Hate Dandelions? Act Now
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The first part of this month is the most effective time to control some of the worst broadleaf weeds that commonly infest central U.S. lawns.
“Young weeds are always the easiest to control. So -- believe it or not – that’s one reason early November is a good time to apply broadleaf weed herbicides in our region,” said Ward Upham, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension.
Another factor makes such applications especially effective.
“At this time of year, cool-season weeds are actively moving materials from their leaves to their roots, storing food for winter,” Upham said. “They’re so intent on this that they’ll even translocate a herbicide application. That’s why you can finally kill dandelions completely – from their deep tap root on up.”
Many dandelions are young now because the weed typically puts out a flush of new plants during early to mid fall, the horticulturist said. The winter annuals among the broadleaf weeds (e.g., henbit, chickweed) go to seed much earlier in the growing season. But, that seed germinates in the same year during mid to late fall.
“That’s why winter annuals can get off to such a strong start in spring,” Upham said. “Just before winter arrives, they sprout, grow a little and develop a root system. Then they lose their new top growth to winter’s cold. But, having already gotten a head start, they’re raring to grow the following spring.”
Even with November’s good timing, however, herbicide applications can fail, he warned. The reasons:
* The better the weed is growing, the more herbicide it will move from leaves to root. And, vice versa.
* Broadleaf weed herbicides perform best if applied on a day when temperatures are 50 degrees or higher. Colder temperatures slow or stop the herbicides’ action.
The herbicide 2,4-D is a good choice for November applications, Upham said. Other effective choices – sold under such trade names as Trimec, Weed-B-Gon and Weed-Out -- combine 2,4-D with both MCPP and Dicamba. Another option, marketed as Weed Free Zone and Speed Zone, combines those three active ingredients with yet another – carfentrazone -- so it can provide the quickest results of all, especially as temperatures approach 50 F.
K-State Winter Ranch Management Seminar Set for Jan. 11 in Four Locations
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The K-State Winter Ranch Management Seminar will be available at four locations Jan. 11, 2010, starting at 2:30 p.m.
The seminar will run simultaneously at Ashland, Manhattan, Parsons and Phillipsburg. It will offer a variety of speakers focusing on such topics as cow herd economics, practical genetics, calving management and bull management. An evening meal will be served at each location.
Featured speakers will be Harlan Hughes, professor emeritus of North Dakota State University, speaking on Cow Herd Economics, and Kent Andersen with Pfizer Genetics, speaking on Practical Genetics. These speakers will address the audiences at all four locations simultaneously by webinar. Local speakers will address calving management and bull management at each of the four locations.
Each seminar will begin with registration at 2:30 p.m. and the program starting at 3 p.m., including:
3:00 Calving Management
4:00 Practical Genetics (Kent Andersen webinar)
5:00 Dinner
6:00 Cow Herd Economics (Harlan Hughes webinar)
7:00 Bull Management
More information is available by contacting K-State Research and Extension veterinarian Larry Hollis at 785-532-1246 or lhollis@ksu.edu.
Red Maple Got Name for Year-Round Reasons
COLUMBUS, Kan. -- Sometimes a common name can cause disappointment. Although it provides many benefits, for example, a case in point is the red maple tree – the Acer rubrum.
“In East Coast forests, the native red maples may turn scarlet in fall. But, they’re even more likely to turn brilliant yellow. They can even be bright orange or multicolored,” said Jake Weber, Kansas State University Research and Extension horticulturist.
The tree actually got its everyday name for year-round reasons, he said.
As one of the first trees to bloom in spring, the red maple produces clusters of tiny crimson flowers with long, showy stamens. Its emerging leaves and winged seeds are red, too. The leaf stems (petioles) remain bright red through the rest of the growing season. Then the tree’s buds add a vibrant red note to brighten winter’s colors, Weber explained.
The red maple is one of the first trees to change color in fall. But, two things determine whether that color is an additional red show: (1) the tree’s geneotype and (2) the year’s late summer and fall weather patterns.
“Genetic makeup is by far the more profound influence. And, this tree naturally produces genetic variations,” the horticulturist said.
Fortunately, reproducing the trees that have a desired fall foliage color isn’t difficult, Weber said. All that’s required is to propagate them via grafting, rather than planting their seeds.
“That’s how we’ve ended up with landscape trees that reliably turn red in fall. They’re the cultivars with names, many of which include such descriptors as flame, magenta and red sunset,” he said.
Climatologist Explains ‘Frost Line’
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Mary Knapp is asked a lot of weather-related questions in her role as the state climatologist for Kansas. One of the questions that comes up at this time of year, in particular, is “What is the frost line and why is it important?”
“In our region, ‘frost line’ generally refers to the depth to which the ground or the water in the ground, will freeze,” said Knapp, who heads the Kansas Weather Data Library, based in Kansas State University Research and Extension. “The frost line will vary from season to season. It depends on air temperature, soil type, the amount of moisture in the soil, the vegetative or snow cover, and such heat reservoirs as asphalt or buildings.”
Knapp said the frost line is primarily of interest in construction. Many building codes, for example, specify that utilities be buried below the frost line.
“In Arctic regions, the more common reference is to the ‘thaw depth’ -- the distance to the permafrost,” she added. “In tropical regions, ‘frost line’ more commonly refers to an elevation below which frost won't occur.”
Information about Kansas weather is available on the Weather Data Library Web site: http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/wdl/. “Weather Wonders” audio reports are available on the K-State Research and Extension News Media Web site at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/.
K-State’s Swine Day to Feature H1N1 Impacts, Latest Swine Research
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University’s Swine Day, slated for Thursday, Nov. 19, will feature an analysis of the impacts H1N1 has had on the global swine industry and a discussion of what current economic signals mean for the industry’s future.
The event also will include presentations on the latest findings by K-State Research and Extension scientists and an all-day trade show.
The 2009 Swine Day will be at the K-State Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kan. It will start at 8 a.m. with registration and the opening of the trade show. The program will begin at 9:45 a.m.
A 3:30 to 5 p.m. reception to close the event will highlight K-State ice cream. The reception provides an opportunity for participants to talk with fellow producers, commercial vendors, K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry faculty, and the day’s featured speakers.
The fee to participate is $25, if paid at the door. Registration includes presentation materials, lunch and refreshments.
More information about Swine Day is available by accessing the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Web site at http://www.asi.ksu.edu or by calling 785-532-1267.
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