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 In this issue...    March 2003

Drought/Overgrazing/Frost Seeding

The drought we experienced this summer and early fall caused many declines in pasture production. Overgrazing of many pastures occurred. Overgrazing is not a result of the number of animals grazing, but the amount of time plants are exposed to grazing animals. This often happens in a continuous grazing system, but this year's drought conditions made it worse.

When plants are severely grazed, or re-grazed before a sufficient rest period has elapsed, the plant takes energy that has been stored in the roots as carbohydrates to support new leaf growth. As carbohydrates are removed from the roots, the root dies, separates from the plant and eventually decomposes. This process continues until enough leaf surface once again develops to catch sufficient amounts of solar energy that support additional leaf growth and reestablish lost roots. Depending on the severity of root loss, slow re-growth may be noticed for a period of a few weeks to three months or more.
 
Frost seeding may be a way for the farm manager to re-establish plants and maintain forage composition or introduce new species of plants. Areas chosen for frost seeding should not have large amounts of undecomposed plant material remaining in the field. If it does, allow animals to graze the area closely before seeding. Frost seeding works best with legume seeds typically, because it is easier for small seeds to fall to the soil surface than it is for grass seeds which are generally larger but lighter. However, grass seeds may work relatively well this year since there is very little plant residue remaining in most fields and openings in the sod are more abundant.

Encouraging legume growth in pasture fields can minimize production costs by reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilization necessary for maximum forage growth. Legumes also improve the quality characteristics of a grass stand. Frost seeding offers several potential advantages when properly implemented. These may include: establishment of forage in undisturbed sod, reduced labor, energy and cash expense compared to conventional tillage methods, the ability to establish forages with minimal equipment investment, and little, if any, "non-grazing" period.

Late winter is a good time to frost seed pastures. The freeze and thaw cycle of the soil helps seeds which are broadcast on top of the soil to obtain good soil-to-seed contact. This is necessary if seeds are to grow and compete with established grasses, other legumes, or weeds.

Planting mixtures and seeding rates differ greatly. Desired species and number of seedlings wanted in the final stand determine how much to plant. As a rule of thumb, if legumes are already present in the pasture, 3-4 lbs. of red clover and 1-2 lbs. of ladino or alsike clover seed per acre works well. Birdsfoot trefoil could also be used at 2-3 lbs. per acre. If no legumes are currently present in the stand or seeding one species alone, doubling the above rates may return better results.

If grasses are to be frost seeded into existing pastures, perennial or annual ryegrass, orchardgrass, or smooth bromegrass would be recommended. Perennial/annual ryegrass should be seeded at 2-3 lbs. along with orchardgrass 
1-2 lbs. or smooth bromegrass 8-10 lbs. per acre. When planting, using a spinner type seeder, do not mix legume and grass seed together. Grass seed will not spread as far as legume seed causing an uneven stand. Make two trips over the pasture and adjust spacing as needed for the type seed being sown.

The following spring, excessive growth competition should be reduced. Frost seeded pastures should be grazed in the spring at regular intervals to allow sunlight to enter the canopy. Do not allow animals to graze plants low enough the first or second rotation to ruin new seedlings before adequate roots are developed.

Warning - Frost seeding will not increase the productivity or quality of a pasture if soil nutrients and pH are not in acceptable ranges for the species you are trying to produce. Most often, pastures are a product of management practices. Many times a change in grazing practices (allowing rest periods) or addition of soil nutrients will correct declining pasture production. If you are thinking of making a frost seeding and do not know what your nutrient levels are, a soil test can be a valuable tool. It can tell you if your pastures need more seed or just more feed.

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Glyphosate, Glyphosate, and More Glyphosate

A number of glyphosate products are currently available, including Roundup WeatherMax, Roundup Original, Glyphomax Plus, Touchdown, Cornerstone, and others. Most are labeled for preplant burndown in any crop and postemergence use in Roundup Ready corn and soybeans, and directions for use are generally similar. In OSU research, we have not observed differences in weed control or crop injury when comparing the various glyphosate products. However, differences among formulations may result in differences in toxicity to the user, recommended rate, rainfastness, and adjuvant recommendations, and users should consult product labels for specific directions. For example, the rainfast interval indicated on the Roundup Weathermax label is 30 minutes, while some other glyphosate product labels specify rainfast intervals of one hour or more. The true indicator of the activity of a glyphosate formulation is not the total pounds of glyphosate shown on the label, but rather the pounds of glyphosate acid (or acid equivalent). This is the figure that should be considered when comparing the rates and costs of glyphosate formulations. The following table shows the amount of product required to provide the equivalent of 0.75 lbs glyphosate acid.

Product/formulation                       Rate for 0.75 lb glyphosate acid

Roundup Ultra Max                              3.75S 26 ounces
Roundup WeatherMax                         4.5S 22 ounces
Roundup Original II 3S                         32 ounces
Buccaneer Plus 3S                               32 ounces
Glyphomax Plus 3S                              32 ounces
Touchdown 3S                                     32 ounces
Mirage 3SL                                          32 ounces
Cornerstone 3S                                    32 ounces
Engame 1.23SL                                    79 ounces

Some premix products that contain glyphosate include:

Backdraft SL (BASF), a premix of imazaquin (Scepter) plus glyphosate for control of emerged weeds and residual control of broadleaf weeds. This product is targeted primarily for preplant or preemergence application to any type of soybean, but can be applied postemergence on Roundup Ready soybeans. The use rate of Backdraft SL 
(5 pints/A) provides the equivalent of 2.1 oz/A of Scepter 70DG plus 0.56 lbs acid equivalent of glyphosate.

Extreme (BASF), a premix of imazethapyr (Pursuit) plus glyphosate for postemergence plus residual weed control in Roundup Ready soybeans. This product may improve velvetleaf and morningglory control, compared to glyphosate alone. The residual control from the imazethapyr may also help control annual grasses, black nightshade, and a few other weeds that can emerge after postemergence applications. The use rate provides the equivalent of a labeled rate of Pursuit plus 0.56 lbs acid equivalent of glyphosate.

Fieldmaster (Monsanto), a premix of acetochlor, atrazine, and glyphosate, is labeled for postemergence use in Roundup Ready corn. However, the rate of residual herbicide in this premix is higher than needed when combined with glyphosate for an early postemergence herbicide treatment in Roundup Ready in corn. The 4-quart rate provides the equivalent of 1.1 qts Harness, 1.5 qts Atrazine 4L, and 20 oz Roundup Ultra Max. A more economical approach for postemergence applications in Roundup Ready corn would be tank-mixing approximately half-rates of Degree Xtra, Harness Xtra, Bicep II Magnum, etc with glyphosate.

Ready Master ATZ (Monsanto), a premix of glyphosate (Roundup Ultra Max) plus atrazine. This product can be applied preemergence on any corn hybrid, and postemergence on Roundup Ready hybrids only. The 2-quart rate provides the equivalent of 1 lb/A of atrazine plus 22 ounces of Roundup WeatherMax.

-Corn 2003 #4

Another ALS-Resistant Weed in Ohio!
Greenhouse studies this winter have confirmed that an Ohio population of common lambsquarters is resistant to Harmony GT, an ALS-inhibiting herbicide. The population also has some tolerance to Raptor. This population originates from the Leipsic, Ohio area (Northeast Putnam County). Limited information is available on the crop and herbicide history, but soybeans were grown in 2000 and 2001 and Synchrony STS and Raptor were used those years. Michigan State has also confirmed ALS-resistant common lambsquarters in a few Michigan populations. Their populations are cross-resistant, meaning they will not be controlled by Harmony GT or Raptor.

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CIDRs Offer New Estrus Synchronization Option

Estrus synchronization decreases the labor associated with artificial insemination (AI), and makes timed AI feasible. Producers with smaller herds have often shied away from AI because of the time and effort necessary to breed a few cows. Several new systems have made timed AI possible, which means an AI technician could come on a single day to breed all cows or heifers. These systems included Ov-Synch and CO-synch, but limited estrus detection was needed for maximum pregnancy rates. The newest systems, CIDR® based systems, show good pregnancy rates with pure timed AI (no heat checking).

Controlled internal drug-releasing device (CIDR®) provides progesterone to keep cows and heifers out of heat and synchronize estrus. The CIDR® is inserted into the vagina of the cow and releases progesterone in a controlled manner. When combined with a prostaglandin product (Lutalyse, Estrumate, In-Synch, Prostamate), a CIDR synchronizes estrus in cycling animals and induces estrus in many non-cycling females.

CIDR systems: The basic program involves insertion of the CIDR for 7 days with an injection of prostaglandin on day 6 after insertion (CIDR-PGF). Cows or heifers are observed for estrus (heat) and inseminated 12 hours after observed heat. Research from a large multi-state trial demonstrated that this program was very effective in cycling cows and heifers producing pregnancy rate to a single AI of 46% and 49%, respectively. Over 70% of the animals receiving the CIDR-PGF system were in heat during the first 3 days. Almost 50% of all non-cycling animals were in heat in the first 3 days after CIDR removal. Although, fewer non-cycling animals became pregnant over 25% of non-cycling animals became pregnant to AI.

Many commercial producers have opted for a modification of the CIDR-PGF by giving prostaglandin on day 7 when CIDRs are removed. The synchrony of estrus is not as tight, so most of the cows come in heat over 3 days as compared with 2 days for the standard CIDR-PFG system. The trade off is a slight reduction in synchrony for fewer trips down the chute.

Recently, research from several states indicates that adding a CIDR to GnRH-based synchronization systems (Select-Synch, CO-Synch or Ov-Synch) increases pregnancy rates in lactating beef cows. The GnRh products include Cystorelin, Fertagyl, and Factrel. The addition of CIDRs to the GnRH-based systems increases the percentage of anestrus (non-cycling) cows that are "jump started" and conceive to AI by 
10-15%. Adding the GnRH systems to the CIDR controls follicular development and increases fertility. Overall pregnancy rates (including non-cycling cows) to artificial insemination for CO-Synch + CIDR or Ov-Synch + CIDR average 50 to 60%.

Some veterinarians prefer to use estradiol ciponate (ECP) in place of the first GnRH in CIDR-Ov-Synch systems for heifers. Heifers receive 1 mg ECP when the CIDR is inserted, then PGF on day 7 at CIDR removal followed by GnRH on the afternoon of day 9. Heifers are inseminated on the morning of day 10.

Cost of CIDRs: The CIDR is an over-the-counter estrus synchronization product, but the manufacturer, Pharmacia Animal Health, has limited the sources or dealership of this product. CIDRs can be purchased from breeding services such as Select-Sires, ABS and others or from veterinarians. The cost is $8.00 to $9.00 per CIDR. They are labeled as a single use item.

All other products listed in this article must be purchased from a licensed veterinarian with whom producers have a valid client-veterinary relationship.

Like all synchronization systems, CIDRs are no replacement for good management. Cows in low body condition or health status will respond poorly to estrus synchronization. CIDRs add another important tool to the reproductive management choices for beef producers.

-John Hall
 Virginia Tech

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Internet Marketing Workshop

A workshop on the topic of developing web pages to market farm products will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2003 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 
at the Guernsey County Extension Office in Cambridge. Registration is $10 per person and is due by April 8. For a registration flyer, contact your local County Extension Office.

Farm Bus Tours
The Carroll County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is compiling a list of Carroll County farm operators who would be willing to host bus tours at their operations for a fee. The CVB is attempting to put together agricultural and natural resources tours as a way to bring more tourists to Carroll County, add some additional income for are farm families, and educate consumers about agriculture and natural resources.

If you might be interested in hosting a bus tour for a fee at your farm, please complete the enclosed form (yellow) and return it to the Carroll County Convention and Visitors Bureau as soon as possible. Returning this form does not commit you to anything, it simply will give the CVB an idea of what type of farms are available, so that they can develop and sell tours to tour operators at industry shows.

If you have questions about this effort, contact Mike Hogan at the Carroll County Extension Office, 330-627-4310 or Amy Rutledge at the Carroll County Convention and Visitors Bureau 330-627-0103.

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Cows Need Fresh Air

Just because it is winter and cold outside, don't close up the livestock buildings. Good ventilation is important to animals as well as humans, all year around.

When the weather turns cold, the natural tendency is to shut the livestock buildings up to keep them warmer. This traps moisture, odors, and gases in the building. Fresh air in the building is important to the health of the animals and the people taking care of them.

Poor ventilation can cause poor animal response to growth and production due to respiratory problems. Odors, high humidity, and condensation of moisture on the walls are an indication of poor ventilation. Good ventilation in a livestock building will remove air-borne diseases, excess moisture, and gases.

Some ventilation tips from Dr. Mike Veenhuizen, Consultant, and Agricultural Engineer:

1. Don't completely close other vents and exhaust openings needed to bring in the proper amount of fresh air in wintertime. Fresh air is needed; drafts aren't.
2. You can cut drafts in long buildings by building partitions across the building from floor to ceiling every 50 feet to 75 feet.

3. Don't close windward air inlets; it will create negative air pressure in the building and draw snow and cold air down through ridge vents.

4. Use hovers - low hanging ceilings - or heat lamps over small animals. This is especially helpful in swine buildings where baby pigs need a much warmer environment than the sow.

5. Keep fan shutters and blades clean - dirty blades alone can cut your ventilation capacity as much as 40% and add to the dust in the building.

6. Make sure thermostats and controls are calibrated to keep mild weather ventilation fans and heaters from running at the same time.

7. If the building has a manure storage pit under it, be absolutely sure that the pit is properly ventilated: Fumes backing up into the building can be deadly.

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Getting Dairy Heifers Bred - "New" Strategies
Getting dairy heifers bred is sometimes one of those things on the dairy farm that is often not high on the priority list. Sometimes it is because "my heifers are not located directly on the farm", "they are in a bad location", and "I don't have time to watch heifers for heats".

At the 2002 Ohio Dairy Management Conference, Dr. Bill Beal, a Professor from Virginia Tech spoke on some "new" strategies for getting dairy heifers bred. A review of his paper is as follows.

The first "strategy" is combining MGA (melengestrol acetate, Pharmacia, Kalamazoo, MI) and prostaglandin F2  (PGF2 ; LutalyseÒ, Pharmacia, Kalamazoo, MI; EstrumateÒ, Shering-Plough, Union, NJ; or ProstamateÒ, Phoenix Scientific, St. Joseph, MO). The MGA is fed for 14 days, followed 19 days later with a PGF2  injection. The MGA is a feed additive that can be mixed in your feed by a licensed feed mill at the rate of 0.5mg/head/day. It acts by blocking ovulation and keeps the heifer from exhibiting heat. The majority of heifers will show a heat approximately 5 days after stopping the feeding of MGA. This is not a fertile heat. The injection of PGF2  will cause the cycling heifer's corpus luteum to regress and bring her into heat. This is a fertile heat. The percentage of heifers in heat following this treat is usually >85% with the majority synchronized to show heat withing a 48 to 72 hour period.

Another "strategy" is to use the new CIDR (controlled intravaginal drug release device)from Pharmacia in conjunction with PGF2 . A current field trial yielded synchronized estrus in 88% of dairy heifers treated with CIDR and PGF2 , and of these, 50.4% of them became pregnant after insemination when heat was detected. The CIDR device is inserted for a seven-day period. On day six, an injection of PGF2  is given before the CIDR is removed (Figure 2). The CIDR device works by inhibiting estrus and the PGF2  works to induce estrus. The majority of animals will exhibit estrus in the following 3-day period (Figure 3). While this estrus may not be tight enough for a single timed insemination, it will be tight enough to make breeding more convenient. The entire paper is in the proceedings of the Ohio Dairy Management Conference that was held December 16 & 17, 2002 in Columbus, OH. If you would like a copy of the proceedings contact Mike or Ken.

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Editor's Note: From time to time we will include, in this newsletter, short agricultural law articles developed by OSU Extension Legal Educator Peggy Kirk Hall. These articles are not intended to serve as legal advice, rather they are intended to provide general education about legal issues which affect farm operations. Always be sure to consult your attorney for specific legal advice for your situation.

Does a producer have a lien on animals he/she is raising under contract?

Yes. Ohio law provides that "any person who feeds or boards an animal under contract with the owner shall have a lien on such animal to secure payment for food and board furnished." This is a "statutory" lien, meaning that the lien is effective automatically by operation of law and the person feeding or boarding the animals (the lienholder) need not file a registration of lien form with the State. The lienholder must have actual physical possession of the animals, however, or Ohio law does not recognize the lien. If the owner of the animals fails to satisfy amounts due the lienholder, the lienholder may sell the animals at a public sale. The lienholder may apply funds received from the sale of the animals against the outstanding amount due the lienholder, which may include the costs incurred for the sale. If there are surplus funds from the sale, the lienholder must forward the surplus to the owner. If the sale funds are insufficient, the lienholder could pursue court action to recover the deficiency. See Ohio Revised Code 1311.48 and 1311.49

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Does Ohio allow a property owner to transfer property upon death without a will or a trust?

Yes. Ohio law now allows for the use of a "Transfer On Death Deed", a deed created by the owner prior to death that directly transfers the property when the owner dies. Property subject to a Transfer On Death Deed avoids the probate process, but does not avoid estate taxes.

There are several requirements necessary for a valid property transfer under this new law. The deed must be properly signed and acknowledged by the property owner before two witnesses and a notary public. The deed must conform to the language of Section 5302.22 of the Ohio Revised Code, which provides a sample form for the deed. Beneficiaries to the property must be named specifically in the deed, and must survive the property owner. Upon the death of the property owner, the beneficiaries must file an affidavit with the county recorder stating that the owner is deceased, identifying the property and naming all beneficiaries who survived the property owner along with all beneficiaries who did not survive the property owner. A certificate of death must accompany the affidavit. The property transfer is valid upon recording of the affidavit.

A beneficiary who is named in a Transfer On Death Deed does not hold a legal interest in the property during the property owner's lifetime. The beneficiary has no ownership rights until the property owner dies.

While the Transfer on Death Deed does away with the need for probate, a property owner should not try to avoid the use of an attorney for preparation of the deed. A deed that does not conform to the requirements of the law will be deemed invalid, and the property must then pass through the deceased's estate.

See Section 5302.22 of the Ohio Revised Code for provisions of the law.

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AI School

A two-day school on artificial insemination will be held on March 13 & 14 at OSU's Eastern Ohio Resource Development Center at Belle Valley. The school will include hands-on training. The cost is $50 which includes lunches. For a registration brochure, contact your local County Extension Office.

Livestock Composting Workshop
A livestock composting workshop will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2003 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Coshocton County Service Building in Coshocton. The fee to participate is $10 per farm and includes a composting certification workbook. Registration is required. To register, contact the Coshocton County Extension Office at 740-622-2265.
 

Sincerely,
 

Mike Hogan Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources  Community Development

Ken Simeral Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources Community Development

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Trade names are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University is implied.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868