On Friday afternoon, the CIF Southern Section office released the teams that have been selected for their first ever Open Division postseason tournament bracket. The stated goal of the Open Division was to take the best teams from across all divisions and place them into one gauntlet featuring Southern Californias best teams.

Of course, with any selection process, whether its the BCS or the Open Division, conversation was bound focus on who was left off the list as much as it focused on who made it. From Moore League, Compton, made it in, but the biggest surprise of the day across all of SoCal was that Long Beach Polys boys team didnt make it.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (as far as a surprise factor), tweeted Ronnie Flores, one of the editors of Cal-Hi Sports, not having Long Beach Polyis a 10.

The Jackrabbits had been on the Open Division Watch List issued weekly by the CIF-SS for the entire season, and every single media prediction in SoCal had them as a lock entry, with Cal-Hi Sports mock bracket seeding them 10th out of the 16 teams selected.

Poly coach Shelton Diggs was at the postseason Moore League coaches meeting when the list was released, and said a charge went through the room at the surprising news.

Its a slap in the face, plain and simple, he said.

At issue is the fact that Compton, who finished second place in the Moore League behind Poly, did make the list.

"Us in over Poly? asked Tarbabes coach Tony Thomas. They're the best team in the area over the last four years, period. I just don't get it.

As was the case across much of the Southland, coaches saw the grass on the other side of the fence as greener regardless of whether they made the list or were left off. For Diggs, it was a matter of respect. If that division is the best we want to be there, thats the Poly way, he said.

Truthfully, being left off puts the Jackrabbits in a better spot. If last weeks rankings stay the same, Poly would enter the Division 1AA bracket as the top seed, as they were the top-ranked team to not make the Open Division. Poly was ranked No. 6, the next highest team to stay in 1AA is Rancho Cucamonga, at No. 8.

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Basketball: Poly Boys Snubbed From Open Division

Question: After years of neglect, my "lawn" is a complete wreck. It is green, all right, consisting of every green weed known to man. Should I get my soil tested? Should I chemically treat and kill the lawn and start over?

Answer: The answer to your first question is easy: Yes. Getting your soil in good shape is the first step toward growing a healthy lawn, whether you decide to try to save the one you have or start over. A soil test will tell you which nutrients your soil is lacking, so you can feed it accordingly. It will also tell you the soil's pH level, which determines whether the grass plants can use the nutrients in the soil.

There are other things you can do to improve your lawn, including giving it a core aeration and top-dressing it with compost. Mowing properly is important, too, because it helps the grass stay healthy so it can out-compete the weeds.

From your description, however, it sounds like you're going to have to renovate the lawn, either by over-seeding or replacing it. Over-seeding involves dethatching and aerating or slitting the lawn, and then spreading seed over the existing grass. Replacing the lawn is what you referred to: killing the existing grass and planting new.

-- McClatchy-Tribune News

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Lawn & Garden: What can be done with a lawn gone bad?

May 1 (two to three weeks) squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini, watermelon, muskmelon.

Materials needed

Use soil-less seed starting mixes like Jiffy Mix, Miracle Gro Seeding Mix or one recommended by your local greenhouse.

Containers should be about 2 inches deep, such as greenhouse trays, pie tins, egg cartons or any trays with bottom drain holes added. Use separate trays for each type because seeds grow at different rates. Also needed are wooden or plastic labels or stakes. We make our own by cutting plastic milk jugs into stakes 4 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Why not seed directly into the final larger pots or cell-packs? Why seed into trays and then transplant? Because its easier to provide optimum germination conditions for a seed tray than a larger grouping of pots. Seedlings become stockier as you transplant them slightly deeper into the final container.

Procedure

1. Moisten the seeding mix the previous day by adding water to the bag and stirring by hand. Dry mixes can be difficult to water after seeding.

2. Fill containers almost to the top with mix, then gently firm and level.

3. Seeds may be broadcast over the surface of the mix or planted in rows. Being of German stock, I prefer neat rows. Press a ruler or pencil into the mix to make shallow furrows.

4. Planting depth is important, and its usually shallower than we might expect. Small seeds like petunia can be merely pressed into the mix after sowing. Larger seeds can be sown into a furrow and covered with mix, or place the seeds on the surface and sprinkle mix over the top. As a rule of thumb sow seeds at a depth equal to two or three times the seeds diameter. Its better to err on the shallow side.

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Growing Together: Scoffing at the Season: Banish winter by starting seeds indoors

You probably don't want to think about summer forages and grazing with all of the talk about dangerous wind chills, the polar vortex, and lots of snow. However, you should be because spring and summer are just around the corner.

This is a good time to study new developments in forage varieties and pasture grass species.

The 2014 seed and forage guides are out, and varietal test results have been published. If seed is not yet ordered for frost seeding, planned renovation, new pasture development, or for summer annuals, it should be done before supplies are reduced. Key points in pasture and forage development include choice of adapted varieties and species that will persist for several years and adding legumes to provide nitrogen. Some research has recommended diversifying pasture and forage systems to include warm season species in the summer and annual cool season species in the fall. Why should summer annuals be considered by all dairy producers? They are very drought tolerant and can fill a gap in feed when other species experience the "summer slump". They are great emergency forages during dry weather and are multipurpose, so you can be use them for grazing, silage, or for baling.

During the summer of 2013, we planted two summer annuals for grazing for the first time at the University of Minnesota West-Central Research and Outreach Center dairy in Morris. BMR sorghum-sudangrass and teff grass were planted to create a more uniform and extended forage supply. These grasses were seeded with a drill on May 28, 2013, but because of the late spring, this was about 2 weeks later than what we had planned.

BMR sorghum-sudangrass has increased in popularity due to the BMR gene and increased NDF digestibility (5 to 10% higher than regular sorghum-sudangrass). The plants have thick stems and are very leafy. Sorghum-sudangrass has moderate regrowth potential, but you should not graze or cut for forage until the plants are at least 18 inches tall to reduce prussic acid concentration. The ideal height for forage is 18 to 36 inches tall. When grazing sorghum-sudangrass, animals should be moved so they leave 6 to 8 inches of stubble, but they might waste 20 to 30% of the forage through grazing. Lastly, sorghums and sudangrasses are luxury consumers of potassium, so they should not be used for dry cow forages. For seeding rate, we seeded our fields and pastures at 20 pounds per acre.

Teff grass is native to Northern Africa. Teff is drought tolerant and can be seeded into many different soil types. With this grass, you will have high yield with competitive forage quality, and will have rapid growth for 9 to 12 weeks. The seed is very, very small, and we seeded our pastures at 8 pounds per acre.

Both of these annuals should be planted at 60 to 65 degree soil temperature and planted 1 to 1.5 inches deep. Perhaps manure should be added as a fertilizer before planting because they have nitrogen requirements that are similar to corn.

The table shows averages for forage quality of BMR sorghum-sudangrass, teff grass, and cool-season grasses during 2013. The cool-season species consist of mixtures of smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, red and white clover, and alfalfa. The dry matter of the sorghum-sudangrass was low because the cattle grazed the fresh forage in the early vegetative state. The summer annuals were not as high in crude protein as the cool-season grasses. However, with lower crude proteins, we probably improved nitrogen utilization of the milking herd. The ADF values of the grasses were very similar and are within the range of low 30s to mid-50s. All of these grass species were high in digestibility. The NDF levels were higher for the summer annual grasses compared to cool-season species. However, the total tract NDF digestibility (TTNDFD) was lowest for the teff grass. The TTNDFD is a measure of how much of the fiber is digestible, how fast the fiber digests, and how long a cow holds the fiber in the digestive system. The summer annuals were similar to the cool-season grasses for sugar and non-fiber carbohydrates, and they provided similar net energy for lactation and milk per ton as the cool season grasses.

Remember, sorghum-sudangrass and teff grass are not replacements for cool-season forages, but should be added to a forage program to complement the cool-season grasses. If there is a drought or dry weather, these two forages may prevent you from having to buy expensive hay during a drought. If you need any assistance with these unique forages or would like more information please contact me at 320-589-1711 or hein0106@umn.edu.

Results for forage quality of BMR sorghum-sudangrass, teff grass, and cool-season grasses during 2013 at the University of Minnesota-WCROC dairy.

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Plan now for summer forages and grazing

As the February 28 deadline approaches for Fairview-area farmers to insure their pasture and hay land this year, above-average to normal snow cover across the Peace region and much of the province has livestock producers feeling hopeful about the potential growth theyll get on their hay and pasture once the snow melts this spring.

We had a relatively dry fall so all of the snow weve gotten so far this winter should definitely help kick-start growth on forage crops in the spring depending on how slow or fast it melts and how much of that moisture soaks in. There is very little frost in the ground so that should help in terms of snow melt moving into the ground this spring, says Calvin Yoder, a forage specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) in the Peace region. He adds the thick blanket of snow should also help insulate perennial forage plants, reducing the risk of winterkill this year.

Dry Soil Conditions Beneath the Snow

In the M.D. of Fairview, provincial moisture maps show that soil moisture beneath the snow as of late January is generally moderately low to low. Snow cover is generally moderately high.

Perennial hay and pasture crops depend on plenty of moisture early in the spring for healthy growth, says Yoder. So in the end, it always comes down to spring moisture and rainfall in late May and early June. Thats what really makes or breaks our forage production across the region every year, he says.

Last year, dry conditions in early spring and late summer triggered more than $4.4 million in hay and pasture insurance in some areas across the province, including the M.D. of Fairview, says John Kresowaty, with Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC). AFSC is the Crown corporation that provides crop insurance to Alberta farmers on behalf of the provincial and federal governments.

When the rain finally came in late May and June, we ended up with strong growth on hay and pasture in most regions, says Kresowaty. He notes last years total payout is among the lowest in more than a decade due to favourable precipitation and good growing conditions in June and July. The highest payout years for hay and pasture insurance were during the droughts of 2009 when $56 million was paid in claims, and 2002 when $89 million was paid out.

Of course, nobody can predict what will happen this spring, says ARD provincial soil moisture specialist, Ralph Wright. It could be wet or the snow could melt quickly and things could turn hot and dry. If its a cold spring, the snow could linger, delaying hay and pasture growth. Theres still two months of winter left. Anythings possible. Its really a wait-and-see game because weather is so random, says Wright.

7.5 Million Acres Insured

Unpredictable weather is the biggest reason Alberta producers insure about 7.5 million acres of hay and pasture across the province every year through AFSC Perennial Insurance programs, says Kresowaty.

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AFSC reminds producers of Feb 28 deadline for hay and pasture insurance 0

COLUMBIA, Mo. Winter seeding clover over grass pastures works best in February. Frozen fields are ideal and a snow cover makes seeding easier.

Adding a legume to fescue or other cool-season grass makes money, says Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist. Investing in clover seed is more profitable than investing in Wall Street, he said.

There are at least four reasons for overseeding legumes into grass pastures, Kallenbach says. It is so easy. But the main reason is legumes add pounds of gain on beef calves.

Weve recommended adding clover for years, Kallenbach says. But now, with the price of calves, it means more money.

Four years ago, calves sold for a dollar a pound. Now they can double that.

MU grazing studies show an extra quarter pound of gain a day from calves on clover-mix pastures.

If that doesnt sound like much, multiply that out by 200 days from birth to weaning. Thats an extra 50 pounds per calf, Kallenbach says. Do the math for your herd for all your calves.

Clover makes a big difference in diluting toxins from endophyte-infected tall fescue. Endophyte, a fungus in the fescue, cuts calf daily gains and reduces milk from mama cows.

Results are even better on nontoxic fescues.

For all those benefits, the investment in seed and labor is modest, Kallenbach says.

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Seed legumes on snowy frozen field, says MU forage specialist

Print Create a hardcopy of this page Font Size: Default font size Larger font size David Davis

Posted: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 2:11 pm

It's time to think about frost seeding clover By David Davis Clark County Extension Agent Central Kentucky News |

Incorporating clovers into an existing grass pasture or hayfield is a beneficial practice and should be considered by all livestock producers.

Having established clover in a pasture or hayfield decreases the need for nitrogen application if it contains more than 25 percent clover. This is because clovers have nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in their roots. These bacteria take nitrogen from the atmosphere, convert it to a form taken up by the grasses and legumes, and make it available in the soil for grasses and legumes to take up.

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It's time to think about frost seeding clover

The location may be a little different from previous matches but dont expect the intensity to lose its luster.

Getting district play started with a strong effort could go a long away for playoff seeding as Denison (6-3-1) faces Sherman (4-6-1) in the District 17-4A opener Saturday at noon at Denison High School after being pushed back from Friday night due to the weather.

With Munson Stadium and its artificial playing surface under construction, the Jackets are playing their home matches on their grass, but mostly dirt, practice field behind the high school.

Theres definitely some adjustment, Denison head coach Scotty Voight said. Its a challenge coming from what weve had in the past. If youre able to go out and play the way we play, it should be fine.

Last season the rivals were on virtually on the same level in making the postseason. With four teams advancing in the five-team district and Anna going winless, the only question by the end of the regular season was seeding.

Any game in district is going to be important, Voight said. You dont want to have that mentality to make it up on the other end. You look a third and fourth but with this team you want to be No. 1.

Sherman won the first match-up, 3-2, before Denison rebounded in the re-match with a 3-1 victory and that turned out to be the slightest difference in the final standings.

The Jackets took third place with nine points, just a point in front of the Bearcats.

Thats the biggest difference, Sherman head coach Chico Aleman said. We will be competitive for a playoff spot. If you get in, who knows? You can never predict what will happen.

Denison, which is attempting to make consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in program history, has almost equaled it victory total from last season. The Jackets won their first four games and need just one more win to match a season ago when they finished with a 7-12-2 mark.

The rest is here:
Sherman, Denison to clash in district soccer

Work on a $700,000 project designed to reduce some of the worst impacts and risks from the flooding that plagues Kaeo is on schedule and now more than 50 percent complete.

Bruce Howse, Land/Rivers Senior Programme Manager for the Northland Regional Council, says the work on the project began late last year and aims to protect the town from destructive, high-speed floodwater rushing through it.

Mr Howse says while the scheme includes a roughly 1km long network of three-metre high stopbanks, it is not designed (nor intended to) stop flooding from occurring.

"What it is designed to do is to deflect damaging, high-speed floodwaters away from the town with a series of stopbanks and essentially convert it into slow-speed back-water flooding."

Mr Howse says the work - at this stage expected to be finished on schedule at the end of next month - is being funded via a roughly 50/50 split between central government ($386,000) and a targetted rate on approximately 2200 local properties.

He says good progress has been made to date overall, with a several-hundred metre long flood wall on the Whangaroa College grounds complete and scheme drainage and the works main stopbank from the Pohue Pa to the college progressing well. A large spillway cut upstream of those works was also about 50% complete.

Mr Howse says collectively, the Kaeo works will slow the speed of future floods and should make them much less damaging and dangerous.

"Its definitely not a silver bullet solution but it will make it easier for residents to protect flood-prone properties with sandbags and other tools like flood shutters."

"Kaeo is built on a floodplain and has flooded for as long as recorded history. Its position and local geography means a practical and affordable solution to stop flooding from happening competely is simply not possible."

Meanwhile, Mr Howse says a temporary river crossing for machinery to haul earth across the Kaeo River from the spillway to the stopbanks has also been working well.

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Kaeo flood risk reduction works 'progressing well'

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, 12:01a.m. Updated 16 hours ago

Quaker Valley athletes and community groups who use Chuck Knox Stadium next fall will be greeted with a new artificial turf district leaders say will be safer.

Board members last week approved, 8-1, spending about $439,500 to replace turf at the stadium in Leetsdale.

Board member Marianne Wagner voted no, citing unknown costs of any drainage work beneath the surface.

The cost that doesn't include whatever it's going to cost for cleaning out the drains if they need to be cleaned out, she said. So I think it's going to be more than this.

Administrative services Director Joe Marrone said crews will inspect the drains. He was unsure of what conditions might be like in the drains.

If we find we have a bad sewer or something under there an unforeseen condition that might be an additional cost, we'll come back to (the board), Marrone said.

The field's current surface was installed in 2004, district leaders said.

Several Quaker Valley High School sports teams use the field, including girls soccer, boys soccer, football, girls lacrosse and boys lacrosse. In addition, the marching band, cheerleaders and middle school sports use the field.

Outside of Quaker Valley-sanctioned events, community groups and sports teams use the surface.

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Quaker Valley scores $439K deal for new field turf