-Foraging Around, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 9,2002 204 Rotational Grazing (Continued from Page 11) the roadway during wet periods as it did before. The quality of the thick pasture growth is maintained by mowing throughout the summer into Sep tember for weed control, with an oc casional spot spraying for multi flora rose. In fall Fox uses his side delivery manure spreader to spread organic compost on the pastures. The manure lagoon from the dairy operation has been modified into a compost pit. Grass clippings, manure from the barn lot, and even cardboard boxes are mixed, creating a compost that is spread over the pastures each fall in a thin layer. The cattle can be returned to these pasture blocks after two to three days of regrowth and will graze as usual. As for the future, Fox agrees with the saying, “If it’s not broke don’t fix it.” Fox sold off the equipment he no longer needed and currently owns two tractors, a round baler, haybine, hay rake, and manure TOP HAY CROPS ■m 3pt. Hitch w J| W ffw Rotary Rake | in transport Rotary Tedders Available m 9' & 14’ models Both models have spring tines & tilt adjustment Can be adapted for horse use * %*** Call Us About All Our Tractor & Horse Drawn Equipment J jijjLT l&J Manufacturing 5302 Amish Road • Gap, PA 17527 - 717/442-9451 VisitourWebSiteatwww.caseih.com MU Case IH is a registered trademark of Case Corporation with l&J equipment Rotary Rakes Available in 3pt or trailing, engine driven, PTO, or ground drive Engineered to hold up on rugged terrain position ' w Mowers • Scissors action cui • 7' working width • No plugging' spreader. With minimal expenses and few repair and vet bills, Fox feels he is ahead of the game by fol lowing the intensive rotational graz ing program. He realized he could increase animal numbers if he wanted and could increase weight gain if he were to add a grain sup plement to his feed program, but he has been well satisfied with the re sults when it comes time to market his calves. Fox feels the most convincing point to promote rotational grazing is the reduced cost and labor of such an operations. Fox presents a slide show to groups and organizations about the benefits of rotational grazing. Inten sive rotational grazing has im proved the quality of the farm’s soils, and is an environmentally friendly operation. Pond Hollow Farm has been preserved under the Farmland Preservation Program, as are many surrounding farms. This friendly and cheerful couple recently celebrated their 50th wed ding anniversary with a party of family and friends. Converting to "'■'ll % intensive rotational grazing has en abled them to enjoy life on the farm, yet allows them time to share. The daily needs of the cattle can easily be handled by their children and grandchildren, allowing the couple to travel and pursue their hobbies and interests. Selecting An Alfalfa Variety Penn State University The choice of which alfalfa vari ety “is best” for a particular farm is not that easy! Over the past 10 years, Penn State has evaluated more than 150 alfalfa varieties or experimental lines in research trials at three locations in Pennsylvania. A large number of varieties for which adequate data are available have performed satisfactorily in these research trials. The results of these variety evaluation trials appear in the Forage Trials Report, available at your county extension office. With all of these varieties avail able, how can the “best” variety be b Kenton, DE Seaford, DE Sterling, MA Girdletree, MD Pocomoke, MD Lewiston, ME Malaga, NJ Avon, NY Cohocton, NY Fancer, NY . Milton, NY Perry, NY Sodus, NY Biglerville, PA Butler, PA Dr. Marvin Hall 325 HQ WL 324 WL 319 WL 342 WL 326 WL ,302-659-3577 302-629-3047 978-426-2435 410-632-2200 410-957-2436 207-795-6640 609-694-0120 716-226-2700 716-384-5221 716-589-6330 914-795-2177 716-237-6220 315-483-9146 717-677-6101 724-865-9216 As Elwood and Pauline Fox drive through their hilltop pastures watching their cattle leisurely enjoy the thick pasture growth, they know they made the right choice when they adopted a rotational grazing program. selected? First of all, there is no “best” variety for all situations. In fact, there probably is not one “best” variety for a single Pennsyl vania farm because of the extreme variability in soils across the state. The key to selecting varieties is to identify the two or three varieties that are best suited for a particular situation. The following steps may help identify those suitable varieties; 1. Select varieties that have ad equate resistance to the diseases prevalent in your area, on your farm, or in the exact field where the alfalfa will be planted. 2. From these varieties, select those that have persisted well in en- (Turn to Page 13) HQ GZ UaE Leola, PA Richland, PA, Tyrone, PA York, PA. Eastville, VA Winchester, VA Vergennes, VT 717-656-9798 .717-933-4343 814-684-9470 717-845-9222 757-678-5165 540-662-1742 802-759-2022
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers