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- May 3, 1995 pA 32 -- Scugog Citizen_- Tuesday, ' FARM NEWS 2 Pasture management by Marlene Werry, Beef Advisor The 68,000 acres of pasture land in Durham Region provides the cheapest possible source of nutrition for beef cattle. Good pastures just don't happen. They are the result of good management based on the knowledge of how plants grow, fertility requirements and the ability to withstand grazing and trampling by animals. The following are general recommendations and observations on commonly asked questions on pasture management. When would you open the barn gate in the spring? The proper timifig of letting cattle out to pasture in the spring is dependent on several variables such as the plant species in the pasture mix, drainage, plant growth, feed available etc. Generally speaking, for good pasture management you need to be a few pio too early on the first field tb get the maximum forage production. Pastures with orchard grass should be grazed first in the early part of May when there is about 3-4 inches of growth. Orchard grass is an early grass that is palatable when young, but loses palatability and digestibility faster than other grasses. If left ungrazed, it will form tough, unpalatable clumps. Protect prime grazing land. Pasture those well drained fields first. Put pasture in four fields to get the most of rotational benefits. Stocking Rate? This will vary with grazing management and 4-H Dairy Club Chines, Crops, and Cupcakes. What do these three words have in common, besides the letter "C™? If you guessed the first Port Perry Dairy 4-H meeting you are right. We met at Mr. Earl Phoenix's on Tuesday, April 25] 1995 at 7:30 pm. There were 16 club members present. It was good to see our friends again and meet the 4 new members. We started our meeting with the 4-H pledge. Next, we had the election of officers. Laura Phoenix is our new president. Matt Phoenix was elected vice- president. Jennifer Smith x accepted the position of secretary. Elizabeth Benschop is the press reporter. When the elections were completed, Mr Phoenix reviewed some of the parts of a cow, (this is where the chines, and crops fit in). Then, we examined some cows and judged them on their dairy characteristics. We closed our meeting with the 4-H motto and then enjoyed the delicious cupcakes. We are very thankful that Mr. Earl Phoenix and Dr. Roger Holtby have decided to lead us again. We are looking forward to a, very exciting year. Need It? - LOADER MINI EXCAVATOR Got earth to move and you're in a confined area? Rent one of our powerful, versatile mini- excavators that STUMP unattractive stump had to stay in your yard for good. Getting rid of it is easy. SCUGOG EQUIPMENT RENTALS RENTAL MW SALES M SERVICE TOOLS for the HOMEOWNER ® CONTRACTOR ® FARMER 178 Reach Ind. Park Rd. Port Perry 985-4416 fertilization. Based on observation, with rotation, unimproved grass pasture will carry about 1/2 animal (1,000 1b. animal) per acre. A mixed legume/grass stand will carry 3/4 to 1 animal per acre. If you want to graze more than 1 animal per acre, management will have to be fine tuned. Under excellent management, legume pastures can carry as high as 2 to 2 1/2 animals per acre. This involves clipping, fertilizing and rotation. Fertilizing Pastures? If you plan to graze more than 3/4 cow per acre than you should consider fertilizing. A soil test should represent no more than 25 acres and should be taken once every three years. The accuracy of your soil test depends directly on the soil sample. Fertilizer recommendations | in Ontario for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and lime are based on samples taken at a depth of 6 inches. This represents the depth where plant roots are taking up the majority of the nutrients. Deeper soil samples will give a false reading. Soil sample kits are available from the OMAFRA office. Legume Pasture? Apply 200 Ibs. of 0-14-42 after the first of June. This will give a boost to regrowth with the June rains. There is sufficient new growth in May without fertilizer. If the phosphorous rating is high then apply 0-0-60. Grass Pasture? Apply 250 lbs. of 19-19-19 after the first of June. With good management, if you apply P&K to soil test recommendations then you can double the pasture production. If you apply N,P,K then you may triple production. So be prepared for production if you plan to fertilize. Keep in mind if you apply nitrogen this will give a bpost in growth to the grasses, and may smother the legumes if 'the pasture is not grazed to keep the grass under control. Effective pasture management depends a lot on your observational skills. Spend time in your fields. Look down (not over) at the grass and develop a Testing for how it is growing. For the first time, Durham Farm Fresh will have a booth at the third annual Good Food Festival held at Exhibition Place In the Automotive Bullding this weekend. Jacqueline Beaton of Oshawa willl be at Exhibit #246 toshand out brochures and broadcast what Durham Farm Fresh has to offer. Open Friday, noon to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. lo 6 p.m.. It's a 'Feast-lyal' for the whole family as they sample foods-from around the world. . Ethanol plant hits $3 million The Seaway Valley Farmers Energy Co-Operative has topped the $3 million equity mark for its proposed ethanol production facility in Cornwall. - Hitting the $3 million mark . means the Co-Operative will now receive matching Provincial funds by way of a jobsOntario Community Action grant. The province's commitment to this grant was announced earlier in the % B Farm Equipment % B Front End Align A "DURHAM ROLLS W BW Authorized Motor MB Full Mechanical Services BW MAJOR & PRIVATE BRANDS SENIORS DISCOUNT Vehicle inspection Station ITH THE TIRE PROS" ¥ Plus Seeds are what SW: AN St Complete Seed Supplies & Service RR#2, BLACKSTOCK (905) 986-4331 A Licenced Seed Processing Establishment LAWN SEED From 1 Pound to 1,000 Pounds FERTILIZER (Nelo) Call the Professionals DECHEIER kstock on Od Seu month by Elmer Buchanan, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). "This is an important landmark in our equity campaign," said Co-Op Secretary \ Alain Leduc. "Hitting this figure has 6pened the ddor to matching provincial funds and assured our success." With this $3 million comes a total Co-Op membership approaching 1,300 - including members signed up last year - representing approximately 65 per cent of the available memberships. Total membership stock offering is $5 million. The Ottawa Valley Seed Growers Association, an organization which promotes the use of pedigreed seed throughout eastern Ontario and western Quebec, purchased the largest block of Preferred "A" stock sold to date, investing $40,000. Total Preferred "A" stock sold to date, investing $40,000. Total Preferred "A" stock offering is $5 million, plus $2.5 million in Preferred "B" stock. * The investment campaign is raising equity for a new $40 million-plus ethanol plant the Co-Op is planning for Cornwall. Potential investors are asked to contact their area repr e to 8 ibe or call 1-800-776-1608.