EMERALD ASH BORER HAS ARRIVED

The headline above this column last week indicated that the BIG PURPLE BOXES were back. We also indicated the distribution of these traps all along the Kentucky side of the Ohio River was so we could determine ‘if and when’ the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) made it into Kentucky. The bad news came soon after press time last week: the Emerald Ash Borer has arrived! The ash tree killing insect has been found in 6 counties in Kentucky, including our close neighbors Shelby, Franklin, and Jefferson.

We have a lot of information about the EAB, signs and symptoms, and possible treatments for homeowners to consider. Please contact us at the Henry County Extension Office (845-2811) for details. In the meantime, we need to be watching our favorite ash trees for signs on infestation. Generally, trees show canopy dieback over the course of time. The damage done by the EAB is actually due to larvae feeding in galleries under the bark, so the tree slowly loses the ability to transport water and food and starves. Increased woodpecker activity on the tree may be seen, and the holes bored by the EAB itself have a distinctive ‘D’ shaped appearance but they are often too high up in the tree for us to notice easily. Once the top of the tree starts to look thin and bare, you may also notice ‘epicormic shoots’, basically sucker sprout growth from the lower trunk and roots.

The first big piece of information about EAB is now revealed. It has arrived. Now we need to take time to gather more information so good decisions can be made concerning our ash tree population, both in our landscapes and our forests.

6/10/09

TOBACCO DISEASE UPDATE

UK Plant Pathologist Dr. Kenny Seebold has received no reports of Blue Mold in the US as of this writing, so is there really no blue mold active in the United States right now? We can’t say for sure, but FL, GA, and NC haven’t seen the first case on transplants or on the field. Now there aren’t as many acres of tobacco in some of these areas any more, and there aren’t as many people looking, so it is possible that there’s some blue mold hiding out. The weather over the past few days has brought moisture up from the Deep South, and in past years this would have been a guarantee that we’d have some blue mold as a result. At this point though, the risk to tobacco in KY is minimal. On the other hand, it would be advisable to be on the lookout for blue mold and be ready to act if we find it.

From a fungicide point of view, the best course of action would be for growers continue a mancozeb program on plants still in float beds. For tobacco that has been set in the field, we don’t need fungicides right now. If the threat level increases, we can treat with Acrobat or Forum, or even Quadris; these would be the correct choices on burley tobacco less than 18” tall. After that, the previously mentioned fungicides are still good choices, and we can bring Actigard in as well. Actigard, as you know, is a compound that induces systemic resistance to blue mold, and must be applied prior to exposure to the blue mold pathogen for best effect. Normally, it takes between 3-5 days for tobacco to respond to treatment with Actigard, and for the chemical to take effect.

As always, growers are encouraged to be on the lookout and to report findings to the County Extension Office (845-2811) for laboratory confirmation and to help our alert system.

6/3/09

BIG PURPLE BOXES

The EAB is a small, metallic-green, wood-boring beetle that was discovered in southeast Michigan in 2002 and has killed over 40 million ash trees. Native to Asia, it’s believed to have been unknowingly transported to the United States in wood packing material. Since its discovery, the EAB has been detected in ten States -- Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Quarantines prohibit the movement of ash nursery stock, ash logs and lumber with bark, pallets, branches, stumps, etc., and all hardwood chips and firewood.

5/27/09

PHASE I UPDATE

Henry County has just been notified that our request for $295,000 in Phase I funds for 2009 has been approved for Farmer Cost Share Programs. At their meeting last Friday, the Kentucky Ag Development Board approved the proposal sent in by our Phase I planning groups, including the Agriculture Development Council, the Cattleman’s Association, and the Diversification Association. The proposal was basically to use most of the funds available to Henry County for 2009 through the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement in the ‘new’ County Agriculture Investment Program (CAIP).

Phase I CAIP is essentially the same program Henry County farmers have been working with for the past 4 years, so not much change will be noticed. Farmers will be able to apply for the 50% cost share programs for approved projects on their farms after some preliminary work is done, so we can’t be sure of the timetable yet. However, after some Legal Agreements are signed, we should be able to advertise the CAIP Farmer Cost Share Program for two weeks in the HENRY COUNTY LOCAL, after which we plan to have a 3 to 4 week application period. We will also hold training sessions for those interested in how to complete the application.

We will continue to keep you updated through this column. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

TOBACCO PLANT SITUATION

Hopefully, by the time you read this, much progress will have been made in getting tobacco plants set into the fields. The cooler, moist, overcast weather which kept the fields too wet to work also put pressure on tobacco plants in the greenhouse by favoring all the common bacteria and fungi that like to work on tobacco. Joining labeled products like Terramaster, Dithane DF, Penncozeb DF, Manzate ProStick, and AgriStrep now is Quadris. Labeled with an emergency 24c label only last week, Quadris can be used one time, at a rate of 3 teaspoons in 20 gallons of water, spraying about 5 gallons per 1000 square feet to get good coverage. Quadris is very active against Rhizoctonia, and we are trying to get really good coverage to stop Damping Off and Target Spot. Unfortunately, 1 gallon jugs are the smallest size available, however, having a supply of Quadris could come in handy for growers with target spot in the field (and many might join the club after they set the zillions of plants that come from the float bed with target spot), or if blue mold starts up.

Speaking of blue mold, we are still free of this beast in the U.S. at the moment. Apart from target spot, the biggest things popping at the minute are collar rot and Pythium.

UK EQUINE FIELD DAY

Horse enthusiasts should mark Saturday, June 27, 9 am – 3 pm, for the 2009 Equine Field Day. Held at the UK Maine Chance Farm just north of I-75 on Newtown Pike, the event will feature hands on workshops and a trade show. The workshops include: Managing Problem weeds on horse farms, Degenerative Joint Disease, Evaluating your feeding program, Vaccinations, Deworming, Rotational Grazing, Reproductive Problems, Economic Considerations for a Horse Farm.

***DEAD ANIMAL REMOVAL***

Just a reminder, Henry County now has a new Dead Animal Removal contractor. Instead of Nation Brothers, it is now Harmon Brothers of Warsaw. The number to call is 1-859-567-2111. While they list their service days as Monday through Friday, one of the owners told me to remind you to call them even if your need for service happens on a weekend. They may be able to arrange a weekend pickup.

5/20/09

WEATHER CAUSES TOBACCO PROBLEMS

Weather patterns have caused many tobacco producers to hold field ready transplants for periods of a few days, and until those earlier plants can be set to the field, those coming behind will need to be held also. Densely packed plants in a humid environment is a recipe for big problems. Below are some suggestions for holding plants.

Maintain a low level of fertility: Reducing fertility levels to the 25 to 50 ppm N range will slow growth and reduce the amount of rank green leaf material that may be more susceptible to bacterial rots. At a lower level of fertility plants may be more susceptible to target spot so appropriate controls for target spot must be kept in place. For best control of target spot, make sure that ventilation is optimal and apply a mancozeb fungicide (Dithane DF, Manzate ProStick, or Penncozeb DF) on a routine basis. Use a rate of 0.5 lb of product per 100 gallons of spray solution (1 teaspoon per gallon), and apply 5-7 gallons of mix per 1000 sq. ft of bed (roughly 400 trays). Mancozeb should be applied every 5-7 days until plants are taken to the field.

Keep water levels up: The tops of the trays should be kept above the level of the boards in the bed to help keep air movement across the tray surface.

Maintain regular clipping: Clipping plants down to ¾ to 1 inch above the bud will help to slow growth and hold plants at a reasonable height for planting. Regular clipping also improves air and light penetration into the tray surface, and this will be a great help in keeping diseases such as target spot and even collar rot in check.

Keep the air moving: Along with proper clipping and keeping water at optimal levels in float bays, make every effort to keep air moving on plants in float beds. This means lowering side-curtains in greenhouses for as long as possible, and running circulation fans if available.

Keep an eye out for Pythium root rot: The potential for severe Pythium root rot increases as the days become warmer. When float water reaches temperatures of 75 F and higher, disease spread is rapid and the degree of damage intensifies. Preventive Terrmaster use is the best practice. In most cases, a single application of this fungicide at 0.7 to 1 fl oz per 100 gallons of float water, made at around 3-4 weeks after seeding, will protect plants until setting time. However, if plants need to be held longer, a second application may be necessary – keeping in mind that the label prohibits use of Terramaster any later than 8 weeks after seeding. Make sure to calculate the correct dose, and mix the fungicide thoroughly to avoid severe injury. Even at lower rates, we see things like root burn and slow growth on plants and these are more pronounced at higher rates (maybe not a bad thing if you are trying to hold plants).

Due to the long periods of cool cloudy weather we can expect to see some premature blooming this season in the weeks immediately after transplanting.

5/16/09

CUTTING HAY FOR QUALITY

Every year at this time, forage producers are faced with the same dilemma. Hay is ready to be cut and baled, yet weather patterns are unpredictable and rarely yield a good window of time in which to properly cure hay. The result: we wait until weather conditions are better, but we sacrifice the quality we are capable of producing.

In the case of first cutting alfalfa, waiting doesn’t only get us a lower quality forage, it decreases the total yield of the field because we simply can’t get as many cuttings. One of the solutions to this dilemma is putting the first cutting of high quality forages like alfalfa into a silage package. Rolled bale silage machines are being used to capture early quality, even with lack of curing conditions, and releasing the fields to produce high quality forage while the weather is still favorable in terms of temperature and moisture.

I’ve seen studies where the energy and protein levels of a hay which was cut and rained on were as good or better than the same hay left standing in the field for two weeks until good curing conditions were present. While no farmer wants hay rained on, the early cut, rained on hay left the field ready to grow its next crop earlier.

Some would ask, ‘why does the quality go down?’. The answer to that lies in the fact that stem tissue NEVER has the same quality as leaf tissue, and stem tissue is the only thing growing or increasing in our fields after the first few weeks of growth. Waiting for extra tonnage per acre is simply waiting for more stems to grow.

All forage producers should have their forage harvesting equipment greased and sharpened, and ready to go at the first hint of sunny weather. Good luck!

COMMENTS ABOUT TEFF

Teff grass has been gaining interest and that interest is generating a number of questions. UK Forage Specialists and their counterparts in other states have been attempting to gather information which will answer these questions, but with back to back summer droughts in Kentucky, it is still hard to predict just how this grass will serve us here.

Teff is a relatively new summer annual forage grass for our region. Compared to the millets, sorghums, and sudangrasses we normally use, teff is much leafier and finer stemmed, and it often contains more crude protein and TDN. However, it usually doesn’t produce quite as much total tonnage. It makes a very palatable hay and is well accepted by horses, llamas, alpacas, and similar livestock. Recently weaned calves also adapt to teff hay quite quickly. These may be the kind of uses where teff is better suited than most of our other summer annual grasses. Of course, stock cows, replacement heifers, and other cattle also like it. However, since other summer annual grasses usually produce more tonnage and also are acceptable for these animals, they may be a better choice.

Furthermore, teff can be difficult to establish. It has a very tiny seed, much smaller than an alfalfa seed. It must be planted very shallow, about one-eighth of an inch deep, or seedlings will not emerge. Many producers who have planted teff have had thin or uneven stands, partly because the seed was placed too deep by their drills. Extra firm seedbeds may be needed when a drill is used; broadcasting seed and cultipacking afterwards might work better. Seedlings also need a week or so of moist soil to become established well enough to survive.
Teff has much potential when used with the right livestock. But know also that it has some risks and challenges.

5/6/09

FLOAT BED REMINDERS

Recent widespread reports of cutworm damage in float beds are a good reminder for tobacco growers to keep a close watch on tobacco float beds and greenhouses to catch and treat small problems before they become big ones.

A few worms can do a lot of damage in a day or two on small plants. Problems can occur on plants beginning at the 2-leaf stage. On small plants, up to dime-size portions of the plant may be missing. Upon closer examination, you often find just the stub of the stem remaining and possibly a few partially consumed plants. Sometimes you may find the culprit under the partially eaten plants, but often they burrow into the soil during the day. To control cutworms, your best bet is to use products that contain acephate at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 3 gallons of water. Spray to cover the plants and the tray surfaces. You may reduce cutworm problems if you control vegetation around the perimeter of the beds and spray acephate around the perimeter of the beds to limit the worms’ entry.

During extended periods of cloudy weather and high relative humidity, growers need to watch for stem rot disease in the float system. The float system provides favorable conditions for the development of these types of diseases. Several types of fungi, and occasionally some bacteria, can cause these rots. Spraying the wrong product can result in unsatisfactory disease control and loss of additional plants. So it pays to take a tray to the local extension office and have the problem identified. Some general recommendations for reducing rot problems in tobacco greenhouses include:

• Maintaining the fertilizer level in the recommended range of 75 to 125 parts per million nitrogen.
• Manage humidity levels by flushing the air inside the greenhouse several times a day and even during the nighttime hours.
• Maintaining the water levels such that the top of the trays are above the level of boards; this encourages improved air flow at the tray surface.
• Using good clipping practices to improve air flow and light penetration.
• Clipping only when foliage is dry and using a sharp and slow blade to remove the clipped material without grinding. Any material that falls back to the tray has the potential to spread disease to surrounding plants.
• Burying or disposing of clipped material at least 100 yards from the float bed.
You should examine your float beds at least once a day so you can catch any problems early and take appropriate measures to protect young tobacco plants.

For more information on tobacco production and management issues, contact the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 845-2811.

4/29/09

WHAT A PRETTY PLACE!

Last week I had the opportunity to meet with a gentleman from central Kentucky, and the meeting place I chose was lunch at the Hawkins Farm Center in Port Royal. When the gentleman arrived, he exclaimed to me that “you all should charge admission to ride through countryside so pretty!” I agree.

Several times over the past couple of decades, I’ve been involved in community assessment type meetings where folks discuss the county’s strengths and weaknesses. Invariably, we come up with more positives than negatives, and one of the strengths is always our rural look and heritage. Agricultural leadership has been joined by most of the citizenry in advocating a vibrant, sustainable agriculture in order to keep Henry County “a well farmed countryside”.

It probably didn’t hurt our visitors’ opinion of the countryside that here in mid April, all our fields look manicured, with dark green cool season grasses just getting into full gear, and herds of cattle, heads down, grazing the lush forage. If I were to choose my favorite time of year, this is it. I’ve always maintained that the person responsible for the Kentucky Derby being the first Saturday in May was a genius, because the state is absolutely beautiful at this time of year. What better time to showcase our state to all the world than during the international Derby TV coverage?

Now, back to the idea of charging admission: farmers in Henry County and other parts of Kentucky are beginning to research this idea. Agri-Tourism has become a new venture for farmers, whereby they offer products, services, and scenery to nearby urban communities. The Kentucky Wine Trail, and the Kentucky Trail of Quilts are but two of the advertised Agri-Tourism efforts already helping bring folks out to the beautiful countryside.

BARN MEETING IN SHAKERTOWN

We just spoke of Agri-tourism in Henry County and in Kentucky, and there is a new logo and website (www.kentuckyfarmsarefun.com) to promote such ventures. What do you think is on the logo that in one glance connects the onlooker to Farms, Agriculture, and Rural Heritage? A Red Barn!

Barns conjure up some great memories in much of the population of the United States. They are a central and key figure on most farms. The recent Census of Agriculture reports that of the 962 farms in Henry County, 500 have at least one barn built prior to 1960. Exploring new uses for old barns is one of the themes for the National Barn Alliance Conference next month in Shakertown, KY. Preservation Kentucky and the Kentucky Heritage Council will co-host the conference May 14-16. If you have a passion for barns, particularly old ones, then attendance at this conference will put you in touch with folks of the same mindset from all over the country. Contact the Henry County Extension Office for details about registration.

4/21/09

PHASE I TOBACCO MONEY

The Phase I program for 2009 is taking shape and is moving forward. As many know by now, the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board (ADB) took the first quarter of 2009 to get reaction to a ‘new’ plan by which to present the Menu of Model Programs throughout the state. A couple of weeks ago, we learned the new plan had been adapted. Instead of a ‘Menu of Model Programs’ that Henry County farmers have seen for the past 4 years, the name will be changed to the ‘County Agriculture Investment Program’ (CAIP), and farmers will see almost no other differences.

After the Henry County Agriculture Development Council, the Henry County Cattleman’s Association, and the Henry County Diversification Association meet in late April to finalize the 2009 Henry County CAIP Application, the State ADB could give us our approval by their mid May meeting. Then, after the running of a Legal Notice in the HENRY COUNTY LOCAL for two weeks (probably close to the end of May), any Henry County farmer will be able to come by the Extension Office to pick up their official application. There will probably be a 3 to 4 week application period, after which time all applications are scored. Once the scoring is complete, the pool of money is allocated to the highest scorers until it runs out. We don’t know how many applicants we’ll have, and we don’t know how much money will be allocated to Henry County this year, but we do know that each farm applicant will again be eligible for a maximum of $2,500 in a 50% cost share program.

I will try to keep you updated about the Phase I CAIP program and signup times through this column. You may contact me at 845-2811 (Henry County Extension Office) for more information, and you may look up program details concerning all Investment Areas by logging onto http://agpolicy.ky.gov/, click on ‘help for farmers’, ‘applications’, and ‘investment areas’

4/20/09

FREEZING IN THE ORCHARD

Raising fruit in Henry County can be risky business due to cold weather returning after fruit trees have already broken dormancy. In fact, most years we will have some frosts or freezes which will damage at least a portion of the fruit buds on apples, peaches, pears, grapes, etc. Cold temperatures earlier this week have brought up the question: how much damage might we have to local fruit?

The answer depends on two things: just how cold did it get, and in what stage of floral development were the plants? The temperature needs to be down to 28 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours before any fruit buds are damaged. At that point, apples in pink, pears in bloom, and peaches at petal fall may have a 10% kill, just a mild thinning. It would take temperatures as low as 23 degrees Fahrenheit to kill 90% of the buds on apples or peaches when the buds are at the half inch green stage. While the severe thinning doesn’t happen that often, it is not impossible. Just remember the “Easter Freeze” of 2007, which not only wiped out most of the fruit buds, it killed some new forage plantings and stunted nearly all the rest, setting livestock producers up for a shortage of hay which was made even worse by drought condition the next two summers and falls.

4/8/09

APPLE TREES IN THE BACK YARD

An apple tree usually is one of the first fruit crops backyard fruit growers think about planting in their yard. However, they are one of the more difficult fruit crops to grow, primarily because of the wide range of pests that like them, particularly apple scab. This is a fungus that causes lesions on the fruit and can also defoliate the tree and kill the spurs – the structures that produce the flower buds.

Over the past 25 years, a number of scab-immune apple varieties have been released. The following apple varieties have performed well in Kentucky and are discussed in order of ripening. Most also have resistance to several other diseases.

Redfree – a red apple that ripens in August and colors well for this time of the season. Redfree is a tart, sweet apple which will keep for several months and also has resistance to cedar apple rust, as well as sooty blotch and fly speck diseases.

Liberty – a very tart, McIntosh-type apple that ripens in late August. In a cool fall, Liberty develops dark red stripes over a green/yellow fruit.

Enterprise – a red, spicy, crisp and fine-grained apple that ripens in mid-to-late October. Enterprise has a relatively thick skin, a very good disease resistance package and stores well until February.

Gold Rush – a very firm, tart, yellow apple that ripens in mid-to-late October. It sweetens up in storage and is one of the best storing apples available, keeping up to eight months. It has a very good resistance to scab and fire blight, but is susceptible to cedar apple rust.

Sundance – a firm, yellow apple, which is more difficult to find. It is very resistant to all four of the early season problem diseases and ripens in mid-October.

Since these apples are disease resistant, many novice growers mistakenly believe they don’t need to spray them. Unfortunately, these varieties don’t have any insect resistance. Attempting to grow apples without spraying for plum curculio, coddling moth, rosy apple aphid and scale can cause major crop losses, if not complete crop loss, depending on the season.

The most important sprays for apple varieties are the early ones, the dormant oil, pin, petal fall and first-cover sprays.

The publication, Disease and Insect Control Programs for Homegrown Fruit in Kentucky with Organic Alternatives (ID-21), provides descriptions of these varieties and spray recommendations. Contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811 for a copy.

4/1/09

TIMELY TIPS FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

Spring-Calving Cows

The spring calving season is in full swing now, top priority should be to get a live calf and keep cows in sufficient body condition to rebreed early.

• Calving areas should be accessible and 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. Chilled calves should be dried and warmed as soon as possible.
• See that each calf gets colostrum within an hour of birth, or administer colostrum (or a commercial colostrum replacement) with an esophageal feeder.
• Identify calves with eartags while calves are young and easy to handle and record birthdate and Dam ID. Commercial male calves should be castrated as soon as possible.
• Separate cows that have calved and increase their feed. Unless your hay is dairy quality Alfalfa, energy supplementation to cows is necessary to prepare them for rebreeding. Cows must be in good condition (BCS 5) 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. Consult your veterinarian for advice and send fecal samples to diagnostic lab to determine which drug therapy will be most effective.
• Continue grass tetany prevention. You can feed the UK Beef IRM High Magnesium mineral.
• Vaccinate calves for clostridial diseases (Blackleg, Malignant Edema) as soon as possible.
• Prepare bulls for the breeding season. Increase feed if necessary to have bulls in adequate condition for breeding.
• Finalize plans for your spring breeding program. Purchase new bulls at least 30 days before the breeding season – demand performance records and check health history including immunizations. Use both visual evaluation and expected progeny differences (EPD’s) to select a bull that fits your program. Get a BSE (Breeding Soundness Evaluation) on all bulls.
Fall-Calving Cows
• Creep feed calves with grain or high quality forage. Calves will not make satisfactory gains on the dam’s milk alone after about 4 mos. of age – since there isn’t much pasture in March, fall calves need supplemental nutrition. Consider creep grazing on wheat pasture, if available. Calves can also be early-weaned.
• Plan to pregnancy check cows soon.

General

• Renovation and fertilization of pastures should be completed.
• 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.
• Plan for a feeding area with filter fabric and crushed rocks, if mud is a problem this year. You can check on cost-share availability (Phase I for 2009 will likely be announced in April).
• Start thistle control. They can be a severe problem in Kentucky pastures. Chemical control must be done early to be effective.
• Repair fences, equipment and handling facilities.

3/11/09

BENEFITS OF LEGUMES

Reducing pasture expenses can help your bottom line. But don’t try to starve a profit from pastures or livestock. Sometimes you need to invest. This spring, invest in legumes.

While nitrogen prices are much lower than last year, the cash outlay for nitrogen fertilizer on your pastures can be avoided by adding legumes to your grazinglands.

Five years of grazing research in eastern Nebraska showed that brome/legume pastures produced almost four-tenths of a pound higher average daily gain on yearlings than did straight brome pastures fertilized with 50 pounds of nitrogen. We have had similar results in Kentucky from research comparing fescue/clover pasture with fescue with nitrogen. That may not sound like a lot to you, but that much faster gain for the full season produced an extra fifty-one pounds of beef per acre. With no nitrogen fertilizer. Adding the value of heavier feeders plus reduced fertilizer expenses resulted in more than an extra fifty dollars per acre profit. That’s fifty dollars – per acre!

If you didn’t frost seed your clover in February, March is a good month to start adding legumes. Early March may still yield some freezing temperatures for Frost Seeding, but as temperatures warm, begin thinking about using a renovation seeder to make sure your certified clover seed has the best chances for successful germination. Then, with a little attention to controlling competition from the existing grass, new red clover plants can start increasing your pasture production by summer.

Selecting trees and shrubs to replace those lost in the ice storm...

After the task of storm cleanup, homeowners around Henry County need to turn their focus toward replacing trees and shrubs lost or damaged in the ice storm. The best thing you can do is think local when choosing where to go and what to buy.

Kentucky has more than 1,200 nurseries and retailers selling hundreds of types of trees, shrubs, groundcovers and perennials. The KDA sponsors the Kentucky Proud program, which allows individuals to locate local retail garden centers that market Kentucky-grown trees and shrubs to homeowners. The garden center database is easily searchable at http://www.kyagr.com/kyproud/index.htm.

Kentucky also has many qualified nursery growers, retailers, landscapers and arborists who are familiar with Kentucky soil types, weather and other factors that play a role in plant performance. Horticulturists and arborists who have taken the big step of becoming certified have demonstrated sound scientific horticultural expertise in a range of topics from landscape design and plant identification to plant biology and maintenance of landscape plants. For more information on selecting and buying local replacement trees and shrubs in our area, contact the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service.

3/4/09

Timely Tips for the Cattle Producer

The following tips come from the UK Extension Beef group.

For the Spring-calving Herd

• Replacement heifers should be gaining adequately to reach target breeding weights by May.

• Have calving equipment, supplies and labor ready for the spring calving season. Some supplies which may be needed are: eartags and applicator (put numbers on eartags now), tattoo pliers and ink, record book, scales for calf weights, iodine for calves' navels and colostrum supplement. Calving equipment (puller and chains, etc.) and facilities should be ready and clean.

• Overall condition of the cow herd should be evaluated. Cows losing weight now are most likely to have weak or dead calves.

• Record birthdate, cow I.D., and birthweight immediately (use your Beef IRM calendar). Identify calf with eartag and/or tattoo.

• Signs of calving are relaxation of pelvic ligaments, enlargement and swelling of the vulva, and enlargement of the udder. Expect calving difficulty if (1) calf's head and two feet are not visible, (2) only the calf's tail is visible, and (3) the cow has been in labor for 1½ hours. Be sure calf is being presented normally before using calf puller. Recognize situations that are beyond your capability and seek professional help as early as possible. Calves that aren't breathing should receive assistance. Try sticking a straw in nostril to stimulate a reflex or try alternate pressure and release on rib cage. Calves should consume colostrum within 30 minutes of birth to achieve good immunity.

• Separate cows that calve away from dry cows and increase their feed. Avoid muddy feeding areas so that cows' udders won't become contaminated and spread scours. Don't confine cows to muddy lots.

• Increase feed after calving to 25-27 pounds of high quality hay. Concentrate (3-4 lb. for mature cows and about 8 lb. for first-calf heifers) may be needed if you are feeding lower quality hay. Supplementation may have a beneficial effect on date and rate of conception. The most important time to feed a beef cow is after calving. Thin cows don't come into heat very soon after calving. We must have cows in good condition, if we plan to breed them early in the season for best pregnancy rates, especially on high-endophyte fescue pastures.

• Watch for scours in newborn calves. Consult your veterinarian for diagnosis, cause, and treatment.

General

• Begin pasture renovation. You can overseed clover on frozen or snow-covered pastures.

• You should be feeding a mineral supplement with adequate magnesium to prevent grass tetany (~ 15% Mg) now. The Hi-mag UK Beef IRM mineral can be used now.

• Provide water at all times. Continue to watch for frozen pond hazards.

2/25/09

FSA Announces Emergency Conservation Program for Ice Storm Damage

Agricultural producers who suffered damage as a result of the January 2009 ice storm may request cost-share assistance from USDA to rehabilitate damaged farmlands. The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), administered by Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides cost-share assistance when disaster damage is so severe that recovery without federal assistance is unlikely. Requests for assistance will be accepted at the local FSA Service Center from Feb. 10 to April 13, 2009.

A producer qualifying for ECP assistance may receive cost-share for debris removal and fence restoration where the damage to farmland impairs or endangers the operation of the farm. Fences must be used for agricultural purposes. Ornamental fences are not eligible for assistance. Under ECP, cost-share assistance is limited to $200,000 per person per natural disaster. Conservation problems existing prior to the disaster are ineligible for ECP assistance.

To be eligible for cost-share under ECP, practices should not be started until a request has been filed at the FSA Service Center and an on-site inspection has been made by an FSA representative. Producers who have taken emergency actions before filing an application may be eligible if it is determined that such action was necessary to prevent further loss. Producers who have taken action before this announcement may be eligible for assistance if an application is filed within 15 calendar days from Feb. 10, 2009. Approval of cost-share for practices started before filing an application or before the program announcement must meet all criteria for federal cost-share assistance including compliance with environmental regulations.

2/18/09

2007 Census of Agriculture – Henry County

The 2007 Census of Agriculture Data has just been released, and the Henry County information contains some interesting data and trends. Compared to the 2002 Census, two items jumped off the pages at me: the number of farms has increased by 9%, and the amount of tobacco marketed has increased since the 2002 Census.

The number of farms increased from 883 to 962. Interestingly, when looking at the number of farms by size, Henry County had decreases in the very smallest farms and the very largest. Farms of 1-9 acres dropped from 52 to 39, while the number of farms over 1000 acres dropped from 14 to 8. All other size groupings increased.

When comparing farms by income, it is interesting to note that the number of farms reporting less than $5,000.00 income per year in 2007 was 430, while in 2002 that number was only 324. Over half (59%) of Henry County farms reported less than $10,000 in annual agriculture income, while 13% report sales of $50,000 or more.

A significant increase in the market value of land and buildings per acre was noted since the 2002 Census. The average for Henry County jumped from $2,398 per acre to $3,268 per acre. This makes the average size farm of 152 acres worth nearly ½ million dollars.

Farmers are getting slightly older too. The average age of a 2007 Henry County farmer was 57.4 years old, compared to 56.3 in 2002. That trend has continued over the past several Census of Agriculture reports. In 2002, about 9% of the principal operators of farms were female, a figure which rose to 13% in 2007.

Back to the tobacco figures. Since the government buyout, no one (but the tobacco companies) really knows what the acreage and production per county has been, and they do not chose to share these numbers. For the past 4 years, I’ve been guestimating that Henry County’s acreage and production has held steady from the last year of the quota system when producers planted just over 2,200 acres and sold about 4.5 million pounds of burley. The reported acreage for the 2007 census of tobacco indicates an increase in acres up to 2,617, moving Henry County from 7th in the state to 2nd.

In addition to this 2nd place ranking in tobacco acres, Henry County is also 2nd in pheasant production, 4th in quail production, 20th in forage land for hay, 24th in dairy, 25th in goats, 25th in Horses and Ponies, 38th in beef production, and is ranked 46th in the state in terms of all products sold.

2/11/09

NATURE HOLDS TRUMPS

Over the past few days, I’ve wondered what I would write in this column. I’ll start with the weather, and then end up with a little thought about agriculture. After a dreaded Ice Storm, much of rural Henry County and Kentucky are nearing a week without electric power as of this writing Monday afternoon, and I have to feel very fortunate that my home power was restored late Saturday and the Extension Office power came back on late Sunday. We are hopeful that all power will be restored very soon.

Through the past few days, I’ve heard a lot of stories about how folks are dealing with the loss of electrical power. Some themes have rung true: we are all somehow more appreciative of the grit and determination our forebears must have showed; we are a bit more understanding of some of our own friends and neighbors who grew up before ‘electricity came to town’: we as a society have become pitifully dependant on electricity; and I, like many others have become somewhat addicted to TV. I will always give a bit more credit to the importance of the phrase “keeping the home fires burning” because now I have firsthand knowledge of what a 24 hour a day job that is.

I have heard many tales of neighbors helping neighbors, and small communities coming together to insure safety for all. While It’s been hard, most of the farming community has come through pretty well. We have to appreciate our service providers and governments for their great efforts in clearing roads, keeping the ‘city water’ flowing, and fixing the electrical power lines. Thanks!

Even in the midst of a harsh winter, it is time to be preparing for the new growing season. Why not use this snow to mark your tracks as you ‘frost seed’ some legume into existing grass pastures. After two years of summertime drought, many pastures and hay fields need some attention, and a legume will add nitrogen to the field, increasing both yield and quality of your forage. Frost Seeding is just one of the many ways our forefathers worked with nature to achieve a desirable outcome. In modern farming, one might say we utilize many tools and techniques to overcome the natural way of things. The ice storm of 2009 joins the tornado force winds of February 2008 and September’s Hurricane Ike to remind us that Mother Nature always holds trumps!

Be safe.

2/4/09

CATTLE TIPS FOR JANUARY

Since almost everyone started feeding hay early this year, estimates need to be made soon to calculate the feed (hay & supplement) needed by your cows until April. See how much hay you have on hand now to avoid any “surprises”. Low hay reserves may mean stretching your hay supply with more supplement to keep cows in good body condition.

Spring Calving Cow Herd

• Start cows on the high magnesium mineral supplement soon. If cows are thin, begin energy (grain) supplementation now.
• Get ready for calving season! See that all equipment and materials are ready, including obstetrical equipment, record forms or booklets, eartags, scales, etc. Prepare a calving area where assistance can be provided easily if needed.
• Move early calving heifers and cows to pastures that are relatively small and easily accessible to facilities in case calving assistance is needed. Increase their nutrient intake after they calve.
• Consider vaccinating the cows to help prevent calf scours.
• Study the performance of last year's calf crop and plan for improvement.
• Fall Calving Cow Herd
• Breeding season continues. Cows need 25 30 pounds of good quality hay, or its equivalent. Catch up on castrating, dehorning and implanting.
• Provide clean windbreaks and shelter for young calves.
• Remove bulls by the end of the month. That means that your 2009 fall calving season will end in early November.

General

• Obtain forage analysis of your hay supply to determine supplement needs.
• Feed hay in areas where mud is less of a problem. Consider preparing a feeding area with gravel over geotextile fabric.
• Increase feed as the temperature drops, especially when the weather is extremely cold and damp. When temperature drops to 15°F, cattle need access to windbreaks.
• Provide water at all times. Cattle need 5 to 11 gallons per head daily even in the coldest weather.
• Consider renovating and improving pastures with legumes, especially if they have poor stands of grass or if they contain high levels of the fescue endophyte. Purchase seed and get equipment ready this month.

1/14/09

2008 VARIETY TEST REPORTS

The 2008 Forage Variety Test reports are now available at the Henry County Extension Office. As you make plans to revitalize your forage program, make sure the variety and seed you plant has the potential to do the best job for you.

UK has continued to develop the summary report that contains all of the variety testing information for the last 10 years in easy to read comparative tables for each species. 2008 was a tough year with the continued dry summer conditions. Overall, forage yields were down in the testing program, but the advantages of improved varieties were all the more apparent.

FERTILIZING FORAGE CROPS IN 2009

Forage producers around the world have struggled over the last year with high fertilizer prices. Hopefully, the prices will ease up for 2009, but the basic principles of forage production will remain the same.

First of all, everyone should take soil tests on a regular basis. In hay fields, soil tests should be taken every year, since nutrient removal in hay is high. For well managed pasture fields, soil tests are only recommended about every 3 years. A soil test may tell you that one field does not need any fertilizer, another field only requires P, another field only needs lime, and a fourth field has very low nutrient levels so you may consider planting a forage like annual lespedeza which will grow in low pH and low P soils. Taking a soil test will allow you to make educated decisions on your farm rather than adding fertilizer that is not needed, or reducing fertilizer applications on fields that need it the most.

If you decide that you are going to cut back on fertilizer applications remember that hay crops remove more nutrients than almost any other commercial crop. For example, a 5 ton/acre alfalfa hay crop removes 280 lb of nitrogen/acre, 75 lb of phosphate, and 300 lb of potash. Nitrogen removal is not a problem with alfalfa because N fixation occurs in the nodules on alfalfa roots, but P and K level will drop in that field. Even if your soil test levels are high today, hay crops will eventually deplete the nutrients in the soil if you are not replacing them with commercial fertilizers or manure.

Renovation of grass pastures with legumes is a method to decrease our need for N fertilizer. Not only do the legumes provide N “for free” from the air, but legumes are usually higher quality than grasses resulting in higher rates of gain and higher milk production. Legumes have tremendous advantages, but they also require higher pH levels and higher P and K levels for growth and stand survival than grasses (with the exception of the lespedezas). Just like the rest of life, “you don’t get something for nothing.”

In pastures approximately 80% of the nutrients consumed in the forage are returned to the pasture in the manure and urine. Therefore, it makes sense to concentrate your forage management efforts toward extending your pasture season and reducing your need for stored feed. This is only true in well managed rotationally grazed pastures where manure and urine are equally distributed throughout the pasture. You can learn the concepts of pasture grazing management through our Master Grazer 2009 Course, set to begin in March. Please contact us at the Extension Office (845-2811) to register and learn more about this course.

12/31/08

WINTER HORSE NUTRITION

The headlines in the LOCAL really caught my eye last week. It emphasized the plight of horses now caught in the wake of some interesting conditions. Some would say it’s the ‘perfect storm’. The equine economy is sluggish, cold weather is here which means little or no help from pasture, hay supplies are tight and expensive due to two straight summer droughts, and horses can’t go to slaughter in the US. Are there unwanted horses out there? Are there some who will not be fed properly through the winter? The answer is probably yes to both questions. However, we have a great community of horse owners and managers in Henry County, and they do their best to see that our equine friends are properly cared for.

No matter what the economic conditions, a horse’s nutritional needs do increase with even mild Kentucky winters. Here are some ideas to consider when feeding your horses this winter.

The first thing every horse owner should do is assess your horses’ body condition scores, or the amount of fat they are carrying. This is simple numeric system, ranging from 1 to 9 that will help you adjust your horses’ diets so they are carrying the perfect amount of body weight. If you need help with this, the UK Extension Service has a fact sheet titled, “Condition Scoring Your Horse,” and you can contact us at the Henry County Extension office to look for ASC-145. Using this system will help you keep feed costs down and your horses’ health and well-being in top shape.

No matter your horses’ body condition scores, one of the most important aspects of feeding horses during the winter is being able to provide a source of good-quality forage. Unless you have a well-planned rotational grazing system in place and have stockpiled forage that will that last until spring, feeding hay is essential.

Unless you are raising broodmares or growing horses, most horses should be fed at least 50 percent of their total daily diet as forage. For an average 1,000-pound horse fed at 2 percent body weight per day, that would be at least 10 pounds of hay per day. In addition to providing nutrients, hay also supplies heat to the horses through the digestive process.

If your hay is of high-nutritive value and your horses are maintaining their body condition scores throughout the winter, you may not have to provide a source of grain at all. However, if your horses are not meeting their nutritional needs with hay alone, you can add grain to their diet.

Water is an essential nutrient that you need to monitor very carefully during the winter months. In general, horses tend to increase their consumption of water when consuming more dry matter or harvested forages. But, they tend to not want to drink really, really cold water. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you provide fresh water daily on a free-choice basis. When the temperature dips into the 30s and below, water tanks may freeze up. Be sure to check them at least twice a day and break the ice up if needed so the horses can drink.

Make sure you especially monitor older horses that have trouble keeping weight on during the year. They may need some special attention to keep them in good weight throughout the winter.

12/24/08

ALFALFA AND THE ENVIRONMENT

We know that alfalfa is a great legume crop, recognized for outstanding yield and quality for livestock feed. The National alfalfa alliance would remind us of some other very nice things about this crop we sometimes call “the queen of forage crops”.

Reduced soil erosion and runoff—Alfalfa is recognized as an excellent ground cover. Alfalfa reduces soil erosion and also reduces runoff of phosphorus and pesticides into streams and lakes. Alfalfa makes a lot of it’s own nitrogen, but did you know it is one of the best crops for trapping nitrogen before it gets into groundwater due to its deep root system which extends below the shallow root-absorption zone of most other crops.

Added manure management options—Alfalfa provides opportunities for manure application several times a year. This helps producers spread their workload and minimize storage facilities.

Improved soil health—Since alfalfa is a perennial crop that lasts several years, only a portion of a grower’s entire acreage needs to be seeded each spring. Absence of tillage during the life of the stand reduces the breakdown of soil structure compared to annually tilled row crops.

Wildlife benefits—Alfalfa is an incredible home for many insects that are beneficial, and that prey on other insects, produce honey, and serve as a food source for birds. Alfalfa attracts many birds and small mammals to feed and next because it provides ground cover for a long season.

12/17/08

TIMELY TIPS FOR CATTLE

Dr. Roy Burris and folks at the UK Beef research farm send us the following tips for management of your Cattle herds.

FALL CALVING HERD

• Get ready for the fall breeding season. Breeding can best be accomplished on stockpiled fescue pasture (if you are lucky enough to have some); otherwise, cows with calves should be fed 25-30 pounds of good quality hay or its equivalent. Supplement with grain, if needed. These cows shouldn’t be allowed to lose body condition.
• Have Breeding Soundness Evaluation (BSE) performed on bulls (even if you used them this spring).

SPRING CALVING HERD

• Divide the herd into groups for winter feeding --

• weaned heifer calves
• first-calf heifers, second-calvers and thin mature cows
• the remainder of the dry cows which are in good body condition
• herd sires

• 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. Don’t let cows lose weight/condition.

• Be sure that weaned heifer calves are on a feeding program which will enable them be at 65% of their mature weight before the start of the breeding season.

• Order and number eartags for next year’s calf crop this winter.

GENERAL

• Consider putting down geotextile fabric and covering with gravel in feeding areas before you begin hay feeding to minimize waste of expensive hay.

• Complete soil testing pasture to check for fertility and pH. These are tight economic times but you can only “mine” your soil’s fertility for a limited time.

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION BY EMAIL

The tips included in this column (ABOVE) came from a monthly newsletter put out by our UK Extension Beef Specialists. As you might expect, there are several other ‘goodies’ for cattle producers to consider than what we include here, and we would like to offer this and other newsletters to you.

If you have a computer system at home and would like to get newsletters online from the Extension Service, please let us know at the Henry County Extension Service (845-2811 or ) to let us know which newsletters or information you’d like to receive. At present, we have OFF THE HOOF, DAIRY NOTES, FORAGE NEWS, GRAIN CROPS and KENTUCKY FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS NEWSLETTER available online.

12/10/08

CATTLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION REMAINS STRONG

The Henry County Cattleman’s November 24...

This will be the 8th Annual Meeting of the Henry County Cattleman’s Association, formed as an official chapter of the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association in the summer of 2001. From the very start, this group has had strong leadership and avid participation by it’s membership, which usually hits somewhat above the century mark. With regular meetings on the 4th Monday evening of most months, the attendance has averaged around 90, with several hundred plus meetings! Many larger Cattleman’s Associations would be proud to have the kind of turnout to meetings and field days exhibited by the Henry County group. The Membership seems to truly enjoy every opportunity to fellowship with one another, network, and learn about the Cattle Industry through a wide variety of speakers and presenters. Sponsors seem to line up to have the chance to meet and work with the membership, helping provide a steady fare of grilled beef and all the fixings.

While we talk of the Henry County Cattleman’s Association as being a relative newcomer, Henry County cattle producers had been active inn the Louisville Area Cattleman’s Association, originally formed as the organizing body of the Graded Feeder Cattle Sales held at Bourbon Stockyards, beginning in 1983. Henry County provided a good amount of membership, participation, and leadership to that Area Association. Henry County Cattle farms were consistently featured as Field Day Hosts for what became an annual Fall Cattle Field Day, a practice which has been continued to this day.

The first meeting of the Henry County Cattleman’s Association was May 30, 2001 at the Henry County 4-H Center at the Fairgrounds. The group there had determined their was a need to leave the Area Association in favor of a County Chapter for a couple of reasons. First, this provided the avenue to focus educational meetings and programs more specifically to our local folks and local needs. Secondly, the new

Master Settlement Agreement had made Cost Share Funding available to local farmers through the “Phase I” Programs, and the administration of these funds was required to be made by a local ‘formal’ organization. In order for those early State Model programs such as the Genetics, Forage Enhancement, and the Cattle Handling Facility programs to be available to Henry County Farmers, an organization such as a Cattle Association was needed. Since handling the first programs, the Cattle Association has now been directly responsible for administering more than $2 million directly to farm families over the life of the Phase I program.

The First President was Sarah Stewart, followed by Bobby Foree, Tony Whaley, Allan Bryant, Alvin Tingle, Brian Stivers, Eddie Foree, and present president Joey Kephart. They have been ably assisted by a nine person board of directors which has included: Leon Creech, Claude Nutt, Keith Jeffries, Richard Smith, John Ellegood, Russ Rose, Robert Hunchman, Lloyd Gray, Clark Slone, Phillip Douglas, Phyliss McGuire, John Allison, Larry Bryant, and Lindsey Burke. Mary Bryant and Phyliss McGuire have served as Treasurers throughout the organizations history.

Field Day Hosts, beginning in 2001, have included Graystone Farms, Creekstone Farms in 2002, Lloyd and Pat Gray Farms in 2003, Stivers Farms in 2004, Rand Angus Farm and Larry and Keith Jeffries Farms in 2005, Herrell Farms in 2006, Capstone Farms in 2007, and RiverCrest Farms in 2008.

Cattleman of the Year have included: Lloyd and Pat Gray in 2002, Stivers Farms in 2003, Robert and Jean L. Foree Farms in 2004, Herrell Farms in 2005, Capstone Farms in 2006, and Graystone Farms in 2007.

The organization looks forward to many more years of fellowship, great beef meals, and timely education as they announce this 2008 Annual Meeting for Monday, November 24. Please stay tuned to this column and an invitation from the Association which will give time and place details.

11/5/08

Beef Cattle Market Update

While 2007 will be remembered as an especially brutal year for beef producers, few will remember 2008 as much better. This year marked a second straight summer drought for most Kentucky cattle producers, who have also watched calf prices slide sharply from summer levels. As of the third week in October, 5wt feeder steer prices in KY were averaging in the very low $90’s.

A price decline from late summer into fall is typical seasonally as larger numbers of weaned calves hit the market. However, in 2008, this occurred while markets were also processing a wide range of macroeconomic data that caused many to question the strength of beef demand in 2009. As the stock market fell, talk of financial problems escalated, and the poor state of the US economy became the hottest topic on TV, all commodity markets sank lower.

Beef is the most expensive of the main three meats on the American table (pork and chicken being the other two). As consumer incomes become strapped, it is logical that beef would be the most vulnerable to substitution. This vulnerability is the reason why live cattle have been trading in the low $90’s, when they were expected to be trading well above $1 per lb back in the summer. This same impact on deferred live cattle futures has pushed feeder cattle prices down by nearly $20 per cwt. from their spring highs.

While it is easy to be pessimistic given the changes that have been seen recently, many fundamentals remain quite positive. Cattle-on-feed numbers remain pretty low, corn price has fallen, and the export market for US beef is steadily picking up. Demand remains the wild card, and the primary reason why we have such drastic price declines this fall.

Of course calf prices are only part of the story as production costs are clearly as high as they have ever been. In the face of these challenges, beef producers are responding by reducing the size of the US cowherd. Nationally, beef cow numbers are likely to be down by 2% or more by year’s end. At the same time, we expect Kentucky beef cow numbers to be down even more.

FALL LIME RESULTS

Folks have been talking quite a bit about high fertilizer prices as it relates to farm production of forages, tobacco, and grain crops. Key elements of any type of plant production certainly depend on the supply of nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, but also upon the desirable pH level of the soil. Most generally, Henry County has soils which are slightly on the acid side of the pH scale. Crushed Limestone Rock, or Lime as we call it, is usually the most economical product with which to ‘raise’ the pH of an acid soil.

The UK Soil Analysis through the Extension Office now recommends the amount of lime needed, if the lime product was 100% effective. We also list three of the local lime sources, and make the recommendation for the total amount of liming material based on the Relative Neutralizing Value (RNV) of the product. A test of each quarry or liming product is conducted each spring and fall by the KY Department of Agriculture, with the Fall results showing Liters at Lockport testing an RNV of 65%, Oldham County Stone testing 70%, and RecMix of PA (at Ghent) testing 77%. Some arithmetic is needed to determine which source is the most economical for you, based on the cost of the material, trucking, and spreading.

10/29/08

COMPARING FERTILIZER PRICES

Each year, I get several calls concerning fertilizer prices and which product seems to be the best buy, but with prices skyrocketing this past year, more folks have been wondering about fertilizer economics. By the end of this article, I’ll give you a simple formula with which you can price fertilizer on a pound for pound nutrient basis. In other words, you’ll be able to compare apples to apples.

First, however, before any fertilization decisions are made, you should be working from a recent soil analysis. Soils in the higher medium to high ranges of fertility for P or K will probably not show an economic response to added fertilizer. Conversely, soils testing low in P or K or having a low pH will likely show a good crop response from fertilizer.

Now, back to fertilizer comparisons. A month or so back, I got the following prices for Nitrogen fertilizers. Ammonium Nitrate was $775 per ton and Urea was $1050 per ton. At first glance, it sounds like Ammonium Nitrate is the better deal, but remember that Ammonium Nitrate (34-0-0) is 34% actual nitrogen, and Urea (45-0-0) is 45% nitrogen. Using this knowledge, calculate the number of pounds of actual nitrogen in a ton of Ammonium Nitrate by multiplying 2000 pounds by 34%, giving 680 pounds of nitrogen. Recall that the price was $775, so $775 divided by 680 pounds equals $1.14 per actual pound of nitrogen. Doing the same calculation for Urea, we multiply 2000 pounds by 45%, or 900 pounds of actual nitrogen. $1050 per ton of Urea, divided by the 900 pounds of nitrogen per ton gives $1.16 per pound of nitrogen. So, the cost per pound of nitrogen in the Ammonium Nitrate was only 2 cents different than the cost of a pound of nitrogen in Urea, even though the price per ton was considerably different.

The same type of value comparison can also help wade through the question of economics in applying liquid fertilizers. Simply price the value of the nutrients in the liquid form, and compare it to what you calculate in the dry form, and use the cheapest source. Scientific evidence indicates that a pound of nutrient from a dry source is comparable to a pound of nutrient from a liquid source. A few ‘new’ liquid products are being found to have substantially higher cost per pound of nutrient than our ‘traditional’ dry fertilizers.

If fertilizer is needed, apply only the amount needed according to soil test, and apply from the cheapest source.

10/22/08

WEED CONTROL OPTIONS FOR PASTURES

Dry weather conditions two summers in a row have resulted in grazed pastures with areas that have thin vegetative cover and bare soil. Some of these areas already have weedy vegetation such as common ragweed and other summer annuals. As these plants die back naturally, cool-season weeds such as common chickweed, henbit and purple deadnettle will fill in the voids. Other weeds such as musk thistle will likely be more prevalent in the coming spring.

One option to tackle weed problems is to apply broadleaf pasture herbicides in mid to late fall or early next spring. However, herbicides alone may not be the best solution to revitalize pastures for the next grazing season.

Does the existing stand of desirable forages appear adequate and potentially competitive enough against any emerging weed problems? If the forage stand is acceptable and weed pressure is light, the best course of action likely is to do nothing this fall except other routine pasture management practices. However, if you do see developing weed problems then you may want to take action to begin correcting the problem. In some cases, there may be no good solutions that will correct all weed problems you’ve observed.

After you evaluate the pasture, you must decide whether or not to 1.) drill or overseed more forages into existing pasture to improve the stand of desirable forage grasses or 2.) spray herbicides to control emerging broadleaf weeds. As a general rule of thumb, if you decide to spray this fall, you will need to wait until next spring before seeding additional forages. It’s important to note that anytime you use broadleaf herbicides, you’ll likely kill any clovers or other desirable legumes in the treated areas.

10/15/08

FROST BRINGS FORAGE DANGER

As we move into October the likelihood of frost increases, and with it the danger of Prussic Acid poisoning in our farm animals on pasture. The primary cause of prussic acid poisoning is the ingestion of certain plants after living plant cells are crushed or otherwise ruptured, such as what happens after frost damage. Plants of the sorghum group and leaves of wild cherry trees are the chief culprits around here.

 Prussic acid is one of the most potent toxins in nature. As ruminants consume plant materials containing cyanide-producing compounds, prussic acid is liberated in the rumen, absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to body tissues where it interferes with oxygen utilization. If toxin is absorbed rapidly enough, the animal soon dies from respiratory paralysis.

When lethal amounts are consumed, dead animals may be found without visible symptoms of poisoning. Symptoms from smaller amounts include labored breathing, irregular pulse, frothing at the mouth and staggering.

The risk from potentially dangerous forages may be reduced by following certain management practices:

1. Graze sorghum or sorghum cross plants only when they are at least 15 inches tall.
2. Do not graze plants during and shortly after drought periods when growth is severely reduced.
3. Do not graze wilted plants or plants with young tillers.
4. Do not graze for two weeks after a non-killing frost.
5. Do not graze after a killing frost until plant materials is dry (the toxin is usually dissipated within 48 hours).
6. Do not graze at night when frost is likely.
7. Delay feeding silage 6 to 8 weeks following ensiling.
8. Do not allow access to wild cherry leaves whether they are wilted or not. After storms, always check pastures for fallen limbs.

When in doubt, don’t graze.

SELLING BLACK WALNUTS

With the abundant load of walnuts this year, we’ve had a couple of folks ask about where to sell Black Walnuts. The UK Department of Forestry sent out a list last week of Walnut Buyers in Kentucky, which includes one in Jeffersonville and one in Springfield being the closest to us. If you would like to contact either of them, please call us at the Extension Office for the phone numbers.

10/8/08

FALL FERTILIZATION

The price of fertilizer is so high that many cattle producers are asking if it’s economical to apply fertilizer to pasture and hay ground this fall.

The answer to that question is difficult because it depends on your specific situation. When considering the answer for your operation, the first thing you should do is examine your soil test levels. If you have not taken soil samples within the past three years, you would be wise to collect new ones before making a decision. From the soil test results, determine what, if anything, is most limiting. In terms of soil pH, the minimum value depends on the type of forage you’re producing. If it’s alfalfa and the pH is below 6.0, you could apply lime. A grass-legume mixture probably can tolerate soil pH down to about 5.8 and a pure grass system probably can go down to pH 5.5 before yields are significantly affected. Similar statements could also be made for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrition, with alfalfa requiring the most and a pure grass like fescue requiring the least.

The UK College of Agriculture recommends P applications starting when the soil test P level drops below 60 pounds per acre and K when soil test K drops below 300 pounds per acre. If soil test levels are above 60 pounds per acre and or 300 pounds of K per acre, the likelihood of a yield response to additional P and/or K fertilizer is extremely low. But if you want to be sure that P and K are not limiting, apply fertilizers as recommended. If you are conservative and assume some risk that P and K might reduce yield, you might allow soil test levels to decline further. From small plot research, we know that once soil test P drops below 30 pounds per acre and/or soil test K drops below 200 pounds per acre, a yield response to added fertilizer is likely, therefore; these would be the minimum tolerable levels.

For more information on soil sampling and fall fertilizer recommendations, contact the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service at 845-2811.

10/08/08

TIPS FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS
Spring-Calving Cows

• Limited creep feeding can prepare calves for the weaning process. This will especially benefit those calves which you are going to keep for a short postweaning period – like the CPH-45 program.

• When planning the preweaning working, consult with your veterinarian for advice on animal health products and procedures, including pregnancy checking cows. The remainder of the work, like booster shots, can be done at weaning time.

• It is time to start the process of weaning spring-born calves. Stresses associated with weaning can be minimized by spreading-out other activities commonly associated with weaning – like vaccinations, deworming and, perhaps, castration and dehorning. Therefore, this month is a good time to do a “preweaning” working of cows and calves.

• Begin evaluating individuals for herd replacements – or culling. Each time you put them through the chute you can evaluate them for several traits, including their disposition.

Fall-Calving Cows

• Fall-calving should start this month. Cows should be moved to a clean, accessible pasture and be watched closely. Identify calves soon after they are born and record dam ID and calf birthdate, etc. Castration is less stressful when performed on young animals and feeder calves can be implanted now, too.

• Move cows to best quality fall pasture after calving. Stockpiled fescue should be available to these cows in November-December to meet their nutritional needs for milking and rebreeding.

General

• Complete nitrogen application to fescue pastures early this month (or simply close the gates to these pasture) and allow them to grow and accumulate until November or December, or when other sources of grazing have been used up - so that grazing may be extended and feeding can be delayed. To make best use of this pasture, put fall calvers or thin spring-calvers on this pasture and strip graze.

• Plan the winter feeding program. Take forage samples of hay which you will feed this winter. Request protein and TDN analysis so that supplemental feed needs may be estimated. Plan to minimize hay storage and feeding loss, consider utilizing crop residue for dry cows, group cattle according to their feed needs.

• Don’t graze sorghum or sudan pastures between the first frost and a definite killing frost because of the danger of prussic acid poisoning. Johnsongrass in stalk fields can also be a problem after a light frost. Grazing can resume after the sorghum-type grasses have undergone a killing frost and dried up.

9/10/08

GRADING THE 2008 HARVEST SHOWCASE

The 9th Annual Henry County Harvest Showcase was held this past weekend, with huge amounts of Henry County Hospitality, Food, Crafts, Services, Livestock, and attendance from all over the region. A lot of individuals, groups, clubs, and organizations joined the Henry County Farmers Market Association in putting together another memorable event. There are a lot of components to the Harvest Showcase, and the following is a quick grade for each.

• The Price of Admission: Where else could you go and see so much for FREE? We have to give this an A+.

• The Publicity Campaign: A lot of advertising helped get the word out to obviously lots of people in Henry County and the surrounding urban areas. Kudos to all, but especially to our Henry County Local and to Reed Yadon, WHAS Meteorologist. A+ here also.

• The weather: It didn’t rain. We had typical late July heat and humidity. Can’t complain much about this, but can’t give it the top grade. How about a B- ?

• Parking: Can you think of a better way to park hundreds of cars at the Henry County Fairgrounds? The parking committee gets an A+!

• Petting Barn and Livestock Demonstrations: A lot of youngsters (and oldsters) got to see just about one of everything in the great displays and demonstrations at the Livestock Pavilion and the Show Ring. Great job! You get an A also.

• Antique Tractor Show and Games: Wow! Personally, I had never seen such an amazing display of great machines. A steam engine, stationary hay baler, rock crusher, and dozens of other engines and tractors, all lovingly kept and displayed was a true look back into our Agricultural past. Without question an A+.

• Transportation: Thanks to a very hardworking farm couple, the tractor and people wagon transported hundreds of attendees around the entire fairgrounds to see all parts and parcels of the Showcase. A+!

• Music and Entertainment: Great MC’s, great groups, Patrick Henry Hughes, the Henry County High School Marching Band, Contests, etc. All wonderfully done for another A+

• Kids Games (and some older Kids games like Cornhole): Where else can you literally try to find a “needle in a Haystack”, or try your hand at Zucchini Bowling, or learn to milk “Kentucky Kate”, or get in a good Cornhole tournament? Great fun for all, and another A+.

• Food: From Breakfast with the Chamber, to Lunch from several groups, food was delicious, and by 1 o’clock or so was nearly gone, enjoyed by thousands of Harvest Showcase attendees. Very definitely, “Lunch at the Farmers Market” was a success, and all of it was produced right here in Henry County. Another A+ performance.

• The Henry County Harvest Showcase Committee: What a pleasure working with such a hardworking, unselfish, and forward thinking group as the Showcase Committee. One and all, they get 3 cheers and another A+ for producing another great showcase. Now, get some rest. You deserve it.

• Sponsors: 2008 saw a lot of sponsor participation, all very much appreciated. A record attendance for this event, even in the face of high fuel prices, may be in part because the event was FREE. But it cost something to produce, and couldn’t be done without sponsors. A+, and thanks.

Meeting the Objectives of the Harvest Showcase: If you feel that large numbers of rural and urban neighbors enjoyed a great all local agricultural fair, that Henry County was displayed in a positive light, and that another step was made toward creating and promoting a local food economy which will in turn keep Henry County a well farmed community, then most of the objectives were met once again. And for this, we bestow another perfect score!

7/30/2008

HISTORIC REVIEW OF AGRICULTURE

The 2007 Census of Agriculture Data for Henry County is targeted for release in early 2009. What facts and trends will it reveal? The 2002 Census revealed some interesting facts and trends in our farming community. Depending on your perspective, some changes and trends can be good and some not so good, but they are real, and the knowledge of them may be useful in planning for the future.

From 1997 to 2002, Henry County decreased total farm numbers from 1,022 to 833, with the average farm size creeping up to nearly 160 acres (right at the State Average) from the 1997 size of 147. The market value of production dropped nearly 30%, from nearly $37 million to roughly $26 million. As you might guess, most of the drop in income came as a result of the decrease in tobacco income.

Henry County has an area of 291 square miles, with a total of 186,272 acres of land. The number of acres in farms in 2002 was 141,592, down nearly 9,000 acres from 1997.

Now let’s go back in time nearly a century to take a look at Henry County. Exploring 1909 (the earliest year of the U.S. Census of Agriculture for Henry County), we find the acreage in farms in 1909 was 178,217. There were 2,329 farms, with an average size of 77 acres. The average value of land and buildings per acre was $50, a huge contrast to the $2,398 per acre in 2002.

In the year 1900, Henry County population was recorded at 14,620. Each 10 year U.S. Census after that reveals a population lower that 14,000 until the 2000 Census of 15,060. With 2,329 farms in 1909, we can see that a much greater number of people lived and depended on farming in our past.

There are some interesting facts concerning the number and size of farms through the years. In 1909, there were 306 farms from 1 to 9 acres in size, now there are only 52. The number of farms of 1,000 acres or more has increased from 2 to 10, and until 1982, there were no farms of 2,000 acres or more, now there are 4. The number of farms from 180 acres to 499 acres in size has remained fairly constant, dropping only from 217 in 1909 to 189 in 2002. A size range which has dropped significantly, even though the average size of a farm has increased, is the 50 to 179 acre range. From 1007 in 1909, we are down to 409 in 2002. The statistics tell us that we have decreased numbers of small farms, and growing numbers of large farms.

Will these century old trends continue with the 2007 Census of Agriculture? When the Henry County numbers are released, we hope to forward them to you right here in the Henry County Local. Stay tuned.

7/16/08

NITROGEN FOR STOCKPILING FESCUE

Nitrogen prices continue to increase in Kentucky, but prices for stored feed also continue to increase. Start planning now for stockpiling tall fescue for late fall and winter grazing. Stockpiled tall fescue will provide high quality, palatable forage and reduce the cost of winter feeding. The most efficient application time to insure strong fall growth is early to mid-August on grazed (3 to 4”) or hayed fescue stands. Recommended N application rates are 50 to 80 lb N per acre, but rates as low as 30 to 40 lb N per acre will enhance growth and improve forage quality. Ammonium nitrate is the preferred N fertilizer because it does not volatilize in hot weather. Price and availability are certainly big issues with ammonium nitrate. If urea is used it should be applied immediately before rain or used with the additive Agrotain which reduces volatilization losses.

Timely Tips For Cattle

Here are some July tips for cattle producers from Dr. Roy Burris, UK Beef Specialist.

For a Spring-Calving Cow Herd

• Remove bulls from the cow herd by the end of the month and keep them away from the cows. A short calving season can concentrate labor during the calving season; group calves by age so that it is easier to find a convenient time to vaccinate, castrate, dehorn, etc.; and provide a more uniform group of calves at market time.

• Mid-July (when the bulls are being removed) is a good time to deworm cattle, use a product that is effective against inhibited ostertagia. Calves which haven't been vaccinated for blackleg should be. Spraying or using a pour-on for flies while cattle are gathered can supplement other fly control methods. Remember to work cattle early in the morning when it is cool and handle them gently to minimize stress.

• Continue to watch for pinkeye and treat if necessary. Minimize problems by clipping pastures, controlling face flies and providing shade.

Fall-Calving Cow Herd

• Fall-calving cows should be dry and pregnant now. Their nutrient needs are minimal and they can be maintained on poor pasture to avoid overfattening. Keep a good free-choice mineral mix available at all times.

• De-worm cows in mid-July.

• Get ready for fall calving and plan to have good pasture available at calving and through the breeding season.

General

• Be sure that clean water is always available, especially in hot weather. Make routine checks of the water supply. Cattle need 13 to 20 gallons of clean water in hot weather.

• Maintain a weed control program in permanent pastures and continue to “spot-spray” thistle.

• Check pastures for downed wild cherry trees after storms (wilted wild cherry leaves are toxic to cattle).

• Have forage analyses conducted on spring-cut hay and have large, round bales covered.

• Start soil testing pastures to determine fertilization needs for this fall.

7/9/08