Cooperative Extension Service

Grayson County

123 Commerce Drive

Leitchfield, KY 42754

(270) 259-3492

Fax: (270) 259-0291

graysonext.org

Agriculture Extension News

Grayson County

Inside this Issue:

Farmer’s Market

Meeting 2

Private Applicator

Training 2

Hemp

Application 2

Winter Grain

Workshop 3

Decision Tools

For Hauling Grain 3

KCA Convention 4

VFD 5-6

Selecting Fast

Growing Trees 7

Upcoming Events 8

Winter 2016-17 Agent Update

Well I laughed at myself this morning. It’s funny how much things have changed in a

couple of months. The last newsletter I sent talked about how wet it was… and man, are

we missing that rain now! Fall has been a busy time for extension! The biggest issue we

have going on right now is the new Vet Feed Directive Ruling (VFD). I have inserted a

document from Ohio State that explains it better than most. I highly encourage you to talk

with your veterinarian about their stance on this, and what precautions you need to take

before the first of the year. Just be informed! As we approach the holidays and the end of

the year, I hope that you and your families have a wonderful and blessed holiday season. I

feel blessed that I have a career doing what I love, and that’s working with people like you

that do what you love. May the new year bring new calves, higher prices, and a positive

perspective for 2017!

Grayson County ANR Extension Agent

NEW! USDA Reporting Deadlines!!

The USDA has changed the 2017 acreage reporting deadlines for Perennial Forage

(HAY & PASTURE) to November 15, 2016!

The Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. To file a

complaint of discrimination, contact Tim West, UK College of Agriculture, 859-257-3879; Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity,

859-257-8927; or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 (202-720-5964).

Farmer ’s Market Meeting

Are you, or someone you know interested in what the Farmer’s Market has to offer? Do you want to sell your product on a local level?

Join us! Grayson Co. Extension Service and Kentucky Department of Agriculture Farmer’s Market Division are hosting an informational and marketing session for interested individuals on Monday, January 30th, 2017 starting at 5 p.m.

Light refreshments will be available, so please RSVP to the Grayson Co. Extension Office at 270-259-3492

Private Applicator Pesticide Training

The Grayson County Cooperative Extension Service will host a Private Applicator Pesticide Training on Tuesday December 6th at 10 a.m. and again at 5 p.m. You are only required to come to one of the meetings to be certified. If you purchase any restricted use chemicals, this is a required certification you have to have. The card is good for 3 years ending December 31st of that year. Please RSVP to the Grayson Co. Extension Office at 270-259-3492.

2017 Industrial Hemp Research Trial Application OPEN

Kentuckians interested in participating in the industrial hemp research pilot program in 2017 are invited to submit an application with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Program applicants will be required to submit a nonrefundable application fee of $50 with their applications. Successful applicants will be required to pay additional program fees.

Grower applications must be postmarked or received by the KDA marketing office no later than November 14, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. EST. Processor or handler applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by November 14, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. EST.

It is important to go to www.kyagr.com/hemp to read the 2017 Policy Guide, and download the application.

If you have any questions, please contact the KDA (Doris Hamilton) at (502) 573-0450. You can also contact the Grayson Co. Extension Office at 270-259-3492.

Tuesday January 24th, 2017

Beginning at 9 a.m. with lunch provided

Speakers

Dr. Chad Lee, UK Extension Agronomist,

Director of UK Grain Center of Excellence

Dr. Carl Bradley, UK Extension Plant Pathologist

Speakers will discuss what to expect for the 2017 growing season, variety trials,

disease pressure, and much more.

Harvest season is almost complete, and while transporting grain to the market may be the last input cost in the production of grain it is a critical decision a producer has to make, especially when margins are thin. Determining which market to sell your grain (if you have options) can be a complex decision. Most producers, especially in Western Kentucky, have multiple potential markets to deliver their grain. This leads to the question of, “Should I sell my grain to the closest elevator or should I transport it a further distance to an elevator offering a higher price?” What market you choose not only will determine the price you receive but will also determine the cost associated with transportation. The market that provides the highest price is not always the most profitable price. The trade-off between maximizing price per bushel received from the buyer and minimizing transportation costs could be the difference between making a profit that year or being in the red.

There are many factors that will impact the transportation cost of grain and determine the most profitable option. Those factors include: grain price, distance, fuel price, wait time, quality discounts, labor, and truck capacity. It is common for most producers to make their market decision based on only one of these factors. However, all of these factors need to be considered simultaneously when determining the most profitable market option. To aid in this decision, a Microsoft Excel tool has been developed to help producers choose what buyer to sell their grain to based on the factors listed above. By entering the required inputs into the tool, the estimated hauling cost and net grain price received is calculated for each buyer (up to 6 buyers) and the buyer with the greatest net price is determined. In addition, the discount schedules for each buyer are determined based on moisture levels and the buyer’s discount method. A Google Map was also created which identifies the grain markets for Kentucky producers. Both tools can be found at the website below titled “Grain Hauling Decision Guide” and “Kentucky Grain Markets Map”.

Decision Tools for Hauling Grain to Market

Winter Grain Workshop

Selecting Fast Growing Trees

Kelly Jackson, Christian Co. Horticulture Agent

Trees are a valuable asset to our home landscape. In addition to

blooms, texture, and fall color, trees also help reduce energy

bills by casting shade on our homes during summer. People are

often reluctant to plant large shade trees because they don’t

want to wait 20 years or more to enjoy the benefit. Selecting a

fast-growing tree therefore is a primary concern. However, I

would urge you to read about specific trees that are sold as “fast

growing” and any maintenance problems they may have before

purchasing. Bradford Pear trees are an example of a fast

growing tree, but as most people are aware, they are very short lived, often breaking apart in storms after only 20

years of growth. Other fast-growing trees that should not be planted in home landscapes due to weak limbs or other

problems include silver maple, eastern white pine, American sycamore, cottonwood, pin oak, and weeping willow. Se-

lecting the right fast-growing tree for you starts with an analysis of your landscape. Every tree has specific environ-

mental conditions that are needed for optimum growth. The closer your landscape meets these

conditions, the better your tree will perform. Some conditions to consider are: temperature, sunlight, soil texture,

drainage and fertility. Additionally, overhead and

underground utility lines will impact the placement of

a tree and it is best to avoid these structures in order

to reduce future problems. Large shade trees should

be spaced one-half the distance of their spread from

any structure or overhead obstruction and the full

width of the mature tree from the trunk of any other

large growing tree. Western, southern and

southeastern exposures of your home receive the

most heat from the sun and are good locations to

place your large shade trees. Although there are many

trees that produce shade, the one’s listed here are

considered fast-growing and very desirable and may

be a good choice for your landscape.

Tree Species

• Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum): H 60-100 ft/W 40-50 ft

• Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata): H 60-80 ft/W 30-40 ft

• Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia): H 40-60 ft/W 30-40 ft

• Red Maple (Acer rubrum): H 40-60 ft/W 25-40 ft

• River Birch (Betula nigra): H 50-60 ft/W 40-50 ft

• Sawtooth Oak (Quercus acutissima): H 50-60 ft/W 30-60 ft

• Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera): H 80-100 ft/W 30-40 ft

• Willow Oak (Quercus phellos): H 40-60 ft/W 30-60 ft

Have an idea of a program or

topic that you would like more

information or education on?

Let us know!

Be sure to LIKE our

FACEBOOK page @graysonanr

to keep up with all the latest

information regarding Ag up-

dates and programs here in

Grayson County!

Upcoming Events for November 2016 –January 2017

November 3: District Board and County Extension Council Meeting at 5 p.m.

November 8: Office Closed for Presidential Election

November 23: Wilson & Muir Farmer Appreciation Day THANK YOU FARMERS!!!

November 23 and 25: Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday.

November 30-December 4: KY Farm Bureau Convention, Louisville

December 1: Cattlemen’s Association Annual Dinner at 6 p.m.

December 6: Private Applicator Pesticide Training at 10 am and 5 p.m.

December 10: Small Ruminant Profit School from 8 a.m– 2p.m.

December 26– January 1: Office Closed for Christmas and New Year Holiday

January 7: Small Ruminant Profit School from 8 a.m.– 2. p.m.

January 16: Office Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

January 19-20: KCA Convention, Lexington, KY

January 24: Grayson County Winter Grain Workshop from 9 a.m. to lunch

January 25: Ag Expo, Philpot, KY

January 30: Farmer’s Market Informational Meeting at 5 p.m.