FARMER NEWSLETTER

Naturally Interested in Your Future

Winter 2015 Vol 15 Issue 1

Greetings and blessings to our sustainable agriculture community! We are so privileged and blessed to be part of organic agriculture. This past year, we were blessed beyond measure with unbeatable weather conditions, which led to great crops and bountiful yields. Low prices on input commodities such as fuel, propane and grain prices were an unexpected blessing. Organic and conventional milk prices have been strong and conventional milk prices have been higher than usual.

This year has almost been a banner year for my 25 years of agribusiness. Agriculture is at its brightest point in years. As we reflect on this good year, just like in a drought year or bad year we need to take notes for the upcoming year so we learn from our past mistakes and know what to change in adverse times.

Winter Meetings and EducationPlanning and pre-planning in the agriculture market is vital. In January and February, we need to capture those moments around the kitchen table with the whole family to plan for the spring. Fathers, you may not realize the impact this will have on your sons and daughters as they see you making strategic plans that help you to be successful in the future. This is a great

opportunity to teach your children and show the next generation that agriculture is something to be excited about.

In December, we attended the two and a half day

Acres USA Conference in Columbus, Ohio. The Conference was loaded with many nationally renowned speakers. We encourage you to attend winter meetings to increase your knowledge about the different facets of sustainable, biological and organic farming.

A great one day conference in February is Lancaster Ag’s Real Health Conference on Saturday, February 14, 2015. There will be 28 seminars led by experts in the forefront of sustainable and organic agriculture, and you’ll enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch made on site to show that we can have great tasting real food without unhealthy preservatives. See the enclosed brochure for details on this affordable family conference.

Notes from Reuben

Soil Nutrition

Garden & Human Products

Agricultural Seeds

Animal Health & Nutrition

60 North Ronks Road Ronks, PA 17572 • 717-687-9222 • www.LancasterAg.com

by Reuben StoltzfusWHAT’S INSIDE Notes from Reuben ......... 1

Winter Education ............ 1

Spring Planting ................ 2

Weed Control ................... 2

Disease Control ............... 2

Insect Control .................. 2

Nutrition & Minerals ...... 2

Spring Fertilization .......... 3

Real Health Day ............... 3

Trade Shows ..................... 3

Boron & You ..................... 4

Water Quality Is Crucial . 5

Tribute to Jim Helfter ...... 5

Financial Focus ................ 6

Seed Discounts ................. 6

Jesus Likes Potato Salad .. 7

Cutting Heights & Forage Management ..................... 8

New Seeds for 2015 ......... 9

Spring & Summer Produce, Pastures/Grasses, Alfalfa, Corn & Garden Programs ................... 10-11

Lancaster Ag Services ... 12

We get to show our next generation

that agriculture is something

to be excited about!

How to Prepare for Spring Planting

“When you fail to plan you plan to fail.”

Get started in January & February

Involve the whole family in this process

Find your farm plans & maps to help decide where

different crops will be planted in the Spring

Decide how much of each cropto plant

Check the conditions of pastures

Check which crops need to be reseeded

Order or prepay for seeds & fertilizers

Check farming equipment

Order Earlyfor Discounts

Saturday, February 14, 2015Real Health Conference

brochure & form INSIDE!

2 3

Weed ControlWeed control in spring needs to be handled completely differently than how conventional agricultural has been handling it for 25 years. The book Weeds and Why They Grow by Acres USA teaches that often times when weeds are growing, they try to pull up a mineral

of which the soil is deficient. For example, a calcium deficient soil will bring up certain types of weeds. Putting calcium down will not necessarily eliminate the weed problem, but it will discourage that weed from spreading.

Control weeds without using poison. How? Three weeks before planting when you work your soil and get a good firm seed bed let the

soil rest before planting. Just prior to planting, work the soil with a field cultivator no more than 2 1⁄2” inches deep.

Beware! If you till the soil deeper than 2 1/2” inches deep, you will just bring up another crop of weeds. Done correctly, you skim the top surface killing off the germinated weeds.

Upkeep: Using this method, one will not need to cultivate more than two times during a growing season with corn and beans. Try these principals to see the results for yourself!

Why Weed? Weeds lower crop yields and take away profits!

Diseases and Insect controlDisease and insect control is a matter of management practice. How are you managing your soils before and after planting to eliminate stress from your plants? Stress can be caused by wind, water,

minerals, a deficiency or excess of nutrients; these all play a role when it comes to disease and insect control. Plants are very similar to human beings. When a human get stressed, has malnutrition, is dehydrated or has a lack of

sleep, he is prone to sickness such as the common cold. Often all we need to do is get hydrated, get more sleep or get adequate nutrients and the sickness disappears. If a common cold hits the body, then we take inventory to realize which factor is causing our problem. When we take care of ourselves, the cold disappears, providing we catch the illness early on.

Diseases and insects in plants and soils are similar. When you start to understand the stresses and warning signs, lack of nutrition or excess of water, lack of water you will understand why these diseases and insects are present. Take care of the deficiency and your disease and insect problems will disappear.

Diseases are primarily lack of nutrition, but nutrition does not cover the negligence often caused by mankind. Our mismanagement can cause stress we are not aware of. Early detection is key to controlling diseases and insects without the use of insecticide and fungicide. Through careful stewardship of soil and nature, diseases can be controlled without harsh chemicals.

Vital Minerals for Plant HealthWe will discuss the three minerals calcium, boron, and sulfur, which

play vital roles in plant health.

Calcium is the most important mineral and is needed in more pounds and volume than any other mineral. Calcium helps plants develop strong cellular walls and membranes, which allows them to proliferate. Insignificant calcium in plants helps lead to diseases and

insect proliferation. Calcium helps water and air to move through soil and helps plants to have regular size and shape. Many forage crops such as alfalfa remove up to 100 pounds of calcium per ton of harvested hay. When plant deficiency of calcium occurs it is necessary to examine the cause of the problem in order to have the proper response. There are many excellent calcium sources available, but choosing the best option depends on your soil quality, texture and mineral concentration. We recommend you take a soil sample

to fully understand your soil before just applying calcium.

Boron is required for cell structure and proper balance in plants. Boron is also an annine, which is a negative in the soil. It leeches and drops out of the soil system. Boron is removed in alfalfa and grasses up to a half pound per ton of hay

equivalent every time you remove hay. An adequate soil sample of 2 part per million up to 6 part per million is considered a good range for Boron in the soil. We recommend at least 2 pounds of actual Boron in the fall and half pound of actual boron in spring in order to have good quality grasses, alfalfa, legumes in spring. Adequate levels of boron come in through forages which is the best way to address

boron deficiencies in livestock.

Sulfur helps to build amino acids and true protein. Sulfur deficiency is very common in North Eastern United States. Sulfur is also an annine and disappears from soil on a regular basis if not replenished. True protein convergence from nitrate to protein happens when soil sulfur

is adequate. Sulfur can be added to the soil at around 40 units per acre per year. The minimum we like to see is 60 pounds per acre of sulfur in the soil. This will ensure proper content in your forages and crops. In forages, for example, a nitrogen sulfur ratio of 10 to 1 is sufficient - 10 parts nitrogen to 1 part sulfur. We recommend adding 40 pound of sulfur in the fall and 5 pounds of sulfur in spring. Elemental sulfur, gypsum, and sulpomag are commonly used material for sulfur deficiency. Elemental sulfur at times if used in high amounts can have adverse effect on soil microbials, therefore gypsum or suplomag is our top recommendation for sulfur.

Spring FertilizationWe recommend our Top Dress for pastures and MPM and Cal-Phos when it comes to top dressing forage crops in early spring. In your winter planning sessions, be sure to calculate how many acres need spring application.

Please refer back to page 11 for a full list of forage crop recommendations.

continued from page 1

If there hasn’t been any dry blend applied in the fall, we recommend putting Top Dress on your pastures and hay crops sometime in mid- March. Follow up with an application of liquid Cal-Phos or MPM whether you are organic, biological or conventional 45 days after Top Dress application.

We recommend two applications of foliars after the top dress application at 45 days after and 35 days after the top dress application.

Why does Lancaster Ag top dress? In our Top Dress there is nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and all the trace elements as well as bacteria and plethora of nutrients.

As I bring this Spring Newsletter to a close I encourage you to:

1. Plan early and get yourself educated!

2. Call Lancaster Ag Products if you need help. We have a local rep in your area and a call center open from 7am -5pm Monday through Friday to assist you.

3. Attend our Real Health Conference on February 14th, 2015 along with your family. This dynamic day filled with great speakers and information will be a gift to you and your future as our faithful customers.

Naturally Yours,

Reuben Stoltzfus

Notes from Reuben Notes from Reuben

When weeds are growing,

they try to pull up a mineral of which the soil is

deficient.

visit lancaster ag at these 2015 trade showsDATE LOCATION

January 10 NOFA-Mass Winter Conference - Worcester, MA

January 15-17 Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed Annual Conference - Hyattsville, MD

January 20-23 Virginia Forage & Grassland Council - Weyers Cave, Wytheville, Chatham & Gordonsville VA

January 22-23 North Central Ohio Dairy Grazing Conference - Dalton, OH

January 23-25 NOFA-NY Winter Conference - Soil: The Root of the Movement - Saratoga Springs, NY

January 24-25 NOFA-NJ Food & Agriculture Winter Conference - Lincroft, NJ

January 31 NOFA-NH Winter Conference - Concord, NH

January 30-31 Virginia Biological Farming Conference (VABF) - Richmond, VA

February 11-12 NOFA-Mass Soil & Nutrition Conference - Northampton, MA

February 14 Real Health Conference - Lancaster Ag Products headquarters, Ronks, PA

February 26-28 NY Farm Show - Syracuse, NY

March 4 NOFA-NY Organic Dairy & Field Crop Conference - Syracuse/Liverpool, NY

March 7 CT-NOFA Winter Conference - Danbury, CT

Take care of the deficiency and

your disease and insect problems will disappear.

Plants are very similar to human beings.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

REAL HEALTHCONFERENCE

Choose from 28 seminars led by experts in sustainable & organic agriculture!

Gerald Fry Livestock Breeding, Selection, Grazing & NutritionMichael Phillips Orchard Health & Holistic Disease ManagementDr. Cal Streeter Hormone & Thyroid FunctionDr. Richard Olree How Lack of Minerals Affects Human HealthJerry Christner Digestive & Emotional Health

Dr. Paul Dettloff Organic Animal HealthDr. Richard Holliday Livestock Immunity & Whey ProductsKurtis Groff Farm Budgets FinancesEd Miller Farm Succession & Will PlanningLee Rinehart Transitioning to Organics and Record KeepingSteve Becker Soil Biology

Mark Fulford Crop MineralizationTim Fritz Forage ManagementKlaas Martens Keep Your Soil Working Year RoundSpecial Guest Understanding GMOs & GlyphosateMary Stoltzfus & Guests - Making Dairy Products at Home, How to Ferment Foods, Food Processing & Replacing the Bad Stuff

All-you-can-eat haystack lunch buffet, soup & salad included!

REGISTER

NOW!continued from page 2

4 5

Boron has a rich history stretching back thousands of years where borax (the most common form of boron) has been found in the deserts of western Tibet. Borax glazes were used in China by 300AD, and by 700AD borax had reached the West. In 1777, boric acid was found in the hot springs in

Sasso, Italy, which became the main source of European borax until 1872 at which date American sources replaced it.

Boron compounds were rarely used chemicals until the late 1800s when Francis Marion Smith’s, Pacific Coast Borax Company first popularized these compounds, making them in volume and inexpensive.

Borax was first recognized as an element by Sir Humphry Davy, Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis Jacques Thénard in 1808, and they named the element boracium. The city of Boron in Kern County, California, United States was named after the element and is home to the U.S. Borax Boron Mine, the world’s largest borax mine and the compound, boric acid.

Boron deficiency is one of the most widespread causes of reduced crop yield. Missouri and the eastern half of the United States are plagued by boron deficient soil and, often, corn and soybean farmers are required to supplement their soil with boron. The element is unique among the essential elements in that a narrow range in concentration can mean the difference between plant deficiency and plant toxicity. Whereas a fraction of one part per million may be required, a few parts per million may be toxic to plants. Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that boron plays an integral role in development and reproduction in corn plants. Scientists anticipate that understanding how corn uses the nutrient can help farmers make informed decisions in boron deficient areas and improve crop yields.

Since boron is non-mobile in plants, a continuous supply from soil or planting media is required in all plant meristems. In mineral rich soils, release of boron is usually quite slow. Much of the available boron in soil is held rather tightly by soil organic material. As organic matter

decomposes, boron is released with a portion being absorbed by plants, leached below the root zone area (especially in high rainfall/acid soil areas) or tied up (unavailable) under alkaline soil conditions.

A study at the University of Missouri showed that a lack of boron causes a problem in the stem cells of the corn plant. Boron is critical for the process of cell differentiation at all growing tips of plants (meristems) where cell division is active. Plants deficient in boron continue to undergo cell division in growing tips without differentiation of cells becoming stems, leaves, flowers, etc. and thereby stunting a plants growth.

When this occurs, one may see a proliferation of side shoots resulting in a “witches broom” condition. Deformed flowers are a common symptom of boron deficiency. Many plants may respond by reduced flowering and improper pollination as well as thickened, curled, wilted and chlorotic new growth.

Boron has not been considered essential for humans until recently. An article entitled Multi-platform characterization of the human cerebrospinal fluid metabolome: a comprehensive and quantitative update, printed in Genome Medicine 2012, indicates that there are about 162 different chemical signatures in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). The number one mineral in CSF is sodium, no surprise at all, but the number two mineral was boron. Since the Food and Drug Administration considers boron to be “LIKELY SAFE” for adults and children when used in doses less than the Upper Tolerable Limits......consider the following. Boron supplements can lower the amount of magnesium flushed out in urination. This has a profound ripple effect on all other minerals in the human body. Boron deficiency can also have negative effects on bone calcification and proper embryo development.

The best types of boron available for purchase over the counter are calcium fructoborate and calcium borogluconate. Both types of boron can be used immediately by the liver, and both can be removed easily to avoid a toxic overload.

Calcium borogluconate is a source of calcium for cattle, sheep and swine, to aid in the treatment of hypocalcemia, e.g., milk fever in cattle.

Calcium fructoborate is non-toxic, water-soluble form of boron and can help provide support for your body in a variety of ways.

• Reduce inflammation to damaged tissue cells, which is significant because inflammation is one major aspect of wear and tear to both bones and joints.

• Induce cell death in breast cancer cells, turning off the highly inflammatory pathway that drives breast cancer cell replication.

• Regulate hormones and vitamin D3 to improve bone and joint health. It acts as a “bodyguard” for vital activities needed to rejuvenate important body structures.

by Dr. Richard OlreeBoron and You

The ViewThe View

by Steve (Howie) CombsWater Quality Is Crucial

A major nutrient that is often ignored when evaluating milk production is water quality and the negative affect impurities can have on herd health and performance.

Considering a milking cow’s body composition is between 60–68% water, and that milk itself is 81–89%, any factor reducing water consumption will reduce matter intake; making less nutrients available for maintenance, growth and production. Milking dairy cows normally consume 25 to 30 gallons of water per day, a figure that is affected by air temperature, ration composition and mineral content of the available water supply.

Research has indicated the following criteria can be used as a guideline for water quality.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measures soluble mineral salts present. Since this is a measure of total solids and not specific contaminants, elevated levels have varying affects on milk production. Levels below 2,000 ppm normally do not affect health or production. Levels between 2,000 and 4,500 have been shown to reduce water consumption. Further testing is recommended for levels over 4,500 to determine and treat this specific contaminant.

Hardness is the measure of positive ion concentration and not a specific contaminant. Levels less than 60 ppm are considered soft, 61 – 120 ppm moderately hard and 120 – 180 ppm is hard water. Unless hardness is primarily due to a single element levels below 135 ppm do not affect water consumption. Excessive levels of any single element can affect the absorption of others, resulting in reduced performance. Excess calcium, for example, reduces the absorption of selenium. Excess iron levels impact copper and zinc absorption, but more importantly, affects water taste with an odor of sulfur. As sulfonated water is heated, as in lengthy exposed pipelines, odors can become obnoxious. Excessive levels of manganese have resulted in nervous and muscular dysfunction. Chlorine, a popular and effective method for reducing biological

contaminants in water, can reduce water consumption in excessive levels. Reduced levels over 4 ppm can result in the production of chloroform upon contact with organic material. Higher concentrations can reduce rumen bacteria population which reduces digestion of forages. A residual level of less than 0.5 ppm is considered safe.

Nitrates. Cattle drinking from are subject to surface infiltration or drinking from streams with upstream manure exposure of any kind can contain unsafe levels of nitrates. Dangerously high spikes can occur during periods of excessive rainfall. Nitrates because absorbed in the bloodstream and reduce the oxygen carrying ability of red blood cells. Moderate chronic exposure to nitrates can result in infertility and abortions, with acute levels resulting in death. Nitrate levels less than 50 ppm are considered safe for consumption, with chronic levels over 125 ppm harmful and 250 ppm lethal.

Bacteria. There are many strains of bacteria that can be present in drinking water, either well or surface. Coliform groupings found in intestinal bacteria are used as indicators of further contamination, but can be lethal at elevated levels. They are measured in “colony forming units” with levels over 10 being the base level for performance reduction in adult cattle.

There are many factors physical and chemical that can result in reduced performance in dairy herds. The wrong contamination of any of these can quickly reduce milk production to non-profitable levels. Let’s not allow one of the most basic and often over-looked nutrients, water, to reduce another well managed dairy herd with a balanced feeding program to become less satisfying while operating below its potential.

Boron deficiency is one of the most

widespread causes of reduced crop yield.

...boron plays an integral role in

development and reproduction in corn

plants.

Deformed flowers are a common

symptom of boron deficiency.

by Reuben Stoltzfus and the team of Lancaster Agriculture Products A Personal Tribute to James “Jim” Helfter

June 6, 1942 – October 26, 2014

Jim, born and raised in Osage, Iowa, a small farming community, graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in New Haven, Iowa in 1960. Upon graduating, he relocated to Colorado to begin working as an Aerospace Engineer. After a period of time and with his natural and profound interest in livestock health, Jim founded Advanced Biological Concepts in 1987. Jim had a passion for plant and animal health as well as a strong concern about the sustainability of mankind. Subjects like glyphosate and other farm chemicals invading our food and feed supply a burden on Jim’s heart.

Animal welfare and health were Jim’s greatest passions. There are many animals, especially horses, alive and performing well due to Jim’s efforts.

Jim was a great mentor to me personally, both spiritually and in business. Jim has played a large role in the mineral program for Lancaster Ag Products. The knowledge and theory of putting herbs and botanicals into livestock feed consistently as a preventative was due to Jim’s coaching, wisdom and consult.

I first met Jim at an Acres, USA conference in 1999 and started working extensively with him in 2003 when we acquired Meadow Green Valley, which was a supplier of Jim’s product line at the time. I was always amazed when Jim would make the connection between an illness and nutrition.

Jim and I spent countless hours discussing mineral and animal nutrition. Jim was both a leader and designer within and for the organic industry. It was a strong desire that he use the gifts his Father gave him to bring healing to animals and the earth. Jim was an inspiration, leader, father figure and a true friend to me and the team at Lancaster Ag Products and will be missed by many.

Look at all labels of your vitamins to be sur that you are getting your boron!

6 7

It was Saturday afternoon in a rundown part of town. I was standing outside the church checking my watch to see if we could close the doors and end the community day of prayer I was helping to run. All of our sandwiches were gone, the gloves and hats we’d been donated had been handed out to an army of small kids and the propane heaters had run out of gas leaving a deep chill inside the old church. I shoved my hands into my coat pockets watching my breath steam in the cold air.

I looked around at the for sale sign and the bullet holes through the stain-glassed doors of the church. This was not exactly prime real estate. The sky was growing dark and it was past time to go home.

Then I saw her struggling up the stairs, a middle-aged woman in a thin maroon zip-up jacket. She looked at me with desperate eyes.

“Does this church give out food?” She began to cry and mumbled through her tears. “I haven’t eaten in days.”

Everything in me wanted to say, “NO,” so I could go home, but instead I took my shivering hands out of their pockets and helped her into the church. The lady plopped down on the worn couch just inside the door to rest her weary legs. I looked around to see if there was anything left to eat. The only

thing I could find was potato salad. It wasn’t much, but it was all I had to offer. With a plastic fork in hand, I watched in amazement as the woman inhaled the potato salad and shared her life story in between bites. She had been kicked out of her apartment and had been wandering the streets in the cold weather for over a month. I

found her a blanket and she smiled as her body began to thaw and her stomach began to fill up.

Just then one of Jesus’ sayings ran through my mind. “As you have done unto the least of these so you have done unto me.” I saw her face staring at me, hungry, helpless, and hurting, and it hit me. This was not just some random woman who needed help, it was Jesus sitting on the couch smiling with a mouth full of potato salad. Jesus had come to me for food and companionship.

An hour later I whispered a prayer as I watched her disappear down the church steps wrapped in her new blanket and

carrying a bag of leftover potato salad. I was going to be very late for dinner. I

couldn’t help smiling though as I walked to my car. It’s not everyday

Jesus shows up asking for food, and who knew that

Jesus likes potato salad!

Every farm tries to be successful raising healthy livestock and harvesting fruitful crops. However, to be truly successful, gaining financial freedom as a business is equally important.

Business is Booming!Currently, U.S. dairy producers are setting records for shipping milk overseas while meeting the demand for increased American consumption of both milk and cheese. The high value of milk plus high demand equals greater profit margins for dairy farmers. This is a formula for success. Strategically managing your profits now toward risk management and financial security will help keep you in business when times get tough.

How well do you know your business?Initially, in order to invest profit wisely, your financial records must be correct and realistic. Do you know the details of your business? Before you reap the rewards of increased profits you must know your farm’s cash flow, balance sheet or statement of financial position and actual costs of production.

Don’t be afraid to get helpIf this topic is overwhelming, don’t be afraid to get help from financial professionals. At the same time, don’t hold yourself back from gaining knowledge. Take advantage of learning from others, attend local seminars or enroll in financial management education courses. Try reading books and articles on your own.

Once you have good financial information you are now able to move forward with investing current profit wisely for the future stability of your farm and family.

What is Equity?Fight that initial urge to increase your debt. As a business owner, take this opportunity to invest in the equity of your business. Equity is defined as the value of your farm that is owned by you and not your lender. Paying down debt will build equity and develop a safety net for future financial security in an unstable industry.

Protect Your BusinessUse increased profit to protect your business during future difficult times. Wise risk management would include prepaying expenses for off farm investments. Create a consistent and accurate budget and determine inventory you know will be needed in the coming year. Fertilizers, seeds, grain, forage, fuel and herd health supplies are examples of future expenses which, if paid in advance, help sustain your profitability.

Build a Cash ReserveAccomplished business owners try to have consistent yet flexible operations. Financial responsibilities must be met without disrupting your ability to run your farm. Having a cash reserve for purchases is called liquidity. Rarely will the cash you get in be the same as the cash you pay out; so put profits into an emergency cash supply to make sure you have enough money for purchases.

Are Capitol Investments a Good Idea?Capital investments for equipment or improvements should be carefully evaluated and avoided if possible. Instead maintain your current assets and hold off on major capital purchases especially if your farm has low operating cash. Wait until you have stable profit margins before increasing debt.

You Can Do It!Financial success requires being realistic about your farm’s needs and goals. Discipline and knowledge are key assets for the wisely managing your profits. Now is the time to build a solid business foundation to secure your farm’s future.

by Larry Groff & Kendra HelfterNOW is YOUR Opportunity for Financial Success

The Financial Focus Inspiration

Jesus Likes Potato Salad

In the new year, the team here at Lancaster Ag encourages you to seek out someone less fortunate and serve some potato salad!

by Simeon Harrar

Put these 5 ingredients in a frying pan until beef is browned:6 lb. beef6 c. onions, finely chopped6 c. peppers, finely chopped4 ½ c. celery, finely chopped1/2 c. olive oil

Add:1/2 c. chili powder1/3 c. worcestershire sauce1 T. cinnamon1 T. black pepper2 T. salt2 T. season salt

1 T. garlic salt2 T. Ada herbs2 qt. tomato juice1/2 t. red pepper3 ½ c. dried beans (1 ½ lb. if small beans)3/4 c. honey

Soak dried beans for 6-8 hours, then rinse and cook til almost soft. Fry beef and vegetables with oil. Bring everything to boiling, then simmer for a few hours. Stir occasionally to avoid burning to the bottom.

Homemade Chili

from the kitchen of Mary Stoltzfus

8 9

In the Field

Information provided by Tom Zundel, Lancaster Ag’s Seed CoordinatorCutting Heights & Forage Management

In the Field

Forage crop growers must make many difficult decisions. Deciding the cutting height of the forage crop is an important one. There are two options a grower can take. “Do I cut low and increase the yield?” or “do I cut high and maintain the stand?” The first option maximizes yield while the second maximizes longevity and nutritional quality. These principles can be used when harvesting the forage with machine, animal or both.

Moving animals on to hay fields after the last cutting to graze may stretch some additional forage but may do more damage than expected. Since the remaining stubble is high in storage sugars, the animals will eat the stubble to ground because it tastes good.

If your intentions are to keep the stand of forage more than 3 years or do not want to excessively stress the plants, the following list will help. It gives the area of sugar storage of different forage types and the minimum harvest height for keeping a forage stand for over 5 years. If you manage for maximum yield and short crop rotations then harvest the forage as low as possible.

When you have two different types of forages planted together, decide which is most important. Manage the field, including harvesting time, frequency and cutting height, so the most important crop is favored.

There are many exciting new seed products available for the 2014 spring planting season at Lancaster Ag Products. In addition to this listing of new seed varieties, keep in mind that many other varieties of your favorite seeds are also available. Check our 2014 catalogue and website, or call 717-687-9222 for a complete list of seeds. We at Lancaster Ag are happy to help you select the best seeds for your planting needs this spring.

LANCASTER AG SEEDS

Payment received by: January 31 5% February 28 4% March 31 3%

After March, regular cash discounts apply.

BLUE RIVER SEEDS

Payment postmarked by: January 31 4% February 28 3%

After February, regular cash discounts apply.

FERTILIZER

Payment received by: January 31 4% February 28 3%

After February, regular cash discounts apply.

New Seeds for 2015

Liflex White Clover – A new medium height, medium leaf size white clover that flowers early. Available in organic seed.

Barblanca Ladino Clover – An aggressive large leaf white clover with excellent persistence.

Lifago Buckwheat – A small seeded buckwheat for cover crop programs and pollinators. Not for grain. Available in organic seed.

Liherold Meadow Fescue – A top performing variety with strong early growth. Available in organic seed.

Echelon Orchardgrass – A very late heading and high yielding variety.

Kingfisher TD Blend Ryegrass – A blend of tetraploid and diploid perennial ryegrasses. Available in organic seed.

Kingfisher Allegro Blend Ryegrass – A blend of European tetraploid and diploid perennial ryegrasses. Available in organic seed.

Martin II Protek Tall Fescue – An early-medium maturity fescue with a novel endophyte.

Milvus Red Clover – A new organic clover variety that is long-lived and has some spreading tendencies.

Lischka Timothy – An organic, early maturing European timothy.

Dr. Baum Hairy Vetch – An organic, winter hardy German bred variety.

New Corn Hybrids from Blue River09R19–79 day – Excellent dual purpose hybrid with fast dry-down, good standability, late season intactness and very good ear flex.

27B16–88 day – A tall hybrid with excellent yield potential with girthy, flex ears and excellent test weight. Responds positively to high populations and increased fertilization.

35M70–94 day – Very good plant health and fall appearance, excellent yielding. A medium height hybrid with medium-low ear placement. Strong drought and heat tolerance.

37K90–95 day – Excellent yield potential, very good plant health and fall stay-green. Ear flex is very good and standabiliy is above average.

43T35–98 day – Very good yield potential, fast dry-down, excels in high yield environments. Medium high plants with girthy ears.

49K70–102 day – Excellent yield potential, dense foliage that will shade between rows. Very good standability and plant health. Replaces 48B30.

60B77–109 day – Excellent yield potential and standability. Compact plants with dense foliage, very good plant health.

68A47–113 day – Excellent yield potential and standability. Very good plant health and fall dry down. Compact, dense foliage, very good row canopy. A good duel purpose hybrid.

70A57–114 day – Develops large girthy ears with good tip fill. Very good plant health. Plant at high populations, very good drought tolerance on shorter plants with dense canopy.

New Soybeans27C5–2.7 maturity – High yielding variety, excellent agronomics, cyst resistance and qualifies for limited food use.

28ARC5–2.8 maturity – Resistant to both SCN and aphids. Plants are medium-tall and bushy. A cyst resistant variety.

2015 Early Payment Discounts

The Legumes• Alfalfa – The main storage of sugars

is in the large tap root. Growth comes from buds below the surface of the soil, so cutting close is safe for the plant. In general for every 1-inch lower in height of cut, a half ton of dry matter per acre can be obtained.

• Red Clover - The sugars are stored in the tap root. Leave at least 2 inches of stubble.

• White Clover – Sugars are stored in the stolens. Other than Ladino it is difficult to totally remove all the leaf area from the plants.

• Birdsfoot trefoil – Maintains energy in the roots. Needs a long rest period to maintain and build root reserves. Cut at a 4 inch post harvest height.

The GrassesMany grasses store excess carbohydrates in the form of soluble sugars in their stems.

• Orchardgrass – Stores sugars in the bottom 3 to 4 inches of the stem and tillers. Leave 4 to 5 inch post harvest height.

• Fescue – Stores sugars in the base of stems, tillers and in rhizomes. Leave 3 to 4 inch post harvest height.

• Ryegrass – Stores fructans in the stem and leaf sheaths. Leave 2 to 3 inch post harvest height.

• Timothy – Highest sugar concentration is found in base of the stem and in the corm. Leave 4 to 6 inch post harvest height.

• Brome – Stores sugar in the base of the stems. Leave 3 to 4 inch post harvest height.

• Bluegrass – Stores sugars at the base of the tillers and in the rhizomes. Leave a 1 to 2 inch post harvest height.

10 11

Programs

Spring & Summer Produce Program

Step 1 - Tilling If you have followed the fall program, shallow till the soil of your field by your preferred method to prepare the soil for planting.

Step 2 – Pre-planting• Spray apply SeedGro at the rate of 30 gallon SeedGro to 30 gallon water

per acre.

• Caution: Till only as much as necessary.

• Apply Garden Top Dress at the rate of 1000 pounds per acre OR

• Apply Garden Top Dress at the rate of 5 pounds per 200-foot row after the seed is covered

Step 3 – Planting When the soil is ready, plant your seeds. Apply Garden Top Dress to the soil surface if it was not applied before planting and lightly incorporate via cultivation. When it is time to plant your transplants, prepare a solution of SP-1 (soil drench) and water by mixing them in a 1:1 ratio. Place this solution in a small bucket and dip the entire root mass of transplants in this solution before placing them in the soil.

Step 4 – Tissue Sampling The foliar feed and drip systems must be custom formulated according to the needs throughout the growing season via tissue samples taken every 2-3 weeks. Contact your Lancaster Ag Representative to have your leaf samples tested.

A very basic ingredient in growing produce is water. It is the most important nutrient that you the grower can apply to your acres of produce. Water can play a key role in the success of your produce. Success or failure can depend on the lack or excess of water. If you miss with irrigation, it does not matter how many nutrients you have applied up front, your yield in the end will be affected.

Please review the following steps carefully. This is a handy guide to help you plan for a successful growing season in your produce fields.

Step 5 - Observation Thoroughly observe the plants in your produce acreage once a week. This will help you correct problems before they are out of control. Observe each type of plant for proper general appearance, structure, color, growth, and reproduction. Also observe your plants for insect problems. Many insect problems begin on the underside of the leaf surface.

Step 6 – Foliar Feeding Alternate the following two products every 5-7 days during the growing season:

• 2 quart Fruit Mix with as much water as possible (20-50 gallons) per acre

• 4 gallon F-1 with as much water as possible per acre

Step 7 - Weed Control Control weeds throughout the growing season with plenty of perseverance by the method of your choice.

Step 8 – Water Irrigation Regulating your water irrigation continually throughout the growing season is of utmost importance. If your plants are dry or excessively wet, the results can be disastrous. Water is the most important nutrient that you can apply to your produce.

Step 9 – Drip IrrigationApply 4 ounce SeedGro per 100 foot-row once a week

Apply 2 ounce Premier per 100 foot-row once a week

After fruit sets to the size of a marble or golf ball, apply Premier twice a week

Note: If you are growing certified organic, please use all organic versions.

Lancaster Ag’s ultimate program for pastures includes one dry application in the spring and three liquid applications thereafter.

Dry Blend in the Fall• 150 pounds dry Meadow

Top Dress in mid-February when the weather is still cold

• 10 gallons MPM or Cal Phos at green up, March 25-April 1

• 5 gallons, approximately May 15

• 5 gallons, approximately July 1

Programs

Step 1 - Ground Preparation• Till the cover crop and let soil rest.

• Work garden into a finished seedbed.

Step 2 - Pre-plant• Apply SeedGro at the rate of 1 gallon

per 1000 square feet.

• Apply Garden Top Dress at the rate of 25 pounds per 1000 square feet.

• Till soil lightly.

Step 3 - Side Dress• Apply SeedGro at the rate of 1 pint SeedGro to 2 gallons

water per 200 foot-row every 2 weeks during the growing season or as needed for energy or growth.

Step 4 - Foliar System • Alternate the following two products every

5-7 days during the growing season:

• 1.5 ounce Fruit Mix with 1 gallon water per 1000 square feet

• 1 pint F-1 with 1 gallon water per 1000 square feet

• Note: If you are growing certified organic, please use all organic versions.

Garden Program (SPRING)

Corn ProgramThere are different stages that a corn plant goes through during which it needs support to grow upward. Lancaster Ag has both dry and liquid Corn Row Starter for you to use to influence your corn crop. Your choice depends on the equipment you have available.

Recommendations for applying dry fertilizer:

• Broadcast up front

• Alongside the row

• Broadcast after the corn is up

Recommendations for applying liquid fertilizer:

• Broadcast up front

• 2x2 alongside the row

• Side dress at cultivation time

• Foliar spray

• Drop nozzle at tasselling

Alfalfa ProgramLancaster Ag’s recommendations will help farmers establish a healthy, nutritious stand of alfalfa. In the fall, apply dry blends to your stand. If you want consistent early growth in the spring, we recommend applying MPM or Cal-Phos with a liquid application at green up and approximately every 45 days thereafter. In summary, the following is the Lancaster Ag’s Foliar Spray Schedule for optimum growth:

• At green up

• After first cutting

• After second cutting

• After third cutting

Remember, Lancaster Ag has both biological & organic

Corn Row Starter.

Pastures/Grasses Program

Naturally Interested in Your Future

717-687-9222www.LancasterAg.com

60 N. Ronks RoadRonks, PA 17572 PRESORTED STD

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Where is the 2015 catalog?

In 2014, we produced an extra large catalog to celebrate our 20th year anniversary. To conserve resources, we chose to skip a 2015 catalog. Please refer to your 2014 catalog and call for pricing, or visit our website.

Meet Kendra Helfter!Kendra joined the Lancaster Ag team in December 2014 and brings 25 years of organic agriculture and animal nutrition experience. We are excited about her extensive background in organic certification, animal ration balancing, and animal nutrition. Kendra is available to answer animal health questions in the call center, take orders, and schedule deliveries.

We have a wonderful staff of service representatives who work diligently to answer your calls, take orders, give recommendations, troubleshoot, and go the second mile to help you with your operation.

Get to Know Lancaster Ag Services

AccountingWe are here to help with billing and payments. Please make every effort to pay your invoices on time. However, if you find yourself in an unfortunate situation where payment will be difficult, please don’t wait! Tina and Larry would be happy to work with you.

CertificationWe ensure that products we spread on an organic farm are NOP compliant (National Organic Program) under USDA regulations. Michael will forward the proper documentation to your certifier and have answers to your questions as quickly as possible (often within a few hours, sometimes up to a few days.)

Call CenterSifting through products or troubleshooting a problem on the farm can be overwhelming. We are here to help! Call us for purchasing questions, for advice or to help troubleshoot a problematic situation. Besides taking orders and scheduling deliveries, Kendra can answer animal health questions. Tom coordinates seeds and is available for troubleshooting and seed advice. Bill takes general orders and schedules spreading & deliveries. Michael fulfills certification needs. All of these team members, along with Larry, Tina & Rose, help cover the call center taking orders.

Staff & Services