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Pasture January 10, 2013 Written By1: Pete Kapustka As Greg Hartzler and John Hartzler tell it, the meeting at the Harold Hartzler family farm near Marshallville, Ohio in 1990 was a pivotal moment in their families’ farming history. The government had just approved a hormone for dairy herds that promised to substantially increase milk production in the industry; they knew low prices would follow. They also knew it’d be followed by hard times on the farm and the families that relied on raw milk for income. That’s when they decided to vertically integrate, that is, expand their farming operation into the retail market. What follows is family history centered around the Hartzler Family Dairy in Wooster, OH. By starting the new dairy processing facility in 1995, they became the first new dairy in Ohio in 35 years. They did their homework by talking with other raw, organic milk bottlers, or ”juggers.” They decided producing the highest quality milk required the highest quality feeds, which means purchasing the highest quality inputs to raise the premium corn and alfalfa feed for the herds. The ultimate mission for these families isn’t just milk; it’s better nutrition for better health. From personal stories of renewed health to testimonials from area experts, Hartzler milk started growing once the processing and retail store opened. SuperCal 98G and SuperCal SO4 is an essential part of the recipe for good nutrition for the Hartzler dairy herd. In fact, according to Josh, it’s hard to tell the Hartzler dairy story without Calcium Products. The Hartzler dairy pasteurizes milk in a slow, careful method, one batch at a time. Just as Calcium Product produces the highest quality products, the Hartzler milk exceeds industry standards by bottling milk in glass bottles. They are more costly to use and handle, but the Hartzlers say glass bottles allow milk to retain more taste, texture and nutrition usually removed by the large, commercial dairy industry by pasteurizing milk faster, cheaper and for a longer shelf-life. Harold Hartzler, Greg and John’s father, had taken the dairy farm feed program from one of chemicals and conventional feedstuffs to an organic program in 1964. According to John, Calcium Products’ SuperCal SO4 and SuperCal 98G helped make that transition profitable. Neighboring farmers knew the families’ reputation for quality and began purchasing SuperCal SO4 and SuperCal 98G from Harold. They trusted him and could see the results on their own acres. Josh Piatt, Harold’s grandson, has taken over the sales in the year and a half since Harold passed away. The Hartzlers continue to grow and are looking for even more suppliers of raw milk. They have partnered with a neighbor to produce milk with the same rations as their own; requiring them to use the SuperCal products each year. Raw milk is the limiting factor as demand has increased each year. For example, in addition to their regular business, over 7000 gallons of Hartzler Dairy Egg-nog was shipped to California. Josh and his wife welcomed their second daughter into the world in late November last year. He says a new generation will be needed to work the Hartzler operation, although it will be a few years before more family members will be old enough. “We have control of a product that reflects our families’ values,” Josh says, “and we will figure out if we want to get bigger or more intense.” June 19, 2012 Written By1: Courtney Tompkins Tomorrow and Thursday we'll be at the Farm Progress Hay Expo in Boone, IA. This show highlights lots of new technology and there'll be plenty of great info. It's only $10 per carload of people so gather some friends or neighbors and head to Boone. Stop out to our booth (#815) to see Glen and meet our newest salesguy, Pete! (note: make sure you check the Expo's website for any weather-related changes!)
September 30, 2011 Written By1: Craig Dick You may be reading a lot in the news lately about copper. Thieves are stealing it off of houses, off of working power grids, and even churches. While thieves looting copper gets the headlines, how much have you read about adding copper to your fertility program? The lack of copper in your soil could be costing you big money. Yield reductions of 70-100% have been recorded due to copper deficiency. In copper deficient Canadian soils, inclusion of copper could increase yields by 100 million dollars for Canada alone!
Copper deficiency has been found throughout the world in all climatic zones where crops are grown or animals kept on farms. Its incidence varies according to soil, crop, livestock and management factors. In particular it can occur in crops growing on soils with a sandy texture, on those rich in organic matter and on calcareous soils, but other soil factors can also cause a deficiency.
Wheat, barley and flax are not very efficient in copper uptake, and typically respond well to copper, though Alfalfa has been found to respond well too.
Symptoms of Copper Deficiency
Wheat and barley deficient in copper are more likely to lodge. Copper deficiency can delay flowering by up-to two weeks and result in pollen sterility. Pig tailing and leaf yellowing in young tillers is a common sign of copper deficiency in wheat, barley and oats.
Reasons for Deficiency
Copper is pretty immobile in the soil. Of all the copper on a soil test, an average of 50% is insoluble and unavailable, 30% is bound to organic sites, 15% is in an oxide form, and only 5% is available for plant uptake.
Soils are considered deficient in copper when they contain less than 2 ppm. Howvever, even when soils have adequate copper (30-50 ppm) other factors such as high pH, and organic matter can reduce copper availability. Soil pH above 6.4 can limit copper uptake. Copper concentration in soil solution decreases sharply as pH increase. Copper is 10 -100 times more available at a 6 pH than at 7.
Copper is more strongly bound to soil organic matter that any other micronutrient. Copper deficiency is primarily found on high organic matter soils. Applications of copper not only increase crop production but also reduces the decomposition of organic matter, increasing the sustainability and health of the soil.
In addition to soil factors, other fertilizer can interact with copper. High rates of nitrogen can accentuate copper deficiency. Soils high in iron, manganese, molybdenum or zinc can also limit plant uptake of copper. Copper is most strongly adsorbed to iron and aluminum, another reason to avoid by-product liming materials. Copper toxicity is rare and generally only occurs with long-term use of copper pesticides in orchards or from applications of by-products and sludges high in copper.
Adding Copper into your fertilizer program
Soil incorporation of copper is the best long term solution to solving copper deficiency. Copper sulfates, oxysulfates and our forth coming MicroHume product are great sources of dry granular copper to add to a dry program. While foliar applications should be used on crops that are copper sensitive or need an immediate dose of copper. Wheat does not respond to foliar applications of copper after anthesis, and may actually reduce yield and increase ergot.
Copper’s Importance and function
Copper is a component of 16 proteins and enzymes, ascorbic acid or vitamin C, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and helps with lignin production to make stronger cell walls and stalks. It also has key functions in respiration, photosynthesis, and auxin formation.
Diseases associated with copper
Copper is known as a biocidal and is common component in pesticides, but its influence on disease resistance is often overlooked. Copper is known to decrease the effects of the following disease:
There are 3 known ways copper affects plant disease. The primary type, direct toxicity, when used as a fungicide, known as Bordeaux mixture, is used extensively throughout the world.
However, copper is not directly toxic to all pathogens, yet plants with adequate copper still show disease resistance to those pathogens. Copper’s second form of disease suppression is through enhancing the plants ability to resist disease. Copper is essential in helping the pant make antimicrobial compounds, flavonoids, hydrogen peroxide, and expression of disease resistant genes. Thirdly, copper containing enzymes have been shown to be important in reducing virulence in plant pathogenic fungi.
Copper Nutrition in Humans and Animals
Since grain grown in copper deficient soils is 5-6 times lower than when grown in sufficient soils, it’s important to know the impact that copper has for our customers' up the food chain.
Generally only grazing cattle and sheep experience copper deficiency, but humans aren’t as lucky. Until recently, it was generally believed that most people consumed adequate quantities of copper. However, modern research has shown that this is not the case. In the United Kingdom and the United States for example, according to recent surveys, only 25% of the US population consume the amount of copper a day estimated to be adequate by the US Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Typical diets in the US provide only about half of the recommended dietary allowance.
In mammels copper is required by cells to produce all the biochemical reactions that require energy. Copper is essential in enzymes that control our neural pathways. Deficiency can lead to tremors and seizures, lesions of the brain, and Parkinson’s. Copper is key in the proper development and maintenance of elastin, collagen, connective tissue and elasticity of the cardiovascular system. It reduces of free radicals, and helps in the development of hemoglobin. Copper deficiency can lead to loss of hair color. Bones can become thin and fragile when copper is short. Mice feed diets low in copper had reduce immune systems and higher infection rates of Salmonella.
Additional Reading
Sources:
Mineral Nutrition and Plant Disease, Edited by Lawrence E. Datnoff, Wade H. Elmer, and Don Huber.
http://www.copperinfo.co.uk/health/downloads/tn35-copper-plant-animal-human-nutrition.pdf
http://www.copperinfo.co.uk/health/
Photos: http://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/copperdeficiency.html
Yield Starts Here is a blog for farmers, focusing on increasing yield and profitability by focusing on the soil. It is managed by Craig Dick, a Blogronomist and Sales and Marketing Manager at Calcium Products. Find other articles by Craig and guest writers at http://blog.calciumproducts.com/ .
April 15, 2011 Written By1: Craig Dick In case you missed Bob Kremer last night at Iowa State, if your in Wisconsin you have multiple opportunites to hear from Don Huber. One of our dealers forwarded this invitation:
This event is sponsored by GrassWorks Inc. Daniel Olson, Board Member, 920-676-2516
GrassWorks 501(c)3 non-profit membership organization that works to support education, on-farm research, and adoption of managed grazing. It is a voice for sustainable farming. www.grassworks.org
Cost is $15 per person at the door and includes lunch/snacks.
Financial sponsors of this event include Organic Valley, Agri-Energy Resources, Draam Corp., Masters Choice and Byron Seeds.
This presentation is intended for all farmers, and anyone interested in the quality of the food produced by our farms. See this provocative presentation at one of these four locations:
Speaker: Dr. Don M. Huber
Professor Emeritus, Plant Pathologist Purdue University
APS Coordinator, USDA NPDRS program and coordinator for the Emergent Diseases and
Pathogens Committee of the American Phytopathological
Tuesday April 26th, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Eau Claire County Exposition Center - 5530 Fairview Drive, Eau Claire, WI
Contact Brian J. Brezinski, Grazing Lands Specialist, (715) 579-2342 Kevin Mahalko
Grazing Education Specialist (715) 225-9879 Cell Phone
Wednesday April 27th, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: Marathon County UWEX Complex, Rooms 1 & 2, 212 River Drive, Wausau, WI
Contact Paul Daigle, 715-261-6006
Thursday, April 28th, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Location: Marsh Haven Nature Center, W10145 Hwy. 49, Waupun WI 53963
Contact Fred Depies 920-418-2718
Thursday April 28th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (evening)
Location: The LGI room [uc-114] UW Fond du Lac, 400 University Drive, Fond du Lac.
Contact Daniel Olson 920-676-2516
Friday, April 29th 1:00-4:00 pm.
Location: North Eastern Technical College, 2740 West Mason Street, Green Bay, WI 54307. Enter at Student Center (SC) main doors, proceed to rm SC128.
Contact Valerie Dantoin Adamski, 920-498-5568
Yield Starts Here is a blog for farmers, focusing on increasing yield and profitability by focusing on the soil. It is managed by Craig Dick, a Blogronomist and Sales and Marketing Manager at Calcium Products. Find other articles by Craig and guest writers at http://blog.calciumproducts.com/ .
May 26, 2010 Written By1: Glen Howell Soil testing is a regular practice for many crop producers. Some livestock operations regularly check feed samples, but why shouldn't both be done? I have noticed that many cattle producers have never tested their soils or feed, yet still expect maximum efficiency & productivity from their forages. I think this article http://cattletoday.com/archive/2002/May/CT205.shtml is a great read for all cattlemen & women. If we don't have a good handle on what the soils are able to support, and we don't know what the forages are testing, how can we manage? When I was growing up, there were many local farms with cattle. Today most of those operations are no longer present, and many of the current producers continue to practice management techniques that have served them well in the past, but not necessarily today. Soil & forage testing is every bit as valuable to livestock producers, as it is to row crops.
June 9, 2009 Written By1: Craig Dick If your into hay and forage production I encourage you to attend the Farm Progress Hay Expo, http://www.hayexpo.com/. We were in attendance last year and met many top quality hay and forage producers. If you looking to increase production or reduce costs, this is the place to start. Glen and Jim will be there to answer all you questions about producing high quality forages. See what this customer has to say about using SuperCal SO4 on pastures Watch a video on Alfafa that is still producing 6 tons per year after 25 years April 27, 2009 Written By1: Glen Howell A farmer recently asked me about the use of elemental sulfur (i.e. Sulfur 90) for crop nutrition. I answered the question with a question of my own-Why were they considering using that product? Their answer included less cost (questionable) and higher concentration of sulfur (true), along with better agronomic benefits (what???). There was a definite opportunity to provide basic agronomic education, regarding a) what can plants utilize, b) what else is present in the material and do we need it, and c) what other effects does the material have. Sulfur is taken up by plants only in the sulfate (SO4) form, through the roots. Elemental sulfur must be oxidized in the soil to SO4 before it can be taken up by the plant. The time it takes for this conversion depends on the weather, the soil, and the product used. A great reference is found on the Back To Basics website, www.back-to-basics.net/agrifacts/pdf/b2b29a.pdf and www.back-to-basics.net/agrifacts/pdf/b2b29b.pdf. These 2 articles talk about the differences between sulfate and elemental forms, along with the conditions necessary for the conversion to sulfate. Elemental sulfur has a place in crop production. It also has some drawbacks including being a very acidic product, and taking a long time before it is plant available. January 7, 2009 Written By1: Craig Dick I reported last year about Mob Stocking, the process of ultra dense grazing. In the January 2009 edition of Hay and Forage there is a great article about Grazing Tall, which is where cattle are rotationally grazed in dense populations on mature grass. The benefits of this type of grazing are increased gains and health of cattle as well as improvements to the soil. For more information go to http://www.carbonfarmersofamerica.com/index.htm
December 1, 2008 Written By1: Craig Dick A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to be a guest on a radio program in Des Moines. The program, Hwy. 6 Your Road to the Country, on 98.3 WOW-FM. Hwy 6 is dedicated to the Rural Lifestyle, not just farming. What does that mean? Hwy 6 is dedicated to all those living out side of a large urban area, to those people that have the country in there blood. To anyone with a garden, a few cattle, to the guy who works full-time and farms the other 16 hours in a day. If your up by 8am next Sunday, check it out while your having your morning coffee, and if you can't wait, check out the interview I had here
July 28, 2008 Written By1: Craig Dick With corn silage season coming up this is a good time to talk about nitrate poisoning. Typically associated with drought and rain after dry conditions, there are other factors to that can cause high nitrate in forage crops. High rates of N, low or high levels of molybdenum, low sulfur, and low boron, and events that upset normal plant growth like early frosts. New pastures are known to be high in nitrate, especially the faster they grow, the more toxic they can become. Hybrid ryegrass is one of the most dangerous. If reseeding pastures this fall make sure to add edible clover which normally do not have high nitrate levels. Nitrate poisoning has been on the rise in the past decade, this could be due to the reluctance of today's generation to lime pastures (molybdenum levels drop with acid soils), increase use of urea on pastures, and less sulfur naturally being applied due to clean air laws. Nitrate Toxicity is aggravated by:
While environment can have an impact on nitrate levels, having the proper soil nutrients in the proper levels is great insurance from nitrate poisoning. As a bonus you'll enjoy better pasture performance, and high gains from your animals.
 Calcium Products Craig Dick pasture silage nitrate poisoning sulfur molybdenum boron lime gypsum urea May 22, 2008 Written By1: Craig Dick "It is an old saying that "any fool can farm," and this was almost the truth when farming consisted chiefly in reducing the fertility of new, rich land secured at practically no cost from a generous Government. But to restore depleted soils to high productive power in economic systems is no fool's job, for it requires mental as well as muscular energy; and no apologies should be expected from those who necessarily make use of technical terms in the discussion of this technical subject, notwithstanding the common foolish advice that farmers should be given a sort of "parrot" instruction in almost baby language instead of established facts and principles in definite and permanent scientific terms. The farmer should be as familiar with the names of the ten essential elements of plant food as he is with the names of his ten nearest neighbors. Safe and permanent systems of soil improvement and preservation may come with intelligence--never with ignorance--on the part of the landowners." "The Story of the Soil," by Cyril G. Hopkins, Professor of Soils and Crops, University of Illinois, 1910. How well do you know the soil? If you're a professional farmer, agronomist, or consultant you should know it very well. Just as you would expect your doctor to know the human body, or your tractor mechanic to understand electrical and hydraulic principles, you as a farmer, should know the soil. Not knowing the soil and applying the same fertilizers as your neighbors is like taking the same medication your doctor prescribes your neighbor. Not very wise and potentially detrimental. Planting is nearing and we'll soon be done with spraying. How will you spend your spare time this summer, watching baseball, or fishing? Will you decide that now is the time to really understand plant nutrition and what happens in the soil that creates your lively hood. Where to start? Try these links. http://books.google.com/books http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page I will be posting a list of books I am planning on reading this summer on a future blog. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! May 20, 2008 Written By1: Craig Dick
The current cost of fertilizer, corn, and land has many livestock owners wondering how to stay profitable. Unfortunately there are not quick solutions. This article on nutrient cycling in pastures should help. I have condensed it for quicker reading.
Appropriate pasture management can enhance the nutrient cycle, increase productivity, and reduce costs. Two practical indicators of soil health are the number of earthworms and the percentage of organic matter in the soil.
Paddock design and stocking density can also affect the efficiency of nutrient cycling in a pasture system. Supplementation of natural fertility, based on soil tests, balances the soil's mineral composition, resulting in better plant and animal growth and increased soil health.
When nutrients cycle efficiently in a pasture system, they move through various soil organisms and pasture plants, then through the grazing animals, and back to the soil again as manure and urine.
With good management, nutrients can cycle quickly with minimal losses to air and water. Less fertilizer will be required, and this means increased profitability for the entire farm.
Good-quality soils produce good-quality pastures. Good-quality soils don't erode, since water flows quickly into the ground and is stored there. Good-quality pastures are springy underfoot, with deep green forage that covers the soil and a moderate amount of dead residue under the canopy. They produce nutritious forage with balanced mineral levels. Livestock find these forages palatable and thrive on them.
Producers create this kind of soil through good management. Using smart grazing strategies, testing soils regularly and applying fertilizers, lime, and organic amendments as needed.
Organic matter is critical for storing water and nutrients in the soil. It holds nutrients in plant-available forms that don't easily wash away. It creates an open soil structure into which water, dissolved minerals, and oxygen can move, ready for plants to use. It provides further nutrient storage in the soil and can disable certain plant toxins.
Trees, many broadleaf weeds, and forages such as alfalfa have taproots that go deep into the soil horizon where some grass roots cannot reach. The nutrients from these deeper soil levels are used by the plant, but become available at the soil surface once the tree leaves fall or the weeds die, decompose, and release their nutrients.
The roots constitute at least half the weight of a grass plant. Many native warm-season perennial grasses have root systems that reach six feet or more into the soil horizon. They occupy a huge underground area and form a network that holds the soil in place. Every year 20-50% of this mass, as well as all of the top growth in temperate climates, dies and becomes organic matter.
Grazing Livestock Affect Pasture Nutrient Cycles
Livestock feeding on pasture use a small proportion of the minerals they ingest in forages to build bones, meat, and hide. The rest is excreted in dung and urine. In general, urine contains most of the nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) wastes, and dung contains most of the phosphorus (P) the animals don't use. Value Of NPK In Manure And Urine
When N and K are present at higher levels in the feed, they are excreted in manure. Phosphorus and some other minerals cycle through animals primarily in manure. It can take from six months to two years for manure to break down and for the phosphorus to cycle back into the plants. The speed of the cycle is affected by various biological agents as well as by mechanical means. Grazing behavior has a big impact on nutrient distribution. In smaller paddocks, with high stock density, urine and dung are more evenly distributed than in large ones. Livestock are less selective in their grazing habits and space themselves more evenly within the area allotted for a grazing period. They will graze closer to dung piles and exhibit less avoidance of urine spots so that more forage is used for animal production.
In large areas, cattle act as a herd and go to water together. When water is available nearby, however, animals drink individually and return to graze in other areas. If they must travel in a lane to the water, manure will concentrate in these non-productive areas en route.
When there is not enough room at the water tank for all to water at once, those waiting will manure that area, concentrating nutrients where they are less likely to contribute to plant and animal productivity.
Good management helps distribute nutrients that will feed your pastures. Locating water, minerals, shade, and fly-control devices in different parts of the paddock also discourages nutrient concentration. It is even more beneficial if these high-use areas can be relocated for each grazing cycle or placed in areas that would not otherwise attract livestock use.
Supplemental feed, likewise, should be placed either where nutrients are needed or under the fence. The location should vary with each feeding.
Good management determines how effective the water cycle will be in pastures. If rainwater can enter the soil easily, runoff losses are less. Maximum infiltration of rainfall keeps groundwater tables charged up, wells running year round, and drought damage to a minimum.
Soil surface conditions that foster high rainwater intake are abundant ground cover (by living plants and surface litter) and good soil aggregation. The best-aggregated soils are those that have been in well-managed perennial grass. Though aggregation can be maintained under crops, the perennial activity of grass provides both aggregate-forming processes and aggregate-stabilizing humus.
Lime is a particularly important amendment in pasture management. While it has always been considered necessary for adjusting pH, there is growing evidence that the amount of calcium has important consequences for plant production and animal health.
High fertilization coupled with frequent harvesting of hay speeds organic matter decomposition and releases minerals faster than plants growing on the site can absorb them. As a result, nutrients are leached deeper into the soil, out of the reach of plant roots, or they are lost to run off.
The use of some commercial fertilizer is always an option to be exercised when necessary. However, continuing to look for ways to use natural systems to produce nutritious forage and healthy animals, while lessening one's dependence on purchased, non-renewable resources, is worthwhile.
Adapted from A Brief Overview of Nutrient Cycling in Pastures
SuperCal 98G is finely ground limestone pelletized for easier handling and mixing with other dry fertilizers.
SuperCal SO4 is finely ground pelletized gypsum, allowing you to fertilize with calcium and not raise pH.
Calcium Products Craig Dick Pasture fertlizer nutrients grazing gypsum lime pelletized lime pasture management supercal so4 supercal 98g May 14, 2008 Written By1: Craig Dick Corn response to sulfur in Iowa is reported to give an increase in yield 82% of the time. Over half the states in the US have reported sulfur deficient soils. The clean air laws and reduced sulfur content of fuels has decreased the amount of sulfur reaching fields… and pastures. Sulfur is use to build proteins, amino acids and enzymes. Forages grown with adequate sulfur will have a higher protein content and lower nitrate content. Fertilizing your pasture with SuperCal SO4 has many positive effects on the amount and quality of the grass. This leads to higher intakes, improved gains and higher stocking rates. Increasing the sulfur content of your forages will result increase meat-, wool- and milk production. The higher production is due increased dry matter, and cellulose digestibility, increased feed intake and improved nitrogen balance. Dairy cattle performance can be improved as well. Improvements included a higher production of milk solids, milk fat, and milk protein and milk casein. The higher casein content raised cheese yields. Under conditions of a sulfur deficiency, increased sulfur of beef cattle rations not only improved average daily weight gain, but also decreased feed costs per pound of gain and increased the carcass grading Don’t let sulfur limit your production, add SuperCal SO4 your fertility program.
Calcium Products Craig Dick SuperCal SO4 gypsum sulfur pasture cattle dairy increase rate of gain increase milk production May 13, 2008 Written By1: Craig Dick I stumbled on to this great article on rotational grazing this morning. What does corn silage and grazing have in common? What are the benifits to creating a natural herd environment? How to be on the leading edge of grazing with UHSD. It's four pages, but a quick read.
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