John E. Baylor Director of Market Development Beachley-Hardy Seed Company Pasture Improvement: How Far Should We Go? Pasture improvement is getting lots of attention these days. For example, last December Vermont agronomist Bill Murphy, a strong proponent of intensive grazing management in that state, was the keynote speaker at the annual forage conferences of the Maryland-Delaware Forage “ The New 6428 32 H.P., 1000 Lb. bobOClt Capacity Skid Loader Operate with low cost efficiency all around the farm, or on the construction site with the new 642 B Bobcat front end loader Work close-up against walls, corners and fences. Move quickly in and around small openings and areas the bigger ma chines can’t maneuver Eliminate cost ly, time-consuming hand labor With the 642 B Bobcat, do a variety of jobs, with the “easy-on easy-off” attachments available with the 642 B Bob-Tach“ bolt-on” attachment system. MELROE i (WM*r ‘bobcat DEALERS Carlisle, PA PETERMAN CHARLES H. SIEPIELA, FARM EQUIPMENT INC. _ 717-249-5338 717253-3334 Mi||Ha ||PA Chambersburs. PA Honey Grove, PA CLUGSTON NORMAN D. CLARK 717726 IMPLEMENTING. JSONJHC 717-263-4103 717-734-3682 Hatfield. PA LCL CONSTRUCTION EQUIP. SALE CO. 215-362-2510 Wilmington. PE 302-998-0128 Council. Pasture Economics and Pasture Efficiency were two of the main topics at the January meeting of the New York Forage and Grassland Council. And In tensive Grazing was the theme of a recent one-day workshop at Harrisburg sponsored by Ex tension and the Soil Conservation Honesdale. PA Service. And, of course, the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council has highlighted various aspects of pasture improvement at each of its last three major conferences. Is all of this attention justified? First of all, remember that since biblical times pasture has been the foundation of grassland farming. And even today, in terms of worldwide feeding systems for cattle, well over 80 percent of the cattle are grazed for their entire life. And all of the evidence suggests we’re seeing a swing back towards better pasture systems in the Northeast. We’ve always maintained that properly managed pastures can be one of our least expensive sources of feed. At the New York meeting SCS ag economist Phil Teague presented some new data to support this claim. Teague in terviewed a number of New York dairymen who during the past two years had adopted some form of more intensive rotational grazing on their farms. These were not small dairymen. Most herds ranged from 40 to 100 lactating cows averaging 15,000 to 17,000 pounds of milk; several breeds were represented. HEIGHT 76.0” 54.0” (1930 MM) (1372 MM) (454 KG) • Low cost efficiency on the farm or construction site • Mitsubishi, four cylinder liquid-cooled gasoline engine • Hydrostatic drive • Seat bar for additional operator safety, convenience and comfort • Bob-Tach “bolt-on" system and variety of optional attachments for multiple job versatility • Tip- up POPS for easy maintenance Manufacturer s m««stcd fiat pnee encludml fm«hl and attactmunu Martinsburg. PA BURCHFIELD’S INC. 814-793-2194 Needmore. PA CLU9STON FARM EQUIPMENT 717-573-2250 Economics of Pasture are Favorable BLE WIDTH (LESS BUCKET) IMNL Palm. PA WENTZ FARM SUPPLIES INC. 215-679-7164 rville. PA luan GRUMELLI’S FARM SERV. 717-786-7318 :on. PA Slatini SCAT ENTERPRISES In brief, here’s what Teague reported. Use of improved grazing systems resulted in more nutritive value from the pasture, both in terms of dry matter intake and levels of protein and net energy. This resulted in reduced purchases of feed grains and hay, and in one case the expansion of the herd. Net benefits varied considerably, of course, but several farmers reported net benefits per acre and per cow well over $lOO and in several cases nearly $2OO. And while it couldn’t be measured, dairymen generally reported improved herd health when cows were on pasture. Increased fencing was, of course, one of the major new ex penses. “But,” says Teague, “the data showed that in all cases the fencing and other costs associated with converting to a rotational grazing system were more than recovered during the first year.” Fencing No Longer the Problem In years past fencing, both cost and maintenance, was one of the major limitations in switching to intensive pasture systems. However, new concepts in fencing based on New Zealand findings using relatively low cost electric 4k **> * * * »*«* •* V %' CAPA Mifflinburg. PA BS&B REPAIR 717-966-3756 West Lawn. PA CLARKLIFT SERVICES 215-670-2950 Towanda. PA S.P.E. INC. 717-265-4440 Tunkhannock. PA BARTRON FARM SUPPLY 717-836-3740 Lancaster Fanning Saturday,'February 7,1987 Dl3' fencing materials are malung intensive pasture management systems both feasible and prac tical. These newer fences are designed to output high voltage at low current and have been shown to be both safe and effective for both cross-fencing and perimeter fencing. Much of the .recent emphasis on pasture improvement has dealt with the more intensive use of already established pastures. But there’s also lots of opportunities for upgrading your pasture system through the establishment of more productive and palatable tall growing grasses and legumes. Next month I’ll take another critical look with you at the potential of reeds canary grass and tall fescue. In later columns I’ll bring you up to date on warm season grasses and where they may fit in your progam. GIGANTIC SELECTION lir Lancaster Farming's CLASSIFIEDS BOWMAN’S >TOVE SHOP RD 3, Box 5 Ephrata, FA 17522 (717)733-4973 HOURS Tues Wed 10 a m to 6p m Thurs Fn 10am toBpm Sat 10 a m to 4 p m Closed Mon Mile East of Ephrata on Rt 322
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers