Armyworms

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Submitted by:  Eve H. Honeycutt Extension Livestock Agent

Lenoir and Greene Counties

Another pest to be on the lookout for is the Armyworm.  They are most active during late summer and early fall.  They can devour a field of forage overnight (or during the day). 

Keep your eyes out for:

• Fall armyworms laying on the ground surface on the hayfield -- they like to "rest" here.
• Stripping of leaves and eventually stems
• Increase in birds in the field may be an indication of armyworms

Here is a picture of a fall armyworm:

Worms can range a little in color (young versus adults)--some may look more brown.

They especially like bermudagrass but they are not picky when the pickings are slim -- they will eat fescue, soybeans, and small grains too, as well as other plants. They may be repeat offenders -- you may see them now and again before the end of the season. There are a number of labeled products but here is a list for your convenience on bermudagrass/rye/pasture/hay (some are restricted use). Read and follow labels carefully and follow precautions and restrictions:

• Diflubenzuron (Dimilin 2L)
• Methomyl (Lannate)
• Chlorantraniliprole (Rynaxypyr R) (Prevathon)
• Spinosad (Tracer, Entrust)
• Zeta-permethrin (Mustang Max)
• Carbaryl (Sevin)

Control them when you see them and tell your neighbor.  Chances are they are eyeing his fields for the next meal.

Bermudagrass Leaf Spot

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Submitted by:  Eve H. Honeycutt Extension Livestock Agent

Lenoir and Greene Counties

Bermudagrass leaf spot is caused by a fungus from the genus Helminthosporium and the disease has been informally called Helminthosporium leaf spot, Helminthosporium leaf blotch, or Leaf Blight.

Leaf spot is a fungal disease that is brought on by constant wet conditions, especially when the forage is tall and cannot dry thoroughly between rain storms.  We saw a lot of leaf spot last year because of the same weather pattern in late summer.  On the grass itself, leaf spots are more numerous near the collar of the leaf blade. Leaf lesions are irregularly shaped and brownish green to black in color. Infected plants may occur in irregular patches. Extensive damage occurs when the pathogen attacks crowns, stolons and rhizomes. Severely affected hayfields may become brown and thin.
The good news is that leaf spot will not hurt your animals, though it does make the grass less tasty.  The bad news is there is very little you can do about it.  There are no fungicides approved for forage crops.  The best thing you can do is manage your stand of bermudagrass as best as you can.  Leaf spot will reduce yields and will continue to spread as long as the conditions remain moist.  One of the best preventative measures is to make sure your soil has adequate potassium levels (as shown on your soil sample analysis).  Potassium allows the soil and the plant to be healthy enough to fight fungal diseases like leaf spot.  Potassium is supplied in the form of potash, and the soil typically needs 75% as much potash as nitrogen EACH season to maintain adequate fertility and disease resistance. 

Keep an eye on your fields through this rainy weather and watch for irregular discoloration or thin yields.  If you do get leaf spot in a field, the frost this winter should kill it and it should come back next year.  Be sure to monitor your soil sample and follow the recommendations for all the nutrients, not just nitrogen. 

Block and Tub Supplements for Grazing Beef Cattle

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Submitted By Eve H. Honeycutt, Extension Livestock Agent, Lenoir and Greene Counties

Adapted from the Texas Agri-Life Extension Publication E-178

Block supplements are a convenient mechanism for delivering supplemental nutrients

to grazing beef cattle. As the labels on most blocks or tubs state, they are meant to

be used as supplements, not feeds. Success or failure of a block/tub supplementation

program will depend on the availability of forage. If forage is limited or of poor quality,

self-fed blocks or tubs cannot make up the nutrient deficit and are not formulated to do so.

Blocks and tubs have become increasingly

popular because:

• They are easy to store and handle.

• They are easily accessible.

• They require little labor.

• Minimal equipment is required.

• Consumption is self-limiting.

Blocks are particularly appealing to owners of the smallest herds of cattle (fewer than 50 cows) and owners of large operations of more than 300 cows. Many small producers have off-ranch employment and like the convenience and comfort of knowing supplement is continuously available. Large operators use blocks because they save time and labor. 

As with other supplements, blocks and tubs can vary widely in their cost, ingredient

composition, nutrient content, storage requirements and consumption characteristics.

Blocks and tubs generally can be divided into three categories based on the manufacturing method used.

• Pressed blocks- these blocks are usually the least expensive.  The can soften in moist and humid environments, leading cattle to eat more than necessary.  Mature cattle generally consume 1-4 pounds per day, depending on the hardness of the block.

• Chemically hardened blocks- these usually have a high mineral content, which can cause objectionable flavors.  They can also deteriorate during prolonged inclement weather, especially if they are packaged in cardboard.  Mature cattle normally consume 1-3 pounds daily.

• Low moisture (cooked) tubs- These are the most expensive of the three types however due to their uniform consumption, the cattle tend to eat less, ranging from 0.5-1.5 pounds per animal per day.  These tubs will absorb moisture from the air, so the container must be rigid and kept upright.

Block and tub supplements are an effective way to supplement nutritional needs in cattle, but they are not a forage substitute.  Forage must be available in adequate quantity and quality for any supplement to produce the desired results.  Supplements should be made available as soon as protein or energy deficiency is suspected and before noticeable loss of body condition.  Blocks and tubs should be moved around within a grazing area and placed near water or loafing areas to encourage consumption.