Cummings and Goings in Agriculture
Tri-Lakes Western Horse Show Season Opens March 13
By Steve Cummings
March roared in like a lion last Sunday morning bringing with it the biggest amount of snow we’ve seen in a while. The snow was beautiful and fortunately it did not last long. Hopefully, March will go out like a lamb.
Our 4-H Program Assistant, Christine Fielder, officially retired last Friday at 5:00 pm after 18 years of loyal service to the Yalobusha County Extension Service. Unfortunately, there was no celebration, not even going out to eat lunch as we often do on special occasions. As most of you know, Christine has been in the Oxford hospital the last two weeks and continues to remain there.
The 18 years Christine has spent with the Yalobusha County Extension Service have been fun and productive years, and we hate that her last days were spent as they were. However, we plan on having a big celebration and retirement party when she is able to attend and enjoy it.
There are so many stories that I could share about Christine and I may share a few as time goes by. We have enjoyed Christine during her 18 years as a co-worker, but right now, we just want her to get well and then she can become the biggest and best volunteer the Yalobusha County Extension Service has ever had.
The Yalobusha County Extension has several upcoming programs planned in the near future.
On March 10th, there will be a “Beef Quality Assurance Program” held at the Yalobusha County Multipurpose Building at 6:30 pm. The Mississippi Beef Quality Assurance (MS-BQA) Program identifies areas in beef production where defects in quality occur and asks everyone involved with beef production to follow guidelines for product use and to use common sense, reasonable management skills, and accepted scientific knowledge to avoid product defects at the consumer level.
This is a great educational program that will help you look at ways to make you a better producer. If you have an interest in the beef industry, you will want to attend this program.
Another program that might be of interest is on Bob White Quail Management. There is a lot of interest in returning the Bob White Quail back to the numbers it once was in the county. Dr. Wes Burger, Mississippi State University Wildflower Professor, will present a program on March 12th at 6:30 pm at the Yalobusha County Multipurpose Building. Dr. Burger is one of the top quail specialists in the nation. If you are a hunter or just want to see the quail population grow in Mississippi, you will want to attend this meeting.
In addition, the Tri-Lakes Western Horse Show season opens Friday, March 13th, with a speed show at the Yalobusha County Multipurpose Building. With the increase in interest and membership, this looks to be an even bigger year than last year, which was one of the most successful show seasons in the history of the association.
If you are interested in joining the Coffeeville Saddle Club, membership dues are $10 an individual and $15 a family. You can see Lisa Byford, Janet Caulder, or Kim Moss for membership or come by the Extension office.
As usual, all horse shows are free and open to the public to come and watch. If you are looking for cheap entertainment on March 13th come to the Multipurpose Building and watch the horses run. Training barrels start at 6:30 pm with the show starting at 8:00 pm. If you want to ride in the show, you do not have to be a member. There is a $3 entry fee per class and a current negative coggins test is required.
Privet: Now Is The Time To Kill This Invasive Weed
Landowners know Privet or ligustrum as one of our worst invasive weeds. Privet has taken over hurricane damaged areas especially those with wet fertile soil. But Dr. Andy Ezell, MSU’s forest herbicide expert, brings us good news about Privet. Privet is very susceptible to glyphosate herbicide (Roundup) from late winter to early spring. At this time Privet still has its old winter leaves and is starting to grow. So for a short period of time Privet is easily killed.
Best Time To Kill Privet
Privet 8 feet tall or less: Spray glyphosate mixed in water on leaves to runoff. The rate is 2 quarts glyphosate per acre or a 5% solution. If you use something other than a 4 lbs/gal glyphosate adjust these rates. Important: glyphosate will not work without a surfactant. Fully loaded herbicides like Roundup Pro or Accord XRT already have surfactants added. So carefully read the label of your herbicide to see if a compatible surfactant (1/2 to 1% solution) should be added.
Privet 10 feet tall or more: Have fun trying to spray the foliage. Increase glyphosate rate to 3 quarts per acre. The 5% solution is still good.
Dr. Ezell found that this application could kill 90% or more of Privet. But the time to kill Privet is passing. Later in the year Privet becomes very resistant to glyphosate. Imazapyr (Arsenal AC) and metsulfuron methyl (Escort XP) are effective in the summer but expect the herbicide cost to more than double.
