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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 VOTE COUNT! Vote in our online poll updated weekly www.themillennews.com 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 uarterl Hers Augusta Dental Center p c J, Wiotilti Scott HMD iiinqle Economy D emit re LKjllVPWl*4 tWfflOttptfis* Yin WC, DfcaW. Oniriit.Cift Mccjni.iid Sltttfk EjctrJKlIon *.IS.™ ■ f"I H E* CDM^y [ Sulcal EffUMClfoti ^350-™ Pdilllh irjfcirls ijji SjfS." CrLHrtu^ ^ IMMEDIATE DENTURES "eeth Exacted (Mure; w Parlies KrcmedinlBly ■Vn U r go wiPiKit you* teeki Surges A Exlradiona cone in ourolr sc □ pert Mor-Fri 7:30 AM Nn Appofnlmfirvl tirti i Gmi* Sl (hun ii 11 nm Austria t.im kj (bn 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%