Recently in Pastures and Forages Category

Pasture weed control can be an on-going and expensive process.  Some methods, like mowing pastures, can provide short term 'clean looking' pastures and a perverse form of recreation for some landowners looking for a little alone time, but really do not get at the root (so to speak) of the problem. 

Using herbicides to control pasture weeds can be very cost effective and efficient.  The Smith, Rains, Van Zandt, and Wood County Extension offices have teamed up to conduct herbicide control plots for blackberry/dewberry plants in Rains County.  This year, control plots for Carolina Horse Nettle have been added in a separate location in Wood County.

We are hosting a FREE tour and LUNCH of these plots on Friday, August 29, 2008, beginning at 8 AM and lasting until 1 PM.  We will begin near Hogansville (Rains County) and conclude with lunch in Golden (Wood County).

You must RSVP by August 22 to either b-triplett@tamu.edu or by calling (903) 590 - 2980 in order to help us in the head count and to get directions to the first stop.  Lunch is being sponsored by Dow AgroSciences.

If you are not sure of what blackberries or Carolina Horse Nettle look like, check out these links: Blackberry/Dewberry , Carolina Horse Nettle. 

To view a copy of last year's demonstration report, click on the link: blackberrydemoreport2007.pdf

Time has arrived for Smith County, Texas forage producers to enter the annual hay show.

The show is a platform for local producers to obtain forage test information on the hay they produced this year for a reduced price and to benefit local youth and conservation education efforts at the same time.

Entering the hay show is easy, all we need is a feed sack full of hay from a round bale or an entire square bale of hay from hay produced as small squares.

The hay is analyzed for Crude Protein and Digestibility and then ranked based on a pre-set formula.  The top 25 entries are sold at a benefit auction that takes place September 22 during the Howdy Neighbor Barbecue event at the East Texas State Fair.

Hay can be entered at any one of 13 locations in Smith County on or before August 22.

Click on the document below for a complete set of rules for the 2008 show. 2008hayshowrules.pdf

Proper sprayer calibration is an important, yet often overlooked, first step in the spraying program. Calibrating your sprayer and tractor enable you to know with confidence how much volume of product and water you are applying per acre, how many acres your tank will treat between fill-ups, and how much undiluted chemical to add to your tank to achieve the proper application rate. A properly calibrated sprayer can save you money and reduce the risk of injury to the plants you are treating.

Always calibrate a sprayer using only water in the spray tank and wearing chemically resistant gloves to avoid contact with residue that may be in the system or on the sprayer.

Follow these tips for calibrating a boom or boom-less sprayer. You will need a stopwatch (or watch with second hands), a tape measure, flags or stakes, and a container that can catch water and measure in ounces (for boom sprayers) or pints (for boom-less sprayers).  You will also need a trash bag or piece of tire inner tube for catching water from the boom-less sprayer.

The Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton is hosting "Surviving High Fertilizer & Fuel Costs" on Friday April 18, 2008, to address the concerns of area livestock and forage producers.

The conference will start at 930 AM and conclude around 330 PM.  Cost is $20 per person and includes lunch.  There will be no pre-registration for the event.  Just come on out and learn.  Call 903-834-6191 for more information.  See you there!

Topics:

- Fertilization & Liming

- Using clovers and other legumes to reduce commercial nitrogen use

- Nutrient supplements needed for cattle grazing poor quality forages

- Lengthening the grazing season, shortening the winter feeding period

- Adjusting stocking rates and nutrient recycling

For directions to the Texas AgriLife Overton Center, visit their web site.