A24-Unc«»t«r Firming, Saturday, Jum 23,1994
BY JACK HUBLEY
PARKESBURG Farmers at
tending a Chester County Pasture
Tour on June 14, were introduced
to a number of forage crops well
suited for growth during
southeastern Pennsylvania’s
typically hot, dry summer months.
Sponsored by the Chester County
extension, the tour began at the
Parkesburg farm of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Cairns, where plots of
warm season grasses are
currently being tested through a
cooperative program involving the
USDA Pasture Research Lab,
Penn State University and the Soil
Conservation Service. The tests
are being sponsored by Allied
Chemical Company.
Farmers standing knee-deep in
the lush test plots listened as Dr.
Gerry Jung of the Pasture
Research Lab explained why
warm season grasses, including a
variety of switchgrasses and
biuestems, may be the answer to
Igi ..'St Dr. Lynn Hoffman (center) talks
about pasture renovation amid a stand of Brassicas-that he
planted last month on the Atglen farm of Joan and Bill
MacCauley.
HIGH PRESSURE
WATER WASHERS
For Hog, Poultry A Veal
Animal Confinement Operations
Warwick Hot and Cold Water Available with electric or gaso-
Washors deliver over 2000 psi line power and a complete line
of profitable cleaning power for of special application accessories
your toughest jobs.
Our patented diaphragm pi
can’t be damaged by runm
dry'
RENTAL UNIT AVAILABLE
2200 P.S.I. Hot Pressure Washer
with Generator and Trailer
Call Ken Burkhart or Dean Weinhold
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR • SALES & SERVICE
FARMERSVILLE EQUIPMENT
INC.
RD4, East Farmersville Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522
Located in the Village of Farmersville, Lancaster County
717-354-4271
Pasture tour showcases warm season forage options
forage needs during the searing
summer months.
Jung explained that the grasses’
modest water, nitrogen and
phosphorus requirements, along
with their optimum growing
temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees,
make them excellent summer
forage alternatives.
“These grasses will grow under
phosphorus levels that would kill
cool season grasses,” Jung pointed
out, “and their low water
requirements mean more efficient
production of dry matter per unit
water.
“When we withhold fertilizers
we won’t lose the stand,” the
researcher continued. “We’ve
grown stands like this for five
years without adding nitrogen.”
But Jung was quick to note that
the warm season varieties were
not miracle grasses and would
require proper management for
optimum yields. He recommended
leaving a 12-inch stubble after
grazing for quick recovery, and
stated that the digestability of
warm season grasses is better for
beef than for sheep.
Penn State agronomist Lynn
Hoffman spoke briefly on weed
control for warm season grasses,
stressing that the time to control
weeds is before ' "ig, “simply
Or. Gerry Jung (far left) of the USDA Pasture Research Lab explains the virtues of
warm season grasses to farmers during a Chester County Pasture Tour on June 14.
It sure is nice living here in this well constructed
fully ventilated building built by Hershey
Equipment Co. I feel this equipment is the finest
made. It really helps me avoid the stress of con
finement. I couldn't be more content.
because the farmer has a much
larger arsenal of herbicides that
are usable prior to planting. ”
Hoffman noted that warm
season grasses’ tendency to
establish slowly leaves them wide
open for competition.
“Once the seed is in the ground,
weed control becomes much more
difficult,” he cautioned.
The tour then moved to the
Atglen farm of Joan and Bill
MacCauley, where plantings of
forage Brassicas were examined.
Following a talk on pasture
renovation by Lynn Hoffman,
Penn State agronomist Sid
(Turn to Page A 25)
It Can't Be
Any Plainer
Dian
That!