The winter months are a great time to catch up on much-needed family time. Yes, it’s cold. No, you cannot get outdoors as much, but around your home, you have plenty of indoor activities to do with your children that can create a meaningful family experience and many beautiful memories.

Having a limited hay supply can cause stress, but sound management will allow you to conserve hay without sacrificing animal productivity. Remember that the animals’ nutritional needs should always come first. Here are a few tips to help you figure it out.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and many of us will shop online for at least some of our holiday purchases. Being smart about when and where you shop online can help keep you from falling victim to cybercrime.

Internal parasites impact animal performance and immunity. Research shows weaning weights of calves burdened with internal parasites are 20-35 pounds lighter. We want to learn more about the prevalence of internal parasites and the efficacy of products available on the market. Most of the an…

Amid Kentucky’s extreme summer temperatures, high humidity and prolonged heat can make being outdoors uncomfortable and dangerous. During this time, you need to know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them. These include heat exhaustion, heat cramps and the mos…

Even with the best alert systems in place, there is often little to no warning when severe weather or natural disasters strike. The best time to prepare is now. Plan ahead for wind, rain, ice or snow in case you need to survive on your own for a few days.

National Poison Prevention Week raises awareness of poison prevention during the third full week of March every year. Poisoning occurs when someone ingests a substance that can cause sickness or death. That can mean they swallow it, breathe it, touch it, or splash it in their eye. Sometimes,…

Black vultures are native to Kentucky. As a result, they are present here year-round, but you may be seeing more of them now for a few reasons. Their overall populations have increased in the state in the past couple of years. They are also a migratory species with a recently expanded range …

We are dependent on Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil we use for food production is vital to our existence. Good stewardship ensures we protect these resources for the next generation.

It’s that time of year when we get excited about our tax refunds. By responsibly using this one-time infusion of cash, you can improve your financial standing.

The UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (PDDL) has received many broadleaf and needled evergreen samples with discolored foliage recently. Despite relatively mild weather during much of the winter thus far, extremely low temperatures, low humidity and strong winds during the third week of…

Every February, the American Health Association sponsors American Heart Month to increase awareness about heart disease. During February, and throughout the year, the AHA encourages all Americans to consider ways they can increase their heart health and decrease their risk of cardiovascular …

Trimble County Cooperative Extension Service will be hosting a six week series: Cook Together Eat Together. February 14, 21, 28 and March 14, 21, 28, 2023.

With the challenge of high grain prices, there is general optimism stemming from tighter cattle supplies as we start this new year. Without a doubt, most market fundamentals point to a considerably stronger cattle market across all sectors this year. This article will briefly discuss three q…

Winter is settling in and horse owners need to be mindful of their horses’ health during these cold days. Taking some basic measures can improve your horses’ safety and keep them in good shape throughout the cold season. Consider getting a wellness exam for your horse, especially if they are…

Many Kentuckians have some form of debt, such as mortgages, auto loans, student loans, credit card debt, or medical bills. Debt can weigh heavily on our minds and can restrict our budgets. If you want to pay off debt in the new year, there are two tips to keep in mind.

  • Updated

Cold weather will be a fact of life for the next few months. As a result, poultry producers will face an increase in fuel costs to maintain poultry house temperatures. However, you can do several things to minimize these expenses.

Providing care for someone can be both rewarding and challenging. However, the responsibilities and obligations that come with the holidays can create added stress. The following suggestions may help make the holidays easier on you, the person you are caring for and your extended family and …

Due to drought and the lack of forage growth that comes  with that, hay inventories for the upcoming winter will be below normal expectations in many areas of the Midwest and Southern Great Plains.

During the fall and winter, we tend to gather with family and friends. The holidays are a great time to be together. But if can also be a time when germs are spread. Clean hands are the best way to keep you and your family from getting sick. Hand-washing should take place:

It’s time to sign up for 4-H activities. Watch the Carroll County Cooperative Extension Service Facebook page for offerings as they are scheduled. Also, you can find the sign-up sheet to enroll in 4-H on the Facebook page. It is very important that you call 502-732-7030 to put your name on t…

  • Updated

Some aspects of forage management are just confusing enough that the same questions come up every year. Take the forage disorders, cyanide poisoning and nitrate toxicity, for example. Questions on these disorders come up anytime forages from the sorghum family (which includes johnsongrass) a…

For many, Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, but if a child has food allergies, the holiday can be frightful for them and their parents. Participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project will allow you to be inclusive of children with food allergies and other medical cond…

As carbon programs continue to evolve and expand throughout the country, many programs focus on agriculture, specifically sequestering carbon in row crop production. Why agriculture? In April, I wrote an article that addressed this very question, outlining the driving forces behind carbon pr…

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is devoted to educating everyone about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and timely, high-quality care. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.

  • Updated

With the turning of the calendar to the month of October, Mother Nature typically responds with cooler temperatures and more pleasant weather compared to the heat and humidity of summer.

Many pests seek refuge in homes and buildings in response to changes in weather, such as extended periods of rain or drought, or the onset of cool autumn temperatures. In response to these pest invasions, homeowners often apply liberal amounts of insecticides indoors. Although indoor insecti…

  • Updated

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that causes bone to become weak. It occurs through bone loss and/or because the body makes too little bone. Osteoporosis means “porous bone.”

  • Updated

Trimble County fourth graders learned how to care for a variety of farm animals at this year’s Ag Day at the Trimble County Park.

We know that fire ants have been in the state since 2000. They have typically been an invasive species only in Western Kentucky; however, earlier this year, Kentuckians discovered them in the eastern part of the state.

Understanding the basics of saving for retirement is an important step in planning for your financial future. With the average American living to nearly 80 years old or older, a person could spend 20 to 30 years in retirement.

Soil testing is a soil-management tool we use to determine the fertility of soil as well as the optimum lime and fertilizer requirements for crops. Fall is the best time of year to test your soil. Most nutrients take some time to break down and become available to the plant. If you give them…

Tailgating has been a sporting tradition for decades. For many fans, football and tailgating go hand in hand. However, poor food handling procedures at your tailgating party could result in a foodborne illness. Take the following precautions to keep you and your visitors safe from foodborne …

Kentucky’s farmers will soon have the opportunity to be represented in the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state and county. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will mail the 2022 Census of Agriculture to 125,000 Kentucky ag producers this fall.

National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 5-11. The rate of teen suicide has increased over the last decade. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in the United States.

County extension offices around the state have fielded many phone calls this spring and summer from homeowners and gardeners concerned about poison hemlock. The concern seems to be justified but only if the poison hemlock is ingested by humans or livestock. Poison hemlock is one of the most …

Cooking outdoors on the grill is a favorite activity in the summer months. Grilling is a great way to cook and enjoy foods in a new way. Here’s how to build a healthy plate at your next barbecue.

The Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 18-28. Located in AgLand in the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center, Cloverville is a village-like neighborhood that allows 4-H'ers from all 120 of the state's counties the opportunity to show off their most outstanding work. The fair is the culminati…

If you would like to learn more about gardening from University of Kentucky experts and industry professionals, there is a weekly opportunity that might interest you. It is called a Lunch and Learn horticulture webinar and takes place weekly on Wednesdays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., EST via Zoom.

If you would like to learn more about gardening from University of Kentucky experts and industry professionals, there is a weekly opportunity that might interest you. It is called a Lunch and Learn horticulture webinar and takes place weekly on Wednesdays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., EST via Zoom.

July’s severe flooding has left many Eastern Kentuckians overwhelmed in its aftermath. Not only have the floodwaters destroyed homes, but ruined residents' personal possessions.

Costs for hay production have skyrocketed in 2022. Fertilizer is driving the bulk of the overall increase, followed by fuel, and then general cost increases for other categories (what could be considered “general inflation”). While we can debate the exact causes of all these increases (i.e. …

Growing your own food can be fun, rewarding, and healthful. In addition to delicious food, gardening has many health benefits. Fresh fruits and vegetables are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Research shows that eating fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet can reduce…

A question many home vegetable gardeners might ask themselves is: Should I spray my vegetable crops to control insect pests? In some years, it seems like pests appear almost out of nowhere and ruin the anticipated harvest. Particularly with rising grocery prices, many gardeners are looking t…

Extended time outside, whether you are walking, gardening, or reading a book, puts you at risk of sun damage, which in turn can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging. One of the best ways to protect yourself from sun damage is by wearing sunscreen anytime you spend time outdoors.

Through 4-H we strive to help youth develop into well-rounded individuals. One of the ways we do that is through arts education and expression. 4-H’ers have numerous opportunities to express their creativity through programs covering many diverse art forms.

A truly historic outbreak of fall armyworm took place in 2021. According to collaborators at Auburn University, it was the worst year for this pest since the late 1970s. While entomologists don’t expect another outbreak this year, it is good to keep your eyes peeled for signs of the fall armyworm.