Downside to the recent rains

Many yards, gardens, pastures, and hay meadows have made incredible improvements as a result of recent rains in our area. We accumulated as much as nine inches of rain in total in some localities around Rusk county. The milder temperatures have made an enormous difference as well. When temperatures approach the triple digits in Fahrenheit degrees, it makes it tough on just about anything; plant or animal trying to survive outdoors. The downside to the recent moisture may be that many people have experienced damage from the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The damage occurs when this insect is in the larval stage of development. The adult moths fly north in the summer laying eggs on grasses. Outbreaks often occur this time of year following periods of rain which create favorable conditions for the insect. This particular insect pest goes through a complete metamorphosis taking about 4 weeks to go from egg to adult with several generations occurring annually. The larvae can consume 80% of their total food intake during the last few day of development according to information provided by Dr. Allen Knutson, Extension Entomologist, headquartered in Dallas. Fall Armyworm larvae tend to prefer bermuda grass, wheat, and ryegrass but have been known to infest home lawns here in East Texas. Dr. Knutson has provided a list of chemical products labeled for controlling the pest in pastures and hay meadows. A copy can be obtained at the county extension office.

Other challenges facing beef producers is the cost of winter feeding. High oil prices have hurt agriculture producers in more ways than one. Dr. Lloyd Nelson, AgriLife Research small grains breeder predicts that producers that grow ryegrass forages will see a significant increase in the cost of seed this year. Just about all ryegrass seed as well as many other cool season annuals are grown in the pacific northwest. The cost of transportation to get the seed to our area will be passed down to the consumer as is the case with any goods or services. Dr. Ray Smith, AgriLife Research legume breeder, says that despite the increased cost, winter pasture is still an economically viable option. There is always risk involved when it comes to planting any type of winter pasture. Lack of rain can cause a crop failure. Dr. Smith commented that planting a rye-ryegrass mixture is slightly less risky than planting a ryegrass-clover mix. Keep in mind however, that clovers do have the potential to provide nitrogen to the soil by way of Rhyzobia, which are bacterium found in the soil on the roots of legumes. These bacteria form nodules on the roots of legumes which are able to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form of nitrogen available to the plant. As much as 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year can be fixed in the soil following a clover stand when animals are grazed in such a way to allow for nutrient recycling through animal wastes according to information provided by Dr. Smith.

Seeding rates and other information regarding planting winter pastures is available through the local extension office.

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.