A quarterly news publication of The Ohio State University Extension, Editors: Clif Little and Mark Sulc
This newsletter is made possible with support from the Bob & Jewell Evans Foundation
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Contents:

• Forages Are Key to Entry Into Farming
• Fall Soil Fertility Management
• Supplementing Forage
• Forage Production Short Courses

[top] Forages Are Key to Entry Into Farming - Michael E. Haubner, Ext. Agent, Clark County

The year 2002 is the year for the next census of Agriculture in the U.S. We do not have to wait for it to reveal the answers to the following questions: average age of farmers; average size of farms; and percentage of producers who have grain crops only. The answer is that all three will be larger than in the last census.

For decades we have heard that it is almost impossible for young people to begin a career in agriculture. This statement is probably true especially for those whose parents or grandparents cannot assist one into the profession, if we are talking about traditional farming such as raising grain crops, feeding hogs and cattle and milking cows.

But for those who wish to do something other than sit on the seat of a big machine, there is a future in agriculture at the entry level. One method is producing horticultural crops and going directly to consumers. Many choose this venture to stay in farming.

However, the majority of producers fail to realize where the potential of high returns lies in production agriculture. The answer is excellent management of forages. Recent research studies by the University of Illinois and southern Illinois farmers have shown net profits of several hundred dollars per acre with new technology in management grazing. Ohio producers are "netting" far more per acre than corn and beans by rotational grazing of sheep, dairy, goats or beef cattle. The management of forages, whether hay or grazing, is the key to future profits in agriculture.

With predictions by agriculture economists of another decade of depressed grain prices, integrated crop and livestock enterprises will be the "ticket" to future profitability in agriculture. It's time for the young man to plant grass and legumes, buy electric fence and realize his dreams in farming.

[top] Fall Soil Fertility Management -Mark Landefeld, Extension Agent, Monroe County

Maintaining high yielding, profitable hay production over a period of years requires careful attention to fertilizer management. Few crops deplete the soil of available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and other nutrients faster than high yielding forage crops. Virtually all of the top growth is removed from the field each cutting along with the nutrients which have been absorbed. Little crop residue is left (stalks, stems, leaves, etc.) to be returned to the soil as with other annual crops. These nutrients must be replaced with amounts equal to those removed or the soil fertility will decline and productivity will decrease. This is not the case in grazing systems, where most of the nutrients are recycled.

Fall fertilization is an important part of crop nutrient management. Time management, soil conditions, environmental benefits, and economic benefits are important considerations to recognize. Nutrient management planning is a positive approach that farmers should adopt. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) can and may be managed from a long-term perspective.

Soil samples are the only way to manage nutrients, and building adequate nutrient levels should be part of your strategic plan. Fall is the ideal time to soil sample. Consistency of your sampling can be critical if you intend to compare results and track progress in changing soil test levels. Consistent sampling depth, time and methods should be used each time samples are taken.
Soil tests can also determine the pH of the soil and the lime test index or buffer pH, which indicates the amount of lime necessary to be applied for each specific crop. Aglime requires time to react with the soil, neutralizing acidity. As a result, higher yields may be expected from fall applications, because fertility will not be limiting, and soil acidity will not reduce the efficiency of the crop's ability to use fertilizer nutrients the following year.

Calcitic and dolomitic limestones are commonly used liming materials. Cost of lime greatly determines which product is used, but dolomitic lime is approximately 21% Ca and 18% Mg while calcitic lime is 32% Ca and 3% mg. If soil tests indicate Mg levels and pH are low in your soil, dolomitic lime may be the best choice. If levels of Mg are already optimum, but pH is low, calcitic lime would be the best choice.

Consider the calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) when purchasing lime and making applications. Soil test recommendations are based on lime having 100% CCE. If the lime you buy has an 80% CCE, more lime would need to be purchased and applied to match the amount your soil test recommended. [Example: your soil test calls for 1 ½ ton of lime per acre to meet your desired pH level. Lime you purchase has 80% CCE. So: 3000 ÷ 80 x 100 = 3750 lbs. of lime per acre required to meet your soil test goals.]
OSU recommends the farm manager never exceed four ton per acre of lime in a single application. Split applications are suggested if additional lime is needed. More information about liming materials may be found in the Ohio Agronomy Guide, Bulletin 472 and in the Tri State Fertilizer Recommendations, Bulletin E-2567.

So, why doesn't everyone apply fertilizers in the fall? While there are many advantages as outlined above, there are some situations where fall applications are not the best practice. Sandy soils have the potential for leaching loss for spring crops before the crop can take advantage of the nutrients. On sloping soils, without adequate ground cover or where erosion is a problem, P fertilizer applications should be made closer to spring. This may reduce loss of nutrients and lowers contamination of water supplies. Complete fertilizers with urea based nitrogen should not be applied in the fall unless it is applied six weeks prior to a killing freeze and livestock can be moved to the area to harvest additional growth of dry matter of the forage crop. OSU Extension Fact Sheet, ANR-5-99 (Fertility Management of Meadows) written by Extension agents Clif Little and Jeff McCutcheon is an excellent resource for nutrient requirements in forage crops.

Summary: For most farmers, there are opportunities to use fall nutrient assessment and application to progress toward long-term goals and good soil nutrient management. High yielding crop production can result in greater profits for the farm manager and this fall is a great time to start. For more information or access to publications mention above, contact your local Extension office.

[Top] Supplementing Forage - Clif Little, Extension Agent, Guernsey County

Forage can provide most of the nutritional requirements of a beef herd during the fall and winter months. The challenge becomes the management of supplementation due to variations in forage quality and growth.

To properly supplement livestock, each forage lot fed should be sampled and analyzed. OSU Extension forage testing fact sheet ANR-2-98, describes the proper sampling techniques for various forages and explains the results. Contact your local Agriculture Extension Agent for a test probe and instructions for submitting a sample to a laboratory. Forage quality has a dramatic impact on dry matter intake. The higher the NDF (neutral detergent fiber) content of forage, the less forage an animal will be able to consume. Cattle will generally consume 1.2 to 1.5 percent of their body weight per day in forage NDF.

Protein supplements can increase low-quality forage digestibility and intake while extending the grazing season. Limited amounts of high-protein supplements greater than 30 percent crude protein (CP) can be used with low-quality forages less than 8 percent crude protein and 45 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN). High-concentration protein supplements that are natural protein sources do not need to be fed every day. When forage is of 8 to 10 percent crude protein content, a 20 percent crude protein supplement can be fed daily. Protein supplements containing non-protein nitrogen can be used, but only in limited amounts, and should be provided on a daily basis.

A simplified method of determining cost per unit of crude protein follows:
Soybean meal, 50% crude protein (as fed) at $236/ton:
2000 lb. soybean meal times .50 = 1000 lb. crude protein
$236/1000 lb. = $.24 cost per unit of protein

In many cases forages are adequate in protein but lack sufficient energy. Grain usually contains readily available starch. Grain sugar and starch ferment rapidly in the rumen and may lower rumen pH, resulting in reduced feed intake and digestibility of forages. It is therefore recommended that the amount of grain be limited when used in a forage-based diet. Certain feeds such as soybean hulls, corn gluten feed, beet pulp and brewers grains are satisfactory energy sources, but the starch is more slowly degraded and does not alter rumen pH to the same degree as grain sources such as corn.

Comparing the cost of TDN, we can estimate the cost of energy supplements as we have done for protein supplements in the previous example.

Soybean hulls valued at $85/Ton
$85/20,(100 lb. units/ton) = $4.25 per 100 lb.
$4.25/.70 (%TDN as fed of soybean hulls) = $6.07 per 100 lb. TDN

Like protein sources, energy sources also vary in the amounts of mineral and vitamin availability. For this reason it is important to consider the cost per unit of nutrient along with the ease of handling, amount of concentrate fed, forage quality, and forage type.

The same forage type but of different quality will dramatically change a supplementation program. Proper decision making for reducing winter feed costs starts with identifying the nutrient composition of available feeds. For more information regarding supplementing forages contact your local Extension Office.

[Top] Forage Production Short Courses

Read the Brochure for more information and a registration form.

The Ohio State University's Forage Production Short Course is an intensive two-day learning experience, planned for two sites in Ohio this winter.

The curriculum will cover all aspects of forages --from production to storage to utilization -- but the emphasis will be on management and how to produce high-quality stored forages more efficiently and more effectively.

A team of specialists will provide classroom instruction plus hands-on activities, such as evaluating hay quality, identifying forage species, and computer program demonstrations. Each participant will receive a resource notebook full of valuable references, bulletins, fact sheets and articles.

Each site is limited to 30 participants, and the $60 pre-registration is required. Get registration forms from county Extension offices in Ohio. Registration materials will soon be posted on the web at: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~forages, and click on "Events" to find the Forage Production Short Courses listed and a link to course registration.

Surveys of last year's course participants showed that they felt the course was very worthwhile and useful. Most said they would be making changes on their farms or in their recommendations to farmers based on what they learned during the course. The reference manual was especially popular with the participants. Another key benefit stated by participants was the opportunity to meet other forage producers and exchange ideas, and several even forged potential business relationships. All said they would recommend it to a friend.

Course participants last year included producers, extension agents, NRCS personnel, and ag industry professionals including private consultants, seed dealers, and technical service reps. The producers represented over 8100 acres of forage, and the ag industry professionals (not counting NRCS and Extension) said they advise or provide service to at least 284 producers and have an influence on over 70,800 acres.

All educational programs and activities conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to all potential clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, handicap or Vietnam-era veteran status. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

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