iry Da Manure Can Yield Economic Benefits With Proper Handling BY SALLY BAIR Lancaster Co. Correspondent LANCASTER - Lancaster County Dairy Days gave dairymen an opportunity to hear the latest in manure application, fly control and heifer housing. With spring planting season close by, Mitchell Woodward, nutrient management specialist with Penn State, offered dairymen tips on getting the most from that manure, a' byproduct from dairying with definite economic benefits. Woodward pointed out that a 50- cow herd produces 1,000 tons of manure a year, offering dairymen a rich resource for nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. To use this resource most wisely, Woodward encouraged all dairymen to have their soil tested at least every three years, and to have a manure analysis test. Looking at manure as a resource for its nutrient content, Woodward called it “the least expensive source of fertilizer for the farm.” To manage it in the best way, he said testing is essential because there is a tremendous percent variation from farm to farm. Incorporation affects the available nutrients, and he said that immediate incorporation into the soil will result in 50 percent availability, while waiting just two days decreases that to 35 percent. Spring is the best time for in corporating manure because there will be the least nitrogen loss, and because it can easily be in corporated into the ground. Summer is the next best time when it is used on small grain stubble, idle acreage, and grass stands. It should never be used on legumes at this time because it will increase ERPROGRAM LER ISO ISCOUNTS Other ILDINGS ilder For Details “■'Ruilil,, m \ Kn Buiiclir TRI-STATE MARINE 0 H R WEAVE DIST INC CONSTRUCTI PO Box 121 RD 3 Box 403 Deale MD 20751 Annville PA 170 PH 301 867 1447 PH 717 838 37 1 OA NEWTONS SON CO , INC P 0 Box 397 Bridgeville DE 19933 PH 302 337 8211 Clarence Collison competition from weeds. In the fall the potential loss of nitrogen is greatest except for cover crops, and winter is the least desirable season because of nutrient loss and runoff problems. Woodward explained that a form comes with the soil test to help farmers apply the nutrients most efficiently. He also encouraged farmers to look at the crop rotation over a long period. The county extension office has available a computer program to help farmers determine the application rate for manure and commercial fertilizer. He told the group that in the cost of production of com, the largest percentage of cost is in fertility, at a rate of nearly one-third the total cost. In producing alfalfa, fertility represents one-fifth the cost. Woodward cautioned against nutrient excesses, saying, “After you reach a certain point, more doesn’t bring in increased yield. GRAIN BINS, GRAIN LEGS, DRYERS,'FANS,HEATERS, SCALES m ..............■ SPECIAL WINTER PRICING J 1 P.O Box 337, Oxford, PA 19363 * j I’m interested in more information on Butler products -□ Buildings □ Grain Bins JQ Gram Legs □ Dryers □ Scales | Name :r on FOUR COUNTIES CONTRACTOR, INC R D Box 816 Coalport PA 16627 PH 814 672 5751 WR MOODY, CONTRACTOR 113 Walnut Lane West Newton PA 15089 PH 412 872 6804 PHIC BUILDERS 435 King Street Pottstown PA 19464 PH 215 323 4070 * Mitchell Woodward More is not necessarily doing any good.” He stressed that maximizing economic yield should be their goal, not just maximizing yield. Extension Agricultural Engineer Robert Graves said that proper restraints and facilities can make handling dairy cows safe and ef ficient. He said that one person should be able to isolate any animal, and noted that pens should be injury free, with no pinch points or hidden snags. Pens must be rugged, with running water and perhaps be located close to a parking area. Good lighting is a necessity for ease in treating animals. Pens should be built at least 66 inches high to discourage jumping, and there should be a 16 to 18 inch space to allow an adult to roll out of the pen if necessary. Hinges must be properly placed to allow the gates to move in the proper mm w mw r^mt §tKMm CLIFFORD E BOLLINGER ASSOCIATES RD 4 Box 197 Denver PA 17517 PH 215 267 6046 OBINTRIM BUILDERS 204 Hoover Road New Castle PA 16101 PH 412 924 2698 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 14,1M7-A2I direction, and latches should be difficult to handle, hrm and easy to manipulate, Another important consideration Graves said. in fly control is the need for good Ideally, pens could be built with public relations as suburban gates that allow the dairyman to housing'moves closer and closer to block off certain areas, and to farms. encourage an animal into a The major flies to concern specific restraining area. dairymen are the housefly and Graves said it is extremely stable fly, both manure breeding important to have separate flies; and the hom fly and face fly, maternity and treatment areas so which breed in fresh manure pats, that newborns are not exposed to within minutes after it is dropped, the germs of a sick animal that Effective fly control relies on previously used the area. both the use of insecticides and Such restraining areas should be good sanitation. Collison said that at least 12 feet by 12 feet, and flies quickly build up a pesticide ideally should have stanchion at resistance because of their very one side of the pen. Self-locking high reproductive potential, their gates make it easier to use. short life cycle and their limited Addressing the need for migration between farms, adequate calf housing, Graves Furthermore, not a lot of new stressed that dairymen should chemicals arc being developed, so remember that the temperature dairymen must rely on those should be suitable for the calf, not currently on the market, necessarily comfortable for the To slow down resistance, dairymen. He urged consideration Coflison said that dairymen should in placing newly weaned calves offer flies “a smorgasboard” of into group facilities, explaining inesticides. He said it is important that if it is the first group ex- f 0 offer insecticides with different perience it will be a stressful time, active ingredients, not just dif- Not only is the environment ferent brand names being changed but also the feed and the method of feeding. He suggested weaning a few calves as a group, and said they should never be put directly with older heifers. Another continuing con sideration of dairymen is the need for fly control. Clarence Collison, extension entomologist with Penn State, said, “Fly control is essential in any well managed dairy operation.” He said flies have a detrimental effect on farms, including reducing production, increasing bacteria in milk, increasing susceptability to diseases, and making cows more J Address | C minty ic ity ® Phone He added, “Insecticides don’t take the place of good sanitation.” He also told dairymen to wait until they have a problem to do something about fly control. Flies need the proper tem perature, the proper breeding material, and an appropriate moisture level to reproduce, and changing any or all of these greatly reduces the reproduction of flies. He concluded, “Flies can be controlled, but it takes a lot of effort and good sanitation, manure management, moisture control and chemical control.” SPECIAL WINTER PRICES BIG % DISCOUNTS OFF NOW! E BIN STOCKING AGRI-BUILDERS State,
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