Vol. 140 No. 17

AGRICULTURE

Jeneen Wiche
Tips from the weekend gardener

Most of Kentuckiana experienced freezing temperatures for several nights earlier this month. This late spring freeze had a greater impact on plants because the early spring warm-up put things on the fast track. Most plants had already pushed new growth, foliage and bloom. The damage will be worse because the temperatures were so warm prior to the freeze; the bottom line is to be patient while watching for additional signs of stress throughout the growing season.
Dr. William Fountain, professor of Arboriculture at the University of Kentucky, stresses the importance of being patient. Many people will be inclined to fertilize plants showing stress but this is actually the worst thing you can do. Fertilization while a plant is under stress only increases the stress because you are forcing it to over-perform. Instead, let it rest like you would a sick child. Water will be essential if we experience periods of drought and monitor pest activity because pests can zero in on plants that are stressed.
Plants have several mechanisms for survival: there are secondary buds waiting to push as the weather warms again and that which was damaged beyond repair will eventually drop. For woody plants this means we need to wait to see what dies, likely the new tip growth that is limp and black now. Prune this away when it becomes apparent; and prune properly, which means that you may need to prune away a little more then what is actually dead. Make pruning cuts where twigs meet stems or stems meet branches.
Shrubs, like boxwood, can get a hair cut to clan up the dead new growth; while you are at it, also thin the plants to increase air circulation and light penetration.
You may see frost cracks on the limbs and trunks of some trees later in the season. Do not wrap, paint or cover; instead try to maintain plant health through watering and pest management. Some trees that are already at a disadvantage may not make it because of the added stress and the additional energy expended to push new growth; plants that are healthy overall should recover. Again, water is essential and do not fertilize.
We had 18 degrees back in the orchard one night which means that the fruit trees have been thinned by Mother Nature. According to the University of Kentucky Department of Horticulture, if temperatures drop below 25 degrees during full bloom we should expect about a 90 percent kill. The long term effects for this season, of course, will be a reduced harvest, but what this freeze damage also does is open plants up to other pest problems down the line, it is not clear cut, though. For example, frost cracks allow fire blight bacteria to enter plant tissue; on the other hand, if the tissue dies then so does the disease.
Other fruit crops that were in bloom or where showing bud formation will also suffer: if you see signs of damage on strawberries or blueberries expect a reduced crop but it will not be a total loss because these plants will push secondary growth and bloom for a later harvest. The loss of ornamental fruit will be disappointing to the homeowner but it will also have an impact on wildlife later in the season because of reduced food availability. You may want to feed the birds this year.
Herbaceous perennials that have turned to mush like your hostas and daylilies should be cut back to the ground. As long as the root system is healthy they will push new growth, so go ahead and clean up the damaged foliage before the new growth emerges.

Market Report

Owenton Livestock Exchange, April 11
Last week: 896; previous week: 1,380. Compared to the previous week: slaughter cows 2.00 to 4.00 higher. Slaughter bulls 2.00 to 3.00 higher. Feeder stears steady to 3.00 lower. Feeder heifers steady.
Slaughter cows:
Breakers: 75-80 percent lean, 900-1,780, 49.50-53.50; high-dress, 54.00-58.50, ind 61.00.
Boners: 80-85 percent lean; 890-1,560, 47.50-53.50; high-dress, 53.50-57.50, ind 59.50.
Lean: 85-90 percent lean; 815-1,130, 44.00-50.00; 715-890, 38.00-43.50.
Slaughter Bulls:
#1: 1,300-1,935, 78-81 carcass boning percent; 57.50-62.50; 1,210-1,585, 75-78 carcass boning percent; 56.50-59.50.
Feeder Steers:
Medium and Large #1-#2: 200-300, 125.00-128.00; 300-400, 117.00-129.00; 400-500, 117.00-134.00; 500-600, 110.00-122.00; 600-700, 102.50-112.50; 700-800, 102.00-107.00; 900-1,000, 94.50.
Large #1-#2: 300-400, 115.00-122.00; 400-500, 117.00-123.00; 500-600, 114.00; 600-700, 101.50.
Feeder Steers Small and Medium #1-#2: 300-400, 109.00-111.00; 400-500, 120.00.
Holstein Steers:
Large #3: 300-400, 106.00; 400-500, 89.50; 600-700, 80.50; 700-800, 66.50.
Feeder Heifers:
Medium and Large #1-#2: 200-300, 113.00-120.00; 300-400, 106.00-118.00; 400-500, 106.00-116.50; 500-600, 97.00-113.50; 600-700, 88.25-98.00; 700-800, 91.50; 800-900, 83.00.
Small and Medium #1-#2: 400-500, 96.00-109.00; 500-600, 94.00-97.00.
Large #3: 800-900, 64.00; groups, 20 head 841 lb. 64.00 Holsteins.
Feeder Bulls:
Medium and Large #1-#2: 300-400, 115.00-125.00; 400-500, 112.00-126.00; 500-600, 110.00-119.50; 600-700, 99.00-110.00; 700-800, 83.50-97.00.
Medium and Large #2: 500-600, 95.00-103.00.
Small and Medium #1-#2: 300-400, 106.00; 500-600, 101.00-104.00; 600-700, 90.00-99.00.
Stock Cows and Calves: Medium and Large #1-#2: 3-8 year old cows with 100-200 lb. calves, 650.00-800.00 per pair, ind 1,100.00 per pair.
Stock Cows: Medium and Large #1-#2: 3-8 year old cows, bred 3-7 months, 590.00-780.00 per head, few 850.00 per head.
Aged cows: 475.00-500.00 per head.