CenTex Cow/Calf Clinic: Aug. 19

Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Lampasas, Burnet and Llano counties is hosting the CenTex Cow/Calf Clinic in Lampasas on Aug. 19 at the Farm Bureau Building, 1793 U.S. Highway 281 North.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the program at 8:30 a.m.

This year's theme is "Turbulent Times in the Beef Industry."

The program will include information on reproductive efficiency, selection for today's market, new value-added beef cuts and beef cattle economics. An update on this year's market also will be offered.

Confirmed speakers are Dr. Rick Machen, Extension livestock specialist; Dr. Davey Griffin, professor and meat science specialist, Texas A&M University; and Dr. William Thompson, Extension economist.

A barbecue lunch will be provided. Two CEUs will be awarded for individuals holding a pesticide applicator's license.

Cost is $10 per participant. Please RSVP to the Lampasas County Extension office at 556-8271 by Aug. 15 so that an accurate lunch count may be obtained.

Jason Byrd is the Lampasas County Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. He can be reached at jhbyrd@ag.tamu.edu or P.O. Box 231, Lampasas or by phoning 556-8271, ext. 140. Herbicides: How do they work?

Much Extension work involves evaluating problems and helping property owners correct them. Many times this includes herbicide recommendations.

Have you ever wondered how herbicides are able to kill weeds? Did you know some herbicides kill from the top down and others from the bottom up?

Understanding how a herbicide works can assist tremendously in efforts to control weeds.

Herbicides have been used for many years to control problematic weeds in cropland, rangeland, roadsides and landscapes. When used properly, they can be an effective tool in managing weeds.

In order to use herbicides in an appropriate manner, you need to understand that some are selective while others are non-selective. Some herbicides are "contact herbicides," and some work through translocation (move within the plant).

Some control germinating seeds (pre-emergent), and some control actively growing plants (post-emergent).

To further the confusion, herbicides have different effects -- or "mode of action" -- on plants. Examples of this include growth regulators, photosynthesis inhibitors, seedling growth inhibitors, lipid synthesis inhibitors, amino acid synthesis inhibitors, pigment inhibitors, cell membrane disruptors and organic arsenicals. Each herbicide can work differently on weeds, and each turfgrass has different tolerance levels to herbicides.

Remember, knowledge is power. It will be very helpful to do your homework on the weeds and the herbicides you plan to use.

Always read and follow the label.

Deer-resistant plants and deer repellents

Every summer, especially when it is hot and dry, the Extension office receives numerous calls on deer attacking and devouring residents' landscapes.

While this is a difficult problem to prevent, we do offer some suggestions, which normally include deer-resistant plants and repellents.

There are many lists of deer-resistant plants, but unfortunately the level of resistance tends to vary from place to place depending on location, deer population and environmental conditions.

Deer will eat almost anything when they are hungry. Those landscape plants that have been given water and fertilizer are good and succulent, compared to the drought-stressed, tough, overgrazed plants found in many natural settings.

Researchers have had good luck with most of the gray leaf plants, those with highly fragrant foliage, all the salvias and most of the lantanas.

All smooth-barked trees and shrubs are in for annual damage when the bucks are in rut and marking their territory. These can be protected with a physical barrier.

What follows is a listing of plants compiled through experience and research for our region.

Shrubs: Agarita, boxleaf euonymus, elaeagnus, gray cotoneaster, Japanese boxwood, Japanese yew, nandina, oleander, pineapple guava, pomegranate, primrose jasmine, Reeve's spirea, soft-leaf yucca, sotol, Texas mountain laurel, Texas sage and yaupon holly (regular and dwarf).

Perennials: Ageratum, amaryllis, angel trumpet (datura), Silver King artemesia, autumn sage (salvia greggii), bearded iris, blue plumbago, candytuft, Dusty Miller, Four O'Clock, garlic chives, goldmoss sedum, green and gray santolina, hummingbird bush (anisacanthus), indigo spires salvia, Jerusalem sage, lantana, mallow hibiscus, Marguerite, mealy cup sage, Mexican bush sage, Mexican Hat, Mexican honeysuckle (justicia spicigera), Mexican mint marigold, Mexican oregano, ornamental grasses (inland sea oats, Maiden Grass, Gulf and Lindheimer's Muhley, pampas grass, purple fountain grass), oxeye daisy, prickly pear cactus, rock rose (pavonia), Roman wormwood, rosemary, split-leaf philodendron (P.selloum), Texas betony, wedelia and yarrow.

And here is a recipe for a deer repellant that Master Gardeners in South Texas formulated. If you are having problems with deer, it might be worth a shot.

• The hottest peppers available. Try dried habaneras, as they are readily available in most local supermarkets.

• A bottle of a commercial product called Hinder.

• Palmolive dishwashing liquid.

• Two one-gallon plastic ice cream pails with covers or similar containers.

Put a couple handfuls of the peppers in each container, fill with water and let stand in the sun for seven days, just like making sun ice tea.

After seven days, or as soon as it really begins to smell bad, strain off two to three quarts of the liquid and put it in a pump-up sprayer. Refill the bucket with water, and after the second or third time you use it add some more peppers. Don't bother throwing the old ones out, just keep adding to the mixture. The worse it gets, the better it works.

Add 1/4 cup Hinder and a couple tablespoons of Palmolive liquid. Fill the sprayer with water.

Spray the plants you want to protect to the point of runoff once a week or after a heavy rain.

This also can be used on vegetables with no noticeable taste once they are washed. Plants such as tomatoes can be sprayed heavily on the foliage without any concern. Use caution when standing downwind while spraying.

Switch from one bucket to the other every week, and you will always have a supply of spray.

Keep in mind that the level of individual success may vary. We live in Central Texas where the hills and deer are among our biggest draws. While it can be a blessing, life here also can be challenging at times.

Contact the Texas AgriLife Extension office in Lampasas County with any agricultural or natural resource question or concern.