AIR JULY 29, 1998

Thank you Mark and good morning everyone. We all should have known that it was going to rain - it’s County fair week!! I encourage everyone to come on out to the fair. The exhibits are on display through Thursday evening. The Llama show is this afternoon and the Sheep and Swine show’s tonight and of course the pork burger Bbq and Watermelon feed is tomorrow night with the Project Auction and Livestock sale starting at 6:30. Another fair is going to be history before you know it and it sure as heck is too wet to be in the field some come on out and spend a couple days at the fair. And if you can’t make it out be sure to stay tuned to 1420 Country for regular updates from the fair. And I’m going to be pretty busy the rest of the week so if you can hold off on those questions until next Monday, I’d really appreciate it.

Well, we got our wish and then some. Over the past week rainfall totals from around the county have ranged from 4 to 8 inches. Considering how dry it’s been, I don’t think anyone is complaining about rain the end of July. That rain is going to go a long ways towards insuring a fall harvest but it also is going to create some more work as well as some good opportunities. If you were thinking about planting some alfalfa I’d get beyond the thinking stage real quick. Get some soil tests pulled and brought in for analysis so we can get lime or phosphorus applied if needed. In wheat stubble fields I’ll guarantee that we’re going to get volunteer growing now. Remember we need to make sure that all of that volunteer is gone two weeks prior to wheat planting in nearby fields. If you have bindweed in stubble August will be a good chance to get that controlled. With this rain it’ll be growing very rapidly and this will enhance herbicide activity and control. Remember that if you are using herbicide to control bindweed use no tillage for 3 weeks prior and two weeks after treatment. You can use Tordon at this time of year IF and only if, you are going back to wheat this fall. This still does require a 45 day waiting period before planting so get that applied soon. Roundup, 2,4-D and Banvel are, separately or tank mixed can all be used now regardless of what you are planning to do next although if you want to plant alfalfa, go light on the 2,4-D and Banvel and then wait 2 to 3 weeks before planting.

This is Chuck Otte, County Extension Agent, with Ag Outlook '98, hoping to see you at the Geary County Free Fair!

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