Kaufman County Ag News

HAY GIVEAWAY IN TERRELL, TX

2011-10-11T16:39:00.001-05:00

TIME TO RE-REGISTER YOUR BRAND

2011-08-31T10:10:00.000-05:00

By Laura Hughes – Kaufman County Clerk of Court

The Kaufman County Clerk would like to remind everyone that it is time to re-register their brands. According to state law – beginning Aug. 31, 2011 through Feb. 29, 2012 -- all currently registered marks, brands and tattoos must be re-registered with the County Clerk.

On March 1, 2012, all brands that have not been renewed or re-registered will become “open brands” for the general public.

The cost to register a brand/mark in Kaufman County is $16 per “brand” (horse, cow, etc.) plus $5 for each additional location on the same animal.

To make the process easier and more accessible, the Clerk’s office has worked hard to automate the process. They have created and placed an editable registration form on the county website, (www.kaufmancountyclerk.com ). This form can be completed and printed before being brought to the courthouse for filing.

In addition, all the currently registered brands have been scanned, indexed and placed on the web (www.countygovernmentrecords.com ) for review and printing.

For those who prefer not to use the Internet, the Clerk’s office now has the ability to create a new form using the ranchers existing brand data.

“All that will be required is for the cattlemen to draw their brand and sign the form.” County Clerk Laura Hughes explained, “With Kaufman having over 500 brands that need to be re-registered, our goal was to make this process as quick and stress-free as possible for everyone involved.”

For additional information, contact the Kaufman County Clerk’s Office, 100 W. Mulberry, Kaufman, Texas 75142: 972-932-4331-1104. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

AgriLife Research helps pave the way for a new livestock feed product

2011-08-17T12:46:00.000-05:00

AMARILLO - A two-year study by a Texas AgriLife Research team in Amarillo has helped bring a new product to market that could allow the cattle feeding industry to realize efficiencies in mills and more weight on cattle, according to Dr. Jim MacDonald.

MacDonald, an AgriLife Research beef cattle nutritionist, finished his second trial of cattle early this year studying starter diets in feedlots during the transition phase from pasture to feed yard.

Typically, a steer or heifer will come off of a forage diet when it goes into the feedlot, he explained. For the first 21 to 28 days in the feedlot, the cattle are fed a diet that allows their rumen microflora to adapt to grain
instead of forage.

“This is usually done with roughage, and as they go through the period of adjustment, the amount of roughage goes down and the amount of grain goes up,” MacDonald said.

If the animal is not allowed to go through this process, it can suffer rumen acidosis, which is typically characterized by decreasing rumen pH and digestive disorders that cause the cattle to go off feed, he said.

The problem for feed yards, MacDonald said, is handling the roughage needed for this transitional diet can be inefficient. Roughage is typically expensive per unit of energy and is bulky and difficult to handle in the feed mills. Also, there can be a substantial amount of shrink depending on the roughage used.

Through a grant funded by Cargill Corn Milling, MacDonald conducted two trials with 315 cattle in each to help develop a product that acts like a forage in the rumen but has the energy value of corn.

Cargill already produces Sweet Bran, a branded corn gluten feed that is high in digestible fiber with an energy value similar to corn, but without the potential to cause rumen acidosis, he said.

Cargill is expanding on the Sweet Bran product with a new one called RAMP, he said. RAMP is a complete starter feed to adapt cattle to finishing diets of Sweet Bran pre-mixed with cottonseed hulls, alfalfa hay, vitamins and minerals.

“Our first trial was to determine if the concept would work in the Southern Plains and to help determine what level of cottonseed hulls might be optimal,” MacDonald said. “Our second study looked at how many days the product should be used to step the cattle up.”

The trial looked at 14-30 days, and while statistically it didn’t seem to make a difference on the length of time fed, MacDonald said he is most comfortable with feeding the product at least 18 days or more. He said the 14-day period may be too fast.

“Maximum energy intake early in the feeding period appears to have a large impact on growth and performance,” MacDonald said. “By using RAMP, we increased their energy intake during the adaptation period. Our studies showed it allowed an additional 17 pounds of hot carcass weight to be captured on
average.”

In addition to increasing weight gain, RAMP helps improve feed mill efficiencies because of the reduced forage that needs to be handled – about one-third less – and the reduction in the number of diets that they were having to mix, MacDonald said.

“This is one more step that allows feed yards to improve on their efficiency with beef production, capture more pounds of beef per animal, and potentially reduce the cost of beef to the consumer,” he said.

Drought Puts The Heat On Poorly Constructed Ponds

2011-08-17T12:33:00.000-05:00

With the ongoing drought, many ponds in Texas, such as this one in Rusk County, were nearly dry by late June. This pond dried out prematurely not just due to the drought but because of lack of sufficient clay content in the liner and a limited drainage area, according to Dr. Billy Higginbotham, Texas AgriLife Extension Service wildlife and fisheries specialist

“You know it’s dry when your fish have ticks,” joked Dr. Billy Higginbotham, AgriLife Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist.
Jokes aside, it’s a serious matter as water levels drop for the owners of the more than a million private water impoundments in Texas, Higginbotham said. Channel catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass must survive both a shrinking habitat and dropping water-oxygen levels.
Dropping oxygen levels can be a problem during a hot Texas summer even when there’s normal rainfall. But there’s nothing like a drought to highlight a poorly constructed pond and magnify the potential for fish kills, he said.
“It’s hot and dry even by Texas standards, but the ponds that show the problem first and foremost are those that have either very small watersheds or those ponds that were built on marginal soil,” he said.
A small watershed means there is not a large enough area surrounding the pond for sufficient runoff to maintain water levels, even during years with average rainfall, Higginbotham explained. To hold that runoff, the soil the pond is situated in should contain enough clay.
“These are important construction concepts for landowners to remember whether they are watering livestock or if fish are an important recreation use of that pond,” he said. “Fish remain a primary concern to many owners of small ponds, and there are more than a million private impoundments found statewide.”
Obviously, Higgibotham said, when ponds are not much more than mud wallows, there’s little that can be done about saving fish.
“Certainly, when pond levels reach this point, I hope they have done something about fish populations already, hopefully harvested them,” he said.
But even if a pond is well-constructed and its water level has only dropped a foot or two, it still behooves pond owners to pay attention to fish management and water oxygen levels, Higginbotham said.

This pond had a sufficient watershed (drainage area) but would not hold water because of the gravel content of the subsoil, said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, Texas AgriLife Extension Service wildlife and fisheries specialist. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Robert Burns)

“In any case, we want to avoid trying to carry more than a thousand pounds of fish per surface acre during the warm months,” he said.
A thousand pounds of fish per surface acre of water is a good rule of thumb for a number of reasons.
“As water temperatures increase, the ability of that water to hold oxygen decreases, so typically, the hot summer months are when oxygen depletions are most likely to occur,” Higginbotham said.
Also, as water temperature rises, the metabolic rate of fish, being cold-blooded animals, will increase, and with that increase comes a need for more oxygen. But under sunny conditions and moderate temperatures, aquatic plants — mostly single-celled algae — will produce enough oxygen to somewhat offset the low oxygen concentration levels of warm water.
Cloudy days have been rare during the 2011 drought, Higginbotham noted, but when skies are overcast, photosynthesis is decreased and oxygen levels drop further.
“If the pond is too heavily stocked, fish can run into an oxygen debt,” he said. “Hot weather can even bring about oxygen debt in moderately stocked ponds.
“Furthermore, small ponds that are intensively managed for high-standing crops of catfish at or above 1,000 pounds per surface acre are going to be among the first ponds to experience oxygen shortages as water levels drop.”
Higginbotham said he has found that many pond owners over-estimate the surface acreage of their ponds by a factor of two or three.
There are simple methods to determine the size of a pond, he said. If the pond is more or less rectangular, the simplest way to determine its size is to measure the length and width in feet, then multiply one measurement by the other to get surface area in square feet. Divide this number by 44,000 to get the approximate area in acres.
As an example, a relatively square pond measuring about 200 feet on each side will have 40,000 square feet of surface area, or about one acre.
Calculating a round pond’s size is a little more complicated. Divide the distance across the pond by two, square the result, then multiply that number by 3.14.
Once the approximate surface area is determined, the next step is to determine the pounds of fish in the pond, Higgibotham said.
“Usually, the pond owner knows how many catfish were originally stocked in the pond and has a pretty good idea how many have been removed since stocking,” he said. “By catching a few fish and weighing them, an owner can estimate the total pounds of fish in the pond.”
Pond owners who suspect low oxygen concentrations should monitor their ponds closely, even if their stocking levels are 1,000 pounds per acre or less, Higginbotham said.
“Visit the pond shortly after daybreak,” he said. “If fish are crowded up at the surface at first light, that’s a pretty good indication that you’ve got low-oxygen levels.”
If this is the case, pond owners should either immediately harvest fish to reduce the stocking level or aerate that water, Higginbotham said.
“Aerate with a pump or boat motor just to get over the hump and through the immediate emergency in order to raise the oxygen levels, so you don’t lose an entire pond of fish

Livestock Producers Should Be Aware Of Prussic Acid Levels In Forages

2011-08-17T12:01:00.000-05:00

COLLEGE STATION – Livestock producers can quickly lose animals if they fail to carefully monitor forages as the Texas drought continues, according to a toxicology expert from the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Dr. Tam Garland, head of the toxicology section, said producers should look for high levels of prussic acid and nitrate that can build up in drought-stressed forages. Testing is the best way to monitor for these conditions. Johnsongrass can become especially lethal during a drought, she said. “Typically, we tend to see high levels of prussic acid in johnsongrass when we get hot weather or dry signs,” she said, “or when dry johnsongrass is exposed to a little moisture and grows very quickly. Prussic acid may also be high when johnsongrass is exposed to frost.”

Producers should beware when they see a ribbon-like appearance to johnsongrass leaves, she said. “That’s a huge indicator it’s under drought stress and may be hot with prussic acid,” Garland said.

Any of the sorghum species – such as haygrazer, sorghum sudan and some milo – may also contain high levels of prussic acid, she said.

Nitrate levels in forages are also a concern, Garland said. Sorghum hybrids, corn and grain sorghum may contain high levels, as may silverleaf nightshade and pigweed or careless weed. Livestock producers can take several precautions, Garland said. First, producers should test all forages for high levels of prussic acid and
nitrate. Each plant sample should include 10 to 12 plants, which should be randomly selected from a field. Cut samples about 3 to 4 inches above the ground. For a large field, divide the land into manageable sections. Label each sample according to the section from which it was taken, and include that information on the paperwork that accompanies the samples. Fold the samples if necessary, and place them in a garbage bag (which should be tied tightly) or into a large zip-lock baggie. Next, box up the bags with cool packs and send them by an overnight courier to the TVMDL laboratory at 1 Sippel Road, College Station,Texas 77843.
Samples must arrive within 24 hours after they are cut. Garland suggests cutting samples at 3 p.m. and sending them with the last daily shipment. Garland also advises producers to probe any hay that has recently been baled, if it was not tested before baling. “Take three or four probes, put those individual samples into a glass canning jar, and submit them to the lab for testing,” she said. Be sure to label the jars if the samples represent hay from separate fields. "If a round bale shows high levels of prussic acid levels," Garland said, "let
the bale cure for 30 days, re-probe it and re-test it. Or, roll out the bale and air it out for five days, then re-bale the hay."

Additionally, producers should isolate their livestock from suspected plants, Garland said, including any that may grow on the other side of a fence or along a right-of-way. Farmers and ranchers should also take caution when moving cattle from one pasture to another. Concerned producers should tightly control their livestocks' grazing, Garland said, and should consider supplementing – or replacing grazing entirely – with dry hay. "This is especially true when forage test values for prussic acid are dangerously high," Garland said. "Finally, producers should be prepared to quickly treat animals that have ingested forage with high levels of prussic
acid or nitrate. Treatment generally must take place within minutes to save an animal."

For sample submission instructions, visit http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/services_offered/forms/index_forms.php . For more information about the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory visit http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/ .

Texas Agricultural Drought losses reach a record $5.2 billion dollars

2011-08-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

COLLEGE STATION – The historic Texas drought has led to a record $5.2 billion in agricultural losses, making it the most costly drought on record, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service economists.
“The drought of 2011 will have a lasting impact on Texas agriculture,” said Dr. Travis Miller, AgriLife Extension agronomist and a member of the Governor’s Drought Preparedness Council. “This drought is ongoing,” said Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock economist. “Further losses will continue if rainfall does not come soon to establish this year’s winter wheat crop and wheat grazing.”

The $5.2 billion in losses exceeds the previous record of $4.1 billion during the 2006 drought. The losses also represent 27.7 percent of the average value of agricultural production over the last four years, Anderson said.
The current drought losses have reached record levels in large part due to Texas farmers failing to cash in crops during times of high commodity prices, economists said. The state’s cattle producers continue to cull herds at historic levels and spend money on expensive supplemental feed. “Livestock losses include the increased cost of feeding due to lack of pastures and ranges and market losses,” Anderson said. “Market losses include the impact of fewer pounds sold per calf and the impact of lower market prices due to the large number of cattle sold in a very short time period.”

The following are losses by commodity:
- Livestock: $2.06 billion (includes $1.2 billion previously reported in May);
- Lost hay production value: $750 million;
- Cotton: $1.8 billion;
- Corn: $327 million;
- Wheat: $243 million;
- Sorghum: $63 million;

To remain comparable to past drought loss estimates, Wednesday’s loss estimates do not include losses to fruit and vegetable producers, horticultural and nursery crops, or other grain and row crops. “In that regard, these estimates are considered conservative,” Anderson said.

The $5.2 billion total released Wednesday takes into account $1.2 billion in drought losses previously reported by AgriLife Extension in May, which were primarily livestock-related losses due to added supplemental costs and lost grazing. “The drought began for much of the state in September 2010,” Miller said. “Much of the Gulf Coast, Central, West Texas and the High Plains had seen abundant moisture in the summer from Tropical Storm Hermine and other rainfall events. An unusually strong La Nina pattern moved into place in the fall of 2010, which had an impact comparable to turning off the ‘rainfall switch’ for most of Texas and surrounding states.” October 2010 through July 2011was the driest 10-month period in recorded Texas weather, Miller said. “The drought, coupled with prolonged high winds and record temperatures were
enormously destructive to Texas agriculture and natural resources,” he said. “The summer rains caused grass growth, which provided fuel for an unprecedented fire season, with more than 3.3 million acres of Texas ravaged by wildfire. “This destructive climatic pattern has taken a huge toll on crops and forages, and the timing could not have been worse for Texas producers, as all of the major agricultural commodities are enjoying strong prices.”

Combined losses for wheat, corn and sorghum grain farmers in Texas due to drought are more than $600 million. Dr. Mark Welch, AgriLife Extension grains economist, said Texas wheat production in 2011 is about half what it would have been in a normal year. “Wheat yields were down from a five-year average of 30 bushels to 26 bushels per acre and abandonment was up,” he said. “Given this year’s plantings of 5.7 million acres, we would have harvested 2.8 million in a normal year. In 2011, harvested acreage is estimated at only 2 million acres, down 800,000 acres. The combination of yield losses on harvested acres and higher
abandonment put Texas wheat-for-grain losses at $243 million.”

Texas corn production is estimated to be down about 30 percent in 2011, Welch said, with harvested acres down 16 percent due to higher abandonment rates. “Yields are down 16 percent statewide,” he said. “Highlighting the severity of this year’s heat and dry conditions is that the most severe yield losses are seen in the irrigated corn grown in the Panhandle. The average corn yield in the northern High Plains is estimated at 165 bushels per acre compared to a five-year average of 205 bushels, down 40 bushels per acre. Yield losses and abandonment will cost Texas corn producers about $327 million in 2011.”

Grain sorghum production in Texas, according to Welch, is expected to be about half of normal in 2011. The 1.6 million acres planted spring marked the lowest in Texas history. “Then drought lowered yields and raised abandonment rates,” he said. “The drought estimates for sorghum reported are based only on the yield and
harvested acreage estimates from U.S. Department of Agriculture. This totals about $63 million.”

Meanwhile, Texas cotton growers faced unprecedented impacts from drought in 2011, said Dr. John Robinson, AgriLife Extension cotton economist. Robinson said in August USDA projected “a relatively low average cotton yield of 636 pounds per harvested acre” in addition to a “historically high abandonment of
52 percent.” “Compared to five-year average yields and abandonment, 2011 represents a huge loss in potential production,” Robinson said. “Applied to USDA’s measure of 7.1 million planted cotton acres in Texas, and valued at their projected price of 95 cents per pound, this loss adds up to $1.8 billion. “It’s that $1.8 billion is also the 10-year average total value of cotton lint and cottonseed production in Texas. So, Texas cotton growers lost as much market income in 2011 as they would normally make for an entire cotton crop.”

“Perhaps the most telling thing about the 2011 drought was that even irrigated farmers were not spared,” Miller said. “While most Texas irrigation systems work well in normal or even below normal rainfall, many irrigators found that water supplies were not able to provide all of the water requirements of the crop in the absence of any rain and excessive heat. By mid-July, farmers began to try to stop (economic) losses, dedicating all of their water supplies to a reduced amount of acres as water demand from the crops was higher than their ability to supply it.”

The following is a list of economic drought losses from 1998 through 2011
compiled by AgriLife Extension economists:
* 2011– $5.2 billion
* 2009 – $3.6 billion
* 2008 – $1.4 billion
* 2006 – $4.1 billion
* 2002 – $316 million
* 2000 – $1.1 billion
* 1999 – $223 million
* 1998 – $2.4 billion

TURF TIPS

2011-04-06T14:55:00.000-05:00

James A. McAfee, Ph.D.

Extension Turfgrass Specialist

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Dallas, Texas

April 2, 2011

Spring Transition:

By now, most of the warm season turfgrasses have broken dormancy (greening up) and started to grow. The bermudagrass lawns are further along than the St. Augustinegrass and the centipedegrass lawns in spring green up. However, if no green up has occurred in the lawn or in sections of the lawn, then winter kill may be a problem. So far, it appears that the degree of winter kill/winter injury is a lot less than what was anticipated following a very cold winter period. Added to the low temperatures in the winter months are the extremely dry conditions across the state. Most areas of the state have been dry since last fall and if homeowners did not apply some supplemental irrigation to their landscape during the fall and winter months, then this could have added to the problems associated with low temperatures injury.

Providing adequate supplemental irrigation for spring green up is very important. If rainfall does not occur, then approximately 1.0 inch of supplemental irrigation water should be added to the lawn each week. While it is important to make sure adequate soil moisture is available for spring transition, it is also important to make sure the landscape is not over watered. Excess irrigation will create shallow rooted plants going into the hot, dry summer months and it can also encourage disease problems such as gray leaf spot in St. Augustinegrass. Also, with the dry conditions we need to make sure irrigation is being applied to the landscapes as efficiently as possible so there will be adequate water for the rest of the year.

Factors to help turfgrass through spring transition:

1. Provide adequate soil moisture for good spring growth. Again, approximately 1.0 inch per week if

adequate rainfall does not occur should meet the needs of the turfgrass plants.

2. While it is too late to scalp the turfgrass growing in the lawn, mowing the grass slightly lower than

normal and mowing it at least once per week will help force the grass to spread laterally and form a

dense stand of turfgrass. As temperatures start to warm up, mowing the turfgrass more than once per

week will help to force the grass to spread faster and form a dense lawn. Low, frequent mowing

along with fertilizer is the best way to force thin areas in the lawn to grow and thicken up in the

spring months.

3. During the spring transition, use herbicides carefully, especially on the St. Augustinegrass and

Centipedegrass lawns. While bermudagrass and zoysiagrass can tolerate the spring applications

of most herbicides, St. Augustinegarss and Centipedegrass can be injured in some years. This is

especially true for lawns that might have already been injured by the hard freezes last winter. Once

the grass has totally greened up and is actively growing, then it should be safe to make a postemergent

herbicide application to the lawn.

4. Monitor the lawn for any insect or disease problems. If a pest problem occurs, then apply appropriate

controls to prevent the disease or insect from causing any damage. Fortunately, there are not a large

number of insect and disease problems at this time of the year on the warm season turfgrasses.

Weed Control:

By now most people are aware that after December 31, 2010 organic arsenical herbicides such as MSMA, DSMA, etc. cannot be sold for use in residential lawns, commercial lawns, sports fields and right-of ways. However, if you purchased one of the organic arsenical herbicides prior to this deadline and still have some in inventory, then it can be used until you have depleted the inventory. The organic arsenicals herbicides can still be purchased for use on golf courses, sod farms and on cotton farms. For lawns and sports fields, the one weed that is going to be difficult to selectively control in bermudagrass and zoysiagrass is dallisgrass. At this stage, there really isn’t an effective herbicide for the selective control of dallisgrass.

With the losss of the organic arsenicals such as MSMA, it is going to be even more important that a spring preemergent herbicide application be applied for the control of summer annual grassy weeds such as crabgrass. In past, some people would use MSMA as a postemergent control for grassy weeds in large turf areas such as sports fields, golf fairways, etc. Cost of using the MSMA was generally less expensive than applying a preemergent herbicide. Now with the loss of MSMA, using a preemergent in the spring is going to probably be the best control for summer annual grassy weeds. Note, I still do not recommend a preemergent herbicide in spring for St. Augustinegrass and Centipedegrass lawns.

The herbicide Drive XLR 8 (quinclorac) does work pretty good as a postemergent on some grassy weeds such as crabgrass, barnyardgrass, broadleaf signalgrass and torpedograss. It is also affective on some of the broadleaf weeds commonly found in lawns. For the warm season turfgrasses, quinclorac is only labeled for use in bermudagrass, buffalograss and zoysiagrass. It can also be used in cool season turfgrasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, Tall Fescue and Perennial ryegrass. There are also several new herbicides on the market that contain quinclorac plus some of the hormone type herbicides which provide not only grassy weed control, but a wider range of broadleaf weeds. Also, there are several new products found in the garden/retail stores that contain quinclorac.

While the quinclorac will do a pretty good job of controlling crabgrass, timing is going to be very important. Quinclorac does a good job on young crabgrass seedlings and also works well on mature crabgrass plants. However, it is not as nearly effective for the intermediate stages of crabgrass growth.

New Herbicides:

Listed below are some of the new commercial brand herbicides sold for weed control in different turfgrass sites. Some of these new herbicides are also available in herbicides sold in the garden/retail stores. I have included several herbicide tables that contain the more commonly sold herbicides for use in home lawns.

1. Celsius (thiencarbazone, iodosulfuron, dicamba)

a. sold by Bayer Environmental Services

b. at this time not available in garden/retail stores

c. can be used in bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Centipedegrass, zoysiagrass and buffalograss.

d. can be used to control broadleaf weeds in St. Augustinegrass and Centipedegrass lawns. There

are fewer and fewer herbicides labeled for broadleaf weed control in these lawns.

e. while it is primarily a postemergent broadleaf herbicide, some university researchers have observed

good control of young crabgrass seedlings. However, Bayer wants to see more research before

they place crabgrass on the label.

2. Specticle ( indaziflan)

a. also new product from Bayer Environmental Services

b. sold as a preemergent herbicide for use on bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Buffalograss,

Centipedegrass, Bahiagrass and Zoysiagrass.

c. Applied at extremely low rates, 2.5 to 5.0 ounces per acre.

d. Excellent control of crabgrass, goosegrass and poa annua.

e. At this time is not available in the garden/retail market.

3. Lockup ( penoxsulam )

a. manufactured by Dow AgroSciences.

b. Dow is selling the active ingredient to different companies so they can make their own

formulations. Note, the Lockup is sold primarily as a granular product at this time.

c. Some companies are adding other postemergent herbicides such as 2,4-D and Dicamba to

help increase activity of the penoxsulam.

d. Lockup is being sold as herbicide only or some companies are blending it with a fertilizer and

selling it as a weed and feed.

e. Lockup is labeled for use on bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, Kentucky bluegrass,

perennial ryegrass and some fescues.

f. Has shown good activity on dollar weed, English daisy and white clover, but will also control

other broadleaf weeds.

4. Katana (flazasulfuron )

a. sold by PBI/Gordon, Inc. in the US

b. newest sulfonylurea herbicide

c. can be used in bermudagrass, centipedegrass and zoysiagrass.

d. excellent control of tallfescue

e. good ryegrass transition herbicide, works faster and in cooler weather than other sulfonylurea

herbicides.

f. works well on most of the sedges as well as some broadleaf weeds.

5. Solitare ( sulfentrazone + quinclorac )

a. manufactured by FMC

b. can be used on tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, bermudagrass, buffalograss, centipedegrass and

zoysiagrass.

c. good activity on numerous broadleaf weeds and some of the sedges.

6. One Time ( quinclorac, mecroprop, dicamba )

a. manufactured by BASF

b. can be used safely on Kentucky bluegrass, buffalograss, tall fescue, ryegrass and zoysiagrass.

c. controls some of the grassy weeds such as crabgrass, foxtail and barnyard grass plus numerous

broadleaf weeds.

Following are several tables containing different herbicides sold in the garden/retail stores for purchase by homeowners. These are not complete lists of herbicides found in the garden/retail stores, but do contain some of the more commonly found products. Also, different stores carry different herbicide brands, so you may have to look at more than one store to found all of these herbicides.

It is always important to emphasize the importance of reading these herbicide labels before purchasing the herbicide and before applying the herbicide. These labels change and it is important to make sure it is still labeled for the type of turfgrass being grown in the lawn and that it is labeled for the weed that you are trying to control.

Table 1. Postemergent Herbicides for Control of Grassy Weeds in Home Lawns.

Common Name Trade Names (partial list)

1. 2,4-D, Quinclorac, Bayer Advanced Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer

Dicamba Ferti-lome Weed Out With Q

2. Quinclorac, mecroprop_p, Ortho Weed B Gon Max Plus Crabgrass Killer

2,4-D, Dicamba

3. sulfentrazone, quinclorac Image Kills Crabrass

______________________________________________________________________________

Remember, the herbicide quinclorac is only labeled for use in bermudagrass and zoysiagrass, so none of these products can be used in a St. Augustinegrass or Centipedegrass lawn.

Table 2. Postemergent Herbicides for Control of Broadleaf Weeds in Home Lawns.

Common Name Trade Names (partial list)

1. 2,4-D 2,4-D Amine No. 4;

American 2,4-D Selective Weed Killer

2. 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba Ace Spot Weed Killer

Green Light Wipe Out Broadleaf Weed Killer2

Ortho Weed-B-Gon Max

Specracide Weed Stop for Lawns

Hi-Yield Lawn Weed Killer

Ferti-lome Weed-Out Lawn Weed Killer

3. carfentrazone, 2,4-D, Ferti-lome Weed Free Zone

Mecroprop_p, dicamba Weed B Gon Max for Southern Lawns

4. 2,4-D, mecroprop_p, Bayer Advanced Southern Weed Killer for Lawns

dicamba Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns

Ferti-lome Weed Out lawn Killer

5. 2,4-D, mecroprop, Total Lawn Weed Killer

dichloprop

6. 2,4-D, mcpp, dicamba, Spectracide Weed Stop 2X for Lawns

sulfentrazone

7. mecroprop_p, 2,4-D, Weed B Gon for Southern Grasses

dicamba

8. 2,4-D, triclopyr, dicamba Weed B Gon Max Kills Weeds, Not Lawns

9. 2,4-D, Quinclorac, dicamba Bayer Advanced Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer

Ferti-lome Weed Out With Q

Ortho Weed B Gon Max plus Crabgrass Control

10. penoxsalum Green Light Wipe Out Tough Weed Killer for Lawns

______________________________________________________________________________

Table 3. Herbicides for control of Sedges in Home Lawns.

Common Name Trade Names (partial list)

1. imazaquin Image Kills Nutsedge

2. halosulfuron-methyl Gowen Sedgehammer

3. sulfentrazone + Image Kills Crabgrass

quinclorac

Table 4. Preemergent Herbicides for Use in Home Lawns.

Common Name Trade Names (partial list)

1. dithiopyr Greenlight Crabgrass Preventor2

Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental With Dimension

Vigoro Weed Stop Crabgrass and Weed Preventor

2. pendimethalin Scotts Halts Crabgrass Preventor,

Lesco Crabgrass Pre Plus Potash (0-0-7)

3. oryzalin Southern Ag. Surflan A.S.

4. isoxaben Portrait Broadleaf Weed Preventor

5. benefin + oryzalin Green Light Amaze Grass & Weed Preventor

6. benefin + trifluralin Hi-Yield Crabgrass Control with Balan

Southern Ag. Team 2 G

7. corn gluten meal Concern All Natural Weed Preventor Plus

Nature’s Guide Corn Gluten Meal

Spring Cultural Practices:

1. Fertilization: In the spring, wait until the turfgrass is green and actively growing before applying the

first application of fertilizer. Apply approximately 1.0 lb. of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sq.ft..

Ideally, amount of phosphorus and potassium applied along with the nitrogen should be determined

by soil test results ( fertilizer ratio). Many of our soils in Texas are high to very high in phosphorus

and potassium and in these cases all you need to apply is straight nitrogen. If a soil test has not been

conducted, then recommend a 4-1-2 to 3-1-2 fertilizer ratio. Not all soils are high in phosphorus and

potassium and if you are applying only nitrogen, then the turfgrass will become stressed.

In heavily shaded areas, apply 0.5 lbs. of total nitrogen per 1,000 sq.ft., unless this is the only

application that is going to be applied to the heavily shaded portions of the lawn. Excess nitrogen

in shade will eventually cause major problems with the turfgrass growing in these areas.

Depending on type of turfgrass, soil type, environmental conditions (sun vs. shade) and level of

maintenance desired, make a second application in approximately 5 to 6 weeks after the spring

application.

2. Mowing: As previously mentioned, mowing the lawn at a lower height and more frequently will

force the turfgrass to spread faster and form a denser stand of turfgrass. The key is to mow the

turfgrass often enough so that you never remove more than 30 to 40% of the leaf blade when the

grass is mowed. Removal of excess leaf tissue inhibits the plants ability to carry on photosynthesis

properly, which means that the plant cannot produce enough food for new growth, especially new leaf

growth.

Mowing frequency is going to be determined by height of cut and growth rate. The lower the grass is

mowed, the more frequently it needs to be mowed. The more the grass is fertilized and watered, the

more often it will need to be mowed. Mowing at the proper height and frequency will produce a

denser stand of turfgrass, a deeper root system and more stored carbohydrates in the plant.

Listed below are the recommended mowing heights and frequency for turfgrasses growing in home

Lawns. Note, frequency will vary during the year due to day length differences and due to changes

in temperature. In fall and spring, when we have longer nights and cooler nighttime temperatures, the

warm season grasses are not going to be growing as fast as they will in late spring through early fall

months.

Recommended mowing height and frequency for turfgrasses growing in home lawns.

Turfgrass mowing height mowing frequency

(inches) (days)

Common bermudagrass 1.5 to 2.5 3 to 4

Hybrid bermudagrass 0.75 to 1.5 2 to 3

St. Augustinegrass (sun) 2.0 to 3.0 3 to 5

St. Augustinegrass (shade) 3.0 to 4.0 6 to 7

Centipedegrass 1.5 to 2.0 4 to 5

Zoysiagrass (japonica) 1.0 to 2.0 4 to 5

Zoysiagrass (matrella) 0.5 to 1.5 3 to 4

Buffalogrss 2.5 to 4.0 5 to7

3. Irrigation: As previously mentioned, it is very important to provide adequate moisture for good spring

transition of the warm season turfgrasses. Applying approximately one inch per week if adequate

rainfall does not occur should meet the plants needs. As temperatures start to heat up, then it maybe

necessary to increase the rate of water applied each week. Ideally, the rate of water applied to the

landscape should be based on the PET (potential evapotranspiration ) rate for the week. Note, if you

are not familiar with the ITC-TexasET Network, this is a excellent site for finding ET rates for different

parts of the state. The web address for this site is: http://texaset.tamu.edu/

Fireblight Study Looks At New Chemical, Biological and Biorational Controls

2011-04-06T14:51:00.000-05:00

OVERTON -- A Texas AgriLife Extension Service plant pathologist has begun evaluating new products, both chemical and biological, to control fireblight on peach and apple trees.

"Fireblight is a really big issue for commercial fruit producers of pears and apples, but also for homeowners and nursery growers who produce trees for homeowners," said Dr. Karl Steddom, plant pathologist.

Steddom is conducting the study at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton where he is based.

Fireblight is the most devastating bacterial plant disease affecting apple and pear trees, according to Steddom.

The bacterium is usually introduced into the plant in the early spring as bees and other insects pollinate newly blooming flowers, he said.

Once introduced, the disease progresses very rapidly. The flowers soon start to rot and turn black, looking as if they've been burned by a torch.

"Hence the name fireblight," Steddom explained.

Within a week or two, the bacteria work their way down the flower stem into the new shoot via the tree's vascular system.

"As it works its way down, you'll start to lose leaves, and the whole shoot will die down to where it started its growth this year," he said.

Currently, there are only three products registered for use for fireblight on fruit trees.

"And we don't know (lacking independent tests), how well two of those products really work," Steddom said.

The tried-and-proven method, copper fungicide, involves spraying "pretty much every week" throughout the spring growing season, he said. The process is expensive and labor intensive for commercial growers, and more work than homeowners usually want or have time to do.

The treatment also leaves a bluish residue on plants that homeowners often object to, Steddom noted.

Copper fungicide isn't a restricted-use pesticide, which means homeowners won't need to have a Texas Department of Agriculture license to buy or use it, he said. However, it's not usually available in home and garden stores.

"And the trees don't end up looking that good, even with all that work," Steddom said. "So what we're doing is testing a number of old and new products to see how they perform."

For the test, Steddom inoculated 144 Kieffer trees with the fireblight bacterium. For the test, the container-grown trees were spaced 5 feet apart in a single row about 750 feet long. The single row allows him to control spray drift better from tree to tree than if he used a standard orchard arrangement,
he explained. This is important in order to limit a given spray treatment to a single tree.

Steddom is testing a total of 13 products, including copper fungicide and the other two registered chemical controls, plus ten products that are not yet commercially available. Some of the products are chemical controls; some biologicals. He is also comparing a relatively new class of pesticides called "biorationals," which, strictly speaking, are not biological, but are derived from biologicals.

"The biorationals are supposed to be effective and more environmentally friendly than chemicals, but we'll see," he said.

Currently, Steddom and AgriLife Extension don't recommend a frequent spray schedule for homeowners. Instead, the recommendation is to let the disease progress into the summer when days are warmer and drier.

"You want to wait until it's warmed up quite a bit, otherwise when you cut the shoot, the bacterial will get on your shears, and you'll transfer that bacteria from place to place," he said.

Shears may be sanitized after pruning one shoot before the next, but it generally takes a couple of minutes submerged in rubbing alcohol to kill the fireblight bacteria, according to Steddom.

Bleach can also be used, but it tends to cause shears to quickly rust.

"So an alternative is to use two pairs of shears," he said. "While you're trimming one shoot with one pair, the other pair can be sitting in the alcohol, disinfecting."

The one-year study was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s IR-4 Project, which is also referred to as the Minor Crop Pest Management Program. The full results will be available sometime in the fall of this year on the IR-4 website at http://ir4.rutgers.edu/ .

If some products show substantial or even partial control, IR-4 may fund the study a second year, Steddom added.

"It all depends upon what we learn this first year," he said.

Until the results of the study are known, growers or homeowners wanting more information about fireblight control in home orchards should contact their local county AgriLife Extension agent, he said.

A county-by-county directory of AgriLife Extension agents can be found at http://county-tx.tamu.edu/ .

AgriLife Economist: Latest U.S. Corn Stock Estimates Lower Than Expected

2011-04-06T14:37:00.000-05:00

April 4, 2011 - By Blair Fannin
COLLEGE STATION - U.S. corn stocks are 6.52 billion bushels, down 15 percent from a year ago and less than initially expected, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service economist. “This is a big surprise, and indicates we’re using up last year’s crop faster than we initially thought,” said Dr. Mark Welch, AgriLife Extension grain marketing economist. “We saw corn trading for more than $5 through the winter
and expected to be backing off our use, but that hasn’t happened. Demand has been so strong that we overestimated what we had in stocks.”

The recent data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service suggests the nation may not have enough corn acreage to meet demand.

“(Before the report) we thought 92 million acres planted was enough,” Welch said. “We may need 93 million or 94 million now. That’s what the market is evaluating today in that we need more acres.”

The largest increase in corn-planted acreage in 2011 is expected in South Dakota where growers intend to plant an additional 850,000 acres compared to 2010. Wet field conditions prevented many farmers from planting intended acres, according to USDA.

The largest decrease in planted corn is expected in Texas, down 150,000 acres
due to an increase in cotton acreage.

“Producers are going take advantage of historically-high cotton prices,” said Dr. John Robinson, AgriLife Extension cotton economist. “Texas will plant more cotton acreage this year than any other state."

Texas is estimated to plant 548,000 acres of cotton. The U.S. is projected to plant 12.6 million acres of cotton, 15 percent above last year.

“Even though the forecasted 2011 U.S. cotton plantings are 15 percent higher than for 2010, market watchers were actually expecting an even higher number," Robinson said. "So USDA’s forecast of 12.6 million acres of U.S. all cotton was interpreted as bullish, sending Thursday’s (March 31) cotton futures
market limit up.”

Acreage increases of more than 100,000 cotton acres are expected in North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi.

Meanwhile, corn demand has been strong in the livestock feedlot and ethanol production sectors, Welch said. Those sectors have been able to use options and other strategies to mitigate price risk, preserving margin potential, he said.

“For anybody to survive in an ethanol plant or feedlot, you locked in those prices last fall and got into futures and options strategies to limit your risk,” he said.

Developments in the Middle East could create a hurdle in the improving U.S. economy, Welch said. That could cause consumers to cut back on spending as a result of higher crude oil prices, slowing the demand for meat proteins such as beef and poultry.

As Japan continues to recover from the devastating tsunami event, Welch said he thinks they will need more imports of commodities in the future.

"Their demand for basic raw commodities may increase in response to the catastrophe,” he said. “As they are concerned about quality or restocking supplies in case of another aftershock, I think they may be more concerned about maintaining those levels.

"I think we will see positive export response in grain and meat products to Japan. Over the long term, the reputation of the American farmer providing reliable, quality commodities will keep them as one of our most important customers."

Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab Confirms Anthrax Case

2011-03-29T16:22:00.000-05:00

COLLEGE STATION – Sample tissue submitted to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory has tested positive for anthrax in a Central Texas beef cattle herd, according to agency officials. The Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed the anthrax case on a ranch in Hill County near Whitney, 30 miles north of Waco. A veterinarian submitted the tissue samples to the diagnostic laboratory in College Station.

“It’s not unheard of, but somewhat unusual (for anthrax to be discovered in Central Texas),” said Dr. Amy Swinford, head of diagnostic bacteriology for the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

The laboratory conducted a series of tests to confirm the identity of the bacteria isolated from the cow’s spleen, Swinford said.

“While the organism can be cultured from infected tissues, the preferred specimen is a blood sample, which can be collected without opening the carcass and potentially contaminating the surrounding soil,” she said.

Over the years, the laboratory has confirmed cases of anthrax as early as March and as late as December, although the disease typically is discovered during summertime in the state, according to Swinford. Most recent cases have been primarily in Southwest Texas, which is the endemic area for anthrax in the state.

Animals will be restricted from movement and vaccinated, according to animal health officials.

The anthrax spores live in the soil and can continue to be a threat to livestock if not vaccinated, Swinford said. Recent dry, warm weather likely created a favorable environment for the spores to form.

“Also, when you have a heavy rain, spores that may have been deep within the soil can float to the surface,” Swinford said. “They are then more easily ingested by livestock as animals graze the forage; the spores enter into their systems, germinate and cause disease.”

“I give credit to great people here in this laboratory,” she said. “Myself and my three senior technicians are on call to do this diagnostic work. Upon diagnosis of a reportable disease (such as anthrax), we notify TVMDL directors immediately, who in turn notify state health and Texas Animal Health Commission directors.”

“This is another example of the laboratory providing early detection on diseases of high consequence and providing services to protect our livestock industry,” said Dr. Tammy Beckham, Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Medical Laboratory director.

“We work closely with the industries and veterinarians across the state to provide timely, accurate diagnosis. In the case of infectious diseases such as anthrax, the time to diagnosis is critical for control and containment. Our staff is among the elite in their field and as such, works diligently to protect the agricultural, companion animal and public health sectors of Texas and the nation."

For more information on anthrax or the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, visit http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/ . Information about anthrax is also available on the Texas Animal Health Commission’s website at http://www.tahc.state.tx.us or call 800-550-8242.

Scotts MiracleGrow Research Facility

2011-03-29T16:08:00.000-05:00

COLLEGE STATION – Groundbreaking for the new ScottsMiracle-Gro Lawn and Garden Research Facility at Texas A&M University is scheduled for 10 a.m Feb. 25 at 2891 F&B Road in College Station.
The new facility is part of a long-term agreement among Texas A&M AgriLife, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M and ScottsMiracle-Gro.

Scotts is providing a total of $750,000 over five years to create the Scotts Lawn and Garden Research Facility through the Texas A&M Foundation. A separate research agreement will provide a minimum of $165,000 in research funding per year for the next three years.

The new facility will be located at the new Urban Ecology Field Laboratory on the Texas A&M campus. Scientists and specialists with Texas AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service – both Texas A&M University System components – will utilize the facilities for major research activities and teaching efforts. The research facility will include buildings for equipment resources, plant protectants and nutrients, educational and meeting spaces, faculty and student offices, and a research laboratory.

What: Groundbreaking for ScottsMiracle-Gro Lawn and Garden Research Facility.

When: 10 a.m., Feb. 25.

Where: 2891 F&B Road in College Station

Scheduled speakers: Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M; Dr. David Baltensperger, head of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M; Dr. Richard White, professor of turfgrass management at Texas A&M and AgriLife Research scientist; Jim Tates, ScottsMiracle-Gro southwest region president; and Bruce Caldwell, ScottsMiracle-Gro Lawns technology leader.

More info: Related news release can be found at http://agrilife.org/today/2010/10/21/agrilife-scotts-partnership/ .

Wheat Update -- March 26, 2011

2011-03-29T16:01:00.000-05:00

Most area wheat plants are at Feekes 8 (beginning of flag leaf emergence) to Feekes 9 (flag leaf fully emerged) . We found stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) on March 14 in Patton SRWW, a variety we use for fungicide testing that is highly susceptible to stripe rust. The most commonly planted commercial varieties planted in this region (Coker 9553, USG 3295, USG 3555, AgriPro Magnolia, Terral LA 841, and Pioneer 25R47) show no evidence of stripe rust infection at this time.

Leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) was found on the lower leaves in Jackpot HRWW on March 21. It has not been observed in any of the other varieties in our trials. It is a later occurring disease than stripe rust, and does not usually appear in this region until Feekes 9 (flag leaf fully emerged) or Feekes 10 (boot to heading).

Barley yellow dwarf (BYD) is showing up in some area wheat fields. It is a virus disease that is transmitted by greenbugs (Schizaphis graminum) and bird cherry oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi). Symptoms are yellowing of the tips of the leaves and stunting of the plants, and it usually occurs in spots in the field. Severity of this disease is dependent on the time of infection. Fall infections are more damaging than spring infections, and are more likely to cause more stunting, reduced seed set, and lower bushel weights. Some varieties are more susceptible to this disease than others. There is nothing that can be done at this point. Treating the seed prior to planting with Gaucho® or Cruiser® to control aphids will help minimize the effects of the disease by reducing fall infections.

The Foliar Fungicide Decision
A number of factors are usually considered in making a fungicide spray decision, including yield potential, wheat price, fungicide cost, and disease pressure. This year, two of those factors make the decision much easier: $8.00 wheat and $4.00 per acre tebuconazole. A producer only needs one more bushel of wheat to cover the cost of the fungicide and application.

Tebuconazole (sold as TebuStar, Monsoon, Onset and others) was synthesized by Bayer Chemical Company around 30 years ago and tested under the trade name Folicur®, but it did not receive a federal label for wheat until 2009. It is a triazole with both curative and protective properties on the rusts (both leaf and stripe), and glume blotch (Stagnospora nodorum). We have evaluated this product in almost all of our fungicide tests from 1984 to now, and it is as effective now as it was when we first tested it.

There is some misinformation in the marketplace that this product is inferior to some of the newer fungicides that have been labeled in the past 10 years. This is simply not true. Tebuconazole is as effective on rusts and glume blotch as anything else that is being sold to control these diseases in wheat, and at a fraction of the cost.
Over the last two years, we expanded our fungicide research program to include an economic evaluation of some of the most common commercial soft red winter wheat varieties in the region. These varieties included AgriPro Magnolia, Pioneer 25R47, Pioneer 25R57, Coker 9553, and Terral LA 841. These two years were characterized by a light to moderate leaf rust infection overall. Terral LA 841 and Pioneer 25R47 were infected with moderate to heavy glume blotch in the Royse City location in 2009.

The following table summarizes these results:

Table 1: Yield Increase and Return on Investment Obtained by Spraying a Foliar Fungicide (Tebuconazole) on Five Commercially Grown SRWW Varieties in the Northern Texas Blacklands
_______________________________________________________________
   Yield Increase
_______________________________    Avg. Return
Royce City, TX Howe, TX for Every
______________________________          Dollar
Variety    2009   2010 2010    Average Invested
________________________________________________________________
   _______________Bu/A_______________     $

AgriPro Magnolia -1.4 3.1    4.0    1.9 $1.68

AgriPro Coker 9553    2.3   -1.2    4.0    1.7 $1.51

Pioneer 25R47 11.0 2.8    3.7    5.8 $5.16

Terral LA 841    9.6 3.1    2.8    5.2 $4.62

AgriPro Jackpot    Not in Trial 21.1 3.4    12.3 $10.93
____________________________________________________________

Bullet Summary

We obtained a positive return on investment on all of the varieties evaluated in the trial. Using projected 2011 prices, we returned $1.51 to $10.93 for every dollar invested.
The greatest return was achieved by spraying Jackpot HRWW, a variety that was heav-ily infected with leaf rust in 2010 at the Royse City location.
The yield increases observed with Pioneer 25R47 and Terral LA 841 in 2009 are attrib-uted to a late infection of glume blotch
Based on two years of research, a foliar fungicide treatment with tebuconazole will be a wise investment this year, even under light to moderate disease pressure.

Fungicide Timing

For optimum results in controlling leaf rust and glume blotch, we suggest that tebuconazole be applied anytime between Feekes 9 and Feekes 10.5.1 (flowering). Based on multiple years of research, a single application of tebuconazole will provide 35 to 40 days of control which should protect the leaves throughout the grain filling period.

James Swart, Entomologist (IPM) Dr. Curtis Jones, Agronomist
Texas AgriLife Extension                                                                                  Texas AgriLife Extension &
James_Swart@tamu-commerce.edu                                                                 Texas A&M University-

                                                                                                                        Commerce
                                                                                                                         Curtis_Jones@tamu-
   commerce.edu