Penn State Extension 1st Annual Statewide Conferences- Call for support

Del Voight – Penn State Extension Crop Team
Please read as below. It is important that we have your intentions by Oct 27th so that we may populate our advertisement and marketing with your sponsorship. We will base our final cost of programs on your involvement. 
Attention: Agricultural Professionals

In the past, many of the Extension sponsors/exhibitors have told us that it is difficult to provide funding event-by-event, rather than responding to one annual Extension request. In order to fit with corporate funding, this year we are trying something new. The opportunities to support 2012 Penn State Extension Crop Conference Brochure.are being sent to you in one list—this singular solicitation for funds will cover multiple events. This link 2012 Penn State Conferences Sign Up Worksheet, you will find a list of the programs to be offered to producers in the State through the upcoming winter and spring for you to review and choose the items that best fit your customers’ needs. The Conferences will provide pesticide credits as well as key crop management issues pertaining to:
• No-Till Crop Production • Crop Management • Integrated Pest Management
• Nutrient Management • Forage Management
These issue-based meetings provide producers with credit opportunities as well as focus on the production and management of a wide range of crop production topics.
We invite you to look over the list on the attached pages. We believe we have put together a program that meets the crop production information needs of all producers in the State. Over 5,000 producers and industry personnel are expected to attend these events. Each industry sponsor of an event will be recognized in direct relation to the level of support.
GOLD SPONSOR

  1. Your company name included in the December flyer of Extension programs
  2. Table Top Exhibit at each location
  3. Logo in Winter Advertisement

SILVER SPONSOR

  1. Name in advertisement in winter flyer
  2. Table top Exhibit at each location selected

BRONZE SPONSOR

  1. Table top Display at each selected site
  2. Name/logo on program agenda the day of the event

BOOSTER

  1. Name included on one event agenda sheet

NON PROFIT GROUP

  1. Table Top Display

Gold Sponsor-$400.00 per site
SILVER SPONSOR -$250.00 per site
BRONZE SPONSOR $150.00 per site
PROGRAM BOOSTER $100.00 per site
NON-PROFIT RATE $50.00  per site
To select your sponsorship preferences, please view 2012 Penn State Conferences Sign Up Worksheet,of scheduled meetings and publications. Next to each program, there are boxes to check for Gold, Silver, Bronze and Booster. Place X’s in the appropriate boxes. At the end of the list, you may tally up your choices and add the dollar values for each level of sponsorship and your grand total. Please submit your payment by check made payable to PSCE Program Fund and returned to the Penn State Extension Office in Huntingdon County.
In order that all sponsors and exhibitors may be listed in the December program flyer, please return your response and payment to arrive in our office no later than October 27, 2011. Your continued support of Penn State Extension programming is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns about this new process, please contact me at 814-643-1660 or by email at sam36@psu.edu.
Sincerely,
Stan McKee,
County Extension Director/Educator
Please check off your support level by each of the conference locations and then simply tally the costs and submit your payment by check made payable to PSCE Program Fund and returned to the Penn State Extension Office in Huntingdon County.
Payment, except as noted, is due on October 27, 2011.   Send the signup forms and payment to:  Attention:  CMT Opportunities, Penn State Extension, 10722 Fairgrounds Road, Suite 6, Huntingdon, PA 16652

Simplified Pasture Management

Del Voight – Penn State Extension

Pasture Management Timeline this is a photo of the year at a glance and when the ideal time for management occurs.

Weeds    

  1. Timeline:
    1. The first year apply one of the following both in the spring and in the fall.
    2. The second year management then only a fall application done before freeze out (October).
    3. Once fertility and over seeding has significantly increased the grass cover then eliminate herbicides until weeds become a problem again. Once weeds are under control then clover can be inter seeded into the sward if desired.
  2. The majority of weeds found in the pasture can be taken care of with the following products under the following scenarios all will not injure grass:
    1. 1st scenario
      1. Primarily small perennials especially dandelions and will injure but not kill clover. Either product alone will provide very broad spectrum control of hundreds of broadleaf plants. By mixing together the two work well together filling in the holes where one will not work the other will. There is no grazing restriction where non meat type or lactating animals are to be grazed.
        1. 2,4-D 2-3 pint per acre….. 2 ounce per gallon of water (1-2% solution)
        2. Use the amine formulation in warm weather and the ester(LV4) in cool weather.
        3. Banvel/Clarity     1 pint per acre……1 ounce per gallon of water (.5-1% solution)
        4. Note: Mix one or both to broaden spectrum and spray.
    2. 2nd Scenario
      1. Multifloral rose, majority of broadleaves will kill clover and may injure grass temporarily. Complete pasture weed control including star of bethleham.
        1. Cimarron .1-.3 ounce per acre…….1 ounce per 100 gallons of water. Do not use where overseeding or renovation may take place in the next year.
        2. Overdrive – Complete program – 4-6 oz/acre
        3. Milestone 4 ounce per acre 1/3 oz per gallon of water plus .1 ounce per acre Cimarron mixed together.
        4. Forefront 1 quart per acre or 2 ounce per gallon of water.
      1. Crossbow- 2-4 quart per acre or .2-4 ounce per gallon of spray(2.5-5% solution) no grazing restriction for non meat animals. use this product if you desire to over seed the next year
  3. Be sure to treat the fencerows and waste places on the farm to prevent re infestation.
  4. If spot treating areas (less than .25 acres) no grazing restrictions exist. On all products excluding Cimarron Forefront and Milestone wait 7-14 days to harvest or graze according to the label.
  5. Custom applications of pesticides are available as well as rental of sprayers. Growmark FS, Chemgro, Jeff Bomgardener, Ag Land Crop Protection( Jesse Anspach), Alger Farms.
  6. For small Parcels a 4 gallon back pak sprayer (@70 bucks) with a small 2 nozzle boom will work well.

Fertility with no soil test

  1. Lime (put it on anytime)@every three years or when soil test recommends it.
    1. Use 2 tons per acre of lime if no lime applied within three years. Most dealers require to spread a full truck load (14tons)so one may need to coordinate with neighbors to fill out a load.
      1. Otherwise soil test and apply accordingly
  2. Fertilization. The fall spring, and summer programs, will meet the removal rate of animals or harvest but will not build soil reserves.        

    Fall Fertilizer (Try to time to a rain event

  1. Use actual analysis of 70-30-100
    1. Option 1
      1. Source using ½ half N in urea and ½ N as Ammonium Sulfate
      2. Use MAP 11-52-0 for phosphorus
      3. Use Muriate of Potash 0-0-60
    2. Option 2
      1. Use 400 lbs /acre of 1-1-1(15-15-15 OR 20-20-20)
      2. Use 350 lbs/acre of 2-1-1(20-10-10)

    Spring Fertilizer applied after first graze or cut

  1. Use actual of 50-30-100 same as fall process
    1. Option 1 same as fall
    2. Option 2 Use 300 lbs per acre of 1-1-1(20-20-20) as in fall

    Summer Fertilizer Optional

  1. Apply Actual 50-0-0 after each grazing or cutting as growth is needed avoid summer slump time to push grass.
  2. If access to tractor order a buggy with the above analysis from
    1. Farm Service (Richland)(866-5205), Hydro Kirby(Richland)(866-5701), Umbergers(Fontana 861-5161), Chemgro
  3. If no access to tractor or truck order a Amish type buggy and pull with a truck.
  4. Notes: Ask the fertilizer dealer to set the buggy spreader at half the rate and then proceed to spread the pasture or hay field in two directions so that skips will not show up later
  5. On small parcels 1-3 acres use a turf spreader to apply bagged fertilizer.

Grain Crops Update: Drying the 2011 Corn and Soybean Crops

With the ongoing weather and late planting that occured this spring we will experience alot of different scenarios. Rather than rewrite this I have opted to use Chad Lees blog entry dealing with the dry down issue. Here is his blog for more information.
As we move into harvest be cautious about dust and potential risk to you and your workers. Ensure safety with a respirator and or dust mask to limit inhaling the dust into the lungs.

Grain Crops Update: Drying the 2011 Corn and Soybean Crops: Sam McNeill , Extension Agricultural Engineer, University of Kentucky Wet weather this spring delayed corn and soybean planting in ma…

2011 Measuring and Reducing Soybean Harvesting Losses


Del Voight – Penn State Extension
Over the last several years of working with what I consider the top soybean producers in the State I have learned the importance of timely harvest of soybeans. It has been my experience that once 95% of the leaves turn brown about a week later its time to combine. I still remember John Yocum referring to the fact that after it the plants first reach harvestable moistures dry matter losses occur simply by the alternating day night. I found the following excerpts from a Missouri article useful during harvest to capture the losses that may occur during harvest.
Numerous tests of soybean combine losses show that up to 12 percent of the soybean crop is lost during harvest. Harvesting losses cannot be reduced to zero, but they can be reduced to about 5 percent. Combines can be operated to reduce losses without affecting the harvesting rate. This guide describes the major sources of loss. Consider shatter losses of 2 percent acceptable. Average losses are 5 percent or more.

Two discount Schedules for $10.00 Per Bushel Soybeans and the Weight/Value Lost From Soybeans at Moistures Other Than 13.5 Percent M.C. Standard
Discount of $.12 Per Bushel Per Point of Moisture (2% Per Point of Moisture) Discount of $.20 Per Bushel Per Point of Moisture (3.3% Per Point of Moisture)
Soybean Harvest Moisture, %, Wet Basis Weight of Water Loss (+) or Gain (-), Lbs/Bu to Convert Soybeans to 13.5% Moisture $.12 Discount Per Bushel, $ Price Per Bushel, $ Value Per Bushel, $, Adjusted for Moisture $.20 Discount Per Bushel, $ Price Per Bushel, $ Value Per Bushel, $, Adjusted for Moisture
19 5.5 $0.66 $9.34 $9.76 $1.10 $8.90 $9.28
18 4.5 $0.54 $9.46 $9.80 $0.90 $9.10 $9.40
17 3.5 $0.42 $9.58 $9.84 $0.70 $9.30 $9.52
16 2.5 $0.30 $9.70 $9.88 $0.50 $9.50 $9.64
15 1.5 $0.18 $9.82 $9.92 $0.30 $9.70 $9.76
14 0.5 $0.06 $9.94 $9.96 $0.10 $9.90 $9.88
13.5 0 0 $10.00 $10.00 $0.00 $10.00 $10.00
12 -1.5 $10.00 $9.93 $10.00 $9.93
11 -2.5 $10.00 $9.86 $10.00 $9.86
10 -3.5 $10.00 $9.79 $10.00 $9.79
9 -4.5 $10.00 $9.72 $10.00 $9.72
8 -5.5 $10.00 $9.65 $10.00 $9.65

What about the 2011 harvest for Soybeans?  This season will likely present a challenge due to the shrink and swell with frequent rains.  More than ever as soon as the beans are in the harvestable stage they should be prioritized over any other crop on the farm( in my opinion).  This is due to the high potential for harvest loss. Also the likelyhood of dusting is high so operators and workers should be protected from the dust created during harvest with respirators to rule out any possibility of infection in the respiratory tract of the worker.

Tips for keeping combine losses low                     Adapted from the fact sheet that Charles W. Shay, Lyle Ellis and William Hires produced from the Missouri Department of Agricultural Engineering  http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/agengin/g01280.htm

Your best guide for correct combine adjustment is your operator’s manual.
Remember that more than 80 percent of the machine loss usually occurs at the gathering unit. The following suggestions will help keep these losses to a minimum.

  • Make sure that knife sections, guards, wear plates and hold-down clips are in good condition and properly adjusted.
  • Use a ground speed of 2.8 to 3.0 miles per hour. To determine ground speed, count the number of 3-foot steps taken in 20 seconds while walking beside the combine. Divide this number by 10 to get the ground speed in miles per hour.
  • Use a reel speed about 25 percent faster than ground speed. For 42-inch-diameter reels, use a reel speed of 11 revolutions per minute for each 1-mile-per-hour ground speed.
  • Reel axle should be 6 to 12 inches ahead of the cutter bar. Reel bats should leave beans just as they are cut. Reel depth should be just enough to control the beans.
  • A six-bat reel will give more uniform feeding than a four-bat reel.
  • Complete the harvest as quickly as possible after beans reach 15 percent moisture content.
  • A pick-up type reel with pick-up guards on the cutter bar is recommended when beans are lodged and tangled.

For a specific methods and sheet to take to the field refer to this publication and enter your own information. You may also call me directly for copy to have on hand.

Adapted from the fact sheet that Charles W. Shay, Lyle Ellis and William Hires produced from the Missouri Department of Agricultural Engineering

9/26/11 First Soybean Harvest report

It seems odd but many soybean fields have lost their leaves and are nearing harvest moisture. I recieved a report this morning of soybeans in the Lebanon area that were taken over the weekend. They were 17% moisture and were running in he mid to upper 60’s as far as bu/acre.  Test wieghts in the 57 lb range. Not too bad for this kind of season.

Mosquito populations Rage On in the Lebanon Area

Here is a picture of an overnight trap capture near Cornwall.  Phil Hall is swamped with calls to deal with them not only from a human stand point but for equine and livestock as well. Pyrethroids as premise spray work well if applied correctly at the right dosage.  Pick an insecticide with a long residual examples would be  Suspend Wisdom etc.  If  you observe larvae in pools and ponded water then Bt pellets are working. As with any emergency West Nile Virus Educators are treating high population areas but many growers will need to treat their own properties to avoid possible infection.  Check out West Nile Educator Phil Halls  Facebook for his reports and recommended actions.

Mosquito rage