Extension Notes

by University of Missouri Extension

Page

age weight of the bales in the stack. Anhydrous ammonia is applied at a rate of 60 pounds per ton of straw or hay. Purchase only the amount of anhydrous ammonia needed so the entire contents of the tank can be emptied into the sealed stack of bales.

When selecting a site, choose a well-drained location, keeping in mind that all the vegetation under the bales will be killed during the ammoniation process. Stack the bales in a pyramid two or three bales tall. If the rows will be more than 40 feet long, leave a one-foot space every 30 to 40 feet to insert additional pipes for application. Cover the stack with 6 or 8 mil UV re-

United States is currently under a quarantine zone for imported fire ants, which can be easily spread through the movement of hay. Farmers and ranchers who believe they have received fire ants in a shipment of hay should call their local University of Missouri Extension agent as soon as possible.

Those visiting the MoDOT Carrier Express system for the first time will find a link to obtain a customer ID and password needed to access the service. Required information includes:

• The make, license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the power unit, and sistant plastic. Take care not to poke holes in the plastic. If a hole or tear occurs, seal with tape to prevent leaks. Leave at least two feet of plastic on each side to secure the bottom. Place a one-inch pipe in the center of the stack or place pipes every 30 to 40 feet of a longer stack. Seal the plastic at the bottom of the stack tightly against the ground using soil, sandbags, or waste lime.

• The farm business name and address.

MoDOT permits cover movement within Missouri only and are required for each truck. Questions may be directed to MoDOT’s Motor Carrier Services office at 1-800-877-8499.

Slowly release the anhydrous ammonia into the pile at the rate of 50 pounds per hour. Leave the pile covered for two to three weeks during the summer to allow the ammonia to penetrate the bales. Leave the stack covered longer during the fall when air temperatures are cooler.

For more information, contact Valerie Tate, Field Specialist in Agronomy for University of Missouri Extension in Linn County, by email at tatev@missouri.edu or by phone at 660-895-5123. MU Extension programs are open to all.

Editor’s Note: This column by Caleb Jones is from the July 2023 edition of Rural Missouri magazine. It has been printed with permission by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.

A few weeks ago on a Friday afternoon, the Jones family got to travel back in time - not exactly by choice. The chance meeting of my propane tank and a skid-steer resulted in the emptying of my propane supply that would rival Old Faithful.

Thankfully no one was hurt, but the weekend turned into a family camping experience - only in our house. We had zero hot water and no working appliances.

While my kids didn't seem to mind the ice baths and hot dogs cooked over our firepit, after a couple days I caught my wife looking up hotels on her phone. The one saving grace came when Lindsey and I built our farmhouse the experts over at Boone Electric Cooperative

Consider Forage Testing Your Hay Crop This Year

by Shawn Deering, MU Extension Livestock Specialist

Haying season in northwest Missouri is just getting started. Most early reports indicate yields are less than normal or certainly less than expected. The prolonged, cool spring and lower than average rainfall may be the explanation for decreased production. Many producers have noted that even in well fertilized hay fields, forage growth has been slow. Hay supplies carried over from last year are also limited as many producers opted not to fertilize due to record high nutrient prices. While MU Extension has advised producers for years to conduct forage tests on their hay supply every year, this year it may be more important than ever. Depending on how the rest of the year goes, hay may be a precious resource and being able to manage it wisely starts with knowing the actual feed value of your supply. For example, let’s