Cooperative Extension Service Breckinridge County 1377 S. Hwy 261 Hardinsburg, KY 40143 (270) 756-2182 Fax: (270) 756-9016 https://breckinridge.ca.uky.edu

Breckinridge County AG Newsletter

Agent’s Corner

I have some exciting news from the Extension Office. The Breckinridge Coun-

ty Extension District Board agreed to be the host for the KY Mesonet Station.

The Mesonet Station in McQuady will eventually be taken down (in a year), but

a new station will be added here. The process may take about two (2) months

as the weather permits, but we are so excited to be able to bring this technology

to our site.

In the coming months, I will be scheduling more meetings to our list of meet-

ings, plus we are working on plans for a summer field day; so please keep in

touch.

I will also be visiting schools to teach students on the importance of agriculture

in our community. I was working on research for our presentation and I found

out a few very important facts. The U.S. net farm income has declined 45%

over the past three years, the largest three year decline since the Great Depres-

sion. The farm economy is forecast to struggle again in 2017 in response to am-

ple world supplies of most agriculture commodities, a slowdown in global econ-

omies, and a strengthening U.S. dollar. This situation is creating liquidity and

cash flow concerns for a growing number of farms across the nation.

TRADE: Trade received a lot of attention in the 2016 U.S. Presidential race

with debate certainly heightened during the early months of the new administra-

tion regarding the impact of trade agreements and trade policy on U.S. jobs and

economic growth. In recent years, record high agricultural trade has accounted

for around 20% of the value of U.S. agricultural production and nearly 40% of

Kentucky agricultural sales. While the U.S. exports agriculture commodities

and products to more than 100 nations worldwide, our top three markets, China,

Canada, and Mexico, comprise nearly one-half of U.S. ag export sales. These

three markets are obviously the major nations in the middle of the current trade

debate.

Sincerely,

Carol M. Hinton

Extension Agent

For Agricultural/Natural Resources Education

Breckinridge County

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Page

Agent’s Corner 1

Agricultural Meetings 2

CAIP Program 3

Frost Seeding Clover 4

Paper Shredding Event 5

Health Bulletin 6-7

Almanac Tidbits for March 8

Landscaping Tips 8

Herbs 8

FCS News! 9

Tax Information for Vines,

Trees, Hoop Barns 10

Mister, I own a hundred cows 11

Recycling Program 12

4-H News! 12

Plant Fair & Spring Fling 12

Upcoming Area Events 12

Like us on Facebook

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F R O S T S E E D I N G C L O V E R : J U S T D O I T ! B y : D r . C h r i s T e u t s c h

Source: UK Gazing News

Everyone is familiar with Nike’s ad campaign that encourages people to “JUST DO IT”. I am officially adopt-

ing this slogan for my 2017 Frost Seeding Campaign. Legumes are an essential part of a strong and healthy

nitrogen cycle in grasslands. Listed below are a few steps that we can take that will help to ensure that our

FROST seeding's are successful:

Control Broadleaf Weeds. This is best accomplished by controlling weeds the season prior to renovation.

Soil Test and Adjust Fertility. In order for pasture renovation to be successful proper soil fertility is required.

Lime should be applied six months prior to renovation if possible.

Suppress Sod and Decrease Residue. The existing sod must be suppressed and plant residue reduced prior to

seeding. The reduction in plant residue facilitates good soil-seed contact. This can be accomplished by hard

grazing in late fall and early winter.

Ensure Good Soil-Seed Contact. Regardless of what seeding method is chosen, good soil-seed contact is re-

quired for seed germination and emergence.

Seed on Proper Date. Frost seeding legumes back into pastures is best accomplished in late winter to early

spring (between February 1 and March 10). Frost seeding is accomplished by simply broadcasting the seed on

the soil surface and allowing the freezing and thawing cycles to incorporate the seed into the soil. After March

1, drilling legumes into pastures with a no-till seeder is recommend since there may not be enough freezing

and thawing cycles to adequately incorporate seed. Prior planning and preparation are important so that seed-

ing can be done in a timely manner.

Use High-Quality Seed of an Adapted Species. Use either certified or proprietary seed to ensure high germi-

nation, seed genetics, and low noxious weed content. In Kentucky, a good mixture for renovating pastures is to

incorporate 6-8 lbs red clover, or 1-2 lbs of ladino white clover. In low pH and fertility soils, the addition of 10

-15 lbs of annual lespedeza per acre can improve soils.

Use correct seeding rate. Calibrate your seeder prior to planting (see instructions on calibrating forage

seeding equipment below). Seeding at too high of a rate needlessly results in higher seed costs. On the other

hand, seeding at too low a rate results in weak stands and lower productivity.

Inoculate Legume Seed. This is relatively inexpensive insurance that legume roots will be well nodulalted and

efficient nitrogen fixation will take place.

Control Seeding Depth. Small seeded forages should never be placed deeper than ½ inch. Placing small seed-

ed forages too deep will results in stand failures.

Check seed distribution pattern. When using a spinner type spreader/seeder make sure and check you spread-

ing pattern. Single disk spinners often throw more seed to one side if not correctly adjusted.

Control Post-Seeding Competition. Clip or graze the existing vegetation to a height just above the developing

seedlings. This must be done in a timely manner to ensure that the competing vegetation does not get ahead of

the seedlings. For more information on frost seeding contact your local extension agent or visit

Kentucky Forages at http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/.

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Almanac Tidbits for March:

Plant above ground crops -- 6, 7

Harvest ——2, 3, 20, 21, 22, 29 , 30

Plant Below ground crops — 15, 16, 17, 25

Destroy Pests and Weeds— 1, 27, 28

Castrate Animals ———— 23, 24

Article by: Nancy Priest, Master Gardener in training

HERBS

Webster defines an herb as a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities. Herbs

have been used throughout history in many ways. Culinary and medicinal are the most commonly known us-

es however you might be surprised to learn just how many of our every day products contain herbs. Herbs

add fragrance to perfumes, candles, sprays, detergents and other household cleaners. Herbs are used in tooth-

paste, lotions, cosmetics, soaps and hair care for the fragrance and the health benefits they provide.

Growing herbs and learning to use them in the kitchen will turn ordinary foods into special meals. Decorating

your home with fragrant herbs will add beauty and a freshness that chemical fragrances can never come close

to. It is also soothing to make a cup of herbal tea or draw an herbal bath to ease the stress and weariness of

your day.

Herbs can be annuals, semi-annuals or perennials. Many annuals and semi-annuals will self seed. Most per-

ennials are easy to start from a cutting or root. Most herbs need full to partial sun and a good soil.

If you are not ready to invest the time and money into a large herb garden, start with a row of annual herbs in

the vegetable garden or mix herbs in with your flowers.

They can also be grown iin containers if you are limited on space or are unable to care for a large patch of

plants

March is a good time to start seeds. Some seeds such as parsley and chives can be planted outside as soon as

the ground can be worked. Place the seed in a sunny location where they will remain. Cover parsley and

chive seeds very lightly.

April is prime time for perennials. Your plants will be popping up and you may have more than you need,

now is the time to divide some of your established plants. Mints, thymes, oreganos, lemon balm, hyssop, sage

and tarragon can be root divided and moved to expand your garden or share with a friend. New location and

soil will add vigor and flavor to these plants.

This spring stop and smell the herbs.

Landscaping tip:

Now to mid-March is the second best time to sow grass seed. A turf type fescue is the best

type of grass for our area.

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Paper Crafters Scrapbooking The Paper Crafters Club would like to invite everyone out for a creative Tuesday

night of scrapbooking on March 21st at 6 p.m. (ct) in the Extension Office base-ment . There will be a $6 fee to cover supplies and equipment usage.

Call 270-756-2182 with questions or for more details.

Breckinridge County Sewing Circle The Sewing Circle invites everyone to join them the second Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. (ct) to noon in the Extension Office basement to work on handmade pro-jects.

Free In-Person Tax Preparation Service AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation to anyone of any age

—especially if you are 50 or older or can’t afford paid tax preparation. Breckinridge County Public Library—Hardinsburg Branch

every Wednesday thru April 12th 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (ct).

Living Well in the Golden Years A special interest group has begun meeting twice a month to learn about nutrition and taste test a new healthy recipe. If you are interested, call Tasha Tucker at the

Extension Office, 270-756-2182 or email tasha.tucker@uky.edu for more information and the next scheduled meeting date. Everyone is invited to join in.

Breckinridge County Arts Guild The BCAG meets the last Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. (ct) in the

Extension Office basement.

New Beginners Quilting A beginners quilting class will be organizing in early spring, Tuesday, April 18 has

tentatively been set as the date. Please call the Extension Office at 270-756-2182 to

receive more information and to sign up.

New Beginning Class The New Beginning group meets once a month and focuses on making healthy choic-

es in everyday cooking, exploring new ways to serve nutritious meals and doing it cost effectively. If you are interested, call Tasha Tucker at the

Extension Office, 270-756-2182 or email tasha.tucker@uky.edu for more information.

FCS NEWS!

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Tax Information for Vines, Trees and Hoop Barns Jerry S. Pierce, Jr. KY Farm Business Management Program Coordinator, Elizabethtown, KY

New Bonus Depreciation on Vines and Trees

The 2015 PATH Act allows farmers an election to deduct 50% of the cost of planting or grafting plants that

have a pre-productive period of two years or more. This includes orchard and vineyard crops like apples, blue-

berries, grapes, nuts, and peaches. See IRS Notice 2013-18 for list of crops. Planting costs include plants &

planting, ground preparation, fertilizer, equipment, labor, spraying, repairs, and other costs. Plants must be

planted or grafted after December 31, 2015 and before January 1, 2020 to qualify.

The Act provides two benefits that give taxpayers more flexibility in the timing of deducting costs. First,

famers may claim bonus depreciation in the year plants are planted rather than waiting until the year plants be-

come productive. Second, farmers who elect out of uniform capitalization (UNICAP) rules are not allowed to

claim bonus depreciation when the plants become productive. Now they may elect the new bonus depreciation

on planting costs incurred before the pre-productive period.

What is a Hoop Barn?

This question is asked frequently by farmers wanting to know what depreciation to use and whether Bonus De-

preciation and Section 179 Expensing apply. There are two reasons they ask.

One reason is that the construction is different from traditional barns. A hoop barn is generally made of fabric

stretched over metal hoops. It may or may not be attached to the ground. It is relatively quick and inexpensive

to build. The other reason is that the Internal Revenue Code and The Farmers Tax Guide (Pub 225) do not

mention hoop barns.

The Revenue Code does define structures used on the farm and their tax treatment. Hoop barns must fit into

one of these definitions. The two most likely are general purpose barn and single-purpose livestock structure.

A general purpose barn may be used for many different purposes: to store hay, to house livestock, to provide

work space, or to store machinery and equipment. Recovery period for a barn is 20 years. Barns may qualify

for Bonus Depreciation, but not for Section 179 Expensing.

A single-purpose livestock structure is “Any enclosure or structure specifically designed, constructed, and used

for housing, raising, and feeding a particular type of livestock and for housing the equipment used to raise that

type of livestock.” The key words are “designed, constructed, and used.” The farmers’ intent is to house, raise,

and feed a particular kind of livestock. Occasional use to put up livestock or store hay does not qualifying as

specific intent. Recovery period is 10 years for single-purpose livestock structures. They may qualify for both

Bonus Depreciation and for Section 179 Expensing.

Can a hoop barn be treated as a grain storage structure, similar to a grain bin? Not likely. Tax courts have ruled

against treating flat storage buildings as a grain storage facility. They note that flat storage, like a hoop barn,

can be easily converted to other uses, making it a general purpose barn.

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“Mister, I own a hundred cows…” Source: Off the Hoof KY Beef Newsletter

By Dr. Roy Burris, Beef Extension Professor, University of Kentucky

After working for seven years in Mississippi, I moved back to Kentucky in 1981 and one of my first produc-

ers meetings was a memorable one in Bowling Green. An older gentleman, who worked as a pharmaceutical

representative, was a jovial guy but, perhaps, a bit out of touch. As he plied his wares, a woman asked him a

question about deworming cattle. He probably meant no harm but he said something that implied that she

might have her husband take care of that. Whoa boy, the lady stood up and calmly said “Mister, I own a hun-

dred head of cows and I am capable of making my own decisions”. My gentleman friend was thoroughly em-

barrassed and, although he apologized profusely, it was “message delivered”.

That might have “played” in Mississippi where the cattlemen’s association at that time had a separate group

for women – called the “Cowbelles” but as Bob Dylan sang, “the times they are (were) a ‘changin’”.

When I studied vocational agriculture in Tennessee (in the early ‘60s) it was all boys, except when we elected

a “sweetheart” for the yearbook pictures. By the time I enrolled in graduate school at UK in 1970, we had

several female students in our animal science classes. They were exceptionally good students, too. No logical

reason why they wouldn’t have been but it did represent change.

Let me say this right now: I was country as country could be, but I was (and still am) proud of this change in

the “farming landscape”. Two of the largest farm owners in our community when I was growing up was

“Aunt Retta” and “Cousin Martha”. They had a lot of pride in the land and lifestyle of their “fathers”.

Now, let’s fast-forward to the present. Eighty-one percent of the students majoring in animal science at UK

are women. Ladies have taken to agriculture like “ducks to water” and, let’s be honest, some of the males

need to turn it up a notch. When we’ve hired folks to work in our beef IRM programs in recent years, we have

looked for the best people that we could find. We hired people with names like Alison, Jerene, Jennifer, Lori

and Blair! These folks, along with several men, will always be associated with these successful programs.

Our land grant universities are producing a lot of top notch agricultural graduates that are women and they are

being very successful in the workplace. The U.S.D.A. estimates that one-third of the U.S. farmers are women.

Why was it ever thought to be a novel idea for women to be active in leadership roles in agriculture? The Uni-

versity of Kentucky has the finest group of Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) in

the United States and one-third of our ANR and Horticultural agents are women. I doubt that number will ev-

er decrease.

Sometime ago I was completing some forms that wanted to know about our efforts for diversity and asked if

we had any programs for women and minorities. Well “Hello Pete”! All of our programs are for everyone. Is

separate ever really better. Many of our specialists, agents and coordinators are women and the level of fe-

male participation in our “Master” programs has grown steadily. We have 540 women Master Cattleman

graduates and probably a third of our Master Grazer participants are female, too.

Some men still might not be sure how to interact with women in an area that a generation ago was dominated

by males. I think the answer is simple – treat them with the same level of professionalism and respect that you

would (or do) want accorded to your daughters – nothing less. I just wish that “Aunt Retta” and “Cousin Mar-

tha” could see us now.

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Stop by one of the following recycling centers near you:

Breckinridge County High School

Cloverport Fire Department

Auggie Doggie’s, Garfield

St. Romuald Gym, Hardinsburg

McQuady Firehouse

Breckinridge County Extension Office

Rough River Corp of Engineers Office

McDaniels Community Center

Frederick Fraize High School, Cloverport

Hardinsburg Elementary School

Union Star

All recycling sites are ac-

cessible 24 hours a day,

seven days a week.

The Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, disabil-

ity, or national origin.

To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Tim West, UK College of Agriculture, 859-257-3879; Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of

Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 859-257-8927; or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Inde-

pendence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 (202-720-5964).

Upcoming Area Events:

If you are interested in any of these events, call the Extension Office at 270-756-2182 for more information.

March 30, 2017—Grafting Workshop—Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office –must preregister

April 11, 2017– Spring Floral Workshop– Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office-must preregister

April 25-26, 2017—Kentucky Grazing School, UK Research & Education Center, Princeton, KY

8th Annual—Plant Fair & Spring Fling

Grayson County Middle School, Hwy 62 Leitchfield, KY

Saturday, May 6, 2017 DERBY DAY

8 a.m.-2 p.m. (ct)

Presented by the Master Gardener Association of Grayson County

For more information contact The Grayson County Extension Service at 270-259-3492

4-H News!

The 4-H/FFA Livestock Meeting will be on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 6 p.m. (ct) in the

Extension Farmers’ Market & Educational Facility.