NEWPORT-University of Tennessee Agricultural Specialist Neil Denton treated Newport Kiwanians to an informative program Tuesday regarding the state of agriculture.

      Introduced as "A local country boy doing good," by Kiwanian Reed Bailey, Denton, originally from the Centerview area, has been UT's "go-to" guy for describing anything dependent on photosynthesis or rumination to the public. A regular on WBIR, Denton's knowledge of Tennessee's natural resources has been valuable for troubleshooting problems and questions asked by East Tennesseans.

      BACKYARD BASICS

"I often get chastised because I start off with the bad news," joked Denton when he stepped to the lectern. "Most of this year has been better than last year. We haven't had a freeze but are starting to see canker disease from stress (cracks in bark)." For treating plants or trees with canker disease, Denton said, "The best thing to do is to cut the limb below the (infected) bark and sterilize the pruners with Listerine or Lysol (not Clorox)."

      Denton said to continue watering trees and shrubs and warned against heavy fertilization. "Be careful with pruning," said Denton who added, "The trees have put out three groups of leaves in the past 20 months. They were very stressed last year."

      Hymenopteran pests such as ants have been a reported problem with the drought. "Ants have to have water," said Denton, noting the increase of ant colonies near water hoses and houses last year. He continued, "We have congregated our ants around our homes...mulch is a wonderful place for ants (to build colonies)."

      Denton recommends using a knockdown insecticide, which is effective for a few days, and bait. "Use baits around your house for ants to take back to the colony. Use something that is going to be taken to the nest." Denton said the bait should be used for a couple of weeks. "(We) have to live with them and deal with them as best we can."

THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE

      Denton said that currently, "Prices are good, inputs are higher. Fertilizer costs have tripled in the past two years." For grain farmers, prices are looking good. However, 20-percent of the nation's corn has been lost to flooding in the Mid-West. Closer to home, Denton said, "Farmers around here with cow/calf operations are getting hit hard. Corn prices are at an all-time high."

      The United States produces about 250 million bushels of corn per year. With high prices and the recent loss, which equates to 50 million bushels, Denton posed the question the country must ask itself, "Are we going to produce ethanol for our cars of feed for ourselves. Food prices are going up."

      On the discussion of biofuels, Denton mentioned UT's continued research with cellulosic fuel production from switchgrass. "We're moving forward with switchgrass." Denton said 600 acres have been contracted for growing the crop. Plans for developing a plant in Vonore to process the crop into cellulosic ehtanol are underway and according to reports, should be operating by 2009.

      Regarding ethanol, Kiwanian Rob Mathis asked Denton if Cocke County has the capability to produce a switchgrass crop and whether any financial gains could be reaped from its harvest. Denton said Cocke County does have the capability to produce switchgrass, which grows well on lesser quality soils, if an ethanol plant was within 50 miles of the harvest site, adding, "Cocke County would be a good site."

      Denton told Kiwanians, "The biggest problem I see with switchgrass is establishing it. It costs $1,000 for a bag of seed." However, Denton said, "If managed properly, the crop will stand for 20-years." Yields haven't been determined yet, but are expected to be in the six-to-10 tons/acre range. Aeropro's Dan Ford asked Denton how many gallons of fuel could be produced per acre of switchgrass. "We don't know," said Denton.

      Vaughn Moore asked Denton, "Are there any concerns about wildfires with switchgrass?" Denton said fire is a definite concern with switchgrass and that buildings should be 300-feet from switchgrass stands.

Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan asked Denton what the forecast for 2008's hay crop will be after losing 30-to-40 percent of 2007's yield. Denton said, "I try to stay off meteorology because it's usually wrong. It's going to be tight. The first cutting was good but I don't foresee a good second cutting. Some people in East Tennessee are already feeding hay. There is very little stored (ground) water when we're 16-inches behind."

      Tobacco growing was briefly mentioned during Denton's visit. He said Burley tobacco "Is getting harder to find. Greene, Washington and Hawkins counties still have several hundred acres of tobacco." UT Extension Agent, Steven Huff said Cocke County currently has less than 100-acres of tobacco. David Popiel asked Denton, "Who is providing the world's need for tobacco? Has it shifted?" Denton responded saying the United States still has a lot stock and that the it hasn't really shifted. "Burley demands have fallen because cigarette usage has gone down in the U.S."

      DESIRE FOR HOMEGROWN

      "We're seeing an upsurge around Knoxville of people wanting to buy local produce. Food born illnesses (FBIs) along with high prices are making people want to buy local. If you retail the produce, people will buy it."

      RAPID CHANGE

      Denton was asked how urban development relates to farmland loss. "East Tennessee is changing rapidly." He continued, "Twenty-percent of agriculture land in Knox County has been lost in the past 14-years I've been there." Denton said that although "Some pockets will remain," the rapid development of the local countryside is a harbinger to future population densities across The Volunteer State. "I looked at a population density projection for the year 2050...the whole state was listed as suburban. Of course, that projection was put together when the economy was running like a steam engine."