Garrard Coffey

You can prevent hay bale or barn fires if you bale hay at appropriate moistures and monitor the temperature of recently baled hay. Generally, hay will go through a heating phase within one to two weeks after baling. During this time, you should monitor the hay to make sure it doesn’t reach temperatures that can damage the hay or lead to spontaneous combustion. It is not unusual for the temperature within a bale of hay to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and it may go as high as 130 degrees before beginning to decline. If the temperature peaks below 130 degrees, there may be some loss of quality but no danger...

Spring-Calving Cow Herd ·Observe the cows and bulls as the breeding season continues. Watch bulls for injury or lameness and change bulls if a high percentage of cows are returning to heat. Record cow breeding dates to determine next year’s calving dates and keep records of cows and bulls in each breeding group. ·Keep a good pasture mineral mix, which contains adequate levels of phosphorus, vitamin A, selenium and copper, available at all times. ·Cows should be on good pasture with clover and preferably low endophyte levels in fescue for the spring breeding season. Keep pastures vegetative by clipping or making hay. They should have abundant shade and water. Cows should become...

Home gardeners look forward to that first ripe tomato or ear of corn they pick from their carefully tended gardens.  But after some vigorous gardening on a hot, humid day, you may wonder if it is all worth it. Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients and sunlight.  Some weeds, like quackgrass, can chemically inhibit vegetable plant growth. Others host insect pests and disease pathogens.  All of these result in fewer fresh vegetables for your table. There are some preventive practices that effectively combat weeds.  Frequent hoeing or rototilling on a weekly basis helps eliminate weeds when they are small and easily removed. If you plant rows a little closer, vegetable crops provide...

Home gardeners look forward to that first ripe tomato or ear of corn they pick from their carefully tended gardens. But after some vigorous gardening on a hot, humid day, you may wonder if it is all worth it. Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients and sunlight. Some weeds, like quackgrass, can chemically inhibit vegetable plant growth. Others host insect pests and disease pathogens. All of these result in fewer fresh vegetables for your table. There are some preventive practices that effectively combat weeds. Frequent hoeing or rototilling on a weekly basis helps eliminate weeds when they are small and easily removed. If you plant rows a little closer, vegetable crops...

With summer drawing near, it is a good time to start thinking about protecting livestock from inevitable heat stress conditions on the way. “The combination of hot, muggy weather conditions prompts some real concern for humans, as well as livestock and pets,” said Tom Priddy, meteorologist for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “The livestock heat stress index is a combination of air temperature and humidity. That one-two punch makes it hazardous for people and animals. Dew point temperatures above 65 degrees lead officials to declare conditions dangerous for livestock.” The Livestock Heat Stress Index helps producers know when heat stress could create a problem for their...

Warmer weather brings more pest problems. Horn flies and face flies are key pests of Kentucky cattle. Both species breed in fresh manure piles, but they present different threats and management problems. Fortunately, you have a variety of fly control options. Horn flies are blood feeders. They remain on animals most of the time, taking 20 to 30 small blood meals per day. More than 100 flies along the sides and backs of each animal every day during the fly season can mean 12 to 15 pounds lower weaning weights for spring calves and poor gains for older animals. The close association between the horn fly and the animal, however, does...

A University of Kentucky entomology student has developed a list of bee-friendly trees and shrubs for the Ohio Valley region. The list can help homeowners, who have a desire to participate in bee conservation efforts, find the right plants for their yards. “This list allows the average homeowner to participate in meaningful bee conservation efforts using science-based plant recommendations,” said Bernadette Mach, a doctoral student in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment who is working with Professor Daniel Potter’s program. In the past five to 10 years, researchers estimate that pollinator populations have declined between 30 and 60 percent, depending on the pollinator. While much of the attention has focused...

Mosquitoes are appearing earlier than normal this year. University of Kentucky entomologists encourage Kentuckians to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites on themselves and their pets. “Mosquitoes breed in standing water. The recent rains we have had, coupled with the upcoming warm weather, may help them get off to a strong start,” said Grayson Brown, entomologist in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. This past week, UK entomologists captured Asian tiger mosquitoes in Central Kentucky. These mosquitoes normally appear in this area in mid-June and populations begin to climb throughout the summer, peaking in late July, early August. The mosquitoes tend to arrive in Western Kentucky a little earlier...

The average age of farm operators in Kentucky is increasing, and over the next several years, many farm families will consider transitioning their farm to the next generation. The decision of when and how to begin the farm transition process can be difficult; often, farm families avoid the issue because it can be a difficult topic to discuss. It is important to realize that at some point every farm business will experience a transfer of ownership, either with or without owner participation. The farm business can transfer in one of two ways: either as a viable farm business or as a set of assets. Typically, the goal of many families is...

Fireflies evoke memories of a childhood chase. You’d catch one in your hand and wait to see the flickering light and then moments later, release it unharmed and watch it fly away. This summertime favorite does more than generate entertaining childhood memories. They also help control some pests in your garden. On summer nights, glow worms (luminescent firefly larvae) often emerge from their underground homes to forage for food. A typical menu includes slugs, snails and caterpillars including cutworms. The larvae feed much like a spider by injecting a paralyzing toxin into their prey; then, injecting digestive juices to dissolve the prey and allow it to be more easily consumed. The...