Extension Calling: advice for the farm, garden, and home

As the season of outdoors comes closer, it's important to review some basics of pesticide safety. Whether they are organic or synthetic, all pesticides can be dangerous. So wear your PPE and keep them out of reach of children! 

Being out in cold temperatures is often necessary. But, there are a few things you can do to improve your comfort and safety. We cover how to layer your clothes, travel safely, and how to help livestock stay warm and healthy in low temperatures. 

Learn about the differences in sidewalk salt and their effects on the ice, environment, and the sidewalk itself. We also remind our poultry owners about biosecurity tacticts to protect their birds from avian influenza

What to do in the garden or on the farm during winter to reduce disease and make life easier next year.

Explore the history and dangers of feral swine, their diseases, hunting regulations, and safe cooking tips to protect yourself and our food system.

Using soap to kill insects isn't as simple as it seems. Today we go through the ins and outs of what makes soap an appropriate insecticide and what to avoid. 

References:

Fundamentals of Using Soaps as Insecticides by Dr. Raymond Cloyd https://blogs.k-state.edu/kansasbugs/2020/06/12/fundamentals-of-using-soaps-as-insecticides/ 

Insecticidal Soap Written byPaul Pugliese. Growing & Mowing in Bartow County March 4, 2024 https://site.extension.uga.edu/bartow/insecticidal-soap/ 

The Use of Horticultural Oils and Insecticidal Soaps For Control of Insect Pests of Amenity Plants Fredric D. Miller  Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) November 1989, 15 (11) 257-262; DOI: http...

Join us as we explore the impact of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid on our forests, uncovering its origins, spread, and the ecological consequences of its control. Learn about hope for management and what you can do to protect your prize hemlock tree from this invasive pest.

Belive it or not, zombies really do exist. There are many examples in nature and cordiceps do play a role. However, for the most part, zombieism is restricted to insects. 

We have a special guest this week as part of the WVU Extension Drought Series coordinated by Alex Straight. Dr. Lowell Midla, is a Doctor of Vetrinary Medicine and is joining us from Merk Animal Health. Learn the different stressors that impact animal health and what you can do about them. He also covers good herd management techniques for when feed stocks are low. 

Nothing against pumpkin spice, but when we think fall we're all on board for apples. We have such a wide variety of apples we encourage you to reach out to a local orchard and try something new. Some varieties of apples will continue to ripen into November! 

With such a long turn around, growing garlic can be incredibly rewarding, or incredibly dissapointing. Moisture can be the enimy for growing, curing, and storing. Start with clean bulblets (cloves) that are certified for planting and maybe not the ones from the grocery store. While those will work, they may bring disease into your soils. Listen for more tips for a successful crop!

Adult spotted lanternflies (SLF) are being seen in new areas right now. Check the map to see if they're near you, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/slf scroll down to current status and find your state. If your county isn't marked, be sure to report your sightings! This website will help you find your state's reporting requirements. If you are visiting an area with SLF or just passing through, take the time to check your things before going home for insects and egg masses. The same applies if you are going from an infested area to...

As part of WVU Extension's drought management series, Brad Smith and Bruce Loyd discuss things we can and can't control in maintaining healthy forage and animals during a drought. They cover choosing the right supplement and preventing nitrate poisoning as well as how species diversity and soil health can reduce the impact of drought on your farm.

This episode is a little different as we are boosting the signal to share information about assistance programs for farms to deal with the impacts of this extended drought period. Please note that the speakers here are from the Potomac Highlands and you will need to contact your local service providers to learn about the NRCS programs open to your area. 

Drought is hard on all plants, even the mighty oak. Early leaf drop, root loss, and increased danger of predation by insects are but a few of the impacts. Watering orchard, yard, and street trees can help keep them strong for many years to come. 

If you are looking to expand your spring flowering, you have to plan ahead. September is a great time to plant new bulbs, corms, and rhizomes. Enjoy greater success with proper vernalization, planting, and placement.

If you are in an area facing drought, there are a few things you can do to protect your crops beyond irrigation. 

It has been a harsh summer. Many pastures and hayfields are dry and crispy. Luckily, we snagged this amazing interview from Ed Rayburn before he retired on what you need to do to bring them back!

If you raise livestock, you are a grass farmer. Hay and forage are key to meeting your management goals and making a profit. But, do you know where you can cut corners and where you can't? 

Food waste and Yard waste make a nearly 10 million ton per year problem. But there is one simple thing we can do to make a big impact, compost. You can compost nearly anywhere and on any scale as long as you follow a few simple rules. Give it a try and make a difference in your landfill (and get free fertilizer while you're at it)!

The lack of rain and heat has impacted our cool season grasses. If you're looking at a lost second cut of hay or stalled growth in the pasture, it's time to look at how the rest of the year is going to play out. Avoid overgrazing pastures to eek out the summer. Feeding hay is a better way to put weight on right now. Then, look at how that extra hay is going to impact your bottom line. 

Improving the quality of the beef on the consumers plate is more than just making sure you have the correct amount of marbling, and the right species mix of cattle. It's making sure you are doing all you can to care for the animal as it's being raised and brought to market. Caring for the animal includes handling, managing medications, keeping it clean and safe, and protecting it from injury. All of these will help your animals gain and have a higher value at the market, while also making your life easier too! 

Summer is a working season for some and a vacationing season for others. Sometimes family will visit the farm. Are you doing all you can to help keep them safe? How about keeping yourself safe? We go over several recommendations for working around equipment, electricity, and more. Stay hydrated and stay safe!

As we get outside more to enjoy the nice weather, it is important to remember about those little blood suckers hiding in the grass. Even well manacured lawns can be home to ticks. Know the risks, use repellents, and always do tick checks.

It's finally here! The time for planting is now! Memorial Day weekend is commonly looked to as our official frost free date and when soil temperatures are in 60's. So if you're dreaming of sweet corn roasting on an open fire later this year, it's time to get out and get it planted. 

Rhododendrons and azaleas are some of the most beautiful plants in our spring landscape. They are tough and the deer don't prize their foliage. However, they do have problems. Most often the issues are caused by poor growing conditions which invite disease to take hold. We go over some of the big ones today. Images and more details can be found here: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/azaleas-and-rhododendrons-identify-and-manage-problems/ 

Turf grass takes effort. If you want a healthy lawn, there are some steps you can't ignore. Sharpening your mower blades is just one of them. Please check out our website: https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/lawn for more information after the show. 

Storm damage can be rough. A tree failure in a storm can be devastating. There are several things you can do to help your trees weather storms better, but you may be thinking of the wrong ones and making the risk greater.

Guest Erika Lyon from OSU Extension joins us to discuss the news surrounding highly pathogenic avian influenza including symptoms and biosecurity steps. We also give some quick tips for consumers. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock

https://u.osu.edu/poultry/files/2022/04/Avian-Influenza-Trifold.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/inhumans.htm

https://u.osu.edu/poultry/2023/02/23/understanding-the-current-avian-influenza-outbreak-and-its-impact/

Quickly remove all flood debris, including poisonous plants, from fields.  Vaccinate all livestock, including horses, exposed to flooded areas during or immediately after the flood.  Check with your veterinarian about which clostridial and tetanus vaccines to use for your animals and if you will need boosters. Closely inspect all livestock that were exposed to flooded areas for injuries.  Open wounds need a tetanus antitoxin.  Always follow label directions.

Learn more at your local extension office, or online at https://extension.wvu.edu/community-business-safety/disaster-preparedness/flooding/forage-livestock-management-after-flooding 

Flooded hay and baleage can cause illness or death to livestock.  Discard dry hay that has been soaked by flood water, do not use for feed.  Inline wrapped baleage that was not fully sealed on both ends should not be fed to livestock.  Individual baleage rolls wrapped in undamaged plastic may be useable if certain conditions are met. Contact your local extension agent for details.   

If in doubt, don’t risk it, throw it out. Document all lost forage.

For more information contact your local extension office or visit: "http://ext.wvu.edu/disasters/flooding/forage-a...

Following are Flood Recovery tips from the W.V.U. Extension Service.

Until tested, flooded feeds should be considered harmful to animals.  After a flood, wet feed and grain will begin to heat and mold very quickly, leading to spoilage, mycotoxins, and potential spontaneous combustion.  Remove unaffected grain and bales immediately and store them separately; moisture will quickly spread. 

Flooded seed grain, hay, and silage are likely a complete loss.  When in doubt, don’t risk it, throw it out! 

Learn more at your local extension office, or online at https://extensio...

If flood waters have covered your garden, consider the produce unsafe to eat for humans or animals.  If flood waters have contacted the edible portion of a crop it is illegal to sell. 

If touched by flood waters discard: leafy vegetables, fleshy fruits or vegetables (like tomatoes, berries, & summer squash), corn, grains, and even produce with a hard protective skin.  Root crops that are ripe or near harvest should also be discarded.  Record all losses. 

If the edible portion develops after flood waters recede it should be safe to eat.  Underground vegetables roughly four months from h...

Remove livestock from flood damaged pastures.  Provide clean water and clean forage.  Flooded forages should not be fed.  Cut flooded pasture and hay fields to a 2 to 4-inch stubble height.  Don’t breathe silt dust, wear a mask.  Document amount of lost forage.

Do not make hay from or graze flooded fields until grass has regrown to a height of 8-10 inches.

For more information contact your local extension office or visit: https://extension.wvu.edu/community-business-safety/disaster-preparedness/flooding/forage-livestock-management-after-flooding 

Floodwaters can make foods unsafe. If you have a question about the safety of any food item, throw it out.

Undented cans of food without rust can be saved if they are washed and sanitized before opening.

To sanitize steel cans: Put on rubber gloves then remove paper labels and set aside.  Wash cans in a strong detergent solution. Use a brush to remove any dirt. Rinse well. 

Soak the clean, rinsed containers for 15 minutes in solution of 1 cup of chlorine bleach in 5 gallons of lukewarm water.  Dump and make new solution whenever it...

Food touched by floodwaters can make you very sick.  Discard any and all food if it came in contact with flood water. The only exceptions are foods canned by a manufacturer. 

Flooded foods you must discard include anything that was open, fresh produce, meat, and eggs. Throw out any food in boxes, plastic containers, and other packages, including glass jars, even if still sealed.  You must discard home-canned foods if contacted by floodwaters.   

Manufactured cans that are dented, leaking, bulging, or rusted; or cans that have been moved by waters and are far from their normal...

Unroll or spread Flood damaged hay to allow it to decompose more quickly and prevent fires.  Place hay in areas which need erosion control or nutrients.  Protect your lungs, wear a mask the entire time you work with flood damaged forages. 

Do not unroll hay in areas where livestock are currently or will be placed before the hay fully decomposes.  Do not feed flood damaged hay. 

For more information contact your local extension office or visit: https://extension.wvu.edu/community-business-safety/disaster-preparedness/flooding/forage-livestock-management-after-flooding

Humans aren’t the only ones displaced by floods.  Snakes and other animals are also moved and frightened.  Watch out for poisonous snakes that may have come into buildings with flood waters.  Use a stick to poke through debris before entering an area. 

Pets often get separated from their owners.  Take a photo or description of your lost animal with a contact number to your local animal shelter.  If you have found a pet, send a photo and contact number to the local animal shelter.

Scared animals should be dealt with very carefully.  Even the most...

Most counties experiencing a flood will be under a boil order until plant operations can be restored. 

Use bottled water, clear water that has been boiled for 5-10 minutes, or chemically disinfected water (5 drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water) for handwashing, food prep, and drinking.

Undamaged water heaters often hold water but it should still be boiled before drinking.  Before using your tap water check that water lines and sewer lines are undamaged.  If you do find damage to your lines, contact your local water company. 

Flood waters can creep into...

Once an area has been cleared for you to return, stay out of any buildings where flood waters remain. Avoid using candles or open flames.  Instead use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights to reduce fire hazards.  Before entering, examine walls, floors, doors, windows, and staircases to see if the building has shifted.  Inspect foundations for cracks and other damage.  These are indicators that the building may no longer be safe. 

Once you have determined the structure is sound, look for fire hazards.  Broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged gas or electric appliances can all cause...