Cooperative

Extension Service Bullitt County

384 Halls Lane

Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6263

(502)543-2257

Fax: (502)543-6940

http://ces.ca.uky.edu/bullitt/

http://www.ca.uky.edu/ces

February 2016

County Extension Agent for

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Table of Contents

Page 2—Cattle

Page 3— Drones in Agriculture

Page 4— David Harrison’s Retirement

Page 5— Bullitt County Cattlmen

Page 6— Tax Extenders

Page 7— Big Deals

Page 8-9—Farm to School

Page 10—Grants

Page -11— El Nino

Page 12— Fun Ag Facts

Page 13— Farm Bureau Scholarships

Page 14— Frozen Pipes

Page 15— BEHS FFA

Page 16 –17 —Losing Electricity

Page 18-19 Mid-America Grazing

Page 20-21— Heel Publication

2

SPRING-CALVING HERD

Calving season begins

Supplement with high magnesium

mineral at least 30 days prior to calving.

Increase feed to cows that have calves.

Grain may be needed if you are

feeding lower quality hay (3 to 4 pounds

for mature cows and about 8 pounds for

first-calf heifers).

Have calving equipment, facilities and

labor arranged prior to calving.

Observe first-calf heifers closely, since

they should begin head-start calving by

February 10. Expect calving difficulty and

intervene if:

- No progress after 90 minutes of labor.

- Calf is backwards (only the calf’s

tail is visible or the dew claws are

pointed“up”).

- Calf’s head and two feet are not

visible.

Identify calf with an ear tag, tattoo or both

while it is young and easy to handle.

Record dam ID and birth date.

Commercial male calves should also be

castrated and implanted according to

product recommendations. Castration and

dehorning are less stressful when

performed on young animals. Registered

calves should be weighed during the first

24 hours.

Inform tax preparer of sales of unbred

heifers in the breeding pool because IRS

considers them breeding livestock.

Call AI technicians for spring breeding

appointments if applicable.

Determine how much you can spend for

bulls and/or semen.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL CATTLE

Begin looking for herd sire replacements

that meet herd and farm goals. Yearling

bull availability is best in spring.

FALL-CALVING HERD

Breeding season ends

Breeding season should end this month.

Remove bulls and feed to regain “normal”

weight.

Provide creep for calves if economical.

Provide windbreaks or clean shelter for

calves.

Consult your veterinarian for proper

deworming of the fall calving herd.

FORAGES

Begin frost seeding red and white clover

on closely grazed pastures.

Apply nitrogen fertilizer by mid to late

February to promote early grass growth.

Plan pasture utilization strategy (fencing,

water, shade).

Consider herbicide options such as

dormant applications for alfalfa.

Chain harrow pastures as needed for more

uniform manure distribution.

Environment

Monitor feeding area closely. Move

feeding area often.

Monitor cattle and calves closely for

stress/health symptoms caused by mud.

Limit access to streams/ponds during

winter feeding.

Move cattle to sacrifice lot during wet

periods to minimize sod damage.

3

Farmers still Grounded with FAA

‘Drone’ Registration Rule

Farmers interested in using unmanned

aircraft systems, or UAS, will have to wait a

little longer despite the Federal Aviation

Administration recent announcement of web-

based aircraft registration for drone

technology.

The Alabama Farmers Federation’s Carla

Hornady said the rule only applies to

hobbyists and for recreational drone use.

“We think this is a step in the right

direction, but the largest beneficiary from

UAS technology—the business sector— is

stalled on the ground,” said Hornady, who

directors the cotton, soybean and wheat &

feed drains divisions. “Farmers have an

excellent track record when caring for their

livestock, their land and their communities,

and the same applies to U.S. airways.”

The new registration rule applies to UAS

weighing over 0.55 pounds and less than 55

pounds including payloads such as on-board

cameras.

The registration process may clear the way

for UAS to be used for agriculture in the

future, Hornady said, noting the technology

remains banned for most commercial uses.

Few Alabama farmers have touched the

control sticks due to the FAA’s usage limits.

Lee County farmer Mitch Lazenby said he’s

glad UAS rules are becoming clearer, but

hopes regulations don’t become invasive.

“I think the registration isn’t that bad,” he

said. “If all we have to do is register so they

know who’s using the technology, that’s fine.

UAS are very beneficial tools. I think people

need to know where they are, because they

could also be misused. On the front end, it’s

very benign and basic, but I’m also cautious

about how the information could be used in

the future.”

Under the rule, any owner of a small UAS

who operated a model aircraft prior to Dec.

21, 2015, must register no later than Feb. 19,

2016. Owners of any UAS purchased after

Dec. 21, 2015 must register before the first

flight outdoors. Owners may use either the

paper-based process or the new web-based

system. Owners using the online system must

be at least 13 years old to register. The FAA is

developing enhancements that should allow

for business registrations by spring of 2016.

“Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft

enthusiasts are aviators, and with that title

comes a great deal of responsibility,” said U.S.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

“Registration gives us an opportunity to work

with these users to operate their unmanned

aircraft safely. I’m excited to welcome these

new aviators into the culture of safety and

responsibility that defines American

innovation.”

Registrants will need to provide their

name, home address and email address. Upon

registration completion, the web application

will generate proof of ownership that will

include a unique identification number for the

UAS owner, which must be marked on the

aircraft.

Owners using the model aircraft for hobby

or recreation will only have to register once

and may use the same identification number

for all of their model UAS. The registration is

valid for three years.

The normal registration fee is $5, but the

FAA is waiving the fee for the first 30 days

(from Dec. 21, 2015 to Jan 20, 2016).

techswarm

4

January 8

Dave Harrison’s

Retirement

Party

5

January 12

Bullitt County Cattlemen

6

Tax Extenders become Permanent

Dec 21, 2015

While sliding crop prices may be a big reason

farm equipment sales have slumped in 2015,

another factor is uncertainty over a popular tax

rule that allowed significant first-year write-

offs for equipment purchases. Called Section

179, the measure played a big role in

equipment buying decisions through 2013, but

starting in 2014 when the generous tax

provision expired, uncertainty appeared.

The 2014 Section 179 tax extender was passed

in late December 2014 giving farmers little

time to act on the provision (you have to take

possession of the machine to claim the

deduction). The same happened in 2015, but

with a twist. Section 179 has been past

retroactive for 2015 with the $500,000

deduction limit (without the measure the limit

was $25,000), but this time the rule has been

made permanent.

Congress passed the measure early last week,

and it was signed into law by President

Obama - along with a comprehensive

Omnibus spending measure - just before he

flew west to Hawaii for vacation.

Farm groups praised the tax extender move

noting that this is significant for farmers. The

same tax bill also extended the biodiesel tax

incentive, but also did not stop import of

biodiesel from international sources. The tax

bill is a major compromise that offered a range

of benefits for different groups. It’s been

attacked by some as welfare for businesses,

but each side of the Congressional aisle got

many provisions they wanted.

The key is getting some certainty back into the

tax code, which is important if you’re running

a business for the long haul and what farmer

isn’t doing that. While the slumping farm

market will hinder purchases for different

reasons, farmers looking to continue keeping

up with technology improvements by updating

their equipment have new help in that

approach.

For livestock producers who delayed

equipment

purchases when

times were lean,

the 2015

retroactive nature

of this tax move

is good news for

those that finally

did buy equipment this year when livestock

prices rebounded.

And if you’re in a holding pattern, at least

now you know when financial times do

improve this enhanced Section 179 provision

will be there waiting for you to take advantage

of it for your operation.

The bill also includes a five-year extension of

bonus depreciation for property acquired and

put in service during 2015 through 2019, with

an added year of certain property with a

longer production period. The bonus is 50%

for property put in service in 2015, 2016 and

2017. It slides to 40% in 2018 and 30% in

2019.

Talk with your tax adviser before year end to

make sure you maximize the tax benefit of

any purchases you made in 2015; and review

your equipment buying plan for 2016 with an

eye toward this now-

permanent Section 179

provision.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

farmauction.net

7

What 2015's Big Deals

Might Mean for Agriculture

The past year has brought a whirlwind of

big ag deals as companies in the seed,

machinery and insurance sectors and more

consolidate in search of more market share

and greater efficiencies.

He, like others, expects the deal-making in

ag to continue into the new year.

Here are Stoerger’s thoughts on some of

the biggest ag deals of 2015 and what they

might mean for farmers going forward:

Dow and DuPont. When/if this $131

billion merger closes, executives intend to

split the new entity into three independent

companies, including an ag division with an

estimated $19 billion in combined revenue in

2014. That’s $3 billion more than Monsanto,

the closest competitor.

“The largest branded market share

DowDuPont will have is in seed corn at

somewhere between 39% and 41% in the

U.S.,” Stoerger says. “For those worried that’s

too big, it actually falls short of where

Pioneer’s seed corn market share was in the

1990s alone.”

Federal regulators will review the

transaction for antitrust concerns. Will it be

approved? It seems possible, given the

relatively limited product overlap between

Dow and DuPont’s offerings.

“As far as farmers are affected, I think

there will still be ample choices when you

consider all the cross-licensing of

technologies in the marketplace,” Stoerger

says. “In the short term, I don’t foresee

significant price increases likely because of

the depressed commodity prices.”

John Deere and Precision Planting. This

deal, announced in November and expected to

be finalized in the first quarter of 2016, shows

the growing importance of precision ag.

“This demonstrates Deere’s desire to be on

the cutting edge – this time by buying

someone else’s technology,” Stoerger says. “A

big question is will John Deere continue to

offer Precision Planting products to other

machinery manufacturers or will it be

exclusive through John Deere?”

He thinks the deal could end up affecting

more than just Deere customers.

“Farmers are very brand-loyal, especially

in equipment,” Stoerger says. “Even if John

Deere is the only place to access Precision

Planting technology, I don’t see that changing

a Case New Holland loyalist. Instead, I likely

see it pushing Case New Holland to deliver

new, competitive technology.”

RCIS and Zurich Insurance Group. After shopping its crop insurance business

since this summer, Wells Fargo finally inked a

deal in December to sell RCIS to Zurich

Insurance Group for as much as $1.05 billion.

“The crop insurance market is a very

lucrative place to do business,” Stoerger says.

“These companies coming together indicate

Zurich’s desire to move into this space and

diversify.”

Land O’ Lakes and United Suppliers. Wholesale suppliers United Suppliers, Inc.

joined Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s crop inputs

business as of October 2015. The first step of

the merger was to combine the two seed and

crop protection businesses under Winfield.

Next the group will merge the crop nutrient

business.

This merger was about wholesale

suppliers, which don’t work directly with the

farmer, and therefore it may not be as

impactful to the farmer as some of the other

mergers, Stoerger says. “This could provide

additional downstream value to

owners.”

8

Growing Farm to School efforts

help to reduce plate waste,

Increase student participation in

Healthier School Meals Program

USDA Strong farm to school programs can

increase the number of students purchasing

school breakfast and lunch, improve

consumption of healthier foods at school, and

reduce plate waste. Census data also indicate

that schools purchased nearly $600 million

worth of food locally in school year 2013-

2014, a 55 percent increase over school year

2011-2012 when the first Farm to School

Census was conducted, creating new

marketing opportunities for farmers and

ranchers in their communities.

The results are an outcome of efforts by the

U.S. Department of Agriculture to target

resources to help schools serve healthier meals

to students following the passage of the

bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of

2010. Through its Farm to School Grant

Program, established and funded through the

Act, USDA offers grants to help schools and

other eligible entities establish or expand farm

to school programs. In September 2015,

USDA released a report that shows that the

grants alone have helped 12,300 schools

improve nutritious meal options made with

local ingredients for 6.9 million students,

while expanding market opportunities for

family farmers and ranchers in their

communities.

"Farm to school is one of many tactics and

resources that USDA makes available to help

schools successfully serve healthier meals to

kids. Farm to school partnerships have a

proven track record of encouraging kids to try,

like, and eat more healthy foods and creating

new market opportunities for the farmers that

grow them," Agriculture Secretary Tom

Vilsack said.

The Farm to School Census is a nationally

representative survey of school districts.

Nationwide, more than 42,000 schools have

farm to school programs, which operate in

conjunction with the National School Lunch

Program and other school meal programs.

Seventy-five percent of respondents with farm

to school programs reported at least one of the

following positive benefits as a result of

participating in farm to school:

Reduced plate waste (17 percent);

Improved acceptance of the healthier

school meals (28 percent);

Increased participation in school meals

programs (17 percent);

Lower school meal program costs (21

percent); and

Increased support from parents and

community members for the healthier school

meals (39 percent).

In addition to serving local food, farm to

school programs often include food,

agriculture, and nutrition education that

emphasizes hands-on experiential activities,

such as school gardens, field trips to local

farms, and cooking classes. For example,

students might dissect vegetables in science

class, run farm stands using school garden

produce to learn business skills, or practice

data visualization techniques using plant

growth measurements. All these activities

contribute to an integrated approach to

learning centered on food, agriculture, and

nutrition, which independent research and

testimony from teacher and school officials

indicate can improve student's formation of

healthy habits and increase the likelihood that

they will make healthy choices.

schoolmealsthatrock.org

9

10

Value Added Producer Grant (USDA-Rural Development) Deadline: Expected to Open Early 2016

Funding Amounts: Planning-$75,000; Working Capital-$250,000

Eligible Entities: Agricultural producers and producer groups

Links: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants

Overview: The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program is for farmers who add value to

their farm product. Included in this is change in physical state (think milk to cheese, cow to

hamburger, berries to jelly), marketing locally (selling locally for more profit), or produced in a

manner that enhances value (grassfed, organic, or sustainable). It requires a dollar-for-dollar

match and is paid on a reimbursement basis, but some of the match can be in-kind. VAPG re-

quires the applicant to have a business plan to apply. If you are interested, contact us for more in-

formation immediately!

Farmers Market Promotional Program (USDA)

Deadline: Expected to Open Early 2016

Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000, no match required!

Eligible Entities: Farmer markets, agricultural businesses, community supported agriculture

CSAs, economic development corporations, local and tribal governments, non-profits, producer

networks, producer associations and public benefit corporations

Link: http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp Previously funded projects

Overview: The Farmers Market Promotion Program is seeking applicants to promote innovative

ways to support the development of new opportunities for farmers to sell directly to consumers.

The purpose of the program is to increase farm profits AND how much local food people con-

sume. The grant can pay for a broad range of activities including advertising, marketing cam-

paigns, personnel, education and training outreach, and some equipment. The earlier you start the

process, the better application you can prepare!

Local Food Promotion Program Grant (USDA)

Deadline: Expected to Open Early 2016

Funding Amount: Up to $100,000 - 25% match required

Eligible Entities: Pr ivate businesses; non-profits; community supported agriculture networks

and associations; economic development corporations; Regional farmers' market authorities; and

Local and tribal governments

Links: http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp

Overview: Local Food Promotion Grants can be used for planning or working capital to

support businesses that strengthens the link between farmers and consumers by aggregating, stor-

ing, processing ,and/or distributing local food products.

LFPP Planning Grants are designed to help agriculture businesses and local communities con-

duct feasibility studies, do market research, and develop business plans to determine the viability

of local and regional business enterprises. Planning grants must be completed within a one year

time frame.

LFPP Implementation Grants are designed to help create new local and regional food enter-

prises; or to improve and grow the abilities of existing local or regional food enterprises. LFPP

grants must be completed in a two year time frame. Some examples of activities that LFPP Im-

plementation Grants will fund include training and technical assistance; marketing and outreach;

working capital to pay wages and purchase needed equipment; and new information technology

systems.

11

Super El Niño

Causing Weather Anomalies Worldwide

El Nino is a weather phenomenon caused

when warm water from the western Pacific

Ocean flows eastward. In this lesson, we'll see

how the effects of El Nino can be noticed in

many parts of the world, with different regions

experiencing varying weather anomalies.

A temperature increase of least

0.9 F (0.5 C) needs to occur in the waters of

the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator for

it to be considered an El Niño year. Although

El Niño does not occur in a perfectly regular

pattern, it seems to happen every 2 to 7 years.

Following an El Niño, an opposite

phenomenon occurs, called La Niña. During

La Niña, the eastern Pacific Ocean

experiences cooler than normal temperatures

around the equator.

Weather scientists now say this year’s

“extreme” El Niño weather phenomenon is the

strongest ever recorded, which could mean

more abnormal winter weather for all of North

America.

The West, which has suffered major

drought in recent years, could see significant

flooding, much of the Southwest could be

colder than normal with bigger snowfalls,

while large areas of the Mid-South and

northeast have been experiencing warmer than

normal weather. Skiers in the eastern states are

already complaining of the “snow drought,”

thanks to warm temperatures now forecast

into January, while moisture-laden storms are

dumping snow on ski areas in the western

states.

An El Niño occurs when water

temperatures in the eastern Pacific region

become warmer than normal; even a slight

variation can have a significant impact on

weather around the world. The National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA) says temperatures at mid-November

were the highest ever for the region.

The last strong El Niño, in 1997, brought a

record number of Category 5 storms to the

northwest Pacific, with two “super typhoons”

that had sustained winds of 180 mph and 185

mph. That El Niño was responsible for an

estimated 23,000 deaths globally and $35

billion in damages; central Pacific

temperatures peaked at 2.8 degrees Celsius

above average. The current El Niño peaked at

3.1 degrees C above average at mid-

November, and in early December still was at

2.9 degrees C above average. The strongest

storm ever measured on Earth, Hurricane

Patricia, occurred in October 2015.

Peru and Ecuador were hit by the deadliest

floods ever, there were devastating floods in

India, and at the other extreme, severe drought

in Australia, the Caribbean, Brazil, Africa, and

elsewhere.

Later in the winter, some forecasters say,

things could do something of an about-face,

with areas from Texas up to Winnipeg and

across the East/Southeast being cold, while the

West will be mild.

It’s expected that this El Niño will be

weakening by late spring, with a return to

more normal weather patterns. NASA says the

current El Niño will be more thoroughly

observed from space than any of its

predecessors, thanks to Earth-observing

missions that weren’t in place during the last

big event.

Dec 21, 2015 by Hembree Brandon in Farm Press Blog

12

Fun Facts About U.S. Agriculture

Did you know mature turkeys have more than 3,500 feathers? How about that cows have four

stomachs and can detect smells up to six miles away? Agriculture is one of the United States’

most important industries, employing more than 24 million workers or 17 percent of the coun-

try’s total work force.

Here are some fun facts straight from America’s farms for you to absorb and share:

Like snowflakes, no two cows have exactly the same pattern of spots.

There are 47 different breeds of sheep in the U.S.

Pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world. >> Farm Facts: Pork

Elevators in the Statue of Liberty use a soybean-based hydraulic fluid.

The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds. >> Farm Facts: Eggs

The average dairy cow produces seven gallons of milk a day, 2,100 pounds of milk a

month, and 46,000 glasses of milk a year.

Raising beef cattle is the single largest segment of American agriculture. >> Farm Facts:

Beef One pound of wool can make 10 miles of yarn. There are 150 yards (450 feet) of wool yarn

in a baseball.

Soybeans are an important ingredient for the production of crayons. In fact, one acre of soy-

beans can produce 82,368 crayons. >> Farm Facts: Soybeans

The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed 86 pounds, about the size of an average third-grader.

Cows are herbivores, so they only have teeth on the bottom.

Cows must give birth to a calf in order to produce milk. >> Farm Facts: Dairy Cows

Sources: The United States Department of Agriculture, The Agriculture Council of America

Want to learn more interesting facts about agriculture across America? Head over to My

American Farm and play the Ag Across America game. You’ll learn more facts and test out

your geography skills. The game was developed by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for

Agriculture.

13

Applications for Kentucky Farm

Bureau’s College Scholarships

of up to $4,000 Available Now

The holiday season may have just come

to a close, but Kentucky Farm Bureau

(KFB) has one more gift to give to a select

number of high school seniors across the

state – college scholarships.

Later this spring, the KFB Education

Foundation will award college scholarships

ranging from $400 to $4,000 to 87 high

school seniors pursuing a four-year degree.

To be considered, students must

complete the application available for

download at kyfb.com/scholarships and

return the requested material to KFB

postmarked by February 29, 2016.

Qualifying students will have at least a 3.5

grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) or a

minimum 23 ACT score, be the child of a

KFB member, and finish high school within

the year in which they apply.

KFB also offers four additional

scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to

$3,000. To be considered for these college

scholarships, students must meet the varied

criteria outlined for each, complete the

appropriate downloadable application

available at kyfb.com/scholarships and

return the requested material to KFB

postmarked by April 29, 2016.

“The Foundation’s goal is to assist as

many individuals as possible in attaining

their educational pursuits,” said Susie

Tanner, Coordinator of KFB’s Education

Foundation. “Post-secondary education

costs continue to rise and Farm Bureau

scholarships help defray some of the

expenses associated with obtaining a degree.

There is no better investment for the

organization than to invest in our members

and their children.”

KFB’s Education Foundation, created to

help Farm Bureau members and their

families reach their goal of obtaining post-

secondary education, was formed in 1953.

During the last 62 years, the Education

Foundation has awarded approximately

1,500 college scholarships – worth more

than $2.3 million dollars – to both

traditional and non-traditional students.

To learn more about these and several

other college scholarships offered by

Kentucky Farm Bureau,

visit kyfb.com/scholarships.

14

With Frigid Weather Here,

Kentucky American Water Offers Tips

to Avoid Frozen Water Pipes

Now that colder, winter weather has

arrived, Kentucky American Water is

reminding customers of ways to prevent water

pipes from freezing.

Frozen water lines typically occur in areas

such as crawl spaces or along the outside walls

where unprotected plumbing tends to be more

vulnerable to the elements. Implementing the

following winterization tips now can help

avoid headaches later:

— Search your house for un-insulated

pipes, especially in unheated areas. Check

attics, crawl spaces, and outside walls.

Consider wrapping pipes with insulation

sleeves. Another option is electric heating

tape, but follow manufacturers’ instructions

carefully to avoid a fire hazard.

— Seal cracks and holes in outside walls

and foundations with caulking to keep cold air

away from pipes, especially where cable TV

or phone lines enter the house.

— When below-freezing temperatures

occur, keep a slow trickle of water flowing

through faucets that are supplied by pipes

running through an unheated or unprotected

space, to keep the water from freezing.

— Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet

doors open to allow warm air to circulate

around pipes.

— Make certain that the water to outside

faucets is shut off inside your house (via a

turnoff valve), and that the lines are drained.

Don’t forget to disconnect and drain garden

hoses if you have not done so already.

— Drain and shut off entirely the water to

any unoccupied residence such as a summer or

vacation home. A loss of power during a

winter storm could cause pipes to freeze.

— Set the thermostat no lower than 55

degrees if you’re going out of town. Although

you may be able to get away with a lower

temperature, this setting is considered to be

safe for pipes.

— Make sure you know where your main

water shut-off valve is located inside your

home so that you can shut off your water

quickly in the event of a water pipe leak. This

valve is often located in a utility room or

closet or in the basement.

From Kentucky American Water

Communications

Know where your Main Water Shut Off Valve is !

15

January 26

Bullitt East FFA

16

State Public Service Commission

Advises Using Caution if

Electrical Power Lost During Storm

The Kentucky Public Service Commission

(PSC) urges residents who lose power to

exercise caution when using portable

generators or clearing storm debris.

Stay away from all downed lines. Downed

lines should be reported to the local utility

company. If the lines are sparking, on fire or

otherwise creating an emergency, call 911.

Customers who lose power should follow

proper safety precautions if they use portable

generators, PSC Chairman Jim Gardner said.

Improper use of portable generators can be

extremely dangerous, especially during cold

weather,” Gardner said. “Many Kentuckians

have lost their lives, and many others have

been hospitalized, as the result of being

poisoned by carbon monoxide emitted by

portable generators that were not used

correctly.”

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Generators should only be operated

outside in well-ventilated areas and never in a

garage, basement or breezeway.

• Do not operate generators near windows,

doors or in other areas where exhaust fumes

could be drawn into a home or other occupied

structure.

• Do not use charcoal grills, gas grills or other

open-flame devices indoors for heating or

cooking.

To prevent fires, generators should never

be refueled while they are running. Refuel

only after the generator has been turned off

and allowed to cool.

The PSC also is reminding electric

customers who use a portable generator of

electric safety guidelines that will protect

them and those working to restore power.

Keys to safe operation of generators include:

• Make sure a generator is properly sized

for the load you will place on it. Remember

that starting an electric motor, such as a

refrigerator or air conditioner compressor,

requires more electricity than the amount

needed to keep it running. DO NOT

OVERLOAD YOUR GENERATOR.

• Use only three-prong, grounded extension

cords, properly rated for the load, to connect

appliances to generators.

• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED POWER

INTO YOUR HOME BY ADAPTING AN

EXTENSION CORD TO CONNECT A

GENERATOR TO A WALL OUTLET. THIS

CAN CAUSE A FIRE.

• DO NOT CONNECT A GENERATOR TO

INSIDE WIRING IN ANY WAY UNLESS

YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS IS

EQUIPPED WITH A TRANSFER SWITCH

THAT PREVENTS POWER FROM

FLOWING BACK INTO (BACKFEEDING)

THE WIRES THAT SUPPLY YOUR

ELECTRICITY.

Backfeeding poses a severe danger to

workers attempting to restore electrical

service. They can be severely injured or killed

by power flowing back into lines which they

assume are not carrying electricity. Also, if the

line to your home or business becomes

grounded, backfeeding can permanently

damage your generator.

Continued on next page …..

17

….. Continued from previous page

Customers who lose power should contact

their utility company immediately. Most

utilities in Kentucky have systems that use

customer reports to help identify the location

of the problem and determine what repairs are

needed.

“It is important that every customer report

an outage,” Gardner said. “But repeated calls

simply tie up the utility’s phone system. Call

at once, but call only once.”

Customers who lose power also should

check electric connections and meters for

damage. Damaged connections or meters must

be repaired before power can be restored to a

home or business.

Falling or sagging power lines may have

damaged the connections between the utility

company’s overhead line and a customer’s

electric system. The connections are usually in

the form of a masthead – a conduit connected

to the service line – or, in older homes, an

eyebolt which holds the line in place and an

insulated line leading to the meter. In some

cases, the meter or meter base may also be

damaged.

Once power is restored, damaged

connections or meters could pose an electrical

or fire hazard if not repaired or if repaired

improperly.

“It is critical that damaged connections be

repaired by a qualified professional and

inspected before power is restored,” Gardner

said. “In past outages, fires and severe damage

have been caused by damaged or improperly

repaired service connections.”

Repairing a service connection or meter

base is the responsibility of the individual

customer. The meter base is the square or

rectangular box on which the meter itself is

mounted. It belongs to the property owner.

The meter itself – the circular, glass-enclosed

portion that attaches to the meter base – is the

property of the utility company.

Customers with damaged connections or

meters should take the following steps:

• Notify the utility company that the

service connection, meter base and/or meter is

damaged. The utility can then make sure that

the line is not energized until repairs are

completed.

• In the event that only the meter itself is

damaged, contact the utility to have it repaired

or replaced and your service restored.

• Contact an electrician to repair the meter

base or service connection. The repair work

can be done prior to power being restored in

an area, thus eliminating any additional

delays.

• The electrician will obtain the proper meter

base from the utility. Some utilities impose no

charge for the meter base, but the customer

will bear the installation cost.

• Have the repairs inspected by a state-

certified inspector working for your local

government. The electrician should be able to

help arrange the inspection.

• Notify the utility when the repairs are

complete and have been approved. A utility

technician will install a new meter and restore

the power.

• Keep all repair records and contact your

property insurer.

Residents SHOULD NOT attempt to

remove any branches, limbs or trees that have

fallen across service connections or other

utility lines. Notify the utility to arrange for

the debris to be removed. We urge people to

be patient and to take proper precautions to

protect their health and safety while they wait

for power to be restored.

From PSC Communications

18

January 25-26

Mid-America Grazing

Conference

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Previous copies of this newsletter can be viewed at:

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Cooperative

Extension Service Bullitt County

384 Halls Lane

Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6263