Crops, Livestock

Grazing Corn Stalks

Brandy VanDeWalle

As I drive to work every morning, I go past a field or two being grazed by cattle. Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist recently wrote an article on grazing corn stalks, which I’ve included in this week’s column.  Grazing corn stalks during winter has many benefits.  It can save over a dollar a day per cow compared to feeding expensive hay.

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But, the way you manage grazing of stalks by your cattle can have a big effect on its success.  For instance, maybe you have a goal of feeding as little protein supplement as possible while winter grazing.  Then you must make sure you have enough acres of corn stalks so your cattle only need to select just the higher quality plant parts to eat.  And whenever the grain and husks are gone, move to a fresh field.  Or, maybe you use stalks just as a filler to keep cows from bellowing while you limit feed corn, distiller’s grains, or other more nutrient dense feeds.  Then high stocking levels and unrestricted access might be best.

Another strategy might be to stretch winter stalks as far as possible.  In that case, restricting animal access to small areas at a time by strip grazing until nearly all the grazable stalks are gone might be best.  Be careful, though, about forcing cows to eat the lower stalks.  They won’t get much protein or energy from lower stalks but the nitrate levels might be dangerously high.

Whatever your strategy, consider carefully what kind of nutrition animals are getting from the stalk pasture so you neither underfeed nor overfeed expensive supplements.

Also be sure to provide salt, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A free choice at all times.  And once all the grain is gone, cows need about half a pound per day of an all-natural protein to meet nutrient needs. Stalk season is here.  Make wise decisions to use them best.

Programming

Task Modifications Can Ease Arthritis Pain

Brandy VanDeWalle

On November 7, UNL Extension is partnering with other groups to conduct the Annual Fillmore County Health Fair to be held at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds from 11:00 – 6:00 p.m. Our office will have a booth with information to keep you healthy and other information our office provides. In addition, the Nebraska AgrAbility Project, which has a partnership with Extension, will be in attendance. One debilitating disease for farmers and ranchers that reduces mobility and physical strength is arthritis.

Sharry Nielsen, UNL extension educator says, “We estimate that there are over 50 million doctor-diagnosed cases of arthritis; to accommodate some arthritis related limitations people can consider some solutions.” One solution uses a very ancient technology, the wheel. Nielsen said that farmers and ranchers could use wheeled devices such as wheelbarrows to transport seed, feed and equipment, which eliminates heavy lifting and puts less stress on joints.

Nielsen suggested using ergonomically designed tools that are of a lighter weight to reduce joint stress, pain and fatigue. “Many farmers think that pain is just part of the job,” she said, “but there really are some steps that they can take to prevent the pain of arthritis.”

To help prevent arthritis, the Nebraska AgrAbility Project has created a brochure describing a series of daily stretches to help joint health. You can view the brochure and other information about arthritis, or stop by their booth at the Health Fair!

Programming

Farmers & Ranchers College Programming

Brandy VanDeWalle

The Farmers & Ranchers College was formed in January, 2000 with the purpose of providing high quality, dynamic, up to date educational workshops for area agricultural producers in south central Nebraska through a collaborative effort between business, industry and higher education leaders. Furthermore, the Farmers & Ranchers College will provide the tools necessary so that agricultural producers will be able to respond positively to these changes using a profitable decision making process.

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The Farmers and Ranchers College is a unique opportunity to educate agricultural producers in south central Nebraska. Nearly four hundred producers from fourteen Nebraska counties and two Kansas counties participated in the 2012-2013 Farmers & Ranchers College programs.

Producers attending these workshops managed over 263,000 acres. Participants surveyed (n=28%) indicated an average of $21.00/acre of knowledge gained from participating for a potential impact of $5.5 million.

Contributions and support of area businesses allow participants to attend at no cost, however for programs that have meals, it is requested that people RSVP at least a week in advance for an accurate meal count by calling Fillmore County Extension at (402) 759-3712.

The Farmers and Ranchers College Committee consists of Fred Bruning of Bruning, Bryan Dohrman of Grafton, Sarah Miller of Carleton, Jennifer Engle of Fairmont, Ryne Norton of York, Jim Donovan of Geneva, Bryce Kassik of Geneva, Gordy Nuss of Sutton, and Brandy VanDeWalle of Ohiowa.

2013 -2014 Farmers & Ranchers College Programming

  • November 20, 2013* – Land Leasing Workshop– Shickley Community Building, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with registration at 8:45 a.m. (Information for young or new farmers will follow the leasing discussion.)
  • December 9, 2013 – “Positioning Your Business for Agriculture’s Next Decade” Featuring Dr. David Kohl Professor Emeritus, Dept. of AAEC, VA TECH at the Bruning Opera House – Bruning, NE at 1:00 p.m.
  • January 28, 2014* – “Partners In Progress – Beef Seminar” at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., registration at 9:30 a.m.
  • March 18, 2013* – Agricultural Water Update at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva from 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with registration at 9:45 a.m.

* Programs are provided at no cost to the public, but registration is appreciated for a meal count. Please call the Fillmore Co. Extension Office at (402) 759-3712 one week prior to the program or email me at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

Crops

Wet Harvest Conditions

Brandy VanDeWalle

There were some places in the county that received over four inches of rain last week within 2 days, thus causing some very wet field conditions making it difficult for harvest. I heard that there were some minimal soybean losses and some dryland corn also down, but for the most part it sounds like we dodged the bullet and things could have been much worse. With all of the rainfall and some damaged crops, producers are most likely anxious to get back in the field. There are a few things one should consider however to determine if it’s worth harvesting while soil conditions are still wet. This week I’ve chosen to use some excerpts from an article, extension engineer Paul Jasa shared in a previous CropWatch article for farmers to consider.

As I write this, it will most likely be atleast a week before some fields dry up enough. Remember that if you leave ruts on the soil surface; compaction occurs below them and that compaction can impede the crop’s roots next season and increase runoff because of reduced infiltration. Compaction is the loss of pore space between soil particles and occurs when that space is squeezed out of the soil and reappears somewhere else, such as in the form of a rut. If a rut wasn’t formed, there was enough soil structure present to support the weight without causing additional compaction.

Jasa discusses the importance of controlling traffic and compaction and says that eighty to 85 percent of soil compaction damage is done with the first pass of the tires. If additional passes are made on the same traffic lanes, little additional compaction occurs. Because once a traffic lane has been driven on and the soil has been firmed up, subsequent passes have little effect on the amount of compaction. By using the same traffic lanes year after year, the soil structure and water infiltration in the untrafficked areas greatly improve.

Controlled traffic lanes improves traction, soil load bearing, and timeliness of planting and harvesting operations while minimizing potential yield reduction from compaction. Compaction is managed, not eliminated, and the area subjected to compaction is minimized. The concept is to separate traffic zones from root zones. Controlled traffic keeps compaction where it is less detrimental to root development and uptake of nutrients and water. Fertilizer placement and furrow irrigation practices can be modified as these traffic zones are established and the traffic lanes are known.

To minimize wheel compaction at harvest time, grain carts should be following the same tracks as the combine. A lot of grain cart drivers think they should move over a few rows and spread out compaction, but this will only compact more of the field. Likewise, grain trucks shouldn’t be driven in the field as the axle loads and tire pressures are not suitable for soils.

If ruts are cut at harvest, wait until the soil is dry to smooth them out to avoid causing additional compaction. This smoothing operation may be a light tillage operation next spring before planting. Deeper tillage in the spring will usually cause more compaction as the soil is wet and the tillage will break up soil structure.

To fracture the compaction in the ruts from this year’s harvest, a producer may have to wait until next fall before the soil is dry enough. However, often the compaction in the bottom of the ruts extends deeper into the soil than most producers will be able to till. This is a case where prevention is far more effective than the cure. It’s best to build soil structure and not drive on wet soils if possible. Controlled traffic, no tillage, and cover crops will all help build soil structure and reduce compaction concerns

(Source: Jasa, Paul. Avoiding Compaction at Harvest, October 13, 2006)

Uncategorized

Uninvited House Guests

Brandy VanDeWalle

You are sitting at home and all of a sudden a little gray rodent with relatively large ears and small black eyes scurries across the room!   It is about 1/2 ounce in weight and if an adult 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches long, including its 3 – 4 inch tail.  Of course, you must know by now that I am describing a house mouse.  The house mouse is considered one of the most troublesome and economically important rodents in the United States.  They can cause damage to property and transmit diseases such as salmonellosis and swine dysentery.  You will know you have mice if you see small droppings, fresh gnaw marks and mouse nests made from fine shredded paper or other fibrous material.  They are active mostly at night, but can occasionally be seen during daylight hours.  Mice are excellent climbers and can jump up 12 inches from the floor to a flat surface; they can squeeze through openings slightly larger than 1/4 inch in diameter.

Sanitation, mouse-proof construction, and population reduction allow for effective control of mice.  Mice cannot survive in large numbers if they have few places to rest, hide, or build nests; however a few mice can survive with limited amounts of food and shelter. Proper sanitation is an important step to control mice.  Most buildings that handle food will have problems with mice not matter how clean they are, but the house should be mouse-proofed.   To mouse-proof a house, eliminate all openings larger than 1/4 inch.  Steel wool can be used as a temporary plug; cracks in building foundations and openings for water pipes, vents, etc. can be sealed with metal or concrete.  Doors and windows should fit tightly.  Cover doors and windows with metal to prevent gnawing.  Latex, plastic, rubber, and wood are unsuitable for plugging holes.

Once you find mice in your house, traps can be used to control the population.  The advantages of traps are 1) it does not rely on hazardous rodenticides, 2) it permits the user to view his/her success, and 3) it allows for disposal of trapped mice therefore eliminating dead mouse odors that may occur when poisoning is done.  Peanut butter works great to put on traps because it is easy to use and very attractive to mice.  Simple inexpensive wood-based snap traps are effective, as well as glue traps.  Glue traps must not be in extreme temperatures and can lose their effectiveness over time with dust collecting on them.  Whatever traps, you decide to use, be sure to set them behind objects, in dark corners, and in places where evidence of mouse activity is seen.

For more information on mouse control, refer to NebGuide, Controlling House Mice or through your local extension office.

Crops

Sudden Death Syndrome

Brandy VanDeWalle

Several years ago, I was called to a field with some soybean issues and confirmed with the UNL Diagnostic Lab that it was sudden death syndrome, or SDS. SDS was first confirmed in Nebraska in 2004 and often is contained to areas within a field. Brown stem rot has been a disease of Nebraska soybean for many years.

A recent UNL CropWatch article written by Loren Giesler, Extension Plant Pathologist and Kevin Korus, Manager, Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic shared some information on sudden death syndrome which I have included in this week’s column. First of all, sudden death syndrome was recently confirmed in soybeans in the southeast, central, and east central districts of Nebraska. A soil-borne fungal disease, SDS produces a very resistant survival structure that is not affected by crop rotation.

Giesler and Korus shared that research at Iowa State University has shown that the SDS pathogen also survives well on corn kernels on the soil surface. This is relevant to Nebraska producers who have had SDS in their fields and this year experienced late season hail with grain loss. These kernels could serve as a site for this and other fungal pathogens to overwinter.

Foliar symptoms of SDS are similar to those of brown stem rot; however, stem damage is different. Split the stem to more closely exam symptoms. With brown stem rot the center of the stem will be discolored and typically will be brown from the soil line upward. With sudden death syndrome discoloration will be confined to the outer layers of the split stem. The center will not be discolored, but the root cortex will be light gray to brown and may extend up the stem

As with many plant diseases, the main management option is to select resistant varieties. Correct diagnosis is important so you’re aware of the pathogens in this year’s crop that may overwinter and cause problems for next year’s harvest. Fields with high SDS should not be planted early in future years and should be managed to reduce any compaction issues. Rotation will not affect SDS. Fields with brown stem rot will benefit from longer rotations. Foliar fungicides are not recommended for managing either disease.

For assistance in correctly identifying these diseases, submit a sample to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. This original article with pictures can be viewed at UNL’s CropWatch website.

Crops

Harvest Safety

Brandy VanDeWalle

It is hard to believe that harvest will soon be upon us! With harvest comes more traffic on the county roads and other stresses for farmers. It never fails, that equipment can break, there can be delays at the elevator and those extra-long hours can all add extra stress to farmers. That being said, it is important to carefully slow down and realize the many hazards you are being exposed to during harvest.

An Iowa State Extension publication, Harvest Safety Yields Big Dividends points out that injuries can occur by  taking shortcuts to perform routine tasks, not getting enough sleep or regular breaks, or failing to follow safety practices. Some injuries occur when operators are pulled into the intake area of harvesting machines, such as balers, combines, or corn pickers, and many injuries occur from slips or falls around these machines. Exposure to powerful machinery is highest during the harvest season. The equipment must be powerful to effectively handle large amounts of agricultural commodities. When equipment plugs, NEVER try to unplug it with live equipment, instead always disengage power and turn off the engine before trying to manually clear a plugged machine. Regular maintenance of these machines can also make harvest go smoother. Also, lots of accidents actually happen by the operator slipping and falling off equipment.

Harvest

In the same publication listed above, there are several tips for reducing fall hazards:

  • Always keep all platforms free of tools or other objects.
  • Frequently clean the steps and other areas where workers stand to service, mount and dismount, or operate the machine.
  • Wear well-fitting, comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.
  • Use grab bars when mounting or dismounting machinery.
  • Be sure your position is stable before you work on a machine.
  • Recognize that fatigue, stress, drugs or alcohol, and age may affect stability.

Other helpful tips during harvest are to keep kids away from machinery. Tell them the dangers that can occur and not to play near the equipment, even when it is shut off; you never know when they will be playing in hidden areas of the equipment. Operators should double check where kids are before moving the equipment. Too many accidents can occur when youth are in the path of equipment out of the operator’s view. Operators of all equipment should check in regularly and let someone know where you are. Keep all guards on equipment; it is there for a reason!

It is also important for the public to understand the increased traffic on public roads and be patient. The greatest threat raised between farm equipment and passenger vehicles is the difference in speed. Farm equipment runs at an average speed of 20 miles per hour while passenger vehicles average 60 miles per hour. If the motor vehicle overtakes a tractor, the impact is comparable to a passenger vehicle hitting a brick wall at 40 miles per hour. If the tractor and a car, mini-van or pickup collides head on, the impact is the same as hitting a brick wall at 60 miles per hour. Farmers can reduce the chances of an accident by using warning lights, reflectors and reflective tape on their machinery to keep

Some farm equipment, such as combines, can take up more than half of the road. Even so, it is up to both drivers to be aware of their own limitations and adjust accordingly. Farmers should not take up more space than is needed, but other drivers should try to provide as much room as possible. It is a good idea for passenger vehicles to turn off onto side or field roads until larger machinery has passed. Whenever possible, farmers should use an escort vehicle such as a pickup to precede or follow large machinery and equipment on public roads. More than one escort may be necessary. Ideally, the escort vehicle would have extra warning lights and a sign indicating oversized or slow equipment ahead or following.passenger vehicle operators aware of their presence on roads. Some farmers may choose to install supplemental lights to increase visibility. It also is a good idea for producers to keep off heavily traveled roads as much as possible and avoid moving equipment during the busiest part of the day.

Have a safe harvest!

Source: Harvest Safety Yields Big Dividends, Iowa State University

Crops

Soybean Stem Borer

Brandy VanDeWalle

Several years ago I received a call from a grower who had lots of soybeans that were lodged; it was confirmed their fields had the soybean stem borer, which was one of the first times it was reported in Nebraska in recent years. This year at the Soybean Management Field Day, entomologists reported that it has now moved north of the interstate and into York County as well.MussmanField 003

UNL extension entomologists, Bob Wright and Tom Hunt wrote an article last year on CropWatch providing the following information. This beetle (Dectes texanus texanus) has been moving into Nebraska from north central Kansas over the last decade.

The adult is a gray, elongate beetle about 0.5 inch long with antennae that are longer than the body. Females lay eggs from late June to August on various plants, including cocklebur, giant ragweed, sunflower, and soybean. On soybean, eggs are primarily laid in the leaf petioles. Larvae feed on the pith and tunnel down into the main stem. Each of four larval stages tunnels up and down the stem.

Initial damage is seen when larvae tunnel down the leaf petiole and enter the stem. The leaf tissue above this point wilts and dies. If you split the leaf petiole, you can see the tunneling and may still see the larva. Economic damage is caused primarily by lodging and subsequent harvest difficulties. Girdling is most severe in earlier maturing varieties, and lodging is most severe in earlier planted soybean.

Chemical treatment of larvae is ineffective because the larvae are in the stem; effective chemical control of the adults is difficult due to the extended adult emergence period. Research found that burying borer-infested stubble after harvest can reduce Dectes populations. Entomologists at Kansas State University have been studying this insect as a pest on soybeans for several years. They have not identified resistance in any commercially available soybean cultivars, and labeled planting time and foliar insecticide applications were not effective. KSU has conducted a great deal of research on this insect. Its reports and extension publications are available online.

Fields with a history of injury or with symptoms this year should be carefully watched during August and September. Fields with extensive stalk tunneling by the Dectes stem borer are at risk for lodging and harvest losses, depending on weather conditions. Those fields should be targeted for harvest first to minimize harvest losses due to stem borer injury. In the absence of lodging losses, this insect does not usually cause noticeable yield reductions.

For more information on this soybean pest, see the UNL NebGuide.  

Crops, Irrigation

Final Irrigation

Brandy VanDeWalle

The ETgage reading south of Geneva dropped 0.8 inches for the week of Aug. 9 – 16th. For corn and soybeans in our area it time to start thinking of the last irrigation. Producers with watermark sensors should be checking them to see how many inches they have to carry plants through to physiological maturity.  Corn that hasn’t approached full dent and soybeans in the R5 stage has a coefficient of 1.1. To estimate crop water use we multiply 0.8 times 1.1 for a total crop ET of 0.88 inches a week or about 0.13 inches a day.

As the crop begins to reach maturity, the crop water use slows. For example, corn at ¼ milk line requires 3.75 inches until maturity, while corn at ½ milk line only needs 2.25 inches. Soybeans at R5 (beginning seed enlargement) need 6.5 inches while soybeans at R6 (end of seed enlargement) need 3.5 inches.

Generally speaking, a silt loam soil can hold 2.2 inches per foot or 8.8 inches in the top 4 feet. The target is to have 60% available soil moisture depleted at the end of the season.  My colleague from York, Gary Zoubek provided a good example which relates to most soils in the area. His example uses a silt loam soil. If we draw down the available soil water to 60%, we would have 0.88 inch of water per foot of soil or 3.5 inches remaining in the top four feet of soil. Even though you have 3.5 inches remaining, if you draw the soil water past 60%, it can affect yields; therefore, our target is to have 60% depleted at the end of the season. This will leave room to capture 5.28 inches of water during the off season from rain or snowfall.

For more information on the last irrigation, Predicting the Last Irrigation of the Season is available online.

Horticulture, Youth

Hands to Larger Service

Brandy VanDeWalle

 “I give my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty and my hands to larger service and my health to better living….” That is how the 4-H

picking2websitePledge starts out and is just what Fillmore County 4-H’ers have done for three years in a row! In collaboration with the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conversation Service offices in Geneva, 4-H’ers planted, cared for and harvested vegetables for those who might not otherwise have access to fresh produce.

Last year, over 260 pounds of produce was harvested! This year has been a little challenging with the garden due to pests and weather, but we still have harvested approximately 75 pounds of produce with more still to come.  Since the small garden was established three years ago, it has yielded over approximately 400 pounds of produce. Several 4-H youth continued to express an interest this year, so the garden was planted with produce going to the Geneva Senior Center programs.

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Over the summer, 4-H’ers, FSA and NRCS staff took turns caring for the garden, increasing their horticultural skills while learning responsibility, service and other important life skills. This has been a great project allowing youth to not only learn, but fulfill the purpose of 4-H by using their hands for larger service.

If you are interested in contributing or participating in the Fillmore County Community Garden in the future, please contact the Fillmore County Extension Office at 402-759-3712.