D4—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 2,1983 UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn sylvania alfalfa growers can ex pect to lose at least $8.5 million this year from damage inflicted by the potato leafhopper. That’s ac cording to a study conducted by Art Mower, entomologist at Penn State University. “When we collected our data, the leafhopper count was at a 10-year low," Mower notes. “In an average year, growers will probably lose even more. The damage we measured was primarily from leafhoppers and although other insects not considered pests were present, the study didn’t include alfalfa weevils. And the blotch leafmtner count was low. So you can see why growers should be alert to alfalfa insects.” The leafhopper is harmful because of its effect on the crop it leaves behind. “Alfalfa infested by the leafhopper produces more fiber and less protein, thus reducing the plant’s quality as a feed. And, it also reduces root reserves that the plant needs for regrowth," Hower adds. "This damage is less obvious than a yield reduction, but it may be more important economically in the long run.” The entomologist reports that the leafhopper, a 1/8 inch long, bright yellowish-green insect, does not overwinter in' the Northeast. He says it’s probably carried into the region on northward air masses from the Gulf Coast each spring. “The insects are typically brought m on storqi fronts and fallout occurs all along the edge of the frontal system," Hower ex plains. Usually most damaging to WHAT THIS MAN KNOWS ABOUT HARMING COULD FIU.ADOOK Farming It’s a complex business. No surprise to you, of course. We only mention it because when it comes to getting a farm loan, we know vou don't want to have to start at ground zero and explain the expenses of livestock, machinery', construction, mortgages raid operating expenses to a novice loan officer. Which is why we suggest vou turn to Bob Badger, the head of our Agricultural Loan Division. Bob knows tanning inside out and upside down. He's Ixren helping our community's fanners meet their business objectives for \vaiv So when it comes to f.mn loans, he takes a vciv mteivsting jxnnt of new vonrs Pa. alfalfa growers lose millions to pests second and third cuttings, - the optimum tune to scout for these insects is from mid-June through mid-August. Leafhoppers cause the most harm to alfalfa that is less than 6 inches tall. An insecticide treat ment is called for in alfalfa less than 3 inches tall if an average of 0.2 leafhopper is found per sweep with an insect net 15 inches in diameter. Alfalfa taller than 12 inches has an economic threshold of 1.5 to 2 leafhoppers per sweep. These figures are based upon a hay value of $BO/ton, a control cost of $B/acre and an average yield of oneton/acre. Identifying and controlling in sects is Important to alfalfa growers in Pennsylvania, since the state produces more than 800,000 acres of legume annually. For tunately, according to Bill Angstadt of Reading Bone Fer tilizer in Berks County, fighting alfalfa pests has taken a turn for the better recently. “Foryears we’ve used a number of different insecticides for various insects, but we’ve never gotten the broad spectrum control we were after,” explains Angstadt. “Then last year we took advantage of a new registration for a product we’d used for several years in com. Lorsban 4E was labeled for 11 insects in alfalfa and we used it on several hundred acres with good results. The product got a good workout because 1982 was a bad year for both leafhoppers and blotch leafmmers here in eastern Pennsylvania.” How can fanners tell when the crop is most vulnerable to an in- Next time vou need to talk to it banker iilxnit financingyour business, f iilk to the banker who understands your business... Bob Badger at Bank of Lancaster County. Visit Bob at our Strasburg office or give him ii call rind iLskhim to visit vou. Bank of Lancaster County MnnlxT H) I.C ,\j4nniitur,il !/i,m Division f ViiUtnju.uv. sect outbeakV Don Baldwin, technical service and development specialist for Dow Chemical in Pennsylvania, says young or recently cut alfalfa should be watched most closely for pest damage. "Growers should pay special attention to early-season crop growth and regrowth after cut tings,” Baldwin advises. "For example, a lack of fertilizer or poor weather that would slow spring alfalfa growth could be an invitation to the alfalfa weevil. A plant is m the most danger just after it has begun its early growth. Most of the damage is done by weevil larvae. As larval feeding progresses, leaves become shredded and take on a gray ap pearance. If a stand doesn’t begin to green up within three to four days after cutting, an insecticide treatment may be in order. Two applications are sometimes needed to provide full protection. Insecticide should be sprayed when 25% of the leaf tips are skeletonized and there are two or more larvae per stem. It’s impossible to over emphasize die importance of good scouting and timely reaction to an insect problem. For example, by the tune visual evidence of a blotch leaftniner infestation has been detected later in the season, their feeding cycle may already be completed. The resulting damage will be a substantial loss of foliage HEAVY HAULER As tough as you can buy. Kasten model 21 forage box with 9-ton capacity: • Handles heavier loads with beefed up support • More capacity with new flat roof • Durable, attractive steel sides • Convenient hinged endgate all steel IttKASTEN See Your Local Dealer MSTEN MFC. COMP- AIXOtTOn W MM2 <4l4 \ «*55l I BOHNERT SALES DUNKLE I. GREIB & SERVICE Mill Han. pa Liberty. PA 717-726-3115 717-324-2431 Centre Han. PA 814-364-1421 iMACKAN’S SALES INC. FARNSWORTH Rt. 31. Acme PA FARM SUPPLIES 412-423-4666 Huehesville PA Rt. 219. Somerset, PA 717 584 2106 814-443-4197 GRUMELLI’S FARM SERVICE ERNEST SHOVER FARM EQUIP Quarryville, PA Carlisle, PA 717-786-7318 717-249-2239 after the next cutting. The adult leafmmer is a tiny, dull black, humpback fly, best recognized by its egg laying, which leaves pinhole marks on the leaves. Dodds rejoins ABS DeFORES, Wise. J. Douglas Dodds has rejoined American Breeders Service as Dairy Market Manager. Dodds joined ABS originally in 1960 as a District Sales Manager in New York and was later promoted to Regional Sales Manager for the New England states. In 1968, he transfered to ABS head office, in DeForest, Wisconsin, to head.up the Genetic Mating Service Program. In 1974, Dodds returned to the position of Regional Sales Manager and served in Wisconsin until ,1978, when be left ABS to become National Secretary to the Ayrshire Breeders Association, with headquarters in Brandon, Vt. In his new position, Dodds will coordinate company activities involved in dairy market analysis and the servicing of that market. Dodds was raised on a dairy farm near Champlain, New York. He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science in 1950 Feeding punctures from leafnuner might range from just a I few to over 100 per leaflet. Cheek I with local forage specialists f or I treatment guidelines. I J. Douglas Dodds and later earned his Masters at the University of Rhode island. Prior to joining ABS in 1960, he served as Dairy Specialist for the University of Rhode island. • Heavy duty roller chains • Quick, smooth 16" auger cross conveyor • Hefty V/t apron drive shaft • Convenient 2-speed clutch • Also available in 7-ton Kwikload model These new Kasten forage boxes come'in striking black enamel with attractive orange and cream accent stripes. Don’t miss seeing the Bold Black Line from Kasten! THE WARNER CO. Troy. PA 717-297 2141 POWER PRO EQUIP. GO. Milroy, PA 717-667-6504 New Holland, PA 717-354-4241 CKESFARM SUPPLY, Osterburg, PA HJ4P76 3422 U FEMA SHUEY SALES & SERVICE Ono.PA 717-865-4915 STRALEY FARM SUPPLY Dover, PA 717-292-2631 or 717-292-4443
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers