FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 22, 2006

CONTROL BROADLEAF WEEDS IN LAWNS NOW

Early November is the most effective time to control broadleaf weeds in lawns. Dandelion usually produces a flush of new plants in late September and the winter annual weeds henbit and chickweed should have germinated in October. These young plants are small and easily controlled with herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products (Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, Weed-Out) that contain 2,4-D, MCPP and Dicamba. Even established dandelions are more easily controlled now than in the spring because they are actively moving materials from the top portion of the plant to the roots. Herbicides will translocate to the roots as well and will kill the plant from the roots up. Be sure to choose a day that is 50 degrees or higher. The better the weed is growing, the more weed killer will be moved from the leaves to the roots. Cold temperatures will slow or stop this process.

Weed Free Zone is a relatively new herbicide and contains the three active ingredients mentioned above plus carfentrazone. It gives a quicker response than the other products mentioned and will work better when temperatures are below 50 degrees.

REDUCE LOSSES WHEN FEEDING HAY TO BEEF CATTLE

Large round bales are the forage packaging system most widely used by beef producers in Kansas. This is undoubtedly due to labor-saving considerations, since this approach is about as close to a one-person operation as any hay-harvesting system can be.

When feeding large round bales, significant forage waste can occur if certain details are ignored. Hay losses during feeding can be expected with any feeding system with the amount of losses varying with the particular system used. Factors that contribute to waste include forage subject to trampling, leaf shatter, chemical and physical deterioration as well as urine and fecal contamination. The extent of these losses depends upon the feeding method, interval between feedings, amounts fed at one time, weather conditions, and number of animals being fed.

Stretching their existing forage supplies by reducing forage waste is especially important. When feeding large round bales, consider the following factors:

1. Feed hay in smaller amounts or in a feeder to minimize waste. When fed smaller quantities at feeding time, cattle have less opportunity to trample forage. If a multiple day feed supply is provided, consider the use of a rack or hay ring to minimize waste.
2. Feed your forage in well-drained areas. Rotate your feeding areas among well-drained sites on a regular basis. This practice will avoid pasture scarring and also reduce the amount of wasted/residual forage. Dr. Albert Broce at K-State has recently demonstrated that wasted forage helps create idol breeding areas for horn flies. So attention to this rather tedious management practice may pay off by reducing the number of flies the following summer.

No matter what size of hay package or feeding style you use, some hay will be lost or wasted. Attention to proper feeding management will reduce these losses. Since hay is expensive this year, it makes sense to try to keep waste as low as possible through good management practices.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension Offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and Regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters are on the K-State campus in Manhattan