EU-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 10, 1996 COLUMBUS, Ohio—Farmers who need forage for the winter should avoid the temptation of making a cutting from late Sep tember through October, said an Ohio State University forage agronomist Hay stands may look lush and green, but alfalfa and red clover need a rest in the foil for root sys tems to store carbohydrates for the winter, said Mark Sulc. Ideally, these forages need a six-week break before the first killing frost which usually arrives in late Octo ber or early November. Wet weamer delayed this year’s first hay harvests well into June. Farmers should time their summer cuttings so the last harvest cf the season is in early September. Southern Ohio farmers should fin ish by Sept IS, and central and northern producers even earlier, Sulc said. “This means most people prob- ALUMINUM GRAIN BODIES & ALUMINUM REPAIRS by <:>" .j These ultra-light bodies are designed for strength through engineering, not strength with blilk. For example, a 16' grain body with tailgate and 48" side weighs only 1490 lbs, com length or any side height up to 60". Also available: Double swinging hay hauling tailgate Barn door type tailgate Slide out cattle chutes HEWEY WELDING Box 2312, RD4 Lebanon, PA 17042 (717)867-5222 BALE STACK COVERS f * - 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE - FOR PIPE HOLD DOWN 2" wide webbing loops (holding Two spur eyelets esch corner over 500 Lbs/loop) sewn Into 5 In 12" gussets, plus eyelets layers of silver / black, U. V.l. around perimeter at 3' o/c in treated super tough poly-fabric. 9"; S layer gussets (for uneven stacks). the Venaiiliiy Won fceefHire in Hold Oom System! 1-800- 387-7765 (USA East) Cutting Fall Hay Could ably will only be able to get three cuttings of hay this year,” he said. Hay cut from late September through October will regrow and use energy that should be saved for the winter, Sulc said. Research shows that the forage gained from a fall cutting is typically lost in the first cutting the following spring. “That’s the best case scenario,” Sulc said. “If we have another bad winter like this past year, you could lose your whole stand.” Fields cut late are more likely to heave, Sulc said. Even with a mild winter, farmers can expect up to one-half ton per acre less hay from the first spring harvest after a fall cutting. Producers badly needing hay for animals during the winter should weigh the need for hay ver sus the potential winter damage and lower spring yields caused by late cutting, Sulc said. These are the circumstances that may mini- We'll build you any lete • Diamond flooring • Pull out panel tailgates • Any size grain chute FOR ROPE or PIN HOLD DOWN mize the risk of injury from an ex tra fall cutting: • Wait to cut after the killing frost (temperatures of 25 F or less for several hours) in late October or early November. If cut that late, the forage won’t begin to regrow, so energy will not be lost for the winter. But, avoid fields with heavy-textured, poorly drained soils subject to heaving. Top growth is needed to moderate soil surface temperatures and reduce freeze-thaw action that can uproot plants and kill a stand. • Select well-drained fields with optimum pH and high fertility lev els, especially potassium. Select fields planted with winter-hardy COMPETITION v\ \ *9 q. SEE OUR DISPLAY AG PROGRESS DAYS AUG. 13,14,15 East 2nd STREET STOLTZFUS FARM SERVICE, INC. Rts. 10 & 41 Cochranviile, Pa. 215-593-2407 ZIMMERMAN’S FARM SERVICE School Road, Rt. 1 Bethel, Pa. 717-933-4114 BLOWS THE AWAY. C.J. WONSIDLER BROS. Finland Rd., Quakertown, PA 215-536-1935 / 215-536-7523 Rts. 309 & 100, New Tripoli, PA 610-767-7611 Be Costly varieties. • Do NOT harvest fields seeded this past spring or summer. • Allow 4S days of growth be fore taking a fall cutting. This al lows carbohydrate buildup that helps to lower, but not eliminate, risk. • A third cutting during the fall is less risky than a fourth one. Plants are bound to be more rested under less intensive cutting sche dules and are better able to with stand the stress of fall cutting. ■ Hay fields with severe potato leafhopper injury this summer are weak and should not be harvested in the fall This is not a good year for fall Hesston's Model 7155 S blows the competition away with its efficiency and strength It starts with the reel-type cutting cylinder. The tungsten-carbide hardened knives slice through the crop mat without wasted power. Wide spacing between the cutterhead knives moves crop through without a lot of bunching or carry-over. today, along with a wide selection of equipment for all your hay and for- age needs, all backed by the AGCO Warranty Program. And ask about flexible financing through Agricredit Acceptance Company cutting. Side said.. Many alfalfa stands were weak or injured com ing out of the winter, then were further stressed with a wet spring and dry summer. “All this stress tends to weaken the plant’s root system,” he said. “The crop really needs the rest period this fall if it is to be saved for production next year.” STANLEY S FARM SERVICE RD 1, Box 46 Klingerstown, Pa. 717-648-2088 UMBERGER’S OF FONTANA, INC. RD 4, Box 545 Lebanon, Pa. 717-867-2613 A Nobody knows hay like y^HESSTON u Crop- put more nd less into You'll get e for every t at your AGCO Hess t o n dealer
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