Agriculture

Lawns in Louisiana continue to grow into the fall but it is getting time to put up your fertilizer spreader for the winter.

Lawns should continue to be mowed and watered as needed well into fall but as nighttime temperatures dip into the 50’s, warm season lawn grass growth will be reduced and go dormant as temperatures get even lower. Fertilizing lawns correctly can produce benefits next spring but applying incorrectly may cause problems.

Farmers and ranchers should be aware that the 2008 Farm Bill created a program called the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), said Doug Davidson, County Executive Director for the Richland Parish Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office.

Doug Davidson, County Executive Director for the Richland Parish Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office, reminds producers that, in order to receive USDA program payments, each payment recipient must have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) verification consent form on file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Atrazine liquid:

One of the best winter weed controls is liquid atrazine. It can used now through May for winter weed control. It does a really good job on chickweed, clovers, lawn burweed, dollarweed, and works well on annual bluegrass (little grass plant that takes over yards in the winter).

The herbicide usually takes 2 or more weeks to melt winter weeds away. Rainfall 2 or 3 days after application speeds up herbicide activity since the atrazine is mainly taken up through the roots.

Producers are reminded that Feb. 28 is the final date to apply for NAP coverage for the spring and summer seeded crops such as grass for pasture and hay and vegetables.

Doug Davidson, County Executive Director for the Richland Parish FSA Office, reminds eligible producers that the sign-up period for the 2009 crop year Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program has opened.

SURE is one of five disaster programs included in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) that provides assistance to farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses due to natural disasters.