Landscape Pruning

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

It has been a long, hard, and cold winter for Carroll County.  With the snowy and icy weather we have experienced this week, the beginning of March has certainly lived up to the age-old saying, "in like a lion."  Let us all hope it will go "out like a lamb."

Believe it or not, spring really is on the way, causing homeowners to begin turning their attention to the landscape.

To ensure healthy spring plants, consider pruning trees and shrubs around the home that have been affected by the weather.  However, do not prune just for the sake of pruning--be sure to have a valid reason.

Timely Cattle Tips for January

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

(University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service)

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

Start cows on the high magnesium mineral supplement soon.  Consider protein supplementation if hay is less than 10% crude protein.  If cows are thin, begin energy (grain) supplementation now.

Consider vaccinating the cows to help prevent calf scours.

Get ready for calving season.  See that all equipment and materials are ready, including obstetrical equipment, record forms or booklets, ear tags, scales for obtaining birthweights, etc.

Prepare a calving area where assistance can be provided easily if needed.  Purchase ear tags for calves and number them ahead of time if possible.  Plan for enough labor to watch/assist during the calving period.

Control Winter Pests of Cattle: Lice

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

(Montana State University Extension)

It has been a cold start to the week and making sure our livestock are adequately cared for in these cold temperatures is a concern for all livestock producers.

In addition to being mindful of feeding high quality forages and supplemental grain to provide energy and keeping waterers flowing, we should also take a look at another pest of winter:  lice.

Lice are cold-loving pests that can spread when animals bunch together in response to frigid temperatures.

Reduce potential lice problems on cattle by keeping new animals separate from our herd until you have given them a thorough louse treatment, generally two applications of a contact insecticide.

Cold Stress & Newborn Calves

Source:
Michelle Arnold, DVM, DABVP (Food Animal)
Ruminant Extension Veterinarian
University of Kentucky

(Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications)

As the weather is predicted to be bitter cold over the next two days, producers should take extra care of newborn calves to ensure their survival.

A calf's body temperature often falls below normal due to a slow birth (dystocia) followed by delayed standing and nursing.  Returning the calf's core body temperature to normal (100 degrees F for newborn calves) is the immediate concern, then maintaining that core temperature is of secondary concern.

2013 CAIP to Begin in Carroll County

Applications will be available on Friday, December 6 for the 2013 Carroll County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) at the Carroll County Extension Office.

Applications must be picked up and returned to the Carroll County Extension Office between December 6 and December 20.  We cannot accept applications before or after those dates.  All applications must be into the Extension office by December 20 at 4:30 p.m.

A Farm Serial Number is required information for the application, and it is strongly recommended you contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at (502) 732-6931 to receive or confirm that number.  Only the FSA can provide your Farm Serial Number.

The CAIP is a cost-share program that originates from the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement and provides funding for the following agricultural categories:

Fall Composting

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

(Clemson Univeristy Extension)

As the fall season progresses, leaves and other yard waste can pile up.  Composting is a practice that is beneficial to the environment and allows property owners to get ride of yard wastes in an effective manner.

Finished compost can be used for a variety of tasks:  improve soil structure in gardens and landscape beds, help soil hold nutrients, reduce erosion and water runoff, reduce weed problems as mulch, moderate soil temperatures, and conserve soil moisture.  Composting yard and kitchen wastes also reduces the volume of material going into landfills.

Weeds free of seed heads and residues, like vines and pruned limbs, make a good addition to a compost pile.  It is not necessary to remove grass clippings from the lawn if you follow proper lawn management practices; however, if you decide to compost grass clippings mix them with other materials like leaves or brush.

C.R.A.N.E. Takes Flight

C.R.A.N.E. on the Kentucky River

Over the past several months, a couple of the area Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agents and I have been planning a new Extension program that focuses more on our local natural resources.

We call this program "Conserving Resources through Agricultural and Natural Exploration," or C.R.A.N.E.

C.R.A.N.E. was developed to bring awareness and consideration to our natural resources by thinking outside of the classroom and learning about those resources through exploring our surroundings.

Kentucky Forest Facts

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

(University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry)

Kentucky has an abundance of trees--about 12.4 million forested acres.

In Eastern Kentucky, forests are full of dense stands of hardwoods.  In Western Kentucky, you are more likely to see a riparian forest along a winding river.  In Central Kentucky, stately bur oaks often populate urban landscapes.

In Carroll County, we have over 27,000 forested acres--that is 30.4 percent of the total county.

Regardless of the species or climate, forests help all of us breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water, and enjoy forest wildlife.  In addition, we also are able to utilize products from them every day.

A Sure Sign of Summer: Lightning Bugs

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

Lightning Bug (R Bessin 2000, University of Kentucky)

Lightning bugs.  What adult doesn't have memories of chasing and catching these fascinating little insects?

When my brothers and I were little, we spent many hours chasing bug and bug, and placing them in a jar with holes punched in the lid.  Then, we would sit in a dark room and watch these glowing wonders.

Lightning bugs, also known as fireflies, do more than generate entertaining childhood memories--they also help control some pests in the garden.

Encountering Young Wildlife

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

Fawn (Alabama Cooperative Extension)

Watching wildlife is a really fun and exciting activity.  It can be very enjoyable to watch wildlife in their natural state in our surroundings.  This time of year can be especially exciting because the young wild animals can be seen.

If we are outside, we may come across young wild animals that appear to be abandoned or orphaned.  The big question is what should we do about it?

First and foremost, do not bring the animal in your home for care.  This may be the worst thing you can do for these young animals.

2013 Carroll County Fair

IT'S COUNTY FAIR TIME!

The 2013 Carroll County Fair begins tomorrow, June 7 at the Carroll County Fairgrounds in Carrollton.

Over 130 4-H exhibits have already been judged, and will be in the Fair Exhibit Building for viewing tomorrow.  Stop by the Exhibit Building to see what 4-H projects will be going to the Kentucky State Fair this year!

Open exhibits will be accepted tomorrow, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Exhibit Building near the entrance to the Carroll County Fairgrounds.

Livestock and animal shows will be excellent this year.  4-H and FFA volunteers had worked incredibly hard to make our 4-H Livestock Barn a place of beauty.  If you're coming to the fair, be sure to walk down to the barns to look at all the shows we have going on.  Here's a schedule:

Soil Compaction in the Garden

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

Gardening season is in full force with the threat of frost now behind us.  Before the garden went in, we had soil on our minds with testing the soil for fertilizer and lime needed.  However, now is also a good time to think about your soil.

I have talked about soil compaction in cropland, but soil compaction also creates an unfriendly growing environment for garden plants.  It is a serious problem for many home gardeners.  Thankfully, 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.

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.

Summer Pasture for Horses

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

(University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture)

With pastures greening up well across the county, it is time to start planning ahead with summer pasture needs for your horses.

Pasture provides a significant percentage of horses' nutrient needs.  Although horses have more grass than they can consume in the spring when moisture is adequate, the hot and dry conditions of summer greatly reduce available pasture.  Good management is the key to getting through this growth slump.

Weed Watch: Poison Hemlock

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

Poison hemlock, flowering (University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension)

Last week, we focused on yellow buttercup emerging in fields and pastures.  This week, let us take a closer look at another weed that we may be seeing on the farm--poison hemlock (Conium maculatum).

Although this plant is often seen along roadways, abandoned lots, fence rows, and other non-cropland sites, in more recent years, poison hemlock has expanded into grazed pasture lands and hay fields.  The concern not only stems from its invasive nature, but the fact that it is one of the most toxic plants in the world.

Poison hemlock is classified as a biennial that reproduces only by seed.  Flowers and new seed are typically produced in late May and June.

Weed Watch: Yellow Buttercup

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

Field of Yellow Buttercups (University of Kentucky)

One of the signs that spring has arrived is when yellow buttercups begin to appear, but it is during the winter months that the vegetative growth of buttercup actually takes place.

As a cool-season weed, this plant often flourishes in over-grazed pasture with poor stands of desirable forages.  In fact, many fields that have dense buttercup populations are fields heavily grazed by animals during the fall through the early spring months.

Buttercups are sometimes classified as short-lived perennials, but often grow as winter annuals.  Plants typically produce five, shiny yellow petals in the early spring.