Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 120, No. 47, Ed. 1 Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Page: 6 of 16
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IH Mama Council Leader
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2008
County Agent’s
Notes
by Stephen Gowin
County Extension Agent-Agriculture
The price of fertilizer
brings new claims from
alternatives
Or. Tony Provin, Dr. Larry Redmon
1 was sent this news release this
week and I found it to be very
interesting. Therefore, I wanted to
share this with you readers.
During the past three years, the
cost of traditional nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)
fertilizers has increased dramati-
cally. This has left many forage
producers looking for alternatives
to traditional inorganic fertilizer.
Basically, the only alternatives
include manures such as broiler lit-
ter (N-P-K), biosolids (waste water
treatment sludge, N-P), and the use
of forage legumes (N).
Producers most impacted by
high fertilizer prices are those who
own property with a poor his-
tory of appropriate soil fertility and
hay producers. Many producers
are being offered non-traditional
nutrient sources or application sys-
tems. Some of these approaches
are based on questionable science
or highly inflated claims of effec-
tiveness.
Planning
The first step an agricultural
producer should take prior to fertil-
izer application is to evaluate their
property for production potential.
The evaluation should include
determining the yield potential of
the acreage, obtaining soil samples
and an analysis of each unique area
of each field. Based on this evalu-
ation the best use for each parcel
of land should be determined. Dr.
Tony Provin, director of the Texas
AgriLife Extension Service Soil,
Water and Forage Testing Labora-
tory, strongly recommends collect-
ing 10-15 individual soil cores for
each individual area of land that
should be managed and fertilized
separately. Provin also encourages
producers to sample hay fields on
a 10-acre basis, while grazing pas-
tures should be sampled on a basis
of not more than 40 acres per com-
posited sample. Instructions for
proper field sampling can be found
at http .//soil testing.tamu.edu.
The physical process of col-
lecting soil samples can provide
important additional information
to the producer. Provin stated that
when obtaining soil samples, pro-
ducers are encouraged to map their
fields with regard to weed pressure,
percentage of cover, and level and
depth of shallow compaction, if
any compaction is present. Failure
to address these additional issues
may reduce the overall economic
response to fertilization.
Once producers have obtained
soil test recommendations and
have developed field maps of their
acreage, they should then con-
sider both short-term and long-
term management plans. Regard-
ing some short-term management
options, Dr. Larry Redmon, Texas
AgriLife Extension Service State
Forage Specialist, has been a
strong proponent of reducing hay
acreage to only the highest yield-
ing areas, maximizing hay yields
through good nutrient and harvest
management, while using other
less productive acreage as grazing
areas. The price to produce well-
fertilized hay this year will likely
approach $125 per ton. Many pro-
ducers, especially smaller produc-
ers, generally cannot justify the
cost of purchasing and maintaining
hay harvesting equipment. Couple
this aspect with the cost for soil
fertility associated with hay pro-
duction and most producers will
be better served simply purchas-
ing their hay from reputable hay
producers.
Another cost-savings approach
that may be accomplished in the
short term involves the construc-
tion of a round bale hay storage
bam. Hay, even in tight round
bales, loses dry matter and nutri-
tive value rapidly when exposed
to rainfall and poor storage condi-
tions.
Given the high prices of today’s
hay, Redmon has noted that hay
bams often pay for themselves in
just a few years simply by decreas-
ing dry matter loss and forage
nutritive value. Properly stored hay
has been known to maintain its
nutritive value for longer than 20
years. If a bam is not utilized, hay
tarps can help minimize hay loss
during storage.
Longer-term Management
Fertilizer prices are unlikely to
drop in the future. Some produc-
ers are looking toward the use of
manures and biosolids to provide
their soil nutrient requirements.
While manures and biosolids,
where available, can provide nutri-
ents at a substantial cost savings,
producers need to realize that P
typically will begin to accumulate
where these materials are used.
Careful monitoring of the soil test
P is necessary to ensure that the
level does not build up beyond the
accepted threshold of 200 ppm.
Biosolids of interest should be
those classified as Class A. These
biosolids do not pose risks associ-
ated with heavy metals or patho-
gens. Provin recommends the
application of manures and bio-
solids in late winter or very early
spring, as there is some lag time in
the breakdown of the organic com-
pounds before the nutrients can be
taken up by plants.
The use of forage legumes,
which fix atmospheric N in their
-root systems in grazing systems,
should be considered by all live-
stock producers. Provin suggested
planning for legume establishment
six to 12 months prior to the actual
seeding of the legumes. Soil test-
ing and correction of pH and nutri-
ent deficiencies are critical in the
establishment of legumes. Most
legumes require a higher pH and a
higher level of available P.
Additionally, carryover of broad-
leaf herbicides containing piclo-
ram or metsulfuron may inhibit
germination of legume seedlings
and should not be used the year of
legume establishment. Most forage
legumes are cool-season clovers
and medics. These are often plant-
ed in mid-fallrgerminate and make
most of their growth in early spring
in a fashion similar to ryegrass.
Redmon cautions producers that
any cool-season annual, legumes
included, can inhibit warm-season
grass production in the spring and
should be removed via grazing in a
timely manner.
While more money has probably
been lost due to fear of bloat than
actual bloat death loss, Redmon
advises producers to be aware of
the potential for bloat and under-
stand the management implications
necessary to reduce the incidence
of bloat issues. While the legumes
provide high-value late winter and
early spring forage grazing, the
fixation of N by Rhizobium bac-
teria associated with legume roots
has been the major reason produc-
ers have adopted legume systems.
The amount of N fixed and made
available to the warm-season grass
via nutrient recycling is dependent
on the biomass production of the
legume. This amount varies by
soil, soil fertility and legume spe-
cies and ranges from 25-100 lbs.
of N per acre per year.
At the Texas Agri Life Research
and Extension Center at Overton,
some bermudagrass pastures have
not received N fertilizer for over
24 years. Clover has been estab-
lished each fall in the pastures and
has provided the N requirement for
the warm-season, grass during the
summer months, albeit at a slightly
reduced stocking rate.
Fertilizer sources and
application methods
Redmon has received numerous
questions from producers about
reducing fertilizer application
rates. In some cases, producers
who have practiced good nutri-
ent management may be able to
reduce P and K applications for
one or two years of hay harvests.
In the long-term, however, fail-
ure to replace nutrients removed
during hay harvests will signifi-
cantly reduce yields and will result
in decline of introduced forage
stands. As a rule of thumb, each
ton of forage removed in hay har-
vests will remove 14 lbs. of P205
and 48 or more lbs. of K20 per
acre. Nitrogen requirements to
produce 12 percent crude protein
hay are generally considered to be
50 lbs. of N per ton. Redmon noted
that typically forage stand loss
problems have been traced back to
low soil pH and very low available
soil P and K levels.
In these cases, producers often
failed to soil test their hay fields
until these nutrients had been
^ mined to low levels. The result
was a significant stand decline,
yS loss of production, and increased
weed infestation.
y\ Redmon also cautioned produc-
ers about the claims of some fertil-
fA izer dealers about the use of foliar
yS fertilizers. While the fertilizer
/\ grade liquid formulations percent
N, P205 and K20, may be guaran-
teed, claims of super plant uptake
efficiency of these nutrients is not
yS backed up by research. In fact,
/.\ most research suggests the oppo-
'yS site is true. Some claims of the
A us? of foliar fertilizers also come
y\ with statements about reduced
costs. This is usually obtained by
/\ using reduced amounts of actual
y'S N, P205, and K20 applied.
Producers should also be warned
ON against attempting to apply foliar
fertilizers themselves. Usually
there are problems with delivery
MOWCrS, BOX Blades, Etc. rates 311(1 P016111’3' corrosion of the
pump. Producers should be aware
» 1010 North State Hwy. 19, Emory, Texas
903-473-5120 nutrients is required to achieve the
sssttsi'sz”'’
Rescind
or fund?
Court to consider
\3 Braziel property
- once again
BULL GREEK COWBOY CBURCK
Highway 69 is Lose Oak, Texas
Sundays at 8:30 a.m.
lays a
id 10
:30 a.m.
Pastor: Mike Moss
903-662-9577
“Living for the One
Who Branded Us...Jesus!”
www. bullcreekcowboychurch. com
Sundays 6:00 p.m. Young Adults Ministry Service
6:00 p.m. Wed. - Pastor Mike’s Round Pen Bible Study
6:00 p.m. Wed. - Jr. High Youth Gathering
7:00 p.m. Wed. - Sr. High Youth Gathering
7:00 p.m. Friday - Celebrate Recovery Meeting
_ .AlActrX YouVe .Always ^
Ahead... With A ^
.Modem Behind.
Smallwood
Enterprises
Large selection of
Tractors &
implements1
All Types.
New Galvanized
Mowers from 4’ to 20’
Disc, Tillers, Finish
Denita Young
Rains County Extension Agent
Family & Consumer Sciences
Once again, the agenda of the
Rains County Commissioners
Court carries two opposing
items.
An item to rescind the pur-
chase of the Braziel property
placed on the agenda by County
Judge Joe Dougherty is in direct
opposition to an item to fund the
purchase of the Braziel property
placed on the agenda by Commis-
sioner Bob Sisk.
The court will meet in regular
session on Thursday, May 8, at
10:00 a.m. in the Rains County
Courthouse Annex in Emory
and in addition to the routine
business matters and reports, the
court will discuss and take action
on the following items:
• Consider temporary employee
in vehicle registration/voter reg-
istration office. (Bishop)
• Rural mailbox policy.
(Painter)
• Rescind the purchase of the
Braziel properties. (Dougherty)
• Fund the purchase or
approve a leasing agreement on
the Braziel properties for Rains
County commissioners offices.
(Sisk)
• Staff the position of Rains
County Veterans Affairs officer.
(Sisk)
• Contract for road mainte-
nance online service with Bear-
grass Solutions.
• Proclamation declaring
May as Elder Abuse Prevention
Month.
22?
Sulphur Springs
Livestock
Commission Auction
The following is the report
of the Sulphur Springs Livestock
Commission’s auction held on
Monday, April 21:
Estimated receipts on 1,308
head, compared with 1,305 head
last sale.
STEERS
Under 300 lbs......$85-162.50
300-400 lbs.......$85-132.50
400-500 lbs.........$85-114
Over 500 lbs.........$75-111
HEIFERS
Under 300 lbs........$85-160
300-400 lbs.......$80-117.50
400-500 lbs.........$80-109
Over 500 lbs.........$70-109
SLAUGHTER
Packer cows.......$41-65.50
Packer bulls........$58-70.50
OTHERS
Stocker cows......$460-1040
Cow/calf pairs... 7 . $680-1325
Calves..............$5-475
Visit us on the Web at:
www. RainsCountyLeader. com
Some Groups Still Not
Wearing Safety Belts
Majority killed in crashes
were unrestrained
School’s almost over for the
year and Texans are focusing
on their summer travels, but
for many it will end in trag-
edy. However, by buckling up
you can greatly increase your
chance of surviving a crash.
Texas AgriLife Extension Ser-
vice supports the National High-
way Safety Administration and
Texas Department of Transporta-
tion's upcoming Memorial Day
Click It or Ticket program. Bev
Kellner, Texas AgriLife Exten-
sion Service Program Manager
for Passenger Safety, recently
released the following life-sav-
ing information:
Safety belts have been prov-
en effective in saving lives, yet
there are still some groups that
are resistant to wearing them.
Young adults, teens, pickup truck
drivers and their passengers, as
well as nighttime motorists are
at greater risk because they are
less likely to wear safety belts.
According to the National High-
way Traffic Safety Administra-
tion (NHTSA), more than half of
the motor vehicle crash fatalities
in those groups were found to be
unrestrained.
Young drivers and their pas-
sengers in the 16-24-year old age
group, especially males, have the
lowest usage rate among all age
groups. Crash data from 2006
show that among those killed in
crashes, 64 percent of teenagers
were not buckled up at the time
of the crashes.
Drivers and passengers in pick-
ups, especially young males, con-
sistently have the lowest safety
belt usage rates of all motorists.
Pickup trucks are twice as likely
as passenger vehicles to roll, and
considering Texans’ love affair
with pickup trucks, this is a seri-
ous concern. In fact, half of all
fatalities in pickup trucks are due
to rollover crashes. In a pickup,
safety belts can reduce the risk of
dying in a rollover crash by up to
80 percent.
Nighttime hours (6:00 p.m.
to 5:59 a.m.) bring out more
unbuckled drivers and passen-
gers. Crash records show nearly
two-thirds of those.killed during
nighttime, hours were not wear-
ing seat belts compared with less
than half of daytime passenger
vehicle occupants killed.
“Staying inside the vehicle
during a crash can save your life.
Occupants who are ejected from
a vehicle are four times more
likely to be killed,” said Bev
Kellner. “Most ejections are due
to the failure to wear a safety belt.
NHTSA data show that in 2006,
75 percent of ejected passenger
vehicle occupants were killed.
But among motorists who were
in serious crashes and buckled
up, 77 percent survived.”
That’s the reason behind the
Click It or Ticket campaign,
which begins mid-May each year
and brings increased enforce-
ment of the safety belt and child
restraint laws. This year, the
Memorial Day Click It or Ticket
mobilization starts on May 19
and goes through June 1. The
campaign will feature an empha-
sis on daytime as well as night-
time enforcement. With a net-
work of agents around the state,
Extension is focused on helping
to get the word out about the
upcoming Memorial Day Click
It or Ticket mobilization.
The goal is to reach groups
who are still not convinced of the
importance of wearing their safe-
ty belts. The message is simple
- buckling up will keep you from
receiving a ticket Better yet, it
may very well save your life!
For more information on the
lifesaving benefits of buckling
up, please visit www.nhtsa.gov,
or contact the Texas AgriL-
ife Extension Service office at
903/473-5000, ext. 157.
Educational programs of the
Texas AgriLife Extension Ser-
vice are open to all people with-
out regard to race, color, sex, dis-
ability, religion, age, or national
origin. 7
The Texas A&M Univer-
sity System, U.S. Department
of Agriculture and the County
Commissioners Courts of Texas.
Pickett's Plants
& Produce
8 miles E. of Emory" on
Hwy. 69 • 903-765*6494
(6308 East Hwy. 69 • Alba)
Design & Landscape Available
Open
Every Day
9-6
Now is the
time to
plant your
fruit trees!
• Perennials
• Shade &
Fruit-Trees
• Pecan Trees
• Shrubs
• Hybiscus
• Bedding Plants
• Hanging Baskets
Accepting All Major Credit Cards
Mother's Day Specials
Montana Silversmiths
25% OFF
regular price
(Jewelry, Statues, Frames, etc.)
American West
Purses & Accessories
25% OFF
regular price
Hummingbird
-
Feeders
Brighton Jewelry
10% OFF
and lots more!
Potts Feed Store would like to wish
all Moms a Happy Mother's Day!
EST. 106.1
(903)
473-2249
:■ Potts *
i i:to store
Hwy. 69
& 19
Emory
/
/
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Hill, Earl Clyde, Jr. Rains County Leader (Emory, Tex.), Vol. 120, No. 47, Ed. 1 Tuesday, May 6, 2008, newspaper, May 6, 2008; Emory, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth767335/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rains County Library.