Programs to focus on beef, produce

Dr. Les Anderson, University of Kentucky Extension Specialist in Beef Reproduction, will be at the Carroll County Extension Office on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. to present a program on synchronizing your beef cows to improve production.

Tim Hendrick

The weather the past two years has had the potential to widen the calving interval of some of our cows. Most of our cows were under a tremendous amount of stress this past summer. We have had an interesting winter and the possibility exists that our cows might not cycle like we want this spring due to a number of factors. This includes body condition, low body fat levels, and what our pastures might look like in late March when the bull goes out.

Les will go over some of the protocols for synchronizing the beef cow. He will share how this can decrease the calving season and in the long term make you more money. We all know that the older claves are heavier so the more we have in the first 42 days will give us more pounds to sell. If you have good genetics and want to retain ownership your calves will be grouped better for finishing at the same time. More calves closer together in age means you have larger groups to sell so your marketing options increase.
Make your plans to attend and learn how to make it happen.

Producing for produce auction

On Feb. 15 there will be a production meeting at the Capstone Produce Auction from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for those interesting in growing for an auction market. Most of the speakers will be UK Extension Specialists.

 Topics to be covered that day are: Season extension with high tunnels tomato focus; irrigation and fertigation management focus on major crops; producing quality watermelon and muskmelon; disease management of tomatoes and cucurbits; major insect pests and management for vegetable crops; growing high quality mums; GAP and other necessities; and a buyer roundtable.

There will be a lunch provided so please RSVP to the Carroll County Extension Office at (502) 732-7030 by Friday, Feb. 11.

Capstone Produce Auction is located at the corner of state Hwy 55 and U.S. 421 in Campbellsburg.

Beginning photography workshops

I will be offering two beginning photography workshops on Saturdays, Feb. 19 and 26, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Extension office. I have been reworking the sessions trying to make them less technical. We will cover camera basics, composition and managing the pictures after your take them. The workshops are free and please bring your camera and the owner’s manual with you.