The Grazing Gazette - April 2014

The Grazing Gazette An Agricultural Newsletter April 2014

A Letter from the Agent….

Cooperative Extension Service Pendleton County 45 David Pribble Drive Falmouth, KY 41040 (859) 654-3395 Fax: (859) 654-3397 http://ces2.ca.uky.edu/ pendleton/

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Hello Agriculture Community,

Tips for Beef Sire Selection

2

Has Spring finally sprung??? We can only hope so.

As I sit writing my newsletter it is March 25th and it is currently snowing! This is the winter that will never end.

Tobacco GAP Training

3

Shared-Use Equipment

4

Facebook for Farmers

5

The Agent’s Corner

6

Agricultural Tour Flyer

7

Agricultural Tour Info

8

Upcoming Ag Programs

9

Our long hard winter could impact us in our agriculture production. We have been spoiled over the past couple of years with 80 and 90 degree weather in March, and therefore were able to get our crops out and in the ground earlier than ever. However, the year of 2014 does not seem to bring us such fortune.

That’s where we come in at the Extension Office.

Should you run into problems along the way, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you with those pesky insects and diseases (which hopefully that is one good thing that came out of our neverending winter. Here’s to hoping the bugs and diseases did not overwinter, cross your fingers!)

Happy Planting Ag Community!!!

Lindie Huffman Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Expressions of Agriculture

Tips for Beef Sire Selection Source: Darrh Bullock, beef specialist

The overall goal of a beef cattle operation is to increase net income by balancing what is spent on the operation with how much income it generates. A beef producer can accomplish this goal by increasing income while minimizing additional costs, or reducing costs while trying to maintain income.

One way to do this is to improve herd genetics through individual bull selection.

You should assess four primary characteristics when considering a purchase. These are reproductive soundness, structural soundness, visual evaluation and performance characteristics.

Having a breeding soundness exam done is the best way to determine a bull's reproductive soundness. While passing this exam means he should have the physical soundness to breed and settle cows, it does not measure desire. Observe bulls for their interest in females in heat.

Indications of structural soundness are that the bull moves without pain or discomfort and has appropriate angles at weight-bearing joints.

Visual observation is one way to evaluate important traits. These can include disposition, color, muscling, horned/polled, body capacity, structure, sheath and testicular development.

Expected calf performance is a primary reason to buy a bull. If replacement females will be retained, the first decision will be the breed's productivity level. When the breed is determined, selection among bull performance should be based on the expected progeny difference whenever possible. There is no such animal as the "best bull," because selection should be based on what you need to get from the bull.

Remember that as you select to improve one trait you often lose ground in another trait. For example, selecting for increased growth usually inadvertently increases cows' mature size and maintenance when retaining replacements. Balancing cows' productivity levels and energy requirements is extremely difficult and if done improperly likely will result in deceased reproduction. Before you buy a bull, consider what you want to produce and what resources (primarily nutrition) you have available.

Bull selection has an important long-term economic impact on your herd. Selecting the right bull for your operation involves setting production goals, analyzing your resources and management and locating the bull that best fits your situation. While this process will take time and effort, it can generate significant financial rewards when properly done.

For more information on selecting a beef sire and other management decisions for your beef cattle operation, contact the Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Service.

Upcoming Beef Educational Programs Saturday, April 12th Bull Breeding Soundness Kenton Co. Fairgrounds Registration Required 859-586-6101 To schedule appt.

Tuesday, April 22nd EPD Training 6:00 pm Pendleton Co. Ext. Office 859-654-3395 To Register **Last Call 2013 CAIP ** Tuesday, April 22nd BQA Training 7:00 pm Pendleton Co. Ext. Office 859-654-3395 To Register **Last Call 2013 CAIP ** Wednesday, April 30th Raising Market Ready Calves 7:00 pm Kenton Co. Ext. Office Registration Required 859-356-3155 **CAIP APPROVED** Monday, May 5th Field Day 6:30 pm Larry Miller Farm 859-654-3395 To register **CAIP APPROVED**

Tobacco GaP Training Calling all Tobacco Producers:

.

Pendleton county Library 801 Robbins Avenue Falmouth, KY 41040 Wednesday, April 16, 2014 @ 10:00 a.m.

Basic Terms of Use

Type of Equipment

# Available

Cost of Rental



Lime Spreader

3

$40/Day



Individual Hay Wrapper

3

$3/Roll $60 Minimum/Day

No Till Seed Drill

2

$8/Acre $50 Minimum/Day

Sprayer

1

$40/Day

PLEASE CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE @ 859-654-3395 FOR MORE INFORMATION

 



Reservations of Equipment are not accepted $50 deposit due at time of rental Full payment due at rental 25% Discount offered to Pendleton County Beef Cattle Association Members Full Terms of Use to be signed at time of rental

HOW CAN SOCIAL MEDIA HELP EXPAND YOUR FARMING OPERATION OR AGRICULTURE PRODUCT REACH? JOIN US ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24TH 6:30 PM @ THE PENDLETON COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE TO FIND OUT!!

DON’T HAVE A FACEBOOK? THAT’S OKAY, WE CAN HELP YOU OUT.

    

TOPICS TO BE COVERED: THE REACH OF SOCIAL MEDIA GETTING STARTED KEEPING CLIENTS ENGAGED WHY AREN’T THEY SEEING MY POSTS? STAYING ACTIVE **Feel free to bring laptops or iPads for hands on training**

The Agent’s Corner The Agent’s Corner is a place to feature noteworthy upcoming programs, topics, or current events.

The photos featured in The Agent’s Corner were personally taken by me. They will often feature my adventures in Pendleton County or life on the Family Farm.

Paper Retriever This bright green and yellow recycling bin is now sitting on our property for the convenience of our clients to drop off newspapers, catalogs, magazines, mail, and office paper. The paper collected is remanufactured into newsprint. We want your paper. Please be sure to bring your paper to the bin.

Calling all backyard gardeners, greenhouse producers, and plant enthusiasts…

Join the

in 2014 and turn those greens into green$$$!!! next meeting: April 17th @ 6:30 pm. @ the Pendleton County Extension Office

2013-2014 CAIP RECIPIENTS A Friendly reminder that your CAIP projects must be completed by July 11th, 2014 with all receipts turned in by 3:30 that day. In addition your educational requirement must be met. Pay special attention as there are 3 months left to obtain your educational credit, and there will be plenty of opportunity for you to pick a class.

ALL CLASSES WILL BE LISTED IN THE APRIL, MAY, & JUNE ISSUES OF THE GRAZING GAZETTE.

Join the Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Service as we embark on an educational and exciting journey that will take you to some of Ohio’s premier agricultural sites.

Highlights of the trip include but are not limited too: 

Behalt Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center Lehman’s General Store



Helping Hands Quilt Shop



Horse Drawn Farm Equipment Manufacturer





Heini’s Cheese Chalet



Half Stitched - musical

Dinner with an Amish Family



Velvet Ice Cream Company

 

Historic Roscoe Village (subject to change)

August 25th - 27th Space is limited to 55 travelers Call today to reserve your seat!

859-654-3395 For more information see reverse of this flyer or call the Pendleton County Extension Office

The Pendleton County Extension Service cordially invites you to partake in a 3 day adventure through Ohio’s Amish Country.

Hotel Accommodations: Includes 2 nights (based on double occupancy) continental breakfast, $20 meal $120 / person voucher at Amish Door Village, A welcome bag of assorted Amish treats.

Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend, or you may room with a friend. (If you do not wish to share a room, your lodging expense will be $240) Transportation: $66 / person

Transportation will be provided through a 47/55 Passenger Motor Coach.

Snacks , drinks, and movie entertainment will be provided, as well as guided tour through Amish Country.

Meals & Entertainment: 2 Continental Breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners are included, as well as entry TBD and admission to all featured tours and attractions.

Additional Costs:

Each participant will be responsible for 3 meals on their own, as well as any additional souvenirs or tours not included in the tour.

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat by August 1, 2014. Final payment is due

by August 20, 2014. Space is limited to the first 55 registrants.

Please complete the registration form below and drop off or mail to the Pendleton County Extension Office along with $100 non-refundable deposit.

Lindie Huffman Pendleton County Agriculture & Natural Resource Agent

Estimated Trip Cost: $300 - $425 **Final Cost Still to be Determined**

Kenna Knight Pendleton County Family & Consumer Science Agent

Amish Tour Registration Form Name: Last

First

Middle

Address: Street Address Home Phone:

City Cell Phone:

Email Address: Roommate: Make checks payable to: Pendleton Co. Extension

$100 Deposit Received: Full Payment Received :

State

Zip