SAFETY ON THE FARM

Many of our Henry County farms have livestock as an enterprise. Farmers have long been drawn to animal husbandry. Growing up, our young people can learn many valuable life lessons while working with livestock, and everyone loves to see children and animals working together. At the same time, it’s important to remember livestock can be dangerous for young and old alike.

Statistics show that 17% of all farm injuries involve animals. It is important to think about how those injuries could be prevented and make changes on your farm to prevent additional accidents, particularly if there are children around.

Animals and humans sense their surroundings very differently. Animals do not see color the way humans do. They also do not have good depth perception and so they fear of stepping over grid patterns. Livestock have extremely sensitive hearing, which is why loud noises frighten animals and high frequency sounds hurt their ears. Finally, animals are very protective of their young and could become dangerous if they perceive harm to their young. These issues help explain why animals can balk or become skittish in unfamiliar surroundings.

Make an effort in 2012 to make your farm’s animal production systems as safe as possible.

High Tunnel program announced by NRCS

Folks interested in vegetable production are asked to take notice that a High Tunnel program through NRCS is being offered. There are 3 deadlines to apply to this program with the first being February 3rd, , followed by March 30th and June 1st. Applications are made through the New Castle office of NRCS.

This program cannot pay for materials costs, but it offers matching funds that pay for the cost of assembling a high tunnel on a square foot basis with a maximum of 2,178 square feet covered. This program also requires that producers grow the plants in the native soil. While raised beds are permitted, plants cannot be container grown or grown on benches in the tunnels.

How competitive the program will be will depend on how many growers have applied and how much money is available. Please contact the local NRCS office at 845-2890 for more information.

NRCS ANNOUNCES SIGNUP TO GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM

The local NRCS Office is accepting applications for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). Applications are accepted year round, however, the application ranking cutoff dates for 2012 are February 15 and April 2, 2012. Applications received after these dates will be deferred until the next ranking cycle.

The Grassland Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners and operators the opportunity to protect grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving and restoring grassland resources.

The compensation portion of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 for GRP authorizes easement compensation based on the fair market value of the land. GRP rental contracts provide selected landowners and operators to receive annual payments to maintain and restore grassland function and values for the length of the contract.

Interested landowners and operators should contact RANDAL ROCK, District Conservationist, Henry County at 502-845-2890.

1/25/12

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Only a few months ago, I had the chance to attend a day of the American Forage and Grassland Council meeting at French Lick, Indiana. In this column, I wrote about a young farmer from Hart County who participated in the Forage Spokesperson contest and won with his great story of grazing management and animal husbandry. I also wrote that Weldon Hawkins was not the first Kentucky forage producer to win the national contest. In fact, our own Larry Jeffries won the AFGC Forage Spokesperson honor over twenty years ago, became much involved in leadership of the organization, with many folks from all over the country still fondly remembering Larry and Carolyn as President and First Lady of AFGC.

Fast forward to this past week, when Kentucky was host to the 2012 AFGC conference at the Crowne Plaza in Louisville. I worked the registration booth during the conference, with chances to meet the top Forage Gurus in America and hear their latest research and recommendations. The national Forage Spokesperson contest was once again a highlight of the conference, with farmers from many states and Canada telling about their interesting farming operations. Amazingly, a farmer from Kentucky was once again selected as the National Forage Spokesman. Brent White, of Lyon County in Western Kentucky simply discussed his quest to build a profitable grazing oriented cow-calf and stocker operation with little dependence on stored feed. In the chapter called “It’s a small world”, I find I have some connections with Brent. As a teen, he worked summers at the Lake Barkely Camping Resort owned and operated by my sister and brother-in-law. He also went through Kentucky State Police Academy with two residents of Henry County who happen to be involved with beef cattle and the Henry County Cattleman’s Association.

Two National Forage Spokesmen in two years! There is no question that Kentucky farmers have some great stories to tell, and that goes for many Henry County farmers.

1/18/12

BEGINNING FARMER ACADEMY

The Beginning Farmer Class will get underway January 20th, with plans for weekly sessions each Friday through February and into March, with further sessions later in the year. Most sessions will be 9:00 am through lunch, rotating between Henry, Shelby, and Oldham County Extension Offices. The first two sessions will be held at the Shelby County Extension Office.

Our proposed listing of 10 courses is as follows: 1) Enterprise Evaluation, Farm Inventory, Business Plans, etc.; 2) Management & Record Keeping; 3) Governmental Resources – NRCS, FSA, GOAP, KDA, KSU, Extension, Forestry, etc.; 4)Marketing; 5) Farm Equipment/Farm Machinery Show Field Trip; 6) Legal Topics – Ag Issues & Policies, Nutrient Management, Water Quality, Lease Agreements, Liability; 7) Production Breakout Sessions – Livestock, Fruits/Veggies, Crops, Forages (maybe Agritourism, Bees, Wineries, Pasture Poultry); 8) Field Day (July); 9) Estate Planning (Oct/Nov); 10) Leadership, Share Session and Graduation (Oct/Nov).

The Henry County Extension Office still has some spots open for this class, and is currently registering members for the class. If you are interested, please contact us at 845-2811.

VEGETABLE ACADEMY

Interested in commercial gardening of any kind? The Vegetable Academy, which will be held at the Henry County Extension Office on January 31 and February 1, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, is the place to be for the latest information. Marketing, Disease and Insect Control, Varieties, and much more is on the full 2 day agenda. The Academy is filling up fast. Many folks from Henry County and the surrounding region are already registered, and now we are getting registrations from as far away as Boyle and Lincoln Counties.

Contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811 to register.

1/11/12

A WET YEAR, INDEED

During the 2011 growing season, several of my columns mentioned the fairly severe drought in Henry County which occurred in July and August. These months are prime growing season days, with several critical processes taking place in our crops and vegetables. We suffered diminished yields in virtually all crops, including corn, soybeans, tobacco, vegetables, fruits, hay, and pasture.

The irony to all this talk of drought is the fact that 2011 will be recorded as the wettest year ever in Louisville, and likely in Henry County also. While we don’t have historic data for rainfall, we now have the CoCoRaHS rainfall reporting system, with several very diligent recorders volunteering in Henry County. With their good work, we can now give actual numbers for 2011 and into the future. Just how wet was 2011? Three recording stations (Campbellsburg, New Castle, and Turners Station) went about 61 inches of rain! I’ve always read that the average rainfall in this region of Kentucky is approximately 45 inches per year. With this in mind, we had a whopping 16 plus inches above normal, but were abnormally dry when we needed the rain for crops. What a year! Here’s hoping 2012 is a bit more “normal”.

1/4/12

ONE ACRE AT A TIME

Nearly all Henry County landowners have some portion of their land in trees. This wooded portion can be just a fraction of an acre here or there, or it may be a sizeable area consisting of dozens or even hundreds of acres. In fact, Henry County is nearly 25% covered in woodlands, with uses covering the gamut from wasteland to recreation to well managed timber.

The UK department of forestry has been asking landowners across the state just what topics about woodlands interest them the most, and consistently get these four identified: Growing Timber; Selling Timber; Woodland Health; and Wildlife Management. In this particular area, we also found a lot of interest in Cedar Harvest.

To explore, explain, and discuss these topics, we are planning an evening meeting in March, likely March 15th or 22nd, 6:00 pm, at the Oldham County Community Center. This meeting will be open to all public and will include a light meal. While this is still some time away, we wanted to let everyone know about the opportunity and to say we will get further details out as we near the date. For now, you are welcome to contact us at the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

THE AIR WE BREATHE

Trees plus sunlight, through the process of photosynthesis, return Oxygen plus water vapor to the air while removing carbon dioxide. It’s estimated that one acre of wooded land produces about 4 tons of oxygen a year, enough for 18 people. With over 40,000 acres of woodland in Henry County, that would be enough oxygen for 720,000 people!

THE SHADE OF TREES

A well positioned shade tree can keep a house 20% cooler in the summer. A difference of 20 degrees between sunlight and shade can have a net effect equivalent to 10 room size air conditioner operating 20 hours and day!

THE GAMES WE PLAY

The wood of the white ash is used to make baseball bats such as the famed “Louisville Slugger”.

HOW BIG IS THE TREE?

Kentucky’s tallest tree is a yellow poplar in McCreary County, at 178 feet tall! The tree boasting the largest circumference is a baldcypres in Fayette County at a whopping 328” around.

12/21/11

Next year’s home garden starts now

Late fall is a good time to manage and prevent disease in next year’s garden. At this time, you can take pre-emptive measures to help ensure a successful and bountiful garden next season.

Cleaning things up in the fall can help cut back on disease in the following harvest season. Many pathogens responsible for diseases commonly seen in home gardens can over-winter or survive between crops on equipment and plant residue. Here are tips to prevent the spread of disease and be ready for the next growing season:

Turn dead plant matter under as soon as you are finished with the garden. Remove old plant debris from the greenhouse. Several plant pathogens can survive in these residues during the winter, and they can threaten next year’s crops.

Thoroughly clean tools and equipment and sanitize with disinfectant. Rotation is another powerful tool that should be implemented to prevent disease. Make plans now for your new garden, insuring that the same or closely related crop species are not planted in the same place more than once every three years.

Even though spring is months away, start thinking about what you’ll grow. Resistant varieties can significantly reduce or eliminate damage from disease and can allow you to minimize use of fungicide for a particular crop. Consult your seed supplier or catalog for more information.

A garden does take planning and careful consideration, but successful disease management begins with the few simple steps outlined above. If you start now, you’ll have built a strong foundation for a successful disease management program in your home garden.

JANUARY OPPORTUNITIES

January 2012 is only a couple of weeks away (yikes) and many opportunities are available for fellowship, networking, and learning for agriculture enterprises. The first week will feature the Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference in Lexington. Kentucky is host for the 2012 American Forage and Grassland Council Conference in Louisville beginning January 8. A trio of state groups (namely Horse, Tobacco, and Cattleman’s) meet in Lexington beginning January 12. Back in Henry County, the Extension Office will be the host site for the Beginning Farmers Class starting January 20th, and the Vegetable Academy on January 31.

For details on these meetings and conferences, please contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

12/14/11

Kentucky farm cash receipts exceed $5 billion for first time

The Kentucky Press will likely be reporting on some of the information heard last week during the Kentucky Farm Bureau meeting in Louisville, particularly the report that Kentucky’s farm economy did extremely well in 2011. Farm cash receipts are likely to exceed $5 billion for the first time, up from $4.4 billion in 2010. With improvement in returns in corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle, horses, hogs and dairy, net farm income is expected to rebound back above $1 billion in 2011, compared to $780 million in 2010.

Agricultural economists agree that the force behind the improved financial returns in agriculture is the boom in exports over the past two years and the strong demand for grains for biofuel production.

Corn and poultry are likely to be the top two sources of cash receipts in Kentucky this year. Grain prices were high, and producers planted increased acreage in response. Poultry production increased slightly in 2011, though it is projected to decline in 2012.

Kentucky’s tobacco acreage was down in 2011, but a better quality crop will enable prices and receipts to improve. The equine industry showed moderate improvement over 2010 receipts.

Feeder cattle prices in Kentucky showed substantial improvement, driven primarily by tight supplies. This could continue into 2012, because the drought in Texas and Oklahoma has resulted in higher cow slaughter, leading to an even smaller calf crop in 2012.

On the whole, economists were optimistic about 2012. Given reasonable weather, continued economic recovery and strong export markets, next year’s farm cash receipts could set another record high, topping out between $5.3 and $5.7 billion.

On the local front, things may seem a bit different. Yes, milk prices are up, tobacco quality and price is good so far, and beef cattle prices are at record levels, as are corn and bean prices. Our bottom line, however, is diminished with higher input costs for all farm enterprises and a mid-summer drought which decreased tobacco, corn, and soybean yields. We join most other central Kentucky counties in actually showing less farm income than we had in recent years. Whatever your personal situation, we hope that you will sharpen the pencil and apply the management strategies to enhance your bottom line. There is a lot of good science available for making these decisions, including Soil Testing, Forage Analysis, and Variety Test information. Please contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811 or more details about these tests.

VEGETABLE ACADEMY AND BEGINNING FARMER CLASSES

We are taking registrations for the new Vegetable Academy and the Beginning Farmer classes, both schools to start in January. The Vegetable Academy is an intense two day workshop, January 31 and February 1, designed to give participants an understanding of the principles of plant pathology, insect ID and control, Variety Selection, Marketing Skills and options, nutrient management, and season extension.

The Beginning Farmer class is slated to start January 20, with weekly sessions for the next several weeks. Several UK experts and local resource people will be on the programs designed to help the new farmer understand marketing, management, production, risk management, equipment, farm laws, agency resources, and more.

Please let us know of your interest in one or both of these Extension offerings by contacting the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

BY THE WAY

In the midst of another couple of days of plentiful rain (as I write this on Monday afternoon) you may be wondering just how much is falling in Henry County. At the CoCoRaHS station at the Henry County Extension Office, we recorded 7.43 inches of rain in November, and we are almost at 2 inches in December with this new rainy spell (Sunday and Monday), with more to come. For the year, this station has recorded over 58 inches of rain (normal is more like 45 inches), so we obviously will look back at this year as one with unusually high amounts of rainfall at various times. Ironically, we had a fairly severe drought here in July and August which damaged yield in virtually all our agricultural crops, including tobacco, corn, soybeans, pasture, hay, and vegetables.

12/7/11

The Bryant Family of Eminence was named 2011 Henry County Cattleman of the Year during proceedings of the Henry County Cattleman's Association Annual Meeting Monday, November 28, at the Henry County Extension Office. President Justin Atchison awards the coveted farm gate sign to the Bryant family, from left to right:  Alan, Sarah, Emily, Terina, Alma, Mary, Ralph, Justin, and Megan.

The 2012 Henry County Cattleman Board of Directors and Officers were elected Monday, November 28, during the Annual meeting of the Association. Seated, from left to right, are: Mary Bryant, Treasurer, Barbara Gregory, Philip Douglas, Vice-President, and Chris McBurney, President. Back row, same order: Johnny Alison, Secretary, Ryan Roberts, Steve Davie, and Larry Bryant. They will be meeting soon to plan the educational meeting schedule for the new year, as well as implementing the Phase I CAIP Cost Share Program.

11/30/11

BEGINNING FARMER ACADEMY

The Henry County Extension Office is now taking signups for the Beginning Farmer Class which will get underway January 20th, with plans for weekly sessions each Friday through February and into March, with further sessions later in the year. Most sessions will be 9:00 am through lunch, rotating between Henry, Shelby, and Oldham County Extension Offices.

Our proposed listing of 10 courses is as follows:

1. Enterprise Evaluation, Farm Inventory, Business Plans, etc.;
2. Management & Record Keeping;
3. Governmental Resources – NRCS, FSA, GOAP, KDA, KSU, Extension, Forestry, etc.;
4. Marketing;
5. Farm Equipment/Farm Machinery Show Field Trip;
6. Legal Topics – Ag Issues & Policies, Nutrient Management, Water Quality, Lease Agreements, Liability;
7. Production Breakout Sessions – Livestock, Fruits/Veggies, Crops, Forages (maybe Agritourism, Bees, Wineries, Pasture Poultry);
8. Field Day (July);
9. Estate Planning (Oct/Nov);
10. Leadership, Share Session and Graduation (Oct/Nov).

The Henry County Extension Office is currently registering members for the class. If you are interested, please contact us at 845-2811.

Winter Cattle Feeding

Feeding cattle in the winter can be the single, largest expense for producers, and UK Beef specialists Roy Burris and Jeff Lehkuhler agree this year will not be an exception.

Due to high input costs, mainly grain and concentrates, this year will present a challenge to producers. However, there are several management practices that producers can use to lower feed costs and make their herds more profitable.

One big way producers can decrease the amount of hay and feed they use is by extending the grazing season as long as possible. While favorable moisture conditions will likely get most folks through to Thanksgiving this year, the grazing season can go even longer with Stockpiled pastures that have received nitrogen and been allowed to accumulate growth. It’s also a good idea to strip graze accumulated/stockpiled fescue pastures to avoid waste and increase grazing days on those pastures.

Producers should pregnancy check the spring-calving cow herd now and eliminate the wintering of open cows–or move them to the fall-calving group. Favorable prices make this a good time to cull unproductive cows.

Producers can calculate the amount of hay they need to feed cows through the winter with the following rough estimate. Cow should consume about 2 percent of their bodyweight for about 120 days. That would be approximately 25 pounds per day for 120 days or about 3,000 pounds of hay per cow. Multiply 3,000 pounds by the number of cows in the winter herd to estimate the amount of hay needed. You might be able to feed less than 120 days, but don’t count on it, and your round bales of hay probably weigh closer to 1,100 to 1,200 pounds rather than the expected 1,500 pounds. And remember that hay can be vastly different in terms of nutritional quality. Make sure and get forage analyses on your hay supply, so you can estimate your supplemental feed needs.

Using a feeding pad (geotextile fabric and gravel) with hay feeders will minimize mud and waste, and will also minimize damage to pastures during the wet winter months.

Plan now to give more feed and better feed to cows after calving to get calves off to a good start and to maintain cows’ body condition. “Don’t let cows lose much condition (flesh) this winter, or next year’s pregnancy rates will suffer, Dr. Burris warns.

Control Dandelions in Early Winter

Dandelions are cool-season weeds we consider real pests in our in lawns, pastures, and crop fields. So when should we try to control them?

Many Dandelions germinate from seed in late summer and early fall producing small rosettes and begin an active growth period in the early-to mid-fall when temperatures start to moderate. Therefore, initiating control with 2,4-D products during the late fall or early winter months will likely provide the most benefit. Generally, the best time period is through early- to mid-December, provided daytime temperatures reach 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of days. You’ll control next years’ crop of dandelions without the risk of harming the new growth of trees, ornamental, and flowers next spring.

11/23/11

For the Beef Producer

During our recent Advanced Master Cattleman Nutrition session, we found that a lot of the hay we have available for winter feeding won’t meet our herds needs at some critical times. This is a good time to have your hay supply analyzed for nutritive quality and estimate the amount of supplementation needed. Consider purchasing feed now. Feed those large round bales in hay “rings” to avoid waste. Hay feeding areas can be constructed by putting rock on geotextile fabric to avoid the mud.

This is a good time to take soil tests and make fertility adjustments to your pastures. It appears that Alfalfa has had a “freeze-down” (24 degrees for a few hours), so it is ready to be grazed.

In the Spring Calving Herd, culling decisions should be made prior to winter feeding for best use of feed resources. Consider open, poor-producing and aged cows as candidates for culling. Dry cows in good condition can utilize lower quality hay now so you can save higher quality feed until calving time. Keep a good mineral supplement with vitamin A available.

In the fall calving herd, start the breeding season about November 25 for calving to begin in September of 2012. Don’t forget Breeding Soundness Evaluations (BSE) on your bulls.

11/16/11

RAINFALL REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

The weather for the past two months definitely changed in the amount of rainfall in Henry County. At least one or two reporting stations reported only an inch of rain in July, with a similar report in August. September and October, normally two of the drier months of the year, have yielded considerably more rainfall. With rainy spells throughout September, our Turners Station reporter had 7.03 inches (our highest) and our Pleasureville reporter has 5.33 inches (our lowest). In October, the range was not quite as great, nor the rainfall quite as abundant, with Eminence getting 2.50 inches and the Extension Office getting 3.02 inches.

The rains and cooler temperatures have really helped some of our agriculture enterprises. Our pastures and hay fields have responded with much needed forage (by the end of August, several farmers were feeding hay with not much promise of fall pasture). While the September rains made tobacco harvest more difficult, they promised much better curing conditions and should yield an attractive color to the market.

This past Saturday and Sunday mornings saw significant frost. My home and truck thermometers both agreed on 28-29 degrees Fahrenheit at home, with the truck telling me it was only 24 degrees near the creek on highway 146 between New Castle and Pendleton. If you have pasture or hay fields with Johnsongrass or Sorghum-sudan type grasses, wait at least a week or so for the plants to completely dry before grazing. Questions about your forages? Contact the Extension Office at 845-2811 to discuss.

11/2/11

AMPHIBIAN HABITAT - Ephemeral Pools

Ephemeral pools are small, shallow pools of water in wooded areas, and even though they may dry up during the summer months, they can provide a new dimension to your wildlife enjoyment. Amphibians and other creatures can flourish in and near the pools, and they may be a great place to set up to watch for deer and turkey. Many landowners are surprised at the diversity of wildlife an ephemeral pool will attract.

At a time when we are experiencing the decline of numerous amphibian species, the addition of ephemeral pools can provide habitat for little or no cost. Ephemeral pools placed in forests partner well with other more recognized forestry practices. If you are interested in helping amphibians through forestry practices such as constructing ephemeral pools, please call the Natural Resources Conservation Service at 502-695-5203 to contact Terri Estes, Wildlife Biologist.

10/26/11

NRCS ANNOUNCES 2012 FARM BILL PROGRAM

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky is encouraging landowners, farmers and producers to visit their local NRCS office now to apply for conservation technical assistance and possible financial funding opportunities in the EQIP and WHIP Farm Bill Programs. The cutoff date for consideration of 2012 funds in this sign up period is November 15, 2011.

• The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers who face threats to soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, NRCS develops contracts with farmers to voluntarily implement conservation practices. Persons engaged in livestock or crop production and owners of private forestland are eligible for this program. Eligible land includes cropland, pastureland, and private forestland.

• The Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for developing or improving high quality habitat that supports fish and wildlife populations. Through WHIP, the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners for the development of wildlife habitat.

All recipients of assistance are required to develop a Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan will serve as a roadmap to a variety of technical assistance and financial assistance through EQIP and WHIP. If you are interested in participating in Farm Bill conservation programs, you should sign-up as soon as possible and request a conservation plan. For more information, contact Randy Van Matre, NRCS district conservationist at (502) 845-2890.

10/12/11

FROST and PRUSSIC ACID

Prussic Acid can build up to toxic levels in a number of plants including Johnsongrass, sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, and wild cherry immediately after a frost such as the one we had Sunday morning. It doesn’t matter whether or not the frost is killing, the plants are likely to be toxic to grazing animals. However, it does matter if the frost killed the plant for your future grazing plans. If the frost killed the plant, it is safe to graze again when it dries down. If the frost did not kill the plant, the plant can be grazed again after about a week (barring no more frosts).

Prussic acid causes death by interfering with the oxygen-transferring ability of the red blood cells, causing animals to suffocate. Symptoms include excessive salivation, rapid breathing, and muscle spasms, and may occur within 10 to 15 minutes after the animal consumes prussic acid-containing forage. Animals may stagger, collapse, and eventually die.

10/5/11

Conserve and Plan to meet winter hay needs

Hay availability in Henry County and Kentucky may be short this winter because of weather events—last year’s drought, this year’s early record rainfall, and this year’s summer drought—both hay quality and yield are down. Some effort at conservation and planning will help make hay last longer through the winter.

Store hay inside a barn or other structure where it will remain dry. Hay testing is the first step to knowing how much will be necessary to meet the nutritional needs of the animals to be fed, from horses to cattle to goats.

Hay is typically fed from mid-December until mid-March, approximately 110 days, though that will vary due to weather, pasture conditions, and the needs of different animals.

To determine hay needs:

• Calculate the number of days animals will need feed.
• Weigh a random sample of bales so you know the average weight of your bales, using scales at feed mills or truck stops.
• With the results of the hay test, calculate how many pounds each animal will need daily.
• Arrive at a grand total of how much hay the herd will require over the winter.

Forward planning and good management practices will help ensure an adequate hay supply during the winter. A tight supply, plus possible hay purchases from bordering states, may possibly elevate what are already high prices.

GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR THE FALL

We always get a lot of questions about grazing fields with Johnsongrass or Sorghum-Sudan Hybrids during the fall, in particular about the possibility of Prussic Acid Poisoning to frosted forage plants. One good way to manage around the problem is to go ahead and graze any field with these grasses now, before frost occurs. You’ll not only get to utilize a good feed, but your regular pasture and hay fields will get a rest and be able to produce more feed to take you later into the winter feeding season.

After mid September, Alfalfa should be left alone until the first week or so of November. In terms of plant health and stand longevity, this six week period of rest and growth is extremely important. After the first week of November, the alfalfa can be grazed or put up as hay.

If you haven’t had cattle on a grass field for the past month or so, and can keep them off a bit longer, you are in the process of ‘stockpiling’ some of the best feed you’ll have for the winter, even if it is only fescue. Fescue growth at this time of year is highly nutritious, and since there is no seedhead, the amount and effect of endophyte is very low.

9/21/11

REMEMBER WHEN

Do you remember a few years ago when you could ask the question “What is Kentucky’s Biggest Agricultural Enterprise?”, and almost everyone would correctly answer ‘Tobacco’. Fast forward to today, and lo and behold, Tobacco is not even in the top five!

Poultry was Kentucky's top-grossing product for the second year in 2010, with cash receipts coming in at $953 million, according to USDA statistics. Poultry has outgrown Kentucky's now second-largest industry, horses. Cattle and calves came in third, at $616 million, while corn and soybeans took the fourth and fifth spots with $604 million and $583 million, respectively. They were the highest-grossing planted crops for 2010.

Overall, the state's 2010 cash receipts came in at $4.4 billion, topping 2009's $4.3 billion.

CATTLE MANAGEMENT

September is a good time to do a ‘preweaning’ working of cows and calves. Stresses associated with weaning can be minimized by spreading-out other activities commonly associated with weaning – like vaccinations and deworming. When planning the preweaning working, consult with your veterinarian for advice on animal health products and procedures. Some procedures which can be done now are pregnancy checking cows which will allow time to make culling decisions prior to weaning.

By the way, the rainy and misty weather last week gives us hope that fall pastures may be in our future. Consider nitrogen application to fescue pastures for stockpiling early this month and allow them to grow and accumulate until November, or when other sources of grazing have been used up - so that grazing may be extended and feeding can be delayed.

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.

If you have sorghum or sudan pastures (or even some with a good amount of johnsongrass) don’t graze between the first frost and a definite killing frost because of the danger of prussic acid poisoning.

And remember, the middle of September is a very important date for your alfalfa fields. Try to take a harvest of hay or grazing now, then allow the plants to grow until the first week of November for best winter hardiness.

9/14/11

HORSE GRAZING SCHOOL

Learn management tips for healthy horses and healthy pastures at the upcoming Extension Horse Grazing School. Beginning September 13, and continuing September 27, October 11, and October 25, the class sessions will meet from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, with a light supper.

The topics include: Forage Selection and Establishment; Health Concerns on Pasture; Grazing Behavior, Nutrient Needs, and Pasture Economics; and Fencing, Sacrifice Areas, and Paddock Layout. The meetings will be held at the Henry, Oldham, Shelby, and Trimble County Extension Offices. Registration fee of $25 covers materials and meals for all sessions.

Contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811 for program details and to register.

8/31/11

YOUTH AG DAY

Certainly one of the biggest ‘events’ in Henry County over the past week was the Antique Farm Machinery Show at Robbie and Katie Sue Yount’s Farm near Bethlehem. The Friday and Saturday event had plenty of Steam Engines, Antique Tractors, Horses, and Farm Machinery involved in numerous demonstrations. A good crowd was on hand to enjoy the great hospitality and opportunity to step ‘back in time’ when farming had a different, maybe more important, connection to the community.

When I chatted with the Yount’s, it was evident that they enjoyed hosting the Antique Farm Show, but they indicated they were even more pleased when they hosted the Youth Ag Day, held on Thursday. Youth Ag Day allowed all 4th Grade Students from Campbellsburg, Eastern, Eminence, and New Castle to visit the farm and have a real ‘Farm to Table’ experience with Wheat and the antique equipment. From planting, to harvest with a horse drawn binder, to trashing, to stone milling or grinding, to screen cleaning, to tasting Whole Wheat Bread, the youth were able to touch and see the process and the fantastic array of antique machinery used near the turn of the century in farming communities.

The successful Youth Ag Day has a lot of folks to thank for their efforts. School Administration, Teachers, Aides, Parents, and Bus Drivers all conspired to get the youth to the field day. The FFA leadership team did a fabulous job teaching at the learning stations. They were: Andrew Sharp, Cody Raisor, Vincent Bates, Derrick Jeffries, Andrew Pollard, Sean Sykes, Ashley Craigmyle, Montayna Heightchew, and Shelby Rogers. Several folks helped with the Demonstrations through the day, including: Billy Reed Clements, Tommy Barber, Jon Meyer, Dick Williams, Betty Moody, and Marilyn Moore. Vocational Agriculture and Cooperative Extension personnel included Lindsey Davie, Cathy Toole, Maryellen Garrison, Kelly Docktor, and myself. Of course, none of it would have been possible without the generosity and commitment to youth education of Robbie and Katie Sue Yount. Thanks for something very special!

Sean Sykes and Ashley Craigmyle join Robbie Yount to show 4th grade students the process of milling Wheat seed with a stone grinder, then cleaning it with an antique sifter for readiness for making Wheat Bread during the Youth Ag Day at the Yount Farm near Bethlehem.

4th grade students from Campbellsburg, Eastern, Eminence, and New Castle had the rare opportunity to see a Wheat Thresher powered by a 1915 Steam Engine during the Youth AG Day at the Robbie and Katie Sue Yount Farm near Bethlehem. The Youth AG Day was a true 'farm to table' experience for nearly 350 youth and adults.

ANOTHER DRY MONTH

While this is written on Monday, August 29, there doesn’t appear to be much chance of rain in the immediate forecast, so I’ll take the liberty of reporting rainfall (or lack thereof) for the month of August. Our CoCoRaHS observer in Campbellsburg captured the least amount of rain in the county, at only 1.04 inches. My gauge at the Extension Office was a close second, at 1.14 inches. The most rain was our observer in the City of Eminence, who caught 3.27 inches. Another observer only a mile from Eminence caught 2.82 inches of rain, exactly the amount recorded near Turners Station. Just northeast of Pleasureville, the amount was 1.62 inches.

When combined with the July rainfall, Henry County continues to fall deeper into significant drought. The Extension Office station has captured only 2.08 inches of rain in the two months, followed closely by Campbellsburg and Pleasureville at 2.19 and 2.30 respectively.

The data I’ve discussed here is available to anyone on-line at www.cocorahs.org. This is a national network of volunteer observers, including a handful in Henry County. In the near future, we hope to have more active observers in the County, making it possible to quickly see exactly what weather our friends and neighbors have experienced just down the road.

8/31/11

HORSE GRAZING SCHOOL

Learn management tips for healthy horses and healthy pastures at the upcoming Extension Horse Grazing School. Beginning September 13, and continuing September 27, October 11, and October 25, the class sessions will meet from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, with a light supper.

The topics include: Forage Selection and Establishment; Health Concerns on Pasture; Grazing Behavior, Nutrient Needs, and Pasture Economics; and Fencing, Sacrifice Areas, and Paddock Layout. The meetings will be held at the Henry, Oldham, Shelby, and Trimble County Extension Offices. Registration fee of $25 covers materials and meals for all sessions.

Contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811 for program details and to register.

8/24/11

DOES CPH PAY?

Most Cattle producers are aware of the program called CPH-45. Certified Preconditioned for Health, and weaned for 45 days, the beef calves sold in these sales for nearly 25 years in Kentucky have almost always returned more than their counterparts sold at the same time without the CPH -45 treatment. A new CPH Report by the UK College of Agriculture Department of Ag Economics calculates the net added returns for all sales on all classes of cattle across the state from April 2010 to March 2011.

In the state, 23 sales included over 18.000 head, with a CPH advantage of $6.07/cwt. The average cost of gain was 52 cents/pound, and the Estimated Net Added Returns were $91.98/head. Since nearly all of Henry County CPH -45 Sales went through the Lexington market, we’ll give the results from that location. Six sales included nearly 5,500 calves, selling for a CPH Advantage of $6.98/cwt. Estimated Net Added Returns were $100.06/head.

CPH-45 remains a important tool that producers can use to obtain additional returns on their cattle. For more information on how these figures were calculated or to look at all sales, visit the CPH-45 website at www.cph45.com. If you are interested in selling in a CPH-45 sale, contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

BENEFICIAL SNAKES

Many people fear snakes, but despite the fright they can cause, the majority of snakes are beneficial. Of the 33 varieties of snakes in Kentucky, only four are venomous (Northern copperhead, Western cottonmouth [water moccasin], timber rattlesnake, and pygmy rattlesnake). Most snakes you encounter around your home are harmless. If you are scared of them, try to remember that they are useful—they keep the rodent population in check by eating mice, rats, chipmunks and even toads, insects and other pests.

Snakes like damp, dark, cool places where food (usually mice) is accessible. They also will be drawn to areas that provide shelter and shade from the summer sun. The best way to get rid of snakes is to modify the habitat that is attracting them. Some recommendations include:

• Stack firewood 12 inches above the ground on a pallet
• Trim bushes and shrubs that grow against a foundation
• Keep all lots, fields, and lawns mowed and well kept
• Remove debris and trash from pond and stream banks
• De-clutter basements and attics, especially where rodents can be found

8/10/11

Harvest Showcase and Capstone Grand Opening Make The News

Friday and Saturday of last week were definitely red letter days in terms of events which put a positive spin on Henry County. Friday’s event was the ‘Grand Opening’ of Capstone Produce Auction, and the message I received from leaders such as Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fisher and Derrick Robinson of Value Market Foods was one of tremendous optimism and support of marketing local food products into the Louisville Urban population. The Produce Auction on Friday morning was awesome also, with several long rows of fresh produce sold at fair and reasonable prices for both the producer and the consumer.

During the Henry County Harvest Showcase Saturday, Reed Yadon, WHAS 11 Meterologist, interviews Henry County FFA President and Vice President Andrew Sharp and Shelby Rogers, standing alongside Kentucky Kate. The FFA Leadership Team helped with a Children's Farm Playground throughout the day.

Transportation around the Henry County Fairgrounds during Saturday's Harvest Showcase had a farm flair, with Mike and Jean Ray of Sunnymeadows Farm providing an old fashioned hay ride.

I was also impressed all day Saturday at the 12th Annual Henry County Harvest Showcase. As much as the Showcase features Henry County Agriculture products and services, it more importantly showcases our fine people. All the vendors are to be congratulated for putting forward a fantastic array of produce, products, and services. We should all be especially grateful to a fine cadre of folks known as the Henry County Harvest Showcase Committee for making every part of the showcase from parking to programming a seamless operation, enjoyed this year by an estimated attendance of 2,500. This was once again an important day.

One of the younger visitors at the fun filled Henry County Harvest Showcase tests out the wonderful produce from Zaring's Skeptical Acres, one of many vendors from the Henry County Farmers Market.	Melissa Blankenship, Drennon Hill Farm, President of the Henry County Farmers Market Association, greets one of an estimated 2,500 attendees at Saturday's Henry County Harvest Showcase.
Explaining where milk comes from is likely the topic of conversation for this Father/Son pair at the Henry County Harvest Showcase. Coomb's Jericho Acres Farm and Taylor's Taylormaid Farms had several live animal demonstrations for the crowds in the Agriculture Pavilion.	Reed Yadon, WHAS 11 Meterologist, and John Logan Brent, Henry County Judge Executive, set the stage for visitors to the Henry County Harvest Showcase last Saturday Morning, live from the Henry County Fairgrounds.

HOW DRY WAS JULY

I’m not sure exactly how much rain is ‘normal’ for July, but we sure didn’t get close to it. Of the 5 CoCoRaHS Rain Gauges reporting daily in Henry County, the most rain recorded was a paltry 1.15 inches near Campbellsburg. The lowest amount was less than seven tenths of an inch just north and east of Pleasureville. Needless to say, the many 90 plus degree days we’ve had and the lack of rain have painted a pretty parched look in much of the county. The farmers and gardeners at the Harvest Showcase were actually hoping for a much bigger rain than was experienced during the Showcase on Saturday afternoon.

8/3/11