MarketReady sales training set for Aug. 18

“The Third Thursday Thing” will be held August 18, at the KSU Research and Demonstration Farm, 1525 Mills Lane near Frankfort will feature the MarketReady Producer Sales Training, given by Dr. Tim Woods, UK Economics Professor.  The program is from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  The normal MarketReady fees are waived through grants from the USDA-SARE and USDA-RMA.

This should be a valuable opportunity for producers and people who sell value-added products.  Contact the Extension Office at 845-2811 for details.

Does CPH pay?

Most cattle producers are aware of the program called CPH-45.  Certified Preconditioned for health, and weaned for 45 days, the beef calves sold in these sales for nearly 25 years in Kentucky have almost always returned more than their counterparts sold at the same time without the CPH -45 treatment.  A new CPH report by the UK College of Agriculture Department of Ag Economics calculates the net added returns for all sales on all classes of cattle across the state from April 2010 to March 2011.  

In the state, 23 sales included over 18.000 head, with a CPH advantage of $6.07/cwt.  The average cost of gain was 52 cents/pound, and the Estimated Net Added Returns were $91.98/head.   Since nearly all of Henry County CPH -45 Sales went through the Lexington market, we’ll give the results from that location.  Six sales included nearly 5,500 calves, selling for a CPH Advantage of $6.98/cwt.  Estimated Net Added Returns were $100.06/head.  

CPH-45 remains an important tool that producers can use to obtain additional returns on their cattle.  For more information on how these figures were calculated or to look at all sales, visit the CPH-45 website at www.cph45.com.  If you are interested in selling in a CPH-45 sale, contact the Henry County Extension Office at 845-2811.

Beneficial snakes

Many people fear snakes, but despite the fright they can cause, the majority of snakes are beneficial. Of the 33 varieties of snakes in Kentucky, only four are venomous (Northern copperhead, Western cottonmouth [water moccasin], timber rattlesnake, and pygmy rattlesnake). Most snakes you encounter around your home are harmless. If you are scared of them, try to remember that they are useful—they keep the rodent population in check by eating mice, rats, chipmunks and even toads, insects and other pests.

Snakes like damp, dark, cool places where food (usually mice) is accessible. They also will be drawn to areas that provide shelter and shade from the summer sun. The best way to get rid of snakes is to modify the habitat that is attracting them. Some recommendations include:

• Stack firewood 12 inches above the ground on a pallet

• Trim bushes and shrubs that grow against a foundation

• Keep all lots, fields, and lawns mowed and well kept

• Remove debris and trash from pond and stream banks

• De-clutter basements and attics, especially where rodents can be found