"Basically" Farming | Helpful hints for new \p I and existing farmers PhNNSIAI b College u! Agricultural Sciences IB Cooperative Extension - Southeast Region PLANNING AHEAD FOR PASTURE CONVERSION Mena Hautau Berks County Cooperative Extension Producers are looking to con vert select acres or whole farms to pasture for intensive grazing, horse production, or livestock and exotic animal production. Before any seed is sown or fence built, here are some items for consideration that should work into a plan of action. • Evaluate the soil types on the farm. Get ahold of a USDA Soil Survey for your county. Find your farm on the soil map, identi fy the soils and become aware of the strengths and limitations of your site. Avoid conversion of wetlands to pastures. If the soils are wet or droughty, plan for the grasses and animal traffic pat terns adapted to your soil type. Once the total number of acres devoted to pasture is known, the stocking rate, especially the upper limit, can be figured. • Take a soil test and become knowledgeable about what you need to do to bring soil fertility to optimum production. The need for high soil fertility is relative in the northeastern U.S. But in southeast Pennsylvania, where land values and animal stocking Organic dairy production will be a highlight of the Sept. 20 Lancaster Farming Dairy Plus booklet. Scheduled: features on organic dairy farms and strategies for success in organic milk production from university. In addition, news and information from the breed associations and cooperatives rates tend to be high, good fertili ty is needed to have a productive pasture. Soils that have been farmed in rotation for a long time with manure can have medium to very high levels of fertility, espe cially phosphorous and potassi um. Cropland that has a history of renting can have low pH and low fertility. The soil test result will help with the decision to add soil amendments, especially lime, before any seed is planted. • Know the crop history. A piece of land with an unknown cropping history can hide limita tions. If triazine herbicides have been used for com production, the field may not be able to be seeded. If possible, try to obtain knowledge about the pesticide history from the former operator. The Penn State Agronomy Guide can assist with understanding any herbicide restrictions. Anoth er consideration is noxious, woody or poisonous weeds. They may need to be controlled one year ahead of renovation, espe cially where these weeds have taken over rented crop ground or old hay stands. • Fencing and facilities. Plan on paper for any facility and fencing layout before anything is built or rebuilt. Facilities should ®*«***»®*®***®^l v A « Vetter "Avenger" Injector iid-Atlantic griSystems 800-222-2948 717-529-2782 4019 Ashyille Rd Quarryville, PA 17566 1