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Nitrate concerns in forages
Kansas Nearly all plants contain nitrate. Some, however, are more prone to their accumulation--and that includes our sudangrass, sudan-sorghum hybrids, and pearl millets used as forage. Under certain environmental conditions, these forages, and even others (wheat, soybeans, and even some weeds) can accumulate to levels that may cause toxicity problems for animals. Those conditions under which nitrates may become dangerous are generally a combination of a number of factors--drought, heavy fertilization, and harvest technique being the three most common. This year's conditions have again led to some concern about nitrate levels in forages. If you are in the process of harvest or have already harvested your forage sorghum crop, consider having it tested for nitrates. Nitrate testing should almost always be a management practice if you harvested following a drought ending rain or if heavy manure or nitrogen fertilizer were used to increase yield. Levels this year have come in from safe to extremely dangerous--better safe than sorry. Even high nitrate forages can be useable if a proper feeding management program is observed. Still, knowing what you are dealing with can be a big help when trying to develop a safe program for the cowherd you are feeding. If you are interested in testing, contact your Extension Office or a testing lab. An inexpensive test might save you a lot of headache! Conservation awards Nominations for the Kansas Banker's Association Conservation Awards Program are now being accepted! This year the KBA and K-State Research and Extension are proud to announce three new award categories for Energy Conservation, Water Quality, and Water Conservation. This is in addition to the three existing categories for Soil Conservation, Windbreaks, and Wildlife Habitat. The Wildlife Habitat award is cosponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The purpose of this program is to stimulate a greater interest in the conservation of the agricultural and natural resources of Kansas by giving recognition to those farmers and landowners who have made outstanding progress in practicing conservation on their farms. Nominations can be made by any person in the county. Please submit nominations to the Extension Office or Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks District Biologist by Nov. 1. Nomination forms are available at the Extension Office. Tree leaves falling It's not fall, but my tree's leaves are falling! What gives? Impossible, right? A number of tree species are doing just that, though. Causes vary from insects (defoliating Caterpillars) to diseases (mycosphaerella leaf spot on green ash, walnut anthracnose on walnut) to (our most common malady) stress. Otherwise healthy deciduous trees that lose their leaves this late in the season are not harmed. They have had plenty of time to make the food necessary to survive the winter. That may not be true in July, but there's no need to worry at this point. While deciduous trees are not harmed, some needle evergreens may be. For example, bagworms stripping junipers in August can cause severe damage or even death of that plant. If this is the case with your trees, reduce damage by handpicking as soon as possible. For assistance with what's causing your tree decline, contact the Extension Office--and take heart, its probably not long term or unmanageable. There are notable exceptions, so take a look at your trees to be sure and get the information you need to manage accordingly. Date: 9/27/07
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