Hardee Rancher
Beef and Forage Newsletter



Hardee County Extension Service
507 Civic Center Drive
Wauchula, Florida 33873
(863) 773-2164
Fax (863) 773-6861
E-mail lagary@mail.ifas.ufl.edu


Summer 2002


Calendar Of Events
August
22Hardee County Cattlemen's Fundraiser with Secretary of State, Katherine Harris, Hardee Agri-Civic Center, 7:00 p.m.
September
12-13FCA Fall Quarterly Meeting, Bartow
26Cow-Calf Clinic, Turner Agri-Civic Center, Arcadia, 5:30 p.m.
October
4FCA Heifer Sale, Ocala
15Commercial/Custom Application of Nematodes for Mole Cricket Control, Circle Five Bar Ranch, 9-12 a.m.
24Quail Management Seminar, Turner Agri-Civic Center, Arcadia
26Hardee County Cattlemen's Assoc. Sporting Clay Shoot at Charles Metheny's, Zolfo Springs
November
7Ecotourism Management Seminar, Hardee County Extension Service, 2-5:30 p.m.
21Hardee County Cattlemen's Assoc. Pre-Sale Dinner Meeting, Cow Belles Kitchen, 7:00 p.m.
22Hardee County All-Breed Bull Sale, Hardee Livestock Market



- Mole Cricket IPM in Florida Pastures and Turfgrasses -


We applied 22 billion beneficial nematodes to 16 ranches and 4 sod farms in south-central Florida to suppress damaging mole crickets and bring economic relief to livestock producers. In September of 2000, nematodes were applied in strips to distribute 0, 1/8, ¼, and ½ billion nematodes per acre to determine the rate of nematode spread within the mole crickets on a Polk City pasture. Number of mole crickets trapped were recorded weekly and samples of mole crickets were analyzed for nematode infection monthly. Mole crickets are very mobile and infected mole crickets spread the nematodes throughout that pasture within a few months. In the fall of 2001, the entire pasture got flooded for several days and the adult mole crickets relocated. However, results show that the nematodes persisted in the soil through the fall and subsequent winter months and have resumed breeding in adult mole crickets during spring 2002. For April 2002, percentage nematode infection at the Polk City site ranged from 30 to 50%. Mole cricket numbers have declined by 65-80% and pasture grass has recovered by 45-100%. To promote widespread distribution of these mole cricket-killing nematodes, the Florida Legislature provided UF-IFAS Mole Cricket Task Force, through FDACS-DPI, $300,000 in 2001. The purpose of those funds was to reestablish a research/demonstration Mole Cricket State Program and conduct an area-wide distribution of the nematodes in Florida. In the first phase of the State Program, Nematac S donated by Micro-Bio, was applied in spring 2001 to seven ranches covering Hardee, DeSoto, Pasco and Polk Counties. Nematodes were applied with a slit-injector in strips at the ¼ and 1/8 billion/A. We observed no differences between the effects of 1/8 and ¼ billion rates of nematode application on infection level. The nematodes applied in spring 2001, persisted in the soil during summer, survived the winter and spread within the adult mole cricket population this spring. Percentage of trapped mole crickets infected with nematodes when averaged over March and April 2002 was as follows: H. Keller (Hardee) 50%; Peace River Ranch (Hardee) 75%; L. Bryant (Hardee) 25%; W. Wise DeSoto) 20%; Al Bar (Pasco) 70%; M. Nutt (Pasco) 50%; and H. Combee (Polk) 20%. In the second phase of the program, nematodes were applied to pasture and sod farms and 13 sites in south-central Florida. Nematac S product was applied in strips only at the 1/8 billion nematodes/A at all sites during fall 2001. The nematodes have spread on pasture from February to April, 2002. For the pasture sites, average March and April ratings for percentage trapped mole crickets infected with nematodes were: D. Barber (Osceola) 71%; Deseret (Osceola) 20%; T. Kibler (Manatee) 35%; M. Taylor (Manatee) 45%; J. Payne (Highlands) 40%; Hollingsworth (DeSoto) 80%; B. Keating (Hardee) 65%; J. B. Starkey (Pasco) 30%; and Yates (Orange) 0%. Similar infection ratings for the sod farms are: Duda (Polk) 75%; Schrodder-Manatee (Manatee) 47%, Bethel (DeSoto) 55% and H & H (Osceola) 10%.

Conclusions

In all three studies, the percentage of trapped mole crickets infected with the nematodes increased steadily from winter through spring in 2002. Any mole cricket infected is expected to die within a few days. The nematodes have done a good job in breeding within the mole crickets and their offspring continue to attack other adult mole crickets in 19 of the 21 sites. Nematodes have persisted in the soil through flood and cold winter months. There has been dramatic recovery of pastures in most cases. We will continue to monitor the spread and grass recovery. Meanwhile, the nematodes became commercially available to ranchers and sod growers this spring and marketing information may be obtained from Becker Underwood's local representative, Gabe Diaz-Saavedra, at 941-350-7291. Information on application can be obtained from you local extension agent or from the Range Cattle REC at 863-735-1314 ext 211.

By Dr. Martin B. Adjei, Forage Agronomist, Range Cattle REC, Ona, FL

For questions or comments regarding this publication contact Lockie Gary

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