Making a profit from agricultural property has always presented challenges for those choosing to do so. But now, a changing world and a difficult economy have made the decision making process even more difficult. Uncertainties about escalating fertilizer, chemical and equipment costs have caused a renewed investigation of several old practices and have forced us to take a new look at what we consider to be best management practices.

Fertilizer prices spiked before the economy began to decline. This presented an economic dilemma for livestock producers. Fertilizing for optimal production no longer corresponded with fertilizing for optimal economic returns. In fact, economic returns for high fertility were equal with those for reduced stocking and no fertility. The no fertility option presented other benefits as well, like reduced risk and labor. Fertilizer prices have fallen some and it is once again possible to pencil in a better rate of return with fertilization of pastures. But knowing how high prices can get, we need to prepare for the time when sky-high prices return.

At a recent producer program, hosted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Dr. James Rogers from the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation shared some information from his recent research about nitrogen use efficiency rates with various summer grasses. The take-home message from his talk was that not all varieties of grass respond the same to nitrogen fertilization. Therefore, we may need to re-evaluate the optimal rate of fertilization given the variety of grass we are growing. Additionally, we may want to consider the efficiency at which grasses use nitrogen when we select a variety to plant. The two improved varieties of summer perennial grasses that topped his list for nitrogen use efficiency were Tifton 85 Bermudagrass and WW-B Dahl Bluestem. It should be mentioned that there are many types of grasses that still have not been evaluated and that the Noble Foundation research only represented two years of data collection, but these two show great promise for producing more forage with less nitrogen.

Other recommended practices for producers to get the most for their fertilizer dollars are to:

• Fertilize the most productive fields best. The soil must be capable of supporting high production before the fertilizer is able to help the forage respond.

• Control the weeds in the pasture first. Most weeds will out-compete the grass for moisture and sunlight.

• Maintain a stocking rate that does not damage the grass you are trying to grow. If grasses are grazed too short, they lose valuable leaf area which reduces photosynthetic activity, slowing regrowth following defoliation.

• Finally, use soil tests. Grass needs more than just nitrogen to support good growth and vigor. Not knowing what fertility is available could lead to excessive amounts of fertilizer being applied or missed opportunity for production, depending on the soil nutrient level.

Plant diseases can reduce the productivity and beauty of our gardens and landscapes. It is often frustrating for homeowners to try to control disease problems when they do occur. The first step to controlling a problem is trying to prevent it. To do that, we need to understand that there is a link between the plant, the disease-causing organism, and the environment.



Controlling Plant Disease

Plant varieties of flowers, trees, and turf that are resistant to diseases. This common-sense practice is often overlooked, but it is the first thing that needs to be done to avoid problems. Second, try to avoid environmental conditions that promote disease development. Most disease-causing fungi and bacteria flourish when foliage remains wet for extended periods of time and when temperatures are within a certain range. To put it simply, the more often it rains or you turn on the sprinklers, the more the potential for disease development increases. Knowing this, we should plant susceptible plants in areas with good air movement, use drip irrigation or use sprinklers early in the morning. Finally, when disease does occur we must deal with the disease-causing organism. Sanitation is often the best way to eliminate the disease. This means not bringing diseased plant material into the garden as well as removing diseased plant to reduce spread of the disease. Using sprays to kill or hamper development of a fungus or bacteria are also a practice that should be considered to eliminate a problem.

Homeowners are advised that now is the time pick up and discard infected leaves from rose bushes, Indian hawthorne, and redtip photinia and rotting fruit under apple, peach and plum trees. Diseases are easily carried forward by fallen leaves and mummified fruit beneath host plants.