D2O-LancMtw Farming Saturday, April 6,1985 TIPTON, Ind. - March 28,1985 - No-till corn is a common planting practice; no-till soybeans are an increasingly regular sight, but no till alfalfa presents special management problems that have kept it from becoming as popular. However, these problems can be handled with the right management approach-one that starts at seeding. Alfalfa can be seeded as early as the ground can be worked, but double cropping behind a small grain in late summer may be the best alternative, according to Bill Fleet, an agronomist with the Eastern Division of Pioneer Hi- Bred International, Inc. “The seedbed is already in nice shape and it’s generally dry enough so you don’t run into problems with those early wet conditions. But more important than that, weed pressures just aren’t there like they would be in the spring.” Weeds are the biggest headache in no-till alfalfa establishment. Fleet says. Understanding the strategy for spring weed control is the main stumbling block with springtime seedings. “Because both broadleaf and grassy weeds can be a problem in spring, herbicides should go on at specific intervals.” he notes. The agronomist suggests spraying 2,4-D between four and six weeks prior to seeding alfalfa; coming back about two weeks later with an application of paraquat and then waiting for signs of new growth before another paraquat application. He adds, it is im portant to note that there are variations to this strategy and there are other chemicals that may be used. “The problem is that farmers forget that there’s a time lag in volved and they either start too late or get in a hurry. The con sequences are poor weed control,” Fleet says. Unlike spring-established stands, a late July over earljT August seeding can often be done with no herbicides or just one The special application of paraquat. However, it is crucial to incorporate soil insecticides at planting to control insects, he adds. Once the number of plants per square foot fall below five, the stand should be plowed under. Fleet cautions against attempting to thicken an existing stand by planting alfalfa seed into old alfalfa stands. “There’s no question that there is an autotoxic effect, but it’s not a matter of the plant producing special chemicals that are only toxic to young alfalfa plants. They are natural compounds produced by the plant-it’s just that they inhibit germination and seedling growth. “Autotoxicity is not a phenomenon occurring only in alfalfa; the same situation exists in other crops. It just seems to be more pronounced in alfalfa and other legume crops such as clover,” the Pioneer agronomist says. Rather than following an old stand with alfalfa again, Fleet suggests using the nitrogen built up in the soil to reduce the amount needed for a com crop the following year. “But if it’s a case where you absolutely have to put in alfalfa after alhafa, say for erosion reasons, I recommend totally killing the old stand in the fall. Spray it with Roundup or a com bination of 2,4-D and Banvel and let it sit. Go back and plow it, if possible, about two weeks later and then leave it alone until spring.” The stand can be re-established the following year, but Fleet stresses this is not a recommended practice. “In most cases, it is better to reap the benefits of the nitrogen from the legume for the com crop and let it help you reduce ex penses,” he says. Total Processed Ra THINK QUALITY • NOT QUANTITY Higher Butterfat Means Higher Profit Automatic Farm Systems, Lebanon, PA Barrett Equipment Co., Smickaburg, PA Fred Crlvellaro, Easton, PA Dependable Motor Co., Honeybrook, PA Tom Dunlap, Jersey Shore, PA Erb and Henry, New BerllnviUe, PA Flckes Silo Co., Newville, PA Joseph M. FlsberA Sons, York, PA S.G Lewis and Son, Inc., West Grove, PA R.T. Markle Farm Equip., Inc., State College, PA Marshall Machinery, Inc., Honesdaie, PA MKS Enterprises, Inc., Hanover, PA B K. Mobile MUling Co , Inc., Paradise, PA . Atlee Hebert. Littlestown, PA challenge of no-till alfalfa The expenses involved in growing alfalfa are due primarily to high machine ownership and operational costs. No-till planting New Idea celebrates New Idea Farm Equipment Division is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its Uni System equipment line. The first New Idea designed and engineered Uni rolled off the assembly line in their Coldwater, Ohio, facility in April, 1965. New Idea is the only farm equipment manufacturer that offers the exclusive Uni System line... interchangeable self-propelled harvesting equipment. The Uni concept employs the use of one power unit to operate a selection of processing units; current models include the 819 combine, 868 forage harvester, 839 ear corn husker and 858 corn shelter. Grain platforms, corn heads and forage heads are available for all units. Through the years, the Uni has proven a truly unique and valuable harvesting system and has established itself as a leader in innovation and quality... most notably with their ear corn husker line which harvests over 90% of the world’s seed corn. To help celebrate and commemorate the 20th an niversary of Uni, New Idea is offering to its dealer organization a scale model replica of the current Uni combine. Power Unit and corn head. The commemorative edition is a 1/32 scale made of die cast zinc and is available only through authorized New Idea dealers. * ROSKAM Portable Ear Com Mill • Inventory Reduction Sale • 0.2% more butterfat • Mora profit • Mora feed per acre » ■% Koskamp Heavyweights For more information contact your local dealer PENNSYLVANIA Cm -•* k- v i&rs'.ytk* >« . Roller M a J‘ LJ • Convert your grlndor mixer to a roller mixer • 0.2% more buttertat • Better galna is an excellent way to reduce these costs, but lack of attention to detail can be the downfall of a reduced tillage program. 717-274-5333 814-253-8881 215-258-7584 215-273-3131 717-318-1351 Sollenberger Silos Corp., Chambersburg, PA, Stouffer Bros., Inc, Chambersburg, PA Lloyd Sultzbaugh, Camp Hill, PA Swope and Baihore, Inc., Myentown, PA Tam Agrl Corp., Dillfburg, PA Union town Farm Equipment, Union town, PA. . 215-387-2189 717-7783125 717-784-0454 215385-5488 814-237-3141 717-729-7177 717337-2214 717387-7574 MARYLAND Arnett’s Garage, Hagerstown, MD PAS Equipment, Inc., Street, MD Tri Slate Farm Automation, Hagerstown, MD MSTWCT MANA« George Heath 717-737-0002 717-3553883 “You really have to commit yourself to excellence when you grow this crop no-till,” Fleet concludes. UNl’s 20th birthday * •» Feed Processing Center • Build your own ration • Control food coats X • Incraaaad production • Cuts cobs Into sdlbls places • Mors fssd par acre 599-232-DALE .. 717-244-9511 .. 717-243-1424 .. 717-737-4554 .. 717-933-4131 .. 717-432-9731 .. 412-437-9151 301-733-0515 901-452-1521 301-7100991 Roskamp Mfg., Inc. 2975 Airline Circle Walerroo, lowa 50703 319-232-8444
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