Ammonia can help
NEWARK, Del. European
dairy fanners have found a way to
improve the palatability,
digestibility and feed value of
mediocre hay, straw, cornstalks
and other forages by treating them
with liquid or gaseous ammonia.
Delaware dairy farmers observed
the practice in Scandinavia last
summer during a tour of Norway
and Denmark. University of
Delaware extension dairy
specialist George Haenlein, who
organized the trip, says the
practice can also be profitable for
U.S. dairy, beef or sheep farmers.
In contrast to older forage
treatment methods which used
corrosive sodium hydroxide or
acids, Haenlein says the new
ammonia procedure is cheaper,
simpler and safer. Besides
predigesting the fiber, it also
improves feed value by increasing
available energy and protein. The
practice is very timely for U.S.
producers, the specialist says,
because of feed shortages stem
ming from last year’s drought and
winter kill of annual forages.
The practice is a good way to
stretch available poor quality
forage supplies and improve herd
performance especially of
heifers and dry cows.
Hikes digestibility
Typical U.S. research results
have shown increases of 100 to 150
Treanor receives award
NEW HOLLAND - Charles F.
Treanor, 14 Debra Lane, Lan
caster is the first recipient of the
President’s Leadership Award
presented annually by Victor F.
Weaver, Inc., New Holland.
The President’s Leadership
Award is presented annually to a
member of the Weaver
STOUFFER BROS., INC. C. H. WALTZ SONS, INC. ZIMMERMAN’S FARM
1066 Lincoln Way West RDI, Cogan Station, PA SERVICE
Chambersburg, PA (717)435-2921 Bethel PA
(717)263-8424 (717)933-4114
PEOPLES SALES &
SERVICE
Oakland Mills, PA
(717)463-2735
pounds per ton in dry matter
digestibility and protein con
centration after treatment with 60
to 80 pounds of ammonia per ton of
forage dry matter. Results varied
with type of forage but generally
were equal to medium quality hay.
The following procedures were
developed by agronomy and dairy
researchers K. Moore and E.
Jaster at the University of Illinois
Agricultural Experiment Station.
Haenlein recommends that
Delmarva beef and dairy farmers
use this sytem if they want to try
treating their forage. The only
supplies needed are a sheet of 6- to
8-mil plastic large enough to cover
the stack, or plastic bags to hold
large round bales, plus reservoirs
for the ammonia, a hose and
regulator.
The size of the stack to be treated
depends on the farmer’s feed
requirements, but for practical
reasons, is limited to the amount of
forage that can be covered by a 40
x 100-foot sheet of plastic. This
equals about 1,500 small square
bales, or 70 large round bales. The
bales can be stacked directly on
the ground, but it’s better to place
them on a concrete slab or sheet of
plastic. Choose a site that drains
away from the stack.
Treatment procedure
“As you stack the bales,” says
Haenlein, “place the reservoirs
management team by the cor
poration’s President, Dale M.
Weaver. This distinguished award
recognizes a member of the
Weaver management team who
has best displayed outstanding
leadership qualities, and fostered
team-working relationships that
have contributed toward the at
tainment of corporate objectives.
BINKLEY & HURST
BROS.
133 Rothsville Station Rd.
Lititz, PA
(717)626-4705
improve livestock forage
within the pile at equal distances
from each other and from either
end. The size and number of
reservoirs required will depend on
the amount of residue to be
treated. About 20 percent of the
liquid ammonia injected will
vaporize immediately. The rest
will remain in the containers as a
liquid, vaporizing over time.”
Ammonia weighs 5.14 pounds per
gallon, so about 9.5 gallons of
reservoir capacity is needed for
every ton treated at the recom
mended rate of 60 pounds per ton.
For bigger stacks, two large
watering tanks will work. Since
ammonia will corrode galvanized
tanks, use older ones and line them
with plastic. For smaller stacks,
55-gallon barrels open at one end
will do the job. Run a hose from
each tank to an area outside the
stack where it will be connected to
a regulator. It’s a good idea to
anchor the reservoir end of the
hose with a brick since the am
monia will be discharged under
pressure.
After stacking the bales, cover
them with plastic. “This is easier
to do on calm days with the help of
a few extra hands,” the specialist
says. “Leave enough plastic
around the edges so that you can
anchor it with crushed limestone,
soil, or loose bales. If you stack on
top of another sheet of plastic, roll
the edges together before sealing.
The seal must be tight enough to
prevent ammonia loss. On large
stacks, weight the top with a few
loose bales or old tires to keep the
wind from whipping the plastic.”
Follow safety tips
Next, punch a hole in the plastic
for each hose and pull it through.
Tie the plastic securely around the
hose with a piece of twine. Connect
the hose to the regulator and set
the gauge for a flow rate of 600
pounds per hour. At this rate,
A. L. HERR & BRO
312 Park Ave
Quarryville, PA
(717)786-3521
applying 60 pounds of ammonia
will take 6 minutes per ton of hay.
The plastic will billow with
pressure created by the vaporizing
ammonia. Watch for leaks and
patch them with duct tape as they
occur.
After treatment, the forage must
.remain covered for a period of
time to obtain the full benefit of the
ammonia. At ambient tem
peratures above 60 degrees F this
will take three to four weeks; at
lower temperatures, four to eight
weeks. “Leave the stack covered
until it’s needed,” Haenlein ad-
Joel Weir, of Carnation Genetics, right receives
Distinguished Alumni Award from Raymond K. Pruss, Alumni
President of Delta Theta Sigma ag fraternity at Penn State.
Weir, from East Petersburg, Lancaster County, was
honored at a recent banquet in State College for his con
tinuing support of Pennsylvania agriculture and his work as
National Secretary of Delta Theta Sigma.
Weir is a representative of Carnation Genetics.
E.W. BILEWICZ EQUIP.,
INC.
Elmer Rd , Richwood, NJ
(609)881-2692
THE WARNER CO.
"Par Th Tfca Fanitr"
Troy, PA
(717)297-2141
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 5,1984—D13
Weir is honored
CASE POWER & EQUIP.
Montgomeryville, PA L
(215)699-5871 BSSSfI
New Castle, DE
(302) 652-3028
C.&P. FULTZ EQUIP.
RD 1, Spring Mills, PA
(814)422-8805
vises. “But be sure to uncover and
aerate it for at least 24 hours
before feeding.”
Remember that anhydrous
ammonia is hazardous to work
with. Make sure all hose con
nections are tight. Wear goggles
and gloves while handling the
material, and keep plenty of water
close by just in case.
Haenlein says plans are being
made to demonstrate this practice
during the 1984 Delaware-
Maryland Forage Council Field
Day at Hickory Hill Farm near
Dover this summer.
PAUL SHOWER’S, INC.
35 East Willow St
Carlisle, PA
(717)243-2686
Loysville, Pa.
(717) 789-3117