Ranchers with rangeland in poor condition due to the droughts of recent years may want to consider a seeding program in the next couple of weeks to help speed up the restoration of the rangelands. By seeding ranges that have deteriorated due to drought and overgrazing, range managers can again make them productive. Seeding is also usually a best management practice following root-plowing that is used for brush control.
Range seeding is usually done in late winter or early spring, and since seeding is expensive and the risk of failure is always present, careful attention must be given to a number of important factors.
To begin, evaluate the quality of your current range, noting the distribution and number of desirable plants that are currently present. If you find that desirable plants make up less than 10 to 15 percent of the vegetation, seeding is probably justified. If on the other hand, you have more than 10 to 15 percent of desirable plants, you can improve your rangeland with improved grazing management along with weed and brush management.
Seed only better sites to insure reasonable chances of success. Steep, potentially erosive sites should not be disturbed. Species and varieties of plants selected for seeding must be adapted to the area’s soil, climate, and topography. Moreover, plants selected should be easily established, palatable to animals, productive, able to withstand invasion by undesirable plants, and able to withstand moderate grazing pressure, while at the same time prevent erosion.
As far as the seeding operation is concerned, plant into a well prepared seedbed, that is firm below the seeding depth, and free from live plant competition. The two most common methods of seeding rangeland are broadcast and drill. Broadcasting places seed on the soil surface while drilling places seed into the soil. Drilling is the best method, however due to rough rangeland, broadcast seeding by aerial or ground application is the most common method used.
A newly seeded area will need protection from grazing until the seedlings are established. With good growing conditions, deferment through one growing season may be adequate, however during periods of poor growing conditions, more time may be needed to help get the newly seeded area established. Weed control may also be needed during the first growing season to allow the seeded species to become established.
Information on plants adapted to your local area can be obtained from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Bookstore online at http://agrilifebookstore.org/ by loading the publication on Seeding Rangeland, or visit with your local County Extension Agent.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
HORSE PASTURE 101
With all of the recent rainfall, I have seen some situations in which horses that are penned in small lots are standing in water, instead of grass, and we all know that is not a good thing! This brings me to the point of this discussion, how much land area does it take to support a horse, without destroying the grass in the pasture? Horses tend to be hard on pastures for a few reasons. Often times they are overstocked, and the biting style of a horse is such that it allows them to clip plants off close to the ground causing severe problems for plant regrowth. Other horse habits bad for pastures include; defecating in localized areas, causing manure buildup and reduced palatability of the forage in those areas and their selective grazing instinct.
So the real question is how can horse owners control the grazing of horses so they get the most out of their pasture, while at the same time prevent the horse(s) from degrading the pasture?
Many horse farms, particularly those with small acreage should consider some type of controlled grazing system. This simply means limiting the time per day horses have access to pastures and/or dividing the pasture into smaller areas and practice rotational grazing. These practices will enhance total forage production and allow higher stocking rates to be maintained.
Proper stocking rates, or the number of horses per unit of land area, are affected by several factors including; size of horse, soil type, forage species, time of year, soil moisture, soil nutrient needs, and length of time horses have access to a pasture. These factors make it difficult to make a general statement providing a suggested number of head per land area.
If you plan on using a pasture as the total ration for the horse, you must consider several variables:
• Is there enough pasture to meet the needs of the animal?
• How much rainfall do you normally receive? Is irrigation of the pasture an option?
• What species of grasses are in the pasture?
• What is the soil depth and type?
• Does the horse receive supplemental hay or grain in addition to the pasture?
So after you have answered those questions, then consider calculating the stocking rate for horses. Generally, a horse weighing 1,000 pounds consumes 600 pounds of dry matter forage each month. This will calculate to 7,200 pounds of needed forage per year (600 lb/mo x 12 mo). Average pastures will produce 2 to 3 tons of forage per acre over a season depending on rainfall, soil type, and species of plants. A stocking rate of 600 to 700 lb/acre should be a good starting stocking rate for most pastures. Stocking adjustments can be made gradually according to increases or decreases in visually observed changes in forage supply, and should account for the prevailing rainfall.
Depending on the productivity of the pasture land, supplemental feeding may be required. Limiting grazing to several hours per day combined with supplemental feeding on smaller acreages will extend the length of the grazing seasons. Horses will need to be housed in a box stall or a dry lot for the period of time they are not on pasture.
Continuous grazing on pastures of limited acreages may require a recovery period of no grazing to maintain forage health and vigor. During periods of drought, when no forage is available, supplemental hay must be provided. During periods of very wet conditions, like we are currently experiencing, and the existing forage is very limited, horses should be held in a sacrifice area, which would be a small area of your pasture that you give up and fence off to keep the horses on when the pasture is wet or in winter so that they do not destroy your grass. Then you could create a rotational grazing system with the rest of the pasture, using electrified tape or some sort of temporary fence to divide off sections that you allow them to graze on. Remember not to graze the pasture to less than three inches before you rest it. You then need to allow the grass to regrow to six inches before you graze it again. All of this hinges on having a stand of forage to work with.
Continuous heavy stocking inevitably results in the deterioration of pastures. A good indicator of excessive stocking rates is when manure piles are readily seen, and when horses are observed grazing closer to these piles. Stocking rates should be based on total body weight per acre, and not number of horses per acre. This is because a 1000 lb horse will consume daily approximately 40% more forage dry matter than one that weighs 600 lb.
Horse owners should be realistic about the limitations of their land area and stocking rates. Since in many cases, small horse pastures are overgrazed, forage species like bermudagrass, that will stand significant abuse, should be considered for small land areas.
To help address issues related to bringing our pastures back to life in a productive fashion, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Nueces and San Patricio Counties will host the Coastal Bend Pasture Symposium, on Friday, March 12, 2010, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at 10345, State Hwy 44, just west of the Corpus Christi Airport. To aid with program planning, all participants are requested to pre-register by March 8 by calling 361-767-5223. There will be a registration fee of $10 per person payable at the door to help offset meal costs.
So the real question is how can horse owners control the grazing of horses so they get the most out of their pasture, while at the same time prevent the horse(s) from degrading the pasture?
Many horse farms, particularly those with small acreage should consider some type of controlled grazing system. This simply means limiting the time per day horses have access to pastures and/or dividing the pasture into smaller areas and practice rotational grazing. These practices will enhance total forage production and allow higher stocking rates to be maintained.
Proper stocking rates, or the number of horses per unit of land area, are affected by several factors including; size of horse, soil type, forage species, time of year, soil moisture, soil nutrient needs, and length of time horses have access to a pasture. These factors make it difficult to make a general statement providing a suggested number of head per land area.
If you plan on using a pasture as the total ration for the horse, you must consider several variables:
• Is there enough pasture to meet the needs of the animal?
• How much rainfall do you normally receive? Is irrigation of the pasture an option?
• What species of grasses are in the pasture?
• What is the soil depth and type?
• Does the horse receive supplemental hay or grain in addition to the pasture?
So after you have answered those questions, then consider calculating the stocking rate for horses. Generally, a horse weighing 1,000 pounds consumes 600 pounds of dry matter forage each month. This will calculate to 7,200 pounds of needed forage per year (600 lb/mo x 12 mo). Average pastures will produce 2 to 3 tons of forage per acre over a season depending on rainfall, soil type, and species of plants. A stocking rate of 600 to 700 lb/acre should be a good starting stocking rate for most pastures. Stocking adjustments can be made gradually according to increases or decreases in visually observed changes in forage supply, and should account for the prevailing rainfall.
Depending on the productivity of the pasture land, supplemental feeding may be required. Limiting grazing to several hours per day combined with supplemental feeding on smaller acreages will extend the length of the grazing seasons. Horses will need to be housed in a box stall or a dry lot for the period of time they are not on pasture.
Continuous grazing on pastures of limited acreages may require a recovery period of no grazing to maintain forage health and vigor. During periods of drought, when no forage is available, supplemental hay must be provided. During periods of very wet conditions, like we are currently experiencing, and the existing forage is very limited, horses should be held in a sacrifice area, which would be a small area of your pasture that you give up and fence off to keep the horses on when the pasture is wet or in winter so that they do not destroy your grass. Then you could create a rotational grazing system with the rest of the pasture, using electrified tape or some sort of temporary fence to divide off sections that you allow them to graze on. Remember not to graze the pasture to less than three inches before you rest it. You then need to allow the grass to regrow to six inches before you graze it again. All of this hinges on having a stand of forage to work with.
Continuous heavy stocking inevitably results in the deterioration of pastures. A good indicator of excessive stocking rates is when manure piles are readily seen, and when horses are observed grazing closer to these piles. Stocking rates should be based on total body weight per acre, and not number of horses per acre. This is because a 1000 lb horse will consume daily approximately 40% more forage dry matter than one that weighs 600 lb.
Horse owners should be realistic about the limitations of their land area and stocking rates. Since in many cases, small horse pastures are overgrazed, forage species like bermudagrass, that will stand significant abuse, should be considered for small land areas.
To help address issues related to bringing our pastures back to life in a productive fashion, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Nueces and San Patricio Counties will host the Coastal Bend Pasture Symposium, on Friday, March 12, 2010, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at 10345, State Hwy 44, just west of the Corpus Christi Airport. To aid with program planning, all participants are requested to pre-register by March 8 by calling 361-767-5223. There will be a registration fee of $10 per person payable at the door to help offset meal costs.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
PESTICIDE LICENSE RENEWALS UNDERWAY
Every year about this time my telephone starts ringing with questions about where one can get some CEU’s for their pesticide applicators license, since they just got their renewal notice in the mail from Texas Department of Agriculture. So, here are a few tips for consideration.
Start early! Continuing education activities occur year-round across the state. In Nueces County alone, in the year 2009, 38 hours of CEU’s were offered. You may not find affordable, convenient or sufficient numbers of opportunities if you wait until your license or certificate
renewal deadline is near.
Monitor the TDA list of approved recertification courses and training contacts. It’s available from the Certification and Training Division by calling 800-835-5832 (800-TELL-TDA). The list, along with links to Internet - accessible CEU’s, is also posted on the TDA website at: http://www.agr.state.tx.us/internet/ceucourse/search.jsp
Notify training contacts of your interest. They may be able to inform you when they have upcoming activities. Several commercial trainers offer courses exclusively for pesticide applicators. In addition, CEU’s are issued at many county programs sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Request to be placed on your local County Extension Agent’s mailing list.
Retain your Certificates of Completion. Although some commercial trainers may provide duplicate certificates, there is no recourse for lost certificates from the Extension Service. No single source provides cumulative tracking of all the CEU’s that you acquire. Shortly before your license or certificate expires, you will receive an application for renewal from the Texas Department of Agriculture. (Be sure to notify TDA if your address has changed.) After you submit the application for renewal, your license or certificate should a arrive within a few weeks. Keep your Certificates of Completion for one year following renewal.
WHAT CEU’s DO YOU NEED? For Private Applicators: 15 CEU’s every five years, including a minimum of 2 in Laws and Regulations, and 2 in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Up to 10 CEU’s may be obtained through TDA approved home study programs.For Commercial and Noncommercial Applicators: 5 CEU’s annually, including at least 1 CEU each in two of three special topics: Laws & Regulations, IPM, and Drift Minimization. CEU’s from TDA-approved home study may be used to re-certify only every other year. No CEU Carryover: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) must be acquired prior to renewal. Extra CEU credit obtained in one renewal cycle cannot be forwarded and used in the next renewal cycle.
Federal and state pesticide laws and regulations continue to change due to pressure on regulatory agencies from the public and organizations with concern(s) for environmental and public health protection. Application of pesticides by either ground or air may cause drift problems that result in property and human exposure. Effective May 4, 2008 Section 7.24 (t)(1) was revised to require individuals licensed as commercial or noncommercial applicators in the “Aerial” category to receive 1 CEU specifically addressing the challenges associated with “Minimizing Pesticide Drift” from aircraft (fixed wing or rotary). They must also receive 1 CEU in Laws & Regulations (L&Rs), and 1 CEU in pesticide safety. The remaining 2 CEUs can be in the general category or other subject matter areas (ex. weed and brush, IPM).
Start early! Continuing education activities occur year-round across the state. In Nueces County alone, in the year 2009, 38 hours of CEU’s were offered. You may not find affordable, convenient or sufficient numbers of opportunities if you wait until your license or certificate
renewal deadline is near.
Monitor the TDA list of approved recertification courses and training contacts. It’s available from the Certification and Training Division by calling 800-835-5832 (800-TELL-TDA). The list, along with links to Internet - accessible CEU’s, is also posted on the TDA website at: http://www.agr.state.tx.us/internet/ceucourse/search.jsp
Notify training contacts of your interest. They may be able to inform you when they have upcoming activities. Several commercial trainers offer courses exclusively for pesticide applicators. In addition, CEU’s are issued at many county programs sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Request to be placed on your local County Extension Agent’s mailing list.
Retain your Certificates of Completion. Although some commercial trainers may provide duplicate certificates, there is no recourse for lost certificates from the Extension Service. No single source provides cumulative tracking of all the CEU’s that you acquire. Shortly before your license or certificate expires, you will receive an application for renewal from the Texas Department of Agriculture. (Be sure to notify TDA if your address has changed.) After you submit the application for renewal, your license or certificate should a arrive within a few weeks. Keep your Certificates of Completion for one year following renewal.
WHAT CEU’s DO YOU NEED? For Private Applicators: 15 CEU’s every five years, including a minimum of 2 in Laws and Regulations, and 2 in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Up to 10 CEU’s may be obtained through TDA approved home study programs.For Commercial and Noncommercial Applicators: 5 CEU’s annually, including at least 1 CEU each in two of three special topics: Laws & Regulations, IPM, and Drift Minimization. CEU’s from TDA-approved home study may be used to re-certify only every other year. No CEU Carryover: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) must be acquired prior to renewal. Extra CEU credit obtained in one renewal cycle cannot be forwarded and used in the next renewal cycle.
Federal and state pesticide laws and regulations continue to change due to pressure on regulatory agencies from the public and organizations with concern(s) for environmental and public health protection. Application of pesticides by either ground or air may cause drift problems that result in property and human exposure. Effective May 4, 2008 Section 7.24 (t)(1) was revised to require individuals licensed as commercial or noncommercial applicators in the “Aerial” category to receive 1 CEU specifically addressing the challenges associated with “Minimizing Pesticide Drift” from aircraft (fixed wing or rotary). They must also receive 1 CEU in Laws & Regulations (L&Rs), and 1 CEU in pesticide safety. The remaining 2 CEUs can be in the general category or other subject matter areas (ex. weed and brush, IPM).
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
GRASSBUR CONTROL OPTIONS REVIEWED
As the recent rainfall continues to replenish our soil profile with moisture, the result will be a very green Spring across the state this year. As temperatures warm, warm season grasses and weeds will come to life, including the beautiful wildflowers. Unfortunately, along with the good, there will also be those pesky weeds, including plants like the grassbur. It seems that the year following a drought, weeds are much more pronounced in our pastures, as thin grass stands allow weed seeds to germinate.
Field sandbur (grassbur) is a summer annual or perennial grassy weed that can be found in home lawns, sports fields, parks, along roadsides, and in improved Bermuda grass pastures and hay fields. This weed is especially adapted to dry, sandy soils but can be found growing in other types of soils as well. The big problem with this weed is the sharp, spiny burs that are part of the inflorescence. The bur spines are stiff and can injure the mouths of animals and the hands and feet of people working in infested crops . Field sandburs (grassburs) generally start germinating in spring and will continue to germinate until late summer or early fall months. This weed will continue to grow until the first hard frost or freeze occurs in the fall.
Until recently, there were few herbicide tools available to help manage the grassbur in our Bermuda grass pastures. Now however, Prowl H2O, from BASF, has received a Supplemental label that will allow application to dormant Bermuda grass pastures and hay meadows for control of sandbur and other weed species (numerous annual grasses and small seeded broadleaf weeds) all of which are listed on the full label. This label will be in effect until December 2011.
The labeled rates for Prowl H20 on dormant Bermuda grass pastures and hay meadows is 1.1 to 4.2 quarts per acre. The higher rate is suggested for more dense infestations of targeted grasses and weeds or where a longer duration of residual weed control is desired. The timing for application is any time during winter dormancy and prior to weed germination. Ideally, activation of this herbicide is accomplished with one inch of precipitation following application.
There are some additional restrictions including; do not harvest Bermuda grass hay until 60 days after treatment, and do not harvest for forage or allow livestock to graze until 45 days after treatment. Prowl H20 can be used on all Bermudagrass varieties, but the stand must be established and have gone through at least one cutting before treatment. The use of Prowl H20 on rangeland is prohibited.
If you miss the opportunity to treat for grassburs when the Bermuda grass is dormant, there might be another option available. Last year, EPA granted a crisis exemption for the use of Pastora herbicide, from Dupont, for control of emerged sandburs in Bermuda grass. Application s had to be made when the sandbur was less than 1.5 inches tall and/or across and actively growing. Moreover, applications of Pastora had to be made to Bermuda grass that was less than 4 inches tall following initial green-up in the spring or after cutting for hay. Tall, dense stands of Bermuda grass can intercept spray and reduce sandbur control. This application has not been approved for 2010, however, a request has been submitted to the EPA for another crisis exemption for this year, and Dupont is hoping to receive a full federal label in the near future. At the date of this article, it is NOT legal to apply Pastora.
Pastora should not be applied to newly sprigged or newly planted Bermuda grass. Apply only to established Bermuda grass that is at least one year old. A follow-up application of Pastora may be necessary to control subsequent germination (flushes) of sandbur following the first application. For the control of sandbur species, apply Pastora herbicide at a broadcast rate of 1.0 to 1.5 ounces per acre. There are no grazing or haying restrictions for this herbicide, and as always, read and follow all the label restrictions when utilizing this product. Again, this label has not been approved for 2010, at this time.
The control of grassbur in improved Bermuda grass pastures and hay meadows with herbicides should be part of an overall management plan that includes fertility management based on soil testing, adequate soil moisture, insect and rodent control along with best management agronomic practices.
Any references made to commercial products or trade names were made solely for educational purposes with the understanding that no endorsement nor discrimination is implied by Texas AgriLife Extension Service or its agents.
Field sandbur (grassbur) is a summer annual or perennial grassy weed that can be found in home lawns, sports fields, parks, along roadsides, and in improved Bermuda grass pastures and hay fields. This weed is especially adapted to dry, sandy soils but can be found growing in other types of soils as well. The big problem with this weed is the sharp, spiny burs that are part of the inflorescence. The bur spines are stiff and can injure the mouths of animals and the hands and feet of people working in infested crops . Field sandburs (grassburs) generally start germinating in spring and will continue to germinate until late summer or early fall months. This weed will continue to grow until the first hard frost or freeze occurs in the fall.
Until recently, there were few herbicide tools available to help manage the grassbur in our Bermuda grass pastures. Now however, Prowl H2O, from BASF, has received a Supplemental label that will allow application to dormant Bermuda grass pastures and hay meadows for control of sandbur and other weed species (numerous annual grasses and small seeded broadleaf weeds) all of which are listed on the full label. This label will be in effect until December 2011.
The labeled rates for Prowl H20 on dormant Bermuda grass pastures and hay meadows is 1.1 to 4.2 quarts per acre. The higher rate is suggested for more dense infestations of targeted grasses and weeds or where a longer duration of residual weed control is desired. The timing for application is any time during winter dormancy and prior to weed germination. Ideally, activation of this herbicide is accomplished with one inch of precipitation following application.
There are some additional restrictions including; do not harvest Bermuda grass hay until 60 days after treatment, and do not harvest for forage or allow livestock to graze until 45 days after treatment. Prowl H20 can be used on all Bermudagrass varieties, but the stand must be established and have gone through at least one cutting before treatment. The use of Prowl H20 on rangeland is prohibited.
If you miss the opportunity to treat for grassburs when the Bermuda grass is dormant, there might be another option available. Last year, EPA granted a crisis exemption for the use of Pastora herbicide, from Dupont, for control of emerged sandburs in Bermuda grass. Application s had to be made when the sandbur was less than 1.5 inches tall and/or across and actively growing. Moreover, applications of Pastora had to be made to Bermuda grass that was less than 4 inches tall following initial green-up in the spring or after cutting for hay. Tall, dense stands of Bermuda grass can intercept spray and reduce sandbur control. This application has not been approved for 2010, however, a request has been submitted to the EPA for another crisis exemption for this year, and Dupont is hoping to receive a full federal label in the near future. At the date of this article, it is NOT legal to apply Pastora.
Pastora should not be applied to newly sprigged or newly planted Bermuda grass. Apply only to established Bermuda grass that is at least one year old. A follow-up application of Pastora may be necessary to control subsequent germination (flushes) of sandbur following the first application. For the control of sandbur species, apply Pastora herbicide at a broadcast rate of 1.0 to 1.5 ounces per acre. There are no grazing or haying restrictions for this herbicide, and as always, read and follow all the label restrictions when utilizing this product. Again, this label has not been approved for 2010, at this time.
The control of grassbur in improved Bermuda grass pastures and hay meadows with herbicides should be part of an overall management plan that includes fertility management based on soil testing, adequate soil moisture, insect and rodent control along with best management agronomic practices.
Any references made to commercial products or trade names were made solely for educational purposes with the understanding that no endorsement nor discrimination is implied by Texas AgriLife Extension Service or its agents.
PRIVATE APPLICATOR TRAINING & TESTING DATE SET
The Nueces County Office of Texas AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a Private Pesticide Applicator Training on Friday, March 5, 2010, at the Nueces County Extension Office located in the Calderon Bldg. at 710 E Main in Robstown, Texas. The training will begin at 8:00 a.m. followed by testing administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
A Private Applicator is defined by law as a person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted-use or state-limited use pesticide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity.
Participants in the training should secure a study manual from their local Extension Office prior to the training. The study manual is $25.00. Furthermore, participants in the training are encouraged to bring a pencil and calculator for the exam. Reviewing the study manual prior to the training and test will improve ones performance on the exam. For additional information about the training contact Jeff Stapper, County Extension Agent - Agriculture & Natural Resources at (361) 767-5223.
Individuals with disabilities, who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in any of the mentioned activities, are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office eight days before all programs for assistance.
A Private Applicator is defined by law as a person who uses or supervises the use of a restricted-use or state-limited use pesticide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity.
Participants in the training should secure a study manual from their local Extension Office prior to the training. The study manual is $25.00. Furthermore, participants in the training are encouraged to bring a pencil and calculator for the exam. Reviewing the study manual prior to the training and test will improve ones performance on the exam. For additional information about the training contact Jeff Stapper, County Extension Agent - Agriculture & Natural Resources at (361) 767-5223.
Individuals with disabilities, who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in any of the mentioned activities, are encouraged to contact the County Extension Office eight days before all programs for assistance.
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