E24-Uincaster Farming, Saturday, March 6 1993
Livestock Notes
On-farm Composting
Handbook Available
By Kenneth B, Kephart
On-Farm Composting, a
186-page manual researched and
written by a team of scientists,
engineers, farmers, and manufac
turers, is available for $lO.OO from
Penn State’s Publications Distri
bution Center.
As manure odor problems con
tinue to mount in Pennsylvania, it
appears that composting may offer
a partial solution for some lives
tock producers. Composting is the
aerobic decomposition of organic
materials. Mixtures of manure and
dry material, such as straw, com
post easily. During the process,
temperatures of 120-140 degrees
F are reached, killing pathogens
and creating a low-odor product
This is important at the time of
land application since odor prob
lems with raw manure are maxim
ized when raw manure is surface
spread on Helds. In addition, com
posted manure serves as an
excellent soil conditioner.
Handling Low
Quality Corn
MATT ANTOS
Eastern Field Agronomist
Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, Inc.
The summer of 1992 coupled one of the coolest and
cloudiest growing seasons on record with a freeze in late
September which left fields of com with immature grain
and high moisture contents. Hardest hit were many parts
of Pennsylvania, Ohio, as well as most northern com
growing areas. Wet fall weather eliminated any natural
“dry down” and further restricted harvest activities lead
ing to many reports of low quality or moldy com.
The most common quality complaint centered on chaf
fy grain with poor test weights. The most common molds
reported were Cladosporium sp., Gibberella zeae, and
Fusarium species. Cladosporium, a black mold (sapro
phytic). was the most widely observed, according to area
experts. It appears as a da'k, green-black mold found at
the kernel base, and was most commonly associated with
prematurely frozen com left to dry in the field. Clado
sporium molds are not generally associated with the pro
duction of poisons known as mycotoxins.
Gibberella and Fusarium ear molds commonly referred
to as white molds also have been reported but to a much
lesser extent in harvested grains. These molds can pro
duce mycotoxins such as DON (deoxynivalenol). zeara
lenone. fumonisin and T-2, which can cause serious
health problems in livestock consuming the grain. White
molds appear as white-pink kernel discolorations. Gib
berella starts at the tip of the car while Fusarium is scat
tered throughout the ear and is generally associated with
bird damage.
Combine Adjustment Critical
In areas where com remains to be harvested, special
care should be taken when adjusting the combine to re
duce cracked or broken seed coats. Excessive amounts of
fines often can create conditions favorable for the contin
ued development of molds in storage. For this reason, we
recommend pre-cleaning low quality or moldy grain be
fore drying or binning. Furthermore, caution should be
taken in feeding fines screened from grain with signifi
cant mold contamination. Under no circumstances should
fines be fed to dairy cows, poultry or to young or preg
nant animals before being tested for mycotoxins.
Careful harvesting and cleaning are only the begin
ning. The two most significant factors in reducing the
growth and development of molds in stored grain are
moisture content and grain temperature. Low quality or
moldy grain should be dried quickly to a kernel moisture
of 13 percent or lower to inhibit the growth of molds dur
ing winter storage. Every effort should be made to market
this grain before the onset of warmer temperatures.
Monitor Storage Conditions
Extending storage into the summer months will require
grain moisture to be lowered an additional 1 percent be
low winter storage levels, to 12 percent or less. Aerate to
cool grain as soon as it is binned. Stored gram tempera
ture should be maintained around 35-40 degrees F for
safe winter storage. When possible, store low quality or
The composting manual pro
vides a wealth of details and draw
ings to enable the producer to
compost manure both effectively
and economically. To order copies
of On-Farm Composting
(NRAES-54), send a check or
money order for $lO.OO (payable
to Penn State University) to:
Publications Distribution Center,
College of Agricultural Sciences,
112 Ag Administration Building,
University Park, PA 16802.
Research Briefs
For Swine
By Kenneth B. Kephart
1. Injecting zinc-arginine com
plex into the testicle at four weeks,
is effective at reducing testicular
weight. Further, injected pigs are
superior to knife-castrated boars
in all carcass traits. But the com
pound does not appear to be suit
able for chemical castration, since
boar odor is not reduced.
2. Supplementing sows with
extra (90 to 100 mg/head/day)
riboflavin during the first 12 days
after breeding had no effect on
number of pigs bom, stillboms, or
Utter birth weight.
3. A single injection of 150 mg
of iron dextran maintains optimal
hemoglobin levels in the pig until
weaning. An oral dose of 60 mg of
iron does not adequately maintain
hemoglobin.
4. High fiber diets for sows in
gestation reduces stereotypical
behavior (chewing, excess water
consumption) and improves
weaning weights of pigs.
5. Gilts housed in pens bedded
with straw during gestation show
no obvious behavioral differences
when moved to a farrowing crate,
compared to gilts housed in crates
throughout gestation.
6. Sows housed in farrowing
crates compared to those in open
pens or walk-through crates spend
more time sitting, drinking, chew
ing, and lying on their udders
behaviors associated with
increased levels of frustration in
the sow.
7. Use of a roller mill for pro
cessing corn reduced stomach
lesions and ulcerations in growing
pigs compared to that of a hammer
mill. Weight gain and feed effi
ciency values are similar for both
groups.
8. Pelleting feed increased sto
mach lesions in growing pigs
compared to that of meal feed
regardless of initial particle size.
Take a turn to perfect seeding depth,
fast folding, easy transport
Just turn the dial. With active hydraulics on
John Deere 455 Folding Drills you’ll adjust
opener down-pressure over die entire drill to
precisely match field conditions. One quick turn,
and you’ve improved penetration in tough soils
and residue. And for a true, consistent furrow,
each 1/4-inch offset double-disk opener’s pinch
point is closer to where the blade
n~~* meets the soil. The seed is
114 \ Pl ace( * front °f the opener
fff \ bearing, so there are no
SEE ONE OF THESE DEALERS FOR A DEMONSTRATION:
c ADA™ CLUGSTON AG EVERGREEN
EQUIPMENT INC. & juRF, INC. TRACTOR CO., INC.
Mohnlon, PA Chambarsburg, PA Lebanon, PA
"Vi 5*48+4391 717-263-4103 717-272-4641
bartron
SUPPLY, INC.
TunkhannocK, PA
717-638-4011
CARLYLE &
MARTIN, INC.
Hagerstown, MD
301-733-1873
CLUGSTON FARM MOMENT INC
EQUIPMENT E SjS!S?JB 6
Naadmora, PA 301-452-5252
717-573-2215
The best compromise for optimiz
ing performance and minimizing
stomach irritation is a particle size
between 600 and 900 microns.
Sources
1. M.D. Ropp et al. 1991. 1991
Missouri Swine Day Report, pp
53-56.
2. S.L. Tilton et al. 1991. 1991
Missouri Swine Day Report, pp
61-63.
3. Cromwell, G.L. et al. 1992. J.
Anim. Sci. 70 (Suppl 1):17.
4. Robert, S. et al. 1992. J. Anim.
Sci. 70 (Suppl 1):158.
5. Friend, T.H. et al. 1992. J.
Anim. Sci. 70 (Suppl 1):161, and
Hsieh, M. et al. 1992. J. Anim. Sci.
70 (Suppl 1) :169.
6. Rudd, A.R.. et al. 1992. J. Anim.
Sci. 70 (Suppl 1):168.
7. Wondra, KJ.. et al. 1992. J.
Anim. Sci. 70 (Suppl 1):239.
8. Wondra. K.H.. et al. 1992. J.
Anim. Sci. 70 (Suppl 1):239.
Mold Problems on Corn
Kenneth B. Kephart
This year will go down as one
of high com yields in Pennsylva
nia. We got the com in the ground
early, and we had plenty of rain.
But we also had more than our
share of cool weather. And as pro
ducers are learning, much of the
com hadn’t fully matured when
the killing frosts hit. The drying
process slows down drastically
after the com stalk dies.
DEERFIELD AG &
TURF CENTER, INC,
Wattontown, PA
717-538-3557
DUNKLE &
GRIEB INC.
Mill Hall, PA
717-726-3115
obstructions. You get accurate seed placement
and a more uniform seeding depth. All this, pk
easy-to-set depth-gauging press wheels.
The 455 is available in 25-, 30-, and 35-foot
working widths. The quick-folding design gets
you from field to field fast and easy with a
narrow transport width of just over 15 feet
For perfect seeding depth and more,
turn to the John Deere
455 Front-Folding Drill. If N| 111
FINCH SERVICES
HANOVER INC.
Hanover, PA
717-632-2345
A.B.C. GROFF, INC.
New Holland, PA
717-354-4191
GUTSHALL’S INC.
RD #2 Box 74-A
Loyavlllo, PA
So we’re left with lots of com,
still in the field, that contains
25-35% moisture. That’s wet
enough to support mold growth,
which can lead to mycotoxin con
tamination. In fact, we’ve had
enough mild days this fall that
mold is already a problem in a lot
of com.
If you’re feeding some of this
com to growing pigs, you should
be concerned. If you’re feeding it
to sows, you should be worried
sick. Abortions and drastic drops
in milk production are two night
mares that no one needs during a
$4O hog market.
What Should You Do?
1. Watch the pigs for symp
toms. A sudden drop in feed
intake, or any reproductive prob
lems in the sow herd should make
you suspicious. Also keep your
eyes open for subtle changes like
redness or swelling in the vulvas
of young gilts. If you see any of
these symptoms, avoid feeding the
com to the breeding herd if possi
ble. Sure, feeding contaminated
com to a grower-finisher pig can
be costly, but at least the effects
are reversible. Once a sow aborts,
you’re back to square one for it
least another four months.
2. Consider having the com tested
You can purchase test kits for var
ious mycotoxins that will cost
roughly $lO per test. As of
GUTSHALL’S INC,
Carllsla, PA
717-249-2313
KERMU K.
KISTLER INC.
Lynnport, PA
215-298-2011
LANDIS BROS. INC.
Lancaster, PA
717-291-1046
LEHIGH AG
EQUIPMENT
Waseosvills, PA
215-398-2553
LONE MAPLE
SALES & SERVICE
Now Alexandria, PA
412-668-7172