Spring 2015 -Grazing Gazette Ag Newsletter

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/

Lindie Huffman County Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources

An Agricultural Newsletter

SPRING 2015 IN THIS ISSUE: Burley Market Update

2

The Agent’s Corner

3

Timely Garden Tips Featured Program

4 5

May—Water Awareness

Upcoming Meetings 6 & 7

AGRICULTURAL EXPRESSIONS Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather reserve its life than destroy it. ~Henry David Thoreau

Gree ngs Agrarians,

The snow has finally ended, but the stability of our weather is s ll ques onable, as April has brought dras c temperature swings and buckets of rain and hail. I however, am simply just happy that the sun has joined us.

As we move into Spring months I am hos ng a variety of educa onal classes and workshops around water in honor of May as Kentucky Water Awareness Month. I hope you consider joining me as we discuss how water quality can affect the bo om dollar of your farming opera on.

Did you know that under Kentucky State Law since 1994, that if you own 10 or more acres of land and are involved in agricultural prac ces that you are required to have a Water Quality Plan on file?

Interested in learning more, be sure to a end the Water Quality Plan Workshop and you will leave with your plan ready to be filed at the local conserva on district.

Happy Spring Plan ng!

Lindie Huffman

The Grazing Gazette

based on grower expecta ons as of late February and

As burley contracts began rolling out over the past early March—prior to the roll‐out of tobacco two weeks it became obvious that 2015 will be a contracts. Given that grower expecta ons for 2015 challenging year for burley tobacco growers. While it burley contract volume were likely higher several appears that contract prices will be similar to 2014 weeks ago, I an cipate USDA burley plan ng price schedules (with a few companies reducing inten ons for 2015 to be inflated rela ve to actual contract volume and prices for mid to lower actual plan ngs. Based stalk leaf), U.S. burley on what I am hearing contract volume will be from various individual reduced significantly. companies and other Unlike during the days buying interests (i.e. of the former federal coopera ves), I could tobacco program when an cipate the call for a quota changes were 30 to 40 % or greater uniform across all reduc on in 2015 U.S. growers, contract burley acres. volume changes for 2015 will vary Photo Courtesy of: Lindie Huffman, County ANR Agent What can be made of considerably across these abrupt changes U.S. burley growers. In reality, 2015 contract volume a er the buying sector was so aggressive in changes range from small increases for a few purchasing leaf in the 2013 marke ng season and growers, to 100% reduc on for other growers with rela vely strong prices for 2014 contracted tobacco? differences within a given company generally based Perhaps some of the adjustments can be explained by on historical “scorecard” variable such as delivery several of the following factors. percentages and quality factors. Some companies are extending contracts almost exclusively to their mul ‐  A global surplus of burley has rapidly materialized over the past 18 months as world burley year contract growers, resul ng in the elimina on or produc on has increased by more than 30%, sharp reduc on in contrast volume for single year while global burley consump on has declined contract growers while others did offer “across the board” cuts to all contract growers.  Export demand is extremely weak amidst an abundance of cheaper foreign leaf and an In lieu of these abrupt changes, what will the change increase in the value of the U.S. dollar making U.S. in U.S. burley acres be for this year? The USDA tobacco more expensive in interna onal market plan ng Inten ons report will be released on March (ConƟnued on Page 4) 31st, but keep in mind that these survey results are

• Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Service •

U P D AT E

SPRING 2015

Is there something you’re interested in learning about? I am looking for suggestions for FALL and WINTER programming.

Send your ideas to lindie.huffman@uky.edu

Time is quickly coun ng down to the CAIP project/receipt deadline of June 11, 2015 before 3:30 pm.

All educa onal requirements must also be completed at this me. The remainder of programs held in PC can be found on page 6 & 7 of this newsle er.

Farmers Almanac

A er a long, brutal winter, spring is finally here, which means gardens are star ng to burst into bloom. In honor of this season of bright blossoms, here is a fun flower fact: It is esƟmated that there are approximately 250,000 species of flowering plants on Earth, but only around 85% have been cataloged so far.

of • Agriculture & Natural Resources•

The Grazing Gazette

(ConƟnued from page 2)

The remaining growers will need to realize that an excess supply market likely results in more cri cal grading for the 2015 crop and that non‐contract tobacco produc on will be extremely risky. With an cipated ghter margins, growers will have to place an even greater emphasis on quality, labor efficiency and yield to have a favorable outcome for the 2015 crop.



Some buyers overcommi ed in purchasing the 2014 U.S. burley crop as demand expecta ons did not materialize and thus will have to make addi onal adjustments in 2015 to correct for this imbalance

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The loss in Malawian burley produc on from recent flooding during the growing season was By: Will Snell, UK Agricultural Economist not as devasta ng as ini ally reported

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Current and forecast sales of American blended cigare e sales con nue to fall globally

Timely Garden Tips By: David Koester, CC Hort Agent

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Tobacco companies con nue to ghten burley inventories amidst a very uncertain domes c and  May 5—the earliest date that’s somewhat “safe” for plan ng global regulatory environment along with a small, tomatoes, but be ready to cov‐ but rapidly emerging non‐combus ble (i.e., e‐cig, er them with boxes through mid‐May, just in case vaping) market we have an unusually late freeze  An excess supply situa on provides an opportunity for companies to eliminate lower  May 10—the earliest somewhat “safe” date for se ng out pepper transplants quality growers or those who have not followed  Other earliest somewhat “safe” dates include: through with their previous contract obliga ons  May 1—Lima Beans & Cucumbers The U.S. burley growing industry has experienced dras c volume reduc ons in the past, followed by  May 5—Watermelons & Southern Peas some stability and even some periods of growth.  May 10—Eggplant, muskmelons, okra, sweet

potatoes and squash Perhaps this will occur in the near future, but no one can make this statement with a lot of confidence in  For staggered harvest of sweet corn, make plan ngs every 2 or 3 weeks through July 10 today’s marke ng environment. While the market is demanding less burley today, such dras c contrac on  Mid‐May to mid‐June for green beans of the industry within a single year possibly These somewhat safe planƟng dates will be one to jeopardizes future U.S. burley leaf supply security for two weeks later for gardens in low lying areas that buyers if the market eventually rebounds and the are more suscepƟble to a late frost. overall grass‐root poli cal support for the industry.

• Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Service •

SPRING 2015

May is . . .

Kentucky Water

Water Facts A Gallon of water weighs AN INCH OF WATER

COVERING ONE

Each May individuals across Kentucky celebrate Water ACRE (27,154 Awareness Month. This program first began in May of 1996 as an educa onal program of the University of Kentucky Coopera ve GALLONS) WEIGHS Extension Service. The program promotes overall water awareness 113 TONS. for the ci zens of Kentucky.

Kentucky

This May, think about how your day‐to‐day decisions affect Receives an water. Rou ne decisions, such as turning the water off while average of 40-50 brushing your teeth or wai ng un l you have a full load to start the inches of rainfall washer, can make a difference. Understanding how these daily per year. choices can affect the quan ty and quality of our water is key to conserving and preserving our water resources for present and A RUNNING TOILET future genera ons.

CAN WASTE UP TO

Water Quality is also a highly important topic for farmers. 200 GALLONS OF Managing your on farm water quality can have posi ve impacts on WATER EVERYDAY. your farm profits.

For more informa on on Kentucky Water Awareness Month Kentucky has over 90,000 contact the Pendleton County Extension office at 859‐654‐3395.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR WATER PROGRAMMING IN MAY. See Upcoming Events for More informa on.

miles of rivers and creeks.

• Agriculture & Natural Resources•

The Grazing Gazette

Upcoming Agriculture Meetings DATE

Apr

TIME

EARTH DAY!!!! Celebrate Earth day with us by plan ng some trees to replenish our Pick up forests. The Pendleton County Extension 8 am—4 pm Office has 5 varie es of trees for your free PC Extension Office through the selec on. Call us with your orders of 10 of week more trees. See included flyer for more informa on.

On Farm Water Management ‐ Water is one of the most important aspects to any farming opera on. It can add to yield, growth, and produc on. Managing the quality of water on your farm can have great impacts on the PC Extension Office profitability of your opera on. Join us as we discuss basic water quality enhancement techniques and how water can affect profitability for your livestock opera on.

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Apr 6:30 PM

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APPROVED

Farmers’ Market ‐ Interested in selling at the Farmers’ Market in the 2015 Season? Join us for our second market mee ng. We will also PC Extension Office be conduc ng Farmers’ Market Nutri on Program (FMNP) Training.

12:00 PM

6:30 PM

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CAIP

10:00 AM

Apr

Apr

LOCATION

Replant Kincaid ‐ Join us at Kincaid Lake State Park as we replenish the forest with saplings. As you know the Emerald Ash Borer has reeked havoc on our ash popula on. We Kincaid Lake State will be plan ng a variety of species in Park coopera on with Kentucky Division of Forestry and Na onal Arbor Day Founda on.

Free Seedlings will be distributed throughout the day to be planted at your home!

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MEETING

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR ANY/ALL MEETINGS BY CALLING The PC Extension Office 859-654-3395 OR ONLINE Pendleton.ca.uky.edu

SPRING 2015

Upcoming Agriculture Meetings DATE

TIME

LOCATION

CAIP APPROVED

10:00 AM

PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING ‐ For individuals seeking pes cide card for purchase of restricted use chemicals.

PC Extension Office **This training will not be offered again un l January 2016**

6:30 PM

Water Quality Plan Workshop – The KY Ag Water Quality Act was passed by the KY State Legislature in 1994 and requires land owners with 10 acres or more involved in agriculture to submit an AG Water Quality PC Extension Office Plan. This workshop will discuss the importance of water to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and you will have your water quality plan completed before you leave.

6:30 PM

BQA & EPD Training ‐ BQA = Beef Quality Assurance is an opportunity for ca le producers to learn best management prac ces and ensure wholesome products.

EPD = Expected Progeny Differences provides producers with an educa on on PC Extension Office how to interpret data on registra on papers. **These required for some CAIP programs.

These will not be offered again un l September 2015**

6:30 PM

Nutrient Management Plan Workshop ‐ Do you u lize manure or crop residues as a fer lizer source? Either way this course will be sure that you are ge ng the most bang PC Extension Office for that free fer lizer source. Join us as we discuss manure management and soil fer lity.

May 12

May 12

May 14

May 19

MEETING

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR ANY/ALL MEETINGS BY CALLING The PC Extension Office 859-654-3395 OR ONLINE Pendleton.ca.uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service University of Kentucky Pendleton County 45 David Pribble Drive Falmouth KY 41040

Pendleton County Agriculture Newsletter

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