Hemp Program Now Taking Applications for 2018

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced that the Kentucky Department of Agriculture

(KDA) has opened the application period for Kentuckians wishing to participate in the state’s industrial

hemp research pilot program for the 2018 growing season.

“I am proud to report that our program participants grew more than 3,200 acres of hemp this year, the

most ever under the industrial hemp research program,” said Commissioner Quarles. “My vision is to

expand and strengthen our research pilot program to put industrial hemp on a responsible path

toward commercialization. Our increased production and processing is welcome news for the

industry.”

Industrial hemp is one of several alternative crops, including hops and kenaf, that have made

headway in Kentucky’s agricultural economy in recent years. In 2017, Kentucky’s farmers planted

3,200 acres of hemp, up from 2,350 acres in 2016, 922 acres in 2015, and 33 acres in 2014, the first

year of the program. In addition to 194 grower participants, 48 hemp processors are conducting

research as part of the KDA program.

Applications may be downloaded from the KDA website at kyagr.com/hemp. Grower applications

must be postmarked or received by November 15, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. EST. Processor/Handler

applications are preferred by November 15, 2017, with a final deadline of June 1, 2018.

2017 Forestry and Wildlife Webinar Series

Mushrooms and More from Your Woodlands – November 2 @ 7 PM Eastern Time Non-timber forest products can add enjoyment and value to your woodlands. This webinar will provide an introduction to wild and cultivated mushrooms and connect you to resources to get you started in the right direction. Presented by Dr. Ellen Crocker, Postdoctoral Scholar Forest Pathologist

Deer Management 101 – November 21 @ 7 PM Eastern Time This webinar will cover assessing the health of your deer herd, how to monitor its population and health status, and the varying management strategies that can be used to meet deer management goals. Focus will be placed on the how-to for initial assessments of your deer herds population, how to collect the data, and how anyone with a computer can track and analyze it to help manage their deer herd. Effectively using trail cameras, habitat improvement ideas including food plots and forest management strategies will be covered. Presented by Dr. Matthew Springer, Wildlife Extension Professor.

Cooperative Extension Service Mercer County 1007 Lexington Road Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (859) 734-4378 Fax: (859) 734-4379 mercer.ca.uky.edu

Agriculture Natural Resources NOVEMBER 2017 Newsletter

Linda McClanahan, Mercer County Agent

for Agriculture & Natural Resources

Farm-City Week will be celebrated this year from Nov. 15 through Nov. 22. It is a week to express

appreciation for the beneficial partnerships between rural and urban communities.

Farmers and ranchers rely on essential partnerships with urban communities to supply, sell and

deliver finished products across the country and around the world. Consumer purchases, in turn,

make sustainable farm enterprise possible.

Foods, fibers and renewable fuels are available to us because of the daily relationships among

farmers and ranchers, processors, brokers, truckers, shippers, advertisers, wholesalers and retailers.

The collective efforts by these members of our society provide a wholesome diet for everyone.

Mercer County Recycling Day

Wednesday, November 15 th , 9:00am – 3:00pm

Mercer County Extension Office Document Shredding Truck will be at the Extension Office 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Free of charge disposal of old documents, checks, etc. Can have paper clips and staples, but no ring binders.

Aluminum Tabs Collection Mercer County 4 - H and Mercer County Homemakers will be sponsoring

an Aluminum Tab Contest at each school in the county. The proceeds from this contest will be used to send children with cancer to summer camp. Over the past years, we have collected

over 6 TONS of aluminum tabs and donated over $7,000 to Indian Summer Camp which serves youth who are dealing with severe illness.

Blue Jean Recycling Program Mercer County 4 - H collects old blue jeans

which will be recycled into Ultra Touch Cotton Insulation for Habitat for Humanity Homes.

Frost and Freezes Increase Cyanide Poisoning Risk

Cyanide poisoning, more commonly referred to as

prussic acid poisoning, can have a very abrupt and

deadly effect on ruminant livestock grazing forages

and requires careful management as frosts and

freezes begin in the area. Plants, such as sorghum,

sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, Johnsongrass,

wild cherry, and others, contain compounds that

produce free cyanide when these plants are

damaged by frost or drought conditions. Grazing

these plants when they are producing young shoots

(less than 18 inches tall) also increases the risk.

Using caution when grazing these forages during

times of stress can usually eliminate the possibility of

cyanide poisoning in livestock. Waiting for two weeks

after a light frost (temperature greater than 28°F) is recommended. For a killing frost, wait until the

material is completely dry and brown (usually cyanide dissipates within 72 hours). Grazing at night when a

frost is likely is not recommended as high levels of cyanide are produced within hours after frost occurs.

Delay feeding silage for six to eight weeks following ensiling of forages in the sorghum family. If cut for

hay, allow to dry completely so the cyanide will volatilize prior to baling. For more information, follow this

link to the UK publication “Cyanide Poisoning in Ruminants”:

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ID/ID220/ID220.pdf.

Go Festive with Beef! As the holidays creep closer, have you thought about what will be on the menu? Consider BEEF this holiday season! Mini glazed meatballs and beef & blue cheese stuffed mushrooms for appetizers, a prime rib roast for a holiday meal, and even beef for breakfast! Beef is versatile enough for all these tasty treats! Check out http://BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com for mouthwatering recipes.

November 1-16 North American International Livestock Expo, Louisville

November 2 Fort Harrod Backcountry Horsemen Meeting, 7:00pm

November 4 4-H Holiday One-Stop Shop

November 6-8 KY Women in Ag Conference

November 9 Empowering Local Leaders Training, 5:30pm

November 11 Veterans Day

November 17 Day of Holiday Fun

November 18 Mercer County Young Farmer Chili Supper

November 21 Deer Management Webinar, 7:00pm

November 23-24 Thanksgiving Holiday, Extension Office Closed

November 28 Master Horsemen Series, 6:00pm

November 29-Dec 2 KY Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

December 5 Master Horsemen Series, 6:00pm

December 7 Commercial Pesticides Applicator Training, Garrard Co. Extension Office

December 7 Fort Harrod Backcountry Horsemen Meeting, 7:00pm

December 12 Master Horsemen Series, 6:00pm

December 14 Mercer County Extension Holiday Open House, 3-6pm

December 14 Fort Harrod Beef Festival Board Meeting, 6:00pm

December 14 Fort Harrod Goat Association Meeting, 6:30pm

December 19 Master Horsemen Series, 6:00pm

December 25-January 2 Extension Office Closed for Holiday Season

Mercer County Extension Office

1007 Lexington Road

Harrodsburg, KY 40330

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID

HARRODSBURG, KY PERMIT #72