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johnston co ag reportBy North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Johnston County Center Agricultural Extension Agents Crop Insurance: Strawberries 25 July 2007 — The approaching deadline is August 31st, for anyone applying for or to renew their strawberry crop insurance. Johnston County is among a few counties in North Carolina to be on a pilot program. The other participants in the program are Brunswick, Buncombe, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Guilford, Haywood, Henderson, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson, and Wake Counties. The strawberry crop insurance pilot program provides farmers with benefits based on the pre-harvest cost of production. More information can be found on the United States Department of Agriculture’s division Risk Management Agency’s web page at www.rma.usda.gov/pilots/2007pilot.html. Corn Corn crop conditions across Johnston County still range from severely damaged to good. Rainfall volumes throughout peak water utilization times have been varied across corn producing areas. As a result, some farmers have corn that is drought and heat damaged. Four days of visible wilting at tasseling and silking will cause corn grain yield reductions exceeding 50 percent. Temperatures in the 90s reduced pollination, adding to yield reductions. While we estimate that half of our potential yield has been lost, local farmers are expected to still produce a good crop. Managing drought damaged corn is difficult, however growers should not move too quickly in declaring corn to be lost. Short, chest high tall corn that receives ample rain periodically from tasseling to maturity can still produce decent yields. Producers with fields severely damaged are reminded that ensiling drought damaged corn is preferable to chopping or grazing because of the potential for nitrate toxicity. The NCDA forage testing service will test silage samples for nitrate. The ensiling/fermentation process greatly reduces the potential for nitrate toxicity. Nitrate testing on the forage should be done after the ensiling process. Risk can be further reduced by diluting the corn silage with grain or legume hay. Also, raising cutter bars to leave 10 to 12 inches of stalk in the field will further reduce nitrate concentrations in the harvested material. Do not forget that ensiling of high nitrate forage can produce dangerous silo gases (nitrous oxides). It follows that silos and other enclosed storage facilities must be well ventilated before they are entered. Drought stressed corn will be wetter than anticipated. Generally, barren, green stalks vary from 75 to 90 percent moisture. The feed value of drought stressed corn silage is between 90 and 100 percent of that derived from unstressed corn. Estimating the silage yield of drought stressed corn is difficult. The best formula to use is to estimate that one ton of 30 percent dry matter silage can be obtained for each 1 foot of plant material excluding the tassel. Choosing Wheat Varieties It may seem early for farmers to be thinking about choosing wheat varieties, but seed dealers must submit orders for the upcoming year very soon. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has information available to assist with making these decisions. The yield data is from the last two years of the Official Variety Testing Program and has been put through rigorous statistical evaluation. Small grains specialists were looking closely to see if there are varieties that are doing better in different regions of the state. They found that the best recommendations for the Piedmont are the same as those for the Coastal Plains and for the Tidewater. The information has variety characteristics data, which includes information on heading date, insect and disease resistance. The Small Grains Newsletter is our best shot at turning the yield data in the green book into a set of practical recommendations. The 2007-2008 recommendations can be found on the web at: http://www.smallgrains.ncsu.edu/SmartGrains/No13Varieties2007.pdf. Test All Forage for High Nitrates NCDA&CS has informed Extension Agents that exceptionally high levels of nitrates are being found in various types of forage samples analyzed at the state food and drug laboratory. The lab has come across abnormally high results in more than a sixth of submitted samples, with results being up to four times higher than what is normally considered dangerous. These levels can make the feed fatal for farm animals. Many baled forage crops such as corn, grain, grasses and sorghum harvested during last summer’s drought have high nitrate levels, which poses the greatest risk for ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats. The issue becomes more critical as farmers come to the end of their feed supply, which potentially includes the lowest quality of the crop or spoiled bales with the highest nitrate levels. Although not as sensitive, horses can also be affected. Fermenting silage for a month may greatly decrease nitrate levels. Diluting forage with lower-level nitrate feeds may subdue symptoms if Symptoms of nitrate poisoning usually appear quickly. These symptoms range from respiratory distress, weak or rapid heartbeat, below normal body temperature, staggering gait, poor muscle coordination, pupil dilation and bluish membranes around the eyes and nose. High nitrate levels may also cause decreased milk production, decreased weight gain and an increase in stillborn births and abortions. Nitrate levels that reach a toxic level can cause death within two hours of consumption. Nitrates are often found in baled hay that was recently purchased or hay that was harvested in the field but not previously tested. Baled hay should be probed for accurate results. If harvested, representative samples from each field should be sent in; about 20 samples or a 20 percent representation of each field is adequate. Livestock owners should contact their local veterinarians with questions about management and feeding, as well as advice about sick animals. If any of the symptoms are suspected, farmers are urged to send forage samples to NCDA&CS for nitrates testing, which is free of charge. Farmers can also submit samples to the Farm Feed Forage Testing Service, which analyzes samples so that rations may be balanced for efficient production. A $10 fee is required for each sample for this additional testing. For expedited service or more information, contact Extension Agent, Ron Hughes at 989-5380. Producers can bring samples by the Cooperative Extension Center at 2736 NC 210 Highway near Smithfield or send samples to the Food and Drug Protection Division’s Constable Laboratory, 4000 Reedy Creek Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607. Samples may also be mailed to NCDA&CS, 1070 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1070. Farmers will be alerted within two working days after the lab receives the forage if levels are too high. Mosquitos Are Becoming Active Again Rainfall last week is causing mosquitoes to become more active. Now is a good time to prepare a plan to reduce populations around the home. There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes in the United States, all of which live in specific habitats, exhibit unique behaviors and bite different types of animals. Despite these differences, all mosquitoes share some common traits, such as a four stage life cycle and the need for standing water to reproduce. The type of standing water in which the mosquito chooses to lay her eggs depends upon the species. The presence of beneficial predators such as fish and dragonfly nymphs in permanent ponds, lakes and streams usually keep these bodies of water relatively free of mosquito larvae. However, portions of marshes, swamps, clogged ditches and temporary pools and puddles are all prolific mosquito breeding sites. Other sites in which some species lay their eggs include tree holes and containers such as old tires, buckets, toys, potted plant trays and saucers, plastic covers, tarpaulins, and even bird baths. Some of the most annoying and potentially dangerous mosquito species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito, come from these sites. What can you do to help fight mosquitoes? Empty standing water in old tires, cemetery urns, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container where “wrigglers” and “tumblers” live. Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week if not more often. Drain or fill temporary pools with dirt. Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating. Unclog rain gutters to keep water moving. Use mosquito repellents when necessary and follow label directions and precautions closely. Use head nets, long sleeves and long pants if you venture into areas with high mosquito populations, such as marshes or wooded areas. Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight.” Replace your standard outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights. Mosquito control on home grounds is best achieved by eliminating all manmade containers that may hold water. It may take a thorough search of home grounds to discover all the sources that mosquitoes use. Community mosquito reduction efforts will be more effective than what an individual can achieve. Be sure to read and follow label directions before using any type of pesticide or mosquito repellent. Contact the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Center at 989-5380 for specific pest control recommendations.
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