Newspaper Page Text
The Millen News, Wednesday, September 16, 2009 — Page 3
Farm & Home—
Ag Line: Bermudagrass Decline
By Wade Parker
County Extension Coordinator
With the exception of this year, the past few years have been incred
ibly stressful on our perennial forages. I have visited many bermuda
hayfields and pastures that have been under extreme drought for suc
cessive seasons. Not only has drought plagued these fields, but late
spring freezes and major weed problems have also been a concern. As
a result of these adverse conditions, forage stands have thinned con
siderably. Some bermudagrass fields have gone from a solid stand to
less than a 50 percent stand "just in the last year or so.”
This problem is broadly called "bermudagrass decline.” The reason
this tern is so broad is because this problem is often linked to several
causes. Often several factors will occur at the same time, so it is quite
difficult to pinpoint the actual problem. Let’s discuss a few possible
causes of bermudagrass decline.
Low Potassium Fertility
At the top of the list are low Potassium (K) levels. A deficiency of K
will result in poor stress tolerance, reduced winterhardiness, decreased
disease resistance, and diminished rhizome and stolon production. To
determine if K deficiency is causing the problem, take a representa
tive soil sample from the affected areas and another from areas nearby
that are unaffected or less affected. Submit these samples for soil test
ing and compare the results. It is also highly recommended that plant
tissue samples (clippings from the top 6 inches of 3-4-week-old growth)
also be collected from the affected and unaffected areas.
Low Soil pH
Low soil pH is very high on the list for reasons for bermudagrass
decline. This accounts for at least 75 percent of the causes of
bermudagrass decline. Low soil pH causes a problem in several ways.
First, toxic levels of soluble A1 can occur in soils where the pH has
dropped too low. This effectively bums back the fine root hairs and
prevents root growth. Low soil pH also reduces the availability of
many of the other nutrients, such P, K, Mg, Ca, and others. In effect,
low soil pH starves the plant of water and other nutrients. As you
might imagine when low soil pH is coupled with low K, the rate of
bermudagrass decline is even more rapid.
Soil Compaction
With the frequent use of heavy machinery in hayfields, excessive
animal foot traffic, and our soil types that are low in organic matter,
many times we are dealing with soil compaction. Many times, fields
that have not been limed are suffering from soil compaction. Lime has
a positive effect on soil tilth, aeration, and drainage. We have seen that
aeration has produced mixed results. Sometimes fields that have been
aerated will allow weeds to germinate in gap areas.
Drought
Last, but not least, is our old friend dry weather. Drought stress is
extremely hard on any plant, including bermudagrass. However,
bermudagrass is quite drought tolerant. By itself, drought will not kill
bermudagrass. When combined with other stressors, especially K and
pH stress, drought can be the “last nail in the coffin.”
These are not the only causes of bermuda problems. However, these
are the main culprits. If you notice your field deteriorating in quality
and quantity, think about a few of the reasons I have listed!
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers educational
programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to
race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.
People in the News
Jim and Joyce-Hodges Hite are shown with their
championship medals. (Staffphoto by Deborah Bennett)
Jim and Joyce Hodges-Hite
win national championship
Jim Hite and Joyce Hodges-Hite won national champion med
als finishing first in the men’s and women’s 70 and over age-
groups at the Continental Divide Mountain Trail 10K (6.2 miles)
held at Laurel Springs, North Carolina, Aug. 29. The event served
as the USA Track and Field National 10K Trail Championship
and was run (walked, crawled) over a course from 3,400 to over
3,800 feet in altitude. Runners crossed the Eastern continental
divide several times and executed several climbs and descents
of 300 and more feet (sometimes at a grade of 22% and more).
The single-track trails were unusually narrow and were followed
by a very steep rock-climbing section in the last half mile.
Jenkins County Board of Education
Adopts Rollback Mill age Rate
The Jenkins County Board of Education will adopt
a rollback mileage rate of SI 2.'001 for lax year
2000 ai iis regular monthly meeting on Monday,
September 21.2009, at 7:00 p.m in the Board
C cm feren c e Roo in. All cili ie ns a re i in i ted
to attend this meeting.
To advertise in
The Millen News
Call 478-982-5460
Chastity Nicole Royal and
Daniel Charles Cates Jr.
Miss Royal to wed
Mr. Cates Nov. 14
Mr. Stephen Royal of Millen and Mrs. Billie Stout of Sylvania
proudly announce the engagement of their daughter, Chastity
Nicole Royal, to Danny Charles Cates Jr., son of Ms. Lynn Bow
ers and the late Danny Cates Sr., both of Millen.
The bride-elect is a 2004 graduate of Jenkins County High
School and a 2008 graduate of Ogeechee Technical College with
a diploma in Cosmetology.
The groom-elect is a 2000 graduate of Jenkins County High
School. He is employed by James Anderson and Associates of
Statesboro.
The wedding will be held 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Dry
Branch Baptist Church. A reception will follow at Hanging Rocks
Plantation.
No local invitations will be sent. All friends and family are
invited to attend.
NATHAN
CHANCE
Pvt. Nathan Chance
graduates
basic training
Pvt. Nathan Chance graduated from
Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox ,
Ky. on Aug. 7, for the United States
Army Reserves.
Nathan is completing his senior year
at Burke County High School, and upon
graduation in 2010, he will report for
his advanced training in his chosen field.
Pvt. Chance is the son of David and
Wanda Chance of Perkins.
MAKE YOUR
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HAWK & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Victor C. Hawk Melissa Detchemendy
Need Help? Call:
478-982-4226 (day) or 706-294-4447 (night)
American Trial Lawyers Association
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Office located in The Millen News Building
856 E. Cotton Ave., Millen, GA
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706-721-4288
Open; TueuUy - Frid*v f m - h par Sjtiirdaj f tm ■ ,1 pm
Toll Free: (H66) 564-2012 E-mail: gwoji u I ltd, n cl
120 N. Main Street • Sylvania, GA 30467
Annual Town
Meeting
Thursday, October 1, 2009
6:00 PM
Jenkins County AG Building
Summer Clearance Sale on Columbia Sportswear
FflO** Shuts A StkjBfv ro Shims JL PaMIs
Cooler Salf:
All Cuimuum Cihneih 20-40% Oh
No Phone Qootcs...Atf Safes Are Final...AU Sates Are As 7s
Workforce Development
The spotlight for the Town Meeting
is Workforce Development.
Jenkins County is devoted to developing a
workforce that is educated and equipped with
necessary skills and talent to meet the needs of
potential employers
Area vendors will provide educational & job resources.
Vendors include:
■ Georgia Southern University ■ One Slop - ECGC
■ Southeastern Technical College ■ George Dept, of Labor
■ Georgia Power ■ US Census Bureau
Queensborough National Bank & Trust
Come Early to Register for the Door Prizes!!!
Refreshments provided by the Millen Wbman’S Ctub.
For more information, please call the
Resource Center at 478-982-8004.
AG Bui Idi ng 454 Barney Avenu e fvlilien, Ga 3044 2
Oeo
Kmfe Sale: 25% Off
CURRENT 2009 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
The Mayor and Council of the City of Millen do hereby announce the 2009 mitlage rale will beset at a meeting
held at City Hall on September 23,2009 at 5:00 p m. and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.GA 48-5- 2
do hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's lax digest and levy along with the history of the
tax digest and levy for the past five years.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Real & Personal
29,692.770
ar.303.806
31.295.649
33.919,345
33,123.164
34.691,845
Motor Vehicles
4,398.520
4.165,070
3,869.000
4.265,860
4,422.970
4.434 100
Mobile Homes
862,75a
771,516
756.006
606.852
644,200
647.502
Timber-100%
0
0
0
0
0
6,700
Heavy Duty Equipment
0
0
0
0
0
0
Gross Digest
04,954.097
36,240,392
35,920,737
38.074,057
30,190.342
39,162,147
Less M & O Esemplians
1,539,464
2,185,157
1,991,266
2.330,029
2,027,666
57,757
Net M & O Digest
33,414.633
34.055,235
33,929.471
36,544,026
36.162.656
39124 390
Gross M $ 0 Mil luge
14.570
14.990
15.620
15.150
15.174
15.174
Less Rollbacks
5.760
6.250
6.650
7.080
7.101
7,101
Net M 4 O MSIage
0.790
8.740
8.770
8.073
8.073
6.073
Net Taxes levied
293.715
297.043
297.561
294.910
291,941
315.851
Net Taxes S Increase
-11,695
3,923
-01
-2,651
-2J969
23,910
Net Taxes % Increase
-3.83%
134%
-0.03%
-0.60%
-1.01%
3.19%