TOBACCO BLUE MOLD UPDATE

While there are no confirmed cases of Tobacco Blue Mold in Kentucky as of press time, Dr. Ken Seebold has taken a look at predicted movement of blue mold spores from the two known sources of the disease in south Georgia, and there’s a good chance that spores could have been moved across eastern, central, and northern KY late last week. Tobacco producers are hereby advised of this risk, and should begin scouting tobacco fields for lesions. We will pass along updated forecasts and advisories as they become available.

6/18/08

TIPS FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

In the Spring Calving Cow Herd, the breeding season continues. Observe the cows and bulls! Watch bulls for injury or lameness and change bulls if a high percentage of cows are returning to heat. This is a critical time for getting cows bred. They should be on good pasture with clover and preferably low endophyte levels for the spring breeding season. Keep pastures vegetative by clipping or making hay. Cows should have abundant shade and water; heat stress can ruin the breeding season. Keep a good pasture mineral mix, which contains adequate levels of phosphorus, vitamin A, selenium and copper, available at all times.

For the Fall Calving Herd, wean calves as soon as pasture quality deteriorates, if not already done. Cull smooth mouthed cows, cows weaning light weight and/or poor-quality calves, and open cows.

Select replacement heifers on the basis of: conformation, weaning weight, temperament, dam and sire records, those who will reach their target weight by the beginning of their breeding season.

General:

• Finish harvesting excess pasture as hay soon! It should be cut before it becomes too mature.
• Pasture should supply adequate energy, protein and vitamins at this time. Don’t overgraze pastures so that recovery time will be faster. Overgrazed pastures will recover very slowly during July/August.
• Keep pastures small for rotational grazing so that nutritive quality can be maintained. They should be small enough so cattle do not graze longer than a week. As the season progresses, you need several paddocks to give each properly stocked pasture about 4 weeks' rest.
• Clip grazed-over pastures for weed control and so that seed heads do not irritate eyes. Pastures should be kept in a vegetative state for best quality.
• Control flies. Consider changing insecticides and/or methods of control this year, because insecticide resistant flies may have developed if you have used the same chemical year after year.
• Prevent/Control pinkeye
consider vaccinating,
control flies,
clip tall, mature grass,
• Maintain a clean water supply and check it routinely. Water is the most essential nutrient, and takes on an added importance during extremely hot weather.

6/11/08

PURPLE BOXES IN TREES

A few folks have seen the bright purple boxes in some trees around the area, and are wondering what they are for. They are insect traps, specifically to attract and trap any adults of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Approximately 2500 of these traps have been placed in the northern region of Kentucky, north of I-64. The traps are generally place in or near ash trees, and will be removed in August to determine if any EAB infestation exists in Kentucky.

Emerald Ash Borer was found in the ash forests near Detroit, Mighigan, in 2002. Once infested with the borer larvae underneath the bark, the ash trees weaken and die. While the adult flight of the beetle is not extremely far, it is believed the greatest threat to spread this potentially damaging insect to Kentucky is through interstate movement of nursery trees and firewood. Last year, the EAB was found in ash trees within 50 miles of Cincinnati. If you find an ash tree that you think is infested by the EAB, please contact the County Extension Office at 845-2811, or directly to a USDA EAB Hotline at 866-322-4512.

6/4/08

HENRY COUNTY PHASE I REQUESTS ARE APPROVED

The Kentucky Agriculture Development Board met Friday and approved Henry County’s request for $292,530 of Henry County Phase I Tobacco Settlement Agreement funds to be used in another menu of Model Programs. The request was made jointly by the Henry County Cattleman’s Association, the Agriculture Development Council, and the Agriculture Diversification Association. The actual administration of the 50% cost share programs will be accomplished by the Cattleman’s Association, with the Henry County Extension Office serving as the portal for the farming community.

With this successful application, Henry County is now eligible to administer the regular Phase I Menu of Model Programs in addition to the one-time only funds made available through the Kentucky Agriculture Relief Effort (KARE). As stated, the regular Phase I program will offer $292,530.00, while the new KARE program will offer $133,483.00.

Because some of the legal ‘executions of agreement’ are still being processed, neither of these programs is ready for farmer applications at this time. Once the execution of agreement is processed and we have received the green light, we will announce both programs with large block advertisements in the HENRY COUNTY LOCAL for 2 weeks. The advertisements will announce the specific cost share programs available and the application procedure for farmers, including the beginning and the ending date of the application process. As plans stand right now, both programs will be advertised at the same time, with the same application period so farmers may visit the Extension Office to pick up both applications and return both to the same location. It must be emphasized that these are two different programs, requiring a separate application form for each. Each of the two programs will have a maximum cap per farm applicant of $2,500.00. All farmers are invited to apply for both programs. A farmer may be successful in both, meaning that as much as $5,000.00 could be reimbursed if as much as $10,000.00 was spent in eligible programs. However, it is possible for a farmer to receive one and not the other, or neither one, a fact that is dependant on the applicant pool. History tells us that the applicant pool is generally somewhat larger than the available funds.

Please stay tuned to this column and the HENRY COUNTY LOCAL for more news.

CPH SALES CONTINUE TO GIVE MARKET ADVANTAGE

Henry County farmers choosing CPH-45 sales as a market option for their feeder calves and stockers have made some extra money, according to a UK market analysis. CPH-45 (Certified Preconditioned for Health and weaned for at least 45 days) has been a Kentucky marketing tool for over 25 years, but has really become an emphasis in the central Kentucky area in the past few years. The special sales have allowed small and large producers alike to sell in group lots, and the reputation of these healthy calves has spread out into the feedlots.

How much market advantage do CPH calves have when compared to statewide average prices? The study indicates the 2007 – 08 CPH sales have averaged $8.34 per hundredweight over comparable calves. The largest sale site is Lexington with nearly 10,000 head, and their sales have been even better, averaging $9.60 per cwt over regular sales.

Henry County producers wishing to utilize CPH marketing sales at the Lexington site need to plan ahead, as there are some requirements. In addition to the calves needing to be given a specific health treatment, the producer must also be Beef Quality Assurance certified, the farm must have a Premise ID, and the calves must be source and age verified through a Process Verified Program (PVP) Audit. For further information, please contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

5/21/08

SUMMER GRASSES MAY EASE FORAGE CRUNCH

Henry County forages have taken some real hits lately, and farmers have had little chance to do much about it. The “Easter Freeze” in spring of 2007 severely damaged many new seedings and caused a reduction in hay and pasture yield. The drought of 2007 reduced pasture and hay field production, and pretty much kept farmers from making fall forage seedings. The past winter and early spring were so wet that farmers were not able to renovate fields timely. Quite possibly, the cool wet soils have limited the growth of our first crop of 2008 hay. Bottom line, we are depleted of forage reserves, and 2008 has not cooperated with conditions to allow us to recover as we would hope.

As a result, livestock farmers may want to consider using some summer annual grasses this year. These grasses – teff, sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrid and pearl millet – can play an important role for supplemental pasture and hay needs. If managed properly, these grasses can provide high yields of good quality forage in a short amount of time.

Summer grasses can be planted from May until the end of July in Kentucky. The grasses produce most of their growth from May to September. If it’s being used for grazing, the plants need to be at least 18 inches tall. Enough animals need to be placed in the field to graze the grass down within a week at most and then moved to another area. After grazing, it should be mowed to a height of six to eight inches. It may take six to eight weeks before it is ready for grazing again. Grazing can continue until frost. These crops can also be harvested as silage, haylage or hay when plants are in the boot stage for best yield and quality.

The disadvantage of annual summer grasses is that they have to be reestablished every year, which makes them less economical than cool season grasses. Animal disorders, such as nitrate poisoning and prussic acid poisoning, can be a factor with some of these grasses.

5/14/08

TAKE HAY EARLY FOR HIGHEST QUALITY

Highest quality or more bales per acre? The cruel reality is that we can’t have both at the same time, and most of the time, due to personal preferences, weather, or culture, we end up harvesting our forages with ‘bales per acre’ in mind. When this hay is tested, it usually falls short of meeting the nutritional requirements of our cattle, particularly in light of the high nutrient needs of cattle when we usually feed hay in the winter. For optimum performance of the animal, we usually need to supplement the hay, and as we now know, supplemental feeds are very expensive.

So, the question becomes: how do we maximize quality and yield at the same time? The best choice, according to science, is a compromise of yield and quality. On a percentage basis, the highest quality any of our forage plants will have is when they are in the growing stages. The lowest quality, on a percentage basis, begins when the plant reaches the reproductive stage, and then as the plant matures gets worse and worse.

On the flip side, the lowest dry matter yield for our forage plants is when they are very young and in the early growth stages. Highest yield in terms of ‘bales per field’ is somewhat after the reproductive stages. Taking our forage plants when they are in the transitional stage between growing and reproductive means cutting legumes in the late bud to early bloom stage, and for grasses, it’s the boot stage, or just before the seedhead is seen.

Regardless of when you cut your hay, it’s hard to predict the nutrient content that the cattle may receive, particularly since every stage of the forage harvest and feeding operation creates some loss in quality. Your hay can be analyzed to help develop a feeding program that fits your animals’ needs.

As with any crop, many factors are involved in producing quality forages, but arguably the most important is harvest time. Try to get your first hay harvest as early in May as possible.

5/7/08

The Wettest Oct thru April ....WOW!

I’m sure you don’t have to be reminded that this past winter has been an extremely wet one, but would you believe we set a wet weather record immediately after seeing the 3rd driest summer ever recorded? After descending into a significant drought during the summer of 2007, drenching rains soaked the region on October 22-23, with 6.63" of rain falling at Louisville during those two days. Since then, the wet conditions persisted through the winter into the early spring of 2008. As a result, the period October 1 through April 19 has become the wettest such period ever recorded at Louisville, with 41.28" of rainfall during the roughly six and a half month period. That’s quite an impressive amount of rainfall, considering that the normal amount of precipitation for an entire year at Louisville is 44.53"!

One gentleman remarked to me that “in the future, when we wish for rain to break a drought, we should be more specific!”

TOBACCO COOPERATIVE CHECKS and W – 9’s

Last week, we mentioned some information concerning the recent mailing of Checks from the Settlement of the lawsuit involving the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative. Each and every of the 198,000 ‘members’ of the Cooperative is to receive a check for $265.33. In the mailing, however, only 86,000 received their check, and approximately 109,000 received a W-9 form which must be completed and mailed back in the self addressed envelope. In essence, those who received checks were those for whom the Cooperative Association had accurate Social Security numbers or Taxpayer ID numbers.

While the amount of money is not a huge deal, every little bit helps, and you certainly should get what you are due. I was a bit surprised Sunday when I visited my Mom and Dad back in Boyle County, and I asked Dad if he got his check for $265.33 and he said no. He immediately went to his desk and retrieved the mail envelope he received last week, and showed me that he got the W-9 form, not the check. At 87 years old, and having owned and raised tobacco for nearly 60 years in the program since the end of his service in WWII in 1946, he was a bit frustrated that he had to fill out more forms before he got his check. I don’t blame him. However, those are the circumstances, and those who received W-9’s should go ahead and mail the information in so their check can be sent in a second group mailing.

4/30/08

HENRY COUNTY FARMERS MARKET

The 2008 edition of the Henry County Farmers Market will begin this Saturday, April 26, at 8:00 am, at the Henry County Courthouse Lawn in New Castle. The weekly Saturday morning market will continue into October, and a Wednesday afternoon will be added each week during peak season, as well as some Friday afternoons at the Eminence Renaissance Market Pavilion.

The Farmers Market will feature Top Quality, all locally grown Produce, Herbs, Flowers, Bedding Plants, and some Arts and Crafts. All members are Henry County Farm families.

As energy prices have increased, so have cost of food items in our regular markets. As a consumer, your participation in the Henry County Farmers Market will help strengthen ongoing efforts to establish a local food economy which can help reduce our dependence on energy and imported food items.

TOBACCO CO-OP DISTRIBUTION

By now, most Henry Countians eligible for the Burley Cooperative Distribution checks should have received them. Dr. Will Snell, UK Economic Specialist, reminds us that the distribution is based on membership and not by size of production. Each member will receive $265.33. Members who received infrastructure cost-share funds from the co-op will not be eligible for a distribution check. Questions may be directed to 1-800-351-1694.

4/23/08

CATTLE TIPS

Only a couple of weeks back, we presented some Cattle Tips from Dr. Roy Burris, UK Beef Specialist, taken from a monthly newsletter entitled “Off the Hoof”. Space does not permit the entire reprint, so I usually take some liberty narrowing down the content, deciding to include Spring Calving and General tips, leaving out Fall Calving tips. While Henry County Beef Cattle production is predominately Spring Calving, after some real challenges with the weather this year and extra losses, some producers are seriously considering going to Fall Calving. Here is the latest “Off the Hoof”, complete with fall calving tips.

Spring Calving Cow Herd

● Continue to watch cows and calves closely. Identify calves while they are young, castrate and implant market males.
● Continue to feed cows that have calved on an adequate nutritional plan to rebreed.
● Prevent grass tetany! Continue providing magnesium in the mineral mix until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60oF. .
● Don’t “rush to grass” although it will be really tempting this year. Be sure that grass has accumulated enough growth to support the cow’s nutritional needs before depending solely upon it.
● Purchase replacement bulls at least 30 days prior to the start of the breeding season and make sure you evaluate all bulls for breeding soundness.
● Make final selection of heifer replacements. Look for "target" weight (2/3 of mature weight) before breeding, and cull those which have small pelvic areas.
● Start breeding heifers 1 heat cycle before cows so that they have extra time to recover from calving next year.

Fall Calving Cow Herd

● Let calves creep-graze wheat or rye, if it is available. Calves will benefit from extra feed until spring grass is adequate.
● Pregnancy check cows now and cull open ones at weaning or move to the spring-calving herd.
● Plan marketing strategy for feeder calves.

General

● Prepare for the grazing season. Check fences and make necessary repairs.
● 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.
● 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.

GETTING READY FOR THE PERIODICAL CICADA

Do you remember an outbreak of Periodical Cicadas about 17 years ago? According to UK Entomologists, most of Kentucky can expect intense activity this summer in some areas. Mature periodical cicada nymphs will begin to emerge when the soil temperature reaches 64 F. Once it starts, emergence will continue for about 3 weeks. Physical protection of new or small plantings will be the most effective means of reducing damage where cicada numbers are high. Numbers will be high along edges of wooded areas. These are not loveable insects but they will have little to no impact on the health of large, established trees.

Excessive control efforts may provide temporary satisfaction but are not likely to have an impact. Direct sprays onto cicadas with many garden and landscape products will provide some reduction but new arrivals will limit the effectiveness of sprays. It will be similar to dealing with the Japanese beetle – the trees and shrubs will be attractive – whether they are treated or not.

4/9/08

PHASE I UPDATE

Just a few weeks ago we discussed the 2008 Phase I program for Henry County, mentioning that the administrating groups were targeting a similar timetable as in the past. In short, we had advertised the programs in March and April, taken applications in April and May, and by the time Kentucky got the Master Settlement Funds to Henry County in June we were able to send letters of approval to the successful applicants. This year, however, we are going to have to wait. According to guidelines, we cannot advertise Phase I Applications until after Henry County’s “Execution of Agreement” documentation is complete, and the earliest that may take place is probably June.

If Henry County is approved for the new Kentucky Agriculture Relief Effort (KARE), it appears that the timetable may be May or June also.

With either of these two Cost Share programs, advertisements will appear in the Henry County Local for two consecutive weeks before the farmer application period will begin. We will certainly try to keep you posted on developments as they occur.

4/2/08

CATTLE TIPS

The last edition of a new newsletter from the Beef Cattle group at UK lists some real important tips for managing our cattle herds at this transitions time of year.

Spring-Calving Cows

• Continue grass tetany prevention. Be sure that the mineral mix contains magnesium.

• Calving areas should be as clean and as free of mud as possible.

• Check cows at least twice daily and first-calf heifers more frequently than that. Be ready to assist those not making progress after 1 to 2 hours of hard labor.

• See that each calf gets colostrum within an hour of birth.

• Identify calves with eartags while calves are young and easy to handle and record birthdate and Dam ID. Commercial male calves should be castrated and implanted as soon as possible.

• Separate cows that have calved and increase their feed. Energy supplementation to cows receiving hay is necessary to prepare them for rebreeding. For example, a 1250 lb cow giving 25 lb/day of milk would need about 25 lb of fescue hay and 5 lb of concentrate daily or 12 hay and 14 lb of concentrate (if you are limiting hay) to maintain condition. Cows must be in good condition to conceive early in the upcoming breeding season.

• Watch for calf scours! If scours become a problem, move cows which have not calved to a clean pasture. Be prepared to give fluids to scouring calves that become dehydrated. Consult your veterinarian for advice and send fecal samples to diagnostic lab to determine which drug therapy will be most effective. Try to avoid feeding hay in excessively muddy areas to avoid contamination of the dams’ udders.

• Vaccinate calves for clostridial diseases (Blackleg, Malignant Edema) as soon as possible. You might choose to do this at the pre-breeding working in late April or early May.

• Finalize plans for your breeding program. Purchase new bulls at least 30 days before the breeding season – demand performance records, a BSE, and check health history including immunizations. Use visual evaluation and expected progeny differences (EPD’s) to select a bull that fits your program.

General

• Plan for a feeding area with filter fabric and crushed rocks, if mud is a problem this year.

• Watch for lice and treat if needed.

• If you have a dry, sunny day, use chain-link harrow to spread manure in areas where cattle have overwintered. This may be done in conjunction with renovation.

• Renovation and fertilization of pastures should be completed soon.

• Repair fences, equipment and handling facilities.

• Start thistle control. They can be a severe problem in Kentucky pastures. Chemical control must be done early to be effective.

3/26/08

KARE

KARE (Kentucky Agriculture Relief Effort) was announced last Thursday by Governor Beshear. While many questions are still unanswered at this point, let me indicate some of the items we do know.

KARE is designed to deliver assistance focused toward on farm improvement that will lessen the impact of future weather related disasters. It will utilize the infrastructure already in place in most counties to administer Phase I Funds, so it will look a lot like our Forage Improvement, Fencing Improvement, and Water Improvement programs.

It appears that a producer application period will be established sometime after the first of July. This signup is different than Henry County’s regular Phase I signup. In a memo I received Monday morning, the total amount allocated to Henry County is $133,483.26 - $78,240.37 is the county portion and $55,242.88 is the state portion. This money is over and above the regular Phase I allotment, which we won’t know until late April, but has been approximately $350,000 per year in the past.

We know you’ll have many questions concerning this new KARE program. We’ll do our best to keep you informed as local groups like the Cattleman’s Association and the Agriculture Development Council meet and begin gathering the needed information with which to make the best decisions relating to Henry County.

3/19/08

MASTER GRAZER SIGN UP

Master Grazer for 2008 begins Tuesday, March 18, at the Henry County Extension Office. This 7 part series on Pasture Production and Utilization may never be more relevant to Henry County farmers than this year, as we recover from the Drought of 2007.

Master Grazer signups may be made by contacting the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811 to let us know your intentions to attend. Call as soon as you can to insure a spot in the class. We will be teaming up with Shelby, Trimble, and Oldham Counties to offer this class, which will meet every other Tuesday evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm through June 10.

The first four class sessions will establish the fundamentals of grass and legume growth and how to meet animal nutrition needs on pasture. Three sessions will be field work, working on the implementation of managed grazing concepts on farms, including your own.

3/12/08

PASTURE RENOVATION CAN BEGIN NOW

A visit or phone call to a farm supply store to ask about Fertilizer prices is likely to give one ‘sticker shock’. Recently I calculated a pound of nitrogen to average around 65 cents per pound. Last year, it was around 55 cents, the year before about 45 cents, and so on. With these prices, some farmers have indicated to me that they may try to reduce the amount of nitrogen they put on hay and pastures this spring, and have asked for alternatives.

To boost our cool season grass based pastures and hay fields in the spring, we usually do one of two things. We can apply nitrogen to the straight grasses, or we can accomplish the process we will call “renovation” by the addition of clover. Either way, we get a significant boost in yield, but adding clover has the added advantage of increasing the “quality” of the forage, since legumes inherently have a higher percent of protein and higher energy than do our grasses. And now, more than ever, the biggest benefit of renovating this year has to do with economy. Simply by adding a properly inoculated, high quality legume such as clover into our pastures, we in essence are supplying free nitrogen! That could be huge this year.

There are about as many ways to add clover into an existing grass pasture as there are farmers in Henry County. In general, we can group a lot of the methods into large categories such as Prepared Seedbed, No-Till, Limited Till, and Frost Seeding. Whatever the method you prefer, there are six important steps to have the best chance of success. First, have the soil tested and apply the needed lime and fertilizer (phosphorus and potash, not nitrogen). Second, reduce the vegetative cover on the soil. Heavily grazed pastures may already be suitable. Third, select the legume. For hay, you’ll probably want a red clover or alfalfa. For pasture, red clover and white ladino type clovers will work. Fourth, use the right kind and amount of seed. This is not the place to economize if it means selecting something besides a certified seed. UK Forage Tests list several varieties which yield well and have high resistance to the primary problems in this region. See us at the Extension office for copies of the 2007 Red and White Clover (and grazing tolerance) reports. Fifth, plant the seed so that it makes good contact with the soil. Frost seeding is simply broadcasting clover seed on the soil surface in mid to late winter (February through about March 15). As the soil freezes and thaws, the seeds become covered. The sixth and final step is to control weed and grass competition. The existing grass must be kept short by grazing or mowing until the new legume plants are 3 to 4 inches tall.

FROST SEEDING FOR RENOVATION

The previous article discusses pasture renovation with clover, and mentions Frost Seeding as just one of the methods. At this time of year, it is an excellent, low cost means of boosting our pasture and hay fields, manufacturing our own nitrogen source, and allowing for increased carrying capacity and summer production.

Most of our farming community has heard the old adage “sow clover into grass pastures in the dark of the moon in February on a snow”. Science still can’t prove or disprove the part about the moon, but everything else is a proven key to success. By sowing with adequate moisture and freezing temperatures, the bare soil becomes its own seed planting wizard, honeycombing up and down to firmly grab and surround a tiny clover seed. The snow part isn’t truly essential, but it sure helps to have at least a rabbit-tracking snow to tell where you’ve been as you seed. Contact us at 845-2811 for Renovation, Variety, and Soil Test information.

2/13/08

CALVING SEASON IS NEAR

Providing sound management during the calving season can mean more live calves, while excessive losses can mean the difference between a year’s profit or loss for a beef producer.

It is important to have a short calving period to allow frequent observation and assistance if needed. Some specific things a producer can do to limit calf loss include:

• Separate first-calf heifers from mature cows. Calving difficulty can run as high as 30 to 40 percent for 2-year-old heifers compared to just 3 percent for mature cows. Place them in a small, accessible pasture near a corral where assistance can be given if needed.

• Provide a clean area for calving. The calving area should be a well-sodded pasture or clean, dry maternity pen, not a wet, muddy lot. It should also be large enough for adequate exercise and offer protection from prevailing winds.

• Be familiar with the signs of calving. Within a few hours of calving, cows generally become nervous and uneasy. As contractions increase, a cow will likely wander away from the rest of the herd.

• Check cows frequently. Observing cows three or four times a day and providing assistance when necessary results in more live calves. However, cows should be disturbed as little as possible during labor.

• Know when a cow needs assistance. Intervention is justified when two or three hours have passed without progress or if delivery has not occurred within 90 minutes after the water sac appears.

There are also a few steps to take after the calf is born to help it get off to a good start. These include making sure the calf is breathing normally after it is delivered and that it consumes colostrum. Ideally, a calf should consume its first milk within 15 to 30 minutes after birth.

About 10 to 14 days after calving, increase the cow’s energy intake to about 16 pounds of total digestible nutrients per day. The extra energy will help the cow produce enough milk for her calf and allow her to rebreed on schedule.

2/5/08

GET THE MOST FROM FIREWOOD

Many Henry Countians burn firewood as a source of heat during the winter, and in the face of rising energy costs, more are probably considering it For many families, that means purchasing the wood. To gain the most from the investment, pay attention to the seasoning, density and quantity of firewood.

Seasoning is an important consideration when purchasing firewood. Ask if the firewood has been seasoned. Wood that is seasoned, or cured, was properly cut, split and stacked for about six months to remove enough moisture so it will burn efficiently this season. Properly seasoned firewood has a gray, weathered appearance and large cracks in the log ends.

It’s important to buy only seasoned firewood because burning unseasoned wood produces a smoldering fire that creates a potentially dangerous creosote buildup in the chimney. This inefficient burning also can lead to a poor draft, causing smoke to bellow into the room instead of flowing up the chimney.

Wood species have different heat values so consider what you want to accomplish with a fire before buying firewood.

Softwoods like pines ignite easily and produce a hot flame. Because pines contain so much resin, they burn out quickly so you’ll need to watch the fire closely and add more wood to keep it going.

Softwoods and lighter hardwoods like yellow-poplar do have a place in your firewood buying plan. They are a good choice when you want a quick, warming fire or if your goal is a short fire that will burn out before you leave the house.

By contrast, more dense hardwoods produce a longer-lasting fire because they burn less vigorously. Hickory, black locust, oaks and ashes are among the more desirable and plentiful hardwoods. They also are easy to split.

Since wood species produce different heat values, you can combine softwoods and hardwoods to produce a fire that’s both easy to ignite and long lasting. Then you can add some fruit or nut woods to produce a pleasing aroma.

Burning woods of fruit trees, such as apple or cherry, and nut trees like beech and hickory provide a pleasant, often nostalgic aroma that resembles the fragrances of their fruits or nuts. These woods produce a steady flame, but usually cost more than those with greater heating values.

How much should you pay for firewood?

The answer depends on the volume of wood you purchase and the availability of firewood in your area.

The most common firewood measurement is a “face cord,” which is four feet high and eight feet long. A “face cord” normally costs about $50 in areas where firewood is plentiful and up to $200 or more in locations where firewood is scarce. As with most other purchases, firewood prices are negotiable.

Firewood is cut in various widths so be sure to buy a width that will fit your fireplace or wood-burning stove.

Buying properly seasoned firewood in an amount that fits your needs will ensure that you have a warm, long-burning fire, rather than seeing your investment go up in smoke.

1/30/08

COUNTY AGENT’S COLUMN FROM 1925

C. C. Malone, Henry County’s first County Extension Agent, wrote the following column which appeared in the HENRY COUNTY LOCAL July 24, 1925. Thanks to Hammer Smith of the Henry County Historical Society for uncovering this nugget for us to enjoy.

COUNTY AGENT’S COLUMN

Poultry Culling

The following demonstrations of poultry culling have been arranged for the first week in August:Monday, August 3: 10:00 a.m. Mrs. E. P. Smith, Smithfield; 1:30 p.m. Mrs. Leslie Tingle, Lacie
3:15 p.m. Mrs. J. C. Montfort, C-burg.
Tuesday, August 4: 9:30 a.m. Mrs. O. L. Barnett. New Castle-Sulphur; 1:30 p.m. Mrs. E. W. Smith, Point Pleasant; 3:15 p.m. Mrs. Clyde Willis, P-ville
Mr. J. R. Smyth, Poultry Specialist of the University of Kentucky, will do the culling at these demonstrations. Other culling demonstrations are being arranged by the County Agent. If one is not scheduled in your community, call the County Agent.

Sheep

Lambs that will not be placed on the market before fall should be given the treatment for stomach worms. The worms cause the lambs to lose flesh and may eventually cause death. Older sheep are also affected and should be given the treatment.

The most common treatment is to make a solution of 2 ounces of fresh bluestone in one and one half gallon of water. Of this solution, a lamb should be given about one and one half ounces and an old sheep three to four ounces. A coca cola bottle is best for drenching. This treatment should be repeated in 10 days and every month or six weeks thereafter. Those who do not know how to give the treatment should call the County Agent for a demonstration.

1/23/08

MODERN COWBOY LINGO

See if you can understand this cattleman’s conversation heard at one of the local coffee shops. “That Baldy heifer with a touch of ear may need to be wormed. I thought she would freshen this spring but I saw her bulling this morning. She’s out of that old muley cow that is smooth-mouthed and been dry for the last year. I guess she’s got hardware now but she’s been a good ‘un. I kept another one of her calves, was going to cut him but decided he wouldn’t bring anything as a steer so I just kept him for a heifer bull.”

The jargon used in the cattle industry can be both confusing and amusing. Now, here’s some help for those of you that don’t hang out at the feedstore or stockyard:

• baldy – white face with solid black or red body e.g. black baldy

• touch of ear – some Brahman influence

• wormed – actually dewormed . We don’t want to give them worms.

• freshen – start to give milk after calving

• bulling – in heat (showing the signs of estrus)

• muley – polled, not horned

• smooth-mouthed – It’s a cow with its lower, front teeth worn down, usually over ten years of age. Don’t bother to look for the upper teeth.

• dry – not producing milk, has nothing to do with the weather

• hardware – presence of a metal item like a nail in the rumen or reticulum (fore stomach)

• good ‘un – means absolutely nothing

• cut – castrate.

• heifer bull – a bull that is acceptable to breed to yearling heifers because of expected calving ease.

UK Beef Specialist Dr. Roy Burris tells this story about a fellow who told him about a poor doing cow who had “holler horn”. He told Roy that you could just drill a hole in their horn and it would relieve that pressure on the brain and they would be cured. When Roy expressed disbelief, he said “It works. My pappy had a cow that was down and he didn’t have a drill, so he just picked up a 2x4 and knocked a horn off. She got up and ran off”. Roy allowed that he’d get up and run off too if a wild man got after him with a 2x4.

I had the opportunity to attend a portion of the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association held last week in Lexington, and was impressed with the event. Regional Vice Chairman Lloyd Gray did an excellent job leading the Regional Caucus, and the opportunities for learning about the industry were abundant at the trade show and through many educational session. While there was a lot of “cattleman’s jargon” being spoken, none described the poor animal and situation earlier in this article. These were folks truly concerned for the industry and the “jargon” was of a professional nature dealing with the care and stewardship of our beef animals. If you would like to learn more about the cattle industry, one good way would be to join the Henry County Cattleman’s Association. Sounds like Monday, February 25, is the next regular meeting of this group. Call 845-2811 for details.

AMERICAN FORAGE AND GRASSLAND CONFERENCE

The largest all-forage conference in America in 2008 will be held in Louisville January 26 – 31. This will be a joint meeting of the American Forage and Grassland council and the Society for Range Management at the Galt House. With the theme “Building Bridges: Grasslands to Rangelands” the meeting will bring more than 1500 people interested in forages, grasslands and rangelands. To find out more information go to http://www.rangelands.org/louisville2008_index.shtml or contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811. Local producers are welcome to attend some of the sessions of their choice, and we still have need for volunteers to step into some short roles to help facilitate the conference.

1/16/08

ANNIE’S PROJECT

We are now taking applications for Annie’s Project, a six week course designed just for farm women with a passion for business involvement. The course includes critical decision-making and information topics on:

• Production Risk Management

• Marketing Risk Management

• Financial Risk Management

• Legal Risk Management

• Human Resources Risk Management

By the end of this program, participants will increase knowledge and abilities in goal setting, working with professionals to meet goals, organizational and time management, and how personalities affect relationships with others
Annie’s Project will include brief presentations and extended discussions with agricultural professionals. Women wanting to take a more active role in the business side of the farming operation will find this program motivating and enjoyable. The success of the project has enabled it to grow from a Southwest Illinois program to one that is now offered in over 14 states, including this pilot in Kentucky. Join us as we embark on strengthening our female leadership within agriculture.

The dates of Annie’s Projects this year include Thursday’s, from January 31 to March 13, 5:30 pm to 9 pm, at the Shelby County Extension Office. Supper is provided.

Contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811 for further details and for registration information.

WEATHER FORECAST

Several Henry Countians are now on what is known as Broadband, or hi speed internet. Compared to dial up internet, there is really no comparison. It will allow you to get information quickly, without the hassle of sitting and waiting for a page to download.

Having said that, one of the true helps for farmers and gardeners will be a weather forecast that is specific to your location. It is called Point Source Weather Information. Here is how to get your Farm Level Forecast.

Go online to http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu/ and click on Agricultural Point Forecast for the U. S. Click on the map to begin your farm level forecast (or use the option of entering your zip code). A click on Kentucky automatically goes to Lexington, so just zoom back out to find Henry County, then zoom back in to find your farm. Click when you find your farm to mark it, then click on the latitude and longitude. Select Eastern Standard time zone, and click submit, and the Seven Day Forecast for your farm should appear. By bookmarking this, you can get virtually instant hourly forecasts, every time you look at your computer.

12/26/07

DROUGHT RECOVERY CONFERENCE

I just returned from the Drought Recovery Conference held Monday, December 17, at the General Butler Conference Center. Organized by the Cooperative Extension Service, the conference was well attended by folks from Henry, Carroll, Shelby, Oldham, Trimble, and other counties.

After one of the sessions on the Beef and Forage track, one gentleman remarked to me that he had found the answer to at least one of the dilemmas confronting many farmers after our damaging drought of 2007. He said he had been losing more than a little sleep concerning his lack of hay, but felt relieved about his situation after hearing the session Dr. John Johns conducted on feeding strategies for the winter for a spring calving herd. The entire Drought Recovery Conference was organized in the hope that attendees could hear several strategies and facts concerning the drought, and maybe find one nugget of information to help them make a bad situation better. For that one gentleman, the conference was a definite jewel.

Several folks attended the Horticulture Track and heard from Dr. A. J. Powell about lawn care and renovation. Dr. Bill Fountain discussed management of stressed woody ornamentals. Amy Fulcher discussed management of nursery stock, while Dr. John Strang talked about fruit tree and bramble care.

I spent the day listening in on the sessions in the Beef and Forage Track. Dr. Ray Smith’s session included some important considerations for getting good production out of our pastures and hay fields next year. Nitrogen will be high, so focusing attention on legume establishment in grass pastures should increase yield and quality. Soil testing and making sure the legumes can establish well should be done as soon as possible. Folks might go ahead and calculate their seed needs and order or purchase now, since many of our popular species and varieties may be in short supply. Economist Kenny Burdine took folks through some possible scenarios of cattle prices through the next few years, putting some perspective on purchase cost for adding heifers or cows to the herd next spring. At the prices expected, a high efficiency producer can likely profit, but an average or low efficiency producer may struggle. Dr. Patty Scharko outlined some herd health strategies for the new year to keep a productive herd. Dr. John Johns began his presentation by making sure everyone understood that allowing energy deficiencies in the cow herd this winter could spell disaster by causing problems with cows rebreeding next year, problems with calf health and survival, and calf growth rate. He reminded folks that cows do not have a hay requirement, rather they have a nutrient requirement. With this in mind, he showed several commodity based rations which could be fed more economically than high priced, purchase hay, and also showed how best to stretch a hay supply.

12/19/07

FINDING FORAGE FOR CATTLE

The rains over the past few weeks have certainly greened things up around our countryside and solved most of our winter water problem for livestock, but it has not cured our lack of forage (hay) for winter feed.

One of the “extra” places looked to for stock feed is our corn fields after the grain is harvested. Grazing of corn stover has long been a late fall and winter feeding practice, and particularly fits a spring calving operation where cows are dry and in mid gestation, since this is when they can get by with the lowest amount of feed and nutrients. While grazing a corn stover field, the cattle will tend to eat the leaves and shucks first, along with leftover weeds. They’ll also pick up any leftover grain lying around. The very last thing they’ll eat will be the stalk of the corn plant.

Without fencing, it is difficult to graze corn stover. So, to avoid having to move livestock to the corn field, we have the technology at hand to move the corn stover to the livestock, through the large round bales. This is a new phenomenon, so here is a quick discussion based on some early observations and tests.

UK Beef Specialist Kevin Laurent set up a quick trial using rolled corn stalks fed to both a group of dry cows and a group of cows just calved. They weighed all corn stover fed to the animals each day, and the feed bunks were cleaned each day and stalks that the cattle refused were also weighed to get an estimate of waste or refusal. A certain amount of stalks were pulled out of the bunk and into the pen and was not weighed due to soiling by the cattle. The cattle chosen for the trial were dry cows with an average weight of 1265 lbs. and lactating cows that averaged 1280 lbs, with newborn fall calves at their sides. The pairs were penned separately from the dry cows and both pens had access to a 37% protein block (19%NPN) throughout the three week period. The pens had concrete floors and were bedded with sawdust so cows had access to no other feed or dry matter.

The results of this 3 week trial are as follows:

The dry cows gained .43 lbs/day while eating 13.5 lbs of rolled corn stalks per day, refusing 29.2%, while also eating 2.2 lbs of protein. The lactating cows lost .76 lbs/day while eating 13.6 lbs of corn stalks per day, refusing 37.2%, and eating 2.8 lbs of protein.

The trials indicate that a winter feeding program of rolled corn stalks and protein blocks may not be a very sound option. Energy supplementation will be needed to allow even dry cows to gain adequate weight for spring calving. A very high degree of waste or refusal will likely be associated with feeding rolled corn stalks.

Ration Balancing programs indicate that approximately 5 pounds per day of a supplement such as soyhulls should be fed with cornstalks and protein block to put adequate weight gain on spring calvers.

11/14/07

FROSTED FORAGES

The frost this Monday morning brings up some management considerations for grazing, haying, or baling forages for silage. Frost introduces or heightens two problems in the forage/livestock relationship: prussic acid and bloat. Actually, bloat with cattle on legumes is an on-going consideration, but it does seem to be a bigger problem when the leaf tissue is actually damaged and wet from the frost. For Bloat, follow the same guidelines as always: never turn hungry cattle into a new pasture containing a high percentage of legume and wait until the moisture is dried off the plant before turning cattle in. Cattle already accustomed to eating legumes generally don’t have much trouble, and you might consider feeding a medicine containing poloxalene, or adding an ionophore like rumensin to the diet.

The Prussic Acid situation is usually the more dangerous of the two. Prussic Acid or Cyanide poisoning occurs when animals eat certain plants which have been damaged by the frost. Sudan, Sorghum-sudan crosses, and Johnson grass are the most common grazing plants affected by this problem. Animals eating plants containing high amounts of the prussic acid can die of respiratory paralysis very quickly. Prevention, then, is the best course of action. Don’t graze at night when a frost is forecast, Don’t graze for 2 weeks after a non-killing frost, and Don’t graze for 48 hours after a killing frost. If the forage is ensiled, wait 6 to 8 weeks before feeding. The dried forage, able to be baled, is generally considered safe to feed.

TOBACCO DISEASE MANAGEMENT FOR 2008

As the 2007 tobacco growing season nears an end, farmers can begin preparing to manage diseases in the 2008 crop. It is important to think about managing diseases like Pythium root rot, target spot, and black shank now. A critical step is to institute good sanitary practices on the farm. Many diseases seen in the float system and field survive between crops on equipment and plant residues.

Greenhouses and outdoor float beds should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized in the fall. Plant debris and trash should be buried or burned. Styrofoam trays should be carefully cleaned, sanitized as recommended (or destroyed), and properly stored before winter sets in.

In the field, especially where black shank was a problem, all crop debris needs to be turned under as quickly as possible after harvest. The black shank pathogen (as well as Rhizoctonia and Pythium) survives very well on crop residues, and stalks left in the field can be a source of inoculum that can lead to outbreaks of disease in 2008.

It's also time to think about crop rotation. One of the best practices that we can recommend for preventing or suppressing diseases like black shank and Fusarium wilt is rotation to a non-host crop.

Fall is also a great time to think about variety selection and to begin planning for the production of transplants. We will have a new variety, 'KT 206', available in 2008 that brings improved resistance to black shank (Race 0 and Race 1) along with moderate resistance to blue mold. This variety has performed well in field trials during the past couple of years, and will be a good choice for growers with a history of black shank on their farms.

10/3/07

HAY HOTLINE ESTABLISHED

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) now has a “Hay Hotline” up and operating. The number for the hotline is 888-567-9589 and the web link is http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/forage/HayForageDroughtRelief.htm

The 888 number is being manned by a KDA staff member who will take the producer’s information for either buying or selling hay and enter it on the website. The information posted will give producers a good tool to source hay during this time of short supply.

HAY OR OTHER FEEDS?

“Cattle do not have a ‘hay’ requirement, they have a nutrient requirement”, according to Dr. John Johns, UK Beef Specialist. As ruminants, certainly our cattle can utilize hay (dry stored forage) during periods of time when forages are not available out in the pasture. But, as Johns advises, other feedstuffs besides hay can be used to meet most of the nutrient requirements.

Our short hay supplies are a big concern to Henry County farmers right now. Prices for hay, both good or bad hay, will probably set new highs this year. Other, more concentrated feedstuffs may seem higher per pound or ton, yet may yield the appropriate protein and energy for cattle at roughly the same or only slightly more cost. Farmers may be able to stretch hay supplies by limit feeding the hay, with commodity feeds used to fill in the gaps. To do this, we need to know the nutrient analysis of the forage hay, so farmers are encouraged to get a hay analysis. The KDA has a great service for hay testing, whereby they will come to the farm and collect the sample and send the results for only $10 per sample. You may reach them at 1-800-248-4628.

Other strategies which may help get through this year of short hay supplies include: Stockpiling Grasses for Winter Grazing; Strategic Winter Feeding; Pregnancy Checking and Culling; and Early Weaning. More Information about these concepts may be obtained by contacting the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

7/18/07

Strategic Winter Grazing…One Method of Reducing Hay Needs

Kentucky cattle producers with spring calving herds traditionally graze pasture throughout the fall until pastures are exhausted. At that point, hay is fed throughout the winter and early spring until spring grass emerges. Certain problems exist with this conventional method:

1. Cows graze pastures in the fall that could be stockpiled for winter and early spring.
2. Cows consume higher quality forage when nutritional needs are lowest.
3. Cows are fed hay when nutritional needs are greatest so supplementation is needed.
4. Tractor traffic on pastures is highest when conditions are wet and muddy.
5. Cows calve close to muddy feeding areas.
6. Higher intake requirements for lactating cows results in more hay being consumed.

One way to address these problems is to use a strategic approach to winter feeding and grazing to optimize the available resources based on the cow’s changing production needs.

The concept for this strategic approach is simple, but requires changing the traditional approach to winter feeding. Hay is fed to cows immediately after weaning in either a drylot or a sacrifice pasture while forage is stockpiled in pastures. Dry cows are not allowed to graze stockpile pastures until one month prior to calving season. Stockpiled pastures are then strip-grazed until new spring grass is sufficient to support grazing in April.

What are the Advantages?

• Creates a larger stockpile of higher quality forage without alternative forage crops or additional acreage. Nearly the whole farm can be stockpiled.
• Dry cows consume approximately 20% less hay and require less nutrition than lactating cows. Feeding when appetites and requirements are lower extends the hay supply.
• Utilizes stockpiled forage when cow needs are highest reducing or eliminating the need to supplement.
• Little or no hay is fed during calving resulting in a cleaner environment for newborn calves and less tractor damage to pastures.
• Grazing cows return nutrients to pasture areas rather than feeding areas for effective nutrient recycling. Targeting fall hay feeding on the weakest pasture or paddock would build fertility for future renovation.

Implementing the Program

• Set your target weaning date: mid September is ideal but no later than October 1
• Fertilize paddocks as you rotate off. Try to have all paddocks fertilized by Sept 15. In a 30 day pasture rotation, your fall fertilization program could be spread from mid-August to mid-September reducing weather risk.
• Feed hay to dry cows immediately after weaning either in a drylot or a selected pasture or paddock
• Begin strip-grazing stockpiled grass approximately one month before the beginning of calving season
• Calves should be backgrounded at least 45 days post-weaning prior to selling. If you normally wean in October, an additional 2-4 weeks of backgrounding may be needed to maintain sale weights. However, the growing calf is the most efficient animal on the farm to feed.

A Case Study:

A case study on strategic winter grazing was conducted this past winter in Western Kentucky with a group of 41 cows and calves on 71 acres of pasture. After grazing a small paddock, cows were fed hay in a drylot. This hay averaged 10% protein and 51% TDN. Cows gained 135 lbs (1.93 lbs/day) during the drylot phase. Samples of stockpiled fescue were taken on December 15, February 23 and March 9. Protein content was 14%, 17.6% and 12.2%, respectively. TDN content was 62%, 62% and 61%, respectively. The average of the three samples of stockpiled fescue was 14.6% protein and 62% TDN. Cattle progressed from stockpiled grass to new spring grass on April 1 grazing stockpiled pasture a total of 106 days.

There are several management factors that must be considered when deciding whether or not to implement this grazing strategy:

• Soil fertility must be adequate (P & K medium high to high, pH 6.0 – 7.0)
• An emergency store of hay for heavy snows or ice storms.
• Have at least two winter water sources.
• Proper fencing equipment for strip-grazing.
• Overcome misconceptions about winter grazing.

This strategic grazing approach may go against conventional thinking and common practices and may even raise a few eyebrows from the neighbors, but it does prove that Kentucky cattle producers have several options regarding how they use available forage resources to meet the needs of their beef cattle herds.

We hope to discuss this and other strategies at the August meeting of the Henry County Cattleman’s Association. Remember, if you wish to try stockpiling, it is best accomplished with fescue based pasture, beginning with a boost of nitrogen in August.

7/4/07

CATTLE OPTIONS

The previous article concerns some strategies for the “plant” side of Cattle farming. Now, what about the “animal” side. Some press already talks about drought and farmers possibly having to sell cattle. While we have started the summer out pretty dry with a record breaking May, a well placed summer thunderstorm or two can go a long way in keeping crops and forages in decent shape. However, if we do dip into the ‘dry’ side through the summer, there are other strategies to help us cope.

I’ll mention a couple of things associated with the traditional ‘spring calving cow herd’, so typical in Henry County. First, consider culling those cows who have not been productive. Do you have a cow who did not calve or lost a calf this spring? Will you have any cows who do not rebreed for next year? A fall pregnancy check will help determine if you are running any “freeloaders” in the herd.

The nutritional needs of a spring calving cow are the lowest in the year when she is drying off, and in the 2nd trimester of gestation. This occurs about the same time as cool season grasses are growing again in the fall. What about feeding the worst hay you have then, and allowing the grasses to grow for later use (stockpiling)? With this scenario, you might consider creep feeding the calves to insure they continue with rapid growth.

6/13/07

WINTER WEATHER TERMS

With winter upon us, it’s important to closely follow local weather forecasts and warnings and be familiar with seasonal weather terminology. Here are some of the “winter” terms you’ll hear, along with a brief explanation.

• A “winter storm warning” is issued in anticipation of a combination of heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet. This warning usually is issued six to 24 hours before the weather is expected to begin.

• A “winter storm watch” alerts you to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, freezing rain or sleet. It usually is given 12 to 36 hours before the beginning of the storm.

• A “winter storm outlook” is issued prior to a winter storm watch, usually 48 to 60 hours in advance of a winter storm. The outlook is issued when forecasters believe winter weather conditions are possible.

• A “blizzard warning” is given for sustained or gusty winds of 35 miles per hour or more, and falling or blowing snow that limits visibility to one-fourth mile or less.

• The “wind chill” is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effects of wind and cold. An advisory is issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be between 20 degrees below 0 or colder.

• When accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle and sleet cause significant inconvenience and moderately dangerous conditions, a “winter weather advisory” is issued.

• “Freezing rain” falls on a surface with a temperature at or below freezing. “Sleet” is rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Both can cause damaging and dangerous ice accumulations.

You can visit the UK Agricultural Weather Center at http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu to get custom local current and 7 day weather forecasts along with satellite and radar imagery. UK Specialists Tom Priddy and Tom Keene are currently working on a hay-making forecast model which should be out by next spring. These work best on high speed internet service.

12/27/06

FAIRY RINGS

We’ve had this questions several times this fall and early winter: There are dark green circles of grass in my lawn and pastures . What are they and what should I do about them?

These descriptions are typical of fairy rings caused by a diverse family of fungi called basidiomycetes. Fairy rings might be six inches to two feet wide and can be anywhere from two feet to hundreds of feet in diameter and expanding yearly.

Here is an explanation for the dark green grass. The presence of mushrooms usually indicates an organic source of nutrients, such as a buried tree stump, is nearby. When you see a mushroom growing in a lawn, you are only seeing a small part of the fungus. The fungus also grows underground as a thread-like mass that is called mycelium. This mycelium tends to grow in all directions from a central point. Thus, an invisible circular pattern occurs. The fruiting bodies (mushrooms) then tend to appear in a circular pattern.

Usually on the inside of the fairy ring, a dark green ring of grass will be evident. This is because extra nitrogen is available in that area where the fungal mycelium has died.

The term "fairy ring" comes from a centuries old superstition that the mushrooms growing in a circle represent the path of dancing fairies.

There is no good control for fairy ring. Mushrooms can be temporarily removed by regular mowing or raking. Since fairy rings are most visible on low fertility conditions, you can mask the fairy rings by regular applications of low rates of nitrogen.

12/6/06