The Rural Voice, 2003-10, Page 48Advice
Start now for 2004 forage seedings
By Scott Banks, soil a chance to adjust its pH prior to
Crop Specialist, Kemptville OMAF seeding next spring. The best way to
Start now to plan for next year's select soil sampling areas or zones in
spring forage seeding. Seeding your fields is by soil type.
forages as early as possible in the topography and previous field
spring greatly improves the success history. If soil phosphorus levels are
of establishing a new forage seeding. low, applying phosphorus at seeding
To do this, fields intended to be will give you the most bang for your
seeded need to be prepared now. The buck. Some potash can also be
fall is the best time to correct any pH applied at seeding, but plan to follow
problems and to get control of with a late summer application if
problem weeds like quackgrass and potassium levels are low.
dandelions. Legume plants such as It is important to have a seeding
alfalfa and trefoil, thrive and yield depth of 1/4 to 1/2 of inch and a firm
better with a soil pH above 6.1. A seedbed when seeding forages.
target pH should be 6.5. Taking soil Growers have had great success at
samples now can help identify areas no -till seeding forages into soybean
in your field that may need added or edible bean stubble because there
lime to correct low pH. If needed, is little crop residue and the soil is
applying lime this fall will give the firm. No -till seeding of forages in
fields that have a lot of crop residue
such as grain corn or wheat can result
in poor seed -to -soil contact from
'hair -pinning'. In these situations or
if the field is uneven or rutted, fall
tillage is a good idea to incorporate
the residue and to level the surface to
improve seed placement.
If you have quackgrass in a field
that you to plan to seed down next
spring, a burndown application of a
glyphosate herbicide (Round Up,
Touchdown, etc.) before fall tillage is
recommended. This fall herbicide
application has been shown to
significantly improve the control of
perennial weeds such as quackgrass
when compared to tillage alone.0
The ins and outs of handling facilities
By Jenny Montgomery
Beef Sheep Goat Production
Systems Assistant, Kemptville
Handling facilities are a very
important, if not the most important
part of a livestock operation, whether
it is for sheep. goats or cattle.
Planning ahead and understanding
anal behaviour is essential in order
tb get the most from your handling
facilities and reduce stress on the
animals and yourself.
Here are the top 10 things you
should know in order efficiently use
your handling facilities:
1. Make a list of tasks for which the
handling facilities will be used;
(vaccinating, sorting, etc.).
2. Sheep and cattle are easily
distracted; try to get rid of anything
that could be distracting (an object
flapping in the wind, people etc.).
3. They move towards light, but are
afraid of harsh contrasts between
light and dark.
4. Chutes should have solid sides;
this prevents the animals from seeing
people, equipment or other animals.
5. Loud noises should be
avoided; (yelling and barking).
6.Cattle and sheep have a herd
44 THE RURAL VOICE
instinct; (they will willingly move
towards others).
7. Steer clear of having corners
where the animals could bunch up.
8. •Sheep and cattle move easier
uphill than down, but on a flat
surface even better.
9. Sheep and cattle have bad depth
perception; they might perceive an
open gate as a dead end.
10. 80% is handling ability, 20% is
facilities; no matter how nice your
facilities are, and you have to
understand animal behaviour and
handle livestock accordingly.
This list can be used to your
advantage in all your handling needs.
Well -used handling facilities are
essential not only to reduce stress,
but also to increase efficiency in all
aspects of your operation.0
How late can 1 spray and
still get a fall burndown
of quackgrass?
During the fall, quackgrass does
most of its growing under ground.
Quackgrass is a fairly hardy plant
and nighttime temperatures of -3(C
will not have stopped the growth. If
the temperature drops below -5( C or
colder, wait two to three days to see
if the quackgrass stays a healthy
green colour. If the quackgrass is 60
per cent green or more, the herbicide
will be effective.
Morning dew does not reduce
quackgrass control unless high rates
of water and/or low herbicide rates
are used. If you plan to no -till forage
seed, a burndown this fall will also
improve control of problem weeds
like dandelions. If livestock manure
is to be applied to the field this fall,
the herbicide application should be
done before the manure is applied.
Soil sampling and correcting the
soil pH where needed, managing
crop residue and perennial weed
control this fall are key steps to
successful forage establishment.0