Upcoming Winter Events in 2015

Dec 24^th-Jan 1^st Office Closed, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Jan 6^th              Winter Wheat Meeting, Christian Co. Office, 9am

Jan 9^th              Round Table Series, 8am Potassium Deficiency in Soybeans, Dr. Chad Lee

Jan 10^th            Poultry Safety & Risk Management Mtg, Buck Creek Church, 8am

Jan 13^th            CEC Meeting 5pm & District Board Meeting 6pm

Jan 15^th            Pesticide Certification, 6pm, Extension Office

Jan 16^th            KY Commodity Conference, Bowling Green Convention Center

Jan 16^th-17^th     KY Cattlemen Association Conference, Owensboro Convention Center

Jan 22^nd            Agritourism Workshops, 10am, Extension Office

Jan 27^th            From Gate to Plate Program, Owensboro Convention Center, 6pm

Jan 28^th            Ag Expo, Owensboro Convention Center

Jan 29th           Beef Nutrition/Minerals and Managing Mud & Manure, 5pm, Extension Office

Jan 30^th            Round Table Series, 8am On-Farm Grain Storage, Dr. Sam McNeil

Feb 3^rd             Invasive Insects, Daviess Co. Extension Office

Feb 5^th             CPH Sale

Feb 6^th             Round Table Series, 8am Nutrient Management for Water Quality,

Dr. Josh McGrath

Fed 10^th           Farm Bill Meeting, Extension Office, 9am

Feb 11^th-14^th    National Farm Machinery Show

Feb 20^th           Round Table Series, 8am Diversifying Your Operation, Cary Hicks

Feb 24^th           Tobacco Update 10am and GAP Training 1pm, Extension Office

Feb 26^th           Community & Economic Development Workshops 10am, Extension Office

Feb 26^th           Alfalfa Conference, Cave City

Feb 27^th           Round Table Series, 8am Grain Crop Profitability, Economics, Dr. Greg Halich

March 5^th         Forages & Grazing Meeting, 5pm-8pm, Extension Office

March 6^th         Round Table Series, 8am Pond Management, Dr. Bill Wurts

March 13^th       Round Table Series, 8am Poultry Litter as Fertilizer, Dr. Edwin Ritchey

Poultry Safety Meeting on January 10th

Make Farm Record Keeping a Priority

Record keeping may not be every farmer’s favorite activity, and probably not the reason you got into farming as a career. With time, patience and a commitment to get it done, it can make your financial life a lot less worrisome.

Record keeping doesn’t have to be stressful. It’s a way to discover things about your farm that will help you make better long-term decisions. You can use a ledger book or a computer—whatever helps you maintain consistency. Software programs can make your data more meaningful.

According to Steve Isaacs, UK Extension Agricultural Economist, software has become more user-friendly over time, and while it may not make the record keeping process fun, it could help you see the overall picture of your operation. Some programs track purchases of inputs and how you use the input on a particular enterprise or field. You’ll be able to keep track of repair and maintenance records for specific farm equipment and produce balance sheets, income statements and cash flow budgets.

For many livestock operations, a good time to start keeping records is when the veterinarian comes to check the herd. Vets usually charge per head, so that data can help you develop a list of animals that need attention. You can use the same data to develop health histories of your animals, which will lead to more informed exams and diagnosis in the future.

Make record keeping a team effort for your family. Sit down and work on the records and budget together. Perhaps one person can read the information while another person types it into the software program or writes it in the ledger book. Also, if you do a little bit each day and don’t save it all up for the end of the year, you won’t become overwhelmed.

If you’ve done the work throughout the year, year-end procedures can feel more satisfying. You can generate year-end reports with a few simple clicks and not have to sort through stacks of bills lying around the home or office.

The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Department of Agricultural Economics has several tools online that could help with budgeting and decision making. Visit http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agecon/index.php?p=29 to see what is available.

For more information on agribusiness management, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin. 

Winter Wheat Meeting Set for January 6th

Pancakes with Santa at the Extension Office this Monday!

Join us at the McLean County Extension Office on Monday, December 22nd for a free pancake breakfast with Santa from 8am until 10am.

Woodland Management Can Benefit Wildlife Habitats

Kentucky wildlife species are abundant and many live in our woodlands.  Because the state’s woodlands are privately owned, individual management of woodlands has a significant impact on our wildlife.

Depending on the woodland owners’ objectives, they can consider timber management and wildlife habitat together.  You do not necessarily have to choose between the production of high quality timber and healthy wildlife populations.  By taking a few management steps you can manage both trees and wildlife.

Remember any woodland management activity will benefit some wildlife species and discourage others from visiting your area. Management practices may include crop-tree release, thinning, tree planting, invasive-species control, or other timber-improvement practices that will also benefit certain wildlife species.

Healthy forests provide for a wide variety of wildlife species such as deer, wild turkey, songbirds, snakes, rabbits, grouse and bats to name a few. Planning and implementing timber-management activities that also enhance the wildlife habitat of selected species can allow you to accomplish multiple objectives at the same time.

If you need help getting started, many agencies are ready to help. UK extension agents and specialists, foresters with the Kentucky Division of Forestry, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources biologists can visit your property and develop a plan to meet your management goals and also enhance the wildlife habitat.

Technical assistance is available from these Kentucky agencies to show landowners how to implement the recommendations.  Sometimes equipment and other supplies may also be available.

Occasionally, conservation programs will pay landowners to conduct certain management practices, so ask if these are available in your area.

Quality timber production and healthy wildlife habitats are possible with a well-planned and well-managed design.  The key is to get the help you need so you will have a plan that will serve your needs and will also enhance wildlife populations.

Through your specific plan, you can enrich your woodlands and the quality of life of wildlife.  The key is to match your objectives with the capabilities of your land and get the assistance you need to implement your plan.

For more information to help you get started on managing your woodlands, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  We can help you get the expert help you need and put your plan into action.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

McLean County FCS Extension Position Now Open for Applicants

If you or someone you know is qualified and interested in applying for the McLean County FCS Extension Agent's position, please follow this link for more information and to apply:

https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/50935

The Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences will develop and implement a plan of work based on locally identified needs which will lead to improved quality of living for families & individuals. Will plan and implement educational programs which focus on: 1) making healthy choices; 2) nurturing families; 3) embracing life as you age; 4) securing financial stability; 5) promoting healthy homes and communities; 6) accessing nutritious food; and 7) empowering community leaders. Will develop expertise and serve as a resource in family and consumer sciences programming areas including: food and nutrition; family resource management; human development and family relations; health, safety and wellness; leadership development; clothing and textiles; housing and the environment; home based and micro business. Will implement educational programs which strengthen families and individuals. Will develop and implement leadership programs such as Kentucky Extension Homemakers resulting in the development of personal and organizational leadership skills. Must be able to demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing with groups, individuals and through mass media. Ability to use the computer for program delivery and management.   Must possess ability to visit clientele at sites throughout the county. Ability to plan and teach educational programs. Demonstrated leadership and ability to serve as a positive role model.  This position will serve all clientele ensuring that all youth and adults have an equal opportunity to participate in extension programs regardless of race, gender, age, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Deadline to apply is January 5th, 2015.

Preparing Horses for Winter

Winter can be a particularly stressful time for horses, but there a few simple things you can do to make them more comfortable. 

When temperatures start to dip below freezing, you have to make sure your horses still have constant access to fresh water so be sure to check your water sources now.  Ensure that the heaters in good working condition and that above ground water pipes are properly insulated.

Shelter is important to give horses a place out of the elements. A good wind-blocking shelter in the pasture can lessen cold stress on your horses. Make sure you have fresh bedding and the shelter is clean. It doesn’t take long for bedding to get wet, so you need to check it often.

According to Bob Coleman, UK Extension Equine Specialist, horses need to eat between 1.5 and 2 percent of their body weight in food each day to maintain their weight. That figure doesn’t account for any activity. In colder weather, horses will need to eat more to stay warm. An average horse of 1,000 pounds, in good body condition, will need to eat at least 20 pounds of hay per day in normal weather. The amount of feed required to meet requirements can increase quickly when the weather turns cold. In many cases the horse will not be able to eat enough hay to meet requirements, so owners will need to add concentrate to the program. Check your hay supplies now and make sure you have enough and that you have a place to store it out of the weather.

Take time to send in a feed or hay sample for testing, so you’ll know if your hay has adequate nutritional balance and quality.

It’s a good idea to get a body condition score on your horses before it gets cold, so you can start making adjustments now if necessary.

Putting a blanket on your horse requires you to think about several things. The blanket needs to be waterproof, in good condition, and you need to make sure it fits the horse. An ill-fitting blanket can do more harm than good. If your horse is outside, has a good coat of hair and access to adequate shelter, you probably don’t need to use a blanket. If you do use one, check it often. If the blanket gets wet, you need to quickly change it.

For more information on caring for your horses during cold weather, contact the McLean County  Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.   Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Kentucky beef producers pass referendum to create Kentucky Beef Checkoff

December 5, 2014 -Lexington, KY- Kentucky beef producers passed the referendum in favor of creating the Kentucky Beef Checkoff. In a vote conducted at local Kentucky Cooperative Extension offices Thursday, November 20th, beef and dairy producers voted in favor of collecting an additional $1.00 per head sold. The final tally was 1,816 in favor of the state checkoff and 1,423 against. Collections of the state checkoff will begin April 1, 2015. Kentucky Cattlemen's Association President, Steve Downs, is enthusiastic to get started, realizing the work really begins now. "A tremendous thank you needs to be paid to all of the cattlemen and women that took the time to vote. We have an exciting opportunity in front of us and an equally talented team to work to ensure the future of the Kentucky beef industry is secure and prosperous." The Kentucky State Board of Agriculture approved the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association request for a referendum during their August 21, 2014 board meeting. For more information about the Kentucky Beef Checkoff, contact Dave Maples at (859) 278-0899 or dmaples@kycattle.org or visit www.kybeefcheckoff.com.

A lot to be Thankful For

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life we tend to focus too much on the negative and not enough on the good things we have.  I know I do it entirely too much.  Here at the holiday season I realize I have so much to be thankful for (not just during the season, but year round).  I’m blessed with a wonderful husband, a beautiful son, a loving family, a forgiving God and a rewarding job.  In making the transition into the new position as county ag agent this year, I’m also very thankful for the patience of others, especially my family, as I try to figure this job out. 

I’m thankful to have the opportunity to work with a group of outstanding agriculturist that despite the rising cost of inputs, battles with vomitoxin, sudden death syndrome, black shank, target spot, palmer pigweed, waterhemp, and several other obstacles, they are still able to produce outstanding crops and safe food sources. 

Not only am I grateful for the priceless gifts mentioned above, but also grateful for the opportunity to work with the wonderful people of McLean County on a daily basis, which became even more evident to me last week during our first McLean County Harvest Breakfast.  This event was a joint effort between the Cooperative Extension Service and the Chamber of Commerce, and could not have been possible without the support of so many local businesses and individuals.

In front of a crowd of 130, FFA President Justus Hayden kicked off the morning with an outstanding speech and left those in attendance with a powerful message about how we are just temporary tenants, renting our ground from the Lord.  Following our delicious meal prepared by Linda Riley and Elaine Atherton, Warren Beeler, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Director of Agriculture Policy spoke on issues facing agriculture.  During our recognition of producers, Tyson awarded Tim Vincent of TLC Poultry Farms the McLean County Top Producer Award and our High Yield Contest Winners were announced.  In the yellow corn division: 1st Place Paul Bickett 304 bushels, 2nd Place Jonathan Miller 293 bushels, 3rd Place Neil Scott 276 bushels.  In the white corn division: 1st Place Russ Vickers 252 bushels.  In the soybeans division: 1st Place Gerry Hayden 95 bushels, 2nd Place Paul Bickett 84 bushels, 3rd Place John Wright 80 bushels.  In the grain sorghum division: 1st Place Jeremy Graham 175 bushels, 2nd Place Philip Logsdon 174 bushels.

With all that being said, I’d like to say a special thank you to all of our sponsors for this

event: Kyndle, US Bank, Independence Bank, First Security Bank, Sacramento Deposit Bank, Tyson, Perdue, Farbest, Buck Creek Baptist Church, McLean County Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, Rice Agri-Marketing and Crop Production Services.  Also, thank you to Judy Hayden for helping me coordinate the event, to Linda Riley and Elaine Atherton for preparing the meal, the FFA for serving the meal and the Farm Bureau Board Members for helping clean up afterwards.  Thank you to all of you that attended!  The Chamber of Commerce and I hope to make this an annual event.

For more information on Extension Events and Programs, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Preparing Your Home for Winter

With the temperatures dropping fast it is important to start preparing your home for the cold weather.  Home maintenance and repairs should be done year round as needed but there are some things you should inspect in fall to insure that your home is ready for winter.

When inspecting around your home there are generally eight areas that you should check. These include the foundation, basement and yard, roof, exterior walls, windows and doors, interior surfaces, electrical systems, heating and cooling systems, plumbing and safety issues.

As you inspect the foundation of your house, look for signs of water damage and cracks. Check to make sure that water is draining away from the foundation and if your home has an underground drainage system, be sure that it is working properly.

Check the roof for loose or missing shingles and make any needed repairs. Otherwise, snow or wind may cause further damage to the roof. Clean out the gutters to remove dead leaves and debris.  This will allow water to flow easily through the drain system. Examine the chimney to be sure it is secure and there are no loose bricks or mortar. Hire a chimney sweep to remove any buildup from your chimney, hearth and firebox. This should be done annually if you use your fireplace a lot. Otherwise, creosote buildup will create a fire hazard.

Prepare your yard by raking leaves and pruning your trees and shrubs.  Don’t leave your patio and lawn furniture outside.  Move them into the basement or garage to prevent damage from the winter weather. When the temperatures drop below freezing you will also need to shut off your sprinkler and other outside water systems.  Store garden hoses in the garage or basement with tools that you will not need during the winter months.

Inspect the basement area for any cracks in the walls or floor. Repair any cracks or openings to make it water-tight and prevent water damage. Inspect, too, for small openings and cracks in joints or seams in the framework of the house, the attic, and crawl space. Pay special attention to cracks around doors and windows. Cold winter air can enter your home through these cracks and openings. Caulk and weather strip these areas to save energy and add comfort during the winter months.  The weather stripping around your doors not only prevents cold air from coming into your home but will also keep out insects and pests that could otherwise invade your home.  Fall is the best time to do insulating. 

Fall and winter temperatures usually cause heat bills to increase.  Be sure to check your heating system including filters, pilot lights and burners. Finding a professional to clean and service your heating system in the fall can save you money by preventing problems that may arise later in the winter months.  You may also want to vacuum the dust from your heating vents, baseboards and cold-air return vents.  Indoor pollutants from this dust buildup can cause illness during the cold weather.

Take a closer look at your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Test each one and replace batteries. If your home has a gas furnace or water heater, gas or kerosene space heater, fireplace or wood burning stove you will want to have properly functioning detectors in these areas.

           

For more information on how to prepare your home for the cold winter months contact the McLean County Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.   

Reduce Chances of Lawn & Landscape Disease Now

With all the snow that fell earlier this week, I know that you probably are not thinking much about your lawn and landscape.  However, we are still technically in the fall season and now is a great time to start on disease prevention in your lawn and landscape. 

One of the easiest ways you can help to prevent diseases in your landscape is by using sanitation practices.  A good sanitation program can help reduce the need for chemical controls and can improve the effectiveness of other practices for managing disease. 

That good sanitation program can start now with the removal of leaves and other fallen plant materials from around your trees, shrubs and landscape areas.  Fallen leaves can serve as a source of fungal spores.  Many pathogens can overwinter in fallen debris and then can create many problems in the spring. 

According to Nicole Gauthier, UK Extension Plant Pathologist, other sanitation practices include:

·        Remove diseased plant tissues from infected plants. Prune branches with cankers  well below the point of infection. Cuts should be made at an intersecting branch.  Rake and remove fallen buds, flowers, twigs, leaves, and needles.

·        Disinfest tools used to prune galls and cankers. Cutting blades should be dipped into a commercial sanitizer, 10% Lysol disinfectant, 10% bleach, or rubbing alcohol between each cut. If using bleach, rinse and oil tools after completing work, to prevent corrosion.

·        Discard perennial and annual plants that are heavily infected and those with untreatable diseases. Dig infected plants to include as much of the root system as possible, along with infested soil.

·        Trees and shrubs infected with systemic diseases that show considerable dieback should be cut and the stump removed or destroyed.

·        If infected plants are to be treated with fungicides, prune or remove infected tissue and debris to eliminate sources for spore production or propagule multiplication. This should be done before fungicide application. Fungicide effectiveness may be reduced when disease pressure is heavy, which can result when pathogen levels cannot be reduced sufficiently by chemical means (fungicides).

·        Do not compost diseased plant material or infested soil because incomplete composting (temperatures below 160˚ F) may result in survival of pathogens.

·        Homeowners should be cautious about storing diseased limbs and trunks as firewood or using the wood chips as mulch.

·        Remove weeds and volunteer plants to prevent establishment of a “green bridge” between plants. A green bridge allows pathogens to infect alternate hosts until a more suitable one becomes available. Be sure to remove above ground parts AND roots.

·        Soil from container-grown plants should not be reused from one season to the next because pathogens can survive in soil.

For more information on proper landscape sanitation and disease prevention, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Early cold blast prompts livestock cold stress warning

BY AIMEE NIELSON

PHOTO: Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky.

An early blast of arctic cold has landed in the Bluegrass, and that puts pressure on farmers to make sure their animals are ready for the assault.

“Some locations may even see the livestock cold stress index dip into the emergency category early next week,” said Matt Dixon, agricultural meteorologist for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “This arctic air mass will continue to build over the next few days, and the lows the next few nights will bottom out in the upper teens and low 20s for most areas of the state. Windchills could very well dip into the single digits at times on Monday and Tuesday night.”

These temperatures are about 20 degrees below normal for this time of year and will create dangerous conditions for livestock and outdoor pets. To complicate matters, Dixon said some areas could see snow accumulations toward the end of the weekend and into next week.

Livestock producers should make sure animals have adequate shelter, water, dry bedding and feed to make it through this cold spell. Pet owners should bring pets indoors. UK livestock specialists said animals have a higher requirement for energy in the colder months, so producers should have high-quality grains and forages on hand to meet their needs.

The average horse, with a lower activity level, should eat between 1.5 and 2 percent of its body weight in feed per day to maintain its weight. UK equine specialist Bob Coleman said that feed requirement goes up in the winter, as horses use more calories to keep warm. He recommended providing extra hay and making sure horses have shelter to get out of windy, damp weather. It’s also important for horses to have access to clean, unfrozen water. Make sure water sources are open for all livestock. A decrease in water intake will affect dry matter intake.

Ambient temperatures can impact the amount of dry matter cattle eat, providing an opportunity to compensate for increased maintenance energy needs. Producers either need to increase their animals’ feed intake or increase the energy density of the diet by feeding higher quality hay or adding more grain or fat to the grain mix, UK beef specialist Jeff Lehmkuhler said.

Lehmkuhler recommended that producers continue to monitor cows during the wintertime and make sure to maintain the animals’ body condition.

“Poor quality hay may not provide adequate energy to maintain gestating cows that are entering the third trimester,” he said. “Consider having the hay tested to determine if you need to supplement during times of possible cold stress, especially for the enduring cold spells.”

He said to consider separating younger and thinner cows that may not have the same internal insulation as conditioned older cows and supplement them accordingly or offer them higher quality forage if available. Coleman said equine owners can employ similar strategies and separate animals according to body condition score.

“Producers should move cows to fields with natural windbreaks or provide man-made windbreaks, which are not the same as a barn,” Lehmkuhler suggested. “Poorly managed barns combined with poor ventilation may actually hamper efforts to improve the environmental conditions. Lastly, remember it is energy or calories that are really needed. If the protein level in the forage is adequate, do not make supplement decisions based on protein level; rather purchase the most affordable calories. Stay warm and keep the waterers flowing.”

The lower critical temperature (LCT) value for cattle is the lowest temperature or wind chill at which no additional energy is required to maintain core body temperature.

“As the temperature declines below this lower critical value, the maintenance energy value for the animal is increased to maintain core body temperature,” he said. “Animals maintain core body temperature by increasing their metabolism, resulting in greater heat production, as well as other heat conservation strategies, such as reducing blood flow to the extremities, shivering and increased intake.”

Lehmkuhler said several things can influence lower critical temperature value.

“Both external and internal insulation influences the LCT. External insulation is basically the depth and thickness of the hair coat, condition of the hair coat and thickness of the hide,” he said. “Thin-hided breeds such as dairy breeds tend to have a lower insulating factor than thick-hided breeds like Herefords. The condition of the hair coat is extremely important as an external insulation barrier.”

The hair coat acts similar to home attic insulation that traps air, enhancing the insulating value. If the hair is wet and full of mud, air is excluded, reducing the insulating value and increasing heat loss from the skin to the environment. The density of the hair coat and if it is wet or dry impacts the wind chill temperatures at which cold stress is considered mild, moderate or severe. As little as 0.1 inch of rain can immediately impact cold stress severity by matting the hair down reducing its insulating ability. Acclimation time, hide thickness, fat cover and other factors will also influence the degree of cold stress that animals experience.

Tiling Program Planned for December 11th

Upcoming Extension Meetings

Daviess Co. Extension Office To Host Farm Bill Workshop

Kentucky Beef Checkoff Vote is Nov. 20

Kentucky Beef Checkoff Vote is Nov. 20

Source:  Gary Palmer, UKAg Assistant Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources

               

For more than 30 years, Kentucky farmers have supported the beef industry through a per-head checkoff program. When it began in 1976, the checkoff was 10 cents per head. The passage of the 1985 Farm Bill replaced with state program with a Federal Beef Checkoff program of $1 per head when a beef animal is sold during its lifetime. Half of the money comes back to Kentucky to support state beef promotion through the Kentucky Beef Council.

When the Federal program was threatening to end in 2004, Kentucky producers overwhelmingly supported reinstating a state checkoff and even an additional checkoff if the Federal program stayed intact.

In May 2014, the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association appointed a Kentucky Beef Checkoff Task Force. This group made an application to the Kentucky Board of Agriculture requesting a referendum to add an additional $1 state beef checkoff program in the state.

Many producers believe this unique checkoff will strengthen beef demand not only in Kentucky, but across the country and beyond. The funds will allow Kentucky beef producers to fund their own industry in a way that compliments current programs and allows them to confront beef industry challenges including consumer attitudes, rising beef prices and food safety and animal safety concerns.

Kentucky cattle producers have a chance to vote on the referendum to support beef promotion. The vote will take place Nov. 20 at the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office.

Voting is open to all producers of bovine animals involved in the marketing or sale of bovine animals in Kentucky. If the referendum passes, the Kentucky Beef Promotion Council will take on the responsibility of overseeing the funds. This council is made up of beef and dairy producers and industry professionals.

For more information, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690 or visit http://www.kycattle.org.  Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Bug Proof Your House This Fall

You may have noticed your home being invaded by an assortment of pests this fall, including Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, crickets, spiders and black soldier beetle larvae. These creatures typically visit homes that provide easy entry this time of year, often seeking refuge from changing weather.

Pest proofing your home is the most efficient way to keep these critters out. A swatter, broom or vacuum cleaner and trash container will take care of pests that occasionally wander indoors. It’s best to deal with boxelder bugs and lady beetles outside, before they enter your home.

UK Extension Entomologist Dr. Lee Townsend, suggests following these guidelines to help pest proof your home or place of business and some may even help you conserve energy and increase the comfort level this fall and winter:

Install door sweeps or thresholds at the base of all exterior entry doors, paying particular attention to the bottom corners that are a common entry location. Insects and spiders can enter through a gap of one-sixteenth of an inch or less. Get down on the floor and check for light entering under doors; this indicates possible pest entryways.

To close other potential pest entries, apply caulk on the bottom outside edges and sides of door thresholds; fit garage doors with a rubber bottom seal because vinyl doesn’t seal well in the winter; and line the bottom track of sliding glass doors with foam weather stripping ½ to ¾ inch wide to seal any gaps.

Utility openings where pipes and wires enter the foundation and siding are common entry points for spiders, ants, yellowjackets and rodents. You can use caulk, cement, urethane expandable foam, steel wool and copper mesh to plug openings around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents and telephone or cable television wires.

Apply a good-quality silicone or acrylic latex caulk to cracks around windows, doors, fascia boards and other openings. Before you apply the caulk, clean existing caulk, and remove any that’s peeling to aid adhesion. Be sure to use a good caulking gun. Desirable features are a back-off trigger to stop caulk when desired, a built-in “slicer” to remove the tip from new caulking tubes, and a nail to puncture the seal within. These guns are available for less than $10.

To reduce the entry of lady beetles, cluster flies and other overwintering pests, repair gaps and tears in window and door screens. Keep windows closed when adults are emerging to prevent entry. Repairing screens also will keep out flies, gnats, mosquitoes and midges next summer.

Another way to prevent pest entry is to apply an exterior barrier treatment with insecticides. To gain the most from this effort, apply long-lasting liquid formulations that contain synthetic pyrethroids. These products are available at some hardware, lawn and garden shops.

If you apply the barrier treatment, use a compressed air or hose-end sprayer to treat the base of all exterior doors, garage, crawl space entrances, foundation vents, utility openings and beneath siding. It’s also useful to treat the outside perimeter of the foundation with a two- to six-foot wide band along the ground and two to three feet up the foundation wall.

If you prefer not to tackle these pest-proofing activities, contact a professional pest control firm. Many firms are beginning to offer pest-proofing services.

For more information, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

There will be a pesticide certification training on Friday, November 14^th at 8am at the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office.

Importance of Hay Testing

Hay is one of the most versatile of stored forages.  It can be kept for long periods of time with little loss of nutrients if protected from weather.  A large number of crops can be successfully used for hay production.  It can be produced and fed in small or large amounts.  It can be harvested, stored and fed by hand or the production and feeding can be completely mechanized.  Hay can supply most nutrients needed by many classes of livestock. For those reasons, hay is the most commonly used stored feed on most farms.  Since hay is such a widely used feed, it is important to understand the factors that affect quality of hay and how to recognize quality of hay, especially with winter quickly approaching. 

Specialist say that the ultimate test of hay quality is animal performance. Quality can be considered satisfactory when animals consuming the hay give the desired performance. Three of the factors which influence animal performance are: Consumption—hay must be palatable if it is to be consumed in adequate quantities; Digestibility and nutrient content—once the hay is eaten, it must be digested to be converted to animal products; and Toxic factors—high-quality hay must be free of components which are harmful to animals consuming it.

Moving into the winter months when hay is your main source of feed for livestock, knowing its nutrient content is extremely important.   Forage testing is the only way to determine the actual nutrient content of the hay. It is possible for livestock to starve on a full stomach of poor quality hay.  Having your hay tested is a great way to be sure your livestock are consuming an adequate diet. You may or may not need to feed grain, depending on the quality of your hay. The better the quality of the hay you feed, the less grain you will need to feed, which can affect your checkbook.

There are several options when it comes to forage testing in our area.  Taking your samples to Waters Laboratory on Hwy 81 in Owensboro is one option.  Or you can mail your samples to DairyOne in New York.  A third option is to contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office to collect samples and send to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for testing. 

For more information about hay testing, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Early Bird Meeting Scheduled for December 8th in Henderson

Fall Lime Report is Now Available

Soil acidity is one of the biggest soil factors affecting plant growth and ultimately crop yield and profitability. Most soils in Kentucky are naturally acidic so periodic applications of lime are needed to neutralize acidity and maintain crop productivity. Lime quality can vary widely depending on the chemical properties of the stone and the particle size.

Materials commonly used as lime are either ground-up limestone rock, ground-up marl or products of limestone which have been altered by burning to make them more water soluble than the ground-up rock itself. By far the most common liming material in Kentucky is ground limestone (aglime), most of which is calcium carbonate.  In some instances, there is enough magnesium carbonate present for the lime to be termed “dolomitic.”

When applied to soil, the liming material reacts with soil moisture to release particles of calcium or, in the case of dolomitic lime, magnesium. The rate at which the lime material dissolves to release these particles is largely controlled by how finely it is ground and the chemical form of the material (carbonate, oxide or hydroxide). The finer the material, the more rapidly it dissolves. Oxides (burned lime) and hydroxides (hydrated lime) are more soluble in water and react much more quickly than carbonate forms of lime (calcitic aglime or dolomitic aglime).

Calcium or magnesium particles are attracted to and are held by clay particles in soils after the liming material dissolves. This neutralizes soil acidity, increasing soil pH readings. It also means that lime does not move very fast downward through soil. For this reason, lime can be applied when-ever practical, although it should be applied far enough before planting to allow time for adequately reacting with the soil and neutralizing acidity, ideally during the fall.

Even when ag lime is applied according to soil test recommendations, the actual adjustment in soil pH is not always predictable, because the quality of Kentucky ag lime varies among quarries and over time.  Because of this, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture collects samples and tests the quality of lime from quarries around the state and then provides the University of Kentucky with the data.  UK then publishes the lime report in spring and fall.  Just this past Friday, the fall lime report was released with current RNV’s (Relative Neutralizing Value) for lime in Kentucky. 

The University of Kentucky makes lime recommendations based on a 100% effective lime (100% RNV).  Because ag lime is 100% effective, the bulk lime rate required needs to be determined for each available lime source based on the RNV.  Once you have the RNV, you can determine how much bulk lime will be needed with this simple formula: Bulk Lime Rate=100% Effective Lime Rate/(RNV X 100).

The 2014 Fall Lime Report can be found online at http://soils.rs.uky.edu/technical_Info/.  For more information on lime and nutrient recommendations, contact the McLean County Extension Office  at (270)273-3690.   Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Fall Weed Control Options for Pastures, J.D. Green,UK Extension Weed Specialist

As warm-season plants in the pasture naturally begin to die back, cool-season weeds will sprout:  chickweed, henbit and purple deadnettle will fill the voids. Other weeds such as buttercup and musk thistle will likely be more prevalent in the next 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.

UK Extension Weed Specialist JD Green suggests that the first step to determining your weed management options is to do a critical evaluation of pasture fields. Not only do you need to take an inventory of the current weeds present, but you also need to scout the field to look for any developing weed problems in their seedling growth stages. Identify areas of the field with potential problems such as musk or other biennial thistles, poisonous hemlock, buttercup and common chickweed. Also, you should assess the growth of desirable forage grasses and legumes.

Your primary question then becomes—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 follow routine pasture management practices. However, if you see developing weed problems, you may want to take action to begin correcting the problem. In some cases, you may have no good solutions to correct all your weed problems. Here are some points to consider as you make those decisions.

After you evaluate the pasture, you must decide whether to drill or overseed more forages into existing pasture to improve the stand of desirable forage grasses or to spray herbicides to control emerging broadleaf weeds. You will not be able to do both at the same time since most pasture herbicides have the potential to injure newly emerging forage grasses or legumes.

For pasture herbicides that contain only 2, 4-D, general recommendations are to wait four to six weeks after spraying before reseeding forage crops. Other broadleaf herbicides may require waiting six months or more between the application and seeding forage legumes; make sure and check the label of the specific herbicide product you use. 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.

If you reseed first, then you should wait until the new seedlings have well-established root systems before applying herbicides. 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.

One alternative to consider in some situations is using a total-pasture renovation technique to control or suppress growth of the weedy vegetation followed by interseeding more forage grasses or legumes. This assumes that you don’t need the field for grazing animals until the newly seeded forages become well established. In this approach, you apply an herbicide product containing either paraquat or glyphosate to “burn back” or kill all existing vegetation before reseeding. Since paraquat and glyphosate have no soil-residual activity, you can immediately interseed desirable forages into the soil after herbicide application.

Yet another course of action is a “wait and see” approach. But, keep in mind that weeds are much easier to control when they are small and immature. Although you have several options to consider for managing weed problems in the fall, few of these options are viable without some badly needed rainfall.

For more information on pasture weed management, contact the McLean Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.   Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. 

Enroll in America's Farmers Grow Communities

 

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Farmer enrollment for America’s Farmers Grow Communities is August 1 - November 30.

In 2015, America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, will invest another $3.3 million to help rural communities grow in 1,324 counties across 40 states. Since 2010, with farmer help, we have invested more than $16 million into rural America.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, improves lives in rural communities through farmer directed donations. The program, which launched in 2010, allows farmers to enter to win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit organization, such as 4-H, FFA, schools, fire departments, food pantries and more. One winner is selected in each of the 1,324 eligible counties across 40 states.

Rural communities are the heart of America. It’s where we find the people who work hard to feed, fuel and clothe our country and the world. Our community outreach programs focus on strengthening the rural communities where farmers and their families live and work. We partner with farmers to determine where $2,500 will be donated within their community. Farmers know best and choose the nonprofit organization in their community where the donation will make the most impact.

Click on the link below to read more and enroll today:

http://www.americasfarmers.com/recognition-programs/grow-communities/

Beware of Prussic Acid Poisoning as Frost Approaches

Although prussic acid poisoning can occur anytime during the growing season, the greatest risk is usually associated with the first frost in Kentucky.

The primary cause of hydrocyanic (prussic) acid poisoning in domestic animals is the ingestion of plants containing this potent toxin. Cyanide-producing compounds (cyanogenic glucosides) occurring in living plant cells are converted to prussic acid when cells are crushed or otherwise ruptured.

The prussic acid potential of plants is affected by species and variety, weather, soil fertility and stage of plant growth. Plants of the sorghum group and leaves of wild cherry trees have a potential for producing toxic levels of prussic acid. There are wide differences among varieties. Some of the sudangrasses are low in prussic acid. Pearl millet is apparently free of prussic acid in toxic amounts.

According to UK Extension Specialist Dr. Garry Lacefield, 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 material 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.

For more information on Prussic Acid Poisoning, along with other Forage-Related Disorders,  contact the McLean County Extension Office  at (270)273-3690.   Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Consider No-Till This Fall

Soil is obviously a very important part of our lives since it supports the production of our food sources.  A key component to our soil is organic matter.  Organic matter serves as a reservoir of nutrients and water in the soil, aids in reducing compaction and surface crusting, and increases water infiltration into the soil. Unfortunately, it isn’t something that we can quickly build up in our farm ground.  There are different avenues to pursue when trying to build up the organic matter in your soils.  One way to help retain organic matter and slowly build levels back up is through the implementation of no-till.

While I realize that it may not be for everyone, no-till crop production has become a very successful agronomic practice in Kentucky.  No-till systems make it possible to maintain productivity of erodible land while keeping erosion losses at a tolerable level and help us with maintaining organic matter in our soils.

Reducing soil erosion by 75-100% and reducing the loss of organic matter are not the only perks of converting to a no-till production method.  No-till also cuts fuel costs and saves labor and time; three extremely valuable inputs in your operation.  Another key benefit to no-till is the conversation of moisture, increasing moisture retention in your soil by 20-25% due to reduced water runoff and soil evaporation.  No-till is also said to make double-cropping easier, and one of my most favorite benefits of no-till is the reduction in compaction.

I recently heard of one our UK Soils Specialist compare soil and a can of Pringles.  Think about a brand new can of Pringles.  When you first open it up they are stacked all nice and neat, all the way to the top of the can.  If you were to disturb that can, whether it be by shaking it up vigorously or by putting a utensil (ie butter knife) through the middle of the stack of chips, all of those bits and pieces settle at the bottom.  You no longer have a can of Pringles filled all the way to the stop.  When those Pringle chips settle at the bottom, there is no longer any room for air flow or water flow, similar to what happens when you rip through your soil over and over again. 

No-till has its pro’s and con’s, and like I said, I realize that it is not meant to be a part of every operation and there are times where tillage is necessary.  However, the no-till system of row crop production is especially well-adapted to the soils and topography of Kentucky.  No-till production has been most successful on well-drained and moderately well-drained soils in Kentucky.  No-till will work with a wide variety of soil types, but it probably most successful on Crider soil. 

There are several publications available about no-till production.  If you would like more information about no-till, please contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Benefits to Fall Soil Sampling

I am a firm believer that one of the most important tools you can own is a soil probe.  Knowing your soil’s fertility levels and pH is key to having healthy and productive land.  It also has a huge impact on managing your inputs to help maximize outputs. 

Fall soil sampling allows you ample time to implement research-based fertility recommendations before spring planting.  When you receive the soil test results, read the pH and lime recommendations.  You may need to apply lime to neutralize soil acidity.  To be fully effective, agricultural lime should be applied in the fall because it takes about six months to break down and react with the soil.  So, the earlier you spread lime, the better.

The turn-around time for samples is much faster in the fall, usually within a few days, because fewer people are submitting samples this time of year.

All recommended fertilizers, except nitrogen, can be applied this fall.  Buying fertilizer in the fall usually will save you money because prices are cheaper due to lower demand.  Also, we usually have drier soil in the fall making it easier to get the spreader truck into the field.

Farmers who don’t test fields and pastures can only guess at fertility needs.  Estimating how much fertilizer is needed often results in applying more than necessary. And this is an unnecessary expense, not to mention the negative environmental effect.

The McLean Cooperative Extension Service has soil sample bags, details on taking accurate samples and other pertinent information.  Soil samples analysis cost $7.

Your soil analysis report is based on that little pint of soil you submitted. For the most accurate report, take the best soil samples possible.

You’ll need to take different samples for various land uses such as agricultural fields, lawn, garden, fruit trees, ornamental shrubs and azaleas because these may have distinct fertility and acidity or alkalinity requirements.

Take a sample from poor growing area and from adjacent areas of good growth. Mark each sample with a letter, or numbers on a field map.  Collect at least 10 soil cores for small areas and up to 20 cores for larger fields.

 How deeply you take cores for farm use depends on the tillage system used. For tilled areas, take cores from the surface to plow depth, usually six to eight inches.  Take cores down to a four-inch depth in no-till fields and pastures. For home lawns, take cores from the surface down to four inches. For gardens, ornamentals and fruit trees, take cores down to six to eight inches.  Be sure to take all cores from an area at the same depth.

           

After you’ve collected soil cores, put them in a clean, dry plastic bucket, crush the soil and thoroughly mix it.  Allow this to air dry in an open, contamination-free space.

When it dries, fill the sample bag and completely fill out the information sheet. A separate sheet is needed for agricultural soil, home gardens, lawns and turf grasses and commercial horticultural crops.

It’s a good idea to take core samples around the same time each year to compare results from year to year.

For more information about soil sampling, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.