Burke County 4-H Summer Fun Schedule

 

 

   

 

 

Visit our website for a printable registration form.  Click Here 

 

Mow Frequently - Mow High

 

What a difference a year makes! This time last year the lawn was barely growing and this year it is threatening to over take the house. The abundant rainfall has been wonderful for our thirsty lawns, and for those who managed to get fertilizer applied during the little bit of dry weather we had this spring, you can just about stand on the front porch and watch the grass grow!

 

To keep that lawn growing vigorously, there are some good management practices that must be followed. Never allow the grass to get more than five inches tall before mowing. Cut fescue lawns to a height of three inches now and in July start cutting at a height of three and a half inches. Bagging is not necessary as long as grass is cut on schedule and not allowed to get too tall. Allowing clippings to fall back on the lawn provides good organic material for the lawn.

 

Never let tall grass stay on the lawn. This will cause disease problems as well as smothering out the existing grass. When the grass does get too tall, rake grass clippings off the lawn immediately after mowing. Repeat mowing may be needed to even the lawn up.  

 

Do not fertilize in hot weather. If the lawn was not fertilized before March 1, wait until the fall to fertilize.

 

Make sure mower blades are sharp. Winter is an excellent time to have your mower serviced. Mowing with dull blades gives the lawn a ragged appearance. Never mow when the grass is wet. Wet grass tends to lay over on the ground rather than stand upright and an uneven cut will result.

 

A vigorously growing, green and healthy lawn is not impossible. Proper mowing and fertilizing techniques take care of most problems and the end result is well worth the effort.

Dealing with Pinkeye in Cattle

 

Pinkeye or infectious boveine keratoconjunctivitis was first diagnosed in 1889, and remains an economically important disease in cattle today. Caused by the bacterium, Moraxella bovis, with the source the eyes of carrier cattle. The carriers do not necessarily exhibit symptoms but serve as the source of bacteria for the rest of the herd. Face flies are the most prominent vector in the spread of pinkeye. The greater amount of face flies, the higher the risk of pinkeye. Calves are more likely to be infected than adults. Calves born to heifers have more problems than those born to mature cows. Weather conditions may affect the amount of ultraviolet light the animal's eyes are exposed to. Summer and fall are the height of infection, due to increased light intensity and fly populations. Wind, dust and pollen irritate eyes, making pinkeye more likely. Vaccinating cattle with IBR virus or any modified live vaccine during fly season, may result in increased susceptibility to pinkeye.

 

Excessive tearing of the eyes and squinting to sunlight is the first sign, and when treatment should start to be most effective. Within 24 to 48 hrs an ulcer will appear, and if left untreated, severe scarring, and ultimately blindness can result.

 

Long acting tetracyclines are the only labeled treatments for pinkeye. One injection of this product will generally result in fast healing, however, 2 injections are better, as they reduce bacterial load in the eye, limiting the spread of bacteria. Glue on eye patches are also useful, as they protect the infected eyes from sunlight, dust and fly travel, and will fall off on their eye in about 10 days.

IS IT RIPE?

 

Do you agonize over the bin of watermelons at the store as you try to choose a good, ripe melon? It's hard to know what's going to be on the inside when you get your melon home and make that first, exciting cut.

 

There are some techniques to use when choosing a watermelon. They aren't foolproof but should make your choice a bit more scientific:

 

 

When picking from the field, the curly tendril closest to the fruit should be brown but the rest of the vine should be green.

 

Try these tips on your next melon purchase. It takes practice but I can't think of a better excuse to buy lots of watermelons this summer.

It's time to make sure your canning equipment is in check. If your canner has a pressure gauge, it should be tested for accuracy each year to ensure safe food processing. You can get your pressure canner gauge tested for FREE at our office. Call Emily Troutman at 828-764-9480 to schedule an appointment.

Controlling Algae in Livestock Water Tanks

 

Livestock producers who water their animals in water tanks often battle with algae buildup during the summer months. Algae growth is just a nuisance and some algae are toxic. So what can producers do?

 

First, its a good idea to clean the tanks periodically. It is often tough to empty them for cleaning, so some forethought into allowing them to run dry is often the first step. Some tanks have built in drains and can be emptied in this fashion. If no drain is present, simply turning the water off and allowing the stock to drink the tank dry is often easier than turning the tank over and dumping the water. A stiff brush with a long handle will ease the task of cleaning the tank and is a real time and back saver. Scrub the sides and bottom and rinse thoroughly to reduce algae buildup, and impede its development.

 

Producers can utilize chemical products to kill algae. There many commercial products designed and formulated to kill, or reduce algal growth in both tanks and ponds.

Copper sulfate is one such product and can be used in water tanks. There are formulations on the market that are effective for this purpose. You can buy copper sulfate and mix your own as well, however, care must be given to achieve the correct parts per million in a particular water tank volume. There are guidelines available and Cooperative Extension can provide more information on this process. Copper sulfate is highly corrosive, so exposing metal tanks or pipes to this mixture can shorten the life of both pipes and tanks so keep exposure to a minimum. Using copper sulfate to treat algae growth can be harmful to sheep as they are not tolerant of high copper levels, so use caution with sheep.

 

Common, unscented household bleach also works as an algaecide. By adding 2-3oz. of bleach per 50 gallons of water, producers can reduce algae problems in livestock watering tanks. Done properly, both of these treatments are safe for livestock, and animals need not be withdrawn, however, keep in mind these treatments are probably more effective if given time to maintain concentration for a few minutes.

 

With a few minutes devoted each week to stock tank maintenance, producers can provide their animals a clean source of water free of algal growth, and who knows, it could also boost livestock performance.

Burke County Beekeepers 

Monday, July 9, 2018
6:30 pm