Coopera ve Extension Service

   

AG NEWS—June 2014

Demo Farm Fertility Trial

If you recall, a little over a year ago the Meade County Extension Beef Improvement Com-mittee started a demonstration farm. John Flaherty’s farm was chosen from a pool of appli-cations. It’s a perfect farm for this four year program because of it’s size, location, as well as the current management practices in place.

After evaluating his pastures and hayfields, we decided to conduct a hayfield fertility trial. Both fields for this trial have less than desirable grass stands due to drought, lack in fertility, and little renovation over the past few years. Grass in fertilized and non-fertilized strips were clipped and weighed, and sent off for forage quality. The results are shown below. On aver-age, fertilized strips yielded 4.5 times more grass. The forage analysis of the fertilized grass showed a much better quality hay for cattle as well.

Keep in mind this is one small test. However, I suspect in the coming years as we continue this trial we will see these same results or even bigger differences.

Sample No.

(20 sq.  .) 

Weight (grams) 

1  315 (Fer lized) 

2  55 (Non‐fer lized) 

3  310 (Fer lized) 

4  40 (Non‐fer lized) 

5  365 (Fer lized) 

6  115 (Non‐fer lized) 

DEAD TREE FIELD

Equals 

lbs./acre 

1511 

264 

1487 

192 

1751 

552 

Sample No.

( 20 sq.  .) 

Weight (grams) 

A  440 (Fer lized) 

B  105 (Non‐fer lized) 

C  355 (Fer lized) 

D  85 (Non‐fer lized) 

DRIVEWAY FIELD

Equals 

lbs./acre 

2111 

504 

1703 

408 

Applied 80‐40‐50 according to soil sample on March 19.

Five, 4 sq. . cu ngs per sample = 20 sq. ./Sample No.

Demo Farm, John Flaherty’s Cut on May 8, 2014

Meade County Extension Service  

1041 Old Ekron Road,   

Brandenburg, KY 40108 

270‐422‐4958 

270‐422‐3773  Fax 

www.ca.uky.edu/meade 

Meade County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources 

Sincerely, Andy Mills 

Sigmund Freud once said “Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts.” But, I cannot help but to wonder if Sigmund Freud would say the same thing about a plant that is considered a weed, but has flowers. Take a simple drive down the road and it is almost certain that you will see a plant growing that has clusters of white flowers on its stems, it is almost guaranteed that you are looking at Poison Hemlock and though it may be restful to look at, this plant is very dangerous. Poison Hemlock was introduced to the United States in the 1800s as an ornamental plant from Europe where it is native. This plant is easily found along roadsides, banks of streams, ditches, and even in fields where the ground is moist and fertile.

Poison Hemlock is a biennial, meaning that it takes two years to complete its biological lifecycle. In the first year of its life, the plant consists of dark glossy green leaves. This plant can resemble wild carrots, although poison hemlock lacks hairs on its leaves and stems. The leaves of this plant can resemble those of parsley and is easily distin-guishable by its taproot system. During its second year of growth, the plants develop an erect stem that bears alter-nately arranged leaves. The stem is hollow and is marked by purple spots. The plant blooms from spring until summer and will have small white flowers clustered at the end of the stalks. This plant will typically die once it has set seeds which occur once the plant has flowered. Poison Hemlock is an herbaceous plant that reproduces by seeds that fall off the plant at maturity. Because the seeds drop off their mature plant, poison hemlock results in a clumped distribution pattern. That is why when looking at these plants, there is generally more than one in the area. The seeds are not developed well for long range dispersal so the plant relies on seed spread to be done so by water, birds, and rodents. These seeds can drop beginning in July and ending in late February. Depend-ing on the moisture and climate, most nondormant seeds

can germinate almost immediately. The seeds that do not germinate will remain dormant. These dormant seeds require high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures before they can germinate, but seeds are viable for up to two or three years. Once the seeds have broken through dormancy, they will begin to germinate. Like other weed species, Poison Hemlock does not require light to germinate. The seeds that do not germinate will remain dormant. These dormant seeds require high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures before they can germinate, but seeds are viable for up to two or three years. Once the seeds have broken through dormancy, they will begin to germinate. Like other weed species, Poison Hem-lock does not require light to germinate.

Poison Hemlock is toxic to humans and livestock, but grazing livestock are more likely to be poisoned. The plant is most toxic when it starts to emerge; this is when concentrations of the most potent alkaloids are at their high-est levels. If Poison Hemlock is present in a pasture, ani-mals that are grazing on a limited amount of grass are most susceptible to being poisoned in early spring; this is when new leaves are first present. The root is nearly harmless in the spring, but as the plant matures, all parts including the roots, stem, leaves, seeds, and flowers become poisonous. The whole plant is toxic at dosages of approximately 1% (plant weight) of body weight.

Species that are susceptible to being poisoned by this plant are cattle, pigs, goats, horses, and sheep. These animals are most easily exposed to this plant. Infected animals can show clinical signs as early as 30 minutes to two hours after consumption; the signs to look for include loss of appetite, excessive saliva, bloating, muscle tremors, frequent defecation and urination, and a lack of coordina-tion. Pregnant animals that consume Poison Hemlock can give birth to offspring which could be born with crooked legs, cleft palate, spinal abnormalities and kinked tails. Poison Hemlock, if consumed at a high enough dosage, can be fatal to livestock which is caused by respiratory pa-ralysis where the animal would cease breathing. The lethal does for cattle ranges between 0.2 and 0.5 percent (fresh plant weight) of the animals weight. So for example, if a producer had a 1200 pound cow, that cow would have to consume between two to six pounds of Poison Hemlock to hit the lethal dosage.

The Truth Behind the White Clusters Writtenby:CallieHobbs,UniversityofKentuckyIntern(2013)Reviewedby:AndyMills,CEAforAgriculture&NaturalResources

“Take a simple drive down the road and it is almost certain that you will see a plant growing that has clusters of white flowers on its stems, it is almost guar-anteed that you are looking at Poison Hemlock”

In the first year of its life, the plant consists of dark glossy green leaves.

The Truth Behind the White Clusters Continued….

While most animals will not eat Poison Hemlock because of its

unpalatable taste, if no other forage is available for the ani-mals, they will more than like-

ly consume it. This is why rou-tine checks of animals feed and

surroundings are important and vital for their life. Hay can be at risk for contamination. If Poison Hemlock is present in a hay field and it gets cut down, the toxicity of the dry plant does decrease, but if an animal was to consume too much of the contaminated hay it could still result in death. The best option when having hay in a field is to mow around the contaminated area, separate it from the other forages, or to eradicate the plant before mowing. Extreme caution should be taken into consideration when handling hay that has been exposed to Poison Hemlock.

As a producer it is best to periodically inspect areas for new plants and removing them once discovered by hand pulling, hoeing, or spot application. If eradicating the weed, it is best to wear gloves to avoid contact with the toxic sap that is present. If contact with this sap occurs, hands or the exposed body part will need to be washed with warm water and soap. Plowing or repeated cultiva-tion of newly germinated plants can prevent the establish-ment of Poison Hemlock, but in areas where this is not practical, repeated mowing of the plants, once they have bolted but before they have flowered, will help to reduce the seed population.

If using herbicides to control this plant, it is best to use them in the early spring when the plants are smaller and in its early growing stage. A variety of herbicides can be used; the most common ones include 2 4-D, glyphosate, dicamba, or tryclopyr. Before using any chemicals, it is best to read all labels, wear the right personal protective equip-ment, consider the plants surroundings, and if there are any questions to contact the Meade County Cooperative Extension Service.

Although Poison Hemlock may look pretty from your car, it can be a very dangerous plant. Even after the plant has been pulled, it still contains toxins that can be poisonous. It is best to keep animals and small children away from this plant to reduce the risk of poisoning.

For more information on Poison Hemlock please contact the Meade County Cooperative Extension Service or visit http://www.ca.uky.edu/news/?c=n&d=817

 

Cow Disposition Affects Pregnancy

Now we have another good excuse to cull cows due to bad temperament. Producers that routinely breed cows artificially realize that cows that are un-ruly and nervous are less likely to conceive to artifi-cial insemination. Presumably the lowered con-ception rates were because they have been stressed as they are passed through the working facilities and restrained while being synchronized and inseminated. Now it seems that, even in the serenity of a natural breeding pasture, cows with bad dispositions are less likely to conceive when mated with bulls.

University of Florida animal scientists recorded dispo-sition scores over two years on 160 Braford and 235 Brahman x British crossbred cows. They wanted to evaluate the effects of cow temperament and energy status on the probability to become pregnant during a 90-day natural breeding season. Cows were scored as 1= calm, no movement to 5= violent and continu-ous struggling while in the working chute. Also a pen score assessment was assigned as 1= unalarmed and unexcited to 5 = very excited and aggressive to-ward technician. An exit velocity speed score was measured as the cows exited the working chute as 1= slowest and 5 = fastest. An overall temperament in-dex score was calculated by averaging the chute score, pen score and exit velocity score. Blood sam-ples were analyzed for cortisol concentrations. Corti-sol is a hormone released when mammals are stressed or excited. Increased cow temperament score and elevated plasma cortisol concentrations both were associated with decreased probability of pregnancy. These results suggest that excitable temperament and the consequent elevated cortisol concentrations are detrimental to reproductive func-tion of cows. These authors concluded that manage-ment strategies that improve cow disposition, en-hance their immune status, and maintain the cow herd at adequate levels of nutrition are required for optimal reproductive performance.

Source: Drovers Cattlenetwork (online at

www.cattlenetwork.com-newletters; May 5 2014)

HAY HARVEST STAGE IMPACTS QUALITY……....Forage News

For more forage information, visit our UK Forage Extension Website at: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage

 

Table 2. Effect of Stage of Harvest of Fescue Hay on Quality and Animal Gain.* 

Stage of Harvest Dry Matter Intake lb./day

Percent Digestibility

Percent Protein

lb. of Hay Fed per lb. Gain

lb. of Hay per Acre 1st Cutting

lb. of Gain per Day

Late boot to head, cut May 3     

13.0 

    

68 

    

13.8 

    

10.1 

    

1334 

    

1.39 

Early bloom stage, May 14 

    

11.7 

    

66 

    

10.2 

    

13.5 

    

1838 

    

.97 

Early milk stage— seed forming, May 25 

    

8.6 

    

56 

    

7.6 

    

22.5 

    

2823 

    

.42 

Stage of maturity when harvested – Of all the factors affecting hay quality, stage of maturity when harvested is the most important and the one in which greatest progress can be made. As legumes and grasses advance from the vegetative to reproductive (seed) stage, they become higher in fiber and lignin content and lower in protein content, digestibility, and acceptability to livestock. The optimum stages of maturity to harvest for high quality and long stand life of many hay crops are listed in Table 1. Making the first hay cut early permits aftermath growth to begin at a time when temperature and soil moisture are favorable for plant growth and generally increases total yield per acre. The effects of stage of harvest on fescue hay quality and animal performance are shown in Table 2.

(SOURCE: University of Kentucky. AGR-62)

Table 1. Recommended Stages to Harvest Various Forage Crops. 

Plant Species  Time of Harvest 

Alfalfa Late bud to first flower for first cutting, first flower to 1/10 bloom for sec-ond and later cuttings. 

Bluegrass, Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, or Timothy 

Boot1 to early head stage for first cut, aftermath cuts at 4- to 6-week intervals. 

Red Clover or Crimson Clover  First flower to 1/10 bloom. 

Oats, Barley, or Wheat  Boot to early head stage. 

Rye and Triticale  Boot stage or before. 

Soybeans  Mid- to full-bloom and before bottom leaves begin to fall. 

Annual Lespedeza  Early bloom and before bottom leaves begin to fall. 

Ladino Clover or White Clover  Cut at correct stage for companion plant. 

Sudangrass, Sorghum Hybrids, Pearl Millet, and Johnsongrass  40-inch height or early boot stage, whichever comes first. 

Bermudagrass  Cut when height is 15 to 18 inches. 

Caucasian Bluestem  Boot to early head stage. 

Big Bluestem, Indiangrass, and Switchgrass  Early head stage. 1 Boot is stage of growth of a grass just prior to seedhead emergence. This stage can be identified by the presence of an enlarged or swollen area near the top of the main stem. 

TickRemovalThe method for removing a  ck from a pet is the same as removing one from a person: 

1.  Use fine‐ pped tweezers to grasp the  ck as close to the skin surface as possible. 

 

2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the  ck; this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth‐parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.  

3. A er removing the  ck, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. 

Spoton(Dogsonly)The ac ve ingredients in “spot on” applica ons are usually applied between the shoulders; they spread over the coat in skin oils. It may take several days for the product to move enough to provide complete body coverage. 

Product Name  Ac ve Ingredients Length of Protec on 

Preven c Tick Collar  amitraz  up to 3 months 

Scalibor Protector Band  deltamethrin 6 months (Available through veterinarians 

only) 

Sentry Pro Flea & Tick Collar  propoxur, phenonthrin +  6 months 

Pets, especially dogs, can easily pick up dozens of  cks as they wander in overgrown areas. Lone star  cks and American dog  cks are most common and can be ac ve from spring into early fall. In addi on to irrita on and poten al health threat to pets, these companion animals bring  cks into yards and living spaces. Consequently, protec ng pets from  cks also provides benefits for owners. 

 

Figure 1. Dozens of lone star  cks a ached to a small area on the belly of this pup. Ticks also were abundant in the ears and between the toes. 

ProtectingPetsfromTicks

ManagementA preven on product is a good investment for pets with frequent exposure to cks. Some examples are listed below by applica on method. Many also control 

fleas and some are effec ve against mites and internal parasites. All are listed by brand name along with the common names of the ac ve ingredients and length of protec on according to the label. An insect growth regulator (IGR) is o en in‐cluded for enhanced flea control. In some cases, the same formula on may be used on both dogs and cats, but several have specific dog or cat products. Pyre‐throid insec cides, such as permethrin, are toxic to cats and are present in “dog only” products. Products containing permethrin must not be used in households with cats and dogs to prevent the chance of harm to cats. 

Collars(Dogsonly)Ac ve ingredients in insec cidal collars are spread over the coat in skin oils. It may take several days for the product to move enough to provide complete body coverage. 

Product Name  Ac ve Ingredients Length of Protec on 

Adams Flea & Tick Spot on  etofenprox + synergist + methoprene (IGR)   1 month 

Bio Spot Defense Flea & Tick  etofenprox + synergist + methoprene (IGR)   1 month 

Cer fect  fipronil, methoprene, amitraz  1 month 

Frontline Plus, PetArmor, Fiproguard  fipronil 1 month (Dogs, cats, puppies, ki ens, but products vary – see label) 

K9 Advan x  imidacloprid + permethrin  1 month (Available through veterinarians only) 

K9 Advan x II  imidacloprid + permethrin + pyrioxyfen (IGR)  1 month 

Sentry Pro Squeeze‐On Flea & Tick  permethrin +  pyripoxyfen (IGR)  9 weeks 

Product Name Ac ve Ingredients Length of Protec on

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo pyrethrins + synergist + pyriproxyfen (IGR) 

7 to 14 days 

Sentry Flea & Tick Shampoo  permethrin + synergist   10 days 

Shampoo/Wash(Dogsonly)

County Agricultural Investment Program

In the late 1990’s lawsuits levied against tobacco companies formed a Master Se lement Plan that  supplied   several states with millions of dollars.  In Kentucky, 50% of that money went towards improving agriculture.  A large por on of that money was divided among coun es based on the individual coun es tobacco quota.  Since 2001, Meade County has been receiving between $64,000 and $84,000 annually depending on a formula devel‐oped during the lawsuit process.  Most of Meade County’s money has been funding the County Agricultural     Investment Program, CAIP, which has been administered by the Meade County Ca lemen’s Associa on.  As long as there are enough tobacco product sales across the United States, the money will keep coming to the states.   

However, due to some non‐compliance by some states of the Master Se lement Plan, from what I’ve been told,    tobacco companies will not have to pay as much over the next few years.  Unfortunately, Kentucky is one of the states that is non‐compliant.  This means this year Kentucky’s por on of this money is  dras cally reduced.  This means Meade County’s por on will also be severely cut.  Therefore, the small amount of money allo ed for the CAIP for 2014 will be banked and added to the 2015 total.  Hopefully, there will be a big enough payment next year to where the 2014 and 2015 allotments together will be enough to administer a CAIP in 2015.  

At this point, any receipts prior to the start of 2015 program will probably not be eligible for any kind of reim‐bursement.  This is unfortunate for those farmers and landowners aware of the CAIP that are prac cing suggest‐ed farm improvements and whom thought they may have a chance to recuperate some of their expenses.    

As usual, it is the “li le man”  that suffers the most from these incidents.