EDWARD J. WOODS County Agent Stay Off Wet Ground Don’t let spring fever get the better of your good judgement. As you yearn to get into the fields and gardens, remember what you are trying to accomplish. You want seeds to germinate rapidly and seedlings to emerge quickly. The longer it takes for this to happen, the greater the opportunity is for disease and insects to attack, weaken, or destroy the seed and planting. Follow weather predictions closely and delay planting until soil moisture and temperature conditions are favorable for good germination, and until the risk of frost injury has passed. To prevent soil compaction and surface crust ing, don’t work soils when they are too wet. Control Weeds In Pastures A variety of weeds will grow in pastures some may even pro vide some nutrition to livestock. One weed that is a problem for dairy cows on pasture is wild gar lic or onion because of the flavor it gives milk. That flavor is a less than desir able for many people. Both can be controlled along with many other broadleaf weeds by the use of Banvel or 2,4-D or a combination of these materials. Treatment should be done in » I Before Planting, Observe Weather Predictions advance of the pasture season with careful consideration for the num ber of days between the applica tion of the herbicide and the start of pasturing. According to the Pennsylvania “Agronomy Guide, 1989-1990” the following restric tions apply; 2,4-D Amine, 7 days for dairy cows; 2,4-D Ester, 7 days for all livestock; and Banvel, 7 days if less than 1 pint per acre is used, up to 60 days if over 4 pints is used for lactating dairy animals. Always read and follow all label directions when applying pesti cides. Grass Tetany Warning Washington County cattlemen should be alert for signs of grass tetany. This disease of early pas ture usually attacks milking dairy cows and beef cows nursing young calves. It is caused by defi ciency of magnesium and early signs may be trembling or twitch ing of the muscles. Severely affected cattle may die suddenly with violent convulsions. When the disease occurs, addi tion of magnesium oxide at the rate of 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. per cow dai ly as a supplement to the ration is good for prevention. Add magne sium oxide to the grain mix or top dress the silage fed daily. It will also pay to feed cows on early pas ture at least 3 to 5 pounds of good legume or mixed legume hay. A good insurance is to supply a complete salt-mineral mix con taining at least 10 percent magne sium, 10 percent phosphorus, and 13 percent calcium. Make sure cattle are consuming at least two ounces of mix per day. If con sumption is below this level, try adding 20 percent bran, dry molasses or ground oats to the mix. There are also commercial molasses-mineral blocks formu- Lancaster Fanning’s Special Annual • Special dairy stories and • What’s new in dairy research features • Marketing - Dairy’s future • Local Dairy Association news • Favorite dairy recipes Get Complete Coverage by Reserving Your Space Now in This Special issue. DEADLINE FOR ADS MAY 25 717-394-3047, 717-626-1164 or 717-733-639^ “PICTURE IT PAINTED” QUALITY PAINTING OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXES CALL YOUR LOCAL CONTRACTOR TODAY A. LEON ZEISET P. MARTIN CLBMMER Chambersburg, PA 17201 Lltltz, pa 17543 (717) 263-0066 (717) 626-8094 MlEii 270 Krlner Road Chambersburg, PA 17201 \BY ISS ***ingjut*' FEATURING Ail w XStJML JL • * ’■fM.mrar.Kan lated to prevent tetany using one block per 15 cows. Long-term prevention of grass tetany requires addition of dolo mitic limestone to soils to improve magnesium content, but this method may require 3 years. In the meantime, magnesium oxide sup plementation is good insurance against a disease problem which can be very expensive. • Thorough surface preparation • Brush applied • Trim designed • Roofs and exteriors • Primers, paints, coatings for all types of surfaces • Linseed oil base barn paint • will not harm livestock (Sift**) BRUNING PAINTS
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