Nutrient Management: Friend Or Foe? V irginia Ishler Penn State Dairy Alliance It is not surprising that many producers do not have nuti tent management on their radar screens. Putting togethei a plan can be as intimidating and overwhelm ing as trying to do your own income taxes. Why would a poison put themselves through that ordeal if they didn't have to? I he initial response would most likely be there is no good reason. However, even if a farm does not need a nuliient management plan, learning about the many management strategies that can be painlessly imple mented, and that comply with regulations currently in place could offer several advantages. In many in stances, there ate opportunities to lower costs (i.e. teed) on the farm while at the same time maintaining oi improving production. There is the possibility to nnpime the whole farm nutrient balance and the pub lic's perception of farming. Consider the following questions I \ie lowering feed costs and improving air and w.i.ci quality at the same time realistic? Phosphorus and mtiogen are the two main elements that are con i ci ns legarding water and air quality. They are also the same two nutrients that tend to be overfed on tai ms and can increase feed costs substantially. In the an lent situation of higher feed costs and lower milk pi ices, this could be the time to seriously evaluate the ley el of phosphorus and protein being fed. The first slop m being good environmental stewards is to reduce tlu excietionol these elements in the manure. 2. What is the P-index? It is very likely in the next couple of years, phosphorus-based nutrient manage ment planning, instead of nitrogen based, will be in place Ihe phosphorus index, or P-index, is a tool w Inch evaluates the fields on which manure will be ap plied. It incorporates a rating system for nutrient tianspoil factors (i.e. erosion) and source factors. I Mug the P-index scale, determinations will be made it nutnents (manure or fertilizer) can be applied based mi mtiogen, based on phosphorus crop removal, or if no phosphoi us can be applied. 1 Is there any financial assistance available? There me numerous cost-shaiing programs available that piovide assistance to pioducers. Recently, the federal government has allotted funds that can be used to wards environmental improvements. 4. Mow do I know if regulations apply to me? The “foe” foi most people lies in the regulation part of nu ti ient management The key to finding out if you are m compliance or what direction you need to be going m is by fust contacting the right people. 5. How can 1 become environmentally aware? The PEACCE program (Pennsylvania Environmental Ag ricultural Conservation Certification of Excellence) was developed to promote environmentally safe agri cultural practices among livestock and poultry pro ducers, to encourage them to minimize risks to the environment, and in turn minimize personal liability. By successfully completing three components of the program, producers get recognized who meet oi exceed standards as established' by PEACCE. They receive a farm sign and are publicly recognized foi meeting and exceeding the environmental standards of the program. More in-depth answers to these questions will occur at the Dairy-PR workshops scheduled at various loca tions across the state on September 24, October 3, and 16, 2002. The registration fee is $lO per person. The registration fee is offset by funding from the PEACCE program. Detailed information can be obtained by contacting Virginia Ishler at vishler@psu.edu or (814) 863-3912. Farmers Learn About Dairy Checkoff At PDPP Annual Meeting HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Harold Shaulis, Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program (PDPP) vice chairman and Somerset County dairy farmer, wel comed nearly 250 Pennsylvania dairy farmers Aug. 22 to the 2002 PDPP annual meeting and informational luncheon at Ag Progress Days. Scott Higgins, CEO of American Dairy Association and Dairy Council Mid East shared information about both local and national dairy promotion efforts. “Since the national dairy checkoff began in 1984, per capita consumption of total milk has steadily climbed, increasing by more than 13 percent,” said 1 liggins. Higgins also discussed the checkoff program’s initi atives to increase milk sales through milk vending ma chines in schools. A new program will provide schools w ith the information they need to make a vending ma chine in their school a reality. The dairy checkoff will also provide grants to schools in the PDPP and Mid- Atlantic Dairy Association service areas of Pennsylva nia to help schools purchase selected vending machines. Dairy farmers attending Ag Progress Days w ci e also invited to visit the checkoff exhibit to learn moie
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers