial appointments, so some of the membership will likely change, but the care and understanding of Henry County Agriculture will be maintained.

6/3/10

PASTURE MANAGEMENT

Good pasture management practices are essential to increasing quality livestock forages by reducing undesirable weeds and plants. The goal is to encourage growth of a vigorous, dense stand of desirable forage grasses, yet limit weed germination and growth. Unwanted plants can germinate in thin pasture stands and are more likely to become established within these areas.

Some weedy plants have nutritional value, especially those used in the early vegetative growth stages such as chicory and crabgrass.  On the other hand plants such as poison hemlock, are potentially toxic to grazing animals.  Then there are invasive weeds, such as musk thistle and tall ironweed, that crowd out desirable grasses and legumes.

Good pasture management starts with good grazing practices and timely mowing.  Well-timed mowing helps prevent the production and spread of new weed seeds.  Where perennial weeds dominate, frequent mowing can curtail weeds’ growth by depleting their root reserves but is often not feasible or economical.  A primary practice to avoid is overgrazing that reduces the competitive capabilities of desirable forage species.

Maintaining optimum soil fertility levels is another practice to promote growth of desirable forages.  Take routine soil tests to ensure the optimum soil pH and nutrient levels for pasture growth and quality.  Also, keep fence rows and adjacent fields free of troublesome weeds, such as musk thistle and poison hemlock, which produce abundant seed.

In some cases, herbicides may be the most practical weed-control method.  For best results, determine the types of weeds to be controlled, their life cycles and the best time of year to apply them.  Two generally preferred times of year to apply herbicides in grass pastures are in the fall to early winter months or in the early spring when plants begin active growth. Avoid applying herbicides in mid-summer, because many common products for pastures have the potential to injure nearby, sensitive broadleaf crops like tobacco, vegetables and ornamentals, especially under unusually high air temperatures and humidity.

For more information about good pasture management practices contact your Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 845-2811.

5/26/10

FARMERS MARKETS GETTING INTO FULL SWING

TARGET SPOT IN FLOAT BEDS

Over the past two weeks, the conditions favoring target spot in tobacco float beds has increased dramatically. Cloudy, damp conditions are perfect for diseases like Rhizoctonia damping-off, target spot, and collar rot. Last year, we had quite a bit of Target Spot in the float system. With wet conditions throughout the growing season, we didn’t have Blue Mold, but a lot of producer lost significant pounds because of Target Spot lesions on leaves.

The big question in front of us is what to do about the problem. The root of the target spot / damping-off outbreak probably goes back to inoculum that has carried over in old trays. Tray sanitation or replacement will only help with next year’s crop, but won’t make any difference at this point. For the current situation, we need to think about these things:

• Every effort should be made to keep plants as dry as possible, using ventilation fans, side openings, and keeping water levels in beds high to make sure the tops of trays are even or slightly above sideboards.

• Regular clipping is a must. Keep plants clipped to improve ventilation, making sure that debris is not allowed to build up in trays.

• Keep a close watch of fertility. If nitrogen drops much below 75ppm, you can count on target spot becoming aggressive. We’ll see this disease in properly-fertilized beds, but it’s way worse when N is low.

• Use Dithane DF/Manzate ProStick/Penncozeb DF. Apply one of these products at least weekly, if not every 5 days while the weather stays like it is. Use 0.5 lbs of product per 100 gallons of spray solution (1 teaspoon per gallon) and spray 1000 square feet of bed with between 5-7 gallons of mix. Use a medium droplet size to get leaf coverage and also rundown to stems and growth media.

• Quadris has just received a 24(c) label, allowing producers to make ONE application at a rate of 0.14 fluid oz of product per 1000 sq ft of float bed (roughly 400 trays), in approximately 5 gallons of water for good leaf coverage.

5/19/10

UK’s Horse Pasture Evaluation Program

A new UK Horse Pasture Evaluation Program aims to make things a little easier for horse farm managers and owners as they manage feeding programs for their horses. The program, which will run from April to October, works to help horse farms maximize pasture health and growth.

A small farm option has been added this year, with a comprehensive analysis at a reduced price. The evaluation includes a comprehensive soil map of the farm, a satellite image of the farm, grass species composition assessment, and a personal follow-up meeting with suggestions for improvements during the upcoming year. Additional options include tall fescue toxicity analysis, ergovaline measurements, and ascarid egg count. Although there are limits to the acreage that will be included in each package, an entire farm may be included in analysis if requested.

An understanding of pasture composition is one of the most valuable pieces of information to any horse farm manager. For broodmare operations, knowing the amount of tall fescue to determine the risk for fescue toxicity is crucial. Knowing the forage species that are present allows a better idea of how to best manage them for optimum production. By improving pasture production, you can reduce supplemental feed costs. In essence, the more they eat in the pasture, the less they need to eat in the barn.
Applications for the program are accepted throughout the year. For a farm registration form, contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

An understanding of pasture composition is one of the most valuable pieces of information to any horse farm manager. For broodmare operations, knowing the amount of tall fescue to determine the risk for fescue toxicity is crucial. Knowing the forage species that are present allows a better idea of how to best manage them for optimum production. By improving pasture production, you can reduce supplemental feed costs. In essence, the more they eat in the pasture, the less they need to eat in the barn.
Applications for the program are accepted throughout the year. For a farm registration form, contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

Spontaneous Combustion in Hay

Last year was a challenging year for even our experienced hay producers relative to baling and storage moisture, and early May this year is no exception. In Kentucky, there were several hay fires last year along with lower hay quality as a result of excessive heating caused by baling at higher than safe moisture. When the internal temperature of hay rises above 130 degrees Fahrenheit, problems arise that will initially lead to lower quality and possibly spontaneous combustion. All hay baled above 15% moisture and above will show some increase in temperature for the first couple weeks after baling. This is referred to as “sweat”. It will usually peak at 125 to 130 degrees F in the first two weeks after baling with minimum risk of combustion or quality loss. When moisture is too high and temperatures continue to rise, problems can occur.

5/12/10

HARVEST FOR QUALITY

The single biggest determining factor in the nutritional value and quality of hay is the stage of growth of the plant when it is cut from the ground to be harvested. In a nutshell, the earlier the harvest, the higher the quality of the forage. The most nutritional parts of the plant are the leaves in both grasses and legumes. The early growth of the plant is almost all leaf, but at some point, leaf growth stops and stem and flower growth start. When the grasses go past the boot or early head stage, they may seem to get a lot taller, but the percentages of nutrients start going down quickly. In legumes, the point at which highest energy and protein levels may be harvested starts going down at but to flower stage.

Studies show that the best compromise between total yield and highest quality is boot to early head stage in grasses, and bud to early flower stage in legumes. We’ve had a relatively dry and warm April, so most of our hay plants have had ample time to grow and soon will be transitioning to the seed stage. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate during the early going in May to allow farmers to harvest hay crops at highest quality.

PROTECTING POLLINATORS

Insects pollinate a large percentage of food crops grown in the U.S. Many different species of pollinators exist, but the insect best equipped for this job is the honey bee. Honey bees are exceptionally efficient at collecting and transferring pollen among the flowers of a particular crop. In a practice known as “flower fidelity” groups of foraging bees will visit just one type of flower, collecting and storing pollen in baskets located on their legs. As the bees fly from flower to flower, pollen particles are transformed between male and female parts triggering the plant’s reproduction cycle which results in a fruit or vegetable that may eventually find its way to a dinner table.

Approximately 4,000 species of native or wild bees assist the honey bee in making a large contribution to the pollination task. They include everything from large bumblebees to tiny sweat bees.

You can help promote and protect insect pollinators by following a few simple rules. Never spray plants with insecticides when the plants are actively blooming. If chemical applications are necessary, strive for infrequent use and choose selective products with minimal impact on natural resources, especially bees.

Promote pollinators and invite them into your environment by planting a diverse landscape with flowers, trees and other greenery that bloom in succession from spring into fall.

One more thing. We have several BeeKeepers in Henry County, and most of them are usually looking for more bees. If you see a ‘swarm’ of bees around your house or farm, let us know at the Extension Office (845-2811) and we’ll supply you with some names and numbers to call to remove the swarm.

4/14/10

WARMEST START TO APRIL – EVER

Seems like we had a very warm and dry weather start to April! Average temperatures across the area for the first half of April averaged anywhere from 7-11 degrees above normal. In fact, it has been the warmest first fortnight of April at Louisville and Lexington in recorded weather history.

CATTLE CARE

A couple of central Kentucky counties indicated last week that cattle producers are experiencing cattle losses due to bloat. Conditions are right currently with the dry conditions limiting grass growth and quite a bit of clover being in the stands this spring.

Poloxalene is an effective tool in reducing the risk to legume bloat. If blocks are not available, producers can obtain a powder form of poloxalene. We have information concerning intake levels of the material at the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811. Cattle must consume the targeted level to increase the efficacy of the product and the cattle need to be offered this daily. It is recommended that the cattle receive this 2-3 days prior to being introduced to pastures that are high risk. As always, don’t turn hungry cattle into new, legume loaded pastures. Have them fill with dry hay first.

Last week, the Master Grazer Class had a field day at the Caldwell Willig farm in Oldham County. Caldwell is already grazing his cattle on Alfalfa, but provides good quality grass hay to assist in reducing the risk to bloat during this time of the year.

4/21/10

REMINDERS FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

Spring Calving Cow Herd

● Have herd bulls evaluated for breeding soundness (10-20% of bulls are questionable or unsatisfactory breeders).
● Prevent grass tetany! Provide magnesium in the mineral mix until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60oF. Make sure that your mineral mix also contains adequate selenium, copper and zinc or you can ask your feed dealer for the UK Beef IRM High Magnesium Mineral.
● Continue to feed cows that have calved so they don’t lose body condition.
● Continue to watch cows and calves closely. Identify calves while they are young and easy to handle. Commercial male calves should be castrated and implanted.
● Don’t “rush to grass” although it can be really tempting. Be sure that grass has accumulated enough growth to support the cow’s nutritional needs before depending solely upon it.
● Start breeding heifers 1 heat cycle before cows so that they have extra time to recover from calving next year.

General

● Get everything ready to make high quality hay in May! Have equipment serviced and spare parts on hand. Order baler twine now. Be prepared to harvest an adequate supply of hay when you have the opportunity.
● Prepare for the grazing season. Check fences and make necessary repairs
● Plan now for fly control ... decide what fly control program that you will use but don't put insecticide eartags on cattle until fly population appears.
● Make plans to improve hay feeding areas to avoid muddy conditions like we have faced this winter. Consider geotextile fabric with gravel.

Fall calvers should pregnancy check cows now and cull open ones at weaning.

4/14/2010

Dr. John Strang, UK Horticulture Specialist, demonstrates pruning techniques on a young fruit tree during the Extension Pruning Sessions Monday afternoon, April 5. The first tour stop and demonstration was at the Marvin and Marie Oder place, with the second on the David and Shelley Noe Farm, near Campbellsburg. Dr. Strang was able to show styles and techniques for Apple, Pear, and Peach trees during the sessions. He also discussed the importance of a good spray schedule with the good group of both commercial and backyard orchardists in attendance.

The 2010 Henry County Cattleman's Association Board of Directors and Officers.   Seated, from l to r: Lloyd Gray, Larry Bryant, Brad Hargrove. Standing, l to r, Lindsey Burke  (Treasurer), Johnny Allison (Secretary), Eddie Foree, Judy Jackson (Vice President), and Justin Atchison. Absent when photo was made was Phillip Douglas, incoming President.

Johnny Allison and his mother Betty Allison were named "Henry County Cattleman of the Year" for 2009.

4/7/10

THANKS

On a personal note, thanks is extended to those many Henry County friends who called, visited, sent flowers, or otherwise supported me and my family as we lost my Dad last week. We cherish your friendship always, and particularly in this time.

3/24/10

RENOVATING PASTURE AND HAY FIELDS/SOIL TESTING

Renovate means to renew and improve. Lots of farmers have a great opportunity here in the spring to renew and improve their pasture and hayfields. This usually means adding needed lime and fertilizer, controlling weeds , and planting a legume such as red clover. The biggest benefits come as a result of getting legumes established in grass dominated fields, boosting both yields and quality of the forages produced.

We have a great publication here at the Henry County Extension Office on Renovating Hay and Pasture Fields, detailing all the steps involved. The very first step is getting the soil tested and making sure the fields have proper nutrients and pH. Soil testing is available through the Extension Office (845-2811), and we have some soil probes available for loan.

3/10/10

TIME TO REJUVENATE PASTURES

Pasture Renovation in Kentucky is generally defined as adding legumes to an existing grass based pasture. Research indicates the addition of legumes adds yield, increases quality, and reduces fertilizer needs because it manufactures its own nitrogen. All in all, this is a win, win,win situation for the producer, the pasture, and the animals which will utilize it later.

Most Henry County farms already have the base forage in place. Our rolling land is permanently dressed in fescue, bluegrass, orchardgrass, or timothy, or various mixtures of all these cool season grasses. The dominant species is fescue, which can cause some summertime problems due to the fescue endophyte. The addition of legumes to fescue doesn’t get rid of the endophyte problem, but it does plenty to lessen the effects simply by diluting the amount ingested by the grazing animals.

Our recent Kentucky Cattleman’s Association Conference featured an afternoon session on Forages. This years theme was the Role and Importance of Clovers in Kentucky. A survey indicates that as much as 50% of all clovers seeded in Kentucky are seeded with the time honored method of ‘frost seeding’. Frost Seeding can be done very simply by broadcasting clover seed on heavily grazed ground during February or early March, when the freeze and thaw action of the soil actually ‘moves’ the soil enough to get good seed to soil contact. Most of you know what I mean when I say ‘honeycombed’ soil, which happens when moist soil is frozen. The small round seed of the legume is well suited to work its way into the soil, and clovers especially have a tolerance to freezing temperatures as they germinate and grow.

One adage is to ‘Sow Clover on Pasture Fields in February in dark moon, on a snow’. This frost seeding technique works well, since February is usually going to have several freezes and thaws. Sowing on a snow guarantees some moisture, and it makes it easy to see where you’ve been. Dark moon is an astrological sign, and research cannot prove it helps the process, but neither can it prove it doesn’t.

If you would like a higher quality pasture, with more yield, and a way to reduce nitrogen needs on your farm, then target February as the month to sow clover. Sow 6 to 8 pounds of red clover seed per acre, and maybe add a pound or so of white clover for permanent pasture situations. Use certified seed which has performed well in Kentucky, and use soil sampling to insure adequate pH, phosphorus, and potassium for top performance.

1/27/10

COMMON FIELDS

Some press has picked up the information about a program called ‘Common Fields’. I have been told that ‘Common Fields’ is a USDA name for a program targeting new and beginning farmers. I’m also told by folks in the UK Department of Ag Economics that the Kentucky version of this program is KY FARMSTART, and is an in depth, 12 month program. In this region, we have been offering a program called “Green Acres” for the past couple of years. If enough people indicate interest in the new Kentucky FarmStart Program, we may be able to schedule it here. Please contact us at 845-2811.

1/20/10

CATTLE MANAGEMENT

As we go into the winter, Dr. Roy Burris, UK Beef Specialist, offers some timely tips for cattle farmers.

If you have a SPRING CALVING HERD, divide the herd into groups for winter feeding, First-calf heifers, second-calvers and thin mature cows should be separated from the remainder of the dry cows which are in good body condition. Begin feeding the lowest quality forage to dry cows which are in good condition during early winter and save the best hay for calving time or for weaned calves.

Body condition is important, plan an adequate winter program for cows to be at least body condition score 5 (carrying some flesh with ribs covered) before the calving and breeding season. This will help them to breed early in the spring. Thin cows should be fed to regain body condition prior to winter. Don’t let cows lose weight/condition.

For a FALL CALVING HERD, have a Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE) performed on bulls (even if you used them this spring). Observe performance of bulls during breeding season. Watch cows for return to estrus, if you see several in heat, try to determine the cause and consider changing bulls. Breeding can be accomplished very nicely on stockpiled fescue pasture; otherwise, cows with calves should be fed 25-30 pounds of good quality hay or its equivalent. Supplement with grain, if needed, and minimize hay waste. Cows shouldn’t be allowed to lose body condition.

All cattlemen might consider some General Management chores such as installing some geotextile fabric/gravel feeding areas before you begin hay feeding to minimize waste, and soil testing pastures to check for fertility and pH. These are tight economic times, and these are inexpensive ways to stretch limited dollars.

12/16/09

WILLIG IS KFGC FORAGE SPOKESPERSON

The Kentucky Grazing Conference was held on October 28 at the Western KY Research and Education Center, sponsored by the Forage and Grassland Council (KFGC) and the UK Extension Service. One of the highlights of the Grazing Conference was the Forage Spokesperson Contest. Congratulations to Caldwell Willig of Oldham County, who was this year’s winner.

Most Henry County Cattlemen know Caldwell as the farm host of the 2008 Regional Cattleman’s Field Day. The following is an overview of Caldwell’s diversified farming operation: Located on 300 acres along the Ohio River, Rivercrest Farm raises Angus – Tarentaise cross beef cattle. The farm consists of approximately 115 acres of pasture and 75 acres of river bottom which is leased for row crop production. The balance of the farm is in woodlands.

Pastures include 6 acres of grazing type alfalfa, 5 acres of eastern gamagrass, 2 acres of bermudagrass, with the remainder in cool season grasses and ladino clover. Pastures are rotationally grazed using portable electric fencing and both permanent and portable waterers. Rivercrest Farm has a herd of 75 cows divided between spring and fall calving. In addition to raising and selling freezer beef, the farm produces and sells eggs from a flock of 50 laying hens. This farm also had its first harvest this October of pasture raised Cornish cross broiler chickens.

Caldwell will represent KFGC at the American Forage and Grassland Council annual conference in June of 2010 in Springfield, Missouri.

CUTTING ASH CONTENT

In your haymaking operation, if you have clouds of dust trailing your rake, you’re probably adding unnecessary ash to your forage. What is ash? Simply put, it’s dirt. A certain amount of ash is unavoidable. Grass plants contain about 6% ash, and alfalfa holds nearly 8%. But the harvesting and handling of hay or silage, on average, adds 4% more ash, for an average of 10-12% ash, and can be a limiting factor for beef gain or milk production, according to Dr. Dan Undersander of the University of Wisconsin.
To limit the amount of dirt you get in your hay, here are some suggestions:

• Cut the crop at least 3-3½” high. If you cut alfalfa shorter you get a little more tonnage, but as you go below 3”, especially when the soil is dry, you’re going to be picking up more dirt.
• Change your disc mower knives from standard to flat. The standard knife has a 14-degree angle and it creates a little vacuum. On first cutting when the ground is wet, it doesn’t make any difference; on second and third, when the ground is dry, you can easily pick up 1-2% ash.
• Keep rake tines from scraping the ground.

12/9/09

FIREWOOD BASICS

With the surge in energy costs recently, wood for heating is making a big comeback in Henry County and even our more urban neighbors. Wood can provide an economical and enjoyable way to heat your home, and it pays to know a thing or two about purchasing and using this natural resource.

The first question often asked is what kind of wood to buy. Knowing if a species is a high or low density wood can have a big impact on the amount needed. Low density woods such as yellow poplar, silver and red maples, and buckeye, contain a greater amount of air between the cell walls. High density species such as oak, black locust, hickory, ash and beech produce more heat per unit volume because they contain more wood and less air in their cellular structures. The more economical purchase will be high-density woods that generate more heat.

Another factor to evaluate is how well the wood was seasoned. Wood comes from living plants which means they contain water. The moisture in unseasoned wood can account for up to 50 percent of its weight. Energy generated from burning wet wood goes toward evaporating the moisture within the wood itself and can greatly diminish its heat producing capacity. Seasoned wood has been allowed to air dry for 6 to 12 months which removes the largest percentage of water. Well-seasoned firewood is gray in color, has splits in the ends of the logs and looks weathered. Round logs split into smaller sections yield more surface area and speed the drying process.

Knowledge of how firewood is measured is a third important piece of information to learn in order to get the most from your wood-burning dollars. Terms used for describing a volume of wood include cord, face cord, rick, and truckload. The only ‘official’ measurement is the standard cord which measures128 cubic feet of wood, generally measured as a pile 8 feet long by 4 feet tall by 4 feet deep. The term face cord refers to a stack of wood 8 feet long by 4 feet tall, but only as deep as the wood is cut, so a face cord of 16" wood actually is only 1/3 of a cord, 24" wood yields 1/2 of a cord, and so on. Webster defines a rick of wood simply as a pile of wood, but locally most folks use rick as being a face cord. Obviously, truck sizes vary tremendously, but most pickups won’t haul a full cord. Adding to the confusion is the fact that the size and shape of individual logs and how carefully they are stacked influences the actual volume regardless of the weight purchased. It is very important that you get all of this straight with the seller before agreeing on a price.

The best firewood produces the greatest heat value at the lowest cost. For more information about firewood and fireplace and heating stove safety, contact the Henry County Extension Service at 845-2811.

12/02/09

MARKETING SPRING BORN CALVES

With fall upon us, Henry County beef farmers will soon begin making marketing plans for spring-born calves. Even with a much better forage situation this summer, many cow-calf producers have struggled to cover rising costs on a softer calf market, said UK Agricultural Economist Kenny Burdine a couple of weeks ago at the Master Cattleman Marketing Session held in Henry County.

Many cow-calf producers sell calves at weaning each year, regardless of what the market is doing. But, Burdine warned that weaning and preconditioning those calves can potentially increase their market value and also allow the producer to add some additional pounds before sale time.

Fall 2008 turned out to be a tough time for preconditioning programs like CPH-45. Forage was scarce, so most producers primarily fed calves with purchased feeds during the preconditioning period. Then the other shoe dropped from August to December as the overall calf prices sharply fell in response to mounting concerns about how the economy would affect demand. Even though the price premiums were as strong as they usually are, the overall price drop from weaning time to sale time left many beef producers in situations where they were not able to cover their preconditioning costs and weaning value. In other words, many would have been better off had they sold calves at weaning time, according to Burdine.

Burdine encourages producers to look at 2009 with a fresh set of eyes and not base this year's decision strictly on last year. The calf market is stronger than it was last winter, and feed prices will likely be lower. So, he encourages farmers to sit down and work through a breakeven. Considerations include the value of the calves at weaning time, the extra feed required to keep the calves gaining about 2 pounds per day, mineral, medicine, labor, interest and any other legitimate expense, and finally the anticipated value of the heavier calf at sale time.

If preconditioning is considered profitable in 2009, then begin looking to the CPH-45 type offerings. While preconditioning for health is considered a plus for the buyer, the grouping of large numbers of like size and color calves is another reason for the premium prices at CPH-45 sales, allowing smaller farmers a marketing boost.

We have some real good opportunities for CPH-45 sales this year, with the usual monthly sales at Bluegrass Stockyard in Lexington, and a new sale at Producers Stockyard in Owenton on Monday, November 23. Whichever sale you decide on, remember to observe all CPH-45 rules from the specific sale site, and make sure to wean 45 days in advance. Contact the Henry County Extension Office (845-2811) to get details.

9/30/09

DEALING WITH THE EMERALD ASH BORER

Many of you have seen the big purple boxes swinging from Ash trees this spring and summer. The purpose of these Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) traps were to find out if these Ash tree killing insects had made it into Kentucky from the states to the north. They had. Without using the traps, we now have 7 counties with confirmed EAB presence, and while Henry County is not one of the seven, we are in the Quarantine area. What does this all mean? The following information and philosophy is from UK Tree Specialist Dr. William Fountain.

The initial infestations appear to have occurred in Michigan five to eight years ago. The option of confining it or eradicating does not exist, and there are no resistant Ash trees. EAB is responsible for the death or removal of over 20 million trees in Michigan alone. As this insect has moved through states to our north, all untreated ash trees have succumbed or are infected. At this time management is our only option for protecting valuable trees.

Though they may be genetically the same, urban and forest trees are economically different and must be managed accordingly. It is economically impractical to protect large numbers of trees in woodlots. The discussion of timber management will be discussed at a later time. Here, we’ll discuss the many Ash trees which are an important component of farmsteads and our urban and suburban landscapes.

The obvious signs of EAB infestation are small (1/8 inch) D- shaped holes, dieback of the crown and woodpeckers feeding on the larvae. The first feeding by EAB larvae is usually in the crown of the tree. By the time feeding and the resulting exit holes can be seen at eye level, it is generally too late for the tree to be saved.

Ash trees can be protected by specific insecticides. The best treatments currently available contain imidacloprid, applied by injection (professional) or drench (homeowner). There are advantages and disadvantages to either method. Insecticides applied by these two methods are considered to be protectants. Specifically, they are must effective when they are applied before the insect begins to feed in the tree. If a tree has lost more than 50% of its crown it is probably too late to save the tree. These insecticides must be applied on a regular basis for as long as the owner wishes to keep the tree.

Making intelligent decisions on which trees to treat and which to remove necessitates knowing (1) the size of the tree and (2) the perceived value of the tree to the owner. Protection is going to be expensive and, with the materials currently available must be treated on a regular basis and at the proper time of year. Generally, trees should be treated well prior to the emergence date of the EAB larvae (approximately mid May).

Young newly planted trees (1 to 2 inch trunks) are generally considered not to be worth treating. If these trees were installed as an important part of the landscape design, remove them and replace with a resistant species. If they were installed as part of a large planting and will not be missed if they are lost, they can be left and either removed when they become infected or treated should cheaper and more effective become available.

Old and declining trees (over 22 inches in diameter) are so large that it is difficult to get enough of the pesticide into the tree to effectively protect the tree. If a large tree is especially valuable to a landscape it can be protected with the intention of providing some lesser degree of protection with the thought that more effective insecticides will be coming onto the market.

Young and maturing trees (4 to 18 inches in diameter) are generally worth protecting, especially if they are considered to be a valuable component of the landscape. There are three reasons why this is especially true for trees in the upper end of this size range. Trees on the south side of a home or in a livestock pasture are valuable not only for the beauty they add but especially for the shade they will provide in the coming decade. Shade from trees reduces utility bills. Secondly, air conditioners in houses that are shaded do not work as hard and, last longer. Thirdly, treating to prevent EAB infection is cost effective. The cost of treatment to large trees over a period of a couple of decades is going to be less than the cost of removal. When you add the cost of a replacement tree and the decade of higher utility bills it can be an obvious decision.

There are going to be a lot of questions about Ash trees in the coming months and years. We will continue to try to explain the facts and the options through the UK Cooperative Extension Service. The local Extension Office can be reached at 845-2811.

7/29/09