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Selecting a summer annual forageBy David G. Hallauer Meadowlark District Extension agent, crops, soils, horticulture There's been plenty of discussion lately about what to do with these fields that either need to be replanted or where doublecropping is an option. While we usually center our thoughts on replanting with the same crop or doublecropping with soybeans or sunflowers, livestock producers have yet another option--summer annual forages. The space here is too short to go in to much depth, but understand first and foremost that there is a summer annual forage to fit just about any need you may have. Single cutting or multiple, haying, grazing, chopping for silage--just about any option can be had. A few things are quite similar for most all summer annual forages, however. They all require appropriate fertility levels--few will do anything with nothing. Nitrate accumulation is always a possibility as well, while prussic acid potential can be reduced depending on the forage used. Weed control by the forage itself can be pretty good since these forages are very rapidly growing in nature. On the flip side, herbicide options are limited, mainly to Atrazine or (when seed is properly treated) chloracetamide herbicides. Insect pests like greenbugs or chinch bugs may also be a problem and will need to be watched for. For a list of summer annual forage options to consider (including a list of strengths/weaknesses), contact your District Extension Office. Grubs in the lawn Each summer, I get a call or two to look at browning turf. At first glance, its hard to see anything--that is until you pull on the turf and it rolls up like a carpet. The culprit--grubs. Get a head start this summer if you're trying to stay ahead of grubs and consider a preventative treatment. These treatments should be applied during the first half of July. Preventatives (systemics) are normally used on areas that have had a history of grub problems. Traditional grub insecticides such as Dylox are normally applied in late July after grubs are present or as a rescue treatment once damage is seen. Preventative products need to go on a little earlier. These products, (imidacloprid and halofenozide are active ingredients) actually don't prevents grubs, but rather kill grubs when they are quite small, and long before they cause damage. Further, they are safer to use around pets and humans than traditional grub killers. Merit (imidacloprid) can be found in Bayer's Season-Long Grub Control, Grub No More and Grub-EX. Complete Insect Killer is a combination of imidacloprid and beta-cyfluthrin. Halofenozide is the active ingredient contained in Kill-A-Grub. Remember: all grub products must be watered in before they are activated. 7/14/08 Date: 7/10/08 Advertisement
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