Weekly Ag Update

 By ned birkey

msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS

SPARTAN AG

 The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s outlook through Feb. 24 calls a good chance for likely above normal temperature and leaning above normal precipitation. The March-April-May forecast is calling for near normal temperatures and leaning above outlook for precipitation. There has been a lot of excitement in recent weeks concerning the amount of ice over on the interior four Great Lakes, with Lake Erie almost 100 percent ice covered and even Lake Superior 50 percent frozen over. The ice bridge from Mackinac and Drummond Islands to St. Ignace is complete although this is a dangerous option as shipping continues between Lakes Michigan and Huron during the winter months. The newest development is an 80-mile-long crack across the ice on Lake Erie as ice sheets shift from the wind and temperature changes.

Windbreaks and shelterbelts: The deposits of winter snow can help farm and rural residents think about where to plant a windbreak to protect feedlots, driveways, houses and other farmstead buildings and grain bins from drifting and blowing snow. A well-designed, well-maintained windbreak will be appreciated for its usefulness and beauty, with a wildlife habitat as a terrific side benefit. The benefits of a windbreak or shelterbelt can be to provide protection for the home, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, energy conservation, recreation and livestock protection.

A poorly planned windbreak may deposit snow on buildings, roads, lanes, livestock feeding areas, or contribute to soil wetness problems. Improper selection of plant species for the soils at the site may result in poor survival, slow growth and plant or tree stress.

A windbreak is a barrier composed of trees and shrubs that redirects and modifies the force of the wind. Height, density and orientation are the major factors determining the protection a windbreak provides, but other factors such as width, cross-sectional shape, length and composition are also important. In general, a proper windbreak will protect an area 100 times its height.

A windbreak can be planted almost any time during the growing season, but to enhance its chances for survival, spring planting is recommended. Species selection may reflect the landowner’s purpose for establishing the windbreak. Energy conservation requires the use of dense vegetation, most likely coniferous species. Windbreaks should be 75 to 80 percent dense for best protection. The minimum density for an effective farmstead windbreak is 65 percent. Species with a high-density rating, such as spruce, fir and arborvitae, have densities of 90 percent. Two rows should provide sufficient density, but an additional row is recommended to fill any gaps that might occur between trees.

Pines have a different branching pattern than spruces or firs. During their early development, pines tend to be compact and provide a density of about 85 percent.  However, as they increase in age, the branches begin to thin, and density drops to 40 to 65 percent. It is not a good idea to plant the entire windbreak to one species.  Monocultures can encounter serious problems with disease and insect pests, and they lack variety in texture and color. On the other hand, trees of the same species and growth habits should be planted within the same row.

New regulations for pesticide applicators: The U.S. EPA has developed an online system called Bulletins Live! Two that determines if additional pesticide use limitations are needed to protect listed endangered species or habitat based on the specific application site, pesticide product and application month. These changes represent a major shift in how agricultural and non-agricultural pesticide applicators meet regulatory compliance. There are agricultural use patterns in Michigan and other states that are currently impacted by these new use limitations. Pesticides that require the use of the Bulletins Live! Two system will indicate so on the label under the environmental hazards section.

If a pesticide label directs you to Bulletins Live! Two, you are required to follow the pesticide use limitations found on both the label and the bulletin generated by Bulletins Live! Two. Farmers can check to see if their farms might be impacted by visiting Bulletins Live! Two, entering the address and date of potential pesticide applications and leaving the EPA registration field blank.

When planting flowers timing is everything: Whether you’re growing perennials, annuals or bulbs, knowing when to start seeds indoors, transplant young plants, or plant bulbs in the ground can make the difference between a thriving garden and a struggling one. The local frost-free date plays a big role, along with each plant’s hardiness and growth speed.

Annuals are plants that sprout, grow, bloom and go to seed all within one season and for only one season. When winter comes, the plant dies, relying on its many seeds to germinate in the following spring. Because of this, most annual flowers are easy to grow from seed, taking about six to eight weeks to grow to a transplantable size, though there are always exceptions to the rule. Some seeds may just take longer to germinate, and slower-growing annuals will need to be started earlier. Always read the back of the seed packets for plant- and variety-specific recommendations.

The best time to plant flowers depends on the type of flower and the frost dates. Hardy perennials and bulbs can often be planted before the last frost, while tender annuals should wait until all frost danger has passed.