Stay ahead of horn flies

Inseticide Ear Tags

WILL THOMAS
Moore County Extension Agent

As the weather warms, it’s time to consider fly control, especially if you run cattle. Horn flies can pose a significant problem as we progress through the upcoming hot months. These tiny pests feed on blood and can gather in the hundreds on a single animal, causing irritation, reducing weight gain, and even impacting cow milk production.

The key to fly control is to stay ahead of the population curve. Once fly numbers surge, controlling them becomes much more complicated (and expensive). Here are a few effective options for control:

• Insecticide ear tags are convenient and provide season-long control; chemical classes should be rotated yearly to avoid resistance.

• Pour-ons can last four to seven weeks, depending on the chemical and its concentration. If fly season arrives early and you do not have ear tags, pour-ons are a great way to reduce those significant populations.

• Dust bags can be effective if you ensure your cattle use them daily. Proper placement and maintenance are key for dust bags. Hang them low so that dust or oil reaches the cow’s face.

• Feed-through insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) inhibit the development of fly larvae in manure. For optimal results, begin early in the season and make sure every animal consistently consumes the mineral.

Remember to monitor effectiveness throughout the season. Just because you tagged or poured once doesn’t mean you’re covered until fall; these flies can migrate several miles and end up in your operation. Rotating methods and checking animals regularly will keep your herd comfortable and performing better all summer.

Warm-Season Vegetable Planting

With May in full swing, it’s the perfect time to plant warm-season vegetables in Moore County. Some of the most common warm-season crops for local gardens include tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, green beans, sweet corn, okra, watermelons, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, and eggplant.

These plants require warm soil, typically at least 60°F, and full sun for optimal growth. Timing matters, and each crop has a preferred planting window. May. Squash and cucumbers, often direct-seeded, thrive when planted in mid-to-late May.

Beans and corn can be sown from late April through early June, while okra, which prefers the heat, should be planted in mid- to late May.

Melons, sweet potatoes, and eggplant thrive in the warmest conditions and are best grown from mid-May into early June, once nighttime temperatures have stabilized.

While warm-season vegetables thrive in heat, they can still be susceptible to various early-season diseases. A common issue is early blight, which affects tomatoes and eggplant. It manifests as brown spots with concentric rings on the lower leaves and can spread rapidly in damp, humid conditions. Keeping plants spaced apart and removing infected foliage can help mitigate its impact.

Powdery mildew is another concern, particularly for squash and cucumbers. This fungal disease is a white, powdery coating on leaves and flourishes in humid environments. Selecting resistant varieties and avoiding overhead watering are essential for prevention. Bacterial wilt, which cucumber beetles commonly spread, can cause cucumbers and melons to collapse.

To give your warm-season vegetables the best start possible, prepare your soil before planting by mixing in compost or aged manure to enhance fertility and drainage. Water plants deeply at the base in the early morning to minimize evaporation and reduce disease risk – wet foliage can invite fungal problems. Adding mulch around your plants can help maintain consistent soil moisture,
suppress weeds and stabilize soil temperatures.

Rotate your crops annually to prevent disease buildup in the soil. Additionally, support tall or vining plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and pole beans with cages or trellises early in the season. This prevents plants from touching the ground, enhances airflow, and facilitates easier harvesting.

Morel Mushroom Season

It’s morel mushroom season in Middle Tennessee. These honeycomb-capped mushrooms are a prized spring delicacy, and they’ve started popping up due to a good mix of warm days and recent rains.

Morels can appear as early as mid-March when soil temperatures reach the mid-50s. In this area, your best bet is to look on south-facing slopes, especially near dead or dying elm, ash, sycamore, and old apple trees. Burned areas or recently logged woods can also be hotspots. They pair well with eggs, steaks, or fried in butter; make sure they are cooked thoroughly before eating.

Caution: False morels are common in our area and can be toxic. True morels have a hollow stem and a cap fully attached at the base. False morels do not have a hollow stem; instead, they are filled with a cotton-like fiber, and the stem connects to the top of the cap. If you are unsure, it is best to leave it be; no mushroom is worth a trip to the ER.

Morels make a great excuse to take a walk in the woods, and if you’re turkey hunting or checking fences, you might stumble across a few. Seasoned hunters carry their haul in mesh bags, which help spread spores and promote future growth. And remember to be a good steward of your patch. Don’t take every mushroom you find; try not to disturb the leaf litter too much. A little restraint today means more mushrooms next year.

Please let me know if I can assist you at (931)-759-7163.

Will Thomas is an Extension Agent with the Moore County Extension Office.

The U.T. Extension Office of Moore County offers programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability.