Agriculture

As a part of the 2014 Farm Bill, LaRue County landowners have a one-time opportunity to update their payment yields (based upon 90 percent of a farm's 2008-2012 average yields) and to possibly reallocate their farm base acres based upon the share of 2009-2012 acres planted to program crops. The deadline is Feb. 27.

Almost all farms can benefit from updating with many program crop yields improving by several bushels per acre. The decision to update yields can be made on a crop-by-crop basis.

Musk or nodding thistle is the most common type of thistle locally. The primary growth period is in the spring and summer. However, most seed germinate in the fall and form a rosette which grows close to the ground, often growing unnoticed until spring.

The most important step in long-term control of thistle is to prevent flowering, and the production and spread of new seed (which is carried by wind). This can be done by mechanical or chemical control.

Renovating pastures and hay fields to renew grass productivity is one of the most important things LaRue County farmers can do to improve their pasture and hay fields. Pastures and other forages feed the county’s 24,000 head of cattle and calves in addition to the other ruminant livestock and horses. It will soon be time to renovate this year.

Pasture renovation (seeding legumes, usually clover, into an established grass stand) is a win-win situation because it decreases production costs and increases animal performance, which should result in increased income.