an agricultural newsletter

An Agricultural Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE:

AGRICULTURAL

EXPRESSIONS

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

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Greetings Agrarians,

Well, it seems that winter has still yet to arrive as we are now into

the new year. Here’s to hoping our winter weather is mild and we

have a productive spring. As the cold weather approaches consider

joining us for one of our educational programs.

We are proud to be offering our second Agricultural & Cultural Tour

coming up this April. Reserve your spot today for a journey through

Appalachia. We will highlight the lives of the Native Cherokee

people, early settlers like those of Daniel Boone, and our highlight

will be a visit to the stunning Biltmore Estate. See the flyer on page

8 (back page) for more details.

Be sure to like us on Facebook to stay up to date with new

programs and other community and educational opportunities. We

strive to offer high quality programs. Have an idea for a program?

Drop me a line and I will see what I can do.

https://www.facebook.com/pendletonanrukyextension/

Sincerely,

Lindie Huffman Pendleton County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Always do your best.

What you plant now,

you will harvest later.

~ Og Mandino

The Grazing Gazette

Is fat a bad word? Not necessarily. Simply put, fat is just the body’s storage form for energy. If an animal consumes more energy than it uses, its body will store the excess calories as fat—like money in the bank they can use in an energy shortage (think cows calving in late winter). Fat imparts flavor to food (like a T-bone steak) but it also adds calories, so managing fat can be a delicate issue in the cattle business.

Presently, the quality of beef is estimated to a large degree by the amount of marbling (intra-muscular fat) that it contains. Tenderness is also im-portant but is generally a function of age; younger is better. Marbling generally increases after the animal attains some maturity and external fattening has oc-curred. External fat is frequently used as an indication of when cattle will have enough marbling to grade choice or prime.

So, why don’t we just measure marbling? We’re getting to that with ultrasound technology, and it would allow us to avoid over-finishing fed cattle. Ideal-ly, marbling would occur in feedlot cattle with very lit-tle external fat being present. We would like to have Choice and Prime quality grades with yield grades of 2 or 3 for our fed cattle, but if we bred cattle to meet this criterion, it could have a negative effect on the beef cow herd by potentially taking away fleshing ability, which could have a negative effect on reproduction.

It is important to understand how cattle fatten so that we can manage them accordingly. Fat is “laid down” from front to back and top to bottom. The fore ribs and spinous processes, the bony projections on top of each vertebra, are covered first, then the fat cover continues backward and downward. That’s why folks look for cod fat (in the scrotal area) as an indica-

tor of when cattle are finished; it is the last place to fatten. Loss of body fat happens in reverse order. Fat cover is the basis for condition scoring in beef cattle.

Body condition has a definite impact on reproduc-tive performance. Cows should generally be at a Body Condition Score (BCS) of five at the beginning of the breeding season. A cow with a BCS of five will have some fat reserves, with fat cover over all the ribs. As cows lose condition, a BCS of five would become a BCS of four when there is no cover over the last two ribs. This would mean that the cow has very marginal energy reserves for good reproductive performance. If this loss of condition continues so that you can see the fore ribs (BCS three), then you have a real problem: conception rates will suffer.

You generally see a loss of condition after calving when dietary energy needs have dramatically in-creased and the feed you supply isn’t meeting those needs. The cow has to “withdraw energy from her bank” to meet her nutritional needs. It is important that some energy reserves are available.

What about the herd bulls? Bulls need some ener-gy reserves so they can stay active during the breeding season, but bulls are athletes and need more than just fat. They should have muscling, sound feet and legs, and they should be able to sire a large number of calves in a short period of time.

Managing fat, or body condition, is important in the cattle business, especially in the cow herd for opti-mum reproduction. Fat is important—both too much or too little can be a problem. Astute producers recog-nize the importance of efficient cattle that can main-tain adequate energy reserves without wasting feed resources.

by Roy Burris, UK beef specialist;

2017, Issue 1

WINTER 2017

of the

Farmers Almanac OVERALL WINTER WEATHER FORECAST 2016–2017 Solar Cycle 24, the smallest in more than 100 years, is well into its declining phase after reaching double peaks in late 2011 and early 2014. As solar activity continues to decline from these low peaks toward a minimum in early 2019, we expect temperatures in much of the nation to be much colder than last winter, but still above normal.

Snow Policy If the Pendleton County schools are closed due to snow, most Extension programs and meetings scheduled that day are also canceled. Please call the Extension Office to see if the activity has been rescheduled.

The Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the

basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Jim Lawson, UK College of Agriculture, 859-257-3879; Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of

Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 859-257-8927; or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights,

Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 (202-720-5964).

CAIP Cost Share:

All projects & paperwork must be completed and

turned in to the Pendleton County Extension Office by Thursday, August 31, 2017.

2017, Issue 1

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The Grazing Gazette

Upcoming Agriculture Meetings DATE TIME MEETING LOCATION CAIP

JAN 19 - 20 ALL Day Kentucky Cattleman's Convention Lexington, KY

19-Jan 6:30 PM Calving Strategies - Get tips from UKY Veterinarian Dr. Michelle Arnold to improve calving success.

Kenton CES

23-Jan 6:30 PM

First Impressions - A look at Pendleton County from the visitors perspective. Come learn what strategies are being taken to make Pendleton County a great place to visit.

Pendleton CES

25-Jan 6:30 PM

Veterinary Feed Directive UPDATE - Beginning January 1st antibiotic in livestock feed from beef to bees will only be available with a valid veterinary directive. Join us to learn from Dr. Michelle Arnold from UK on how this will affect your farm operation.

Pendleton CES

30-Jan 10:00 AM

Home Based Micro-Processing Renewal - For previously trained Homebased food processors looking to renew their certificate. $10 renewal fee.

Pendleton CES

30-Jan 6:30 PM

Tobacco GAP Meeting - Good Ag Practices training is required by many tobacco companies, get your education hours and the latest about KY's tobacco market and crop production. For other dates of meetings in KY please refer to the following website: http://www.gapconnections.com/Pages/Calendar.aspx

Pendleton CES NO

1-Feb 6:30 PM Private Pesticide Training Pendleton CES NO

7-Feb 6:30 PM From the Ground UP - A Gardening Series - Session 1

Pendleton CES

13-Feb 6:00 PM Tobacco GAP Harrison CES NO


Pendleton CES

15 - 18 Feb National Farm Machinery Show Louisville, KY NO

2017, Issue 1

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WINTER 2017

Upcoming Agriculture Meetings DATE TIME MEETING LOCATION

CAIP

APPROVED

DATE TIME MEETING LOCATION CAIP

APPROVED

20-Feb 9:00 AM Vegetable GAP - Suggested for veggie growers required for new Farmers Market members.

Campbell CES


Pendleton CES

23-Feb 10:00 AM BQA Training - (BEEF) Pendleton CES NO

23-Feb 11:00 AM EPD Training - (Livestock/Beef) Pendleton CES NO

23-Feb 6:30 PM

Farmers Market 2017 Kickoff Meeting - Do you have a big garden with lots of extra veggies? Or do you make beautiful handcrafted soaps, jams, jellies, rustic arts, jewelry, etc? Join us for a meet and greet of market members and find out how easy it is to join!

Pendleton CES


Pendleton CES

3-4-Mar All Day Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) Conference

Shepherdsville, KY

4-Mar 10:00 AM Sugar Days @ Faith Acres Farm - Join PC Extension and learn all about maple syrup production right here in Pendleton County.

Faith Acres Farm Butler, KY

7-Mar 6:30 PM From the Ground UP - A Gardening Series - Session 5

Pendleton CES

7-Mar 6:00 PM Tobacco GAP Meeting Nicholas CES NO

9-Mar 6:00 PM Tobacco GAP Meeting Owen CES NO

9-Mar 6:30 PM

Estate Planning Seminar - Part 1 Learn strategies to prepare for the unexpected. Understanding what it takes to provide for the next generation.

Pendleton County Public Library


Pendleton CES

2017, Issue 1

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The Grazing Gazette

Upcoming Agriculture Meetings DATE TIME MEETING LOCATION

CAIP

APPROVED

DATE TIME MEETING LOCATION CAIP

APPROVED

16-Mar 6:30 PM

Estate Planning Seminar - Part 2 Hear from local experts on Kentucky Tax Laws, probate, and the benefits and weaknesses of wills and trusts.

Pendleton County Public Library

18-Mar 9:00 AM

Horse Health Day - N. KY Horse Network fundraising event that allows you to receive discounted Coggins Testing and other equine vaccines. No appointment necessary.

Alexandria Fairgrounds

NO

20-Mar 6:30 PM Farmers Market Meeting - Mandatory Training for 2017 Participation

Pendleton CES


Pendleton CES

3-Apr 9:30 AM—

3:30 PM

Homebased Micro processing - interested in taking your canned food products to the customer. Here is your first step.

Campbell CES

4-Apr 6:30 PM From the Ground UP - A Gardening Series - Session 8

Pendleton CES

17-Apr 6:30 PM Farmers Market Meeting - Pendleton CES

19-22 Apr

MULTI DAY

Agriculture & Cultural Heritage Tour: An Appalachian Journey - Join the Pendleton County Extension ANR & FCS Agent on our tri-annual tour. This trip will study a history of the Appalachian culture starting with the early Native Americans and ending with an inside look at the Biltmore Estate. Stay tuned for sight specifics in upcoming newsletters and our websites.

4-day tour of Kentucky,

Tennessee, and North Carolina

9-May 6:30 PM From the Ground UP - A Gardening Series - Session 9

Faith Acres Farm Butler, KY

2017, Issue 1

WINTER 2017

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Join the Pendleton County Cooperative

Extension Service and Faith Acres Farm for a

hands-on approach to obtaining that green

thumb. All programs will offer an activity to

cultivate your gardening skills.

2017, Issue 1

Agriculture & Natural

Resources Newsletter Pendleton County 45 David Pribble Drive Falmouth KY 41040 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID

FALMOUTH, KY PERMIT # 69

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Pass through the Cumberland Gap Journey back in time at the Museum of

Appalachia Enjoy a day of cultural exploration of the

Cherokee Tribe in Cherokee, NC Discover the delights of the WNC Farmers

Market

Explore the beautiful city of Asheville, NC Take a behind-the-scenes farm and garden tour

of the Biltmore Estate Traverse the gardens of the NC Arboretum Immerse yourself in the cultural arts of quilting,

basket making, and pottery Taste the unique cuisine of Appalachia

2017, Issue 1

an agricultural newsletter

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