Getting a leg up on grasshoppers in the landscape

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – They look rather prehistoric, and they can make a pretty good smudge mark on a vehicle’s windshield. And oh boy, can they jump and eat. Fortunately, of the more than 130 resident species of grasshoppers that live in Oklahoma’s forests and grasslands, only a few species become real pest problems, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist. It’s the redlegged, migratory, differential and two-striped grasshoppers that are…

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Oklahoma State University recommendations maximize alfalfa field productivity

By Donald Stotts  STILLWATER, Okla. – Producers who will be planting alfalfa in late August and early September can maximize their investment by following research-based recommendations, Oklahoma State University experts said.  Alfalfa has been called the royalty of forage crops as far back as 1909, when an Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station bulletin heralded its benefits relative to raising livestock, both for grazing and as hay. Today, cattle grazing alfalfa pastures is a common sight and alfalfa…

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Fall garden planning should start now

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – With triple digit heat across the state, many Oklahomans are looking forward to fall and cooler weather. Although there will be several more weeks of intense heat, gardening enthusiasts can get a jumpstart on fall by planning their fall gardens now. July through September is the optimal time to begin planting several vegetable varieties in order to have a bountiful fall harvest, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University…

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Double-crop weed management made easy

By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Size matters when it comes to many postemergence herbicides and effective weed control in double-cropping systems, Oklahoma State University experts said. “Once weeds become too large or crops reach particular growth stages, many weed control options are no longer viable as they may injure the crop or will not completely control target weeds,” said Misha Manuchehri, OSU Extension small grains and canola weed specialist. For example, when using a…

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Shutdown of Oklahoma State Fair will be felt economically, but public health of primary concern

By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – The coronavirus pandemic has caused economic disruptions at every level of American life, and the cancellation of the Oklahoma State Fair will be having a major effect on the collective wallet of Oklahoma City and the entire state. According to the published 2019 Oklahoma City CVB Report, the Oklahoma State Fair generated more than $103.9 million in direct spending. “The Oklahoma State Fair obviously has a greater…

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Mechanical injury to trees can cause irreversible damage

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – On a hot summer day, spending the afternoon bathed in the shade of a tree is a great escape from the heat. While homeowners do their best to make the landscape an inviting space, some of the needed equipment to do so could put those trees in jeopardy. David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist, said trees are an important aspect of any landscape. “Trees add a lot…

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Summertime water requirements for the cow herd

by Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension animal scientist During hot summer months, the water needed for a cow herd often determines several other management decisions.  To best assess the adequacy of water quantities in surface water or from wells or “rural water” supplies, it first is necessary to have an idea of the amount needed for cattle of different sizes and stages of production that you may have during the summer…

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OSU targets important natural resource issues through $20 million grant

By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University agricultural and natural resource researchers will play pivotal roles in a five-year $20 million grant seeking to identify and solve the most pressing societal problems associated with water availability, land use and infrastructure in Oklahoma. The multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary grant project starting July 1 is funded through the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, better known as EPSCoR. “I anticipate seeing positive…

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Tips to help cut home cooling costs this summer

By Trisha Gedon STILLWATER, Okla. – When it comes to reducing home cooling costs during the summer, some people think adjusting the thermostat is all they can do. Fortunately, there are several things that can help put a dent in the cost of keeping a home cool, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension housing and consumer specialist. “We all know Oklahoma summers can be hot. Luckily, consumers don’t have to break the…

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Biosecurity important tool in fighting vesicular stomatitis in horse operations

By Donald Stotts STILLWATER, Okla. – Horse owners should review basic biosecurity practices to guard against the potential spread of vesicular stomatitis to their animals, Oklahoma State University experts said. Vesicular stomatitis is a contagious, viral disease that – while rarely life threatening – can have a significant financial impact on an individual horse owner and the state’s equine industry, said Dr. Barry Whitworth, OSU Extension veterinarian. The first case in the United…

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