New Animal Waste Management Videos

A series of brief and informative videos are now available on the NJAES Animal Waste Management website:

• Manure Spreader Calibration
• Nutrient Management on Small Farms
• Small Farm Manure Composting (Option: Utilizing Centralized Composting Facilities)
• Pasture Management on Small Farms
• Soil Testing and Pasture Management
• Animal Waste Management on Small Livestock Farms

Stephen Komar and Bill Bamka discuss important issues for pasture management. They walk us through how to pull soil samples & get them analyzed by the NJAES Soil Testing Lab. The other videos, a collaboration between Mike Westendorf & Bill Hlubik of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Fred Kelly of USDA NRCS NJ, and Mark Rice of NC State, cover what you need to know as well as demonstrate how to manage animal waste on your small farm. Definitely worth watching.
-Rabin

Pest Management Network Subscriptions

Only 100 Plant Management Network Subscriptions Left Courtesy of the Soybean Checkoff. 

Sign up before Sept. 30th.

Recently, the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff purchased 500 one-year subscriptions of the Plant Management Network, a suite of 13 applied crop science resources. There are now only 100 subscriptions left--first come, first serve--for soybean growers, as well as crop consultants and CCAs who work with soybean crops.

To get this full one-year subscription, which includes access to all 13 of PMN's resources, click on the shortlink below or paste it into your browser. It will lead to a signup page on the Plant Management Network website, where you can fill in the pertinent information to register for your subscription…

http://bit.ly/mYdqMC

Kernels Sprouting on the Ear

One of the problems I have been coming across in some corn fields due to the wet weather we have been experiencing is sprouting of kernels on the ear. I have been finding sprouting mostly on the lower portion of the ear. The ears are upright with open husks, which have allowed for water to accumulate at the base of the ear. The kernels have been at blacklayer, and the water causes the seed to imbibe and then germinate. The sprouting kernels themselves are not a threat to livestock (after all it is just a corn seedling). However, the sprouting kernels are often associated with molds that could potentially produce harmful mycotoxins. When being used for livestock feed it is a good idea to have the grain checked for mycotoxins.

Bill Bamka

Weed Control and Your Reputation in the Hay business

Many of us who produce hay have horse owners and small livestock owners as our primary clientele. One of my fellow county agents shared a recent experience with me about having curly dock present within a load of hay he received. There was enough curly dock to make a wreath. This served as a good reminder that it is important to pay attention to weed control within our hay fields. It does not take too many loads of bad hay, before your customers will disappear and seek hay elsewhere. You don't want the reputation of producing poor quality hay or worse yet being responsible for someone's livestock dieing. Broadleaf weed control in hay fields is not that difficult -- 2,4-D and dicamba are old standards that still work.  The University of Delaware Pasture and Hay Weed Management Guide is a good resource for weed control recommendations. If you spray for weed control just remember to follow any grazing and haying restrictions on the label.

Bill Bamka

Curly dock removed from hay bales

Crop Insurance Sales Closing Date for Fall-planted Crops

A quick reminder:
USDA Risk Management Agency reminds us that September 30, 2011 is the sales closing date for many fall-planted crops. Crops that may need to be insured by this date include: 
Alfalfa Seed; Apiculture; Barley; Canola; Cultivated Wild Rice; Dry Peas; Forage
Production; Grass Seed; Mint; Oats;  Pasture, Rangeland, Forage; Potatoes; Rye; and
Sugarcane.
September 30 Sales Closing Dates Near
-Rabin