Ag-Info newsletter
August - September 2005
Northeast Missouri Agriculture Newsletter serving Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, and Shelby Counties

Calendar of Events
August 23 Cattlemen’s bus tour
August 11-21 Missouri State Fair, Sedalia
September 13, 14, 15 It's the Water Workshop, Hannibal
September 16 Environmental Education Day, Mark Twain Lake
September 24 Build a House in a Day, Palmyra
November 3-5 Small Farm Trade Show & Conference, Columbia
December 9 Northeast Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale, Palmyra


AGRONOMY NOTES
Alix Carpenter

Soybean Hay and Silage
Soybean plants can be a very good livestock feed when correctly harvested and handled. While the best quality hay is harvested when half of the pods contain immature beans, harvesting after pods begin to form and before they are fully developed will result in a good quality feed.

Soybean hay usually contains 16 to 19 percent crude protein and 50 to 55 percent TDN (if harvested when half of the plants have pods with immature beans). Once the leaves begin to fall, the forage quality of the plant declines very rapidly. Soybean silage is in the range of 18 to 20 percent crude protein and 40 to 45 percent NDF. Soybeans harvested for silage at the R3 stage (pods and seeds beginning to form) are low yielding (1.5 tons per acre), while those harvested at the R6 stage (seeds fully filled) yield about three tons per acre. However, due to the high proportion of raw soybeans in the silage, feeding must be limited. Mixing both soybean and corn forages together at the time of ensiling helps increase the fermentation of soybean forage in the silo.

Several problems often occur with soybean hay:
Molding results when beans dry slowly in the pods. Conditioning the hay will make the drying process somewhat quicker, but the pods will still be slow to dry. Baling after the pods are fully dried results in leaf loss. Chopping the soybeans and ensiling them will minimize losses due to molding.
Weathering results in great losses with soybean hay. Soybean hay, when unprotected and stored outside, deteriorates rapidly. Soybean hay should be stored in a covered stack or a barn.
Stems Soybean hay can contain a lot of stems, and be refused by livestock. This usually results in 10 to 20 percent of the hay being wasted. When soybeans are chopped or ensiled, stems are not an issue. As the stem contains a lot of fiber, and very little digestible nutrients, it may be beneficial to feed more hay, and allow the cattle to leave the stems.

Many herbicides commonly used in soybean production are toxic to livestock, and soybeans treated with these herbicides cannot be used for feed. Roundup Ready soybeans treated with Roundup may be used for feed, unless Roundup was applied as a harvest aid. If you are planning on using soybeans for hay or silage, make sure to read the labels of all herbicides you used to ensure that it is safe to do so.

Estimating Soybean Yields
When making a decision regarding whether to harvest soybeans for grain or feed, estimating potential yield is often a deciding factor. Several measurements must be made, and this method makes an assumption of seed weight.

1. Count the number of pod-bearing plants in 1/1000 acre (17 feet 5 inches in 30-inch rows, 34 feet and 10 inches in 15-inch rows, 74 feet 8 inches in 7-inch rows). Multiply this number times 1,000 to determine the plant population per acre.
2. Determine the number of pods per plant by counting the number of pods on 10 randomly selected plants. Average these numbers.
3. Determine the number of pods per acre by multiplying the plant population (#1) by the average number of pods per plant (#2).
4. Estimate the number of seeds per acre by multiplying the number of pods per acre (#3) by 2.5. This is an assumption that there are an average of 2.5 seeds in each pod - your field may differ.
5. Estimate the pounds of seed per acre by dividing the number of seeds per acre (#4) by 2,500. This is an assumption that seed size is normal. If drought speeds up maturity, the seed size will be smaller than normal. Sparse stands often develop larger than normal seed.
6. Estimate yield in bushels per acre by dividing the pounds of seed per acre (#5) by 60.

Whenever estimates of this nature are being made, it is imperative that a sufficient number of samples are taken. Given the current drought conditions, it is even more critical that many samples be taken to ensure results as accurate as possible.

Spider Mites
Spider mites in soybean are more common, and cause the most damage, in hot, dry conditions; in other words, just the weather we’ve been experiencing in the region over the past two months. Webbing can be found on the underside of soybean leaves when spider mites are present. Damage is evident as leaf specking or stippling, and can result in small yellow or red-brown spots on leaves. Under severe conditions, plants may turn a bronze shade, leaves may dry up, and leaves may prematurely drop from the plant. Symptoms are usually first evident in border rows, and move inward as the mites’ population builds. The mites themselves are very small (1/64 inch), and translucent pale yellow to red in color. Two spots, on either side of the mite, can occasionally be seen. There are no treatment thresholds for spider mites in Missouri soybeans. However, when drought continues, leaves are stippled, and live mites are present, treatment may be warranted.


LIVESTOCK NOTES
Al Kennett

Feeding Drought Damaged Crops
With the drought situation that we have in Northeast Missouri supplemental feeding of livestock has become a must for most cattle producers. Drought damaged crops especially corn is being considered by many producers as a source of feed to extend pastures and save on hay feeding.

When crops such as standing corn, sudan grass or pearl millet are used to supplement cattle during drought periods the presence of higher than normal nitrate levels must be considered. The same is true for feeding fresh green chop or drought corn silage.

Normally, nitrate in plants is rapidly converted to amino acids and then to protein. This reduction requires energy from sunlight, adequate water, and favorable temperature. When plants are stressed, the nitrate to protein conversion is disrupted and nitrates begin to accumulate.

If corn contains high levels of nitrate then producers should take precautions when feeding green chop. First, cut the corn as high as possible when it is green chopped. Next feed smaller amounts at first and work the daily amount up over a period of 5 to 10 days. Feed only what they will eat in a single feeding. Watch cattle closely.

The most important precaution when feeding greenchop is to only chop what you will feed that day. DO NOT leave green chop with medium to high levels of nitrate in a feed wagon over night. In fact it is best to feed it within 2‑3 hours after it is chopped.

Silage is less of a problem since 40‑60 percent of the nitrate levels dissipate during the fermentation process. Allow 3‑4 weeks for the ensiling process to be completed and generally silage will be okay. One precaution is to not allow cattle to drink the seepage from the silo when nitrate has been a problem. After fermentation is complete quantitative tests can be run to determine potential nitrate levels. Feeds with less than 2000 ppm nitrate are considered safe for most livestock.

Corn and other forage plants can be checked for nitrate levels prior to being chopped or grazed. University Extension offices have the materials for doing this test. It is a qualitative test only and will indicate levels of nitrate but won’t give you exact levels like a quantitative test will do.

We have checked over 50 fields of corn in the past two weeks and levels of nitrate vary a great deal. Several fields had basically no nitrate. I think in these cases there has not been enough rain for the plants to take up nitrogen. Other fields were high enough that I recommended not green chopping them and use them for silage only. Others had low to medium levels and can be managed for green chop.

Hay Supplies
Hay supplies in our area were short, even before we got in to the extreme dry weather. How many of you are feeding hay and know you will run out?

Believe it or not there is lots of hay for sale in some parts of the state, especially the Northwest and around Kansas City. Of course the price will be high and transportation will be expensive.

A very good source of information on hay for sale in Missouri is the MO Hay Hotline. Get on your computer and go to www.agebb.missouri.edu. Then hit “hay market listing.” You will find lots of hay for sale at a price. Some of it is even fairly close to us. This site is updated daily so you want to check it regularly.

In addition, I have names of some people in Iowa that have hay for sale. One man called just today with over 100 ton of grass hay for sale at $50 a ton. Call me if you want some names and numbers.

Supplementing Pastures & Hay
I still feel that some of the by‑product feeds are the cheapest and best way to supplement and extend our hay supply and pastures. When you look at the nutrition in these feeds they are cheaper than corn and in some cases hay. I’m sure they are cheaper than CRP hay!!

Soybean hulls are going up every week. They were $53 per ton two weeks ago and today (8/1/05) are $63. However, at $63 per ton in Quincy they are a much better buy than $50 a ton hay in SW Iowa. Also, nutritionally one pound of soybean hulls is equal to 1.5 pounds of grass hay.

Fall Pastures
Will we ever get rain? Well if we do having some supplemental fall grazing could help greatly with your winter feed supply. Of course the problem is having a place to seed it where there is fence and water.

If you have a field that was in wheat or where you are chopping corn, seeding a fall annual such as oats, wheat, rye, or turnips is a possibility. The one I really like is seeding oats and turnips together. Seed 1.5 to 2.0 bushels of oats along with 2‑3 pounds of purple top turnips and pray for moisture. If we get moisture in August, fertilize it with a 40‑20‑20 mixture. You will be surprised how much late fall and early winter grazing this will give you. One caution if you are following corn will be Atrazine carry over.

If you have questions on this feel free to call me or better yet call the Disselhorst Brothers at Palmyra or James Geisendorfer at Lewistown. They will be glad to share their experiences with you.

Although I don’t have any cows or burnt up grass pasture, I feel like I’m in the drought situation with you. Feel free to call if there is any way we can help.

Finally: An old timer once said - Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.”


AG & RURAL DEVELOPMENT NOTES
Amanda Cook

Rural Development
When I started my job as Agriculture/Rural Development Specialist in Northeast Missouri I was unsure about what rural development meant and of my responsibilities in that area. I decided to focus on the agriculture side of my position focusing on water quality since that is what I was more familiar with. It wasn’t until I attended the Tri‑State Housing Summit that I realized agriculture and rural development are one in the same. They both involve people and the land they live on and work with.

Rural development is area development applied where demographics reflect a widely scattered population. Rural development is the economic effort for seeking and accommodating opportunities for non‑urban areas.
 
Rural development is everybody's business in rural areas. Rural development is the business of rural people, they should set the agenda, the priorities and the methods to achieve them. If structures are set up that allow that, and allow the state to support rural people's initiatives, we will avoid the pitfall that rural development is nobody's business.

Some major goals of rural development can then be defined as:
* Helping rural people set the priorities for development in their communities, and supporting their access to government non‑government funding in promoting local economic development;
* Creating greater equality in resource use in the rural areas, especially
            -land, through better security and reform of programs, and farmer support to all producers
            -water, through extension of services, extension of rights, and charges in the Water Act
            -financial services, for production inputs, infrastructure development, and access to land, through extension of services, and through appropriate policy development following the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Provision of Rural Financial Services
            -management, through training and capacity building.
* Increasing access to services through the provision of physical infrastructure and social services such as water and sanitation, transport, health services, and schooling;
* Increasing farm and non‑farm production in poor rural areas, and increasing the incomes of poor rural men and women;
* Ensuring the safety and security of rural people.

Rural America has been the foundation that this nation was built on and has been one of the fundamental elements for the strongest and healthiest economy in the world. The agricultural sector of the economy propelled the nation and enabled it to reach out in different directions, fostering the Industrial Age to create great achievements that surpassed many others in the industrialized world. Today's Information Age ‑ the successor of the Industrial Age it can be argued ‑ is now enabling us to repay rural America for its hard work, drive, and devotion to making this the most prosperous nation in the world.

One area of rural development that people struggle with is home ownership. There are many programs in place to help people attain the American dream of home ownership. The USDA has housing programs in place to help people get on the track to home ownership. The purpose is to offer no down payment loans at favorable rates and terms. The Housing Assistance Council has been helping build affordable housing since 1971. They promote home ownership through a self‑help, “sweat equity” construction method.

Most people have heard of Habitat for Humanity where a family receives a new home. There are many similar programs available with different guidelines and restrictions aimed at helping the working families with a little hand up. You may be thinking these programs aren’t available for anyone in our area. You have the opportunity to see and be involved with the United Way as they attempt to build a house in a day. The lot the house is to be built on is in Palmyra Missouri. That is right, in our local area a family will benefit. The family was chosen through NECAC’s application process and will soon have a home to call their own.

The best part about this is you can be part of it! 25 teams of ten each are needed to make this day a success. Volunteers are needed with skilled trades such as Carpentry, Lighting, guttering, etc. Volunteers are also needed for food preparation, cleaning and prep work, trash removal, errand runners, and many others. Volunteer by yourself, or get a team together, everyone is needed. If you would like additional information and would like to volunteer, contact Steve Miller at 573‑248‑8502, or Lou Lemons at 573‑221‑2761.

For information about other rural initiatives:
Housing Assistance Program - hac@ruralhome.org
Rural Housing Service - www.ruralhome.org
USDA Housing Programs - phone 202‑720‑5177 website - www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs

VITA
We are looking for volunteers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program starting February 1st in Lewis, Clark, Shelby and Knox Counties. A dozen volunteers are needed to make this year as successful as last. Last year we generated over $100,000 in refunds for low‑income families. If you are interested in helping with the program give me a call at 573‑767‑5273. We will start training volunteers in December.

AG BUSINESS NOTES
Karisha Devlin

Estimating the Value of Silage
Dry conditions have persisted in Northeast Missouri for the last few months, and it does not look like there is any end in sight. The drought has substantially reduced corn yields. This has resulted in a lot of producers chopping silage. A common question that I have been receiving is how do you estimate the value of silage? This article will highlight several different resources that will help to answer that question.

The following worksheet, developed by Myron Bennett, retired University of Missouri Extension Agricultural Economist, is a tool that producers can utilize to estimate the value of standing corn in the field.

1. Estimated grain yield per acre _______ bushels x $_______ price/bushel = $_______/acre
2. Cost of grain harvest per acre $_______/acre
3. Cost of hauling to market $_______/acre
4. Net value of grain in field (line 1 minus lines 1 & 2) = $_______
5. Estimated silage yield per acre (tons)_______
6. Total tons dry matter (DM) = line 5 _______ x _______% DM =_______ tons 100% dry matter
7. Pounds of 90% air dry feed = (line 6 _______ divided by 90%) x 2000 pounds = ________ pounds
8. Weight of ear corn 90% air dry = bushels from line 1 _______ x 72 pounds =_______ pounds
9. Net weight of stover (90% air dry) = line 7 _______ minus line 8 _______ = _______ pounds
10. Value of stover = line 9 _______ x _______ price/pound for standing hay = $ _______/acre
11. Maximum value per acre of corn in field = line 4 _______ + line 10 _______ = $_______/acre

The maximum value of standing corn for silage in the field will need to be reduced for the costs of harvesting, hauling, packing, storage, and the losses associated with harvest, storage, and feeding. Michael Vogt, a County Extension Agent from Kansas, developed a spreadsheet based on Myron Bennett’s worksheet and a Michigan State University Staff paper, “Pricing and Use of Immature Corn as Silage for Beef Cattle.” Mr. Vogt’s spreadsheet suggested storage losses might range from 10‑30 percent; harvest costs $3.75/ton; and hauling and packing at $2.50/ton, depending on distance. If you plan to sell silage, be sure to establish a market before cutting. You can access Vogt’s spreadsheet at this website: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/drought/drought/Valuing Droughty Corn for Silage 03.qpw.

A MU Guidesheet (G4591) written by Ray Massey and Joe Horner titled “Estimating Silage Value to the Crop Producer” is also available. You can ask for the guidesheet at your local Extension office or if you have computer access you can download it off of the internet. Ray Massey has developed a silage value spreadsheet that is very useful. You can access this information at this website: http://agebb.missouri.edu/commag/crops/massey/silagevalue.htm

If you have any questions about this material or the spreadsheets, feel free to call me at 573‑633‑2640.