A26-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, August 13 1994 Basics Of Grass Growth, Watering Systems At Grazing Field Day ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Fanning Staff HONEY GROVE (Juniata Co.) Make plans to see how effec tively rotational grazing can be used at the fifth annual Pasturing SOI Field Day, to be held here at Tuscarora Mountain Acres, oper ated by Ed and Lorraine Rits, on Thursday, Sept. 1, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. At the field day, a host of graz ing experts from industry. Penn State, and farm-related organiza tions will be on hand to provide information on how to put grazing to use. Included will be an over view of grazing basics, fence and water systems, erosion control structures, and use of various types of grasses for effective feed management The experience with soil loss after a heavy rain convinced Ed Rits that grass was the way to go. Years ago, after seeing how ineffective contour strips were in stopping erosion on some of beef farmer Ed Rits’ cropland, instead of rotating com into rye, Rits decided to plant grass and use grazing to feed his beef animals. “The important thing is learn ing how grass grows,” said Rits during a recent telephone inter view with Lancaster Farming. “That’s the whole key to the graz ing program.” Rits said that he has grazed for more than 30 years. He farms 100 acres, of which 16 hill ier acres are under a conservation reserve program. All of the remaining acres are in grazing. Of the acreage, Rits maintains about 40 acres of orchard grass, nine acres of alfalfa, 12 acres of ryegrass, 20 acres of blucgrass, two acres of timothy, and another two acres of matua bromcgrass. In June, the county, along with a great por tion of the region, was in the midst of a drought Many of the fields dried up, particularly the grass fields, according to Rits. Only the alfalfa fields continued to grow. But rains came at the end of June, and from then on the grass came back. Recently, rains dropped four-tenth to five-tenths of an inch at a time to promote regrowth of the grass. Rits will explain, at the field day, how using grazing methods at his farm helped increase savings on feed and improve soil conditions. Also, Rits will explain his use of port able watering systems in his paddocks, including 25-gallon units. One important part of water system manage ment is to place the water tubs in the pad dock first and then let the cattle in. Rits said there are a few animals, when moved, that need water right away, and having the water ready when the animals arrive prevents crowding. "It’s all a matter of management,” said agencies. Hits’ Tuscarora Mountain Acres Farm is located about 26 miles northeast of the Pa. Turnpike (Exit 14) on Rt 75 north. From the turn pike, after East Waterford, take the next road left (Township Road). Traveling from Honey Grove south on Rt 75, take the first right (Township Road). The farm is about 'A mile from Rt 75. The field day will be held rain or shine. Registration is $5. which includes lunch. For more informa tion, contact Ed Rits at RRI Box 87, Honey Grove, PA 17035, (717) 734-3745. This is the schedule of events for the Pasturing 501 Field Day. Also scheduled at the meeting is an overview of fence posts and wire systems that Rits uses. Last year, about 75 people attended the field day from 13 counties and three states. Rits said that the trend in Pen nsylvania is for farmers to become small and part-time operators, and considering ways to save on equip ment and labor will be important. The pasture field day is spon sored by the Pennsylvania Associ ation for Sustainable Agriculture (PAS A) with help from a variety of cooperating industries and A.M. 9:00 9:30 Registration - $5.00 fee includes lunch Welocome to Tuscarora Mountain Acres - Introduction to Grazing Ed Rits, host fanner Grazing Basics 9:45 Tom Calvert, USDA - Soil Conservation Service Plant Growth and Management 10:30 11:15 Fence and Water Systems P.M. 12:00 12:30 Lunch Introductions Pasture Walk Cost Sharing Nancy Kaufman, Agricultural Stabilization & 0% • 12 Mot. 5 Months 4.9% •24 Mot. OR Walvtr Of Finance! ...Now Available On Moat Badger Equipment! 7.9% • 36 Mot. Badger Liquid Manure Pumps, Spreader Tanks and Box Spreaders PASTURING 501 Ed Rits Farm Honey Grove, PA September 1, 1994 Dr. Marvin Hall, Penn State University Agronomy Department Ed Rits, Rits Consulting Services Pack Drive _ . _ . „ . . sue umoader Badger Frost Busters! ■ Center-mounted blower allows for further travel between doors ■ Simple, trouble-free collector ring designed for greater ease of service ■ Quick Installation and low cost, the ideal replacement unit ■ High strength, extra-heavy angle iron frame ■ Rugged 10" auger with double flighting on outer end, equipped with heat treated Zinc Dlchromated knives ■ Heavy-duty chipper sheel shaves silo wall clean NEW... N^Jadqer) Your Dealer out The All New BN 104 PUMP Badger BNIBS Souper Trail Pump/Agitalor ■ Up to 26,000 GPM agitation capacity ■ Standard 28 foot length extendable to 38 feet for really big lagoons ■ Choice of cutter blade or propeller options to match biggest agitation needs ■ Exclusive Internal shear bar chops even straw-laden manure ■ Semi-cupped impeller paddles for high capacity pumping From Bftdgtr Foraga Box#* I, Running Q#ar... Th* Right Combination For Your Farm) 12:45 1:00 1:20 1:35 2:05 2:30 2:45 RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED PHONE 717-734-3745 will have on display atAg Progress Days: a 4000 GALLON TRUCK-MOUNT VACUUM TANK w/4 SHANK AUTO-RESET INJECTORS Compliments of: Dickßeoser& Dean Koch of Lewisburg, PA They offer custom spreading service is? Modal 8N2060 Conservation Service Streambank Fencing Ed Willow. PA Game Commission Erosion Control Structures Ed Rits, Host Farmer Nutrient Management Legislation Update Lee Bentz, PA Department of Agriculture Nutrient Management Planning Dane Lauver, Juniata County Conservation District Compost/Raw Manure Demonstration Ed Rits, Host Fanner New Fence Construction Beaver Fence System, McVeytown, PA Matua Brome Grass Kupa White Clover Citidal Ryegrass John Everhart, USDA Pasture Research Lab Hall, Calvert, Rits iNMmLftNDJ @ EMPLOYEE-OWNED. QUAI Ring Drive Silo Unloader C ** fetti j glider Belt or Single Chain Conveyors... s~ w 0% - 12 Mot. 4.9% - 24 Mot. 7.9% • 36 Mot. OR S Months Waiver 01 Finance! Badger Blowers Beat Bottlenecks ■ Designed (or plug-proof operation ■ Unload wagons (aster, (ill silos more efficiently ■ Choose from Model 8N2054 or New Model 8N2060, for bigger silos. ■ Rugged, heavy-duty construction. ■ Adjustable shear bar prevents hair pinning, carry-over and power loss. ■ All material goes up the pipe in the air stream. ■ Flexible wind guards minimize spillage. s3i EMPLOYEE-OWNED. QUALITY DRIVEN. Eastern Sales Offici Ken Mansfield Box 1536 Fox Road Hamburg, PA 19526 215-488-7028 'TY DRIVEN. See Your Local Badger Dealer HONESDALE SPREADING SERVICE INC. SOS Cliff St. Honesdale, PA 18431 (717) 253-2410 CHIDESTER FARMS RD 2, Box 75 Kingsley, PA 18826 (717) 289-4260 MELVIN G. MILLER RT 2, Spring Mills, PA 16875 (814) 422-8279 PIKEVILLE EQUIPMENT INC. RT 2. Oley, PA 19547 (215) 987-6277 BHM FARM EQUIP. INC. RR 1. Annville, PA 17003 (717) 867-2211 SHOW EASE STALL CO. 573 Willow Rd. Lancaster. PA 17601 (717) 299-2536 DEERFIELD AG & TURF CENTER, INC. R 0 2, Box 212 Watsontown, PA 17777 (717) 538-3557 HEFLIN SALES & SERVICE 12312 Oak Hill Rd. Woodsboro, MD 21798 (301) 898-3233 CHAMBERSBURG FARM SERVICE 975 S. Main St. Chambergburg, PA 17201 (717) 264-3533 SOMERSET BARN EQ. RD. #5 Somerset, PA 15501 (814) 445-SSSS MeMILLEN BROS. RD 1 Box 134 loytvllle, PA 17047 (717) 789-3961 HESS' EQUIPMENT Sales a Sendee RR 3, MUffinburg, PA 17844 (717) 966-2720 966-1906
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers