D4B-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, January 26,2002
Barenbrug Seed Company
Offers Grass Seminar
INTERCOURSE (Lancaster
Co.) Area graziers had the
chance to attend a day of pres
entations on forage grasses and
grazing here January 16.
Sponsored by Barenbrug seed
company in cooperation with
King’s Agriseeds of Ronks, the
seminar focused on the theme of
“Better Crass For Ruminants.”
Presenters included a dairy
farmer from Northern Ireland; a
Wisconsin nutritionist, farmer,
and author; and local Barenburg
representatives.
David Johnston of Northern
Ireland “home of the green,
green grass,” gave an over
view of the strongly grass-based
dairy and beef industries there.
Farmers in his country view
grazing as the most efficient use
of all resources, according to
Johnston.
“We look on our grass as a
30th National Agricultural Plastics Congress To Take Place In San Diego
HARRISBURG (Dauphin tion: How Far Have We Pro- and fumigation alternatives. ti on an( j chemigation- flower &
Co.) The American Society gressed?” Methyl bromide soil Another highlight of the pro- an( j ornamental production- Congress attendees will also
for Plasticulture (ASP) will host fumigation is scheduled for total gram is the presentation of tech- greenhouses and controlled en- have the °PP ort unity to visit
its 30th National Agricultural phase out in the U.S. and other nical reports from over 50 vironment agriculture- elastics witll P lasticulture industry sup-
Plastics Congress on Feb. 23-26 developed countries in individuals from the academic technology and reevding of P ,iers ' n designated exhibit
at the Doubletree Hotel Mission of 2005. Dr. Stapleton’s presen- community, manufacturing, and plastics; row covers low tunnels area- T ar ‘°V S hidustry repre-
Valley in San Diego, Calif. tation will provide a progress production enterprises, repre- an( j high tunnels; small fmh -ntatives wiU be on-site show-
The event will highlight the report on current and projected sentmg the U.S. and countries production; solarization and ? aSi ££ "® WeS * a " d
latest in the development, man- alternatives, including chemical, from around the world. Presen- fumigation; and vegetable pro- ian products available to
ufacturing, and utilization of biological, and/or physical treat- tations will cover the latest in ac- duction. ° * aid in the ihutfovement of crop
plastic products in agricultural ment options for growers. ademic research, applied Tours will offer attendees the yields thr&fpipjastics technol
production systems, bringing to- Dr. Stapleton, IPM plant experiences, and product devel- opportunky to witness oast re- a " d ,
gether industry professionals pathologist with the University opment research from educa- search pfit Info practice - Con- No * educational
from around the world. of California’s statewide IPM tional institutions and the current tours ' showcasing event<(he Cott §r(?ss also serves
The Congress will begin with project, is based at the UC Kear- private sector. agricultural production and %dndiVidu
a presentation from keynote ney Agricultural Center, near Among the categories in plasticulture activities will be a s ia -to
speaker James J. Stapleton, Fresno. He has more than 20 which papers will be presented conducted-on Tiifesdav Feb 26 ne^ w dHs^aod
Ph.D., entitled “Alternatives to years research and extension ex- are crop production systems as an addition to the Congress rg ®® e^^P“ ons^i P s
Methyl Bromide Soil Fumiga- perience with soil fumigation with plasticulture; drip irriga- program. ° around the world.
crop,” he said.
He pointed out a study show
ing the cost of raising grassfed
beef is about 17 percent of the
cost of raising “housefed” beef
in Northern Ireland.
Gary Zimmer of Wisconsin
spoke on “Healthy soils, healthy
grass, and healthy animals.”
“In this country we’ve ig-
nored soil mineral balance and
supplemented everything (in the
feed ration),” he said.
Aaron King of King’s
Agriseeds has been selling
Barenbrug grass and legume
forage seeds since 1993.
A dairy farmer, King told the
group he believes in the seeds he
offers.
“We try out the grasses on our
own cows before we sell them,”
he said.
Barenbrug’s seed company
was founded in Holland in 1904.
Speakers and Barenbrug seed company representatives at local gracing seminar.
From left, David Johnston, Northern Ireland; Gary Zimmer, Wis«*nsilH John Thyssen,
Oregon; Tim Guttridge, Barenbrug representative for NortheaitOftl UJ,: and Chad
Martin of Agri-King.