Key steps for 2026 compliance

Ensure your operation stays legal, efficient, and productive

UT Extension • 6:52 p.m. Sept. 4, 2025

If you hold a Tennessee Private Applicator Pesticide license, now is the time to review your recertification requirements. Licenses across the state will expire in July 2026.

While that may seem far off, waiting until the last minute could mean scrambling to meet renewal requirements.

Tennessee private applicator licenses must be renewed every three years. You have two options to maintain your license:
• Attend a Recertification Training.
• Earn Recertification Points (CEUs) by participating in approved pesticide safety and educational programs.

Private applicators need three recertification points before the renewal deadline. Failing to meet this requirement means retaking the certification exam through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

A Private Applicator license is essential for farmers to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides on their own land. Staying current ensures compliance with state law, safe pesticide use, and effective control of weeds, insects, and diseases.

The good news: CEUs are easy to earn. Many UT Extension programs – including crop production meetings, the annual Grain Conference, and forage workshops – offer pesticide recertification credit. Online options are also available for those unable to attend in person.

The Moore County Extension office will offer multiple CEU opportunities between now and July 2026. Our next session is Sept. 19 – highly recommended if you need points. Don’t wait until the last minute; check your current CEU total and plan ahead.

For questions about your license status or CEU requirements, call the Moore County UT Extension office at (931) 759-7163.

Understanding Hay Testing

Hay is the backbone of most Tennessee cattle operations during winter. But not all hay is equal. Two cuttings from the same field may look identical but vary widely in nutrition. A green, sweet-smelling bale could still be low in protein or energy.

Hay testing provides a “report card” for your forage, allowing you to make informed feeding decisions. For example, hay cut in May might have 12% crude protein, while the same field cut in July could be only 6%. This difference can affect weight gain, milk production, and herd health.

Key values to understand on a test:
• Crude Protein (CP): Indicates whether hay supports growth, milk production, and health. Dry cows typically need 7-9% CP, while lactating cows and replacement heifers require 11–12% or higher.
• Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN): Measures energy value. Dry cows need ~50% TDN, lactating cows ~60%.
• Fiber (ADF & NDF): Higher values mean lower digestibility and intake. NDF below 60% is more palatable.
• Relative Forage Quality (RFQ): Combines protein, fiber, and digestibility into a single score for easy comparison.

Hay testing allows strategic feeding: reserve the best hay for high-need animals like lactating cows and calves, and feed lower-quality hay to dry cows.

Supplements like distillers grains can fill nutritional gaps, preventing overfeeding and reducing costs.

Sampling tips: Use a hay probe to take cores from 15-20 bales per lot (same field, same cut). Mix samples in a gallon-size bag and submit to the UT Extension office or a certified lab. Our office can also collect samples for you. Results typically return within two weeks.

A hay test costs only a few dollars but can save hundreds or thousands in feed costs. It eliminates guesswork and ensures your herd’s nutritional needs are met. The Moore County UT Extension office can help with sampling, interpreting results, and planning winter feeding.

Upcoming Extension Events

Sept. 19 – Pasture Management Field Day
Join us for this free event at 465 Flat Creek Hwy. in Lynchburg from either 9 a.m.-noon or 3-6 p.m. for a Weed Walk & Talk, Grass Stand Renovation/Alternative Forages session, and Sprayer Calibration Demonstration.

Attendees will be eligible for Master Beef Producer credits as well as CEU points for a private applicator license.

Oct. 6 – Chick-Chain Auction
Come out and support the 4-H program at the annual Chick-Chain Auction, where we will be auctioning off lots of 6 Rhode Island Reds. Judging and showman skills will start at 4 p.m. at the Larry Moorehead Pavilion in Wiseman Park. The auction will follow.

Oct. 21-Nov. 4 – Master Farm Manager
Master Farm Manager is a TAEP-eligible program that will qualify you for all sections of TAEP. The primary focus is on farm financial planning, budgeting, succession planning, and other key areas to help make your operation profitable.

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.