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AGRICULTURE
Phase
I genetics program applications available
Kim
Strohmeier
County Agriculture Extension Agent
Applications
are now available for the Phase I Genetics program, or
bull program, as many refer to it. Farmers can pick them up at
the extension office. The deadline to turn them in is March 1.
There are some substantial changes in the program this year that
you need to be aware of.
First, some state-mandated requirements will not allow the program
to be retroactive this next year. That means that you can’t
buy a bull early, and expect to be reimbursed for it after the
fact.
In the past, there have been 3 different categories: heifer acceptable,
terminal and balanced trait bulls. This year there are additional
categories offered. However, the biggest change is that you will
have to pre-select what type bull you need during the application
process, and cost-share will only be available for bulls that
fit within the guidelines of that category.
Trainings have been offered over the years on how to use EPDs
for selecting bulls, but it can be rather confusing, and a number
of farmers just let the breeder who supplied bulls decide on a
bull for them. This can get you into trouble this year.
The reason for the changes is the perception that many farmers
across the state have begun looking at the program as just a subsidy
to help them buy bulls, with no thought as to what kind of bull
would be best for their herd. This change is an attempt to have
a farmer who gets cost-share money focus of what type of bull
they need before they buy the bull, and not just try to fit the
bull they buy into existing guidelines.
Two training meetings will be held at the end of this month (5
and 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the extension office) to help a cattleman
understand the concept of EPDs, and to explain the changes in
the program. All who want cost-share must either attend one of
the trainings, or sign a waiver stating that they fully understand
the new EPD requirements.
This year, the state is requiring all applicants to include a
Premise ID number on their cost-share application. Forms for this
are also available at the extension office.
Improving Beef Cattle Herds
One of the best ways to boost beef cattle profits is to use genetics
to improve the efficiency of your herd. Prioritize traits to meet
the goals of your operation. This will provide as many pounds
of beef as possible off every available acre at a minimal cost.
Herd efficiency does not always equate with a maximum rate of
gain. For example, you might be able to get more pounds per acre
by putting 20 medium-sized cows on a pasture that only would support
15 big cows. Additionally, the smaller cows might improve your
profits under drought conditions because they would require fewer
resources to remain reproductively fertile than the larger animals.
The breeding system should match the right bull to a set of cows
to maximize the production level. When choosing sires, or making
any management decision, always rank each trait on its economic
importance to the operation. It is important to focus on those
factors for which you are getting paid. For example, if you sell
all progeny, choose a bull with the genetic traits to maximize
production. However, if you produce replacement heifers, select
a bull with moderate growth and frame size, and maternal characteristics
that match your nutritional resources.
It is desirable to use the following criteria to select all sires.
They should be reproductively and structurally sound, pass a visual
appraisal of such traits as body capacity and muscling, and have
performance traits measurable by expected progeny differences
(EPDs) whenever possible. EPDs and their use will be discussed
in detail at the two training meetings held later this month,
in conjunction with the Phase I Genetics program.
In addition to genetics, you can improve the profitability of
a beef cattle operation by developing a good health program, controlling
feed costs, harvesting forages at the right maturity to maximize
quality, and using growth implants in non-replacement calves.
Soil Management Workshop Offered
A three-evening workshop has been scheduled to help you better
manage the soil fertility and productivity on your farm. It will
be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday nights, Feb. 27, March 6 and 13,
at the Owen County Extension Office.
For most farmers, fertilizer is the largest non-land crop production
expense you have. Soil fertility is one of the most important
yield determinants and can have direct economic and environmental
impact. This workshop is designed to review the basics, plus learn
the latest research on soil fertility management.
We plan to provide soil maps and free soil tests for farmers who
attend, as well as some deep discounts for good soil samplers.
Cost is provided through local Phase I funds. Pre-registration
is required from the extension office, and the cost is $20 per
farm.
Pasture Weed Control Meeting Scheduled
A program to discuss ways to control persistent and problem weeds
in Owen County has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the
extension office. Anyone interested is invited to attend.
Tobacco Production Update Meeting Scheduled
Tobacco growers will have the opportunity to catch the latest
information regarding tobacco management and production problems,
and how they apply to us locally. It will be held at 7:30 p.m.
March 12 at the extension office. All tobacco growers are invited
to attend.
More
to Valentine’s Day than flowers
Tips
from the Weekend Gardener
Jeneen
Wiche
I suspect most of you
have no idea about the person and the saintly episode that is
commemorated each February 14th by friends, family and most importantly,
lovers. In fact, there are several versions of how the most romantic
saint became a commercial success.
One story about St. Valentine has its origins in third century
Rome where the Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young
single men because he valued them more as young warriors. A priest
by the name of Valentine defied the law and continued to secretly
marry the young soldiers who were in love. When Emperor Claudius
II found out, of course, he ordered Valentine’s death. The
Catholic Church martyred him for his commitment to love and marriage
and now we commemorate him every February 14th by expressing our
love for someone else.
With Valentine’s Day upon us, millions of flowers have been
purchased and are being enjoyed by sweethearts across the country.
About 65 percent of those flowers were imported from South America
(Columbia and Ecuador) to keep up with the demand; the other 26
percent came from California. It is big business. The No. 1 flower
given on Valentine’s Day is the rose; in 2006 nearly 189
million stems were sold for that one day. Sixty-four percent were
red roses, because they symbolize love, respect and courage; then
yellow for friendship (some sources say jealousy); white suggests
innocence and secrecy (two things typically not associated with
each other); and coral (or orange) for desire. So choose accordingly.
The price of roses this time of year seems to be inflated, but
really there are legitimate reasons for the hefty price; after
all, what is the price of love? Really, factors that affect the
price of roses include the obvious: the demand is so high for
the flower on this one day that growers have to work very hard
to meet the need. The energy costs for greenhouse growers during
the shorter and colder days of winter and the fact that growers
and retailers work longer hours and staff additional people doesn’t
help to keep costs down, either.
To get the most out of your loved one’s investment in roses
or spring bouquets take some simple steps to keep your flowers
fresh for a longer period of time. If you received flowers that
were not already in water you want to recut the stems underwater.
Just fill the kitchen sink with a couple of inches of warm water,
submerge the ends of the stems and recut the ends with a sharp
knife, at an angle. Remove any leaves that would fall below the
water line before you transfer them to a vase filled with fresh,
warm water.
Water is the key ingredient for keeping flowers fresh longer.
Stems that don’t get a fresh cut every couple of days get
clogged with bacteria that get drawn into the flower stem as it
takes up water. Recutting the stems allows the flower to continue
to take up water. Each time you recut, it is also a good idea
to refresh the water.
Refreshing the water in the vase every couple of days is sufficient
but floral additives can help the flowers last a little longer,
too. If you don’t have a floral additive you can add any
one of these concoctions: 2 tablespoons of grapefruit juice and
a teaspoon of sugar; a can of Sprite or 7-Up; or a dash of bleach
or hydrogen peroxide (all to about a liter of water). If you add
anything that has sugar in it you must add fresh water every two
or three days because bacteria will grow at a faster rate in that
environment. Keep your arrangement out of direct sunlight and
away from sources of heat. This is where keeping a cool house
works to your advantage.
You can preserve your roses for sentimental value by drying them.
Ideally, remove the roses from the water once they have opened
a little more then half way. Bind them together and hang them
upside down in a cool dry place. When the flower buds are firm
and dry, spray them with aerosol hair spray or a product especially
labeled for floral preservation. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Market
Report
Owenton
Livestock Exchange, Feb. 7
This week: 586; last week: 1,363. Compared to last Wednesday:
on weather-reduced supplies, not enough of any class to test trends.
Slaughter cows:
Breakers: 75-80 percent lean, 1,105-1,290, 43.50-48.00.
Lean: 85-90 percent lean; 850-1,000, 33.00-36.50.
Slaughter Bulls: No test.
Feeder Steers:
Medium and Large #1-#2: 700-800, 91.00-93.00.
Feeder Heifers:
Medium and Large #1-#2: 300-400, 96.00; 600-700, 74.50.
Medium and Large #2: 400-500, 86.00-93.00; 500-600, 65.00.
Small and Medium #1-#2: 300-400, 80.50.
Feeder Bulls:
Medium and Large #1-#2: 200-300, 110.00; 400-500, 98.00; 500-600,
94.00-95.00; 700-800, 80.50; 800-900, 78.00.
Small and Medium #1-#2: 200-300, 127.00.
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