Myths and Facts About Lightning

A couple of weeks ago, we presented some interesting facts about Kentucky’s Forests. This week, our UK Meteorologist Tom Priddy sends us some neat information concerning lightning, something we’ve seen our share of so far this summer.

Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Fact: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it’s a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit nearly 100 times a year.

Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead, you’re safe from lightning.
Fact: Lightning often strikes more than 3 miles from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or thunderstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10 to 15 miles from the thunderstorm.

Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by insulating you from the ground.
Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Don't lean on car doors during a thunderstorm.

Myth: When a lightning victim is electrified, you will get electrocuted if you touch them.
Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid. This is the most chilling of lightning myths. Imagine if someone died because people were afraid to give CPR.

Myth: If you are outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter under a tree to stay dry.
Fact: Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than to get fried.

Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100 percent safe from lightning.
Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows.

Myth: If thunderstorms threaten while you are outside playing a game, it is okay to finish it before seeking shelter.
Fact: Many lightning casualties occur because people do not seek shelter soon enough.

Myth: Structures with metal or metal on the body (jewelry, cell phones, MP3 players, watches, etc.) attract lightning.
Fact: Height, pointy shape and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes. Mountains are made of stone but get struck by lightning many times a year. While metal does not attract lightning, it does conduct it so stay away from metal fences, railing, bleachers, etc.

Myth: If I’m trapped outside and lightning is about to strike, I should lie flat on the ground.
Fact: Lying flat increases your chance of being affected by potentially deadly ground current. If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, keep moving toward a safe shelter.

7/10/2013

Facts about Kentucky forests

Our folks at the UK Forestry Department recently sent us some interesting facts about Kentucky forests. Kentucky has an abundance of trees—about 12.4 million forested acres of many different species. Regardless of the species or climate, these forests help all of us breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water, enjoy forest wildlife and we use products from them every day.

Here is a quick look at the impact trees and tree products have on our lives. See if you can answer the questions below. (The correct answers are at the end of this section.)

1. Kentucky has to replant many of the acres after tree harvesting. True or false?
2. Forest and related industries are important to Kentucky’s economy. True or false?
3. What percentage of Kentucky is forested? Is it 35, 50 or 60 percent?
4. The best time to view Kentucky’s fall foliage usually is between the second and third weekends in October. True or false?
5. Sun is the only energy required to grow a tree. True or false?
6. How many products are produced from trees? Is the answer 3,500, 4,700 or 5,000?
7. How much paper does each person in the United States use on average every year? Is the answer 250, 500 or 750 pounds?
8. Nationwide, approximately how many tons (2,000 pounds equals 1 ton) of paper are recycled? Is the answer approximately 28, 40, 46 or 53 million tons?
9. What percentage of a tree can be used to make wood and paper products? Is the answer 50, 67, 75 or 100 percent?

Impact of trees, tree products answers:

1. False. Sprouting from stumps and from fallen seeds will quickly repopulate a harvested area.
2. True. In Kentucky, 105 of 120 counties have some types of wood industries that employ approximately 51,000 people.
3. Fifty percent, or more than 12 million acres, of Kentucky is forested. Approximately 25% of Henry County is wooded.
4. True. For more information on times and locations to view fall foliage colors as October approaches, call 1-800-225-8747, or visit http://www.kentuckytourism.com.
5. True. Sun is the only energy needed for trees to grow. As they grow, trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
6. Some 5,000 products are produced from trees, ranging from our homes and furnishings to the toothpaste we use.
7. Each person in the United States uses 750 pounds of paper per year.
8. We recycle about 46 million tons of paper each year.
9. All of a tree (100 percent) can be used to make wood and paper products.

You can find more information about Kentucky forests in this publication: http://www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/Publications/FOR_FORFS/for53.pdf

LATE BLIGHT IN TOMATOES

Dr. Kenny Seebold, UK Plant Pathologists, alerts us to the fact that Late Blight in Tomatoes has been positively identified in Kentucky last week. Late Blight is a fungus like organism, fast moving and highly destructive in Tomatoes and Potatoes. Late Blight was responsible for the Irish Potato Famine in the late 1840’s, which brought millions of people to the United States.

Although temperatures forecasted for this week are high, which doesn’t favor late blight, we also have pretty good chances for rain through the end of the week. Rains would promote the disease, and growers (and home gardeners) should keep to a sound spray schedule during disease-favorable periods. Protectant fungicides such as chlorothalinil, mancozeb, and fixed coppers are suitable as long as disease pressure is low.

Early symptoms of Late Blight are large water soaked blotches on leaves that will enlarge to form green-to-brown lesions. Affected leaf tissue will then blacken and shrivel, giving the plants a blighted appearance.

FORAGE FIELD DAY

Interested in making the most out of your farmland’s potential to supply forages? Mark the date Thursday, August 1, from 3:30 through suppertime, to attend the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council Field Day. The host farm will be Rivercrest Farm, at 1904 Mayo Lane, off of 42 near Prospect in Oldham County. The forage program includes attention to species selection, fertility, harvest management, use of temporary and permanent water and fence, and even livestock species selection.

- Using Warm Season Annual Forages
- Forages and Tips for Pasture Poultry Production
- Opportunities with Eastern Gamagrass
- Hay Quality and Hay Testing
- Late Summer Pasture Seeding
- Making Forages Work On Your Farm

This looks to be a great opportunity to see some sound agricultural practices in production and marketing, right here in our area. In fact, we held the Regional Beef Cattleman’s Field Day there about 3 years ago. We’ll have more information about it later, or you can contact me at the Henry County Extension Office (845-2811).

6/26/2013

6/19/2013

Fireflies: Pretty and Useful

I remember running around in the yard and fields catching fireflies and putting them in a canning jar Mom gave me (we let them go later). Interestingly, fireflies do more than generate entertaining childhood memories like mine; they also help control some pests in the garden. On summer nights, glow worms (luminescent firefly larvae) often emerge from their underground homes to forage for food. A typical menu includes slugs, snails and caterpillars including cutworms. The larvae feed much like a spider by injecting a paralyzing toxin into their prey; then, injecting digestive juices to dissolve the prey and allow it to be more easily consumed. The adults probably feed on plant nectar to sustain their energy requirements.

There are several theories about why fireflies glow. One is that the flashing light is a homing beacon for the opposite sex. The male flies around flashing the signal to attract a female’s attention. A female on the ground or on low-growing foliage will signal back when a male visits her vicinity. To avoid confusion, each firefly species has its own specific signal to attract a mate.

Another theory is that firefly larvae use their luminescence to warn a potential predator that they taste bad. Larvae contain defensive chemicals in their bodies. When disturbed, larvae also increase their glow’s intensity and frequency.

Typical nighttime habitats for adults and larvae take place in rotting wood or other forest litter, or on the edges of water sources such as streams, ponds, marshes and ditches.

To attract fireflies to your property, reduce or eliminate lawn chemicals. Add low, over-hanging trees, tall grass and similar vegetation to give adult fireflies a cool place to rest during the day. Reduce extra lighting on your property because this light interferes with fireflies’ luminous signals, making it harder for them to locate mates in the area. Fireflies also determine the time of night they’ll flash by the intensity of ambient or human activity lighting nearby. This is why you don’t see many fireflies flashing on clear nights with a full moon.

6/12/2013

POTENTIAL FOR LOCAL MEAT PROCESSING FACILITY

By now, you may have heard rumors or reports that a Meat Processing Plant may be built near Campbellsburg. The idea of a local Meat Processing Facility is at present, just a vision. Here is the story:

Since the middle of last year, a group of interested farmers, civic, and government leaders has been discussing the potential and possibility of a Meat Processing Facility which may be located in Henry County. These interested folks have come from Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Trimble, and Carroll Counties as well as Henry County, so the concept is for a Regional facility to accomplish several purposes including : reduce the time and miles involved in getting local meat processed; assist in the process of growing our ability to provide food product into the Metropolitan area; create jobs; and add tax revenue.

Called the Regional Multi-Species Livestock Processing Facility Steering Committee, this group has discussed need, size, type, location, and even who might build and operate such a facility. With several of the group already involved in custom meat marketing, they have a good level of experience in the field. They have invited experts including UK Muscle Meats Specialist Dr. Gregg Rentfrow to increase their understanding. And they have discussed the concept with current processing facilities such as Boone’s Abattoir in Bardstown, Marksbury Meats near Danville, DeWigg Meats in Indiana, with hopes that an existing firm might want to locate and operate in what might be a prime region for both producers and consumers.

To determine the best location and what type of operation is needed, the Steering Committee has made the next move: Get a professional feasibility study completed.

The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) has been contracted to make this assessment, and our community of livestock producers is encouraged to become active participants by completing a short survey which will be mailed soon from the Henry County Extension Office. After completion of the survey, which will ask some questions about your current and future plans for livestock production if a Meat Processing Facility is located nearby, you can mail the survey to KCARD with assurance that your responses will be kept confidential. The more responses received, the stronger and more accurate the study will be in determining if a facility is feasible.

To date, this venture has received financial support from County Agriculture Development Councils in Henry, Oldham, Trimble, and Shelby Counties, from the Cattleman’s Associations in Henry, Carroll, Trimble, Shelby, and Oldham Counties, and Jefferson County Government, along with the support of the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board. The Feasibility Study is scheduled to be completed by mid-summer.

We applaud the efforts of the Regional Meat Processing Facility Steering Group and their forward thinking to increase agricultural opportunities for local farmers, and enhance the goal of a robust local food economy.

Soil Compaction Creates Garden Problems

Gardening season is in full force with the threat of frost now behind us. It’s a good time to think about your soil. Soil compaction creates an unfriendly growing environment for plants and is a serious problem for many home gardeners. However, it is relatively easy to prevent.

Compaction transforms soil into a difficult environment for plant growth by making it harder for roots, water and soil to penetrate the ground. Major causes are working the soil when it is too wet, foot traffic and excessive rototiller use.

To reduce this problem, it is best to avoid working in the garden or walking in it when the soil is too wet. Squeeze a handful of soil and if it forms a muddy ball, rather than crumbling when you open your hand, stay out of the garden area.

Walk between plants and rows in the garden area to reduce compaction in primary plant growth areas.

Excessive rototiller use destroys soil structure and promotes compaction. When compaction takes place in a dense soil structure, it also makes root growth more difficult.

A little hand hoeing, rather than a rototiller, may be all you need to do to eliminate a few weeds. It usually causes less soil damage than repeated rototilling and is less harmful to the earthworms that help aerate the soil.

5/29/13

Fresh Local Produce

As usual, the Henry County Farmers Market opened for business on the Saturday before Derby Day, and will continue to operate on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons at the Henry County Courthouse front lawn. We hope you can visit for a couple of great reasons. First, you’ll be meeting some of our wonderful local farm families, and second, you’ll be getting fresh local produce and fruit most likely picked the same day. Interested in putting out your own vegetable plants and flowers? They’ll have a great assortment of those plants also.

Produce auctions at Capstone Produce in Campbellsburg (started) Friday, May 17 at 11am. The auctions will be on Tuesday's and Friday's until peak season at which time the schedule may be adjusted.

Spring-Calving Reminders

A large portion of the some 14,000 mama cows in Henry County are in herds managed for a spring calving season. Here are some reminders of management items as we near the breeding season.

• Improve or maintain body condition (BCS 5) of cows before breeding season starts.
• Bulls should have a breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) well before the breeding season. They should also receive their annual booster vaccinations and be dewormed.
• Choose best pastures for grazing during the breeding season. Select those with the best stand of clover. Keep these pastures vegetative by grazing or clipping. High quality pastures are important for a successful breeding season.
• Continue supplying a high magnesium mineral until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees F.
• Consider breeding yearling replacement heifers one heat cycle (about 21 days) earlier than cows for “Head-start” calving. Use calving-ease bulls.
• Observe breeding pastures often to see if bulls are working. Records cows’ heat dates and then check 18-21 days later, for return to heat.
• Harvest hay. Work around the weather and cut early before plants become too mature. Harvesting forage early is the key to nutritional quality.
• Clip pastures to prevent seedhead formation on fescue and to control weeds.
• Rotate pastures as needed to keep them vegetative.

Fairy Rings

During the past winter and early spring, we’ve had questions about dark green rings of grass in lawns and pastures. These descriptions are typical of fairy rings caused by a diverse family of fungi called basidiomycetes. Fairy rings might be six inches to two feet wide and can be anywhere from two feet to hundreds of feet in diameter and expanding yearly.

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

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

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

There is no good control for fairy rings (and really no need to), but you can mask the fairy rings by regular applications of low rates of nitrogen.

(The Third Thursday Program on May 16th will address Caged Culture of Fish. The programs are informational and informal. )

5/15/13

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INCREASE PASTURE CARRYING CAPACITY USING CROSS FENCES

Simple electric fencing is one good way to stretch your pastures this spring and summer. Electric fence is the easiest and cheapest way to increase production from summer pastures. Dividing pastures with electric cross fences gives you more control of when and where your cattle graze. It helps you encourage cattle to graze pastures more uniformly and completely, including areas they normally avoid. And, it can help you improve the health and vigor of your grass by giving it time to recover and re-grow after each grazing. As a result, your grass production and pasture carrying capacity will increase. This will be especially valuable this year following the stress of last year’s drought.

There are many ads promoting high-powered, high-tensile, imported electric fencing systems. We encourage using these systems in many situations. But, cross fences do not need to be permanent, nor do they need to be expensive. This is especially true if you already have electric fencing your animals respect. And using fencing equipment you already have gives you an inexpensive opportunity to experiment with where you might eventually place a more permanent cross fence.

Managed grazing doesn’t need to start with large numbers of pastures. If you have one big field, simply make it two. If you have two big fields, make four, and so on. More grass, better gains, and better profits might be the result.

MIRACLE PRODUCTS AND FOO FOO DUST

Increase your profits and production for just pennies per acre. Haven't we all seen or heard such tempting claims about various products. But is it real?

You know the pitch. Maybe it's a bermudagrass that will yield 20 tons per acre. Or a foliar fertilizer that doubles alfalfa production. It could be a soil enhancer that makes water wetter or releases more nutrients from your soil. Or possibly a microbial inoculant that allows you to safely bale or store wet hay.

We've all heard these miraculous claims. And truthfully, they sound pretty good and often have some reasonable sounding explanation about why they work. It's hard not to be tempted to buy them.

But will they work? Now, we can't positively discount every single one of these miracle products. After all, we have a lot to learn about Mother Nature; and when we say something can't happen or is impossible, she sometimes throws us a curve to prove us wrong.

You know the old adage - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't. Still, what if it is true? Why not take the gamble, just in case. Maybe the big question should be - how much should you gamble. Nothing wrong with trying something new. That's how we improve. But start slow. Spray a couple test strips. Plant just a couple acres. Treat a few bales. Make it prove itself before you bet the farm. If it really is good, the product will be available again next year.

(Source: Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska, in the Kentucky Forage News )

5/8/13

PHASE I UPDATE

From time to time, during the next few weeks, we hope to use this column to keep our agriculture community informed about the status and progress of the 2013 Phase I Cost Share Program Fund. First of all, let’s discuss the different ways by which we label this program. The name we started with and still used most often is the Phase I program. Some variations of this are the Phase I Tobacco Program or the Tobacco Settlement Phase I program. More recently, we have started calling the funds associated with this program the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF for short). And to muddy things up even more, we have started calling the Cost-Share program that Henry County farmers can apply for each year the CAIP program (County Agricultural Investment Program).

Whatever the name, all Henry County farmers and landowners are eligible to apply for the Cost-Share Reimbursement Funds during the annual sign-up period. That application or sign-up period for Henry County has traditionally been in June and/or July. Because of prompt and dedication action of both the Henry County Cattleman’s Association and the Henry County Agriculture Development Council, the 2013 process is on track to once again get the annual sign-up period in June.

The expected June signup period will officially be for the CAIP program, through which the applications will be scored on a competitive basis. Those applicants “in the money” will have the opportunity to complete approved investment projects on their farms to be able to be reimbursed up to a maximum of $2,500.

More details may be obtained as we know them by contacting the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811. Program Administrator Laraine Staples and I will be glad to discuss program details with you. As mentioned, we’ll use this column to keep you informed of the timelines. You may also go online to http://agpolicy.ky.gov/funds/programs.shtml for loads of approved investments.

Controlling flies on cattle

At the April Cattleman’s Association meeting, Dr. Pryor discussed cattle fly control in his Veterinarian report. He recommended that producers wait till warmer weather before putting insecticide ear tags in cattle so that resistance could not be developed. The following information from UK Entomologists bears this out.

Horn flies and face flies are key pests of cattle in Kentucky. Both species breed in fresh pasture manure piles but present very different threats and management problems. Fortunately, there are a variety of fly control options.

Horn flies are blood feeders. They remain on animals most of the time, taking 20 to 30 small blood meals per day. More than 100 flies along the sides and backs of each animal every day during the fly season can mean 12 to 15 pounds lower weaning weights for spring calves and poor gains for older animals. The close association between the horn fly and the animal, however, does make many control methods quite effective.

On the other hand, face flies spend about 90 percent of their time resting off of animals and visit them only to feed on liquids around the eyes and face. This makes some fly control methods more effective than others because face flies visit hard-to-treat areas for very short time periods.

One control option is insecticide-impregnated cattle ear tags which release small amounts of an insecticide distributed over the animal during grooming or rubbing. In general, ear tags provide excellent, long-term control of horn flies and some brands also reduce face fly numbers. Another advantage is that animals only have to be handled once.

For fly control, it is best to tag animals after horn fly numbers reach 50 or more per side. This reduces the chances of developing resistance to the active ingredients that are being used. Normally, tags provide 12 to 15 weeks of fly control. Tagging too early in the season can mean the tags are not providing control in the fall that will help to control the over-wintering population.

Another method of control is pour-on products. Horn flies are killed as they land on treated areas of the animal and pick up the insecticide through their body. Pour-ons provide about four weeks of fly reduction so they must be reapplied at intervals or used in combination with other methods.

Many cattle producers like to use self-application devices, such as dust bags, back rubbers, or automatic sprayers for pasture fly control. These devices can do a very effective job of horn fly control and may provide satisfactory to excellent face fly control. All require regular inspection and service to be sure that they are working and dispensing properly and may not be as mobile as other fly control systems. Be sure these devices are located where animals can use them regularly. The ultimate goal is to get each animal treated regularly.

5/1/2013

BOOSTING PASTURE PRODUCTION

The three primary nutrients required for plant growth are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient necessary for photosynthesis and building protein, and it has long been known that increasing nitrogen in the soil has been proven to greatly increase pasture production.

We can add nitrogen in two ways: by using legumes like clover in grass stands or by applying nitrogen fertilizer, but we can lose it in three ways. Denitrification occurs when there is not enough oxygen to supply the needs of the soil bacteria and microorganisms, which is the case with waterlogged soils. Leaching occurs when there is more precipitation than the soil can hold. Last, volatilization occurs when N breaks down and forms ammonia gasses. The type of N fertilizer utilized affects the probability for loss due to denitrification, leaching, or volatilization.

Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied when pastures will have the best opportunity to have a yield response. For cool season pastures, research shows that split N applications generally maximize yields when N is applied in the late summer, early spring and for added growth again in the late spring. Therefore, to fully benefit from the cost of N fertilizer, apply when plants will have the best response and are able to uptake the most N. Through March 15, UK research shows that up to 100 lbs of actual N per acre gets the best cost/benefit ratio, and after that, the recommended amount goes down closer to 50 pounds by May 1.

We are likely out of the window of time where frost seeding to get clovers into grass stands is effective, but certainly not too late to renovate using some method which insures good seed soil contact. Disking and dragging can work, but the cadillac treatment at this point is the pasture drill. While the effect of pasture renovation is not as immediate as applying a nitrogen fertilizer, it is longer lasting and provides both extra yield and quality in your forage production system.

4/10/2013

THE 1974 TORNADOES

Thirty nine years ago today, April 3, 1974, many lives and landscapes in Kentucky changed forever, and as I write this on Monday, April 1, I remember that so much changed in Campbellsburg exactly 39 years ago also. It was irony and coincidence that placed me in touch with both days of disastrous tornadoes.

I was a senior at the UK College of Agriculture on Wednesday, April 3, 1974, and was returning to my dorm (Kirwan 1) from an afternoon class when I overheard folks talking about a threat of tornadoes in the area. Later, when someone said they heard a tornado blew the roof off Freedom Hall, I remember thinking they were just joking or exaggerating. But, just about dark, I got a call on the dorm room phone from a neighbor near my family farm just south of Danville that something had gone through and knocked houses, barns, trees, and power lines down, and that they felt like I should get home as soon as possible. I drove home in my 1961 Volkswagen Beetle and just as I rounded a curve coming out of Danville I saw one of the best sights I’ve ever seen in my life: a big bolt of lightning lit up the sky, and I could see my folks 2 story white house still standing! Parking at the base of the front avenue, I picked my way through all the downed trees to the house where my Dad, Mom, and younger Brother were OK, and found out that my Grandmother across the road was OK too. That night, I slept on the couch in the living room in front of a window which had been blown out.

In the daylight the next morning, I began my education about what a tornado could do, and with everything we found, I was more awestruck. The tornado had taken down all 5 barns and 2 stripping rooms on the 2 farms. With a chain saw, we started clearing drives, and got a tractor out of one of the downed barns. We had to cut into two livestock barns to get cattle out. These livestock barns had lofts full of square bales which we threw down into rack feeders each day, and when the lofts collapsed, several cows and calves were killed. It was Friday before we could get to the flock of sheep in one of the barns. I remember crawling back through the driveway of the barn, chain-sawing a hole in the gate, and watching as, one by one, the entire flock of sheep slowly walked out of the barn and over to the pasture field. I don’t remember a single casualty and we think they were spared by the portable hay rack feeders in their area of the barn. We couldn’t see injuries with their thick wool, but later in the month when they were sheared, we found that most of them had lots of cuts and bruises. That was one beat up flock of sheep!

We continued the cleanup process through Easter Sunday, April 14, and on Monday, the 15th, I went back to school, coming home only on weekends until my graduation on May 11th. During this month, Dad continued the cleanup, pulled every nail out of every piece of lumber in that big cattle, sheep, and tobacco barn on my homeplace, and had designed a new, less tall, multi-purpose barn which would also contain a stripping room. I will always remember him saying, “you know, a farm without a barn is just not much of a farm at all!” While none of us were barn builders, from May 13 till June 1, we built a pretty decent barn all by ourselves. We were certainly aided by the fact that this particular barn was pine. I don’t think we would have ever driven a straight nail into seasoned oak!

On Monday, June 3, 1974, I drove that 1961Volks to the Henry County Extension office in the courthouse in New Castle for my first day of work (I still remember being amazed that I would get paid for a whole month as the new 4-H Agent when I didn’t even show up till the 3rd). I met my co-workers Jim Prewitt (Ag Agent), Jeri Cockrel (Home Demonstration Agent), and Sheila Atchison (Extension Secretary). Mr. Prewitt took me on a quick tour of the county (where I saw Campbellsburg for the first time in my life and still remember a tree close to the railroad track with a sign that said “HERE LIES CAMPBELLSBURG”). Since I had not seen Campbellsburg before, I didn’t really get the full impact, yet I felt a certain kinship with the residents who had the daunting task of cleaning up after a tornado. I didn’t learn until later that the first and most damaging Tornado had been on April 1st , and another had touched down close by on the 3rd.

Starting work with any car at all was just lucky for me. On Sunday, March 31, 1974, just 3 days before the tornado, Dad and I finished some engine work on that 1961 Beetle and swung the engine back up into the car. If we hadn’t finished the work that day, the car would have still been in my Grandmothers big Livestock and Tobacco barn and been swept over the bank and down into the creek nearby. I still have most of that car! The other real lucky part for me was that my first job after college was chock full of good people who helped me and mentored me and so it has been my only job.

4/3/13

SPRING?

According to the calendar, it is officially spring; however, it seems someone forgot to tell the weather to act accordingly in the Bluegrass. So what is going on? Did the groundhog lie? When is it going to get warmer? Will the rain and snow slow down?

“Simply put, the eastern half of the country is stuck in a negative Arctic weather pattern,” says Tom Priddy, UK agricultural meteorologist. A blocking pattern in the upper atmosphere has kept a trough of low pressure over the Eastern United States, which results in cooler temperatures. The pattern will break, but not before we get into April.

Once this system is gone, outlooks are trending toward above-normal temperatures in both April and the three-month outlook into June. The latest outlook for April, May, and June is also suggesting above normal precipitation. So, while the warmer conditions will be helping us through the planting and early forage harvest seasons, it appears we will have our typical game of ‘dodge the rain’ as we plant crops and make hay.

3/27/2013

Spring mowing most important of yearlong lawn duties

As I write this column on Monday afternoon, I’m looking at a white landscape. But the snow is rapidly disappearing, and it is likely that a rapid growth of lawn grass is not far behind. That first spring mowing, usually in late March, begins your most important annual lawn duties.

The first mowing makes the lawn look spring-like and very attractive. So, when the first clumps of grass grow above the mowing height, mow, even if a lot of the yard doesn’t need to be mowed yet.

Following recommendations for mowing height and frequency will make your lawn-care duties easier and result in a more attractive yard. If your mower has a fixed, all-year height, set it at 2.5 inches. But, if you can easily vary the height, set it at 1.5 to 2 inches for the first several times you mow this spring. The shorter mowing height will help remove a lot of the winter-burned, brown leaves and will transfigure your lawn into a uniform, attractive landscape. Move the height up to 2.5 inches after you mow the grass several times.

3/20/13

OPTIONS FOR MANAGING WEEDS IN ALFALFA

One of the largest alfalfa producers in the state recently discussed his experiences with Roundup Ready Alfalfa. After only one year in his rotation, Clayton Geralds of Hart County likes the potential, and plans to continue adding more acreage each year. He explains that the Alfalfa varieties available as Roundup Ready are top producers, and he can economically establish a completely weed free alfalfa field. He has the option on some of his more level ground to keep a pure alfalfa stand, but on the slightly rolling land he prefers (and many of his hay customers) to add orchard grass as a companion crop at a later time. So far, he has been successful in spring seeding the alfalfa, controlling the weeds with glyphosate application as needed, and drilling the orchard grass into the stand in the fall. Understand that once a grass is added to the stand, the option to control weeds with glyphosate is pretty much eliminated.

In trials comparing Roundup Ready Alfalfa vs. conventional alfalfa (treated with glyphosate vs. conventional herbicides), there has been an establishment year advantage in both yield potential and quality as a result of improved weed control and crop safety.

While the seed cost is higher (much like corn and bean seeds with roundup ready technology), this may be another weed management tool for local producers to consider.

WEEDS IN THE LAWN

Depending on the weeds, early spring can be a good time to control weeds in the home lawn. Many weeds are opportunistic, meaning that they germinate and grow in the gaps in the lawn turf. Several years of summer and fall drought has created problems spots in lawns, and a whole host of winter broadleaf weeds may be present, including chickweed, dandelion, and thistles. Since they are already present and growing, they can be effectively controlled with an application of 2,4-D now.

Knocking out weeds in this fashion can help, but homeowners are reminded that the best defense against weed problems in home lawns is a healthy and dense lawn. Developing a dense lawn comes from using cultural practices such as proper grass species, proper mowing heights and fertilization, and other good management practices. In regards to fertilization, now is the time to pull a good representative soil sample and bring about a half pint of soil to the County Extension Office for a soil analysis. We are offering some free samples to each farmer and homeowner. Once the analysis is known, proper amounts of phosphorus and potash can be added if needed, and pH can be adjusted if needed. Contrary to what you may see on TV, now is not the time to add nitrogen! Nitrogen in the spring and summer can set your lawn up to increased disease pressure and increase the frequency of mowing. Waiting to apply nitrogen in the late fall is the better choice in getting your desirable grass turf through the winter in good shape and better able to crowd out the weeds.

FARM LICENSE TAGS DONATION BENEFITS 4-H & FFA

Henry County has a great group of youth in 4-H and FFA programs, learning now to be the future leaders of our rural county and Kentucky. Over 500 Henry County youth belong to 4-H and are active in programs and activities such as shooting sports, dog club, horse club, cooking, club, sewing club, crocheting and knitting club, rabbit and poultry club, 4-H Capitol Experience, leadership programs, country ham project, school enrichment clubs, farm to table field day to name only a few. These 4-H programs provide opportunities to our youth and train the next generation of leaders for Kentucky’s communities.

Now there is an easy way farmers can help support the local youth programs. As you renew your farm license plates at the county clerk’s office, please make the voluntary $10 donation to support youth programs and activities. We want to remind you now about the program since farm license plates are renewed in March.

The farm license plate donation program is supported by Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer. The money raised by the program is evenly split between Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and Kentucky Proud, which promotes agricultural products raised, grown or processed in Kentucky by Kentuckians.

Last year, I understand that donations coming directly to Henry County 4-H and Henry County FFA totaled $1,400 each. This funding has provided for much education and training for our futures leaders. We encourage you to consider a donation this year to increase that amount.

3/6/2013

Timely Tips For Cattle Producers

This is calving season for many Henry County cattle producers. Some producers have told me that they have had excellent results so far, but there always seem to be some disappointments. Here are some tips from Dr. Roy Burris, UK Beef Specialist:

• Evaluate the overall condition of the cow herd. Cows losing weight now are most likely to have weak or dead calves, and will likely be a poor source of colostrum milk for the newborn calf. Feed high quality hay and supplement to keep cows in good shape.
• Calving equipment (puller and chains, etc.) , supplies (eartags, scales, iodine, etc), and facilities should be ready.
• Expect calving difficulty if (1) calf's head and two feet are not visible, (2) only the calf's tail is visible, and (3) the cow has been in labor for 1½ hours. Recognize situations that are beyond your capability and seek professional help as early as possible. Calves should consume colostrum within 30 minutes of birth to achieve good immunity.
• Male calves in commercial herds should be castrated and implanted as soon as possible.
• Separate cows that calve away from dry cows and increase their feed. Avoid muddy feeding areas so that cows' udders won't become contaminated and spread scours.
• Increase feed after calving to 25-27 pounds of high quality hay. The most important time to feed a beef cow is after calving. Cows must be in good condition if we plan to breed them early in the season for best pregnancy rates.
• Watch for scours in newborn calves. Consult your veterinarian for diagnosis, cause, and treatment. Obtain fecal samples and submit to diagnostic lab, if scouring begins.
• Begin feeding a mineral supplement with adequate magnesium to prevent grass tetany (~ 15% Mg) now.
• Provide water at all times. Watch for frozen pond hazards.
• Control lice. Watch for signs such as rubbing.
• Begin pasture renovation. You can frost seed clovers while we still have good freezes and frosts.

2/20/13

RENOVATE GRASS FIELDS NOW

February is an excellent time to boost both the yield and the quality of pasture and hay fields by adding clover. The old farmer’s adage is “sow clover in the dark of the moon in February on snow”. With no more equipment than a small whirl-a-gig seed sower, hand held or PTO driven, one can sow clover onto a thinly covered, well grazed pasture or hay field and expect a real nice germination. Between the nice round shape of the legume seed, and the movement of the soil as it freezes and thaws in February or early March, a good ‘seed-soil’ contact is accomplished. Sowing on a snow works well for a couple of reasons: it insures a nice supply of moisture and it might serve as a guide to see where you’ve been. But, you don’t have to wait for a snow. Any rain event will insure the necessary moisture. What about the ‘dark of the moon’? Research can’t prove it has anything to do with good clover germination, but likewise, it can’t prove it doesn’t. Just sow the seed.

Frost seeding is one of the terms for this very inexpensive method for adding legumes to a field. Clovers work well, both Red or Ladino. Alfalfa or grasses don’t have a big success rate. Once we get past the good chances for night freezes, usually early March, the seeds need help getting good seed-soil contact by some type of tillage or drilling.

CHOOSE CLOVER VARIETIES CAREFULLY

Which Clover varieties might work the best for you? The UK Forage Variety Tests for 2012 are summarized and available, both by internet (http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/ForageVarietyTrials2.htm) and in hard copy at the Extension Office. In the 2012 Red Clover trials, eleven varieties were tested over three years at Quicksand, Owenton, Lexington and Princeton. There was no significant yield differences among the top 5 or 6 depending on test; HOWEVER, when you compare the highest to lowest, there was an average of 3.13 tons of dry matter per acre difference. So the question you may need to answer on your farm is: How much is 3.13 tons of hay worth? How much more per pound would you have to pay to get any variety in the top five?

FERTILIZER: HOW MUCH IS IN EACH BALE?

What do you see when you look at a bale? Certainly, many would say it is a source of feed for our livestock. Others see a commodity that is sold to their customers. These are the most important aspects of any forage. But, there is one other value worth noting… its fertilizer content. In a sense, it is a bale of fertilizer.

On most farms, fertilizer accounts for the single largest input into any hay or forage crop. It is a cost of doing business. Yes, fertilizer prices remain at very high levels. Unfortunately, there are no substitutes for providing adequate nutrients. There are no shortcuts. One can try, but it is likely that cutting back on fertilizer will cost more over the long-run because of decreased yields and poor stand longevity.

When fertilizer prices increased sharply in 2007-2009, many forage producers substantially cut phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization rates or left them out all-together. By the end of 2009, perennial forage stands began to show the effect. That, coupled with several severe droughts have caused poor yields and severe stand thinning. Fertilizer is still a bargain when compared to dragging down yield and the cost of renovating perennial forage stands. The reason so much fertilizer is necessary is that hay and silage removes large quantities from the soil with each ton that is removed.

Certainly, the total value of the forage is mainly tied to its nutrient value (e.g., digestible energy, protein, etc.). Nonetheless, we should always remember that the minerals contained in that forage have value, too.

2/13/13

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Winter and early spring pruning tips

As spring approaches, many homeowners begin to think about their yard’s landscape. To ensure healthy spring plants, homeowners may want to prune the trees and shrubs around their home. But do not just prune for the sake of pruning, make sure you have a valid reason for pruning before you begin.

Pruning during the late winter months allows for the removal of damage caused by winter winds and precipitation. Pruning also allows removal of diseased, crowded or hazardous branches. Limit the pruning amount to one-fourth of the tree’s volume. Start by thinning out branches by cutting them off close to the tree’s trunk or a large limb.

Leave the base of the branch, known as the collar, intact. Cutting the collar will prevent the plant from growing over the wound caused from pruning. Pruning in this manner allows for a healthy tree that is more open to sunlight and air movement. If the branch is cut back only part way, there will likely be a crowded regrowth of new branches where the cut was made. Do not seal or paint the wounds resulting from pruning because this will only delay the tree’s healing process.

With spring-flowering shrubs, the best time to prune these plants is right after they have flowered. When pruning is done after blooming, the flowers will have been enjoyed, and the plant can recover, grow and produce more buds for flowers next spring.

Pruning is not limited to a certain time of year. Homeowners can prune at any time if they notice branches and limbs that are damaged either from weather, disease or insects.

2/6/13

CATTLEMAN’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

11/28/12

6/6/12