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Winter grazing opportunitiesBy Richard C. Snell Barton County Extension Agent, agriculture As our growing season winds down, it's time to plan and assess our winter grazing options. Some options may be better this year than most. Dr. Bruce Anderson, Forage Specialist at the University of Nebraska has some good thoughts on this. Hay and silage are expensive. If you can find something for your animals to graze rather than be fed hay and silage, you may save upwards of a dollar per day per cow. Some extra rain in many areas this summer and fall produced more than the usual amount of growth on rangeland, plus good regrowth on alfalfa and grass hay fields. A few fields of summer annual grasses have nice new growth. And there's even a lot of volunteer winter wheat growing in many areas. These all can be grazed this fall and winter. Yes, you may need to take some slight precautions to do it safely. Alfalfa has a slight risk of bloat. Green wheat and grass regrowth might have a tendency to cause some grass tetany or respiratory problems if animals are moved to these lush pastures from dry, brown pastures without any adaptation. Be careful following a hard freeze, or maybe wait until a few days after a killing freeze happens before putting animals on these lush pastures. Many fields may need some temporary fence or have water hauled to them. But don't let these challenges prevent you from using these resources. Not only will you get some good quality, less expensive feed for your animals, grazing also could be good for the land. Most of the nutrients in the plants will be recycled back to the soil via manure and urine, making them available to support next year's growth. Look around. Wherever you have grazeable growth remaining, take advantage of it. It's like money in the bank, and good feed, too. K-State to host Kansas Income Tax Institute Kansas State University Research and Extension is again hosting the Kansas Income Tax Institute for accountants, ag producers, attorneys and others who are interested in learning the latest on tax issues. The two-day seminar will take place in eight communities to give participants the chance to attend training in the location most convenient for them. The dates and institute sites nearest us include: Nov. 3 and 4: Garden City, Clarion Inn, 1911 E. Kansas Ave.; Nov. 4 and 5: Colby, Comfort Inn, 2227 S. Range; Nov. 5 and 6: Hays, Fort Hays University Memorial Union Ballroom, 600 Park .; Nov. 30 and Dec. 1: Topeka, Holiday Inn, 605 Fairlawn; Dec. 9 and 10: Salina, Ramada (formerly Holiday), Inn 1616 W. Crawford St.; Dec. 10 and 11: Wichita, Holiday Inn Select, 549 S. Rock Rd.; Presenters will include representatives of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and Kansas Department of Revenue, as well as accounting professionals and a tax policy expert on faculty at Iowa State University. They will present information on such topics as new legislation, rulings and cases, dependent tax issues, an IRS update, Social Security, Kansas tax issues, agricultural and rural investors, C corporations, individual taxpayer issues, small business issues, retirement, and ethics. Attorneys and accountants can earn continuing education credits at this training. If paid at least two weeks in advance of the particular date of choice, the cost to attend is $230 for the full two-day conference. If paid after that, the fee is $250. And, the fee to attend one day is $165. The fee covers the "2009 Federal Tax Workbook" and CD, lunch both days, and the continuing education credit. More information about registration and other details is available at the K-State Agricultural Economics website at www.agmanager.info (click on "2009 Kansas Income Tax Institute") or by contacting Rich Llewelyn at 785-532-1504 or rvl@ksu.edu. Pumpkin and winter squash display We usually think of these vegetables for Halloween decorations; however, they can be used throughout the autumn season as decorations--especially into the Thanksgiving season. When allowed to mature on the vine, pumpkins or squash develop a thick, heavy skin that prevents excessive drying and discourages disease organisms. Many newer varieties selected for their bright colors or those harvested a little early may not have the heavy skin or rind necessary for long term storage. Check fruit regularly for any signs of soft spots. A pumpkin that begins to rot can make a huge mess in your house (along with a very disagreeable odor). The pumpkin may deteriorate all at once into a squishy mess if the early developing rot is not detected. Pumpkins displayed outside should tolerate temperatures in the mid 20s without any significant damage. However, temperatures in the low 20s will usually cause some injury to the fruit depending on how long the temperatures stay that low. After these low temperatures occur, carefully observe fruit for deterioration. Extension election Our annual extension election will take place Nov. 10 at the Barton County Extension Office, 12th and Baker in Great Bend. All citizens of Barton County, 18 years of age and older are eligible to vote.
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