f Crazy About Clovers Berks County Extension Here’s a rundown on some of the clover species that you have seen offered in sales liter ature or have read about in magazines. PERENNIALS Alsike Clover Alsike is intermediate be tween red and white clover. It was considered A hybrid, but is now considered its own spe cies. If you look at grass lawns, where the dutch white clover is growing, you proba bly can find alsike clover. Look for flowers that vary in color from white to pink. The leaflets do not have the white “v” on them. Its yield per formance is considered less than red clover. It is usually seeded with red clover in a bluegrass pasture mix. Just like red clover, it does not last long, but readily reseeds itself. It is usually recommended on sites that are wet and acid (tolerates a pH as low as 5.5). Complete through harvesting increases capacity and efficiency and allows longer length cuts, for increased fiber content The unique “Kernel Kracker” uses shearing action to process the crop, so there’s no loss of capacity through the rolls. Plus, cracked kernels and broken cobs release more sugars to facilitate fermentation. The result? Unsurpassed feed value that puts you on the road to mcreasesd milk and meat production. To learn more, visit your New Idea Results. Alyceclover Alyceclover is a legume adapted to tropical or sub tropical climates. It is not con sidered a “true” clover. It would not be recommended for use in this area because of its intolerance to frost and its moisture needs. “Alice” White Clover Not to be confused with the above clover! Alice is the vari ety name of Ladino white clo ver. These types have been se lected for their larger, more erect leaves. The leaves are oriented to capture more sun light than the native “dutch” clovers you see in closely grazed pastures or lawns. Kura Clover There is renewed interest in Kura clover because of its growth habit. It produces sto lons, just like white clover but the stolons are underneath the ground. This enables it to have greater winter and drought hardiness. It is re ported to be difficult to estab- New Idea’s Model 1500 forage harvester combines efficient harvesting and innovative processing to deliver real results for your operation. Straight- JmS. New Idea I ABCO BUILT FOR THE BOTTOM LIME lish. Kura clover has been in cluded in trials here in Pennsylvania with not a lot of success. It also must be inocu lated. Of all the new species for pastures, some research at tention has been done to leant more about its growing habits. Red Clover Most widely grown of all the clovers. Although a peren nial in most pastures, it will behave as a biennial. This is due to its intolerance of pro longed drought and harsh winters. Producers will have to overseed red clovers to keep them productive in pastures. ANNUALS Berseem Clover Berseem is classified as an annual. It is shallow rooted and has yellow flowers. It is adapted more to growing in southern climates. If grown in our region, it is used primarily as a summer annual cover crop for soil building purpos es. It is readily killed off in winter. Farming, -Saturday.'September T 3,2003, Foragin'^Arocind-Etl Harvest time presents grow ers with a great opportunity to impact forage quality. Three proven tactics used by growers to improve silage quality are kernel processing, inoculant usage, and silo segregation, according to Dr. Karl Nestor, senior animal nutritionist, My cogen Seeds. Kernel Processing Kernel processing occurs when a whole com plant is run through a roller mill. This practice breaks down the com kernels and shreds the plant. In a summary of research studies, by Dr. Mike Hutjens from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, results have shown -1.1 to 3.7 pounds of milk production gained, with the average in creased milk production of 1.1 See Your AGCO - New Idea Dealer Listed Below. Maryland Dayton J.D. Mullinix Pennsylvania Airville Farmers Equipment & Supply, Inc. Bechtelsville Miller Equipment Bethel Zimmerman’s Farm Service Glen Rock Wertz Farm & Power Equip Greencastle Meyers Implements Honesdale Marshall Machinery, Inc Kttngerstown Stanley’s Farm Service Lebanon Umbergers of Fontana Mercer Ralph W. Kyle Oakland Mills Peoples Sales & Service Quakertown C. J. Wonsidler pounds. Processing allows producers to chop silage at a longer theoretical chop length, which improves the level of fiber in the ration, resulting in a better-utilized com plant. Inoculant Usage Silage inoculants increase the speed of fermentation, de creasing nutrient loss in the silo. “I recommend using bac terial inoculants, due to safety and proven results,” Nestor said. “And they only cost about $1 per ton of silage.” Nestor advises using an in oculant that is proven through independent research. Silo Segregation By separating silage into smaller silos, growers can keep higher-quality silage apart from the rest. This al lows producers to feed their cattle who need it te most, such as the transition cows or the high-producing group. “High-producing cows are the most limited by rumen fill and can benefit from a forage that is digested faster in the rumen I and allows for greater I feed intake,” said Nestor. While this practice may not be feasible for some farms due to space limitations, it should still be consid ered even if on a small scale. “Incorporating these three manage ment techniques can significantly improve forage quality and en hance the dairy’s overall forage pro gram,” Nestor said. Mycogen Seeds A lesson well learned... Lancaster Farming’s classified ads get results!
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