BY MARJORIE KEEN Chester Co. Correspondent GUTHRIESVILLE On the average, the cost of growing alfal fa in Pennsylvania over the past six years has been $270-$2BO an acre, according to Dr. Sid Bosworth, Penn State Extension Forage Spe cialist. In the southeastern part of the state, average crop yields are between six and six and one-half tons. Bosworth addressed 144 Chester County farmers on the economics of alfalfa production at Crops Day last Friday. “Prorated establishment costs, which can’t be ignored, run about $4O an acre. The cost that has steadily and consistently been climbing over the last three years is machinery ownership,” he said. Bosworth included machinery for harvesting, spraying and mowing and tractor costs for both establish ment and maintenance. “I want to make the point that Specialist Says Alfalfa Costs $270-$2BO Per Acre it’s probably good to sit down and of forage profitability, this is prob- the fall, Bosworth advises continu calculate what you’re spending on ably the first key.” ing to rotate for a couple of years, your crops,” Bosworth suggested. Although midwestern research “One of the top plant pathologists “I can give you average figures reports successful reseeding of at Penn State is convinced that (from the Alfalfa Growers Prog- alfalfa by killing or merely remov- even though we can overcome ram) but they may not apply at all ing the tops of the previous crop in (autotoxicity) we’re not going to to your program.” “The real challenge com a good crop program with Jf good dairy management,” the spe cialist said. For high producing cows you have to have high quality forage, according to Bosworth, who added that you can’t substi tute grain for poor quality forage. “When we look at the factor that *, influences cost and quality most, it’s cutting management,” said ff Bosworth. Cutting alfalfa pre bloom is best, he stated. “Letting it ; A < . go to flower or mid-b100m... we - ’ * know we lose in protein concentra- ' tion. Fiber goes up... and digestible ■■■«? dry matter goes down very dramat- h Spec.. . OCUDI (L), Dennis Calvin ically... and as a result milk pro- (center) and Sid Bosworth ijt) at Chester County Crops Day, duction can go down. When I think Guthrlesville. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 20, 1988-A29 overcome the problem of disease buildup.” Bosworth also outlined success ful alfalfa establishment practices. Managing problem weeds and new herbicides for alfalfa and com were topics covered by Dr. John Yocum, Penn State Senior Agro nomy Research Associate. Penn State Extension Entomologist Dr. Dennis Calvin spoke on alfalfa insect control and also controlling insects in stored grain. Chester County Extension Dairy Agent David Swartz updated the farmers on chemical safety. MAD LANCASTER FARMING FOR COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE MARKET REPORTS
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers