Economics
Plans are under way for the marketing of calves this fall. With the value of gain ranging from $.80 to $1.10/lb, there are opportunities for additional margin on the cattle provided the cost of gain is less than the value of gain. It is critical in this market to calculate the breakeven for each marketing group of cattle.

With feed prices at historical highs, putting additional gain on cattle using grass or wheat pasture will be an important part of this equation. Gain prices on wheat pastures have reached $.50 -.60/lb of gain in some areas, so this could provide an alternative source of income to those operations with wheat pasture.

Horticulture
The pecan crop is looking better than we initially thought. Some areas are seeing light to no crop, while other areas are seeing average to large crop loads. With the drier summer, scab has not been a major problem in most areas. Weevils are starting to emerge since the last rains and as soon as the nuts are in dough stage, treatment for weevil should be started. After the first treatment is complete, monitor traps to determine when to spray the again.

I have started to notice some stink bug damage. Some growers have confused this with scab. If there is a question, cut the pecan open, if the inside has a dark brown or black color (as in picture), then this is stink bug, not scab. Stink bugs are very hard to monitor and control. If you have a lot of problems with stink bug then you may benefit from planting a trap crop close to your orchard to attract the stink bug so you will have a smaller area to spray.

Pasture and Range
As the newest member of the NF-4 Team, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Chan Glidewell and I have worked at NF for over 7 years. Before I tell you anything else about me I want to say; for the past 16 years I have considered this position to be a "dream job" and have tried to prepare myself for it with everything that I've done.

I started at the NF in 2001 as the Pasture and Range (previously called the Forage) discipline assistant. I gained valuable experience working with cooperator maps, helping to estimate forage production on cooperator properties and subsequently determining an initial carrying capacity for (mostly new) cooperator properties, among many other duties. This position was "phased out" in 2004 and I was re-assigned to work in the Agricultural Division's Research group. In this position, I was exposed to a lot of wildlife-related projects and educational events as a member of the Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries group. I was able to hunt hogs, trap deer and fish - all on company time!! Granted, I didn't do that type of work every day, but my eyes were opened to many research techniques that I didn't know much about before.

My educational background is in rangeland ecology and management. I have degrees from Murray State College (A.S., 1991), Oklahoma State University (B.S., 1993) and the University of Idaho (M.S., 2000). I initially approached rangeland management from a livestock perspective due to my background and rearing on a small ranch in western Johnston Co. However, lately, primarily due to my work with wildlife professionals, I have learned to appreciate rangelands as the habitat for all of the "wild things" that folks like to be near, photograph, and hunt. I am truly honored to be a Pasture and Range Consultant for the Noble Foundation. It is especially rewarding to be able to do this in the NF-4 service area where I grew up.

Soils and Crops
Warm-season perennial grasses were near dormant but are starting to green up for the fall flush. Recent rains and moderating temperature have set us up for good fall production. In a normal year this fall flush has the potential to produce up to 30% of the total dry matter production. To stockpile this fall growth, the pasture should have been grazed or hayed off by August, apply 50 lbs per acre actual N and then defer grazing until after frost.

Early planted soybean and grain sorghum harvests have begun or will soon. These crops had been looking good for the most part but suffered from the hot and dry conditions. Recent rains will help to finish the crops but yield potential has been reduced.

Preparations for small grain plantings have also begun. Where available and suited to the soils, anhydrous ammonia is being applied as the nitrogen source. For no-till plantings for winter pasture, the current cover should be grazed, hayed or burned down with a herbicide in time to plant by early September. For grain only systems, the planting window should be delayed until later in September through October. A big bright spot is the apparent availability of quality planting seed this year. Again with the recent rains, we should start with good soil moisture for the planting season.

Wildlife
During the last few farm visits we have made, prescribed burning is a topic that has been mentioned numerous times. Pastures that we have looked at for spring burns have benefited from the recent rainfall. This new growth is important to increase the fuel load for the planned burns. If possible, remove any haying or grazing pressure from areas that you plan to burn in the future. After this dry summer you will need the extra fuel to help carry the fire. The pasture can still be grazed or hayed but if brush control is a goal of the burn you may not have adequate fuel to achieve this goal.

Don't Overlook Johnsongrass in Your Pasture by Chan Glidewell
6 ratings:
Livestock producers in the southern Great Plains should not overlook johnsongrass in their pastures. For one thing, under certain conditions it can kill your cattle. Another reason not to overlook johnsongrass is that it is excellent forage - if you can get over the fact that it can kill your cattle!

Basic Keys to Effective Weed Management by James Locke
6 ratings:
Four keys to an effective weed management program are knowing the types of weeds present, the problems they cause, estimating their economic thresholds and knowing their available management options.

Is Winter Small Grain Production for You? by James Locke
4 ratings:
With winter small grain (wheat, rye, triticale) prices near or above all-time highs, producers need to consider adding these crops to their enterprise. Before they try to enter this market, they must be sure they can produce the crop and get it to a profitable market.

The Largemouth Bass by Steven Smith
12 ratings:
The largemouth bass is a member of the sunfish family. With proper management, native largemouth bass can grow to 12 pounds or more. Regardless of the stocked subspecies, available forage (baitfish) is essential to growing big, healthy bass.

Fall 2008 Meetings For Wildlife Enthusiasts by Steven Smith
One of the most important attributes of a good natural resource manager is that they never stop learning. Being involved in research and demonstration projects and attending educational events such as seminars, workshops and field days help keep us up-to-date on wildlife and fisheries management knowledge.

Higher Costs and Lower Sales in 2008 by Steve Swigert
14 ratings:
Since the fall of 2006, producers have experienced dramatic increases in production costs, especially grains, by-product feeds, fertilizer and fuels. Also, calf prices have seen a significant drop. The way in which producers do business may have changed forever; it has at least for the short term.

Cattle Management Practices for Difficult Times by Evan Whitley
9 ratings:
I can't remember a time when the grass has been as green, the cows have been as fat, ponds have been as full, and producers have been as worried about their future and the future of agriculture as a whole. The really frustrating part about the predicament we find in mid-2008 is that so many of the contributing factors are beyond our control. Seemingly, the only silver lining is that calf prices have stabilized and are staying relatively strong.

Brush Control Species:
  Blackberry
  Eastern Red Cedar
  Honey Locust
  Sericea lespedeza