SALINE COUNTY
ROUNDUP
Saline County Extension Office
1605 Edison Avenue, Suite 15
Benton, AR
303-5672
Dates to Remember● November 12 Pesticide Applicator Training; Extension Office; 1:00 p.m.
● November 14 Cattlemen’s Meeting; Saline County Fairgrounds; 6:30 p.m.
● December 3
Pesticide Applicator Training; Extension Office; 6:00 p.m.
● January 7
Pesticide Applicator Training; Extension Office; 1:00 p.m.
● February 11
Pesticide Applicator Training; Extension Office; 6:00 p.m.
● March 11
Pesticide Applicator Training; Extension Office; 1:00 p.m.
● April 8
Pesticide Applicator Training; Extension Office; 6:00 p.m.
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Thistle Control Now
If you can get a good dose of 2,4-D or Weed Master on thistles while they are in the rosette stage, go for it.
Grazon P+D or Grazon Next also will give control. We need day time temperatures of at least 50 degrees.
Clover should have produced seed by now so it will come back. Yes, there will be new thistles to germinate
that will need to be sprayed next spring before the flower heads emerge. Spraying in fall and spring will go a
long way to eliminate your thistle problem.
Bermudagrass stem maggot in Arkansas
Kelly M. Loftin and John D. Hopkins
Last week we identified the bermudagrass stem maggot, Atherigona reversura (Family Muscidae), in a
bermudagrass field near Magnolia. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmation of its presence in Arkansas.
This potential pest is a native of south Asia, from Japan west to Oman and Pakistan. In the U.S. it was first
discovered in Georgia in 2010 and is currently found in other southeastern states as well as Oklahoma and
Texas. Information on its biology, the damage it causes and control methods is very limited. Much of the work
with this fly has been conducted by entomologists at the University of Georgia. To date, economic thresholds
and yield loss data have not been established for this pest. Damage caused by the bermudagrass stem
maggot results from larval stages (maggots) feeding in the shoot causing the top two or three leaves to die
(Fig. 1a-b). Lower leaves remain alive and unaffected by the maggot’s feeding. Because of the death of the
top couple of leaves the plant (and
Fig. 1a. Typical damage caused by the bermudagrass stem
maggot. Note the dead upper leaves.
Fig 1.b. Bermudagrass stem maggot damage.
Fig. 2a. Bermudagrass stem maggot adult. Note the
four black spots on its abdomen.
field, if heavily infested) will exhibit a frosted appearance. In Georgia (likely very similar in Arkansas), the life
cycle from egg to adult requires about three weeks (21-25 days but can be shorter). The adult female fly will
lay eggs on the bermudagrass stem near a node. The maggot will hatch from the egg, crawl up to toward the
last plant node (where the leaf blade emerges from the stem) and burrow into the shoot and begin feeding.
Often by the time the top leaves have died, the maggots have exited the stem and pupated on the ground.
With such as short generation period, multiple generations occur and populations tend to increase later in the
season and damage tends to accumulate.
The adult fly is small (~1/8 inch long) and yellow colored with four prominent black spots on the abdomen (Fig.
2a-b). The maggot (larva) is also yellowish colored and about 1/8 inch in length when fully mature (Fig. 3).
Although yield data and economic threshold data is very limited, experiences in other states provide basic
guidelines to consider. In general, this pest is less of a problem in coarse stemmed bermudagrass varieties
(Tifton 85), Bermudagrass that is grazed or bermudagrass that is baled for cattle hay. In grazed pastures,
cattle eat the fly eggs and maggots along with the grass preventing the population from building up.
Bermudagrass stem maggots can become an economic pest in finer stemmed varieties (common, Coastal,
Alicia) that are baled for horse hay especially later in the season after the population builds. The issue with
horse hay is that the dead top leaves cause an unsightly appearance to some in the horse hay market,
resulting in rejected hay.
Growing conditions influence the amount of damage caused by the bermudagrass stem borer. Impact on yield
is lessened when soil and moisture conditions allow for normal rapid growth. In this situation, loss of a few
upper leaves would have a smaller impact on yield. In situations where growth is limited by poor soil conditions
and moisture, yield losses may occur. Researchers believe this is because the slow growth rate allows egglaying and maggot development to occur earlier in the grass growth cycle. Also, in heavy infestations, regrowth
after cutting will be slowed substantially which is more likely to occur later in the season.
Management options for the bermudagrass stem maggot include harvesting and in some cases insecticide
application. Cutting for hay is usually recommended if damage is identified within one week of normal harvest.
When damage is apparent from one to three weeks after harvest, yield may be compromised, so harvest (if
yield is sufficient to warrant cutting) would be an option. To date, researchers have evaluated a variety of foliar
insecticide formulations and found that pyrethroid insecticides labeled for use in hay fields to be the least
expensive and most effective method. These insecticide treatments should be applied after cutting. Alabama
and Georgia recommendations are to apply pyrethroid insecticides after the grass begins to resprout after
cutting. Because pyrethroid insecticides have little residual activity, second applications 5-7 days following the
first application may be needed in cases where damage levels and fly pressure are high. Researchers also
suggest that a single round of applications may
provide enough control to protect the grass though
the remainder of the growing season.
Some have voiced concerns about the possibility of
the bermudagrass stem maggot being transported
from farm to farm in baled hay. Bermudagrass stem
maggots are very unlikely to be transported in this
manner. This is because maggots in the stem will die
as the hay dries (maggots need moisture). Mature
larvae that pupate do so after they exit the stem and
pupate on the ground.
Although research has shown that turf bermudagrass
varieties are attacked by this maggot, the frequent
mowing of the turf does not allow the fly to complete
a life cycle before the next mowing.
With this being a new pest in Arkansas, we are trying
to determine the extent of the damage and range of
this pest in Arkansas. Please call or email if you
suspect a bermudagrass field is infested with this
pest. Its presence is determined by damage and can
be confirmed with adult collections of the fly. Adults
are easily collected by using a sweep net to collect
the flies in the bermudagrass.
Fig. 2b. Relative size of the bermudagrass stem
maggot.
Fall is "The Time to Lime" Farm Ponds
Liming provides major benefits if you are growing sport fish in a pond in an area with acid soils. Limestone
reduces the acidity of the bottom soils and makes nutrients more available. This is important if you plan to
fertilize to increase fish production, or if your soils are naturally acidic. Secondly, liming increases the dissolved
minerals in the water, which reduces stress on the fish over the winter. Fish in acidic water with low alkalinity
and hardness are more likely to get sick. If the soils on pastures or fields near your pond require lime, the pond
would likely benefit from liming as well.
The best time to lime is in the fall and winter. One reason for the cooler season is that the limestone may
cause a temporary drop in pond fertility by reducing phosphorus concentrations. The other reason is that
limestone dissolves slowly, so application is best done well before the warmer months, the growing season for
warm water fish. Extension publication MP360, "Farm Pond Management for Recreational Fishing," provides
additional information on the following questions:
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How to find out if your pond would benefit from agricultural limestone?
Contact your county Extension office to have the total alkalinity of your pond water tested. If it is below 20
mg/L, liming would be beneficial to the fish population.
How much agricultural limestone to apply?
The lime requirement is determined by soil testing. In general, ponds that need lime will require at least 1
ton/acre.
Is all lime the same?
No! Make sure to use only agricultural limestone in ponds with fish populations. Other forms of lime
(hydrated, slaked or quick) can be used to lime empty ponds before fish are stocked, but if they are used
in filled ponds, they cause the pH to increase dramatically, killing fish.
How long will liming last?
An application of agricultural limestone typically lasts for 3-4 years, depending on the amount of water flow
through the pond.
For more information on liming ponds, contact you County Cooperative Extension office.
Winter Feeding
I know that everyone has plenty of hay this year, BUT is it any good? Are your cows going to loose body
condition while eating all they can eat of it? If you would like to get an analysis on the quality of your hay, the
cost is $18 and I will come to your farm and get the sample.
Your response is. It is all I have got so that's what I am going to feed. Well you have probably got quality
differences with each cutting. You may need to look at which cutting would work best for your replacement
heifers or lactating cows or dry cows. You may be able to fine tune which animals need a little bought feed
and which don't. If you feed everything together, then have at it and good luck.
How is Your Vaccination Program
You should be giving a respiratory vaccine to cover all the respiratory diseases. You can get all standard
vaccines in 1 shot and can even add 1 or 2 extras. You should be giving a clostridia for bacterial diseases.
Black Leg is in this category. This is a very inexpensive vaccine that can potentially save you a lot of money.
Usually the first sign of Black Leg is a dead calf. Vaccinate after 3 months age and again at calves weaning if
you plan to hold them or sell as pre-vaccinated. Your reproductive animals should get a combination
lepto/vibrio vaccine.
All meetings and activities announced in this newsletter are open to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, national
origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.) should notify the county
Extension office as soon as possible prior to the activity.
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Ronald A. Matlock
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
Four States Cattle Conference
Fast facts
Four States Cattle Conference set for December 3 in Texarkana
Agenda includes long-term weather outlook, market outlook, trade show
$20 early registration (by November 19); $30 at door.
For more information, contact Paul Beck, 870-777-9702 or [email protected]
The economy has not been kind to anyone, and beef producers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas
in particular have weathered some difficult issues in the past few years. To learn how to deal with some of the
most persistent problems, beef producers can attend the Four States Cattle Conference from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15
p.m. at the Four States Fairground in Texarkana on Tuesday, December 3.
“The past few years have taken a toll on beef producers, and it has made some significant changes to how
ranches operate in these four states,” said Paul Beck, associate professor for the University of Arkansas
System Division of Agriculture. “Chronic drought, high feed prices and low cattle numbers have dealt a hard
blow to beef operations, and we want our producers to come out of this program with tools they can use now to
remain in business.”
The conference agenda includes general and breakout sessions on weather trends, economic forecasts and
herd health. Among these session topics are:
What Does Mother Nature Have in Store? A long-range look at the weather. Gary McManus, Oklahoma
Climatological Service.
Cattle Market Outlook. Derrell Peel, extension livestock marketing specialist, Oklahoma State
University.
Current Tendencies in Parasite Control, Jeremy Powell, professor and University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture veterinarian.
Utilizing baleage in the Beef Herd, Mike McCormick, LSU Ag Center.
Today’s Look at Cow Size and Efficiency, Ryon Walker, LSU Ag Center.
Cattle handling demonstration, Ron Gill, professor and Extension livestock specialist for Texas A&M.
Scattered Frost Causes Concern in Pastures
We hear a lot about how dangerous johnsongrass and members of the sorghum family are. Truthfully
johnsongrass if a good forage producer and cattle relish it. Only when the plant is stressed such as by a frost
or by severe drought is it dangerous.
Just don't turn cattle into a field where johnsongrass has been subjected to a frost. Wait until we get several
frosts or freeze and the plants are allowed to dry out. Then the prussic acid that has formed will dissipate and
the forage will be safe for the cattle to eat.
Some folks want to get rid of johnsongrass from their fields. Next year use 1.33 oz/A of Outrider with 0.25%
nonionic surfactant in 10 - 40 gallons of water per acre broadcast. Apply to actively growing johnsongrass that
is at least 18 - 24 inches tall and up to the heading stage. Don't graze or mow for 2 weeks before or after the
application. Bermudagrass can be harvested after 2 weeks. Outrider works slow. It may take up to a month for
weeds to turn brown. Pastora is also effective on johnsongrass but read the label carefully because it will stunt
bermuda temporarily. Roundup can be spot sprayed or wicked over the top of Bermuda to control
johnsongrass.