ANR News in-brief items for your consideration...

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1 Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resources March/April 2017 PURDUE EXTENSION LAWRENCE COUNTY AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES NEWSLETTER ANR News in-brief items for your consideration Extension Annual Report Now Available! Learn about Purdue Extension s recent achievements in programs related to agriculture and natural resources, community, the environment, family, food, youth and much more! Hear firsthand from the people who benefit from our work in Purdue Extension. Discover powerful data that proves Purdue Extension is making a difference statewide. Gain a glimpse at what s next for Purdue Extension as we continue to launch big ideas that move our organization and state forward. This is not just our annual report. We value our volunteers and partners who are indispensable to our mission. Thank you for helping us reach and engage millions of people! Check out the annual report online at: annualreport Storms are Causing Damage and Tree Cleanup, What to Do Next Safety first! Stay clear and look for dangerous hanging limbs, broken branches and other failures before beginning cleanup or inspections. Keep others clear of the areas beneath and around damaged trees. Be alert for power lines that could be involved with damaged trees. All utility lines should be considered energized and dangerous. Lindsey Purcell, Purdue urban forestry specialist, shares, "in my experience, during storm cleanup, many tree owners are faced with the decision of what to do with their trees relative to restoration or removal". There are several types of tree damage that occur from violent weather. Each has its own specific assessment considerations. All parts of the tree should be inspected during a post-storm assessment. This requires the expertise of trained, professional arborists to assist with the decision making regarding the best course of action. Unfortunately, there are those who take advantage of the situation and overcharge or provide poor advice when it comes to the best decision on their trees. Don't make any hasty decisions and be sure you are hiring an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist, ask for references and proof of insurance in the process. For further information, please visit: Forage, Feedstuff and Soil Analysis Available through Extension Office Purdue University Extension Services strongly encourages the checking of nutritional levels of any forages and feedstuffs before feeding these to one s livestock. One could be surprised at how much energy and nutritional value may be lost in a year of storage. Soils should also be analyzed before planting a new crop. Our office has several options for analysis needs. If you have questions about how to sample your forages, feed ingredients, garden, field or yard, please contact our office for more information! HERE S WHAT IS INSIDE... BRIEFS AND AN- NOUNCEMENTS BEEF PRODUCER PROGRAM OPPOR- TUNITIES MARCH AND APRIL HORT TIPS UPCOMING LAW- RENCE COUNTY ANR PROGRAMS OHIO VALLEY SMALL FARM AND GARDEN CONF. WARMER TEMPERA- TURES ARTICLE FORAGE COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING Do you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter? Please odavis@purdue.edu to get added to the list!

2 Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resources March/April ANR News in-brief items for your consideration (cont.) BQA certification now free, online, 24/7 You read the headline right. The checkoff's Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification is now always FREE online! It's a new interactive online experience that beef and dairy producers can sign up for and complete at their convenience. Why BQA? Because it tells consumers that you have a commitment to delivering a product that is backed by science-based standards. Certification also addresses many questions that consumers have about beef production. BQA ensures consumers that cattle producers are committed to responsibly raising safe, wholesome, high quality beef. "It only takes a few hours of watching modules and answering questions, but serves as a checklist for producers to make sure they are using the latest management practices," says Josh White, Executive Director of Producer Education for the beef checkoff. "We have seen time and time again how consumer confidence is positively affected when BQA standards are followed, and producers have shown their commitment to producing quality beef by being BQA-certified." So whether you need to get certified for the first time, or recertified, do it today! It's always free! For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com Lawrence County Fair Be sure you go ahead and mark your calendars: Lawrence County Fair: July PARP License Credits and Recertification Programs *To check your PARP license credits (number of events attended), go to the OISC FARMER Records (PARP) site at: Once there, click on your county of residence and check the listing provided at the bottom of the page for your records. *To check on additional OISC approved private applicator recertification program (PARP) events throughout Indiana, go to the Office of the Indiana State Chemist calendar at: Hay & Pasture Information **Producers can find additional information and keep up with the latest hay and pasture news, events and recommendations on the Purdue University Forage Information site at: **Additional information for southern Indiana growers is also available from the University of Kentucky Forage Site at:

3 Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resources March/April ANR News in-brief items for your consideration (cont.) Indiana Beef Evaluation Program (IBEP) The purpose of IBEP is (1) To promote performance testing and carcass evaluation of beef cattle and serve as an educational tool to acquaint producers with their value; (2) to complement on-farm performance testing; (3) to provide a common environment for evaluating the performance of young bulls; (4) to assist breeders in identifying sires whose progeny excel in growth rate, feed conversion and carcass value; and (5) to aid beef producers in obtaining superior, performance tested bulls which have been evaluated for growth, breeding and structural soundness, and carcass merit. All beef producers are welcome to enter bulls in the IBEP performance tests. Any beef producer is welcome to enter bulls in IBEP performance tests. Entrants are required to have their herds enrolled, and be currently participating in their breed s performance testing program. In order for bulls to be eligible for IBEP auctions, they must be registered, have EPDs for birth weight, weaning weight, maternal milk and entrants much be participating in an official herd performance testing program, with weaning data reported to and processed by their breed association. Entrants are required to be members of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association. To join, visit The General Membership form is located under the menu s Membership tab. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ophelia Davis (odavis@purdue.edu) for more information, and visit the test station during a working day to view bulls currently on test. Tuesday, March 21 Monday, March 27 Thursday, March 30 test Monday, April 10 Thursday, April 20 Tuesday, May 2 Upcoming Dates for IBEP: Ultrasound younger bulls Record off-test weights, measure hip height and scrotal circumference; TB injection Breeding Soundness evaluation, freeze brand, read TB Entry deadline for 2017 Summer Test 79th IBEP Bull Sale, Springville Feeder Auction, 6:00 p.m. Delivery of bulls for 2017 Summer Test For more information on IBEP, please visit: Indiana Beef Evaluation and Economics Feeding Program (IBEEF) IBEEF is a steer and heifer feedout program that provides Indiana producers with a way to place cattle on feed and gather performance, carcass, and economic information to make genetic and management improvements in their herd. Cooperators receive individual and group feedlot performance, feedlot costs, and individual and group carcass information, including quality and yield grade, ribeye area, fat thickness, carcass weight, etc. IBEEF also allows producers to compare sires, as well as evaluate alternative marketing strategies and their impact upon profitability. The program also helps to improve the reputation of producer cattle by establishing a database of feedlot performance and carcass merit on their calves. Check out the IBEEF website: If you are interested in participating, please contact Ophelia Davis (odavis@purdue.edu) for more information.

4 Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resources March/April ANR News in-brief items for your consideration (cont.) Winter Horticulture Calendar Lawns, Tree Fruits, Landscape Plants, and Woody Ornamentals March Plant new trees and shrubs as soon as the soil dries enough to be worked. Plant bare-root plants before they leaf out. Soils may be exceptionally wet this spring as winter snows thaw. Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins, but after soil temperatures have reached 40 degrees F. Remove winter coverings from roses as soon as new growth begins. Prune out dead canes and fertilize as needed. Delay pruning into live canes until after winter injury can be assessed. Apply superior oil spray to control scale insects and mites when tips of leaves start to protrude from buds. Prune trees and shrubs, except those that bloom early in spring, while plants are still dormant. If winter injury is a concern, delay pruning until after dieback; desiccation injury can be assessed as plants come out of dormancy. April Plant a tree in celebration of National Arbor Day, which is April 29. Bare-root stock should be planted before new top growth begins. Balled- and-burlapped and containerized stock can still be planted later in spring. Fertilize woody plants before new growth begins. Two pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet should be sufficient. Complete pruning chores, removing dead and injured branches first. Apply a prebloom, multipurpose orchard spray to fruit trees. Remove winter coverings from roses, but keep mulch nearby for protection from late freezes. Prune and fertilize as needed. Apply pre-emergent herbicide to control crabgrass in lawns. Approximate dates of application are late March to mid-april in southern Indiana and mid-april to early May in northern Indiana. Exact timing varies each year with weather conditions. Indoor Plants and Activities March Start garden seeds indoors for transplanting outdoors later in spring. Check stored bulbs and produce for decay; discard damaged items. Prune, repot and clean houseplants as needed. Begin fertilizing houseplants as new growth appears. Keep spent leaves and flowers removed to improve appearance and encourage more blooms. April Start seeds of warm-season plants, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, marigolds, zinnias and petunias, indoors for transplanting later to the garden. Harden off transplants started earlier in spring before planting outdoors gradually expose the young plants to outdoor conditions of wind, brighter sunlight and lower moisture. Apply fertilizer to houseplants according to label directions as days grow brighter and longer and new growth begins. Foliage plants require relatively high nitrogen fertilizer, while blooming plants thrive on formulations that are higher in phosphorus. Keep Easter lily in a bright, cool location, out of direct sunlight. Water as soil begins to dry. The yellow, pollen-bearing anthers inside the flower can be removed by pinching to prevent staining of the petals.

5 Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resources March/April Winter Horticulture Calendar Flowers, Vegetables and Small Fruits March Gradually harden off transplants by setting them outdoors during the daytime for about a week before planting. Follow last fall's soil test recommendations for fertilizer and ph adjustment. It's not too late to test soil if you missed last year. Start seeds of warm-season vegetables and flowers indoors; in northern and central Indiana, wait until the end of March or early April. Transplant to the garden after danger of frost has passed. Watch for blooms of early spring bulbs, such as daffodils, squill, crocus, dwarf iris and snowdrops. Remove old asparagus and rhubarb tops, and sidedress the plants with nitrogen or manure. Plant or transplant asparagus, rhubarb and small fruit plants. Remove winter mulch from strawberry beds as soon as new growth begins, but keep the mulch nearby to protect against frost and freezes. Remove weak, diseased or damaged canes from raspberry plants before new growth begins. Remove old fruiting canes if not removed last year, and shorten remaining canes if necessary. Prune grapevines after winter injury can be assessed. Plant cool-season vegetables and flowers as soon as the ground has dried enough to work. Do NOT work the soil while it is wet; wait until it crumbles in your hand. If the soil forms a solid ball when squeezed, it's still too wet. April Plant seeds of cool-season crops directly in the garden, as soon as soil dries enough to be worked. When squeezed, soil should crumble instead of forming a ball. Cool-season crops that can be direct-seeded include peas, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips and Swiss chard. Plant transplants of cool-season crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and onions. Plant or transplant asparagus and rhubarb crowns. For best plant establishment, do not harvest until the third year after planting. Plant sections of certified, disease-free potato seed tubers. Allow foliage of spring-flowering bulbs to remain in place after blooms fade. Leaves manufacture the food reserves, which are then stored in the bulb for a repeat showing next year. Plant hardy perennials, such as daylilies and delphiniums. Start tuberous begonias and caladiums indoors for transplanting to garden later. Remove winter mulch from strawberries, but keep mulch handy in case late frosts are predicted and to help keep weeds under control. Plant or transplant strawberries, raspberries and other small fruit. Prune grape vines to remove dead or weakened limbs, and repair support trellises as needed. Facts for Fancy Fruit A newsletter for commercial and advanced amateur fruit growers. Find out more here: fff.hort.purdue.edu/

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9 Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resources March/April Warmer Temps Not a Threat to Fruit Crops, Specialists Say After two months of unusually warm conditions throughout Indiana, state climatologists based at Purdue University believe temperatures will slowly return to seasonal norms over the next month, which is good news for fruit growers and home gardeners concerned that their plants might be emerging too quickly. There is a lot more weather to come before we know what the fruit crop outlook will be, but as of right now things are in good shape and, in fact, a bit more chilling is needed for some fruit crops, said Bruce Bordelon, professor of horticulture and Purdue Extension viticulture and small fruit specialist. Bordelon advised growers to be patient, giving trees, bushes and vines more time to get their winter rest. The general consensus for now is to delay dormant pruning until a bit later in case there is significant weather to come, he said. Fruit production is an increasingly important part of Indiana s agriculture industry. The state ranks 10th nationally in blueberry production at 3.6 million pounds annually and produces 26 million pounds of apples per year, ranking 20th in the country. Together, Indiana apple and blueberry crops have a combined value of more than $13 million. In addition, Indiana produces about 3 million pounds of peaches each year and is home to a thriving wine grape industry with more than 85 wineries and vineyards statewide. Fruit-bearing trees go dormant in winter until they register enough chilling hours to begin blooming once temperatures exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period. The number of required chilling hours varies by species, ranging from 600 hours for grapes and most peaches to 1,200 hours for apples and blueberries. Three weeks of optimal temperatures can produce 500 chilling hours. Chilling hours typically occur when the temperature is between 34 and 45 degrees F, with optimal chilling taking place at 42 degrees F. Daily high temperatures in Indianapolis exceeded 45 degrees F 13 times in January and 15 times in the first three weeks of February. The longest stretch was six days, from Feb Peter Hirst, professor of horticulture and Purdue Extension commercial fruit tree specialist, says so far temperatures have not been warm long enough to threaten the state s fruit crop. We really haven t had that much warm weather, Hirst said. If we were to have another week with temperatures in the 70s, that would be cause for concern. Another saving grace is that the cool down we are expecting will be moderate and gradual. And we really haven t had any extended periods of extreme cold this winter so fruit buds are in good condition. If the weather gets too warm too soon, fruit trees might start to bud out prematurely, putting them at higher risk of injury if temperatures drop significantly. That pattern last occurred in 2012, resulting in severe losses to the state s fruit crop. Bordelon said that doesn t appear to be the case this year, noting that forecasters at the Indiana State Climate Office see no signs of a sudden deep freeze that could damage early emerging trees this year. Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist, also with Purdue, expects a moderate downturn in temperatures in March. Looking about 30 days ahead, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a gradual cooling of these unseasonable temperatures week to week, Scheeringa said. By mid-march, Indiana is forecast to have slightly below normal temperatures. B. Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension consumer horticulture specialist, said it is not unusual for some decorative garden plants - daffodils, dianthus and daylilies - to emerge during February warm spells in Indiana. The plants will survive just fine, she said. The longer the mild weather stays around, the more potential there is for damage when below-freezing temperatures return. Foliage that has popped up may be killed back, but the bulbs and storage roots should remain undamaged underground. Kyle Daniel, Purdue Extension nursery and landscape outreach specialist, said as long as temperatures remain at or near seasonal norms, the risk to ornamental species should be low. Nursery growers in the northern part of the state shouldn t be experiencing many species with bud break, but southern nurseries may have bud break on several species, he said. Rick Foster, entomology professor and Purdue Extension pest management specialist for fruit and vegetable crops, said the warmer weather has resulted in somewhat more insect activity than normal. If the warmer weather continues, we could see the emergence of some pest species which may then be killed if we have a freeze, he said. If temperatures revert to more normal levels, the effects on insects will be minimal. Lerner said growers should rest easier with the outlook for cooler weather in the near future. We could be looking at an early arrival of spring, but if the extended forecast is a return to more seasonal temperatures, then the progress toward spring will slow down a bit and that would be good news for all. Source: Darrin Pack; Agricultural Communications

10 Lawrence County Agriculture and Natural Resources March/April PURDUE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE Lawrence County th Street Bedford, IN Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture Phone: Fax: Type address here or use Mail Merge to automatically address this publication to multiple recipients. Return Service Requested Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Bedford, Indiana Permit No. 284 V ISIT US ON THE W EB AT: u/ lawrence/pages/default.aspx O R ON FACEBOOK: Purdue Extension Lawrence County PURDUE EXTENSION Transforming lives and livelihoods through research-based education.