Tag Archives: Corey Catt

Repair & Recovery Options for Damaged Alfalfa

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Last fall I walked some beautiful, healthy, vibrant alfalfa stands. This spring, it’s like a bad magic trick… Abracadabra! Presto! Our alfalfa has disappeared, but there’s no need to alert Matlock or James Bond. We already know the culprit is winter weather.

Our alfalfa crop has been on a wild ride for the past year. The 2012 drought created concerns for new alfalfa establishments. In some areas, during the heart of winter, there was inadequate snow to serve as insulation and protect alfalfa from winter injury. Cooler spring temperatures delayed when alfalfa plants would normally emerge from dormancy. Additionally, at the time dormancy was breaking, we were hit with a late season snow event.

The alfalfa damage we’re seeing now is a combination of many events:

  1. Smothered – This is the most probable cause of alfalfa injury in our area. It results from a combination of heavy, wet snow and ice packed tightly against crown prohibiting proper respiration.
  2. Reduced carbohydrates in crown – Last year’s drought reduced plant metabolism. Drought also reduced the plant’s ability to capture nutrients needed to build essential carbohydrates for such a long winter. The crown is like a gas tank for nutrients, and the long winter had alfalfa running on empty.
  3. Late fall cutting – With an alfalfa shortage from the 2012 drought, growers harvested as much as possible. This aggressive cutting regime took energy from the storage reserve in the crown, and the alfalfa plant struggled to replenish this reserve because of limited water. As a livestock producer, we needed the forage, and we had to do it.
  4. Reduced insulating barrier – Typically, snow helps insulate the soil and stabilize soil temperatures. In the absence of early season snow, alfalfa fields that were cut late didn’t have adequate insulation to protect against winter damage. On the contrary, fields that were not harvested late had some growth that acted as buffer between the snow, ice and crown.
  5. 2012 fall seeded alfalfa – Simply stated, there just wasn’t enough water needed for plant emergence, metabolism and carbohydrate storage.

Now that we understand why the damage occurred, it’s important to repair or recover what we can for the 2013 crop. There are many considerations to take into account including the age of stand, percent of damage in field, and the intended end use.

Reseed Assessment:

  1. Summer / fall seeded 2012 – most likely, you can reseed / interseed without autoxicity. Click here for an autoxicity worksheet.
  2. Older stands with light damage – interseed with a stand extender product such as Italian ryegrass or Bandito ryegrass. This will grow fast and thicken the stand. This is a temporary fix to get quick forage and will be suited for chopping. Seed rate varies depending on thickness of alfalfa stand. Click here for some university recommendations.
  3. Older stand with extensive damage – if you don’t need immediate forage, plan to rotate crops now. Remember, you have a nitrogen credit. This field will now grow great corn silage, and you can seed alfalfa into another field.
  4. New seeding – Due to a late spring, there’s still time to establish new seeding if it’s done quickly. Call your local seed rep today, however, because availability of alfalfa seed is becoming limited as a result of widespread winterkill.
  5. Alternative forage – If you’re in need of quick feed for cows, use what works best for you:
      • Italian Ryegrass alfalfa mix interseeded into partial killed fields
      • Oats and peas, underseeded with alfalfa. If you harvest early, you may get an extra cutting of alfalfa.
      • Triticale and peas as triticale fast growing
      • BMR Sudan Grass
      • Forage Soybean

Industry News5 Simple Steps to Prevent On-Farm Accidents

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As one of the industry’s most renowned forage specialists, Corey Catt helps farmers strike that delicate balance between nature, science and technology. Corey is passionate about helping farmers produce healthy meat, milk and eggs. He also is passionate about how food sources affect human health. Corey says that many health maladies are closely related to one’s nutrition and vice versa. And it’s something he’s seen first-hand as a 911 paramedic, providing advanced life support for a large rural community. Corey also works part time in the emergency room at a Regions Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center in St. Paul, Minn.

We’ve all heard these sayings: She’s an accident waiting to happen. He’s a walking heart attack. Hopefully, no one has ever made one of these remarks about you!

At Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, we care about the health and wellbeing of farmers. We want each of you to have a blessed, fun, safe and fruitful cropping season. That’s why we’re taking a few minutes today to remind you to take the time to keep health and safety your number 1 priority. It’s also important to slow down and exercise caution.

Here are five simple steps you can take this season to help prevent accidents:

  1. Always check your indicator lights before getting on the road. I have seen more than one fatal traffic accident occur as a result of bad indicator lights on implements. Be aware of inexperienced drivers, who may not understand tractors and equipment or the fact that you may be making a left-hand turn into field road. Watch for motorists trying to pass as you’re about to turn.
  2. Make sure Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs are visible. Ensure that all your equipment is safety compliant with your state’s specific agriculture road travel equipment safety requirements. I’ve seen major accidents happen as a result of no sign or a faded SMV sign or burned out signal lights.
  3. Avoid traveling down roads at sunset and sunrise. As a paramedic, I’ve seen firsthand some horrific fatal accidents with farm machinery that occurred especially at this time of day. When the sun is in a driver’s eyes, they may be blinded and crash into you.
  4. If you have kids on the farm, know where they are. We’ve heard too many tragic stories about small children who unknowingly follow Dad to the tractor. Enough said.
  5. Wear Personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment around hazardous materials. Remember that today’s advanced seed treatments contain, insecticide. As part of farm safety awareness, it would be good to include seed treatment awareness in your safety briefing for yourself and employees at beginning of planting. Even dust from moving seed can aerosolize and can be inhaled. I know an agronomist seed rep, who was vacuuming seed from planter boxes and became ill that night. He ended up in hospital with multi-system organ failure as a result of exposure. Please wear an approved safety breathing apparatus. Safety equipment required for handling the substance is generally listed on the MSDS sheets.It’s a good idea to have the sheets available for employees, too. If someone does face exposure, Emergency crews will need the MSDS sheets to help treat the patient. When handling any substance, remember to protect your eyes, skin, lungs and mouth. I remember transporting patients who mishandled anhydrous ammonia. This can become a fatal exposure, and fast! This will close your airway more quickly than a person can imagine.

Develop a safety plan for your farm – and follow it. Bad things can happen during peak seasons because (1) we sleep less, (2) cut corners, (3) drive faster and (4) generally work faster. Keep your cell phone charged, and keep it within reach at all times.

Remember to also be aware – and obey – signals your body is sending! Be safe this spring and always!

Follow “Signs of Stress”

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As one of the industry’s most renowned forage specialists, Corey Catt helps farmers strike that delicate balance between nature, science and technology. Corey is passionate about helping farmers produce healthy meat, milk and eggs. He also is passionate about how food sources affect human health. Corey says that many health maladies are closely related to one’s nutrition and vice versa. And it’s something he’s seen first-hand as a 911 paramedic, providing advanced life support for a large rural community. Corey also works part time in the emergency room at a Regions Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center in St. Paul, Minn.

This late spring is adding a bit more stress as farmers worry about getting their crops planted in a timely manner. First of all, I want to remind everyone there is no need to panic! There’s still nearly a 20-day planting window for optimal corn yields, so work your crop plan.

Secondly, I know that practicing patience and trying to relax is easier said than done! Many farmers will have a tendency to work longer days and at a faster pace to make up for lost time in April. This push and rush to get crops planted while the sun shines will lead farmers to: skip a meal, forget to drink enough water, as well as cut a few corners that could pose a safety risk.

Proper nutrition is key to making good decisions, staying alert and fueling your body. Not drinking enough liquids can alter a person’s mood, decrease his energy level or affect his ability to think clearly.

Symptoms of dehydration include, but are not limited to: increased thirst, dizziness, confusion and an inability to sweat. Remember to drink plenty of water. Dairy products, tea and fruit or vegetable juices can help you stay hydrated, too.

With added stress and time constraints, it’s not uncommon for mistakes to happen. Sometimes, added stress can cause a person chest pain or result in high blood pressure. That’s why it’s important to recognize – and obey – the signals your body is sending. Today I’m reviewing what to do if you or someone with whom you’re working exhibit symptoms of common, potentially life-changing emergencies.

Three Potentially Life-Changing Emergencies:

  1. Chest Pain / Cardiac Arrest – Because added stress increases the heart’s workload, it’s no wonder we hear stories of farmers experiencing a heart attack while driving the tractor or combine. A larger workload can be enough to cause chest pain, and cardiac arrest, especially in someone with a heart condition or who is out of shape.

    Be aware of signs. If you have chest pain, act fast and call 911! If you encounter someone who needs CPR, calmly encourage them to seek help. If you find someone not breathing, you can help by starting CPR. A person’s brain needs oxygen immediately, and CPR is the only way. Review the procedure by watching this video from the American Heart Association. While it can be scary, it’s necessary. Have courage and help! The American Heart Association has put together a very useful summary for “Warning Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac Arrest” Click here to check out this website.

  2. STROKE – Stress can result is high blood pressure, which can lead to a stroke. Increased activity like spring work can result in high blood pressure, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. Another cause of stroke is from a blood clot traveling to the brain from another area of the body. If you spend long hours sitting in tractor, a blood clot can form in your leg from inactivity. This clot can release and go to the brain. It’s good to get out of tractor and stretch. If you or someone you know exhibits signs of stroke, call 911.
  3. DIABETIC EMERGENCIES – The extra workload requires more energy. The fast pace of spring changes one’s workload and could change also change his body’s insulin/ glucose balance. If you’re a diabetic, be extra diligent watching glucose levels and eating habits. If you work with a diabetic, know that a change in behavior could signal they’re having a diabetic reaction. You may need to call an ambulance.

Farmers are strong, stoic and are sometimes stubborn when it comes to self-care. (I’m speaking these words of truth with the utmost admiration and respect. Truly.) Because we care about your health and well-being, please take the time to listen to your body and to also watch for signs of stress from those around you. Put safety first this spring planting season – and always. A little time now could save you lots of “time off” later!