Summer Annual Grasses Are Dry Weather Pasture NEWARK, Del. “Recent dry weather may limit the availability of quality hay and summer pasturage this year,” predicts University of Delaware extension agronomist Dr. Richard Taylor. This means that, in many cases, farmers with beef, dairy or sheep operations need to consider then choices for temporary pasturage or emergency hay or silage crops. Summer annual grasses are one answer to the problem, Taylor says. These include the millets (pearl, proso, Japanese and browntop) and sorghums (grain and forage sorghum, sorghum sudangrass hybrids, sudangrass and sudangrass hybrids). Pearl millet is more sensitive than the sorghums to cool temperatures at seeding, so it should be seeded only when soil temperatures remain above 60 degrees F. It also tolerates high humidity and plant pathogens better than the sorghums. Summer annual grasses can be drilled, broadcast, sown in rows or sown no-till, the agronomist says. “The narrower the row spacing, the heavier the seeding rate should be.” Heavier seeding rates up to 50 pounds per acre also encourage smaller stems, which allow for faster drying. Normal seeding rates range from 20 pounds to 40 pounds per acre. Rates should be at the high end of this range for EPP Gets Jump (Continued from Page C 5) activity if weeds are allowed to emerge before EPP. EPP is most beneficial in no-till soybeans or sorghum, Martin says. However, some farmers are trying it in conventional tillage systems to reduce tillage trips and thus soil compaction. It may be an area of future growth for EPP ap plications, he adds. “In a conventional system, a farmer may be able to use an EPP application, make one tillage pass and then plant,” Martin says. “Early pre-plant herbicides are long-lasting, so at planting the herbicides have had sufficient time to control weeds. “Early spring tillage does the most damage,” Martin says. “It’s wetter, you get more compaction, erosion, breakdown of the soil structure, and you’re stirring up weed seed. For farmers looking at a way to cut costs, using EPP may be one of them. Plus, with the early spring rains, farmers won’t be so rushed to get the crops in.” All of the advocates of EPP recommend trying it first on a small plot, leaving a test strip in the middle for comparison. Ap plication of EPP is influenced by local weather conditions, soil texture and the organic matter in the fields, so advocates recom mend that farmers consult their chemical dealer, custom ap plicator, local extension specialist and/or university for more in- formation. (Machine Work rw & I KHt F "y» Hardware * g • CUSTOM BUILT » WOOD & COAL STOVES • Custom Built High Pressure Washers • Welders & cutting torches • Stainless steel, aluminum and spot g welding • UPS Service m HIGH TENSILE WIRE FENCING | D.S. MACHINE SHOP ! DAVID E. STOLTZFUS I 3816 E. Newport Road ■ Gordonville, PA 17529 ■. on Rt. 772 large-seeded (and large-stemmed) . and at the low end for Summer grasses respond readily species such as to Utilization Fertilizii^ systems wider U P to 200 Pounds of nitrogen 5 nHHhiuf'’ rTwI P® r acre increases yields linearly, row spacmgs will help reduce However at hicher nitroeen rates animal damage.” Taylor says. f Dh Ta D £^^^ “but seeding rates will need to be growth a n rSced increased. If frequent harvesting is contemplated; research hal nutnUon, and to avoid mtrate “Several problems are rSfISS 11810 associated with summer annual percent over east-west rows. production,” Taylor says. Mechanical damage to summer • annuals may reduce yields on These . delude potential nitrate r. poisoning and prussic acid some soils such as silt loams, he (cyanide) noisonine cautions. “If possible, during harvest limit thennmher nf trim When nitrogen IS applied too dose to harvest, or when cloudy heavy equip t ove an we ather and/or drought conditions area. To prevent soil compaction, occur after heaw nitrate fer also try to avoid harvesting when .tilization, excessive mtrates may the ground is wet. accumulate in plants,” he ex- Summer annual grasses mil lains to felTn' * ave this potential. Nitrate ac fertile soils. But use soil tests to cumulation is also greater from determine the amount, of phosphorus and potassium to monilun sulfate or urea . After appiy. High forage yields wiU doudy weather> several suc . remove about 60 pounds to 100 cess i ve days of bright sunshine founds of phosphorus an acre and f should re / uce nit J e leve i s in 150 pounds to 250 pounds of potash. plants dr ht conditions For lactatuig dairy cows, severe p reva ji » JSJS potassium soil test level, ,he„ cows are fed forages grown on * New CHORE-TIME. FAN MODEL SIZE 36PF 1 36" for economical ventilation MOTOR BLADE RPM(I) VOLTS-AMPS l /t-115/?3D»? 5 amca CWTW Certified Ratings Id 1 fil*] -TiiT^^^ Licensed by: jL”*-' COMPLETE SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT, SALES, INSTALLATION, SERVICE FOR CATTLE, HOGS AND POULTRY We Welcome Your Inquiries - Cell Or Write STORE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 to 4:30 Sat. 7:30 to 11:30 (Parts Only) 36" Panel Fan PERFORMANCE (CFM)(3) CFM/WATT (2) O'JP OiTSP 19 4 f 17 I OB" SP O"SP 125" SP 10100 10100 AGRI" Authorized Chore-Time Distributor RD 4, East Farmersville Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522 nitrate fertilization programs may 20 inches or taller, and sorghum cause toxic nitrogen dioxide to types are 24 inches to 30 inches or accumulate in the silo a gas taller. potentially fatal to the farmer and “Don’t graze new regrowth that also harmful to livestock housed develops after a frost or period of close enough to be exposed, dry weather,” he cautions. “Also, Heavily fertilized silage should after a frost, let plants dry out therefore be tested to determine its completely before feeding. These nitrate level. This enables the grasses can be safely made into manager to blend various forage silage and haylage, since the time rations so as to dilute the nitrate to involved in the ensiling process an acceptable level. allows for the release of the Potential for prussic acid ac- cyanide so that little if any cumulation is lowest in the millets, remains in the preserved forage.” followed by Piper sudangrass, and Do not graze horses on then other summer annual grasses sudangrass or sorghum-sudan in the sorghum family. “Prussic grass hybrids. These crops cause a acid levels increase rapidly with condition in horses known as drought stress and are also highest cystitis syndrome, in new growth,” Taylor says. To Finally, Taylor says one choice avoid poisoning, graze green for grazing oats at 2to 3 bushels forage or chop for greenchop when P«r acre. Oats will grow better sudangrass plants are 18 inches to than the summer annual grasses during cooler fall weather. Central 4-H Dairy Club Jim Shaw demonstrated showing and clipping of dairy animals to members of the Central 4-H Dairy Club during a recent meeting at the farm of Jane and Rod Thomp son. Club leader Shirley Trimmer provided plenty of calves washed and ready to practice on After LOCKED ROTOR AMPS MAX BHP(4) 125" SP EQUIPMENT, INC. (Lancaster County) (717) 354-6520 Option Shaw’s demonstration, each family worked on clipping a calf as if to prepare it for a show. Following this, Shaw gave in dividual advice and talked about how each group did. The meeting will help members prepare for 4-H Roundup this month at the York Fairgrounds. ’RES FEA High-efficiency. capacitor-run fan motor is suspended by self-tensioning, easy-to-replace belt to minimize beh slippage for reliable, efficient performance and minimal main- tenance Fan bearings are self-aligning and pre lubricated with ammonia-resistant grease for long life
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers