Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

TIM'S TIPS

Currently, there are more than 80 breeds of cattle in the United States. An exact count is difficult because other breeds continue to be created by crossing existing breeds and then inter-mating crosses.

In a crossbreeding program, knowledge of breed characteristics is important to commercial beef producers. Traits which are important in beef production include environmental adaptability, fertility, calving ease, maternal ability, rate and efficiency of gain, carcass merit, market acceptance and longevity. Accurate comparisons of all breeds for all traits do not exist. Two characteristics which have a marked effect on most production traits are mature body size and level of milking potential.

As mature body size increases, so does size at any stage of life. Larger mature size is often associated with later maturity. Therefore, increased mature size generally results in (1) heifers being older and/or heavier at puberty, (2) longer gestation periods, (3) heavier birth weights, (4) faster rates of gain and (5) heavier weaning weights.

Because most cattle are fed to some estimated grade, mature size is indicative of the weight at slaughter. Small and excessively large cattle are currently penalized in commercial markets because their slaughter weight, at acceptable levels of fatness, is outside the range desired in the industry. Increased body size also results in higher nutritional requirements to maintain life and production.

Milk production is related to mature size in that larger animals have the inherent ability to consume more feedstuffs that may be used for milk production. This does not mean that all large breeds are heavy milkers or that all small breeds are light milkers. However, cattle selected only for increased milking ability (within a breed), without consideration for other factors, will tend to increase in body size with some reduction in muscle expression.

Heavy milking cows often produce milk at the expense of other body functions. If nutrition is inadequate, heavy milkers may become thin and slow breeders.

As body size increases, milking potential, ease of fleshing, nutrition and general management considerations become more critical. In situations where reduction of costs, particularly supplemental feed, is more profitable than increased performance, the selection of the breed is very important.

There are may different types of cattle within a breed. Selecting that type should be based upon your management skill and forage resources available. Remember to select the cow breeds or breed types that best fit your environment, but select sire breeds to produce a calf for your marketplace. If your market is feeder calves, then that marketplace will require a different type bull than if your marketplace is replacement heifers. Nevertheless, the sire is used to best fit your calves to your markets.

GARDEN REMINDERS

Final Pinch For Chrysanthemums: The last pinch on garden mums should be made this month, about July 15. Keep the plants well watered and fertilized to insure they will make good growth during the time when the flowers are forming. If staking is needed, do so now before the plants begin to set flower buds.

Harvest Tips: When cantaloupes reach softball size, place them on an inverted coffee can to increase the air circulation and sunlight they receive. Punch drainage holes on the can top to prevent fruit rot. The best time to harvest most herbs is just before flowering, when the leaves contain the maximum essential oils. Cut herbs early on a sunny day. Watermelons are ripe when the tendril nearest to the melon has died and the underside of the melon is cream to yellow in color. To protect the bees which pollinate many of our vegetables plants, spray pesticides in the evening after bees have returned to their hives.

Halloween Pumpkins: Pumpkins can be planted early this month for Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns. Keep the plants watered to insure good growth during the dry parts of July and August. Watch for squash bugs anytime during their growth and be prepared to spray with an approved insecticide such as Tiodan or Diazinon. Inspect the pumpkin vines for glossy brown eggs laid in mass on the upper or lower leaf surface. These eggs usually are at the base of the leaf near the petiole. Spray the squash bugs as soon after they hatch as possible to achieve the best results.

Lacebugs are attacking our azaleas, especially those that are in the sun. If they are on your plants they will cause a white speckled appearance on the top of the leaf and small black or brown specks on the bottom. Spray with insecticidal soap, Malathion or Orthene. If you have only fertilized once this year, apply one more application of fertilizer now for the season. Avoid any more pruning of your azaleas and other spring flowering shrubs. They need time to grow and set flower buds this late summer or early fall.

Eggplants and flea beetles seem to go hand in hand. If tiny shot holes are appearing on the leaves flea beetles are the culprit. Sevin or Rotenone will control them. Protecting your plants early in the season will allow them to become stronger plants and more productive later in the season. Eggplants thrive on hot weather, but they need ample moisture and fertilizer to produce well.