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Fall tree orders
By Richard C. Snell Barton County Extension Agent--Agriculture I really enjoy fall. Not just because I like football but because it is one of the best times to plant containerized or balled and burlap trees. Weed competition is less in the fall and if you get them planted early enough, the soil temperature is warmer and you get the roots established in their new environment so you get a head start for growth in the spring. I have had several inquiries about fall tree sales and felt that I should let everyone know what the status is of that distribution. We will be offering seedlings again this fall, as we have done in the past. Species will be container-plants only and will consist of the following evergreens: Austrian, ponderosa, and southwestern white pines, and eastern redcedar. New this year is the addition of seven container-grown hardwood species. They are: Bur oak, English oak, sawtooth oak, lacebark elm, redbud, black walnut, and pecan. All species (both hardwoods and evergreens) are a solid 2 foot tall and have a very good root system. The only exception to the 2 foot height is the English oak. They range in height from 1 to 2 foot, but they still have quite a good root system. Western Kansas residents should give considerable thought to the bur and English oak. We have had excellent success in producing these plants and they are very well adapted to the tough western Kansas conditions. Prices will be $50 per 25 seedlings and there will be a $10 shipping charge for each unit. Although availability will not be like that of our spring distribution, we will have several thousand available. We began taking orders on Sept. 4, and will continue taking orders until Oct. 12. Customers can use order forms from our spring distribution that are available through the Barton County Extension office. With much of the state receiving rainfall throughout the summer, this fall should provide an excellent opportunity to have a successful fall planting season and will provide an excellent opportunity to fill gaps in early planted areas or to establish a new planting sight. The seedlings look great, survivals should be high, and customers should not be disappointed with the materials. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone.
Planting for fall pasture When should you plant wheat? That depends on a number of factors that I will address today. When do you hope to start grazing next spring? Want to start grazing three to six weeks earlier than usual? Planting small grains now might make it possible. Norman Keller, former Great Bend realtor, farmer and stockman, once told me he really liked my articles except one thing. Usually if you only disagree with me on one thing that's pretty good in my books. The one thing he disagreed with was that I advocated planting wheat after the fly free date, which is considered to be Oct. 4, here. The fly date is just a long term average that says that if you plant after that date, the likelihood is that by the time the wheat emerges we will have had a freeze eliminating the Hessian fly. Norman farmed in the sand and like my wife's uncle who farms near Sylvia was more worried about the sand fly than the Hessian fly. Sand fly, meaning that if the wheat doesn't get a root established before the winter, the sand will fly and the wheat will blow out. Norman also felt we were missing out on wheat pasture for cattle. Well, Norman is no longer with us but I enjoyed talking farming with him and he was right to some extent. Wheat planting in the sand should be started around the 21st of September and even in the heavier soil I believe that starting in late September is not bad if you have a lot of acres to plant. This past year, planting early was the kiss of death though and waiting till Oct. 15 was the best. Over the long haul, you can't count on that. If you want something for grain and pasture, wheat is the answer and you need to plant early in spite of the risk of wheat streak mosaic. I usually recommend starting the first of September, if you are pasturing. Even then, you are likely looking at not much in the fall but plenty in the spring. Small grains, like winter wheat, rye and triticale, can be ready to graze shortly after warmer weather arrives next spring. They allow you to move your cows and calves away from muddy, less healthy hay yards and out into fresh, open pastures with green, nutritious grass. Feeding hay gets to be a real chore, especially in late March, April, and May. "It's expensive, costing well over a dollar a day to feed each cow. You'd much rather have cows or stockers out on pasture feeding themselves and saving you money, but your pastures aren't ready to graze yet. Winter wheat that will be harvested later for grain can't be grazed for very long, however. Thus, for more fall grazing, rye is usually a better choice. Triticale usually is a better choice than wheat for spring grazing, as it will last longer than rye and you don't have the issue of stray rye seed ending up where you or the neighbor don't want it. To keep grazing until permanent pastures are ready, some rye or triticale or even wheat needs to be planted specifically for grazing only. It doesn't take a lot of acres. One acre often feeds two or three cows for a month if grazing doesn't start until plants begin to joint. Or, you can plant more acres and start grazing soon after green-up. Plus, you can still plant corn, beans, or other row crops into the grazed out stubble. But you've got to act quickly if you want to plant yet this fall for next spring's grazing. Planting season won't last much longer. Date: 9/20/07
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