Ag Line:Project S.A.F.E.
By Wade Parker County Extension Coordinator

The Jenkins County 4-H Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun, and Education) shotgun team will hold their first practice Sunday, February 17. Project S.A.F.E. teaches kids shooting skills and gun safety, while at the same time allows them to have fun. Shooters improve their marksmanship by shooting clay targets ejected from throwers. Participation is open to 4-H'ers in grades 6th- 12th. Sixth graders can attend practices and team meetings and are allowed to shoot at the district match, but will not be allowed to qualify for state. The registration fee is $70 for 7th-12th graders and $45 for 6th graders. This fee helps cover targets, insurance, and registration for district/ state matches. This fee does not cover shotgun shells, which will be sold at practices for $7/ box. At each practice, you will shoot two boxes of shells. The practices are held at the Jenkins County landfill at 2:00 p.m.

If you have an interest in shooting sports and have a desire to improve your marksmanship, this is the project for you. If you would like more information concerning Project S.A.F.E., please call the 4-H Office at 982-4408.

Fertilizing Wheat

It will soon be time to sidedress wheat and other small grains with Nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen rates and timing of application are key management factors for making good wheat yields. As wheat emerges from dormancy, the demand for Nitrogen goes up. If you are planting behind peanuts or soybeans, you may want to decrease the N rate by 15 lbs. However, keep in mind that several factors, including environmental, are going to dictate the timing of the N that is released from plant residue. If you are shooting for wheat yields of 40- 70 bushels/acre, use a total N rate of 80-100 lbs/acre. Use the lower rate on heavier soils and the higher rate on sandier soils. If you have not applied any prior herbicides such as 2, 4-D or Harmony Extra, then it will be necessary to apply a pint of 2, 4-D/acre.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.