Agriculture Natural Resources March 2018 Newsletter

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1 Agriculture Natural Resources March 2018 Newsletter Linda McClanahan, Mercer County Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources Cooperative Extension Service Mercer County 1007 Lexington Road Harrodsburg, KY (859) Fax: (859) mercer.ca.uky.edu

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3 Buttercups in Grazed Pastures One of the signs that spring has arrived is when the yellow flowers of buttercup begin to appear, but it s during the winter months that the vegetative growth of buttercup takes place. As a cool season weed, this plant often flourishes in over grazed pasture fields 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. There are four different species of buttercups that may be found in Kentucky: bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris), and small flower buttercup (Ranunculus arbortivus). Although each of these plants may have somewhat similar flower heads, each of these buttercup species differs somewhat in their vegetative leaf characteristics. New seed are produced during the time petals are showy. Waiting until after flowers appear can be too late to implement control tactics. This is one reason buttercups can survive year to year and new plants emerge each year. Most buttercup plants emerge from seed during the fall or late winter months. Therefore, pasture management practices that improve and promote growth of desirable plants during these months is one of the best methods to help compete against the emergence and growth of this plant. Whereas, livestock animals allowed to overgraze fields during the fall and winter months is one of the main factors that contribute to buttercup problems. Mowing fields or clipping plants close to the ground in the early spring before buttercup plants can produce flowers may help reduce the amount of new seed produced, but mowing alone will not totally eliminate seed production. For chemical control, herbicides registered for use on grass pastures that contain 2,4-D will effectively control buttercup. Depending on other weeds present products that contain dicamba+2,4-d (eg. Weedmaster), aminopyralid (eg. GrazonNext, Milestone), triclopyr (eg. PastureGard, Crossbow), or metsulfuron (eg. Cimarron) can also be used. However, legumes such as clovers interseeded with grass pastures can be severely injured or killed by these herbicide products. For optimum results apply a herbicide in the early spring (February March) before flowers are observed, when buttercup plants are still small and actively growing. For best herbicide activity wait until daytime air temperatures is greater than 50 F for two to three consecutive days. Consult the herbicide label for further information on grazing restrictions, precautions, or other possible limitations. For fields heavily infested with buttercup a variety of control tactics may be needed. Apply a herbicide to help reduce the population of buttercup plants in the spring plus use good pasture management techniques throughout the year to help improve and thicken the stand of desirable forages. ~ Dr. J.D. Green, Reprinted from Grazing News. Mercer County 4-H is looking for Reality Store Volunteers! Thursday, March 15 th, 8:15am 1:30pm King Middle School gymnasium 8 th grade students from KMS & Burgin 4 H REALITY STORE is an active, hands on, real-life simulation which gives young people the opportunity to explore career opportunities and make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis. Participants assume that they are 25 years old and have completed basic educational requirements for their specific occupation. They are independent with no financial support from family or others. Each student will also draw to find out if they have any dependents. After investigating potential careers, the participants receive a monthly salary for a chosen career and then proceed through the 4-H Reality Store activity, deducting taxes, determining a savings amount and spending their monthly salary on the necessary and luxury items that reflect the career and lifestyle they have chosen. Volunteer Role: To work in a booth. Guide sheets & materials will be available. In order to offer this program for the students, we need a minimum of 50+ volunteers. As you can see, your assistance is greatly needed and will be greatly appreciated.

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5 It s Grass Tetany Time Grass tetany is a disorder caused by an abnormally low amount of magnesium in the animal s blood. Beef cattle producers in Kentucky have generally been successful in reducing the incidence of tetany with daily high magnesium supplementation. However, the potential still exists in most herds for this disorder to be problematic. Grass tetany occurs most often in cows grazing lush spring forages-especially small grains and coolseason perennials, such as fescue. It is most common in spring-calving cows, especially if they are high producers in their third to fifth lactation. Several factors contribute to the increased incidence of tetany at this time. The magnesium requirements of cows doubles from late gestation to early lactation (from 9 grams to 21 to 22 grams). When this rapid change in magnesium needed by the cow is coupled with lowered magnesium in the plant, along with certain components that lower the availability of magnesium (such as high applications of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers), can develop. Weather can also have an effect; the greatest threat is when temperatures are between 40 F and 60 F. As a producer, you should be concerned with preventing tetany. About 2 ounces of magnesium oxide (22 grams of magnesium daily is recommended to meet the magnesium needs of lactating beef cows. Since legumes are higher in magnesium than grasses, feeding cows legume hay during the early spring may supply some magnesium. Cows grazing spring grass pasture should have magnesium in the mineral mixtures, in high-risk situations, it may be supplied in a supplement. Many commercial mixtures are available in various forms to prevent tetany. Before you make a purchase, determine if the product will give adequate magnesium intake. This depends on the magnesium content and the expected consumption of the product. Both should be listed on the tag. If it appears that magnesium intake will not be adequate, a product with more magnesium or greater intake should be used.

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7 Beef Quality & Care Assurance Tuesday, March 6 th 10:00am or 6:00pm It is becoming more and more important to consumers to know where their food is coming from, as well as how the animals they are consuming have been treated. By becoming Beef Quality and Care Assurance certified, you are taking the first step in this process. This class is free, comes with a farm gate sign, and covers certification if you receive cost-share funds in large animal investment area.

8 Mercer County Extension Office 1007 Lexington Road Harrodsburg, KY NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID HARRODSBURG, KY PERMIT #72 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED March 1 March 4 March 6 March 7 March 8 March 8 March March 20 March 20 March March 22 March 27 April 3 April 3 April 5 April 7 April 12 April 19 April 22 Area Forage Meeting, Boyle Co Extension Office, 6pm Fort Harrod Backcountry Horsemen Annual Meeting, 4pm Beef Quality Assurance Cattle Handling Training, 10:00am OR 6:00pm IPM Training, Hopkinsville Novel Tall Fescue Workshop, Lexington KY s Fort Harrod Beef Festival, 6pm National Ag Week National Ag Day Area Backgrounder Meeting, Boyle Co Extension Office, 6pm Beginner Sheep Shearing School Cattlemen s Educational Meeting, 6:30pm Mercer County Farm City Celebration, The Stable, Mercer County Fairgrounds, 6pm Hemp Meeting, Fayette County Extension Office Eweprofit III School, UK Sheep Unit Fort Harrod Backcountry Horseman Meeting, 7pm Bull Breeding Soundness Exam Day, 4 Kings Angus Farm Fort Harrod Beef Festival Board Meeting, 6:30pm Fort Harrod Goat Association Meeting, 6:30pm Earth Day