Beef Producers Meeting

Planning Your Spring Garden and Starting Indoor Transplants

            I wrote this article last winter, but felt like I needed to run it in the paper again this year.   It is hard to think that spring will be here before we know it.  However, now is the time to be planning your spring garden, selecting which varieties you will plant and purchasing your seed (especially if you plan to start seeds indoor).

            When planning your garden, site selected needs to be at the top of your priority list.  Be sure to select a spot that is in full sun for at least eight hours each day, not shaded, relatively level, well‑drained and close to a water source.  Once you have selected a site, map out your garden on paper, carefully selecting which vegetables you plant where.  Make sure you place tall plants (sweet corn, tomatoes, pole beans) on the north or west side of your garden.  This will help ensure that your sweet corn doesn’t block out your okra’s sunlight or that your tomato cages aren’t so close to your cucumbers that they take over the cages. 

            A good piece of advice for all gardeners is plan only as large of a garden as you can easily maintain. Speaking from personal experience, I wish I had followed that advice in previous years.  Beginning gardeners often overplant, and then they fail because they cannot keep up with the tasks required (weed and pest control). 

            When going through those colorful seed catalogs it is easy to get carried away choosing seeds.  Be sure to select varieties that are recommended for our area.  Also, make sure you choose vegetables that your family and friends enjoy eating.  You don’t want to see fresh, homegrown produce go to waste because no one likes to eat it. 

            Once you have selected and purchased your seeds, you can start your seeds indoors.  For indoor growing, sow seeds in a plant tray containing an artificial growing medium of peat moss and perlite available at garden centers. Adding compost to the potting media at up to 25% of total volume can reduce the need for fertilizers later and potentially encourage seed germination.  Enclose the seeded trays in a plastic bag and keep them at room temperature until seedlings begin to emerge. Then, remove the plastic and transfer the trays to suitable growing areas.

            The average windowsill is one location for growing plants, but it usually does not get enough light. So, you have to use artificial light to supplement. Use cool white fluorescent lamps alone, a mixture of cool white and warm white fluorescent lamps, or a mixture of cool white

and plant growth fluorescent lamps. Locate the lamps 5 to 10 inches from the foliage and operate them 12 to 18 hours/day. Be sure to keep seedlings cool enough (60° to 65°F) for strong, sturdy growth after they germinate.  Once a day lightly brush your hand over the tops of the seedlings in different directions.  This will help the seedling develop a stronger stem.

            Plants should be “hardened off ” about two weeks before planting them in the garden. That is, you toughen the plants so that they can withstand the outside environment. To do so, begin exposing them to lower temperatures. One way is to take your transplants outside in

the daytime and bring them in at night. However, don’t let them get caught in a frost. Reduce your watering and fertilizing of transplants to help “hardening off ” about one week before transplanting. Do not let them dry out and wilt.

            Soil preparation for your garden varies from home to home.  Be sure to have a soil test done on your garden site and follow the recommendations accordingly.  Few home garden sites have the ideal soil, but most soils can be modified to provide more favorable growing conditions.  Soil samples can be done through the Extension Office for $7 or you can have them done at the place of your choice. 

            For more information on spring garden planning, starting transplants indoors or home vegetable gardening in Kentucky, contact the McLean County Cooperative 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.          

2015 Ag Expo

The 2015 Ag Expo will be held Wednesday, January 28th at the Owensboro Convention Center.  Be sure to make plans to attend this event.  It is packed with beneficial educational workshops, great speakers and a wide variety of exhibitors.  Daviess County ANR Agent Clint Hardy and the committee have put a lot of time and effort into this event so it is definitely something that you do not want to miss.

Upcoming Events

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

Jan 26^th            BQA Certification, 8:30am, 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

Feb 6^th             Pesticide Certification, 2pm, Extension Office

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

Feb 10^th           Plant Swap Organizational Meeting, Extension Office, 3pm

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 25^th           Pesticide Certification, 9am, Extension Office

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

Feb 26^th           Farmers’ Market Meeting, Extension Office, 4pm

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

KY Intensive Soybean Management Workshops Approaching, by Chad Lee, UK Extension Professor and Agronomist

Kentucky Intensive Soybean Management Workshops Approaching

Chad Lee, Extension Professor and Agronomist, University of Kentucky

Anyone looking at the 2015 growing season knows that the budgets will be tight. But, anyone who enjoys growing a crop still wants to maximize yield. How do we maximize yields and make a profit in 2015? We have two workshops scheduled to help you answer that question ... and others.

The Kentucky Intensive Soybean Management Workshops are scheduled for February 4, 2015 in Hopkinsville and February 5, 2015 in Elizabethtown. Contact the Kentucky Soybean Board at (800) BEAN-SOY or (800) 232-6769 to reserve your spot.

Your Kentucky Soybean Board is bringing in two national experts, and adding one more from home.

Shawn Conley is a Soybean Agronomist and he will identify what we absolutely need for yield in 2015 and an agronomic approach to making a profit.  He has been working with a group of scientists across the United States on high yield soybeans. In addition, he was one of the leaders on soybean seed treatment and inoculant research.

Ford Baldwin will provide us with some practical options for weed control with a focus on Palmer pigweed. Farmers dealing with this weed are watching their costs escalate. Palmer pigweed is spreading across Kentucky.  Dr. Baldwin will provide some ideas on how to manage it once you have... and how to watch out for it if you don't.

Josh McGrath is one of the newest members to the Grain Crops Team at the University of Kentucky. Previously, he worked at the University of Maryland where he focused on agricultural productivity and environmental quality as they relate to soil fertility, nutrient management, and water quality. He is bringing his expertise on those issues and precision agriculture to Kentucky.

Each session will begin at 9:30 am local time. Lunch is provided. Reserve your spot now! For more information about the workshops, contact the Kentucky Soybean Board. 

Agritourism and Its Many Benefits

Agritourism is any commercial enterprise that combines agriculture and tourism on a working farm, ranch, or other agribusiness operation.  The Commonwealth of Kentucky defines agritourism as “The act of visiting a working farm or any agricultural, horticultural, or agribusiness operations for the purpose of enjoyment, education or active involvement in the activities of the farm or operation.”

Agritourism offers an opportunity to build relationships between the agricultural community and the local tourism industry by incorporating tour groups, educating school children and hosting civic events. This increases rural economic development dollars in areas with agritourism venues. The ultimate goal of an agritourism venue is to increase net farm income by filling customer needs for education and recreation on the farm.

The opportunities for agritourism are virtually endless and can take the form of providing accommodations, entertainment opportunities, educational activities, and/or outdoor recreation. A myriad of farm activities, special events, festivals, and demonstrations are possible. Direct agricultural sales opportunities exist in the form of U-pick, roadside stands, farm stores, and food services.

In addition to standard fare, on-farm sales can include specialty crops and products, as well as agricultural gift and craft items. Providing visitors with something to see, something to do and something to purchase is a sound strategy.

Tourism is Kentucky’s third largest industry, contributing more than 8 billion dollars annually to the state’s economy. Agritourism, along with nature-based tourism, average a 30 percent increase annually nationwide, making these the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry.

If you are interested in learning more about agritourism, there will be two meetings held at the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office on Thursday, January 22nd.   Representatives  from UK’s CEDIK (Community & Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky) will be here to put on the programs.

The 10am program is Building a Community Approach to Natural Resources and/or Agritourism Development.  This is a two hour workshop on the need to integrate the different sectors of a community into a comprehensive natural resource based tourism effort, and the challenges of doing so. The presentation provides a model for community-based tourism development and provides examples of the ways in which different components of community organizations, policies, and processes may enhance or limit tourism development.

The 1pm program is Asset-based Approach to Agritourism Decision-making.  This is also a two hour workshop for individuals considering establishing an agritourism or natural resource-based enterprise. The workshop uses an asset-based approach to assist the individual in identifying aspects of their operation that can be a springboard for a tourism enterprise, as well as those characteristics that might influence the potential success of such an enterprise. Participants are provided with a self-evaluation decision-making tool for their use.

Everyone is invited to attend both sessions.  For more information 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.


Upcoming Agriculture Events
Jan 15th Pesticide Certification, 6pm, Extension Office
Jan 16th KY Commodity Conference, Bowling Green Convention Center
Jan 16th-17th KY Cattlemen Association Conference, Owensboro Convention Center
Jan 22nd Agritourism Workshops, 10am & 1pm, Extension Office
Jan 27th From Gate to Plate Program, Owensboro Convention Center, 6pm
Jan 28th Ag Expo, Owensboro Convention Center
Jan 29th Beef Nutrition/Minerals and Managing Mud & Manure, 5pm, Extension Office
Jan 30th Round Table Series, 8am On-Farm Grain Storage, Dr. Sam McNeil

2014 Soybean Yield Contest Winners

2014 Soybean Yield Contest Winners

Carrie Knott, Grain Crops Extension Agronomist

The 2014 University of Kentucky Extension Soybean Yield Contest winners are in (Table 1)!  There are 13 awards: State Champion (highest yield entry regardless of production practices), 1^stand 2^nd place for Full-Season soybeans (Division I), 1^st and 2^nd place for Double-Crop soybeans (Division II), highest yield for 4 Areas, 1^st and 2^nd place for highest Oil content and 1^st and 2^ndplace for highest Protein content. 

In 2014 we had the highest yield ever reported in the Soybean Yield Contest by White Farms in Union County with a yield of 98.26 bu/A.  First place for full-season soybeans was 95.10 bu/A reported by Clements Bros in Union County.  Second place for full-season soybeans was 95.01 bu/A reported by Gerry Hayden in McLean County.  The highest double-crop soybean yield was 69.09 bu/A at Woolf Farm in Graves County.  Second place for double-crop soybeans was in McLean County on Miller Farms, 68.86 bu/A.

The Area 1 winner was Griffith Farms in Graves County with a yield of 66.75 bu/A for double-crop soybeans.  Area 2 had a yield of 94.22 bu/A for full-season soybeans on Waller Bros Farms in Union County.  Area 4 had a yield of 68.66 bu/A for full-season soybeans by Andy Alford in Edmonson County.  The Area 6 winner was Chris Pierce Farms in Pulaski County with 89.86 bu/A for full-season soybeans.

The entry with the highest oil percentage was submitted by PPJ Thompson Farms in Daviess County.  The oil content was 21.00%.  The runner up for oil content was 20.87% submitted by Meredith Farms in Henderson County.  

In 2014 we also broke the record for highest protein content.  The entry with the highest protein content was 38.12% submitted by Meadows Farms in Lewis County.  The second highest entry for protein content was 37.89% submitted by Curtis “Skipper” Todd in Casey County.  The highest reported protein content was in 2007 with protein of 37.39%.     

Awards will be presented at the 2015 Kentucky Commodity Classic on January 16, 2015 in Bowling Green, KY.  The Soybean Yield Contest and awards are sponsored by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky Soybean Association, and supporting agribusinesses.  

Cold Stress and Newborn Calves, by Michelle Arnold, DVM (UKVDL) Ruminant Extension Veterinarian

Cold Stress and Newborn Calves

Michelle Arnold, DVM (UKVDL)  Ruminant Extension Veterinarian

When the weather is predicted to be bitterly cold, producers should take extra care of newborn calves to ensure their survival.  A calf’s body temperature often falls below normal in extremely cold conditions due to a slow or difficult birth (dystocia) followed by delayed standing and nursing.  Returning the calf’s core body temperature to normal  (100° F for newborn calves) then maintaining that core temperature is of primary importance.  If at all possible, bring close-up cows indoors to calve in a heavily bedded, clean pen.  If calving outdoors, make sure there is dry, clean ground available for the cows to calve without a large amount of manure. If the cow calves outdoors, bring the calf in until warm and dry if the calf is showing signs of hypothermia or if there are no natural windbreaks available.

There are two types of hypothermia: exposure (gradual) and immersion (acute).  Exposure hypothermia is the steady loss of body heat in a cold environment through breathing, evaporation and lack of adequate hair coat, body flesh or weather protection. This type of hypothermia affects all classes of livestock but particularly affects young, old and thin animals.

Immersion hypothermia is the rapid loss of body heat due to a wet, saturated hair coat in a cold environment.  Immersion hypothermia often occurs after the birthing process because the calf is born soaked with uterine fluids. Other causes of immersion hypothermia of young calves may include being born in deep snow or on wet ground, falling into a creek or being saturated from heavy rains followed by chilling winds.

Signs of Hypothermia

Faced with a cold environment, the body defends itself in two ways: shivering, to increase muscle heat production, and blood shunting, to reduce heat loss by diverting blood flow away from the body extremities to the body core.  Mild hypothermia occurs as the body's core temperature drops below normal (approximately 100° F. for beef calves). In the early stages, vigorous shivering is usually accompanied by increased pulse and breathing rates. In the case of newborn calves, severe shivering may interfere with its ability to stand and suckle.  Erratic behavior, confusion and a clumsy gait, are all signs of mild hypothermia. Producers often refer to these as "dummy" calves.  Severe hypothermia results as the body temperature drops below 94° F. Cold nostrils and pale, cold hooves are early signs that blood is being shunted away from the body's extremities.  Paleness is due to poor oxygenation of the tissues near the body surface. Decreased blood circulation in the muscles of extremities results in a buildup of acid metabolites (waste products). After the shivering stops, it is replaced by muscle rigidity. The pulse and respiration rates begin to slow as the body core cools to 88° F. Below a core temperature of 94° F, the vital organs are beginning to get cold. As the brain cools, brain cell metabolism slows, resulting in impaired brain function. The level of consciousness deteriorates to eventual unconsciousness. Below 86° F., signs of life are very difficult to detect and the calf may be mistaken for dead. The pupils of the eyes will be dilated and fixed. The pulse may be undetectable. Occasional gasps of respiration at a rate as low as four or five per minute may be the only clue that the calf is still alive. Heart failure is often the actual cause of death.

Treatment of Hypothermia

The two most important factors in calf survival are warmth and colostrum.  Before giving colostrum, a chilled calf first needs to be warmed as these newborns are typically too weak to suckle.  Karo syrup (dark is preferred) delivered by mouth to a weak calf is a quick source of readily available energy and is rapidly absorbed through the mucosa in the mouth into the bloodstream.  Effective methods to warm a calf include:

1.       Floor board heaters of pickup trucks.

2.      Submersion of wet calves in a warm bath-you must support the calf to prevent drowning.  The water should be gradually warmed to 100° F and will need to be changed to keep it at that temperature.

3.      Placing calves next to the heater in the house and/or using a blow dryer to dry and warm the hair coat.  Never leave calves unattended next to a portable space heater.

4.      Placing the calf under a heat lamp-be careful to cover the lamp with a screen so the calf will not get burned as it becomes more active.  Do not leave the calf unattended.

5.      Warm blankets-These should not be so hot that they can cause skin burns.  Change the blankets as needed to maintain a consistent temperature and not allow the calf to cool off.

6.      Hot box or warming box-the temperature should not be so high that burns could result.  Some type of venting is necessary to prevent buildup of carbon monoxide and moisture.  Air movement is also important to ensure thorough warming of the calf and prevent hot spots in a warming box.

7.      Warm IV fluids may be administered by a veterinarian.

Once the calf has been warmed, provide colostrum and maintain body temperature.  Colostrum is a concentrated source of protein, vitamins, minerals and energy and also contains life-saving antibodies to disease.  If the calf is unwilling to suck, use of an esophageal feeder is recommended to deliver colostrum.  If it is not possible to milk the dam, commercial powdered colostrum replacement products are available.  Calves should be fed colostrum as soon as possible after the suckle reflex has returned-generally within the first 6 hours after birth but ideally within 1-2 hours after birth. Once the calf is warm and fed, move it back to its mother.  It is important that they have a place to get out of the wind; a draft free place to go during extreme wind chill days/nights. 

Other Tips on Dealing with Livestock in Extreme Cold

Water is critical.  Livestock need water to maintain their health and immune system.  Lactating animals have a higher need for water than young stock and mammals in their dry period.  Livestock will reduce their consumption of feed and produce less milk if they don't have water available.  Check your water source several times a day.   It's vital for the health and production of your animals.  In addition, consumption of salt without water available can result in salt poisoning which often results in death of the animal.

Cold temperatures will increase 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 grain to the ration.  Consider separating younger and thinner animals that may not have the same internal insulation as conditioned older animals and supplement them accordingly or offer them higher quality forage if available.

Take care of yourself too.   Keep an extra set of clothes and a blanket in your truck.   If you get wet while doing chores, being able to change into dry clothes quickly could be the difference between finishing chores with just a nuisance - or getting hypothermia.   An extra pair of dry boots is a great plan too.  Let someone know when you are going out and always take a cell phone in the event of an emergency. If you get into trouble, then you can't be the caregiver of your livestock that you want to be.

Winter Round Table Series

We all know that if you ever need to learn anything, you go to the round table at your nearest coffee shop.  The “Round Table” always seems to be hub of information in any county.  This winter I will be hosting several Friday morning meetings that I have affectionately named “The Round Table Series”. 

This series will take place on Friday mornings, beginning January 9^th and run through March 20^th.  The Friday morning of the meetings, the Extension Office will be open at 7am for coffee and breakfast will ready by 7:30am.  Then we will start our meeting at 8am.  Each meeting should last about 45-60 minutes and cover topics such as potassium deficiency in soybeans, nutrient management for water quality, pond management and more.

Our McLean County Farm Bureau is graciously sponsoring the breakfast at this series of winter meetings.  Hope you all will join us for coffee, breakfast, great fellowship and some good learning this winter.

Winter Round Table Series Schedule:

Jan 9^th              Potassium Deficiency in Soybeans, Dr. Chad Lee

Jan 30^th            On-Farm Grain Storage, Dr. Sam McNeil

Feb 6^th             Nutrient Management for Water Quality, Dr. Josh McGrath

Feb 20^th           Diversifying Your Operation, Cary Hicks

Feb 27^th           Grain Crop Profitability, Economics, Dr. Greg Halich

March 6^th         Pond Management, Dr. Bill Wurts

March 13^th         Poultry Litter as Fertilizer, Dr. Edwin Ritchey

Other Upcoming Agricultural Events:

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