S.E. Grazing Conference Offers Expert Technical Information VERNON ACHENBACH, JR. Lancaster Farming Staff INTERCOURSE (Lancaster Co.) The Lancaster County Grazers held itsftrstSoutheastPa. Grazing Conference WedfecULy at the Harvest Drive Restaurant in Intercourse with more than 200 attending. The day-long conference was designed to bring together people with an interest in increasing pro fits in raising cattle or dairying, by reducing the amount of overhead needed for production. Five successful practioners of grazing addressed a number of top ics selected to provide a roundfcd introduction iri|to the practice, as well as great deal of technical advice for those wishing it. Also speaking was Glenn Shirk, Lancaster County Extension agent, who also supported the con ference. According to Shirk, graz ing not only can provide more effi cient production, but it seems to fit in well with nutrient management Roger Wentling, a well-known grazing consultant, provided an introduction and also talked about CXgfESTOGA VALL3EY ENTERJPRI^SS HI-MAG AC LIMB HI ' CAL i^iOiSn - *'*/c s "TSgSBj Cash Discount Savings on Delivery For your convenience calls received Mon.-Sat. until 9:00 pm 1-800-724-3277 Serving PA, MD, Del mar va &NJ ©O©CD(9<9©®(D<DCD(9®®(D<D(D<D®<D(D | Do you need § <D extra Income? mtcSQ? ® § Try growing peppers! § (D We need pepper growers $ ® For mon Information coma to lha matting, ® % Feb. 7,1994 at 7PM % 9 Dutch Country Growers © (h 76 Pumping Station Rd. © q Quarryvllie, PA 17566 Q <D Snow Date Feb. 21,1994 <D ® Bruce Helerik, speaker $ ® Public Invited $ <D Refreshments after meeting © § t 717) 786-SSOO | ©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©©© KEN CLUGSTON (717) 665-6775 CRAFT-BILT CONSTRUCTION INC. \ FARM-HOME BUILDING £ 1242 Breneman Road A MANHEIM, PA 17545 A PH: (717) 665-4372 BUILDING & REMODELING FOR dairy residential SWINE POLE BUILDINGS BEEF STORAGE the economics of grazing. Wentling also discussed soil fer tility and managing pastures for grazing. According to Wentling, he operates his land by managing for the microbes and macroinver tabrates in the soil, in order to pro vide a healthy crop of plants for grazing, and also to help maintain the health of the operation. He said that on healthy soil, a normal cow pattie should be bro ken down within 20 days. He said raking dried manure should be unnecessary, but it takes from four years to 12 years. ‘The whole reason for grazing is because it’s possible to get more net profit out of grass with lower inputs,” Wentling said. He suggested using rotational grazing with “biological farming pratices.” He described those prac tices as amanging for the microbes and the soil fertility. He said he promotes the use of soft rock phosphate and downplay s the use of nitrogen and potash. Also, he said to be careful when listening to consultants who advise raising the soil pH to 7. It’s not necessary to have a high pH, he said. In fact, he said using magnesium-free flow percentage) limestone or soft rock phosphate can provide the calcium better in a more acidic soil than in a high pH From the left, Marvin Metzler, Glen Moyer, Allen Welcksel answer qi about grazing, while Arden Landis moderates the panel. YOU’RE LOOKING AT A GREAT IDEA! MINIMUM INLETS FOR YOUR CURTAIN SIDED BROILER HOUSE. LET THE BROILER \ S>N \ EXPERTS AT HERSHEY UPDATE YOUR HOUSE. Agri Ventilation Systems, \ Building Ventilation Controllers with the Grower in Mind TTefisnev EQUIPMENT CO. If It's V, f ortA your Investment, 'Trust It To Mershetj soil. “White sand has a pH of 7,” he said. “Can you grow anything in it?” He said he also manages to maintain a high earthworm popu- ★ ALLOWS CURTAINS TO STAY TIGHTLY CLOSED ★ REGULATES AIR INLET DOORS ★ MAKES THE BEST USE OF YOUR FAN POWER ★ MAINTAINS MORE CONSISTENT AIR QUALITY ★ HELPS YOUR BIRDS GET PEAK PERFORMANCE lation in his pasture. Turnout for the conference was very good, according to organiz ers. Those wishing more informa tion, should call Arden Landis at (215) 593-8160. 255 PLANE TREE DRIVE LANCASTER, PA 17603 (717) 393-5807
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