Volume 37 / October 2021
Pottawatomie County

Agriculture & Horticulture
News & Updates
Note: Underlined texts are clickable links for more details.
Take a Proactive Approach to Wildfire Season
Oklahoma’s official wildfire season runs from November through March when plant life and vegetation lay dormant across the prairie. March is historically the state’s windiest month of the year, but with most counties currently in a drought, drier air and lower humidity levels could fuel a fire across Oklahoma’s parched landscape at any moment.
 
Follow the link below for more information.

Safeguard Wildlife from Aflatoxins in Grain
Property owners who put out grain to attract wildlife species need to make sure the bait does not contain aflatoxins, said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Extension wildlife management specialist.

Link to find out more about protecting wildlife from aflatoxins in grain.

Monarchs are Migrating!
We have monarch adults and caterpillars in our butterfly garden. Check out our butterfly garden resources on our Master Gardener page of our web site:


If you have interest in becoming an OSU Master Gardener Volunteer, please contact Carla Smith.

We plan to have a course in Spring 2022. Sign up in October to participate in that program.

Cool Season Lawn and Cover Crops
Fall is a good time to consider planting cool season lawn grasses and fall cover crops in the garden. When we cool off for fall and get some rainfall, planting time begins again. For more information on lawns, read our recent article in the Shawnee News Star.


Cover crops can help protect the soil from erosion and also become a crop that you compost in place, when timed right with the garden seasons.
These are planted now and need to be finished at least two weeks prior to spring planting, mowed and incorporated.

Kissing Bug
Keep an eye out for this one...
If you spot this insect, do not touch it!

UPDATE: The insect we submitted for testing did test positive. Our county is now on the map (or will be when they update it next).

Additional samples are not needed at this time. It is being tracked at the state level and they have what they need for the moment. Thanks to all who are observant of our little crawly creatures. Still, if found, do not touch or handle!

OSU Web page for more details:
Carla's Kitchen - Featuring Garden Recipes
Family twist: I add one cubed sweet potato to the pot, Cowboy Soup we call it,
just a little sweeter and it makes such a pretty color! (I don't blend mine, either.)
What is coming up in Pottawatomie County?
Multi-County Master Gardeners
The Executive Board Meeting
October 13th. 9:30 am

Association Meeting
October 20 at 9:00 am
OSU Extension Office Cowboy Classroom
Snacks and coffee at 9 am, business meeting begins at 9:30 am.

Education Program will include a presentation by Shawnee Conservation on the Yard by Yard program.
Pollinator Workshop (rescheduled from Sept)
Tuesday Oct. 5th, 10 am to noon

Weather permitting, this workshop will be outdoors in our own butterfly garden. Some classroom time will also be utilized. Habitat, plant selection, and pollinator life cycles will be featured. Masks are encouraged indoors.

Call our office 405-273-7683 to sign up today! Class size will be limited to 15, please RSVP.
If needed, another date will be offered, so please sign up and provide your contact information.
Pottawatomie County Cattlemen
Join us for an educational meeting and dinner on October 5 at 6:30 pm at the Tecumseh Alumni Center.

Speakers will be Sydnee Gerken of Oklahoma Prairie Beef Solutions and Brian Freking, OSU Area Livestock Specialist.

Please RSVP to our office by 4:30 October 1 at 405-273-7683.
The Pottawatomie County Cattlemen's Association would like to thank BancFirst of Tecumseh as our dinner sponsor for the event.
Announcements and Webinars
Pecan Grower Update October 8th, 1-2 pm These are held monthly via Zoom. These are filled with great management information timely to the current issues. Becky Carroll provides great content! You can register by emailing becky.carroll@okstate.edu
October 14th, 2021 1- 3 pm
Online Shackelford Horticulture Webinar Series
The Wild Side, Native Plants in the Landscape • Brian Pirtle, Colonial Gardens, Blue Springs, MO
There is no charge for this series due to the generous donation by Charles and Linda Shackelford, former owners of TLC in Oklahoma City.
Just three more sessions, monthly on Third Thursday Evening! During these programs, there will normally be live question and answer time, tune in for great discussion and the opportunity to ask your questions. Just call the office to sign up for these sessions.
A new lineup of RANCHER's THURSDAY LUNCHTIME SERIES are scheduled for October 7, 14, 21 and the 28th. Registration is required for each event. Link below to register.



The previous RANCHER's LUNCHTIME SERIES workshops are also available online for viewing at your convenience.

Go to our landing page at Beef.okstate.edu or just click on the link below:

Average Fertilizer Prices
Current Price/Last Reported
Urea (46-0-0).......$699 up from $595.00
DAP (18-46-0)......$814 up from $725.00
Pot Ash (0-0-60)..$752 up from $560.00
These prices are based on an average of three area bulk fertilizer dealers. (updated September 30, 2021)

Just a note, these prices can change daily. Shop around for price and availability.
CATTLE PRICES
HAY PRICING
For Hay and Cattle prices: Red will indicate a drop in price, Green will indicate a rise in price. (9 30 2021)
Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, visit

Please let us know if special accommodations are needed, two weeks prior to an event.