Volume 63/December 2023

Pottawatomie County


Agriculture & Horticulture

News & Updates

Note: Underlined texts are clickable links for more details.

What are your Options with Wet Hay? 

What are some of the issues cattle producers may face with wet hay?


Clink the link below for more information.


Utilizing Wet Hay

USDA Cattle Report Shows Strong Market Prices

Derrell PeelOklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s October cattle reports indicate markets have not yet recovered from drought in the southern plains.


Link to learn more.


USDA Cattle Report



Christmas Gifts Ideas for Gardeners



At our November Multi-County Master Gardener meeting, we asked the seasoned gardeners what ideas they love to give and receive during holidays. Here is some inspiration, if you need shopping ideas:


  • Gardening with the Experts Tickets! (see below for link)
  • Gloves or Tools
  • Seeds or seed gift certificates (many to choose from but Baker Creek and Johnny's were favs!)
  • Bird Feeders and Bird Seed (Fun to wrap, LOL, or better yet, Install with a bow)
  • Ergonomic Hand Tools - Great for all ages!
  • Watering cans
  • Plants! Especially amaryllis bulbs or Christmas cactus
  • Garden signs or Decor
  • Planters or Potting Soil (yes, you can gift dirt! With today's prices it's much appreciated)


A trellis or tomato cage for the next season.

Garden theme seasonal decor for indoors or the patio/sunroom are often appreciated.

Gloves or ergonomic tools!


Fresh Christmas Tree Care


Tis the season! We have a great resource for you on Christmas tree selection and care.

Just click on the LINK. Be safe with your decorations and don't let a dry tree become a safety issue.


For more holiday tree information, check out our Facebook page too!

What is coming up in Pottawatomie County?

Master Gardener

Master Gardener Christmas Party


Celebrate the year at our annual holiday gathering!


Paul Milburn Conference Center at Pottawatomie County Historical Museum

(downtown Shawnee, 614 E Main Street)

December 13th, 10 am to noon


Bring a $15.00 item if you wish to participate in the 'Dirty Gardener' Gift Exchange.

Bring your favorite holiday snack to share.

We welcome our new, current, and past members to attend!


If you wish to purchase Gardening with the Experts tickets, bring cash or check.

Dues can also be paid in December or January.


Please submit your certification hours online, if you haven't already!

Master Gardener Course Enrollment

LAST CALL! Course materials will be ordered soon! Deadline is December 5th.



Anyone interested in becoming an OSU Master Gardener Volunteer can sign up for the course that will begin in January 18th and run through April 4th. October is enrollment month! Seating is limited to 20, enrollment and a deposit saves your seat. Payment is made in the office, by cash or check.

Here is a link to our brochure and webpage.


Tentative Schedule


This course is for Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Seminole County residents.

Gardening with the Experts

January 27, 2024


Plan to join us for a Saturday morning full of gardening information for Pollinator Inspired Gardens!

Speakers and topics will be:

  • Pollinator Pocket Gardens with Courtney Dekalb Myers, Cleveland County OSU Extension
  • How to Create a Monarch Waystation by Peggy Turner, Oklahoma County OSU Master Gardener
  • The Wild Side of Plants, Birds, and Pollinators with Mark Howery, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation



Click here to REGISTER ONLINE. (The registration link is right above the map!)


See all the details online, under LOCAL EVENTS


Remember your garden friends at Christmas for this January event! Cost is $20 per ticket.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

from our OSU Extension family to yours!


Our office will be closed on:

Monday, December 25th

Tuesday, December 26th

Monday, January 1st.

Announcements - Across the State

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course

Our partners at the OSU Food and Agricultural Products Center have scheduled three Produce Safety Alliance Courses for the next few months.


There will be two online classes held via Zoom on November 3 or January 22. An in-person class will be held in Stillwater at the Food and Agricultural Products Center on December 13.


Attendees will learn good agricultural practices that can help prevent making people sick with foodborne pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella from the consumption of raw produce from your farm. Therefore, we strongly recommend any produce farmer to attend one of these classes regardless of farm size.  The course completion certificate for these courses are recognized by the FDA and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry as proof that a covered produce farm has taken an approved training course as required in the Produce Safety Rule. This course will also satisfy the food safety training requirement of the Oklahoma Local Food Procurement Assistance Program.

The cost is $25, and registration for each class will close about 2 weeks prior to the class. A class discount may be available for Oklahoma Local Agriculture Collaborative (OLAC) members. Visit https://oklac.org/ for more information and to join the OLAC.

To register for a course, call 405-744-6277 or use the following links:


Stillwater In Person - December 13 -Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training


Remote (zoom) - January 22 - Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training - January 22 - Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training

Hay and Drought Resources

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry - Hay Resources Search (click on link)


Pottawatomie County USDA-Text Message Alerts - Text your state and county (OKPottawatomie) to FSANOW (372-669). Standard text messaging rates apply.

Average Fertilizer Prices/Ton

Current Price/Last Reported

Urea (46-0-0)........$615 no change

MAP (11-52-0)......$830 no change

Pot Ash (0-0-60)..$500 no change

Pelleted Lime......$285 no change

These prices are based on an average of three area bulk fertilizer dealers. (updated Dec. 1, 2023)


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. (12/1/2023)

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.

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