Quality Loss Assistance Now Available

Quality Loss Assistance Now Available for Eligible Producers Affected by 2018, 2019 Natural Disasters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that signup for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program began Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Funded by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, this new program provides assistance to producers who suffered eligible crop quality losses due to natural disasters occurring in 2018 and 2019. The deadline to apply for QLA is Friday, March 5, 2021.

Eligible Crops: Eligible crops include those for which federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage is available, except for grazed crops and value loss crops, such as honey, maple sap, aquaculture, floriculture, mushrooms, ginseng root, ornamental nursery, Christmas trees, and turfgrass sod.

Additionally, crops that were sold or fed to livestock or that are in storage may be eligible; however, crops that were destroyed before harvest are not eligible. Crop quality losses occurring after harvest, due to deterioration in storage, or that could have been mitigated, are also not eligible.

Assistance is based on a producer’s harvested affected production of an eligible crop, which must have had at least a 5% quality loss reflected through a quality discount; or for forage crops, a nutrient loss, such as total digestible nutrients.

Qualifying Disaster Events: Losses must have been a result of a qualifying disaster event (hurricane, excessive moisture, flood, qualifying drought, tornado, typhoon, volcanic activity, snowstorm, or wildfire) or related condition that occurred in calendar years 2018 and/or 2019.

Assistance is available for eligible producers in counties that received a qualifying Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration or Secretarial Disaster Designation because of one or more of the qualifying disaster events or related conditions.

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MARCH 2021

Continued from Page 1

Lists of counties with Presidential Emergency Disaster Declarations and Secretarial Disaster Designations for all qualifying disaster events for 2018 and 2019 are available here. For drought, producers are eligible for QLA if the loss occurred in an area within a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D3 (extreme drought) or higher intensity level during 2018 or 2019.

Producers in counties that did not receive a qualifying declaration or designation may still apply but must also provide supporting documentation to establish that the crop was directly affected by a qualifying disaster event.

To determine QLA eligibility and payments, FSA considers the total quality loss caused by all qualifying natural disasters in cases where a crop was impacted by multiple events.

Applying for QLA: When applying, producers are asked to provide verifiable documentation to support claims of quality loss or nutrient loss in the case of forage crops. For crops that have been sold, grading must have been completed within 30 days of harvest, and for forage crops, a laboratory analysis must have been completed within 30 days of harvest.

Some acceptable forms of documentation include sales receipts from buyers, settlement sheets, truck or warehouse scale tickets, written sales contracts, similar records that represent actual and specific quality loss information, and forage tests for nutritional values.

Payments Calculations and Limitations

QLA payments are based on formulas for the type of crop (forage or non-forage) and loss documentation submitted. Based on this documentation FSA is calculating payments based on the producer’s own individual loss or based on the county average loss. More information on payments can be found on farmers.gov/quality-loss.

FSA will issue payments once the application period ends. If the total amount of calculated QLA payments exceeds available program funding, payments will be prorated.

For each crop year, 2018, 2019 and 2020, the maximum amount that a person or legal entity

may receive, directly or indirectly, is $125,000. Payments made to a joint operation (including a general partnership or joint venture) will not exceed $125,000, multiplied by the number of persons and legal entities that comprise the ownership of the joint operation. A person or legal entity is ineligible for QLA payment if the person’s or legal entity’s average Adjusted Gross Income exceeds $900,000, unless at least 75% is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities.

Future Insurance Coverage Requirements

All producers receiving QLA Program payments are required to purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage for the next two available crop years at the 60% coverage level or higher. Wildlife and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) participants who already met the WHIP+ requirement to purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage are considered to have thereby met the requirement to purchase crop insurance or NAP coverage for QLA. If eligible, QLA participants may meet the insurance purchase requirement by purchasing Whole-Farm Revenue Protection coverage offered through USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

More Information For more information, visit farmers.gov/quality-loss, or contact your local USDA Service Center. Producers can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling 877-508-8364.

March 15 is Deadline to Make Elections and Complete Enrollment in 2021 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs Agricultural producers can now make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year.

Enrollment for the 2021 crop year closes March 15, 2021.

ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price.

Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

2021 Elections and Enrollment: Producers can elect coverage and enroll in crop-by-crop ARC-County or PLC, or ARC-Individual for the entire farm, for the 2021 crop year. Although election changes for 2021 are optional, enrollment (signed contract) is required for each year of the program. If a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm and makes an election change for 2021, it will be necessary to sign a new contract.

If an election is not submitted by the deadline of March 15, 2021, the election defaults to the current election for crops on the farm from the prior crop year.

For crop years 2022 and 2023, producers will have an opportunity to make new elections during those signups. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the farm.

Web-Based Decision Tools: In partnership with USDA, the University of Illinois and Texas A&M University offer web-based decision tools to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations. Tools include:

Gardner-farmdoc Payment Calculator, the University of Illinois tool that offers farmers the ability to run payment estimate modeling for their farms and counties for ARC-County and PLC.

ARC and PLC Decision Tool, the Texas A&M tool allows producers to analyze payment yield updates and expected payments for 2021. Producers who have used the tool in the past should see their username and much of their farm data already available in the system.

More Information: For more information on ARC and PLC, including two online decision tools that assist producers in making enrollment and election decisions specific to their operations, visit the ARC and PLC webpage.

For additional questions and assistance, contact

your local USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.

Jennifer Hudnall

County Executive Director

USDA Farm Service Agency

Lexington Service Center

141 Leestown Center Way Ste. 200

Lexington, Ky 40511

Fax. 855-661-8332

Ph. 859-233-0194

Versailles Service Center

182 Beasley Road

Versailles, KY 40383

Ph. 859-873-3411

Fax. 855-784-0874

As precautionary health measures are put in effect nationwide to reduce the spread of coronavirus, the USDA is taking steps to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into to the office, they will be working with our agriculture producers by phone and using email and online tools whenever possible. Producers should contact their local service center by phone to schedule time for program or loan services needed. For the latest information on Service Center operations, visit farmers.gov/coronavirus.

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance for Producers Facing Inclement Weather

By Ciji Taylor, Public Affairs Specialist

Most of the nation is facing unusually cold weather, as a winter storm moved coast-to-coast over the weekend. Winter storms create significant challenges and often result in catastrophic loss for agricultural producers, especially for those raising livestock, row crops and vulnerable crops like citrus.

Despite every attempt to mitigate risk, your operation may suffer losses. USDA offers several programs to help with recovery.

Risk Management

For producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), we want to remind you to report crop damage to your crop insurance agent or the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

If you have crop insurance, contact your agency within 72 hours of discovering damage and be sure to follow up in writing within 15 days. If you have NAP coverage, file a Notice of Loss (also called Form CCC-576) within 15 days of loss becoming apparent, except for hand-harvested crops, which should be reported within 72 hours.

Livestock in Missouri weather the winter storms.

Disaster Assistance

USDA also offers disaster assistance programs, which is especially important to livestock, fruit

and vegetable, specialty and perennial crop producers who have fewer risk management options.

First, the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that died as a result of a qualifying natural disaster event– like these winter storms – or for loss of grazing acres, feed and forage.

Next, the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides cost share assistance to rehabilitate and replant tree, vines or shrubs loss experienced by orchards and nurseries. This complements NAP or crop insurance coverage, which covers the crop but not the plants or trees in all cases.

For LIP and ELAP, you will need to file a Notice of Loss for livestock and grazing or feed losses within 30 days and honeybee losses within 15 days. For TAP, you will need to file a program

application within 90 days.

In Texas, producers are finding creative ways to get water to cattle, including melting ice with fire. Photo by Dee Ann Littlefield, NRCS.

Documentation

It’s critical to keep accurate records to document all losses following this devastating cold weather event. Livestock producers are advised to document beginning livestock numbers by taking time and date-stamped video or pictures prior to after the loss.

Other common documentation options include:

• Purchase records

• Production records

• Vaccination records

• Bank or other loan documents

• Third-party certification Other Programs

The Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore damaged farmland or forests.

Additionally, FSA offers a variety of loans available including emergency loans that are triggered by disaster declarations and operating loans that can assist producers with credit needs. You can use these loans to replace essential property, purchase inputs like livestock, equipment, feed and seed, or refinance farm-related debts, and other needs.

Meanwhile, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.

Snow blankets the USDA Service Center in Clay County, Texas.

Additional Resources

Additional details – including payment calculations – can be found on our NAP, ELAP, LIP, and TAP fact sheets. On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help you determine program or loan options.

While we never want to have to implement disaster programs, we are here to help. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center. All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including those that restrict in-person visits or require appointments because of the pandemic.

Ciji Taylor is a public affairs specialist with the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center in Fairfield, Illinois.

Over 200 extension publications produced by the University of

Kentucky are available online at www.uky.edu/ag/forage.

Check out the Franklin County Cooperative

Extension webpage for more articles, back issues

of newsletters, and other great information.

www.Franklin.ca.uky.edu

Control Efforts for Poison Hemlock and Buttercups Begin in Late Winter

Late winter is one of the best times of the year to assess fields and fencerows for presence of cool-season weeds. Further, the preferred time to implement control tactics can often be in March as daytime air temperatures begin to rise and are maintained above 55F. This is when cool-season weeds are younger and begin their active vegetative growth before initiating flowers later in the spring. Winter annual and biennial weeds typically germinate from seed in the fall and produce flowers during the spring.

Poison hemlock is easily recognized throughout the winter and early spring. Classified as a biennial, it often grows as a winter annual in Kentucky, particularly plants that germinate during the previous fall. Poison hemlock plants form rosettes that remain green throughout the winter in a somewhat semi-dormant stage (Figure 1). These young rosettes are often found in areas where

poison hemlock was present the previous year, particularly along fence rows and other isolated areas. Younger plants can be identified by their fern-like leaves with leaf petioles that have purple spotting and no hairs. After resuming active growth in late winter, they form larger rosettes. Later flower stalks elongate during the spring producing clusters of white flowers in June. Mature plants can grow up to 6 to 9 feet tall (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Poison Hemlock Rosette

Figure 2. Mature Poison Hemlock

Virtual Cow-Calf Profitability Conference

Our wildly popular Cow-Calf Profitability Conferences have been reformatted to a series of virtual mini-conferences over 3 days. Conferences will be hosted March 23rd - 25th from 7:00 - 9:00 PM EST daily.

Conferences are delivered by UK Agricultural Economics Extension faculty and staff through the Kentucky Beef Network funded by the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board.

For more information, go to: https://forages.ca.uky.edu/event/virtual-cow-calf-profitability-conference

Virtual Cow-Calf Profitability Conference

The best time for control using herbicides is generally when plants are in the younger rosette stages of growth in late February and early March. Herbicide products containing 2,4-D, dicamba+2,4-D (eg. Weedmaster, Brash, Rifle-D, etc.), and aminopyralid (i.e. GrazonNext, DuraCor) are the preferred choices for obtaining effective control. Effectiveness of chemical control can decrease as plants begin to elongate and become more mature. Poison hemlock plants can be toxic to animals; therefore, when using herbicidal control methods on larger plants it is important to remove animals from treated areas. Animals are more likely to graze poison hemlock plants following herbicide treatment than before. On mature plants mechanical methods such as mowing can be an alternative control method if infested areas are accessible. Mowing and other mechanical control efforts should be done after flower stalks elongate but before plants egin to flower.

Another common weed we observe during the spring in grazed pasture fields are the buttercups (Figure 3). Various species of buttercup (Ranunculus spp.) are likely to be found in Kentucky. These include Bulbous, Creeping, Hispid, Tall, and Smallflower buttercup. Although their leaf shape, flowers, and other characteristics may vary, many buttercup plants can be noticed by their yellow flowers, commonly with five waxy-like petals. Like other winter annual weeds, buttercup often emerge in the fall, but they can also germinate in late winter and early spring. The peak of the flowering period usually occurs in April, but may persist into May. When flowers are observed, new seed may already be in development on the flower stalks.

Figure 3. Buttercup

Buttercup is more frequently found in fields or field areas that are utilized or heavily grazed in the fall and winter months. This results in thin, bare areas throughout the field creating an environment whereby buttercup seed can readily germinate and seedling plants can thrive. Therefore, one long-term control strategy involves utilizing management practices which help promote growth of desirable forage species and minimize bare areas. Interseeding more desirable forage species may be another practice to consider. This is not always practical in some fields that are essential for winter feeding.

In the short-term, herbicide treatment in early spring is an option. Herbicide products that contain 2,4-D, or other broadleaf type pasture herbicides are generally effective on most buttercup species. To be most effective, herbicide treatment should be completed when plants are in the vegetative stages of growth before flowers develop and produce new seed. Hence, herbicide applications should normally occur by late March. Treatments after flowering offer little benefit since buttercup plants are already producing new seed and plants die back naturally by late spring and will not be present the remainder of the year.

If you do see developing cool-season weed problems as we transition from late winter into early spring you may need to take action soon to begin to correct these problems. In general, herbicide products that contain 2,4-D are usually effective on younger rosettes of poison hemlock, biennial thistles, and buttercups. Another course of action in the spring is a “wait and see” approach before implementing a control tactic. Yet, keep in mind that smaller weeds are easier to control using herbicide treatments than after they increase in size and become more mature. ~ Dr. J.D. Green, UK Extension Weed Specialist.

Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop

The University of Kentucky and the Alliance for Grassland Renewal is hosting an in-person workshop in Lexington, KY on March 25. To register, go to: https://kyforagenews.com/2021/01/31/novel-tall-fescue-renovation-workshop/?mc_cid=37f2c67741&mc_eid=832a0402c9

This workshop will include discussions on tall fescue toxicosis causes, symptoms and management, as well as establishment and first year management of novel endophyte tall fescue varieties and variety selection and quality control. Other topics include on farm economics, producer highlights, product updates from seed companies and cost share programs available to producers.

Cost for attending the virtual workshop is $30 and includes a PDF of educational materials and access to the recorded presentations after the live event. In-person workshop is $65 and includes lunch and printed materials. Covid restrictions will be in place and masks and social distancing will be required.

Continuing education credits for the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) program and Veterinary CE (AAVSB RACE) have been applied for. An additional, in-person workshop will be held in Mt. Vernon,

• Using a plate meter or grazing stick, estimate stockpile available for winter grazing.

• Adjust animal numbers or purchase additional hay to balance forage-feed supply to livestock needs.

• Graze crop residues and cover crops that will not overwinter. Be careful to avoid fields that contain johnsongrass.

• Graze winter annuals that will not overwinter such as brassics and oats.

• Graze other winter annuals once they are 6-8 inches tall and are well anchored. Do NOT graze closer to 4 inches.

• Sugar content will rise in tall fescue with the cool temperatures and short days of fall. Alkaloid content of tall fescue can also be high in come years, but will begin decline after a hard freeze.

• Talk with local conservationist about developing a grazing plan and cost-share opportunities.

FORAGE TIMELY TIPS

Did you know that Kentucky

Forages has their own YouTube

channel?

You can watch videos and gain valuable

information. Check out this great resource at:

https://www.youtube.com/c/KYForages.

Health insurance options available through

KY Hort Council

From the Kentucky Horticulture Council

Do you offer health insurance benefits to your employees and want to see if you

are getting the best price and coverage possible? The Kentucky Horticulture

Council (KHC) has joined the Kentucky Ag Health Care Trust and through this

relationship, eligible horticulture businesses can access 21 different Anthem

health insurance plans. If you have a horticulture-related business, have at least

two employees (this can include yourself), and are a member of one of the KHC

member organizations, you are most likely eligible. This is a great benefit for

small businesses that are currently offering or thinking about offering health

benefits to employees. Joining the plan gives you the purchasing power of a

large group and this often results in access to better plans and better pricing.

Where do I start?

• Check with your member organization to be sure your membership is

up-to-date.

• Contact Melissa Hinton (The Hinton Agency; 859-351-6559) to fill out

the paperwork to get started on a quote. Note: you will need to provide

some specific details about your business and each employee.

• Review and analyze the quote to determine if this is a good option for

your business.

• Complete paperwork and join KHC as an employer-member. Several frequently asked questions are listed on the KHC website. The list of member organizations is available at https://kyhortcouncil.org/about/. Other questions can be submitted to info@kyhortcouncil.org.

Join the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Facebook Group Did you know that the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association (FCCA) has a Facebook group now? Board member Ryan Shouse and his wife started an informal group a while back and the FCCA board voted to adopt it as their official one at their last board meeting.

In the search bar, type “Franklin Co. Ky Cattlemen’s Association, or go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/752228688622442 to keep up to date with local and state beef happenings, FCCA meetings and events and also use it to alert your community about lost and found livestock, folks needing help with a faming situation or other local needs. Just please no sale listings or inappropriate postings. You can request to join the group by clicking on the “Join” button.

The Habitat Management Symposium is a training conference for those performing on-the-ground habitat improvement practices. It's designed for the professional and landowner improving and planning wildlife, forest, stream and pollinator habitat.

To register, go to: https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/habitat-symposium This symposium will occur in three parts, Tuesdays at 10 am ET/ 9 am CT, on March 16, March 23, and March 30. It is being organized by Woods and Waters Land Trust (Jody Thompson), Kentucky State University Extension (Jonathan Palmer), and University of Kentucky Forestry Extension (Ellen Crocker). Tentative speakers and topics include:

• Oak-Hickory Forest Management, Chris Will (President, Central KY Forest Management)

• Reptile and Amphibian Habitat, Stephen Richter (EKU Professor and Director of Division of Natural Areas)

• Nuisance Deer Management, Matt Springer (Assistant Extension Professor of Wildlife Management, UKY Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources)

• Stream Bank Stabilization, Oakes Routt (Senior Project Engineer, Stantec Consulting Services)

• Edge Habitat Management, Jason Nally (Wildlife Biologist/Environmental Champion, Makers Mark Distillery)

• Land Management: Challenges and Perspective of an Active Landowner, Melanie VanHouten (Founding Director, Josephine Sculpture Park)

• Small Game Habitat Management, Cody Rhoden (Small Game Biologist, KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources)

• Oak Decline, Ellen Crocker (Assistant Professor of Forest Health Extension, UKY Dept of Forestry and Natural Resources)

• Conservation Topic, Jody Thompson (Executive Director, Wood and Waters Land Trust)

Understanding Baleage Terms and Observations

Baleage is a beneficial option for making high quality stored forage in Kentucky. Baleage is the ensiling of wilted forage in round bales wrapped in UV-resistant, stretch wrap plastic. The technology is well proven but not without its challenges. The primary challenge is achieving a moisture content (MC) in the target range of 40 to 60%. Baleage is not ideal for ensiling for many reasons, but especially because the fermentable carbohydrates are on the inside of cells and must diffuse out to come in contact with the fermenting bacteria on the surface of the plant. For this reason, fermentation reports will often flag baleage samples as high risk because they will have low lactic acid values and pH above 5.0 compared to chopped haylages at similar moisture levels.

An on-farm research study in Kentucky over the past three years collected data on the fermentation characteristics of over 100 lots of baleage with MC ranging from 20 to 80%. As a result of studying these samples and the associated production practices, what follows is a guide to interpreting baleage fermentation reports.

Interpreting the terms on a fermentation report

· Moisture/Dry Matter – The moisture content of the forage as tested. The MC of baleage should fall between 40 and 60 percent to be conducive to fermentation and to inhibit the growth of Clostridial bacterial.

· Crude Protein – The estimate of the protein value of baleage, calculated by measuring nitrogen (N) content and multiplying by 6.25.

· Lactic Acid – The product of anaerobic fermentation of soluble sugars and carbohydrates by lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum. Lactic acid values of 3% or greater are desired in baleage (DM basis).

· Acetic Acid – Concentrations of acetic acid should be between 1 and 4% (DM basis) and ideally no more than half of the lactic acid present.

· Propionic Acid – Propionic acid levels should be less than 0.5 to 1% (DM basis). High levels indicate that insufficient sugar was available for fermentation.

· Butyric Acid – Butyric acid should be no more than 0.5% (DM basis) and ideally less. Cattle intake has been shown to be depressed by as little as 0.3% butyric acid.

· pH – Ideally baleage should have a pH of 5.0 or below to inhibit secondary fermentation by Clostridial bacteria.

· Ash – is the fraction of the forage that is inorganic minerals. Standing forage is about 8 to 10 % ash (DM basis). Elevated ash content (>11%) indicates that the baleage has been contaminated with dirt.

Observations are important

To assess the quality of baleage fermentation, your observations can tell you a lot. Good baleage will not have an off odor, while butyric acid baleages can have a very putrid odor. Bales that squat or that have effluent seeping out are likely excessively wet and have undergone undesirable fermentation. Finally, bales that have holes in the plastic, particularly those formed soon after baling will lead to poor fermentation in that area and even botulism. To assess the damage caused by holes, it may be necessary to take multiple samples at and around the damaged area. It is far safer to discard bales where the holes have allowed significant air infiltration. The worst case of botulism I ever encountered came from feeding from a row of bales wrapped with an inline applicator that had a significant gash in the plastic mid-row. Cows did not experience a problem until they reached the compromised baleage.

Baleage is a valuable option to allow harvest of high quality feed while avoiding rain damage. Even though ensiling parameters for baleage are generally less desirable than chopped haylages at the same moisture content, a fermentation analysis plus careful observation can be very helpful. Baleage with MC between 40 and 60%, cut at early maturing, baled tight and wrapped with six layers of plastic will generally ferment well enough to be stable through one feeding season. High moisture, elevated butyric acid levels, ammonia N above 15% (as percent of total N), ash content above 11%, bad odors and holes in plastic are all indicators that baleage has a high probability of causing feeding problems, even botulism. ~ Dr. Jimmy Henning, for Hay and Forage Grower

Kentucky Alfalfa Conference Goes Virtual in 2021

Like many events, the Kentucky Alfalfa Conference has moved to an online only format for 2021. Although online, the program will be high quality as always and will provide ample time for discus-sion and questions. Presentations will be spread over the evenings of March 2,3,4. Topics and speakers include:

• Measuring forage quality: Sampling and Interpretation-Chris Teutsch, UK Grain and Forage Center of Excellence

• Using forage quality to market hay-Tom Keene, University of Kentucky

• What does past research tell us about drying rate in alfalfa?-Jordyn Bush, University of Ken-tucky

• Adjusting hay equipment to minimize field losses-New Holland Representative

• New data on maturity differences in Orchardgrass and Alfalfa – Implications on forage quality-Ray Smith

• When weather doesn’t cooperate: Which fields do I cut first?-Farmer Panel: Dennis Wright-Logan County, Brad Hines-Hart County and Clayton Geralds-Hart County

• Option for managing thinning alfalfa stands-Jimmy Henning

No cost for attending, and proceedings will be available online soon after the event.. To register, go to: https://kyforagenews.com/2021/01/31/kentucky-alfalfa-conference-goes-virtual-in-2021/?mc_cid=37f2c67741&mc_eid=832a0402c9.

• Continue grazing stockpiled tall fescue if available.

• Assess grass stands. If thin, consider adding legumes.

• Begin frost seeding with at least 6-8 lb/A red and 1-2 lb/A white clover on closely grazed pastures.

• On pastures with lower fertility, consider adding 10-15 lb/A annual lespedeza to the above recommendation.

• Consider applying nitrogen in late February on some pastures to promote early growth.

• Sign up for shared use drills for spring renovation.

• Service and calibrate no-till drills

• Apply lime and fertilizer according to soil test if not done in fall.

FORAGE TIMELY TIPS

The Franklin County

Cooperative Extension

Service is open daily,

Monday through

Friday from 8:00AM

until 12:00 p.m., and

from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The offices

are closed from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m

for lunch.

Our lobby area is open to allow you easy pick-up

of current publications, drop off of your soil

samples, rental of equipment, and to set

appointments to meet with staff. We do offer

contactless drop-off and pick up for soil samples,

paperwork, and other services. Please observe

appropriate COVID-19 protocols when visiting

our offices, including wearing a mask and

practicing 6-ft distancing.

If you have any questions regarding availability

of staff, hours of operation, or services available,

please call our office at 502-695-9035 during our

regular business hours, or email at

Franklin.EXT@uky.edu.

Paraquate–Containing Products

Course Available online through

eXtension Campus

Course available in English and Spanish

Successful completion of this course satisfies the Paraquat product labels requiring applicators to

take an EPA-approved training every 3 years in order to mix, load, apply, or handle paraquat. This

online course reinforces how to properly and safely use paraquat.

This training will take around 60 minutes. It may take longer if you go back and review parts of the

training. Once you have finished reviewing the material, you will need to take the Final

Assessment. You must correctly answer all 15 questions in order to pass the test and receive your

certificate. You can take the test as many times as you need to in order to pass.

Once you pass with 100% you can print and retain your certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an updated version of the course. If you have already taken the course

before, you do NOT need to retake this course.

Learning Objectives

Paraquat Concerns, Health Effects, & First Aid

• List several reasons why Paraquat poisoning is of concern.

• List several potential health effects of Paraquat exposure.

• List immediate First Aid steps to be taken in the event of ingesting Paraquat.

PPE, Application, & Storage

• Steps for selecting and maintaining effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Learn the proper application techniques for spraying

• Identify the storage practices that should be used to decrease the potential for Paraquat

poisoning

Product Labels & Regulatory Changes

• List the changes to the Paraquat label to decrease potential poisonings.

• Identify the new warning sticker on the product container.

• Identify regulatory changes that limit who can legally apply Paraquat and list Paraquat label changes on new warnings and information.

To take this course, you must register for an account on eXtension Campus.

Visit http://bit.ly/ExtCampusSignup, enroll as a student and pick your video.

Detailed instructions are here https://anr.ca.uky.edu/caip-training.

Once you have watched a video you will be added to the completed Edu list.

Keenan Bishop, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Education

Extension Services Available Drop off your soil samples, plant samples, and water samples at the Extension Office. Place all

samples in the metal filing cabinet outside the main entrance. Please make sure to include your

name and phone number on the sample container. In the top drawer, you will find paperwork for

your sample; please complete as much as you can, including your name and phone number. Place

that paperwork with your sample. The Extension staff will call you to obtain additional information,

and you will receive an invoice for any charges.

Equipment can still be rented. Please set up an appointment to pick up any rental equipment by

contacting the office 24 hours prior to your arrival.

For all other questions, or to schedule an appointment to meet with extension staff, please call

502-695-9035, or email us at Franklin.ext@uky.edu.

Don’t forget to plan now to complete your CAIP Educational Requirement. See

pages 16 and 17 for detailed instructions on how to register online for free

courses. If you do not have access to the internet or a computer, please contact

Keenan Bishop at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office at 502-695-

9035 (kbishop@uky.ed) to set up an appointment to use one of our computers.

If you have questions on course qualifications for CAIP education, please

contact Keenan Bishop at 502-695-9035 or by email kbishop@uky.edu.