9TH ANNUAL CENTEX BEEF SYMPOSIUM SWINGING B RANCH Kirkland Hill Rd., Axtell, TX, Friday, September 28, 2017

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1 Johnson County Office 1 N. Main St., Suite 309 Cleburne, TX Phone: Website: johnson@ag.tamu.edu September-October Sept. Oct In this issue read: Fall Army Worms 2 Wheat Variety Trials 3 Tri-County Hay Show 4 Beef Management Calendar 5 Fruit & Nut Spray Schedule 6-7 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offer s you practical, how-to education based on university research. Reference to commercial products or trade names or made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension is implied. For more information on any of the articles or activities listed in this newsletter, please contact the Johnson County Office at Justin Hale County Extension Agent Ag. & Natural Resources Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating. CEU s WILL BE OFFERED 8:30 AM Registration Registration Fee: $25 9TH ANNUAL CENTEX BEEF SYMPOSIUM SWINGING B RANCH Kirkland Hill Rd., Axtell, TX, Friday, September 28, 2017 PROGRAM TOPICS INCLUDE: Embryo Transfer (A live ET/Flush will be performed) INCLUDES RANCH Dr. Dan Miller & Dr. Todd Whitesell TOUR & RIBEYE Bene its of a Bull Gain Test STEAK DINNER Managing Warm Season Forages to Meet Your Goals Bene its of Technology in Beef Cattle Beefmaster Breeders Update SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Bull Selection & Management *Dr. Jason Cleere Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Managing a Recip. *Bill Pendergrass Beefmaster Breeders United Donor Cow Herd *Hugh Aljoe Noble Foundation, Sexing Technologies RSVP is required for meal planning by September 21, 2017 For more information or to register, contact (817)

2 Page 2 With the above normal conditions we have seen this past summer, fall army worm infestations will begin to occur, if they haven t already. We will expect to have these guys around until we get our first good frost. Larvae of fall armyworms are green, brown or black with white to yellowish lines running from head to tail. A distinct white line between the eyes forms an inverted Y pattern on the face. Four black spots aligned in a square on the top of the segment near the back end of the caterpillar are also characteristic of fall armyworm. Armyworms are very small (1/8 inch) at first, cause little plant damage and as a result infestations often go unnoticed. Larvae feed for 2-3 weeks and full grown larvae are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Given their immense appetite, great numbers, and marching ability, fall armyworms can damage entire fields or pastures in a few days Fall armyworm outbreaks in pastures and hay fields often occur following a rain which apparently creates favorable conditions for eggs and small larvae to survive in large numbers. Hay fields with a dense canopy and vigorous plant growth are often more susceptible to armyworm infestations than less intensely fertilized and managed fields. Irrigated fields are also susceptible to fall armyworm infestations, especially during drought conditions. Also monitor volunteer wheat and weedy grasses in ditches and around fields which may be a source of armyworms that can move into the adjacent crop. Look for fall armyworm larvae feeding in the crop canopy during the late evening and early morning and during cool, cloudy weather. During hot days, look for armyworms low in the canopy or even on the soil surface where they hide under loose soil and fallen leaves. A sweep net is very effective for sampling hay fields for fall armyworms. When fields are wet with dew, armyworms can stick on rubber boots worn while walking through the field. Small larvae chew the green layer from the leaves and leave a clearing or window pane effect and later notch the edges of leaves. The key to managing fall armyworms is frequent inspection of fields to detect fall armyworm infestations before they have caused economic damage. Once larvae are greater than ¾ inch long, the quantity of foliage they eat increases dramatically. During their final 2-3 days of feeding, armyworms consume 80% of the total foliage consumed during their entire development. The density of armyworms sufficient to justify insecticide treatment depends on the stage of crop growth and value of the crop. Seedling plants can tolerate fewer armyworms than established plants. Infestations of more than 2-3 armyworms (1/2 inch or longer) per square foot may justify an insecticide application. If practical, apply insecticides early in the morning or late in the evening when armyworm larvae are most active and therefor most likely to come into contact with the insecticide spray. If the field is near harvest, an early harvest, rather than an insecticide treatment, is an option. Parasitic wasps and flies, ground beetles, and insect viruses help suppress armyworm numbers. However, these natural enemies can be overwhelmed when large numbers of migrating moths move into an area and weather conditions favor high survival of eggs and larvae. Insecticides Labeled for Armyworm Control in Pastures and Hayfields Always read and follow all label instructions on pesticide use and restrictions. Information below is provided for educational purposes only. Read current label before use. Karate Z. 13.1% lambda cyhalothrin. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Pasture and rangeland grass, grass grown for hay and silage and grass grown for seed. Pasture and rangeland grass may be used for used for grazing or cut for forage 0 days after application. Do not cut grass to be dried and harvested for hay until 7 days after the last application. Restricted use insecticide. Lambda-Cy. 11.4% lambda cyhalothrin. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Pasture and rangeland grass, grass grown for hay and silage and grass grown for seed. Pasture and rangeland grass may be used for used for grazing or cut for forage 0 days after application. Do not cut grass to be dried and harvested for hay until 7 days after the last application. Restricted use insecticide. Mustang Max. 9.6% zeta-cypermethrin. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Applications may be made up to 0 days for forage and hay, 7 days for straw and seed screenings. Restricted use insecticide. Tombstone Helios. 25% cyfluthrin. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Pasture, rangeland, grass grown for hay and seed. Zero days to grazing or harvesting hay. Restricted use insecticide. Warrior II. 22.8% lambda cyhalothrin. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Pasture and rangeland grass, grass grown for hay and silage and grass grown for seed. Pasture and rangeland grass may be used for used for grazing or cut for forage 0 days after application. Do not cut grass to be dried and harvested for hay until 7 days after the last application. Restricted use insecticide. Baythroid XL % cyfluthrin. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Pasture, rangeland, grass grown for hay and seed. Zero days to grazing or harvesting hay. Restricted use insecticide.

3 Page 3 Insecticides Labeled for Armyworm Control in Pastures and Hayfields...Continued Dimilin 2L. 22% diflubenzuron. Fall armyworm and immature grasshoppers. Dimilin must be applied before armyworm larvae reach ½ inch or larger. Provides residual control for up to 2-3 weeks, as long as forage is not removed from the field. Label does not list a restriction on grazing. Prevathon. 5% chlorantraniliprole. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Prevathon has a 0 day waiting period for harvest or grazing and is not a restricted use insecticide. Besiege. 9.26% chlorantraniliprole and 4.63% lambda cyhalothrin. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Pasture and rangeland grass may be used for grazing or cut for forage 0 days after application. Do not cut grass to be dried and harvested for hay until 7 days after the last application. Restricted use insecticide. Sevin 4F, Sevin XLR, Sevin 80S, Generic Carbaryl. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. When spplied to pastures, there is a 14 day waiting period before grazing or harvesting. Malathion 57% and Malathion ULV. Fall armyworm and grasshoppers. Zero days to harvest or grazing. Intrepid 2F. Fall armyworm (not grasshoppers). Begin applications when first signs of armyworm feedings appear. Use higher rates for heavier infestations. Do not harvest hay within 7 days of application. No pre-harvest interval for forage. 0 days to grazing. Tracer. Treat when armyworm eggs hatch or when larvae are small. Use higher rates for larger larvae. Do not graze until spray is dry. Do not harvest hay or fodder for 3 days after treatment. Do not allow cattle to graze until spray has dried.

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5 Page 5 Beef Management Calendar Health SEPTEMBER Treat cattle for grubs if not done in August. September is anaplasmosis endemic month. Consult your veterinarian for prevention. Vaccinate spring calves for brucellosis, blackleg and leptospirosis. After fall rains new growth in grasses is high in tryptophane which triggers pulmonary emphysema. This is a good time to treat the entire herd for internal parasites. Use a pour-on to control external parasites, if needed. Nutrition Forages should be tested to determine protein, TDN and energy. Plan winter supplementation based on forage inadequacy. A feeding program should be tailored to the specific herd. First calf heifers calving this fall need particular attention, feed so heifers are on an increasing plane of nutrition during calving and breeding. Make use of body condition score. Beef cattle are scored from 1 through 9 being extremely fat. A body condition score of 5 to 6 at calving is needed to maintain high pregnancy rates. Forages Plant and fertilize small grain pasture with proper amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash depending on soil test. Top dress bermuda and perennial grass pastures for fall. Be alert - Fall Armyworms. Sod-seeding of small grain, clovers and vetch. Inoculate and fertilize with phosphorus and potassium. Prepare bermudagrass pastures for fall seeded legumes. Management Fall calving Oct. to Nov.) Move cows bred to calve in the fall to calving pasture. Place first calf heifers in convenient pasture for calving where nutrition is best. (First priority on first calf heifers is nutrition.) Cows in good body condition are much more likely to conceive than thin cattle. Supplement cows if pastures are poor and cows are losing condition and are thin. Spring calving Feb. 15 to April 15) Plan marketing program for spring calves. Generally calves sold in the fall are sold on a lower market than those sold in the spring. You may wish to carry calves through the stocker phase on small grain pasture. Plan feeding program for virgin replacement heifers to be bred in the spring. They need to weigh 65% of mature weight when bred at months. OCTOBER Health Give Vitamin A injection if needed. Very efficient and cheap. Vaccinate herd against redwater and leptospirosis in endemic areas. Vaccinate spring heifers 4-10 months of age against brucellosis with Strain 19 vaccine, if not previously accomplished. Cut fly tags out when tags have lost their effectiveness to prevent fly resistance. Nutrition Prevent excess loss of body condition going into the winter. Weight gains are generally costly during the winter feeding period. Forages Last plantings of small grain pastures. Be alert - Fall Armyworms. Top dress small grain pastures with nitrogen. Inoculate and plant forage legumes latter part of month. Fertilize with phosphorus and potassium. Forage legumes to consider Hairy Vetch, Arrowleaf Clover, Crimson Clover, Subterranean Clover, Berseem Clover, Rose Clover, and Red Clover. Apply fertilizer and lime for fall seeded and volunteer legume stands, if not previously accomplished. Start land preparation for spring plantings. Management (Fall calving Oct. to Nov.) Observe cattle daily to prevent difficulties. While heifers are more prone to have calving difficulty, older cows should likewise be watched closely. Treat newborn calves navel with a strong tincture (7%) iodine solution.

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8 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Johnson County 1 North Main St., Suite 309 Cleburne, TX ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 173 CLEBURNE, TX