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Provided by: Josh Salley, Assistant Extension Agent (Ag & Natural Resources)
DeSoto Parish Extension Office, 10117 Hwy 171, Grand Cane, LA 71032, phone: (318) 872-0533, email: jsalley@agcenter.lsu.edu
You know what they say, “April showers bring May flowers”. We should have plenty of flowers blooming soon and what a welcome sight that will be especially after what we experienced last year.
It looks like most everyone’s pastures and hayfields are doing well.I have seen some really good ryegrass stands around the parish and expect to start seeing hay cutters running just as soon as the weather cooperates.Don’t forget that I can come out and pull hay samples for you.The test runs $15 per sample and will give you all the nutritional value of your hay.
Gardens are being planted now that the threat of frost is behind us.If you need any technical assistance with starting a home garden feel free to contact our office.
Until next month, Josh
Joshua L. Salley, Assistant Extension Agent
Do you like to just pick up a nice juicy tomato and eat it with a little bit of salt sprinkled on it?How about a nice BLT sandwich or maybe a big slice of tomato on your cheeseburger?No matter how you enjoy them, tomatoes are a very healthy fruit that can decrease your chances of cardiovascular disease if consumed a few times per week.
Tomatoes contain vitamins C and E, fiber, and potassium, as well as the antioxidant lycopene that gives the tomato the red color.These nutrients work together to protect the heart by fighting off oxidation and inflammation which can damage the heart. Tomatoes can also improve your cholesterol by increasing “good” HDL cholesterol levels and reducing “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.Tomatoes are also good for maintaining blood pressure which reduces the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are rich in potassium which counter the effect of sodium to help keep blood pressure levels in a healthy range.
It's a little early in the normal growing season to have garden fresh tomatoes but, thanks to the Red River Research Station, you can enjoy fresh greenhouse tomatoes right now.The tomatoes sell in 5lb containers, and they are $12 per container.As a bonus, we will begin carrying these here at your local DeSoto Parish Extension Office to help save you the drive and trouble of having to travel to south Bossier to get them.Tomatoes will be available on a first come first serve basis so make sure to call us at 872-0533 before you come.
Ashley K. Edwards, Phd – LSU AgCenter
If you have ever listened to a veterinarian or extension agent speak on breeding soundness exams for bulls, then you have heard the recommendation of having bulls tested at least 60 days prior to the start of your breeding season. But what if you didn't get that done? Is it too late?
Impact of a Sub-fertile Bull
Far too many producers say they have never had their bulls tested but still have calves hit the ground each year. This is possible and happens. regularly because few bulls are truly sterile. However, these producers should be asking themselves how many calves do they have each year and when are these calves born within the calving season? Bulls may be categorized as fertile, sub-fertile, or sterile. As mentioned previously, few bulls are sterile and, if left with females long enough, most bulls will produce calves. Sub-fertile bulls take longer ta settle females than fertile bulls do. This results in calves being born later in the season and subsequently being lighter at weaning. Lighter calves result in less pounds marketed, which results in less money into your pocket.
Timing of a BSE
Breeding soundness exams (BSEs) are recommended at least 60 days prior to the start of the breeding season because spermatogenesis takes approximately 61 days in bulls. This gives some time to treat bulls, if needed, prior to the breeding season. It allows time for producers to secure a new bull, if needed, prior to the breeding season. For those of you reading this who are less than 60 days away from turning out bulls, IT ISN'T TOO LATE. It is much better to have bulls tested prior to the breeding season than to make it to pregnancy exams or calving season and find out you have too many open females.
Other Considerations
During a BSE, the veterinarian will assess the bull's physical condition and soundness, scrotal circumference, sperm motility and sperm morphology. A general BSE does not include testing for infectious diseases such as trichomoniasis. Visit with your veterinarian about the need for additional tests during the general exam.
A BSE also does not determine the bull's libido or desire to service females. This will not be known until he is turned in with females. If you're unsure of his desire to mate, you can implement tools like estrus detection patches on females or a chin ball marker on the bull. These can show if and how many females he is servicing.
Summary
The only time it is "too late" to have a bull tested is after the breeding season has concluded. Sub-fertile bulls are not efficient or economical to utilize on your operation. The pounds of ca'lf gained per female exposed will more than cover the cost of a breeding soundness exam. Work with your veterinarian to determine what additional tests and health management is needed for your bull(s) and your herd. (It you have any questions regarding this article, please contact me at akedwards@agcenter.lsu.edu.)
S.H. Ingram, Corteva Agriscience
Proper soil fertility and weed control are critical components for maintaining and producing quality forage grasses in a grazing or haying system. Of the forage acres that are soil tested, the majority need lime and/or a macronutrient fertilizer (N-P-K) and in many cases an increase in forage yield and nutritive value is observed following a fertilizer application. However, broadleaf weeds, if present, will compete for these applied nutrients and have the potential to negatively affect yield and overall forage consumption. A relatively new concept for forage producers, impregnation of dry fertilizer with herbicide commonly referred to as DFI, can greatly reduce broadleaf weed pressure while also providing the necessary nutrients for optimum forage production. Soil active herbicides such as Duracor (Rinskor + aminopyralid) and GrazonNext HL (2,4-D + aminopyralid) can be used as herbicide application of these products, and they rely heavily upon rainfall to move the herbicide into the soil profile for plant root uptake. Field trials investigating DFI have shown 85-99% visual weed control for species such as Hairy Buttercup, Curly Dock and Musk Thistle. Beyond weed control, producers should expect to save time and money by reducing the number of passes across the range, pasture, or hayfield. A DFI application satisfies two key forage management considerations with one application and should be considered a valuable approach to maintaining the most economical feed for livestock.(Source: 2022 AFGC Proceedings)
Louisiana Stumpage Report
The stumpage prices below are the statewide averages and are Intended to demonstrate the general trends in the market. The current value of timber can differ greatly across parishes, species, tree quality, market access, and other factors. Forest landowners considering a timber sale are encouraged to contact a consulting forester for assistance. Average stumpage prices for the six major products for the 1st Quaner-202 we<e reponed as follows:
Average stumpage prices*($/ton) Q1/2023
Insert Table Here
*Oak Sawtimber includes both red oak and white oak species. The Sawtimber and pulpwood price data included in this newsletter are published with permission from TimberMart-South Athens, GA 30605. Email: tmart@timbermart-south.com
This stumpage report is intended for use by forestry stakeholders of Louisiana. The source of these prices is proprietary in nature.
Market trend
In the first quarter of 2023, there have been some notable changes in the timber markets statewide. Pine sawtimber decreased by 6.8% from the last quar1er and ended the quarter at $2S.08/ton. Conversely, oak sawtimber prices increased by 4.5%, reaching $45.98/ton. Mixed hardwood sawtimber prices saw a decline of 6.3%, ending the quarter at $31.S4/ton. Pine chip and saw prices also saw a significant decrease of 15.9%, with the current price at $1?.60/ton. Pine pulpwood prices decreased by 1.4% and ended the quarter at $8 .24/ton. The hardwood pulpwood prices saw a slight decrease of 4.6% and ended the quarter at $9 21/ton, compared to $9.65/ton in the last quarter.
The Federal Reserve Is raising Interest rates to combat inflation. When interest rates go up, mortgage rates also go up. This also has a ripple effect on the housing market and other related Industries, such as the lumber and construction Industries, which have experienced reduced demand as a result. Declining demand for residential construction materials will In turn keep prices for lumber and timber on a downward trend. Due to the ongoing uncertainty in the housing markets and mortgage rates, we maintain our expectation of either a flat or downward trend in timber prices throughout 2023. (See the .pdf version for full graphics and tables of data)
Dr. Jinggang Guo can be contacted in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at (225) 578-0344 or by email: jguo@agcenter.lsu.edu.
May 18, 2023 at 6:00pm
State Evacuation Shelter, 8125 Hwy 71 South, Alexandria, LA
Don’t we all want the best price for our calves? We are all victims of the wide swings, peaks, and valleys of market prices. How can we as producers mitigate the risks of market fluctuations and get the best prices for our cattle?Join us May 18th and find out! Speaker and Sponsor are Any Cunningham and Night Latch Group.
No admission fee. Meal will be provided.Please RSVP (318) 767-3968 or rjohnson@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Membership and participation in activities and events are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, veteran status or disability. If you have a disability that requires special accommodation for your participation in an activity, please contact us at 318-872-0533.
DeSoto Ag Update newsletter_2023-5pdf
