2013 Beef IRM Redbooks Now Available

The 2013 Beef Integrated Resource Management (IRM) calendars are now available at the Carroll County Extension Office!

Beef IRM calendars, or "Redbooks" as they are commonly called, are an excellent tool for cattle producers to use in their day-to-day operations.  Not only does this small, 4.5" x 3" booklet include a twelve-month calendar, but it also offers charts to keep the following records:

Protect Those Lungs! - Respiratory Protection Equipment

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

The harvest season will reach Carroll County before we know it, and there are some key safety considerations to keep in mind as we are working out in the fields.

Use respiratory protection to safeguard your lungs against dusts as you harvest crops, clean out grain bins, open silos, strip tobacco, and participate in other seasonal farming activities. 

A disposable toxic dust respirator will filter out fine dust particles that can deeply penetrate the lungs.  It is needed for protection from potentially harmful dusts like grain dust and mold from grain, hay or silage.  Agricultural workers should use a toxic dust respirator anytime they will be exposed to dusty operations or activities. 

Using an approved toxic dust respirator can prevent the respiratory symptoms commonly associated with working in confinement facilities as well as the onset of the flu-like illness that occurs four to six hours after exposure to big amounts of moldy materials.

N95 Respirator (University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service)

An N95 is the most common respirator for agricultural uses.  The N indicates that it is intended for oil-free dust and that the filter is 95 percent efficient in removing irrespirable or fine dust that can penetrate deep into the lungs.  An N100 type that is 99.9 percent efficient also is available.

Kentucky Master Stocker Program Beginning in September

The area-wide Kentucky Master Stocker Program is set to begin on September 18, and registration is now open for participants.

The Master Stocker Program is a Kentucky Beef Network Program, funded by the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board, that is developed and delivered by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

The program consists of eight (8) 2 1/2 hour sessions focusing on background and stocker operations in Kentucky.  These sessions are designed to enhance the profitability and equip producers with vital information provided by University of Kentucky specialists and agents.

Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes

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

Photo Courtesy of Tim Coolong, UK Horticulture Specialist

Normally, a hot dry year would favor vegetable production as long as growers have adequate irrigation.  However, when daytime temperatures inch up over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, like we have seen several days this year, we begin to see problems with many vegetable crops.

Pollen begins to die when temperatures reach 100 degrees.  That affects fruit set and several disorders become apparent.

One thing growers might see is blossom end rot, which is simply a rot at the blossom end of a fruit.  Tomatoes usually suffer most, but eggplant, cucurbits and peppers can all succumb to the problem.  It is technically caused by a calcium deficiency in the plant or the fruit.  In many cases, it is not a lack of calcium in the soil, but rather an environmental factor that stops the plant from taking up calcium.

Christin's Corner

Welcome to my blog, Extension to the 3rd Degree!

Extension to the 3rd Degree?  Now, what does that mean?

I'll get to explaining the title in a moment, but first, I want to touch on why I have decided to start this Extension blog...

During the third week of July, I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to attend my first National Association of County Agriculture Agents convention.  What an experience to meet and learn from Ag Agents across the United States!  The first presentation I listened to was given by Tonya Ashworth, Extension Agent with the University of Tennessee Cooperative Extension Service.  She spoke about the ease and benefits of creating a blog to use in our Extension programming (visit her blog, Tonya By Extension).  Very quickly, I was hooked.  Thank you, Tonya!