Learn to Identify Key Forages

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture)

Developing a grazing management plan for your pastures is a critical practice for livestock producers because pasture is the most economical and efficient way to feed your animals.

The first step in developing a grazing plan is identifying the forage species in your pastures.  During most of the spring and fall in Kentucky, we find cool season grasses along with some legumes.  The following descriptions are those forages we see most often:  tall fescue, orchardgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, white clover, and red clover.

Carpenter Bee Control

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa sp. (R. Bessin, 2000)

Have you noticed the presence of carpenter bees around your home lately?

These beneficial pollinators can be intimidating.  They are relatively large in size and can cause considerable structural damage over time.

Carpenter bees spend the winter as adults in their gallery homes.  Now, they are starting new tunnels or expanding old ones in order to raise a brood of about six larvae during the summer.  Accumulations of sawdust may be the first sign that their work has begun.

Thunderstorm Safety

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

In spring and summer, weather patterns are more active as they move through Kentucky, especially in the afternoon and evening, resulting in more thunderstorms.

These weather conditions also increase the potential for lightning to strike people working or playing outdoors, and even while they are inside a building.

All thunderstorms produce lightning.  Sometimes called "nature's fireworks," lightning is produced by the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between negatively and positively charged areas.  An average lightning charge can provide enough energy to keep a 100-watt light bulb burning for more than three months!

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Carroll County

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Emerald Ash Borer, adult (University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service)

The presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a serious invasive pest of ash trees, has been confirmed in Carroll County.

The EAB can attack all species of ash in landscapes, forests, and woodlots.  The insect will attack stressed and healthy trees greater than about 1.5 inches in diameter.

Although Carroll County has been in the quarantine area since the insect was discovered in Kentucky in 2009, this is the first time the insect has been found here.  The amount of die-back seen in the infested trees indicates that the infestation is probably two to three years old.

Horn Fly & Face Fly Control in Cattle

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

With the warmer weather upon us, we need to take a closer look at pests that can be bothersome to our cattle.  Horn flies and face flies are two of those pests.

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.