Extension

The drought that first hit western Kentucky and spread to the rest of the state in late June has taken a toll on this year’s corn crop.  Many grain farmers are looking at options to salvage especially poor crops.  Cutting silage for cattle feed is an option. 

Before cutting corn for silage, there are two things that should be done:

1) Test the corn for potentially high nitrate levels.  High nitrate levels in silage can kill animals.  Although proper ensilaging can reduce levels by half, it can still be potentially high.

 Congratulations to Dustin Rosenbaum, member of the Carroll County 4-H Shooting Sports Club, for his great success at the 2012 Kentucky Blue Grass Games, held July 15th in Anderson County.

In the Three Position Small Bore Rifle Match, Dustin scored 508 points out of a possible 600 points. Not only did he win his age group with this score, but he also was the overall match winner.

In the Dewar’s Rifle Match, Dustin scored 375 points out of a possible 400 points, earning him the top spot in his age group, and second overall in the match.

 Last week, Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20 mornings, we held our first Youth Sewing Camp and taught 14 girls and one boy ages 8-12 years old the beginning steps in sewing. What a fun week. At 9 a.m. on Monday the children arrived bright and eagerly looking forward to the fun-filled week as they learned to sew.

Rain. Whether you have acres of grain crops or pasture, a garden, or lawn, this four-letter word is something we all need desperately.

Up until this week, Carroll County had been listed by the U.S. Drought Index as abnormally dry.  However, the last report on July 10 placed Carroll County in Drought Level D1 – Moderate.