Ag
Connection 
Your local link to MU for ag extension and research information
June 2012
Publishing Information
Ag Connection is published monthly for Central Missouri
Region producers and is supported by University of Missouri Extension, the Commercial
Agriculture program, the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station and the MU College of
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Editorial board: Joni Harper, Managing
Editor; Mary Sobba, Parman Green, Gene Schmitz, Mark Stewart, Wendy Rapp, Jim
Jarman, Todd Lorenz, Wayne Crook, James Quinn, Brent Carpenter and Kent Shannon.
Comments or Suggestions?
Please send your comments and suggestions to
Joni Harper, Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, 100 E Newton
St., 4th Floor, Versailles, MO 65084, call 573/378-5358 or send messages by
e-mail to: rossjo@missouri.edu.
To send a message to an author, click on the author's name at the end of an article.
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Forage Maturity Impacts Hay Quality
The 2012 growing season is off to a fast start. Forages are maturing at a
rapid rate, so a discussion of harvest timing and hay quality relative to
plant maturity is in order. In 2010, Iowa State University conducted a hay
quality survey and the following article is a review of their findings.
Their data was summarized from a total of 465 forage samples submitted by
Iowa producers to a common commercial laboratory during 2010. Maturity for
cool-season grasses was described as pre-boot, boot, dough, and dry/dead
seed heads. Mixed forage contained both legumes and cool-season grasses and
maturities were classified as bud, early flower, late flower, and
seed/dough.
When comparing grass maturities, hay harvested in the boot stage was 4
percent higher in energy and 18 percent higher in protein than hay harvested
at the dry/dead seed head stage. Mixed grass/legume hay harvested in the
early flower stage was 11 percent higher in energy and 23 percent higher in
protein than hay harvested in the seed/dough stage. At similar stages of
maturity, legume mixed hay had higher energy and higher protein levels than
straight grass hay.
Using the Iowa data, winter feeding rations for mature beef cows being fed a
maintenance diet for the last 1/3 of gestation were ran. Forage maturity
levels used in the calculations for grass hay were boot or dry/dead. Mixed
legume maturities were early flower or seed/dough. Protein levels were
adequate for all four forage types and maturities. Energy was low for all
hay types. For this reason, either soybean hulls or corn grain was added to
supply the needed energy to the diets.
Winter feeding rations results: For a herd of 35 head of cows being fed hay
for 120 days, mature grass hay required feeding 37.5 bushel more corn or 2.1
tons more soyhulls to meet the energy needs of the herd compared to grass
hay harvested at the boot stage. Mature legume mixed hay required feeding
187.5 more bushels of corn or 6.3 tons more soyhulls to meet herd energy
needs compared to hay harvested in the early flower stage.
The Iowa data also showed that rain had less impact on hay quality than did
stage of maturity at harvest. While it can be difficult to harvest hay at
early stages of maturity, it is still a viable goal to shoot for due to the
reduced need for winter supplementation.
Source: Gene Schmitz, MU
Extension Livestock Specialist
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The 4 Rs of Fertilizer
Management
Fertilizer applied at the right rate, from the right source, at the right
time, and at the right site or place is now commonly referred to as the 4Rs
of fertilizer management or nutrient stewardship. This acronym is being used
to reinforce the need for best management practices (BMPs) related to plant
nutrient applications.
The 3Rs were originally attributed to the basics of education with the Rs
referring to Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic. For some reason this
abbreviation has held on over time and applied to other situations like
recycling and fertilizer management.
Applying fertilizer at the right rate relates to taking proper soil samples
and using this information to supplement a soil’s needed nutrients and those
projected to be needed for optimum or desired yields. It is vital to know
soil needs first, so all the other management practices are analyzed and
applied in a logical order.
Of the nutrient requirements provided from soil tests, pH should be
considered first since it controls the nutrients availability. Then the
primary nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) followed
by calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are considered. The other nutrients
sometimes chosen for analysis are sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn). Sulfur is a
secondary nutrient and Zn is a micronutrient. They are usually not
considered significant since so many Missouri soils have sufficient organic
matter and clay to supply S and the micronutrients. Deficiencies in S and/or
micronutrients are more likely to occur in sandy and low organic matter
soils.
Additional information on fertility needs may be discovered through plant
tissue testing, precision or intensive soil sampling, nitrate testing, pre-sidedress
nitrogen tests (PSNT) and chlorophyll meter tests.
Then, the right source should be considered to insure a proper balance of
availability and economical sources. Selecting appropriate fertilizers is
accomplished by surveying local dealers, quarries for lime and on-farm or
nearby farm nutrient sources (manures). Other fertilizer considerations may
be enhanced efficiency fertilizers and biosolids from sewage plants or waste
products from manufacturing.
The third item is fertility applied at the right time. This means providing
nutrients when they are needed so they are available as the crop grows and
at the right growth stage. Also, application should be timed so the
nutrients are less likely to be lost through leaching, runoff, erosion, and
in some cases volatilization.
The fourth “R” is placing nutrients where they are most beneficial to the
crops and preventing nutrients from escaping into the environment. Manure
and sludge incorporation are examples of how farm, social and environmental
interest coincide. Another example of specialized fertilizer placement is
foliar application. Information for this article came from the
Internationals Plant Nutrients Institute (IPNI). See:
http://nutrientsforlife.org/img/tfi/4r/Steve.pdf
Source: Jim Jarman, MU
Extension Agronomy Specialist
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Labor Department Withdraws
Proposed Rule - Children Working in Agriculture
On April 26, 2012 the U.S. of Labor withdrew the proposed ruling that had
the attention of many in agriculture in Central Missouri and throughout the
nation. Many questions had been raised about the wording and about how it
would affect 4-H and FFA projects, part-time jobs for youth and many other
concerns.
The statement from the Labor Department included: “The Obama administration
is firmly committed to promoting family farmers and respecting the rural way
of life, especially the role that parents and other family members play in
passing those traditions down through the generations. The Obama
administration is also deeply committed to listening and responding to what
Americans across the country have to say about proposed rules and
regulations.”
“The decision to withdraw this rule – including provisions to define the
‘parental exemption’ – was made in response to thousands of comments
expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small
family-owned farms. To be clear, this regulation will not be pursued for the
duration of the Obama administration.”
After reading statements like that, it is encouraging that making comments
does make a difference. Everyone in agriculture strives to improve safety,
especially with youth. With school out, now is an excellent time to work
with youth and make sure they understand safety procedures and the correct
way of doing jobs. It is important that we all continue to work together to
teach youth about agriculture and safety procedures.
For the complete statement from the Labor Department see
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120826.htm
Source: Mary Sobba, MU
Extension Ag Business Mgmt. Specialist
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Safety Is Essential When
Operating an ATV*
As the temperatures continue to climb, one might be finding themselves
wanting to enjoy the outdoors by riding an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) around
the farm. All-Terrain vehicles are becoming increasingly popular on farms
because of their utility. They can be used to haul livestock feed or
transportation to the field. As they have increased in popularity on farms,
accidents and injuries to youth and adults have increased. This coincidence
reveals the importance of riders understanding all the ATVs safety
precautions.
It is important to realize ATVs come in different sizes and one must fit the
ATV to the rider’s size. Manufacturer’s guidelines suggest that no
rider under the age of 16 should operate an ATV with an engine larger than
90CC. Even if the rider is older than 16, he/she may not have the skills,
strength, or maturity to operate that size of an ATV, making it important
that you assess your situation individually to ensure you get the proper
size for the rider.
All ATV riders need to have the maturity to understand what safety equipment
should be worn. The first priority for all riders should be to wear a
properly fitted ATV helmet. There are helmets on the market that are made
specifically for ATV riders because they have the proper amount of face
protection and have the ability to absorb energy on impact. Bicycling,
skateboarding, and rollerblading helmets are not acceptable safety equipment
for ATV riders. In addition to having a helmet, the rider should wear some
form of eye protection. The eye protection may be attached to the helmet or
may need to be purchased separately. If it is not attached, an ANSI-approved
pair of goggles with hard-coated polycarbonate lenses should be purchased.
Other safety equipment to be worn includes gloves, boots, long pants, and a
long sleeved shirt.
Not all safety precautions associated with ATVs are associated with
equipment. For instance, all riders should understand and accept the fact
that it is not safe to carry a passenger. All-Terrain vehicles are equipped
with a single seat and when carrying a passenger, it prevents the driver
from being able to shift their weight correctly when making turns.
Additionally, there is nothing on the ATV for the passenger to hold onto to
prevent them from being thrown off the ATV. Even if the ATV has a double
seat it is still not recommended to ride with a passenger.
No ATV should ever be operated on a paved surface such as a public road
because of the safety of non-ATV riders traveling the road. Additionally,
ATVs are not designed to travel on paved roads and can be hard to control
when on pavement. Likewise, going over jumps, climbing or going down steep
inclines, driving through high water, and making sharp turns at high speeds
are all maneuvers that are unsafe on ATVs and increase the likelihood of
getting injured. Whether or not all ATV riders understand and follow the
above suggestions, it is still a good idea for all riders to be supervised
because both youth and adults can fall victim to an ATV accident. It is
recommended all riders complete an ATV rider course.
* An all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as a quad, quad bike,
three-wheeler, or four-wheeler, is defined by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) as a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires,
with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for
steering control.
Source: Kent Shannon, MU
Extension Natural Resource Engineer Specialist
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MU’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic
closes
As in 2010, the diagnostic clinic will be closed this growing season. Plans
are underway reopen it next year and restructure the f
inancial
support so this does not happen again.
There are quality diagnostic clinics in other the states such as Arkansas,
Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma. Included with this newsletter is the form by
which you would submit a sample to Kansas State University. This is not
meant to be an endorsement of one diagnostic clinic over another, but for
your convenience if you need. Other clinics use a similar form.
KSU’s price is $6.90 for routine analysis, and $10 or $20 additional tests
needed, like for viruses. They suggest sending by Priority Mail US Postal
Service. Send on a Monday or Tuesday. You will be billed for their service
(no need to pay with sample submission). There is the risk of samples
spoiling if shipped during hot weather. However, shipping for next day
delivery is quite expensive. So if the problem is vitally important,
shipping next day delivery is probably worth the expense.
Of course your local extension office can attempt to assist you as needed.
However, when a sample needs lab analysis for whatever reason (e.g.
identifying or positively confirming a pathogen) your local extension center
will not be able to aide you (e.g. prepare and send a sample). Individuals
need to send their samples direct to whatever diagnostic clinic they chose
to use.
KSU diagnostic clinic website:
http://www.plantpath.ksu.edu/p.aspx?tabid=725
Source: James Quinn, MU
Extension Horticulture Specialist
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Ag
Connection - Ag Connection Newsletter, June 2012