Volume 17 / March 2020
Pottawatomie County

Agriculture & Horticulture
News & Updates
Biosecurity for Livestock Shows
I’m sure most of you remember OYE 2019 when we had an outbreak of PED near the end of the swine show. While that was very bad, there are other diseases that affect not just swine, but cattle, sheep, and goats. And some of those diseases can also affect people.

Please remember to not bring livestock to the show that are or have been sick in the past 10 days. If you or family members are sick, especially with influenza, don’t come to the show because some viruses can pass between livestock and humans and sometimes create new strains that can become very contagious and deadly.

Please be aware that there are a lot of viruses and bacteria that are normal inhabitants of livestock intestinal tracts and they can be harmful to humans, especially those who are very young or old or have immune system deficiencies. Try to avoid eating or having food in the livestock barns. Always wash hands after handling livestock or anything that could have had some manure contamination. Always wash hands before eating or putting anything into your mouth.

If you’re a veterinarian and will be at the show and are asked to treat, or if you hear of, cases of illness in livestock that seem to be beyond normal, please contact show officials so action can be taken, if needed.

We all want to showcase agriculture and the young people who take part in the show in a positive way. The best way to do that is to keep it clean and safe.
Sign up for Farm Service Agency Text Alerts
Pottawatomie County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Angie Bierman announced that farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma now can receive notifications from their county office through text messages on their cell phone.

Whether producers are in the field, on a tractor or even on horseback, this service enables FSA customers and stakeholders to receive notifications while on the go. Producers will receive text messages regarding important program deadlines, reporting requirements, outreach events and updates.

Producers can text OKPOTTAWATOMIE to FSANOW (372-669) to subscribe to text message alerts from Pottawatomie County. Standard text messaging rates apply. Contact your wireless carrier for details associated with your particular data plan. Participants may unsubscribe at any time. This is typically one to two texts per month.

Please contact your local FSA office at 405-273-2076 if you have questions regarding FSA’s email news service or the new text message option.
Winter Perennial Beds
Perennial beds have been "sleeping" during the winter. With warm sunny days, they are beginning to peek out and grow. Now is a great time to clean up the winter debris before much top growth develops. This "natural mulch" protects the crown of the plant. Many perennials die back to the ground and re-emerge from the roots. The dry materials from last year can be removed now and composted or discarded, If we happen to have bitter cold yet this spring, a layer of mulch will protect the young new growth. Most plants beginning to grow are cold hardy. Sometimes our Oklahoma weather may throw a kink in our garden plans with wide swings in spring temperatures. Proper watering prior to a late hard freeze and mulch will help protect the perennial plantings.
A repeat from last month, but this is great information if you missed it.

We get many questions about sandburs. Follow this link to hear Brian Pugh explain the management tools for sandburs in Oklahoma bermuda and native pastures.

What is coming up in Pottawatomie County?
Dicamba Training
March 3, 2020
Sign in by 10:45 am at our Cowboy Classroom for credit.
14001 Acme Road, Shawnee, OK
Online class will begin at 11:00am and conclude at 11:30.
Questions? 405-273-7683
USDA New Office Open House
Our partners at USDA, including NRCS and FSA have a new office location. Please note their open house will be
March 12, 2020 from 10 am to 2 pm.

1510 N Kickapoo Street, Suite 15 (SW corner)
Lunch goodies~~~ Meet and Greet!
Multi-County Master Gardener
March 18, 2020 9:30 am to about noon

Business meeting will be followed by educational segment

This class is open to the public! Just come at 10:30am for the Education Only portion of the day.
April 14, 2020 at 6:30 pm
Tecumseh Woods Alumni Center

Educational Meeting
Bart Perrier with the Texas Rangers, Ag Crimes Investigation will be speaking.

Thank you to BancFirst for sponsoring the meal.

Please RSVP by April 9th. This is the Thursday before Easter weekend. Please don't put us in a bind for food by calling the day of the event!
What is coming up around the State?



Easter Red Cedar Control Workshop
March 11th, 2020
10 am

McClain County
22199 State Hwy 74 near Purcell, OK
(about 1.5 miles west of Green Ave on Hwy 74)
Contact McClain County OSU Extension
405.527.2174

 
Cow Calf Boot Camp
April 15,16, 17 2020
Alfalfa County Fairgrounds
Cherokee, OK
www.osucowcamp.okstate.edu
Poultry Waste Management Education Link
Average Fertilizer Prices
Current Price Last Reported
Urea (46-0-0)......... $365/ton steady
DAP (18-46-0)........$385/ton steady
Pot Ash (0-0-60).... $362.50/ton steady
These prices are based on an average of two different bulk fertilizer dealers. 2-28-2020
HAY PRICING
CATTLE PRICES
For Hay and Cattle prices: Red will indicate a drop in price, Green will indicate a raise in price.
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