shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com July 26, 2016 • Page 5 n HEAT From Page 4 impacts during performance events and shows, please read “Can Heat Stress during Performance Affect Stallion Reproduction?” Tips for Transporting Horses Avoid traveling in the heat of the day: As with all livestock hauling, choose the cooler parts of the day to be on the road because trailers are typically exposed to direct sunlight throughout the trip raising solar radiation heat. “Think of how it feels in the truck cab when the sun beats in the window on your skin even with the air conditioning blowing on you; it’s still hot and uncomfortable in the direct sunlight,” Carroll said. Horses hauled between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be exposed to the hottest temperatures and absorb the most heat during transport than horses hauled during cooler times of the day. Remember, it takes time for the horse to dissipate the heat (increased body temperature, increased respiration rate, increased sweating) and recover before it is expected to perform at its top potential. For more information on the transportation of horses visit iGrow. org. Keep horses hydrated: This may mean offering electrolytes along with cool, fresh water. Horses should be offered water prior to and immediately following transport, regardless of distance travelled. Plan to pack at least 2 to 3 gallons of water per horse while traveling; or know your route of where to stop with sufficient water hydrants. The temperature of the water should be cool to the touch, but not cold. Warm water may also limit water intake, which could lead to slight dehydration. Be proactive and consult your veterinarian and nutritionist concerning electrolyte requirements prior to travel or shows. Open trailer ventilation slots or windows to maximize airflow. Airflow through vents and windows is typically the only air exchange to assist horses coping with the heat stress of transportation. Remember to properly secure any windows and have safety bars in place so horses are not able to stick their heads outside the trailer; also ensure proper rope lengths for ties in the trailer. Avoid keeping horses in a parked trailer for any period of time - Parked trailers only have the airflow from a breeze that is blowing, which is minimal and impacted by the structures the vehicle is parked next to. A horse kept in parked trailers will have a faster rise in body temperature and struggle to relieve itself from the heat inside even a wellventilated trailer. Assess horse health: Monitor vital signs and signs of heat stress before, during, and after transporting horses. While travelling, you can easily check the capillary refill time through a trailer window. Transporting horses of any age, regardless of health status, has a direct impact on their immune system from the general stress it imposes. Do not haul horses that are not healthy or those who are not handling the heat well. Hauling compromised horses will increase the chance of dehydration or other stress related health conditions, such as colic. Spare tires and maintenance: Take the time to properly service trucks and trailers before every trip. Inflate all tires properly, including the spare tire(s). Do not forget to make sure the truck is in good running condition; do not procrastinate repairs or oil changes that could lead to emergency breakdowns during summer heat. iGrow n Potassium Deficient Corn Caused by Dry Soil changes in plant available potassium (K) as shown in the following table. Table 1. Potassium soil test level changes in pre and post planting soil samples in northeast South Dakota in 2016. Pre-Plant Soil Test K BROOKINGS, S.D. - Very dry soil conditions in the northeast have caused soil potassium (K) to become unavailable to crops, especially corn, however Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist said application of potassium fertilizers at this point are not recommended. “The very dry soil will not allow the plants to take up the nutrient,” Bly said. “It’s the extreme soil drying which has temporarily trapped potassium (K) between the clay layers in the soil.” Bly explained that when the soil dries, the clay layers shrink and collapse around the potassium (K). “Cracks in the soil are indicative of clay shrinkage and as soon as precipitation is received the soil will swell and the potassium will become plant available,” he said. Corn plant potassium (K) deficiency symptoms, Bly said, occur on the lower plant leaves at onset and move up the plant as the deficiency worsens. Plant leaves show a yellowing and necrosis (dead tissue) along the leaf margins (edges) with worse symptoms at the leaf tip. “This should not be confused with nitrogen deficiency as it also occurs on the lower leaves of the plant at onset but does not occur along the leaf edges, instead nitrogen deficiency starts at the leaf tip and moves in a V-pattern down the leaf midrib,” Bly said. Soil test comparisons before and after the extreme soil drying show huge In-Season Soil Test K Field ppm (STL) Sample date ppm (STL) Sample date 1 193 (VH) Fall, 2015 122 (H) June, 2016 2 168 (VH) April, 2016 88 (M) June, 2016 STL = soil test level, VH=very high, H=high, M=medium, L=low, VL=very low niGrow MOODY MOTOR NIOBRARA, NE Patrick Hawk 251 Spruce Ave • Box 260 Niobrara, NE 68760 “Full Service Farm Equipment” East Hwy. 50, Yankton, SD 1-800-827-9700 • 605-665-3872 sales@koletzkyimplement.com • www.koletzkyimplement.com www.moodymotor.com pjhawk@hotmail.com (402) 857-3711 (800) 745-5650 Fax (402) 857-3713 TYNDALL MOTORS New 2016 Chevy Suburban LTZ Black, leather, DVD, sunroof, safety alert package New 2016 Chevy Silverado Crew 3/4 ton LT2 Butte red, cloth, heated seats, trailer brake, nicely equipped HURRY! MSRP: $70,995 Rebates Dealer discount SALE $4,500 $4,000 $62,495 Offer expires August 1st! 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