This year’s bus tour departs on Monday August 19th and will be five nights and six days in length, returning August 24. The tour will cover several stops in the Pennsylvania and Maryland areas. Agricultural highlights include an herb farm, a sustainable agriculture operation, mushroom farm, gourd farm, a maple syrup producer, and a tour of the New Holland farm equipment manufacturing plant in New Holland, Pennsylvania.

Several stops of historical interest are also planned including the D-Day Memorial; Montpelier (home of President James Madison), Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Valley Forge, beautiful Longwood Gardens, and the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Finally we hope to conclude the trip with a visit to a Central KY hemp farm.

Cost is $1,500 per couple. Sign-up day is Tuesday June 4, 2019 from 8:00 am to Noon at the Madison County Extension Office, 230 Duncannon Lane, Richmond. A deposit of $300 is due at that time. Sign-ups are on a first come first served basis and there will be approximately 52 seats to fill.

Join us for Madison County Beef Day to be held at Central Kentucky Ag Credit, 1000 Ival James Blvd, Richmond, Kentucky, from 11 am to 2 pm on Thursday, May 23. At 11 am Madison County Judge Executive Reagan Taylor will make a Proclamation – Madison County Beef Day!

The Kentucky Beef Council will be on hand with recipes, beef cut charts and more. You will be able to sample one of their featured “beef month” recipes, and sign up for an onsite give-away. The Kentucky Beef Council will also have an opportunity for you to help in their efforts to support the “Feeding Kentucky” program.

The Madison County Beef Cattle Association will be grilling hamburgers (free to the public), and Central Kentucky Ag Credit will draw for a Yeti Cooler. Renew your membership or sign up to become a member of the Madison County Beef Cattle Association during this event!

Sponsors of this event are Central Kentucky Ag Credit, Madison County Beef Cattle Association, Madison County Farm Bureau, Kentucky Beef Council, and the Madison County Cooperative Extension Service.

Sincerely,

Brandon Sears County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources

859-623-4072 or brandon.sears@uky.edu

Kentucky’s tobacco sector has experienced arguably one of the largest structural changes of any sector in U.S. agriculture. According to the 2017 Ag Census, the number of Kentucky farms with tobacco acres in 2017 totaled 2,618, down from 4,537 farms in 2012. Adjustments over the past two years likely has reduced the number of Kentucky tobacco farms by even more. Despite the 42% reduction in tobacco farms, the 2017 value of production remained fairly constant

compared to 2012 (around $350 million), but down over 50% from record levels exceeding $800 million in the 1990s. Other highlights from the 2017 Ag Cenus related to tobacco include the following:

Kentucky had 42% of the number of U.S. farms (6,237) growing tobacco in 2017 , followed by North Carolina (1,294), Pennsylvania (812), Tennessee (598), and Virginia (306)

1/ Connecticut (46), Florida (19), Georgia (106), Illinois (20), Indiana (46), Louisiana (1), Maryland (40), Massachusetts (15), Missouri (7), Ohio (82), South Carolina (117), West Virginia (2), and Wisconsin (108)

The average size of tobacco production per farm in Kentucky was 30.8 acres in 2017, compared to 19.4

acres in 2012, 10.8 acres in 2007 and 3.8 acres in 2002. In 2017, 204 Kentucky farms grew more than 100 acres versus 138 in 2012 and 72 in 2007

State Tobacco Farms

(2017)

% of 2017 U.S.

Tobacco Farms

Tobacco

Farms

(2012)

Tobacco

Farms

(2007)

Tobacco

Farms (2002)

Change

Since 2012

Change

Since 2002

Kentucky 2,618 42% 4,537 8,113 29,237 -42% -91%

North Carolina 1,294 21% 1,682 2,662 7,850 -23% -84%

Pennsylvania 812 13% 1,312 1,152 897 -38% -9%

Tennessee 598 10% 935 1,610 8,206 -36% -93%

Virginia 306 5% 558 895 4,184 -45% -93%

Others 609 1/ 10% 990 1,802 6,603 -38% -91%

Total U.S. 6,237 100.0% 10,014 16,234 56,977 -38% -89%

Twelve Kentucky counties increased the number of farms growing tobacco in 2017 compared to 2012 – Breckinridge (+10), Campbell (+2), Christian (+7), Daviess (+19), Grayson (+13), Lyon (+5), Morgan (+9), Muhlenberg (+2), Todd (+23), Trigg (+11), Union (+3), and Webster (+5).

Only four Kentucky counties had more than 100 farms

growing tobacco in 2017 (compared to 14 in the 2012 Census) led by Christian County with 137 farms, Todd with 125 farms, Daviess with 106 farms and Breckinridge with 105 farms.

Green County lost the largest number of tobacco

farms over the last two census periods with a total of 87 farms exiting tobacco production from 2012 to 2017, followed by Hart County losing 86 tobacco farms, Marion County losing 83 tobacco farms, and Shelby County losing 80 tobacco farms

Christian County remained the #1 tobacco producing

county for Kentucky in 2017 (with 14.4 million pounds valued at $31.1 million), followed by Barren County (8.3 million pounds valued at $16.4 million), Calloway County (7.3 million pounds valued at $18.0 million), Daviess County (7.1 million pounds valued at $13.4 million and Green County (7.0 million pounds valued at $13.9 million).

Dr. Will Snell

UK Extension Professor Ag Marketing, Policy & Trade

KY Tobacco Acreage Per Farm

(2017)

Number of

Farms

Percent of

Farms

Less than 5 Acres 601 7%

5.0 to 14.9 Acres 874 11%

15.0 to 24.9 Acres 289 4%

25.0 to 49.8 Acres 391 5%

50.0 to 99.9 Acres 259 3%

More than 100 Acres Acres 204 3%

Total 2,618 32%

KY Tobacco Acreage Per Farm

(2012)

Number of

Farms

Percent of

Farms

Less than 2 Acres 215 5%

2.0 to 9.9 Acres 1,046 23%

5.0 to 9.9 Acres 1,047 23%

10.0 to 24.9 Acres 1,269 28%

25.0 to 49.8 Acres 540 12%

50.0 to 99.9 Acres 282 6%

More than 100 Acres 138 3%

Total 4,537 100%

By Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky Jeff, Darrh, and I were chatting the other day and, amazingly, we all agreed on something! Over our many miles of travel this winter/spring, we have seen more ribs on cows than any of us can remember. The wet, cold winter and poor hay quality has really stressed cows and if we don’t watch out, it will impact rebreeding.

A successful breeding season begins with nutritional management decisions made prior to calving but most spring-calving herds are past that now. “Ribs” are best maintained over the winter during the two trimesters of pregnancy. Visible ribs are one component of body condition score. Body condition score (BCS) is a numerical estimation of the amount of fat on the cow’s body. It ranges from 1-9; with 1 being emaciated and 9 extremely obese. A change in a single BCS (i.e. a 4 to a 5) is usually associated with about a 75 pound change in body weight. Evaluation of BCS prior to calving and from calving to breeding is important to ensure reproductive success.

Rebreeding performance of cows is greatly influenced by BCS at calving. Cows that are thin (BCS < 5; visible ribs) at calving take longer to resume estrous cycles and therefore are delayed in their ability to rebreed. As precalving BCS decreases, the number of days from one calving to the next (calving interval) increases in beef cows. Females with a precalving BCS <5 tend to have production cycles greater than 1 year. For example, cows with a precalving BCS of 3 would be expected to have a calving interval of approximately 400 days, while a cow with a precalving BCS of 6 would have a calving interval of approximately 360 days. Thin cows are anestrous for a longer period of time and are therefore more likely to be open at the end of the breeding season. They may also result in lighter calves to sell the next year because the calves from these thin cows will be born later in the calving season.

Management of BCS after calving also impacts rebreeding efficiency. Maintenance requirements for energy and protein increase 25-30% for most beef cows after calving. Producers need to plan their supplementation to match or exceed this increased nutrient requirement. Rebreeding efficiency is enhanced in cows that calved thin if their energy intake is increased. Although the best management plan is to calve cows in a BCS of 5+, increasing the energy to cows that are thin at calving can boost reproductive performance. If you see ribs, increase the energy intake of your cows even if they are on pasture. They need to gain weight or rebreeding will likely be hindered.

Thin cows (on an increasing energy intake plan!), young cows, and late-calving cows have one characteristic in common that will greatly impact their reproductive success; anestrus. After each calving, cows undergo a period of time when they do not come into estrus. This anestrous period can be as short as 17 days but can also last as long as 150 days depending upon a number of factors. Typically, mature cows in good BCS will be anestrus for 45-90 days (avg about 60 days) while first-calf heifers will be in anestrus for 75-120 days.

Let’s consider the impact of anestrus and calving date for a herd that calves from March 1 until May 10. Bull turnout is May 20 and the length of anestrus for mature cows (BCS 5+) is 60 days, for thin (BCS <5) mature cows is about 80 days, and for young cows is 90 days. A mature cow with no ribs showing (BCS 5+) that calves on March 1 will begin to cycle on May 1 and is highly likely to conceive early. However, the mature cow that calves on April 20 won’t cycle until June 20 and her opportunity to conceive early is less likely. Mature cows with “ribs” showing and first-calf heifers that calve on April 20 won’t begin to cycle until July 20 and will have limited opportunities to conceive.

Cattlemen can reduce the anestrous period by fenceline exposure to a mature bull or by treating the cows with progesterone for 7 days prior to bull turnout. Sources of progesterone include the feed additive melengestrol acetate (MGA) or an EAZI-Breed CIDR insert (Zoetis Animal Health). Both sources induce estrus in anestrous cows and exposure of anestrous cows to progesterone for 7 days before bull exposure and increase pregnancy rate. Pregnancy rates increase in these females because inducing estrus will increase the number of opportunities these cows have to conceive in the breeding season.

Normally, I love “ribs” but not showing in my cows. If ribs are visible then plans need to be made to reduce the anestrous period. Energy intake must increase and estrus must be stimulated to give these cows a chance to conceive and give you a chance at a profit.

Thin Cow - Body Condition Score of 4

By Dr. Chris Teutsch, UK Extension Forage Specialist

How we manage hayfields this spring can have a major impact on both yield and nutritive value. Fertilization and timely cutting are even more critical when we need to refill hay barns after a hard winter. The following tips will help you to optimize hay production this spring from cool-season hayfields.

Fertilize and lime according to soil test. A balanced fertility program is essential for optimizing hay production. Phosphorus, potassium, and lime should be applied according to soil test results. Avoid using “complete” fertilizers such as 19-19-19. These fertilizers commonly over apply P and under apply K when harvesting hay.

Apply nitrogen early to promote rapid spring growth. Applying 60-80 lb N/A in mid- to late March will

promote early growth in hay fields, resulting in higher first harvest yields. Harvest at the boot stage. Hayfields should be mowed as soon as the grass reaches the boot-stage. By

making the first cutting in a timely manner, there will be time for a leafy second cutting just prior to the summer heat. Do not cut close. If not properly adjusted, disc mowers cut very close to the soil surface and this causes significant damage to cool-season grass stands. Do NOT mow perennial cool-season grass stands closer than 3-4 inches.

Apply nitrogen following the first cutting.

Following a timely first harvest, apply 40-60 lb N/A to stimulate regrowth. With adequate rainfall, a second harvest can be made approximately 30 days after the first harvest.

Allow hayfields to go into summer with some

regrowth. Make sure to allow cool-season hayfields to go into the summer months with at least 5-6 inches of regrowth. This will shade the crown of the plant, shade the soil inhibiting annual grass weeds, reduce soil temperature, and reduce soil moisture losses

Apply nitrogen in late summer. As

temperatures moderate in late summer and early fall, apply 50-60 lb N/A to stimulate fall growth. This growth can be grazed or harvested as needed.

Allow plants time to replenish carbohydrates

in the fall. Make sure and time fall hay cuttings to allow stand to regrow and replenish their carbohydrates prior to winter dormancy.

Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, you can Plate It Up with delicious recipes that put a new twist on your favorite Kentucky Proud foods. Visit http://fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/piukp-recipes to find all the Plate It Up recipes using Kentucky Proud products.

The Madison County Beekeepers Association will meet a the Madison County Extension Office on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at 6:00 pm - this is different from our normal 4th Monday meeting time, due to the Memorial Day Holiday. For more information call Kent, 859-623-3576 or Paul, 859-582-6172.

Berea Farmers’ Market Every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm at 416 Chestnut Street, Berea Tuesdays 3 to 6 pm (May thru July) at Memorial Park, West Jefferson Street, Berea

https://www.bereafarmersmarket.org/

Madison County Farmers’ Market Saturdays at the Richmond Mall (830 Eastern Bypass, Richmond) from 9 am to 1 pm until May 11th. (Starting May 18th) Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm at Lowe’s Parking Lot 814 Eastern Bypass in

Richmond (Starting May 30th) Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm at EKU Alumni Coliseum Parking Lot 641 Eastern

Bypass in Richmond

https://madisonkyfarmersmarket.com/

Join the Madison County Cooperative Extension Service this summer and learn about the Power of Produce! Kids age 4-18 can earn up to $4 to be used at the market that day! Free T-shirts while supplies last! There will also be samples for adults to try along with free recipes and kitchen gadgets.

Come by one of the Farmers’ Markets on Saturday, June 8th from 9 am to 1 pm to participate.

Madison County Farmers’ Market Lowe’s Parking Lot, 814 Eastern Bypass in Richmond

Berea Farmers’ Market 416 Chestnut Street in Berea

For more information go to:

https://madison.ca.uky.edu/content/horticulture