Published: July 19, 2008 08:55 pm            

Navarro County Ag Update

Avoid Working Cattle in the Heat

As the summer heat continues to beat down this summer it is important to consider its impact on cattle and how we might need to adjust our plans. In a recent article in Drovers magazine, Dr. Rick Hasby, University of Nebraska animal scientist, advises producers to avoid working cattle during the heat of the day. Rasby says research in the 1980s found that cattle subjected to heat stress shortly after breeding, with their core temperatures raised by just 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit, had substantially higher embryo loss that cattle that were left in cooler environments. He also cites recent data from Nebraska animal scientist Dr. Terry Mader showing that moving yearling cattle just 2,000 feet during mild summer temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit could change the core body temperature by as much as 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. During hot weather, Rasby suggests working cattle before 8 a.m., if at all possible. While it might seem to make sense to work cattle as the air temperature drops near sundown, he adds, cattle can need at least six hours to cool down from an extremely hot day. Cattle that must be handled during hot weather should spend less than 30 minutes in the working facility. Rasby also stresses that confined cattle can drink more than 1 percent of their body weight per hour.

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Should I use a light discing to renovate my bermudagrass pasture?

According to Texas AgriLife Extension Service research discing or other light tillage can be used to renovate bermudagrass pastures under certain conditions. This will loosen the soil and allow penetration of moisture into the soil profile, decrease water runoff, and aerate the soil for better root development. Soil types which become very compact and develop plowpans or hardpan layers will respond to equipment that loosens the soil below the compaction layer. More intensive discing or plowing will incorporate organic matter in the soil, incorporate fertilizer and lime, destroy grassy weeds, scatter cut sprigs and increase soil water penetration. If done in the fall, it also allows for sod-seeding of legumes in the pasture. The fall can often times be a dry period of the year and can cause the desiccation of rhizomes and sprigs. Intensive discing in the fall has more risk than discing in late winter or early spring. Cultivation or discing of hay pastures is often desirable to smooth the soil surface making haying easier. This is especially true where fire ants are prevalent, or where cattle were allowed to graze during wet conditions. Discing should be done during grass dormancy or winter ideally, with care taken to conserve soil moisture, especially during drought.

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I have noticed a small insect on my okra plants. It is about a half of an inch in length, stays on the stem of the plant and seems to avoid me when I try to look at it by always staying on the opposite side of the stem. What kind of insect is this and should I be worried?

The insect this person was asking about is known as a Sharpshooter. It is a subgroup of the leafhoppers family. There are several kinds with different markings but the two most common are the blue-green sharpshooter and the dark form of the same. The can vary in color from whitish to pale green, to bluish gray or brown. Generally they are rarely numerous or damaging to host plants and the nymphs or immature stages are noticeable in the spring. They are often noticeable on garden plants like okra, resting along the stalks and hiding from viewers by quickly walking sideways around to the other side. They produce minimal damage to most crops, although they are capable of transmitting plant diseases such as Pierce’s disease of commercial graph varieties.

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I have been having problems with end rot in squash, what can I do to prevent this?

End rot or blossom end rot in squash is generally caused by a lack of calcium. Test the soil and apply the recommended amount of lime before planting. Mulch with two to three inches of materials; mulching prevents rapid soil drying and allows roots to take up available calcium efficiently. Do not over fertilize plants with nitrogen or potash. Excessive amounts of these nutrients depress the uptake of calcium. Water plants during extended dry periods. Add organic matter to the soil; organic matter will increase plant uptake of water and calcium. Grow squash in raised beds to improve drainage.

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