830-Lancastw Farming, Saturday, March 5,'1994 NORCROSS, Ga. Quality forage is critical to success of the dairy enterprise and a quality for age program starts with variety se lection and crop establishment, and ends with an intensive and timely cutting schedule. But what makes it work and keeps it going are the soil fertility and pest management programs. What makes the yield differ ence? Research in Ontario showed that intensively managed alfalfa produced 86 percent more yield (17.4 tons per during a three year period than the average pro duction system (9.4 tons per acre). The intensive management system compared to the average system started with high soil potassium levels compared to low levels, and harvested five cuts compared to three cuts per year. High soil potassium levels are the key to a high yield/high quality forage program. To produce best Farm Show Potato Judges Garner Blue NAZARETH (North ampton Co.) North ampton County Potato judging teams did exceptionally well at the 1994 Pennsylvania Farm Show. The A team consist ing of Jamie Hower of Bethlehem, Heather Ford of Northampton, and Kevin Martin and Sarah Geiger both of Danielsville placed first in the state. The B-l team consisting of Jen nifer Hower of Beth lehem, William Ford and Michael Ford of Northampton, and Nathaniel Martin of Danielsville won first in the state also. The B-2 team consist ing of Joel Geiger of Danielsville, Nicole Kondziela of Bath, and James Ford of North ampton won sixth in the state. Of the top ten jud gers in the state, six were from Northampton County. Those placing in the top ten were Wil liam Ford, Jamie How er, Heather Ford, Jennif er Hower, Joel Geiger, and Sarah Geiger. Thir teen teams competed from various counties. With a great team effort, Northampton County placed first in the state for the first time in 1994. Much of this success is due to two very dedicated vol unteers, Paul and Rachel Hower of North ampton. The Mowers have been coaching Northampton County’s potato judging teams for more than 20 years. 4-H is available to all youth ages 8-18. For information, call (610) 746-1970. LANCASTER FARMING'S CLASSIFIED ADS GET RESULTS! High Potassium Boosts Alfalfa Profits yields, both production systems required the same amount of pot ash about 325 pounds K z O per acre in each of the three years. But, for the average system, start ing the alfalfa on a low soil test jeopardized yield opportunity in each of the three production years even though potash was supplied in excess of what the crop remov ed. In terms of production poten tial, annual fertilizer applications to low fertility soils are not as ef fective as those applied in high fertility soils. For the intensive management system, very high soil potassium levels provided the basis for high yields. During the major produc tion year, more than 600 pounds of potash was removed by a yield of more than 8 tons per acre. As a result of the high production de mand, there was a significant draw down or mining of soil po tassium. FORCE CONTROLS. In Developing FORCE soil insecticide, Zeneca Ag Products simulated and improved on the powerful chemistry found in chrysanthemum flowers. The result is the first pyrethroid insecticide designed for soil application. Because of this unique chemistry, FORCE ranks low in mammalian toxicity, which means very low hazard to humans. In addition, the low water solubility and soil mobility of FORCE greatly reduces any risk of leaching or ground water contamination. i# r ‘ «*■ f«X»CC«.s ranee w issa iB. Interestingly, when both pro duction systems received annual potash applications of 325 of K z O per acre, the final soil potassium levels were similar. So what made the difference? Nutrient manage ment systems made the difference a big 86 percent mote alfalfa difference. Effective and efficient nutrient management does not simply con sider the field, crop by crop. Ra ther, as one crop is being grown, it’s done with the next crop in mind. Alfalfa can make big yields because its taproot aggressively explores subsoils to utilize stored moisture and nutrients. Research in Missouri documented this ef fect. Since alfalfa can deplete sub soil potash levels, it’s doubly im portant to start with good fertility and maintain it for the next crop. In every sense of the word, main taining high soil fertility levels is a sustainable farming practice. The potash/harvesting/variety management combination results in top yields, quality, and profits. A five-year research study in Michigan indicates that alfalfa producers have some discretion in making the “quality vs. yield” de cision. Certain varieties produced Pa. State DEKALB, 111. Matthew Maximuck, Doylestown, Pa., won a state first-place award in the National Com Growers Associa tion (NCGA) yield contest, no-till non-irrigated division. Winners are selected from the highest yield entered in each category. Maximuck won with Dekalb DK623 seed, which produced 203.92 bushels per acre. The crop was planted on May 11, 1993 in Apply ' FORCE at Bto 10 oz. per 1,000 linear row feet. The lbs./acre equivalent rates are: 6.6 lbs. per acre on 40* rows 6.9 lbs. per acre on 38” rows 7.3 lbs. per acre on 36’ rows FORCE may be applied in a T-band in front of the press wheels, in a band behind the press wheels, or in-furrow. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL Z£NBCA AG PRODUCTS DEALERS No other soil mite tickle controls as much as FORCE* whet) it comes to performance against a wide variety of pests Not only does FORCE control rootworms it outperforms Lorsban 85% to 76% on cutworms according to 1992 field trials Counter can't even touch cutworms FORCE also works better than Counter or Lorsban against wirewornts and white grubs FORCE works in all weather conditions and won’t interact with the rescue herbicides Accent and beacon It's easy to see why FORCE is a generation ahead—for the generations ahead IW WCNEC A Ilk I* is a itadriiiaik erf an 1C I C>nnip( tmi(*iny Am tv Is a uadi nuik irf E ! JtiKtnt ch NiiikkJts(» C « isa (r ftknurk ul( dwlttikt C iMpniaikXi Ctnmni is a itadknvi'k »rf An«tkanC yabamnK ivnrwm LdhlvnbiiraktiurVillliMELnii fCW E artf C ivuntit an* rrsihrifd use prstkiJn Always n-aJ aikJ Mkw label dim tmu larrlully Ikfa Sou fie Umvimry erf Hindis 199 J more protein per acre while others provide higher dry matter yields. Select the variety to produce what you need. The key to growing either type of variety, according to this research, is high potash fertili ty and frequent harvesting. Farmer Wins NCGA Contest 30-inch rows at a population of 25,300 and harvested on Nov. 8. He will be honored by Dekalb Plant Genetics at a reception dur ing the NCGA Com Classic in Denver, Colo. He also will receive special recognition from the NCGA. Maximuck, who has been farm ing 20 years, grows 67S acres of com, soybeans, and wheat. 7.7 lbs. per acre on 34* rows 8.2 lbs. per acre on 32” rows 8.7 -lbs. per acre on 30* rows A Generation Ahead For The Generations Ahead.
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