AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Gary Carter
County Extension Agent for Agriculture

Contact Gary Carter at gcarter@uky.edu

Phone: 859-234-5510
FAX:  859-234-6197    

SEPTEMBER 2008

            Many folks are trying to decide the affordability of applying nitrogen to grass fields this fall to stimulate grass growth.  This program is called stockpiling and allows producers a good feed supply for late fall and early winter.

            I have heard many producers along with myself say, if it doesn’t rain in September, October, etc…then I am just wasting my money.  An application of 30 to 50 lbs. of nitrogen can add to considerable growth if we receive some rainfall.  Every day that we don’t feed hay in the fall and winter can save us money.  

            With fuel prices elevated beyond belief this year, producers now realize the real cost of hay production.  I think everyone also knows you can’t sell hay for $10-$15 per roll and cover your costs.  Hay production is expensive and requires some talent to do a good job.  

            Now that I have rambled about hay production, the real reason for this is the animals can harvest the hay and/or feed cheaper than we can.  Good grazing principles, temporary fencing, and watering are ways to save money and make money.  If we can extend our grazing to late December or early January we can make our cattle portion of our farm more efficient and in turn make more money with our forage crops.

 8:00 a.m.         Registration

 10:00 a.m.       Welcome and Opening
                         Comments – Dr. Jimmy Henning
                         Dean and Associate Director, University of Kentucky,
                         Cooperative Extension Service
                         Marketing Overview and Long-Term Marketing Trends
                         Randy Blach – Sr. Analyst for Cattle-FAX

11:00 a.m.       Livestock Risk Protection Insurance - Kenny Burdine
                        Ag Economics Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

11:45 a.m.       Lunch

12:30               Feed Grain Outlook – Dr. Cory Walters, Ag Economics Extension
                        Specialist, University of Kentucky

1:15 p.m.         Control Cost:  Winter Feeding Strategies – Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler
                        Animal Sciences Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

2:00 p.m.         Marketing Strategies for 2009 – Randy Blach
                         Sr. Analyst for Cattle-FAX

3:00 p.m.         Adjourn

For more information and to pre-register, contact the Harrison County Extension Office at 234-5510.  A $10 fee will be collected upon registration the morning of the program.  Lunch and refreshments are included.

            The Harrison County Ag Development Committee (Phase I Committee) has approved 145 participants for the K.A.R.E. Program.  This means that producers who applied during the signup period, can proceed with their project and will receive $1000 based upon a 50% cost share.  We had six producers sign-up after the deadline and will be funded only if funds are not used by the first 145 applicants.

            This program was to assist farmers who suffered damage during the 2007 crop season.  First with a freeze and second with drought, nearly every farmer was affected.  There were several areas which producers could receive funding from, based on the application which was submitted.  If you have any questions about this program, I would suggest you come to the next Phase I meeting on Thursday, August 28 at the Harrison County Extension Office at 7:30 p.m.

            One final note about the K.A.R.E. program – funding is totally separate from all Phase I programs, therefore funding limits do not affect this program.  If you have reached your maximum allowable limit on a yearly or lifetime maximum on all Phase I programs, you can still participate.

            Harrison County has offered free Dead Animal Disposal for several years.  With the help of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Harrison County Fiscal Court , you have received this service.

            The cost of the pickup is $50 per bovine, $55 for swine, and $75 for equine.  There is no charge to the local producer.  There is no guarantee this program will continue.  Make sure to use this whenever you have a deceased animal.  If the need is not there, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture may not continue the program.

            The 2008 Rinse and Return Program in Harrison County will occur on the following dates.

             September 9 

                        8-9 a.m.           Southern States

                        9-10 a.m.         Miles Farm Supply

             For those who are unfamiliar with this program, this is a recycling program for our plastic chemical containers.  When you use chemicals on your crops and livestock, make sure to triple rinse the container and puncture holes in the container.  Store the containers and bring them to one of the stores on the above dates.

             This is an excellent way to do your part and not fill our landfills up with plastic containers.  The containers can be shredded and reused.  This program is offered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  Please take advantage of this program.  If you need additional details, call our office or Skip Kuster, who conducts programs for KDA.

             The Harrison County Phase I Committee is going to open the following programs for fall signups.  They are:

Hay and Grain Storage – This has been the most popular program offered in Harrison County.  We will be offering this program in the near future so watch announcements in our local newspaper or call our office for additional details.  $5,000.00 per producer per year – 50/50 cost share.

 Water Enhancement – This will allow farmers cost share funds to develop and improve water on their farms.  $2500 per producer per year – 50/50 cost share.

 Genetic Improvement – Program to allow farmers to purchase improved genetics for their farm.  $750 AI/Bull purchase – 50/50 cost share.

             We will notify you about these programs as the time approaches.

             We are about to conclude another season with the three no-til seeders in Harrison County.  I have seen several fields which were seeded with this equipment and I am happy with the results.

             We have had a few minor breakdowns related to the amount of use and a few problems created by improper use.  A couple of rules to follow when using this equipment:

 ·         DO NOT turn when machine is on the ground.

·         When using the new Haybuster, be very careful when changing directions when pulling the machine.  The seeder has a “crazy” wheel on the front and needs to be pulled slowly when changing direction.

 I am sure the second rule is not clear but be aware that care needs to be made when using this seeder. 

             The Beef Cattle Association is in the process of identifying barn bays so equipment will be returned and put away.  Give us a week or so and we will take care of this issue.

             We now have three sets of panels and two chutes with scales for fall cattle handling.  If you need either, call and schedule ahead of time.

Horsemen (and women!) mark your calendar for September 25, 7:00 p.m. and plan to meet at the Harrison County Extension Office to discuss the formation of the Central Kentucky Horse Club.  While the 4-H serves the youth, this club will cater to adults and families.

Harrison County is inviting horsemen from Bourbon, Nicholas, Scott and any other county to join us in forming this club.  We will discuss trail rides, camping, showing, nutrition, forage, tack, etc.  In addition, Bourbon and Harrison County Extension Offices will be hosting five sessions of “Horse College” this fall for interested participants.  The program is based on a similar format such as the “Master Cattlemen Course” and will cover numerous subjects related to equine.
 

This club is a non-specific breed club so if you own trotters or gaited, Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walkers, Paint, Pinto, Appaloosa, Belgian, etc. or just a good old mule, we invite you to join us for discussions on a subject that is near and dear to us—the horse!  All programs sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

           For more information, contact Paulette Klein, 859-235-8950; Cell:  859-588-3394 or call the Extension Office, 859-234-5510.

 We have several CPH sales scheduled for the fall of 2008.  We will have tags available for the Paris sale at our office.  Tags for the Lexington sales will need to be ordered from Bluegrass Stockyards.

Schedule sales will be as follows:

Paris – Non PVP Sales

            Nov. 21           Dec. 5             April 24

Lexington – PVP Sales

            Nov. 6             Jan. 15            Apr. 2

            Dec. 4             Feb. 5              June 25

            Dec. 11           Mar 5

             If additional sales are necessary, we will add as needed.

             There is a change for 2008-2009 sales.  The sales at Paris will be non-PVP; therefore the rules will change a little.  The cattle from Paris will not have age verification required as in the past.  The committee from Paris has decided to go with non-verified sales this fall.  Lexington sales will continue as PVP sales.

             We now have a Heifer Improvement sign up going on.  The final day of sign-up is Friday, August 22 at 4:30 p.m.  The application can be picked up at the Harrison County Extension Office and must be returned on to our office on August 22.

             The program allows you to buy two (2) bred heifers and receive up to $1000 of 50/50 cost-share money.  When you pick up the application, make sure to get a copy of the rules.

             An educational meeting is a requirement of this program and will be held Thursday, August 28, 7:30 p.m. at the Harrison County Extension Office.  Make an effort to attend this program if you are a participant or send a representative if you have a conflict.

            We have made a great effort in the quality of hay the past few years.  A large number of barns have been built to store hay and some tobacco barns have been retrofitted to store hay.

            Now, where do we go from here?  We have made an attempt to improve our hay.  We have high feed prices which makes our hay much more important and valuable.  How do we use our hay properly to insure good use of our hay and save on purchased feed?

            The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is still offering the Hay Testing Program.  They will come to your farm and sample your hay.  We also have equipment in our office to take your own sample.  This is important so we can determine the quality of hay on our farm.

            Hay testing is essential in developing a good ration for our livestock.  Call our office and sign up for your hay to be sampled.  If you and to sample earlier call 1-800-248-4628 and make arrangements with the hay testing folks in Frankfort.

             It’s time to take soil tests for next season.  It is very important you test your soil each year.  With the cost of fertilizer going up, a soil test can save you money on the farm.  Stop by the office and pick up your soil bags.  Generally we can get soil tests back in 10 days to 2 weeks.

             The Harrison County Extension Office will offer another Master Grazer Program in the fall this year.  The program will be 4-5 sessions and will be combined with Bourbon and Nicholas Counties.

             If you are interested in participating in this program, call our office as soon as possible.  We will need between 25-35 producers for this program.

             As you all know we started with an extremely wet year and then it dried up. Many of the crops have suffered during the dry weather because of the poor root system developed early.

             Tobacco is probably the crop effected most by the dry conditions, with poor root development. Several fields showed drought stress and secondary disease. Black Shank has showed its ugly head since plants are under stress from dry weather. We have also seen Target Spot on many of the varieties.

             Corn and Soybean crops are quiet variable. Corn will show some reduced yield and Soybeans are at the point that lack of rain may cause a major reduction in yield.

             Forages are the greatest change from last year. Hay production is adequate and Alfalfa production is continuing to give a good quality hay crop to sell and feed.

             I would caution folks that Alfalfa does need considerable amounts of fertilizer. Keep the Potassium levels up on established fields. Poor stands a lot of times are created by poor fertility. Temptation to reduce fertilizer is going to occur due to high fertilizer cost.

             Pastures have also shown a major turnaround from last year. Many pastures have remained fairly good. With the thinning of many pastures last year we do have some weed problems that are showing now. As time goes on we may need to thicken these pastures with new seeding and fertilization, but I am surprised how well pastures recovered following the 2007 drought.

         

             The Harrison County Extension Office is planning to construct a new kitchen addition to the back of our office. The addition will be approximately 1,500 sq. ft. which will include a certified kitchen, bathroom and meeting facilities.

             This will assist with educational programs for 4-H, FCS, Agriculture and will also be used to serve meals for larger meetings. This addition will allow for additional meeting space for small groups. We are planning to bid this project in the fall and construction will begin soon thereafter.

             Several other projects are planned including, the roof replacement and carpet in the office area. We feel it is important to maintain this facility for the future and the Harrison County District Board intends to continue to maintain the quality of this building.

            First, I would like to thank everyone for supporting the Harrison County Fair. The financial support and the volunteer hours are essential in maintaining a viable county fair. 10,000 plus citizens visited and participated at the fair. New activities were added trying to encourage participation.

             We have already begun to plan the 2009 Fair. Our county is very fortunate to have Christy Hall and Greg McCauley and their leadership at the fair. Without their work and dedication it would be impossible to have and conduct a fair. I am not going to try and name anyone else since I will probably leave someone out and upset good workers at the fair.

             Financially speaking, money is tight. We still need your support to keep the local fair viable for the future. Sponsorship for events, cleanup, and preparation for next years fair will be needed. Plan to help next year because we can sure use your help.

             The USDA Livestock Insurance Protection Program first became available in late 2007. It’s a program that can  help cow-calf and stocker operations manage risks related to calf prices – basically it compensates farmers if prices fall below a specified, insured level.

             In the past, livestock producers could use forward contracts available through order buyers or futures contracts available through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange; however, only the largest producers could generally use these routes. The new program allows virtually any operation, regardless of size, to establish a risk management program to help protect against falling feeder prices.

             Insurance payouts are based on the CME Feeder Cattle Index. Producers are insured at a certain dollar level they specify on this index. If the Feeder Cattle Index drops below the insured level at the contract expiration, producers will receive compensation.

             For example, if you were insuring a 700-pound steer at the $110 level and the index fell to $105/cwt, you would receive an insurance payment of $35 per steer.

             Producers may choose from multiple insurance levels; higher levels obviously will cost you more. Livestock producers really need to balance increased protection with the additional cost of premiums, and it’s important to understand that payments are based on the Feeder Cattle Index and not actual local prices. Generally, local prices are lower than this index.

             You may purchase this coverage through crop insurance agents. The minimum contract lengths are 13 months, and they are sold in four week increments. You may sell up to 30 days prior to the contract expiration and anytime after, but payments are based on the index at the expiration date. So, there is a fair amount of flexibility in terms of actual coverage length desired by the producer.

Sincerely,
Gary Carter
County Extension Agent
for Agriculture & Natural Resources       

Sincerely,

Gary Carter, County Extension Agent for Agriculture