News

Bruce Steelman, University of Tennessee Extension Service – Cannon County Office

Most of the hay produced for beef cows in Tennessee comes from tall fescue fields. There are, however, a significant number of producers that use summer grasses such as bermudagrass or sorghum x sudangrass hybrids for hay. These plants can be used successfully for hay production. But there is the potential for a buildup of nitrates in these plants, especially during a drought. It is important for producers to understand what nitrate toxicity is and how to prevent it.

What is nitrate poisoning?

Nitrate poisoning occurs when animals consume hay containing high levels of free nitrates. Under drought conditions, both warm-season grasses have the potential to accumulate high levels of nitrates, especially if they have been fertilized with nitrogen. Feeding hay that was cut during or just after a drought should be avoided. Nitrate accumulation occurs because the plant continues to take up nitrogen through the roots, but drought conditions cause an inadequate water supply for rapid plant growth. Nitrates are accumulated in the plant for use in protein formation when adequate water becomes available.

When the animal consumes a plant with high nitrate levels, the nitrogen is converted from nitrate to a form called nitrite. These nitrites get into the blood stream and interfere with the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. Animals suffering from nitrate poisoning exhibit labored breathing, muscle tremors and staggering. Membranes of the eyes and mouth are bluish because of the lack of oxygen. Death can occur relatively quickly.

Preventing nitrate accumulation in plants

Nitrate toxicity is the most common toxicity during a drought. The chances for high nitrates are increased if the crop has been fertilized with nitrogen. Do not fertilize summer grasses with nitrogen if adequate moisture for growth is not available. If a period of drought occurs, do not cut or graze the crop until it starts to grow after a rain. If you have any suspicions that nitrate levels may be high, contact your local Extension office for information about getting forage tested for nitrate levels.

Detecting high nitrate hays

Prevention is the best way to deal with nitrate toxicity. However, if a hay cutting is suspected of having high nitrates, it can be analyzed to determine the nitrate content. Since the nitrate level in hay will not decrease during storage, it is important to have the hay analyzed prior to feeding. The UT Soil, Plant and Pest Center can determine forage nitrate content.

Contact the Cannon County UT Extension office for more information 615-563-2554. Table 1 lists a scale of the toxicity of increasing nitrate levels in hay.

Table 1. Guide to determine the potential for nitrate toxicity in hay.
Nitrate level (ppm, DM basis) Comments

0 – 2,500 SAFE Generally considered safe to feed.

2,500 – 5,000 CAUTION Generally safe when fed with a balanced ration. For pregnant animals limit to one-half of total dry ration. Do not feed with liquid feed or other non-protein nitrogen supplements. Be cautious with pregnant or young animals.

5,000 – 15,000 DANGER Limit to one-fourth of ration. Should be well fortified with energy, minerals and Vitamin A. May experience milk production loss in 4 -5 days, possible occurrence of reproduction problems.

Over 15,000 TOXIC Toxic. Do not use in free-choice feeding program. Feed with such high levels should be ground and limited to 15% of total ration.

have signed Gov. Lee’s 2020 suicide prevention proclamation. For the first time since its inception, the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network has secured signed suicide prevention proclamations from all 95 Tennessee county mayors.

The proclamations declare September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and denote a commitment to suicide prevention in Tennessee. Proclamations from 67 cities and 3 universities were secured, as well.

“These proclamations are a testament to the statewide dedication and support of local government leaders acknowledging September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness month,” stated TSPN Interim Executive Director Misty Leitsch. “The support and acknowledgement from local government and Governor Lee go to show that leaders in Tennessee are taking suicide prevention seriously.”

TSPN staff and volunteers worked throughout the month of September and beyond to secure these proclamations from local leaders.

In a video recorded for TSPN’s annual statewide event held September 9, Gov. Lee stated, “I strongly believe in the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network’s mission to save lives and to connect with people across our state. Their purpose is critical because they educate Tennesseans on the warning signs of suicide and give resources to those in our community who need them most.”

Suicide prevention resources, as well as information on upcoming events and trainings all over Tennessee, can be found online at tspn.org.

The board of Mayor and Alderman for the town of Woodbury met in regular session Tuesday night. During the meeting, a public hearing was conducted regarding Ordinance Number 515. The ordinance will amend the zoning map of the town of Woodbury in regard to a parcel wishing to be re-zoned to I-1, industrial. The action was recommended by the Woodbury Planning Commission. The property in question is located off Doolittle Road and is known as Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital.  During the earlier meeting of the Planning Commission, the board was asked to consider approval of new signage at the facility, that could only be approved with re-zoning the property to industrial.  

Following the public hearing, Ordinance Number 515 changing the property to industrial was approved by the Alderman.

Mayor Duggan asked that a special meeting, be scheduled for October 22nd at 4:00 PM, the meeting will be to review and approve bids for the Parker Hill water tank project. The construction of a new tower will provide over double the current capacity of the existing tank.  The mayor also asked to schedule a meeting of the beer board immediately the bid meeting on the 22^nd. The beer board meeting will be at 4:15 PM. Both meeting will be at town hall.

In other action Alderman Faye Knox ask the city to consider an in kind donation to an upcoming festival scheduled on the public square on Halloween. The donation would provide advertising for the event. The pumpkin festival is promoted as a safer alternative for children (and their parents) on Halloween. During the COVID-19 pandemic, trick or tricking will be difficult as many residents will not be participating.

In other action by the Mayor and Board of Alderman, the November meeting has been changed from November 3^rd (election day) to the next Tuesday, November 10^th.

Governor Bill Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG) today announced an initial $50 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds for the new Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) program to provide additional relief to small businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new wave of funding includes specific support for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses, as well as businesses owned by disabled persons.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and supporting them through these difficult times has been one of the core missions of the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group,” said Gov. Lee. “The SERG program will provide further relief to small businesses, especially those who may not have been able to access previous federal and state relief funds.”

Small business owners and non-profit organizations can apply to receive reimbursement for eligible direct expenses or costs incurred as a result of business interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program’s application window will opened today and will remain open until December 29, 2020, or until all funds are depleted. Please note:

• Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis;
• Awards are capped at $30,000. Businesses located in low to moderate income (“LMI”) census tracts, Opportunity zones, or Promise zones will receive an additional $500 added to the maximum allowable expenses;
• 10% of all funds distributed under this program will be reserved for eligible diversity business enterprises, classified as minority business enterprises, women business enterprises, or service-disabled veteran business enterprises, and enterprises owned by disabled persons.

The period for reimbursable expenses is May 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020. Eligible expenses and business interruption costs include but are not limited to:

• Costs to create social distancing measures
• Purchasing personal protective equipment for employees or customers
• Contactless equipment
• Payroll expenses
• Mortgage interest

The SERG program follows the previously allocated $300 million for more than 40,000 qualifying businesses under the Tennessee Business Relief Program.

To apply and learn more about what is eligible for reimbursement, please visit https://tncaresact.tn.gov/SERG. For application assistance, please call 1-833-740-1438 or email support@TNCARESACT.com.

Woodbury Director of Public Works, Shane Gannon issued the following release this morning.

The Town of Woodbury Solid Waste Department would like to notify its customers that due to mechanical breakdowns to one of our garbage trucks, your curbside garbage pickup could be late.  We will be running our normal route on Tuesday, but we could be behind and if we do not finish, we will finish on Wednesday.  Once again, if your garbage is not picked up today (Tuesday), we will get it tomorrow (Wednesday).

We are sorry for any inconvenience and if you have questions please call Shane Gannon at 615-562-4221.                                                  

Tennesseans must register to vote by 11:59 tonight, Oct. 5, to be able to cast a ballot in the Nov. 3 State and Federal General Election. “I encourage all Tennesseans to register to vote or make sure their registration is up-to-date before the deadline tonight,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “It is important for all of us to make our voice heard at the polls. Thankfully you can safely register in minutes with our online voter registration system.” Registering to vote, updating your address or checking your registration status is fast, easy and secure with the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system. Any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security can register online from any computer or mobile device at GoVoteTN.com. Voters can also download a paper voter registration application at GoVoteTN.com. Completed paper voter registration applications must be submitted or postmarked today, Oct. 5, to your local county election commission office. You can find the mailing address for your county election commission on our website, https://tnsos.org/elections/election_commissions.php.  Early voting starts Wednesday, Oct. 14, and runs Monday to Saturday until Thursday, Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3. For the latest information on the upcoming election, follow the Secretary of State’s social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate. For more information about registering to vote, voter eligibility, photo IDs, and other Election Day details, visit GoVoteTN.com or call the Division of Elections toll-free 1-877-850-4959.

Cannon County Schools would like to inform Parents and Guardians that Wednesday, October 7^th, 2020 and Wednesday, October 14^th, 2020 will be Remote Learning Days for ALL Students in Cannon County Schools.  This means that students will NOT be “On-Campus” at their schools on these dates, but will be learning at home on these dates.  Teachers and ALL Staff Personnel will report to their respective schools to utilize these days to work on Distance Learning activities and supports for our students.  Custodians will utilize this time for additional deep cleaning of the schools, and our Food Service Employees will be delivering meals via Cannon County School Buses to students and families on their routes during these Remote Learning Days for all students.

Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis stated, “Our Cannon County Schools Teachers and Staffs have been working diligently to make our Distance Learning Program succeed.  In doing double and even triple the amount of work, they need more time to get things done.  We already have had an In-Service Day on Monday, September 28^th, 2020 that Teachers worked on various activities; then on Wednesday, October 7^th, 2020 during this Remote Learning Day for ALL Students; followed by an additional Remote Learning Day on Wednesday, October 14^th, 2020. This results in three four day weeks up to Fall Break, which is scheduled on October 19^th – 23^rd, 2020 for our Students, Faculty and Staff.  Additional Remote Learning Days may be scheduled on Wednesdays in November and December if needed. An announcement concerning these possible days will be made after Fall Break.  My sincere thanks to Teachers and Staff Personnel for their hard work and persistence in this unprecedented time.  We additionally appreciate our Parents/Guardians for their patience and willingness to work with our dedicated family of educators, who each day work to fulfill OUR VISION – ‘Engaged in Excellence EVERY Day in EVERY Way!’ through our MISSION – ‘To Create a Unified Environment That Will Provide Opportunities for All Students to Reach Their Full Potential!”  

In accordance with the current scientific understanding of COVID-19, Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group issued updated guidance today for businesses and other activities under the Tennessee Pledge. The updates follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and maintain emphasis on key preventative measures such as mask wearing, social distancing and frequent disinfection. The update follows executive orders signed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee earlier this week.

“Our businesses have gone to great lengths to put in place strong measures to protect their employees, customers, and communities,” said Gov. Lee. “The updated Tennessee Pledge enables businesses to better sustain best practices with foundational pieces that help lead to healthy communities and open businesses.”

The updated and streamlined guidance aligns with recent amendments to state-issued Executive Orders and enable Tennessee businesses to operate with more flexibility where social distancing protocols remain in place. Full guidelines can be found at TNpledge.com, and include such updates as:

• Rather than recommending strict capacity limitations for attractions and entertainment, guidelines focus on case-by-case flexibility and provide examples for incorporating social distancing.
• Focusing on preventing COVID-19 transmission from close physical contact rather than surface transmission, though regular disinfection and hand hygiene remain important. For example, retail establishments may resume use of reusable bags. 
• Hotels may resume valet and reopen unstaffed gyms.
• Removing the recommendation to close playgrounds, provided that social distancing is followed to the extent possible.

Effective Monday, September 28, 2020, customers of the Smithville USDA Service Center will be able conduct business in person in the office by appointment only. Visitors will be pre-screened based on health concerns or recent travel and must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors must wear a face covering during their appointment.

Visitors must call ahead and schedule an appointment.

Farm Service Agency: (615) 597-8225, Ext. 2

Natural Resources Conservation Service & DeKalb County Soil Conservation District: (615) 597-8225, Ext. 3

Employees may also be contacted by email at the following email addresses: 

Farm Service Agency: donald.green@usda.gov

Natural Resources Conservation Service: gene.robinson@usda.gov

Soil Conservation District: mary.houk@tn.nacdnet.net

Our program delivery staff will also continue to work with producers by phone and using online tools for those who do not feel comfortable coming to the Service Center in person.

Online services are still available to customers, including our new Box and OneSpan functionality that enable customers to sign and share FSA and NRCS documents with USDA Service Center staff in just a few clicks. Producers can get started with a simple username and password for Box or, for OneSpan, a quick identity verification. Additional services are available to customers with an eAuth account, which provides access to the farmers.gov portal where producers can view USDA farm loan information and payments and view and track certain USDA program applications and payments. Through the FSA website, customers can access certain FSA programs and view FSA data, including maps, on FSAfarm+.  Customers who do not already have an eAuth account can enroll at farmers.gov/sign-in. 

For the most current updates on program flexibilities due to the coronavirus visit farmers.gov/coronavirus. 

“Please vote for the only Cannon County agency in the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Grant contest – the Child Advocacy Center!” said Child Advocacy Center Cannon County Coordinator Amanda Hammond. 

This is the ninth year of the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Grant program.  State Farm will award $25,000 to forty non-profit organizations across the nation.  You have an opportunity to play a part in $25,000 coming to the Child Advocacy Center.  You can vote up to 10 times per day until October 2, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. 

Registering to vote is simple.  Go on the State Farm Neighborhood Assist website at www.neighborhoodassist.com.  Use your email address to create an account and your own password.  Then click the link to vote.  Scroll down to the Tennessee organizations and choose one of the Rutherford County agencies.  It is that simple! 

The Child Advocacy Center is a non-profit agency that works as a multidisciplinary team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office to respond to child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug endangered children cases.  In the last 20 years, the team has responded to over 16,000 child abuse cases and assisted over 24,000 Rutherford and Cannon County children and their families. 

“Financially, it is a tough time for non-profit agencies right now.  As a small nonprofit agency, we are very grateful for your support.  Please use this link to vote for the Child Advocacy Center https://www.neighborhoodassist.com/entry/2034563,” concluded Hammond.   

If you need any assistance registering to vote contact the Child Advocacy Center at 615-563-9915.