DeWitt County Producers February 2015 Dwcproducers.com Upcoming Events: February 4-6: South Texas Wild Hog Hunting Contest Saturday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Saturday, February 21: Yorktown Livestock Show March 4-6: Cuero Livestock Show What a Start to 2015 January has followed December moisture wise and it certainly has brought a many of smiles to everyone’s faces. What a year for those who decided to plant oats and or ryegrass. With the moisture and warm weather this has been an exceptional year for forage production. This is especially true for ryegrass. Normally ryegrass doesn’t provide much grazing until March, but this year January was an exceptional month. Mark this one down it may be awhile before you see this kind of early ryegrass production again. One can only hope that the rain continues to help replenish the water tables after four brutal years of below moisture condition. We have to be careful what we wish for, but we sure could use that one tank filling rain. Grassburs in the Hay Pasture The biggest concern for many producers the previous years is what can I do to control grassburs. One option starts now by the use of Prowl H2O pre-emergent. You can apply it in February at the rate of 2 quarts per acre along with a surfactant. One concern we have now is that with mild winter have all of 2014 burs been winter killed. To help knock any left over burs we suggest adding 12 ounces of glyphosate (Roundup). Along with the burs the roundup will also knock out winter grasses that tend to slow Bermuda grass growth in the spring. Once you apply Prowl, hope for a good rain to help activate the product. According to BASF as long as you get a good rain within 2 weeks after application you should be okay. At this time BASF has incurred some manufacturing problems limiting the product supply. If you want us to apply Prowl don’t delay in giving us a call. Grassburs in the Yard Like pastures grassburs also thrive in home yards. Also, you want to apply your herbicides in February and then follow up with application in May. One advantage homeowners have is that if it doesn’t rain you can always turn on the sprinkler to activate the herbicide. Herbicides available are XL, Balan, or Amaze. To help wage the battle against the burs follow up with Easy Gro Premium Lawn Slow release 19-5-9 fertilizer in late March or April to help establish a good turf. Still Time for Soil Samples A $5 investment for a soil sample maybe one of the best investments you will make this year. We will continue to mail samples every Friday. I know it has been wet but don’t hesitate and guess, soil test. Things to do Around the House -Set out bedding plants – New plants are here now -Seed potatoes are here so pick yours up now -Apply dormant oil to fruit and pecan trees to control scale Control Broadleaf Weeds in Lawn With all the good moisture this fall and winter, weeds in the lawn have certainly flourished. No better time than now to control these pesky weeds. There are a couple of options available to use for control. If you wish to fertilize early you can use a weed and feed fertilizer or you can use Bayer’s lawn weed killer which comes either in a hose-on or concentrate. Cuero Livestock Show March 4-6 After many months of hard work, 4-H and FFA members will be exhibiting their animals, broilers, and rabbits at the upcoming Cuero Livestock Show March 4-6 here in Cuero. Things will start off on Wednesday with the Commercial Heifers and Market hog show, followed on Thursday by broilers, rabbits, goats, lambs, and steers. Sale of the winning animals will take place on Friday, March 6. Make your plans to come out to support the youth of DeWitt County. Gophers: What Can I Do? Gophers can easily cost 5-10% production loss in coastal hay fields. The fact that you fertilize these areas where the mounds are and yet no production, along with the production loss the wear and tear on hay equipment even makes this more of a reason to control the pesky critters. At this time, we have a good supply of bait and the gopher machines to apply it with. Also, if you wish to treat mounds around the house we have some hand applicators for sale also. Come take a look. Hog Hunting Contest The 21 annual hog hunting contest will be held Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 8. You can pre-register again this year. Contact the extension office for details @ 2750816. st Thanks for the business,