December 2014/January 2015 Farm and Home Tips Greene County Partnership Agribusiness Committee Next meeting: January 29, 2015, 9 a.m. at the Greene County Partnership www.greenecountypartnership.com/agribusiness.aspx Tobacco/Annual Crops • GAP (January-March) Growers must show proof of certification before any tobacco is sold. Call the Extension Office for more information • Provide security for tobacco that is prepared for market • Plan for float beds now and order plants • Plan for marketing strategies before planting crops • Must have conservation plans current if participating in any government programs • Report tobacco production to crop insurance agent as soon as tobacco is sold to insure quick process of claim • Apply lime and fertilizer based on soil test results to minimize input costs • Deadline to apply for crop insurance for 2015 spring planted crops (corn, soybeans & tobacco) is March 15. Contact your crop agent for more information • Must have all crops insured to participate in any FSA disaster programs Livestock • Group and feed cattle by stage of production • Apply lice control and finish fall herd health • Provide adequate feed and water for animals • Breed cows in December/January for fall calves • Make cull decisions aggressively on all production cattle • Check marketing options to maximize profit before selling livestock • Livestock Risk Protection policy insurance is continuously available on feeder calves. Contact Farm Credit Mid-America or your local crop agent. www.rma.usda.gov/livestock • Breeding Soundness Exams (BSE) need to be checked on all bulls Pasture/Forage Crops • Check on availability of FSA insurance on forage crops • Purchase and compare prices of hay and buy by the ton • Check for foreign substances such as mold on hay before feeding • Check the hay directory for availability at www.picktnproducts.org • Soil testing-spend forage wisely • Call the Extension Office for weed control details • Plan weed (buttercup, henbit, chickweed, thistle and deadnettle) control in mid-November to December and mid-to-late March. Follow label for weather conditions Government • Prepare annual financial and tax records for tax planning and possible financing needs • Land taxes can be paid in three payments by the February 2015 deadline • Deadline to file AD-1026 at the FSA office for federal crop insurance premium subsidies is June 1, 2015 • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) administered by FSA, producers enroll environmentally sensitive land from agriculture production, has yearly rental payments • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost share provided to address erosion, wildlife, and water quality issues; signup is year round • Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands • Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agriculture producers maintain and improve existing conservation systems, participants earn payments for performance • Contact the offices of FSA and NRCS for information on staying in compliance to receive any benefits before plowing DATES: January 17-18 – Kingsport Farm Expo 2015, Meadowview Convention Center January 15 – Senior Bull Sale January 22 – East TN Grain Producers Conference January 22-24 – TN Cattlemen’s Association Convention & Trade Show, Music Road Hotel, Pigeon Forge, TN Check the website www.tncattle.org or call 615-896-2333 for more information January 27 – Fruit Production and Direct Marketing Workshop, Clyde Austin 4H and Buffalo Trail Orchard, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Lunch provided with registration. Fee is $15 per person. Call 931-486-2777 for more information January 29 – Greene County Partnership Agribusiness meeting, 9 a.m. Partnership Office February 3 – March 26 – Master Gardener classes, 1-4 p.m. at the Extension office, $175 registration fee. Applications due to Extension office by January 9. Applications can be picked up at the Extension Office or found online at www.bsmga.com. February 5 – Gardener’s Toolshed – Classes begin and will be held MOST Thursdays through May 21, Extension Office, 12-1 p.m. Each class is $5 per session February 6 – Greene County Livestock Annual Banquet. See your local director for tickets February 12 – Pruning demonstration, 1-4 p.m., 3815 Kelley Gap Road, Greeneville. Registration is $10 due to Extension Office by February 5 February 18 – Farmer’s Market Boot Camp – details coming soon March 12 – Junior Bull Sale March 15 – Deadline to apply for crop insurance for 2015 spring- planted crops and tobacco. Contact your crop agent for more information April 21, 23 – Beekeeping Basics Workshops, Extension Office, 5:30-8 p.m. Registration is $25 and includes refreshments and lunch on Saturday. Space limited to first 35 participants April 25 – Beekeeping Basics Workshop, Extension Office, 10 a.m.; bee site visit after lunch. Registration is $25 and includes refreshments and lunch on Saturday. Space limited to first 35 participants May 5 – Kids’ Day on the Farm, Research & Education Center of Greeneville Beef Quality Assurance meets second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. Call the UT Extension Office for reservations. Greene County Angus Association meets second Tuesday at Capital Bank at 7:30 p.m. Livestock Association meets second Monday at the UT Extension Office at 7 p.m.