Faulkner County Agriculture Update
April 9, 2021
General Conditions
Weather

There was a good prediction for rain this past Wednesday but we didn't get near the precipitation that I think we were predicted for. This allowed for producers to get back into fields today and get started again ahead of a new system that is predicted for tonight. Night time temperatures are still holding in the low 50's so we are still a little bit away from pasture and hay fertilization.
Arkansas River
Drought Monitor

Row Crop
Corn Planting

Corn planting has started in the county as we take advantage of the nice weather. I started in 2018, and this is the earliest we have started planting since I have been here. My ideal plant stand for corn is 32,000 to 33,000 plants per acre. Corn is one of those crops that has good germination and usually what you plant is going to be close to what you are going to get as far as plant stand. Right now since it is still a little cool I may bump my seeding rate up to 34 maybe 35,000 seeds per acre, and then as we get into warmer conditions bring it back down to 33,000.

Make sure to plant your non Bt hybrids first. Planting early gives an advantage over possible corn borer problems.

Since it is still cool and may take plants a little longer to emerge, take advantage of a residual herbicide program. Right after planting apply some dual or zidua to give you some time before a sidedress herbicide application is needed.
Rice Update

Rice planting has started in Faulkner County. I talked to a producer this week that has some rice in the ground and depending on the rain should be rolling full force soon.

As soon as you get through planting make sure to apply Command. I walked a lot of fields last year where Command wasn't applied pre and it made weed control a lot harder and a lot more expensive.

Below is the link to last weeks Arkansas Rice Update from Dr Jarrod Hardke.
Training Links

Below are the links to the Enlist and Paraquat Trainings. Enlist training is required every year.
Beef & Forage
Prairie Groundsel

Prairie Groundsel is the weed of the week in Faulkner County. I have gotten several questions about this weed because of the long stem and big bright yellow flowers. If you look at the plant itself, there isn't much to it. Just a few leaves that look like they are growing out of the ground. Most producers don't even notice it at first, but then all of a sudden it throws up this big stem and flower and you can see it all over your field.

Once we get to this stage of the plant, it is going to die soon and probably won't be much trouble in a hay crop. If you did want to control it, 0.5 to 1 ounce of metsulfuron per acre should do the trick.
Preparation key in herd sire selection

Continuing with last weeks update, here is some more information about selecting herd sires from Oklahoma State University.

Cattle producers may be feeling they’re back in school again, given the amount of homework required to determine what they need in a new herd sire.

“Purchasing a new bull is one of the most important choices a cattle breeder makes in terms of operational profitability,” said Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle specialist. “Before attending a sale, the producer needs to determine his or her operational goals and come up with criteria about the type of herd sire required to accomplish these objectives.”

Questions to ask will include:
  • Is there a particular genetic change that needs to be instilled in the herd?
  • Are the daughters of the bulls going to be kept as replacement heifers?
  • How much growth rate will be desired in the calf crop?
  • What bull sellers have already produced the type of herd sires desired?
  • When will the calf crop be marketed?
  • What economic and management resources will be required?

Breeders may narrow down their bull purchase options by reviewing sale catalog information such as Expected Progeny Differences, or EPDs, a calculated estimate of a bull’s future offspring value relative to another sire within a breed. The buyer should make the breed choice first and then study performance data.

Mark Johnson, OSU Extension beef cattle specialist, recently provided insights into the use of EPDs in selecting the right bull on the agriculture television show SUNUP. Beck and Johnson are faculty members in the OSU Department of Animal and Food Sciences.
“Many sire summaries provide information on about 20 genetic predictors, ranging from calving ease and maternal performance in the bull’s female offspring to factors that impact carcass traits such as marbling, ribeye size and fat thickness,” Johnson said. “While almost all of the predictors will have an effect on a herd, only a relative few will have a significant impact on operational profitability.”

Biometric indexes are a key part of most sire summaries. These are a selection of traits that inform the buyer of potential profit and loss expectations should the producer retain ownership through the finishing aspect of raising cattle.
Additional OSU Extension recommendations are to:
  • Look for uniformity in EPDs.
  • Do a visual appraisal of the potential herd sires selected from the catalog.
  • Speak with the bull’s breeder. One of the best ways to enhance quality assurance beyond the numbers is by asking questions directly.

Remember that a breeding bull has a prime period of life. They need to be sound, fit and athletic to cover terrain and settle cows and replacement heifers. Bulls past the age of 6 are more likely to suffer physical breakdown.

Research indicates a general rule-of-thumb for the number of cows and replacement heifers a bull should be expected to cover in a breeding season:
  • A 12-month-old bull – about 12 females in his first breeding season.
  • An 18-month-old bull – about 18 or 19 females.
  • A 2-year-old bull – up to 25 cows or replacement heifers.
  • A mature bull – 25 to 35 females per season
This week Dr James Mitchell talks about the 2021 Prospective Plantings.
Livestock Market Report

The weekly livestock market report is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website.
Faulkner County Extension Volunteer Tax

I would like to thank everyone that supported the Faulkner County Extension Office by contributing to us through the voluntary tax last year. I was excited and moved by how much the clients in our county supported us. Thank you so much!

As we move into 2021 I would like to again ask and encourage everyone to contribute to the voluntary tax. This tax helps us continue to provide quality educational programs to Faulkner County citizens.
Upcoming Events
Contact Information
Please make sure to change my email in your address book.

My new email is klawson@uada.edu.

The Extension webpage address is uaex.uada.edu.
Social Media

For more updates on upcoming events and to keep up with what's going on in agriculture in Faulkner County follow me on Facebook and Twitter


Contact Kevin Lawson, County Extension Agent–Staff Chair, Faulkner County | www.uaex.uada.edu/faulkner