Noble News and Views

MAY 2018 | VOLUME 36 | ISSUE 5 A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FROM THE NOBLE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Texoma Cattlemen’s New Fescue Cultivar Pecan Management Conference | 3 | 4 Calendar | 6 NOBLENEWS&VIEWS

LIVESTOCK Using Bermudagrass Pastures to Meet Cow Nutrient Requirements

by Robert Wells, Ph.D., livestock consultant | GRAPH 1. BERMUDAGRASS: FORAGE CP [email protected] QUALITY AND COW REQUIREMENTS BY MONTH

Percent of crude protein inter supplementation for a cow can account 16 Bermudagrass CP for anywhere between Hay CP 40 and 60 percent of 14 Cow requirement Wthe annual cost of maintaining the cow. Therefore, producers should plan 12 Start Calving

their winter supplementation strat- 10 egies during the growing season to allow for more options and to reduce 8 winter feed costs when utilizing bermudagrass pastures. 6

Bermudagrass is a dominant, introduced forage type 4 in the Southern Great Plains and along the Gulf Coast. This grass species is an excellent warm-season perennial 2

Continued on next page Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 2 | NOBLENEWS&VIEWS grass that stands up to grazing pressure GRAPH 2. BERMUDAGRASS: TABLE 1: POUNDS OF NUTRIENT and responds well to fertility and moisture. FORAGE TDN QUALITY AND REQUIRED BY MONTH Cows can meet their nutrient require- COW REQUIREMENTS BY MONTH Month Crude Protein TDN in ments on bermudagrass during the grow- Percent of total digestible nutrients in Pounds Pounds ing season and with stockpiled forage in November 0.0 0.19 the fall, if calving timing is correct. Graphs 1 70 Hay TDN and 2 demonstrate the relationship of grass Bermudagrass TDN December 0.0 0.0 quality and the cow’s nutrient requirements 60 Cow requirement January 0.0 0.31 to time of year, for crude protein (CP) and Start Calving total digestible nutrients (TDN) of the for- 50 February 0.06 1.04 age, respectively. March 0.31 2.02 In general, it is preferred to time the 40 beginning of the calving season about one *Amounts based on minimum cow month prior to the start of the growing 30 requirements in graphs 1 and 2. season. In doing so, the producer can time the cow’s highest nutrient requirements 20 when forage is at its best quality and sufficient quantity. This allows the cow to meet 10 her nutritional demand solely from the pasture with no additional supplementa- Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. tion required. Additionally, in a controlled 60-day calving season, all cows will be done calving before pasture quality dimin- TABLE 2: AMOUNT OF EACH TYPE OF SUPPLEMENT REQUIRED BY MONTH ishes to the point where the cow cannot Pounds per head per day (price per day) meet her nutrient requirements while in Month Byproduct feed 38% Cubes 20% Cubes peak lactation. Peak lactation occurs about 60 days post-calving, which coincides with November 0.75 ($0.08) 0.75 ($0.15) 1.0 ($0.11) the highest nutritional demand of the cow’s December 0.0 0.0 0.0 physiological year. During the hottest part of the summer, January 1.25 ($0.12) 1.25 ($0.25) 1.5 ($0.17) when bermudagrass may go into a sum- February 4.25 ($0.41) 3.5 ($0.70) 4.0 ($0.45) mer dormancy, the grass quality may taper March 8.5 ($0.82) 6.75 ($1.35) 7.0 ($0.78) off to a point that it may not meet the cow’s requirements for either CP or TDN Total 43.02 73.70 45.35 (Graphs 1 and 2). However, the cow may be selective enough to continue to meet her requirement or she may slightly slip in body condition. If a producer anticipates an extended time period of high temperatures or decreased moisture that would be It is important to remember that a sufficient enough to affect the forage quality, he or she could feed a small amount bermudagrass grazing system will be (less than 0.5 pound) of a high protein supplement to the cow during the summer dependent on hay feeding once months. This would stimulate forage intake and allow the cow to meet her require- stockpiled forages have been depleted. ments. It is important to remember that a bermudagrass grazing system will be dependent on hay feeding once stockpiled forages have been depleted during the winter and rumen microbes need a set quan- price per ton basis the best feed to use. months. In most areas, hay feeding will tity of each nutrient, not a percentage. This demonstrates that a producer should start around December and continue until Nutrient quality or percentage is only determine the correct amount of feed nec- green-up next spring, around April. Care- necessary to determine the amount that essary to meet a cow’s requirements then ful consideration should be given to the the cow is getting from the pasture and calculate the cost of each feed. Additional hay quality that is either baled on the farm how much is needed in the supplement, consideration should be given to special or bought. It is easy to have hay that can if any. Which feed is the right one to use handling and trough requirements of each satisfy the cow’s nutritional requirements will depend on the supplement cost on a feed type. Byproduct feeds will have about while also supplying supplemental forage. quantity-per-day basis after a calculation a 10 percent greater amount of waste than If high-enough hay quality, both in terms of has been made to determine the correct cubes when fed on the ground, which CP and TDN, can be fed free-choice, then amount for each potential supplement. needs to be accounted for so the cow is additional feed supplementation would not Table 2 lists three example feeds that not shorted on the feed amount she actu- be necessary. Typically, high-quality hay are commonly available for producers and ally consumes. can be purchased at a lower price than any the amount that would be fed on a daily Ultimately, a producer should have a purchased feed on a ton basis. basis (top value in each cell) to meet cow diversity of forage types on the ranch to Table 1 lists the amount of the nutri- requirements. The value in parenthesis in allow for season-long grazing. Utilization ents in pounds rather than percent defi- each cell is the cost on a daily basis for of native grasses as a standing hay crop cient each month during the typical that feed. The last line of Table 2 is the cost during the winter can eliminate the cost winter feeding months. Many produc- of feeding each feed for the winter feeding of hay, but the producer may still have to ers only think in terms of percent of a period assuming the following costs for supplement additional protein to the cow. nutrient required for the cow. However, each feed: Byproduct feed ($192.50 per However, for those producers who are the correct method is to consider the ton, 38 percent Cubes ($403 per ton) and locked into a bermudagrass-only grazing actual amount supplied by the pasture 20 percent cubes ($220 per ton). system, care should be exercised to reduce and the cow’s requirements. The cow Not always is the cheapest feed on a winter feeding costs. A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FROM THE NOBLE RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 3

CONFERENCE

What You’ll Gain From the Texoma Cattlemen’s Conference by Hugh Aljoe, director of producer relations | [email protected]

reater effi- have moved the conference to June from Feb- value of cattle, from weaning calves to ciency is ruary. In doing so, we hope to have placed the cull cows. always the conference during a time of year that better • Planned pasture management. objective suits regional cattle producers. This has also • Management of pecans as a complemen- Gfor ranch operations, tary enterprise. allowed us to schedule an adjacent field day. although it is seldom We will also provide an open house for a stationary target. producers to observe first-hand the more Ranching efficiency NEW THIS YEAR: PRE-CONFERENCE recent additions and facility enhancements takes on multiple facets FARM TOUR to the Noble Research Institute farm and within an operation: On Thursday, June 14, the day before the ranch operations. reducing costs and conference, you have the opportunity to increasing revenues, eliminating redundan- tour two Noble Research Institute farms. We YOU WILL SEE: will present some of our applied systems cies, enhancing production and marketing, • The state-of-the-art shipping/receiving/ research results as well as demonstrations and optimizing operational activities with processing facility at Oswalt Ranch. and technologies applicable to regional beef accurate timing and execution, all while • GrowSafe beef units, which we use to mea- cattle producers. managing through more variable weather sure and study individual cattle efficiency on conditions and commodity markets. feed and forage on a daily basis. This year’s Texoma Cattlemen’s Confer- FARM TOUR TOPICS INCLUDE: • The newly constructed Red River Graz- ence, which will be held June 15, will focus • The use of synchronization and artificial ing Facility, a 640-acre unit with 16 grazing on “The Road to Ranching Efficiency.” We insemination. pastures that can be further subdivided will address a number of issues and oppor- • EPD selection criteria for both terminal and into 4-acre paddocks to conduct grazing tunities pertaining to ranching efficiency. maternal traits. research with growing cattle using multiple This year’s conference has several new • Herd management systems. forages and forage combinations. features in addition to those you have come • Replacement heifer development. Noble Research Institute applied research- to expect and enjoy from the past. First, we • Production and marketing to enhance Continued on next page 4 | NOBLENEWS&VIEWS ers, operational staff, managers and consul- tants will be on-hand to present the applied RESEARCH agricultural systems activities on the farms and discuss the implications to producers.

DURING THE CONFERENCE The conference, on Friday, June 15, will include the three most requested features from previous conferences: the trade show with our supporting allied industry businesses and agencies, Ron Hays (Okla- homa’s Voice of Agriculture) from the Oklahoma Farm Report as our conference emcee and moderator, and Noble Research Institute research lightning talk updates. This year, the lightning talks will include Noble Releases results from our Forage 365 research proj- ects, which sought to find ways to extend the grazing season, and more. In addition, several nationally renowned New Summer- speakers from across the country will speak: • Jim Robb, senior analyst with the Live- stock Marketing and Information Center, will provide the market outlook for cattle, dormant Tall beef and other agricultural commodities important to the beef industry. • Donnell Brown of the R.A. Brown Ranch in Throckmorton, Texas, will share how Fescue Cultivar his family continues to find success into the sixth generation during his keynote address, “Ranching Efficiency: Providing Viability and Sustainability to the Land, Livestock and Family.” • Colin Woodall, the senior vice president of government affairs at the National Cat- tlemen’s Beef Association, will present the Chisholm tall fescue political outlook for agriculture and the pasture in early spring. beef industry from his Washington, D.C., perspective. • G. Cliff Lamb, Ph.D., newly appointed department head of the Texas A&M Uni- by Mike Trammell, senior plant breeder | [email protected] versity Department of Animal Science, will present his research, which spans multiple decades and demonstrates the value of major goal of the Great Plains. These types of tall fescue origi- stringently managing the cow herd for Noble Research nate from the Mediterranean region of south- reproductive and economic efficiency. He’ll Institute’s plant ern Europe and North Africa and are often share how more can be done than just breeding pro- referred to as Mediterranean or summer-dor- delivering a live calf to market every year. Agram has been to develop mant types. Summer-dormant types stop All these industry-leading experts will a perennial cool-season growth during summer in response to long provide information that directly pertains forage that could provide days, high temperatures and dry conditions. to enhancing operational efficiency on our producers an alternative Chisholm is a new tall fescue release by ranches. Plus we’ll hear industry updates to planting winter annuals, the Noble Research Institute. It was developed from the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Associa- such as wheat or cereal with this unique trait of summer-dormancy. tion, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Rais- rye, for grazing. Though Chisholm summer-dormant tall fescue is an ers Association, Oklahoma Beef Council this goal may seem narrow in focus, systems endophyte-free variety that can provide live- and Oklahoma Farm Report during the producing forages throughout the year would stock producers with a persistent, perennial, noon hour. This could be one of the most limit the need for feeding hay and/or reduce the cool-season grazing option that is adapted impactful regional conferences this year. need to plant cool-season annuals. This could to the hot, dry summers typical west of Inter- lower overall production costs for producers. state 35 in Oklahoma and Texas. FOR MORE DETAILS Tall fescue is a cool-season perennial for- Chisholm is capable of producing We hope you can attend both the field day age that can provide valuable forage from high-quality forage from autumn through tour June 14 and the sessions June 15, but fall through spring for grazing livestock. Tall spring suitable for grazing livestock before you are certainly welcome to attend just fescue generally needs at least 37 inches or entering summer-dormancy. After four years one of the days if that is all your schedule more of annual rainfall for suitable production of grazing Chisholm pastures on our research permits. Registrations are separate for each and persistence. Historically, in Oklahoma farms, cattle had similar average daily and total day, but the Thursday tour is limited to and Texas, this type of rainfall occurs east of live-weight gains compared to cattle on graze- 200 with priority given to those registering Interstate 35. This creates a transition zone for out wheat pasture. The net return per acre both days. Both events will begin at 8 a.m. tall fescue, which is adapted east of this zone on Chisholm was also similar to the graze-out at the Ardmore Convention Center. Tour but not to the west due to summer heat and wheat system. Other potential benefits of this buses will depart from the Convention Cen- drought. perennial forage include the reduction of soil ter parking lot Thursday morning. Lunch However, some types of tall fescue pos- erosion and the improvement of soil health. comes with the registration for both days. sess a unique trait where the plant enters Chisholm summer-dormant tall fescue is com- For more information or to register, a period of dormancy to avoid the harsh mercially available at Warner Brothers Seed please visit noble.org/events. summer conditions common to the Southern Company in Lawton, Oklahoma. A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FROM THE NOBLE RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 5

PECAN MANAGEMENT How to Manage the Pecan Nut Casebearer by Will Chaney, senior research associate | [email protected]

he pecan nut casebearer, Acrobasis nuxvorella T(Neunzig), is the most damaging nut-feeding insect that occurs in pecans. This species only occurs in pecans but is closely related to similar species that cause the same damage in hickory and walnut. The pecan nut casebearer (PNC) is found from Florida to southern New Mex- ico, encompassing almost all of the pecan growing region.

SEASONAL CYCLE Pecan nut casebearer can complete two to three generations per year. Overwintering larvae develop into pupae and ultimately moths • Pheromone does not need to be replaced that emerge from late May to early June. After during the season. tree pollination, female casebearer moths begin 6. Do not confuse PNC moths with other simi- laying eggs on pecan nuts. These eggs result in lar species. by Mike Trammell, senior plant breeder | [email protected] first-generation larvae that feed on pecan nuts • Pecan bud moth Gretchena bolliana (Slin- and generally cause the most damage. gerland) Second-generation PNC begin appearing PECAN NUT CASEBEARER • Pecan leaf casebearer, Acrobasis juglandis in mid-July. Larvae feed primarily on pecan (LeBaron) shucks. Unless populations are extremely high, FACT SHEET ONLINE little damage is created from second-genera- This article was largely adapted from SCOUTING FOR PNC tion larvae. Third-generation PNC hatch 30 to The Pecan Nut Casebearer, an Oklahoma First capture of PNC males generally occurs 12 40 days later and feed for a short time (if they Cooperative Extension fact sheet, which to 16 days before the optimum time for appli- feed at all) on shucks. Late in the season, each is available for download at factsheets. cation of insecticides. small larva forms a tightly woven, protective bit.ly/pecan-casebearer Scouting should begin seven to 10 days silken case (hibernaculum) near a bud or leaf after the capture of the first PNC moth. scar for overwintering. These larvae emerge For control, visit bit.ly/osu-pecan-control Look for eggs on the nuts using a hand from hibernacula in the spring and feed by to see chemical options and rates. lens to determine the maturity of eggs. tunneling into shoots. Pupation of the over- Examine 10 nut clusters per tree across wintering generation occurs in these tunnels several trees. formed from feeding, and adults emerge the If two or more clusters contain eggs or following spring to deposit the first generation 3. Place traps near the terminal of a nut-bear- damage before 310 clusters have been exam- of eggs on pecan nuts. ing limb at a convenient height. ined, an insecticide application should be 4. In Oklahoma, traps should be in the orchard made as soon as possible. GUIDELINES FOR PHEROMONE by May 1. Traps can be used to monitor flights of TRAP USE 5. Monitor traps every two or three days, three later PNC generations. Pheromone-baited traps for PNC are available. times a week if possible, and keep detailed Second-generation PNC occurs approx- The pheromone mimics the chemical emit- records. imately six weeks after the spring flight, and ted by female casebearer moths and attracts • Frequent monitoring will help detect the larval damage can be expected 12 to 16 days males to a sticky trap. Traps can be used to first flush of moth activity. after the flight begins. detect the arrival of PNC into an orchard, to • Record the trap location and monitoring The decision to treat an orchard is based provide growers an estimate of population date each time. on scouting to detect eggs and/or larvae not numbers, and to provide a signal of when first • Remove all moths, other insects and any on the numbers of moths captured. The traps significant nut entry by larvae may occur. debris that is found on the traps’ sticky sur- allow you to know when to start scouting for Some guidelines for using pheromone traps: faces. eggs. The pheromone trap is very effective and 1. Use three traps in 30- to 50-acre orchards • Replace any traps that have become too will capture moths even when economic infes- and five traps in orchards larger than 50 acres. dirty or covered in debris. tations of larvae are unlikely to develop. Later 2. Do not place traps closer together than 100 • Pheromone lure can be carefully trans- generations (third and possibly a fourth) are yards. ferred (with forceps) to the new trap. rarely a significant threat to nut production. 6 | NOBLENEWS&VIEWS PECAN WHERE TO FIND MANAGEMENT PNC TRAPS AND PHEROMONES CALENDAR:

ALPHA SCENTS MAY TO JULY 1089 Willamette Falls Drive, West Linn, OR 97068 by Will Chaney, senior research as- Phone: 503-342-8611 or 971-998- sociate | [email protected] 8248 Fax: 314-271-7297 o properly manage a successful www.alphascents.com pecan orchard, a well-developed plan should be implemented. Plan- GEMPLER’S ning will help growers and managers P.O. Box 44993 Tbe prepared for tasks that will need to be Madison, WI 53744-4993 addressed throughout the year. This calen- Order by Phone: 1-800-382-8473 dar can be used as a resource to help with planning. COMING IN AUGUST GREAT LAKES IPM INC. Management tips for August through 10220 Church Road October will be in the August issue of Vestaburg, MI 48891-9746 MAY Noble News and Views. Phone: 989-268-5693 or FLOOR MAINTENANCE 989-268-5911 If weeds are a problem, an herbicide can be Toll Free: 1-800-235-0285 applied to the orchard floor as needed. Con- Fax: 989-268-5693 tinue maintaining orchard floor vegetation PEST CONTROL Email: [email protected] by mowing or grazing. Continue to monitor for pests. www.greatlakesipm.com DISEASE CONTROL CASEBEARER ISCA TECHNOLOGIES / Apply pre-pollination scab spray to suscep- In the northern half of Oklahoma, set out MORITOR TECHNOLOGIES tible varieties when leaves are about one- traps and start monitoring. In the southern P.O. Box 5266 half the normal size. After pollination, use half, continue to monitor traps at least three Riverside, CA 92517 the Mesonet scab model (bit.ly/pecan- times a week (daily preferred) to determine Phone: 951-686-5008 scab-map) to determine when to apply fun- the first male moth capture. Begin spraying Fax: 815-346-1722 gicide to susceptible varieties. 16 to 20 days after you see the first signifi- Email: [email protected] cant capture. www.iscatech.com GRAFTING Continue grafting. Watch videos on how to OLIVER PECAN CO. INC. graft using the following methods: JUNE 1402 W. Wallace, San Saba, TX Bark graft: noble.org/texas-inlay-graft FLOOR MAINTENANCE 76877 Four-flap graft: noble.org/banana-graft If weeds are a problem, an herbicide can be Phone: 1-800-657-9291 applied to the orchard floor as needed. Con- Email: [email protected] IRRIGATION tinue maintaining the vegetation by mowing Orchard irrigation will most likely begin this or grazing. PAPE’S PECAN HOUSE month, depending on rainfall. P.O. Box 1281 DISEASE CONTROL 101 S. Hwy 123 Bypass FERTILIZE Use the Mesonet scab model (bit.ly/pecan- Seguin, TX 78155 If a split application of nitrogen was applied, scab-map) to determine when to apply fun- Phone: 830-379-7442 fertilize trees with remaining fertilizer. gicide to susceptible varieties.

SOUTHERN NUT ‘N TREE FIRST-YEAR TREES IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT INC AND PPI After 6 to 8 inches of growth has developed, Orchard irrigation will continue this month, 324 SH 16 South fertilize with 1/3 pound of 19-19-19 in a band depending on rainfall. Goldthwaite, TX 76844 18 inches long, 12 inches from the tree. If Phone: 1-800-527-1825 growth continues, apply 1/3 to 1/2 pound of ZINC SPRAY Fax: 325-938-5490 46-0-0 every three weeks, not to continue On mature trees, apply the third and final Email: [email protected] past the middle of July. foliar applications of zinc at the rate of 6 www.sntequipment.com pounds of zinc sulfate (36 percent) per ZINC SPRAY acre. Zinc can be tank-mixed with pecan TRECE On mature trees, apply second foliar appli- nut casebearer spray and fungicide if (for bulk orders only) cations of zinc at the rate of 6 pounds needed to limit trips through the orchard. P.O. Box 129 of zinc sulfate (36 percent) per acre. For For young trees, continue to apply foliar Adair, OK 74330 young trees, continue to apply foliar zinc at zinc at a rate of 2 pounds of zinc sulfate Phone: 918-785-3061 a rate of 2 pounds of zinc sulfate (36 per- (36 percent) per acre in two-week Order Center: 866-785-1313 cent) per acre in two-week intervals. intervals. Fax: 918-785-3063 Email: [email protected] HERBICIDE SPRAY HERBICIDE SPRAY www.trece.com Continue spraying your vegetation-free Continue spraying your vegetation-free strips as needed. strips as needed. A MONTHLY PUBLICATION FROM THE NOBLE RESEARCH INSTITUTE | 7

PEST CONTROL Monitor the orchard for pecan nut WILDLIFE casebearer and begin spraying 16 to 20 days after you see the first significant capture. Order your pecan weevil traps if you do not already have them. Mon- itor the orchard for additional pests How to Properly such as aphids, caterpillars and fall web worm.

CROP LOAD Stock and Manage Determine crop size by counting the number of clusters per 100 shoots. Crop size is low if less than 40 percent, Channel Catfish 40 to 70 percent is good, and more than 70 percent is heavy crop. by Mike Porter, senior wildlife and fisheries consultant | [email protected] JULY FLOOR MAINTENANCE hannel catfish pond supports a limited number of catfish per If weeds are a problem, an herbicide is one of the acre, so channel catfish commonly becomes can be applied to the orchard floor as three most overpopulated without bass. needed. Continue maintaining the veg- commonly Stocking only channel catfish and large- Cstocked fish species in mouth bass is a great option for managing etation by mowing or grazing. Southern Great Plains ponds smaller than one-half acre where DISEASE CONTROL (largemouth bass and bass-bluegill management can be difficult. Use the Mesonet scab model (bit.ly/ bluegill are the others). This also is an option for larger ponds when pecan-scab-map) to determine when to Channel catfish a pond manager primarily wants a channel apply fungicide to susceptible varieties. is the primary target catfish fishery. fish species in some ZINC SPRAY ponds and one of several sport fish species STOCKING RATES For young trees, apply last foliar zinc in other ponds. In ponds where channel Initial channel catfish stocking rate usually is at a rate of 2 pounds of zinc sulfate (36 catfish is the primary focus, management 100 fingerlings per surface acre (i.e., 10 per percent) per acre. strategy varies depending whether a pond 1/10 acre) in ponds that are not fed or fed permanently holds water or is periodically inconsistently. Channel catfish grow fine with- drained. This article focuses on ponds with HERBICIDE SPRAY out feeding in most ponds when stocked at permanent water because this type of cat- Continue spraying your vegetation-free 100 or fewer per acre. Stocking more than 100 fish pond is more common in the Southern strips as needed. channel catfish per acre in unfed or inconsis- Great Plains. tently fed ponds typically results in somewhat stunted catfish. PEST CONTROL PREVENT OVERPOPULATION Channel catfish stocking rate can range Continue to monitor the orchard for Ponds with permanent water require large- from 100 to 1,000 fish per acre in sport pests. Scout orchard for aphids and mouth bass to prevent catfish overpopulation fishing ponds that are consistently fed an caterpillars. Take note of beneficial and stunting. A single female channel catfish appropriate floating pelleted catfish feed. insects and do not spray for aphids if can spawn 2,000 to 50,000 young. Each Continued on next page the beneficial insect level is sufficient. Casebearer: Continue monitoring for second-generation pecan nut casebearer. Hickory Shuckworm: If you have a his- tory of hickory shuckworm, spray at shell hardening. Weevil: Install weevil circle traps by mid-July.

LEAF SAMPLE In the first two weeks of July, collect leaf samples for analysis. You will base next year’s fertilization on these samples. Collect samples from each management area and label for easy identification. Watch a how-to video on leaf sampling at noble.org/pecan-leaf-sampling.

CROP LOAD When the kernel is halfway to being fully expanded in the water stage, thin excessive fruit load off of trees.

ORCHARD MAINTENANCE Observe tree spacing and mark trees for removal if there is greater than 60 percent shade on the orchard floor. 8 | NOBLENEWS&VIEWS

WILDLIFE Aquatic Plant Spotlight: HYDRILLA by Will Moseley, wildlife and fisheries consultant | [email protected]

ydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a nonnative, invasive However, feeding fish, especially at higher aquatic plant that is rooted and can grow to almost catfish stocking rates dramatically increases 30 feet, filling up the water column. Due to its invasive the risk of a low-dissolved oxygen fish kill. nature, it becomes overabundant and can reduce fish Largemouth bass fingerlings should be Hhabitat, outcompete important native plants, clog irrigation stocked at approximately 40 per surface acre canals and water control stations, and change water chemistry. into such ponds. Largemouth bass tend to remain relatively small (e.g., 8-14 inches) in THE INVASIVE NATURE OF HYDRILLA catfish fisheries without other fish prey spe- Hydrilla was initially brought to the U.S. as an aquarium plant and cies, which is typically not a problem because has since escaped into the wild, where it becomes an ecological bass are present as a management tool rather and economic disaster. Millions of dollars are spent annually to try than a focal sport fishery. When stocked at the to control hydrilla across the U.S., but the best way to control it is to prevent its spread. same time, channel catfish fingerlings should Hydrilla is difficult to control after established due to its rapid growth and ability to be larger than bass fingerlings. When same- spread, primarily by fragments on boats and trailers. size catfish and bass fingerlings are stocked, We can prevent the spread of hydrilla by cleaning our boats, trailers and live wells. If channel catfish should be stocked six to eight boating in a water body known to have hydrilla, power wash your boat and trailer after months prior to bass. use and allow to air dry for at least five days before moving to a new water body. In ponds larger than one-half acre without Chemicals such as endothall, fluridone and copper with diquat can be effective in fish, where channel catfish is not the focal controlling hydrilla. So can grass carp since the plant is one of their preferred foods. species but one of several sport fish species, typically small fingerling channel catfish and bream species (e.g., bluegill, redear sunfish or hybrid sunfish) initially are stocked at approximately 100 and 500 per acre, respectively, during late summer or early fall. Then depending on bass goals, 40 to 100 small fingerling largemouth bass per acre are stocked during the following spring.

SUPPLEMENTAL STOCKING When stocking channel catfish into a pond with an established largemouth bass population, advanced fingerling catfish longer than 8 inches should be stocked to avoid significant depredation of supplementally stocked catfish. Such advanced fingerling catfish generally grow to edible size after one growing season. Channel catfish fry do not recruit well in ponds where significant numbers of adult largemouth bass exist. Catfish may spawn in such ponds, but adult bass consume most, if not all, catfish fry and fingerlings. Thus, advanced fingerling channel catfish must be periodically stocked to maintain catfish fisheries in ponds with bass. Records of channel catfish stockings and harvests help a pond manager calculate the number of channel catfish to stock. The number of catfish harvested is added to esti- mated natural mortality since the last stocking to determine the number of advanced fingerlings needed to increase catfish numbers close to 100 per acre (or other stocking rate target). I usually estimate channel To learn more about aquatic plant management, visit our plant image gallery at catfish natural mortality at 8 to 10 percent bit.ly/aquatic-plant-gallery or purchase our field guide for aquatic vegetation per year. Properly managed channel catfish identification and control methods at noble.org/store. provides an enjoyable sport fishery with relatively predictable results. NOBLE UPCOMING EVENTS

NEWS&VIEWS For more information or to register, visit www.noble.org/events or call 580-223-5810. Preregistration IN THIS ISSUE is requested. For other agricultural questions, please call our Ag Helpline at 580-224-6500.

Bermudagrass Pastures | 1 Pond Texoma Cattlemen’s Conference | 3 Management

Summer Dormant Series Tall Fescue | 4 Pecan Nut Casebearer | 5

Pecan Management Calendar | 6 MAY | Channel Catfish 23 | 7 MAY 30 AND JUNE 6

Ponds can provide endless hours of recreation as Hydrilla All sessions 6-8 p.m. well as increased value to a property. There are Noble Research Institute | 8 many goals for an impoundment, such as sport Pavilion fishing, waterfowl, livestock water, swimming, fire No Registration Fee suppression supply and irrigation supply.

MAY 22 Irrigation Systems and Design in Specialty Crops Workshop 9 a.m.-Noon MAY MAY Protected Ag Area | 7 | 10 No Registration Fee Managing Your Native Join Noble Research Institute research- Is Specialty Crop ers and Irrigation Mart representatives Pecan Grove Effectively Production for you? to discuss irrigation water require- 9 a.m.-Noon 6:30-8 p.m. ments, system design and compo- Noble Research Institute Kruse Auditorium nents, basic practices of system main- No Registration Fee No Registration Fee tenance, scheduling, and chemigation. Attendees will learn how to properly determine needs and install irrigation to increase their production efficiency and minimize water usage.

Contents ©2018, Noble Research Institute, LLC Noble News and Views is published monthly by the MAY MAY Noble Research Institute. Current and past editions of | 14 | 15 Noble News and Views are available at www.noble.org/ news-and-views. Advanced Beef Quaiity Introduction to Free subscriptions delivered by email are available Assurance Workshop Integrity Beef Seminar at www.noble.org/subscriptions. The Noble Research Institute encourages the republication of Noble News 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Oswalt Ranch 4-9 p.m.; Pavilion and Views articles. For publication guidelines, contact Registration Fee: $25, No Registration Fee, J. Adam Calaway, director of communications and pub- lic relations, at [email protected]. High quality elec- Includes lunch Dinner Provided tronic versions of photos and graphics are available.