(Continued from Pag* 21)
ing an all-grass or forage-based sys
tem of dairy production can lower la
bor inputs and feed costs while allow
ing the fanner to concentrate on get
ting the most out of his cows.
Today we can also lower our feed
costs and help our shrinking bottom
line through the adoption of a forage
based dairy system in which we use
rotational grazing as the major com
ponent in feeding our herd during the
growing season. We can purchase
feed supplements as needed to provide
the energy and other nutrients neces
sary to maximize production in a for
age-based system.
Rotational grazing is not a new idea
or concept but one that we arc revital-
model - side loading - Applicutter
Special price $9500.00
Other Equipment
Techno bale wagon
Rubber tire manure scrapers
Bcnco 5 bale transporter
Kvernland 339-11 ’9” mower
conditioner
Kvernland 337-9’3” mower
1 conditioner
j Vermeer 504 C baler (silage)
2 Kuhn 300G+ rotary rake
| New Holland 853 baler
| AgWrap 3pt wrapper
| Bale spears
» N 14116 bar rake - like new
f NI 4150 rake
I Gehl 450 10 wheel rake
•yhthr ~
tndMorwi
to town ' v
-
STANDARD SIXSS
15' X 54' 25' X 48'
18' X 48' 28' X 48'
20’ X 48' 33' X 42'
25' X 33' 33' X 48'
23' X 48'
izing and expanding. It is apparent
that New Zealand and Europe were
quicker to realize that rotational graz
ing was the way to keep their livestock
industry economically viable. This re
surrected article from Better Fanning
made me think about why U.S. farm
ers went away from all-grass farming.
Our movement toward these types of
systems today are not new and innova
tive but just a reintroduction and ex
pansion of the old.
For information on rotational graz
ing systems or its many components,
contact me at (717) 237-2221 or at
NRCS, Suite 340, One Credit Union
Place, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2993.
Until next time, happy grazing!
uppers are self
propelled, with automatic warp cycle, for
fast and effi 30"
Reliable Economical Hi-Speed
Light, fluffy windrows Call for a demo
Cash prices WR2O - $2,900
WR22 ■ $3,300
GLENN BEIDLER
Starßt. - Box'3
Frecburg, Pa. 17827
Phone and fax 717-539-8993 or 800-774-0796
* * aa
2' wßbblng
** loop for
OMsy plpo
Inoort
20 Years in the
hay COVER Business
FOR NEAREST DEALER
CALL:
1-800-387-7765
A
BRINGS *
-f* * 'A
In 1997, the first alfalfa varieties
with true resistance to potato leafhop
per were introduced by seed compan
ies under several tradenames. Regard
less of the tradename, all leafhopper
resistant varieties received the resis
tance trait from a “wild” type of alfalfa.
Resistant varieties have small hairs on
stems and leaves which produce a sub
stance that discourages leafhopper
feeding and reproduction. Truly leaf
hopper resistant varieties should not be
confused with those which arc adver
tised as being “tolerant to yellowing.”
Varieties which are tolerant to yellow-
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Foraging Around, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 11, 1998—Page
(Continued from Pago 5)
root system because of toxins injected
into the stems by the leafhopper. The
result will be stunting, less regrowth,
lower winter survival, and new seed
lings can be killed. Yield losses may be
as high as 40 percent in the seeding
year and 15 percent for established
stands.
Until recently, all alfalfa varieties
have been highly susceptible to potato
leafhopper and many farmers have
been forced to apply several insecti
cide sprays per year. The cost for
scouting and insecticide can easily be
$lO or more for each application per
acre. ITiis expense, in addition to lost
quality, tonnage, reduced stands, and
milk or meat production adds up rapid
ly. PLH is truly the number one pest of
alfalfa.
JOHN DEERE
4- TO 7-FOOT ROTARY CUTTERS
Industry
Corner
ing might simply use dark green color
to hide the yellowing. Damage from
the leafhopper may not be apparent but
it occurs nonetheless.
What have we learned about PLH
resistant varieties? What more do we
need to know? Arc PLH-resistant
varieties right for your farm?
These are some good questions. We
have learned quite a lot in the year
since first seedings were made but
there are still many questions. New
spring seedings in 1997 had to prove
themselves under severe lealhopper
pressure and drought. It was a rough
test with mixed results.
We know that the PLH resistance
trait is providing protection from leaf
hopper damage. Growers reported less
yellowing and stunting when com
pared to normal varieties. University
trials which were not sprayed have
shown significantly higher yields for
PLH resistant varieties when com
pared to normal varieties under leaf
hopper pressure.
We have learned that PLH resis
tance does not mean total immunity.
Heavy leafhopper pressure such as oc
curred last year can be so great that
even resistant varieties may need to be
sprayed occasionally. As always, pro
tection of new seedings should be a
priority until establishment.
We also learned that not all PLH re
sistant varieties are “created equal.”
Some varieties may
have higher levels of
resistance to PLH
than others. Univer
sity data and Held re
ports seem to show re
sistance differences.
In fact, some com
mercial varieties are
advertised as “resist
ant” and others as
“highly resistant.”
In 1998, estab
lished stands should
provide whole year
data on PLH resis
tance, spray cost re
duction, forage quali
ty and yield. Eastern
Universities are con
tinuing to test PLH re
sistant varieties and
more trials will be es
tablished.
With all these ques
tions, should you
plant PLH-resistant
alfalfa? I believe that
most information
about PLH resistant
alfalfa is very positive
and that it will be
beneficial on farms
where PLH is a yearly
pest. The resistance
trait will also provide
good insurance in
areas where lealhop
per damage occurs
occasionally and
where spraying is not
done but damage oc
curs. In my opinion,
the risks' are low and
the benefits are high
with leafhopper re
sistant alfalfa, as long
as the variety is other
wise well adapted to
your farm.
197