extension views newsletter · extension views newsletter march -april 2015 ... irrigation and salt...
TRANSCRIPT
Extension Views Newsletter
March - April 2015
Table of Contents
Page 1 Richard Halopka– Questions from my Desk BQA Certified Compli-ments of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and Pyramid®
Page 2 Upcoming Meetings and Events Drinking Water Testing Deal!
Page 3 No Till Pest Management Workshop Marshfield
Page 4-5 Getting a Good Forage Stand/ UW Vet School’s Group Pen Respiratory Scorer App
Page 6 WI Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference
Page 7 Central WI Forage Council Educational and Annual Meeting
Page 8 Dairy Margin Protection Program Enrollment Results
Page 9 Preparing for a Successful Calving Season
Page 10-11 The Three Stages of Bovine Parturition
Page 12-13 Is Sulfur needed for Alfalfa in Wisconsin?
Page 14 Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation Scholarship/ Agronomy Advice –Pure Live Seed
Page 15 Agronomy Advice—Pure Live Seed
Page 16 Midwest School of Beginning Grape Growers Contact information for UW-Extension Clark County
Questions from My Desk
Richard Halopka
Crops & Soils Agent
Must I be concerned about the salt level in my soil?
The answer depends on where you are located in the United
States, soil type, and rainfall during the year. Yes, salt levels
may be a concern if your soils are accumulating salts.
Generally sodic soils are in dry or desert soils under
irrigation and salt accumulates in the soil profile. Wisconsin
soils receive adequate rainfall to move salts through the
profile. There may be specific situations when salts may be a
problem, but it is very unlikely in Wisconsin. Do I need to
test for salt? You may if concerned. A sodium test can be
completed, but generally would not really impact nutrient
recommendations for crops.
What about the use of high salt index fertilizers? How can I
avoid problems with soil interactions with high salt index
fertilizers?
All fertilizers will have some level of salt present, even
organic fertilizers. Salt index is really just that an index. This
comment is taken from the Fertilizer Salt Index fact sheet
found at: (http://www.algreatlakes.com/PDF/factsheets/
ALGLFS15_Fertilizer_Salt_Index.PDF)
“The salt index does not predict the amount of material that
will produce injury to crops in a particular soil. It classifies
fertilizer material relative to each other and shows which is
most likely to cause injury.” A salt index has no correlation
to salt added to soils, but some sales people may indicate it
impacts soil nutrient uptake. In the simplest terms a salt
index is generally used to determine the probability of crop
injury, normally related to pop-up or starter band fertilizer
placement in relation to seed placement. In our central
Wisconsin soils there is literally no concern with salt
accumulation with the rainfall we receive in a year.
How to Obtain Free Access to the BQA Certification Module Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is providing access to the BQA Certification, which is a $25 to $50 value per person. Customers and friends
can utilize the program and gain certification at no charge from February 4-April 15, 2015 by using the
following access code: BIVIBQA
Go to : http://www.bqa.org/team.aspx
Become BQA Certified Compliments of Boehringer
Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and Pyramid® 5
+ Presponse®
Extension Views Newsletter Page 2
Upcoming Meeting / Events Make sure to listen to WCCN and WAXX for any cancellations
13 March Pesticide Application Training 715-743-5121 Thorp– Fire Hall 9:00am– 3:00pm
19 March CENTRAL WI FORAGE COUNCIL
EDUCATIONAL and ANNUAL MEETING Hayloft—Withee 10:00 am– 3:00 pm
26 March Dairy Promotion SCC Banquet Rumours Supper Club Loyal 1:00 pm
29, 30, 31 March Midwest School for Beginning Grape Growers Madison, WI (608) 265-3704
31 March No Till Pest Management Workshop Marshfield 715-539-1078 or
715-261-1240
01 April Heart of the Farm Women in Agriculture Conference Mead wildlife Education and
Visitors Center
715-421-8440
608-263-7795
30 April Wisconsin Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference Liberty Hall , Appleton WI 920-832-5121
June June Dairy Month Wisconsin Clark County
5 –9 August Clark County Fair Neillsville Fairgrounds— 715-743-5121
Residents of Clark County
Would you Like to Know What’s in your Drinking Water?
The Clark County Land Conservation Department is teaming up with the UW-Extension and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Center for Watershed Science and Education to offer Clark County residents a chance to participate in drinking water testing. Testing options include a homeowner package, a metals package, and a pesticide screening package. The packages include testing for bacteria and nitrate, the two most important tests to perform annually on your water supply, as well as total hardness, alkalinity, pH, chloride, arsenic, lead, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and sulfate. There is also a diaminochlorotriazine screen that tests for a breakdown component of atrazine, a common corn herbicide. Normally these three tests would cost $120, but thanks to the Clark County Land Conservation Committee all three test packages will be offered at a reduced price of $50. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn about your well water quality. Residents who would like to participate need to pick up a bottle on April 1
st (Wednesday) or April 2
nd
(Thursday), at one of two locations throughout Clark County. On April 6th (Monday) participants will
collect and drop their water samples off. The sample drop off site is the same site where the bottles were picked up. Approximately one month after water samples are submitted, participants will have an opportunity to attend a free educational program where they will learn about Clark County’s groundwater quality/quantity, learn about their individual drinking water testing results and have an opportunity to get answers about their drinking water questions. The reduced price testing will only be offered to the first 100 residents. However, anyone is welcome to sample their drinking water at any other time of the year at full price. Pre-registration is required. To pre-register call the UW-Extension Department at 715-743-5121.
Extension Views Newsletter Page 3
Marshfield Agricultural Research Station and the University of Wisconsin Extension
invite you to attend a no-till pest management workshop.
It will take place on Tuesday, March 31 at 1:00 PM
at the Marshfield Agricultural Research Station North Site,
M605 Drake Avenue, Stratford, WI
Speakers and Topics include:
Bryan Jensen, UW Outreach Program Manager
Controlling insect pests in no till management practices
Dan Marzu, Lincoln & Marathon County UW-Extension Agricultural Educator
Controlling weeds in no till management practices
Jason Cavadini, Marshfield Agricultural Research Station Assistant Superintendent
Current no-till and cover crop projects at the research station
The meeting will conclude with an open group discussion on successes and failures of no-till, ideas
for continued research, and needs for information and resources to support no-till and cover crops
in North Central Wisconsin.
CEUs will be applied for Certified Crop Advisers in attendance
Contact Dan Marzu 715-539-1078 or 715-261-1240
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
should contact the Marathon County UW-Extension Office at 715-261-1230. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities or limitations should be made prior to the date of the program or activity for which it is needed.
Please do so as early as possible prior to the program or activity so that proper arrangements can be made. Requests are kept confidential.
Extension Views Newsletter Page 4
Getting a Good Forage Stand by Dan Undersander
Introduction Some farmers always get a good forage stand and some always fear seeding grasses or legumes because of difficulty getting good stands. A good stand is crucial to profitability. If the stand is thin, it will never yield well and will be weedy. Additionally, if the stand is so poor that reseeding is necessary, the grower will have lost most or all of a growing season for forage production on that field. More than 90% of forage stand failures are due to one of three reasons: 1) low soil pH, 2) loose soil, or 3) seeding too deep. Each cause of stand failure is preventable by the farmer.
Insure proper soil pH We have known for over a hundred years that alfalfa needs a soil with pH of 6.8 and other legumes need a pH of 6.0 to 6.3. However, many farmers do not apply lime either in adequate amounts or sufficiently far ahead of seeding to raise soil pH. Failure to raise soil pH to optimum levels results in poor germination and slowed seedling growth, which makes the seedlings more susceptible to disease and death. Lime should be applied 1 year prior to seeding to allow the soil pH to raise to optimum.
Insure a firm seedbed The second major cause of stand failure is seeding into loose soil. Soil must be packed around the seed to make good seed to soil contact so that the seed can take up water from the soil. All of us have seen fields where the forage stand was better in the wheel tracks or the headlands---where the soil was packed more firmly around the seed. The old, but good, recommendation has been that if you stand on the field and your shoe sinks more than ¼ inch into the soil, the soil is too loose for seeding. Some soils need to be fall plowed to allow settling to occur before a spring seeding. Chiseled soils may need less time to settle but still require disking to level and pack the soil surface prior to seeding. Fields seeded no-till will generally have firm soil, though some disking may be necessary in these systems simply to smooth the field for future hay making. Spike tooth harrows or drags will level the field and break up clods but they are bad for seeding because they loosen soil rather than pack it. A Brillion seeder has been successful on tilled fields because it has two corrugated packing rolls to pack the soil. A drill can do as well if it has press wheels that are properly adjusted. Some farmers have attached a corrugat-ed roller behind the drill to further pack the soil. Note that a corrugated roller is much more effective in getting a stand than a smooth roller because the later rides up over clods, stones, and ridges whereas the former packs more consistently across the contour of the field. Figure 1. Additional soil packing by the tractor tire lugs clearly had an impact on stand establishment in this field.
Continued page 5
Extension Views Newsletter Page 5
Insure proper seeding depth The third major reason for stand failure is seeding too deep with a drill. Legume seed should be placed ¼ to ½ inch deep in most soils (¾ inch depth in sandy soils). Placing seed deeper may delay or reduce emergence and result in poor stands. Poor seed placement is often visible in new seedings as rows or parts of rows germinate and emerge well while adjacent rows have a poor stand as shown in Figure 2. Focus on Forage - Vol 14: No. 1 Page 2 Figure 2. Variable seed depth often results uneven stands. One good test to use when seeding with a drill is to look for seeds on the soil surface after seeding. If the seed is properly placed at ¼ to ½ inch depth, some seed will end up on the soil surface. One should find 8 to 10 seeds per square foot on the soil surface. If the number is less, you are likely placing the rest of the seed too deep. In summary, forage seedings can have a high success rate if the grower seeds at proper soil pH, depth, and packs the soil well. Additional Resources :Alfalfa Management Guide (NCR 547), by Dan Undersander et al., http://learningstore.uwex.edu How to Start a Good Alfalfa Stand
(Video), http://www.youtube.com/uwcoopextension When and How to Apply Aglime (A2458), by John Peters and Keith Kelling, UW-Extension Bulletin http://learningstore.uwex.edu University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 2012.Focus on Forage - Vol 14: No. 1 Page 1 Dan Undersander, Extension Forage Agronomist
University of Wisconsin – Madison [email protected]
Continued from page 4
UW Vet School’s Group Pen Respiratory Scorer App
Now available on iTunes App Store, the Group Pen Respiratory Scoring App was developed at the University of Wisconsin-
School of Veterinary Medicine. The app uses a graphical interface to score group pens of young stock based on the
respiratory scoring method developed by Drs. Sheila McGuirk and Dr. Theresa Ollivett.
The categories scored are nasal discharge, ocular discharge, ear or head tilt, and coughing. Group pen scoring output
determines disease of the group of animals in addition to individual animals. The group would be classified as having
respiratory disease (high risk) if 25% or more of the animals in the pen/group were abnormal in 2 or more of the categories
scored. Affected individual animals will have 2 or more abnormal categories. Individual animal exams can be conducted using
the Individual Calf Health Scorer App via iTunes. Abnormal scores (2 or 3) are tallied by touching the category button.
For more information regarding the app, visit Group Pen Respiratory Scoring App or download at iTunes App Store. For more
clinical information regarding calves, please visit UW-School of Veterinary Medicine Food Animal Production Medicine
Group’s Clinical Information Calf.
Extension Views Newsletter Page 6
Extension Views Newsletter Page 7
Thursday, March 19, 2015 Hayloft—Withee
(corner of T and X) 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
WI Forage Council or Midwest Forage Association
membership is not a requirement to attend this meeting.
Cost for this program is $10.00 (cost of lunch).
Pre-registration is required by March 17.
Please contact Clark County UW-Extension Office at
715-743-5121 to register.
Make checks payable to: Central WI Forage Council
Mail payment to:
Clark County UW-Extension Office
517 Court Street, Room104
Neillsville WI 54456
For more information contact
Richard at 715-743-5121.
Speakers and Topics
Kori Richter, Tractor Central Precision agriculture: planting and harvesting Mark Renz Associate professor Agronomy, UW-Extension How important is weed control when establishing
alfalfa? Establishing corn silage and alfalfa at the same
time Richard Halopka, Clark County– UW Extension Review crop budget when margins are tight Midwest Forage Association Benefits of membership Central Wisconsin Forage Council Annual Meeting
CEU’s will be available for this program
Sponsored by:UW-Extension and Central Wisconsin Forage Council and Midwest Forage Assn An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for com-munication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact Clark County UW-Extension at 715-743-5121. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities or limitations should be made prior to the date of the program or activity for which it is needed. Please do so as early as possible prior to the program or activity so that proper arrangements can be made. Requests are kept confidential.
CENTRAL WI FORAGE COUNCIL
EDUCATIONAL and ANNUAL
MEETING
Extension Views Newsletter Page 8
Dairy Margin Protection Program Enrollment Results Karen Luchterhand, Ph.D.
The USDA has released some summary statistics concerning the recent Margin Protection Program (MPP) sign-up in which producers purchased minimum margin insurance for calendar year 2015. Fifty-four percent (n = 5,864) of Wisconsin producers signed-up for some level of protection. In the U.S. enrollment ranged from a low of 5% in Wyoming to a high of 90% in Nevada. Over 200 producers in Clark County signed up for some level of coverage. Of the Wisconsin producers that signed up for MPP, 55% of those producers opted to purchase additional coverage. Of the 27,572 million pounds of milk produced in Wisconsin, 14,895 million pounds are covered under the MPP. Of the milk protected under the MPP program Wisconsin represented 12.5% behind California with 23.8%.
Extension Views Newsletter Page 9
With the snow quickly melting in Wisconsin it is evident spring will be here soon. Calving season will be here before you know it. Here are a few tips to help make your calving season go more smoothly. Body condition score – beef cattle are scored on a 1 to 9 scale (1=emaciated and 9 =
obese). You want to maintain cows around a score 5 throughout the year. This may require feeding additional energy during the winter or after calving before cows are put out to pasture. Check with your nutritionist for the optimal diet for your cows.
Calving time – Make sure you have a calving supply kit ready to go before the first calf is on the ground. While this list is not exhaustive make sure to have shoulder length sleeves, OB lube, calving chains, clean pail, iodine, thermometer, markers, tags, journal, pencils, and a halter. For when to intervene during calving turn to the fact sheet on page 10– 11 of this newsletter for some helpful tips.
Cleanliness - Make sure equipment is disinfected and calving pens are cleaned after every
calf. Keeping pregnant cows separate from cows with calves will help reduce the spread of disease. Always provide clean water to cows in the calving pens.
Prevention of Scours – Along with cleanliness, vaccinating cows with a scour protection
vaccine may help reduce the incidence of scours. If using these vaccines for the first time pregnant cows and heifers will require 2 doses with the final dose given 3-6 weeks before calving. Additionally, oral E.coli antibody products are available to give directly to the calf shortly after birth. As always read the package for specific dosing and ask your veterinarian if you have any questions.
Colostrum – To acquire passive transfer, calves need to consume colostrum shortly after
birth. If there is question on the quantity, quality or cleanliness of the colostrum it may be beneficial to use frozen colostrum from your farm or a commercial product. Remember colostrum supplement does just that, it supplements colostrum you already have or the calf has consumed to increase the IgG content. For calves that are unable to get colostrum from the cow they will require a colostrum replacer or frozen colostrum.
Records – tag and identify all calves and make note of cows with poor udders,
disposition, or mothering ability. Birth weight, calf sex, calving ease, color, single or multiple birth, horns or polled, sire information, and calf health treatments may be other beneficial information to write down.
If you are prepared, you can eliminate many calving problems on your operation. For questions contact Karen Luchterhand at [email protected] or 715-743-5121.
Preparing for a Successful Calving Season
Karen Luchterhand, Ph.D.
Extension Views Newsletter Page 10
The 3 Stages of Bovine Parturition Sandy Stuttgen, DVM UW-Extension Agriculture Agent, Taylor
County There are three stages to the birthing process, or parturition: dilation of the cervix, delivery of the calf and delivery of the placenta. Knowing the normal birth process will help you decide whether or not to intervene.
Stage 1: Dilation of the Cervix. You might not even notice this stage, which may take days to complete. Uterine
muscular activity is quiet during this stage as the cervix softens, and the pelvic ligaments relax. At this time you may see a thick clear mucus “string” hang from the vagina. You may notice the cow’s appetite decrease and she may prefer to be off by herself. Uterine contractions begin by the end of stage one, pushing uterine contents against the cervix, causing further dilation.
Stage 2: Delivery of the Calf. This stage officially begins with the appearance of membranes (water bag) at the vulva. Start your clock at this time: traditional texts say the calf should be delivered within 2 to 5 hours of the moment you first see the water bag. More recent research has found that healthy heifers with normal calf presentation will calve unassisted within one hour of the start of stage two; healthy cows with normal calf presentation calve within 22 minutes of the start of stage two.
So when will a cow need assistance? The decision to intervene is a matter of judgment, and judgment improves with
experience. The cow that labors over an hour with the front feet and nose of the calf showing and no signs of further
progress would certainly appreciate a little help. The cow that labors over an hour with nothing showing obviously needs help. You may feel uneasy watching a laboring cow when you haven’t set your clock; as you won’t know when stage two actually began. To put your mind at ease, you’ll need to conduct a vaginal exam.
This exam begins by cleaning the cow’s vulva, rectum, surrounding area and under the tail as well as your hands and arms with soap and water. Cleanliness is very important. Wear protective sleeves. Gentleness and lubrication are also important. Place your hand in the vagina and try to figure out what is happening. Feel for the cervix, if it is not dilated, it will feel as if your hand passes through or along a firm, tubular or circular structure. Once dilated fully, you should no longer feel the cervical edge.
Can you put your hand on the calf? Is there straight-line access to touch it? Or does your hand have to turn or twist through folds of vagina in order to touch the calf? If so, a uterine torsion is present, and you probably need to call for
veterinarian assistance.
Normal presentations are either anterior or posterior. Anterior presentation is of the head (nose) and two front feet with the spine of the calf resting against the underside of the cow’s spine. Posterior presentation is one of two rear feet and a tail; with the spine of the calf resting against the underside of the cow’s spine. If the presentation is normal, you may allow the cow to labor for 40 minutes to an hour, especially if the water bag is still present around the calf. If the water bag has broken, the calf should be deliv-ered sooner (as long as the cervix is fully dilated).
The following criteria can be used to judge whether extraction of a calf in anterior presentation is possible:
• In the standing animal with the calf’s head completely in the pelvic cavity and with the pull of one person during a contraction, you should be able to place a hand between the calf’s head and the cow’s backbone and you should also be able to feel both points of the calf’s shoulder 2 inches (three fingers width) or less forward to the pelvic inlet.
• In the recumbent animal you must be able to feel the points of the shoulder two inches or less forward of the pelvic inlet.
If it is impossible to view the hocks with one person pulling, extraction of a posterior presentation may not be possible. When the calf’s hip joints pass into the pelvic canal, its hocks will be visible about one hand’s width beyond the vulva. If you can’t extract the hocks, a pelvic miss-match is occurring; traction should be discontinued and other methods of
delivery explored.
In attempting to correct a malposition, it is useful to list what can’t be done so you don’t waste time trying.
First, have the cow up and on her feet, restrained in a well-lit area that is safe for both you and cow to work in. It is much easier for you to work when both you and the cow are standing. There is more room for you to manipulate the fetus when the cow’s ab-dominal contents are not pushing up and against the pelvic canal. It may improve your reach if you stand on a firm, raised platform such as a hay bale or block
1. Don’t change an anterior position into a posterior one or vice versa-there isn’t enough room.
2. You can’t deliver an anterior presentation unless both legs and the head are through the cervix. Sometimes only the legs come through and the head turns away. The head must be straightened, snared or otherwise committed to the cervix before you continue traction.
Extension Views Newsletter Page 11
3. You can’t deliver three or more legs through the cervix. They may be from the same calf or from twins. The proper two legs have to be sorted out and the others pushed back out of the way.
4. Only rarely can you deliver a calf with just its’ head through the cervix. Push it back and bring the forelegs through first. It may be smart to take a minute to snare the head so you can keep tract of it before you push it away from you. If the head is swollen and already delivered past the vulva, and the calf is dead, the head may need to be amputated first to make room to get the legs through. There may be times when you can’t get a veterinarian to help with a complicated delivery. The graphics depicted by Dr. Hayes, DVM in his book “Keeping Livestock Healthy” also provide some guidance. Whenever possible, however, get a veterinarian to help with complicated cases because the outcome is likely to be far better.
Stage 3: Delivery of the Placenta. The placenta should be shed within 8 to 12 hours of the calf’s delivery. If retained (by definition, placenta not shed after 12 hours), do not forcibly remove it. Administration of antibiotics may be warranted if the cow acts sick. The placenta will slough out in 4 to 7 days.
Calving Positions
One foreleg retained: Head and foreleg must be pushed back while retained
leg is flexed and brought into position.
Anterior position, head and neck deviate: Head must be brought into the pelvic
canal. Difficult to handle. May require surgically cutting the calf apart or Caesari-
an section.
Head deviated to one side: Push forelegs back to make room and bring the
head into position
Breach position: While applying forward pressure to the rump, bring the
hind legs into the pelvic canal.
Anterior position, fetus upside down: Rotate 180º and normal delivery fol-
lows.
Head deviated ventrally: Push head and shoulders back and bring head up into
position.
Information for this factsheet was provided by: “Keeping Livestock Healthy a Veterinary Guide”, N. Bruce Haynes, D.V.M., Copyright 1978 by Garden Way
Associates, Inc., sixth printing, March 1982, pages 61-67.
Extension Views Newsletter Page 12
Extension Views Newsletter Page 13
Wanted: Four Clark County Farms direct seeding alfalfa
for a seeding alfalfa survey
Please Call 715-743-5121
Ask for Richard Halopka
Crops and Soil Agent
Heart of the Farm:
Women in Agriculture Conference Wednesday April 1, 2015 Mead Wildlife Education
And Visitor Center
S2148 County Hwy S Milladore, WI 54454
608.263.7795 or 715.421.8440
Extension Views Newsletter Page 14
Eligibility Requirements: 1. Individuals must be between the ages of 17-19 as of January 1st of the current year. 2. Individuals must be a current or past junior livestock exhibitor who has exhibited beef, sheep, and/or swine at the Wisconsin State Fair. 3. Individuals must pursue a post high school education, and be enrolled or planning to enroll in a University, Vocational/Technical School or University short course. 4. Only one scholarship will be awarded per individual. Scholarship Procedure: 1. All applicants are required to fill out and return a Blue Ribbon
Sale of Champions Foundation Scholarship Application, postmarked no later than April 1, 2015 to: Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation Scholarship, c/o Mary Beth Carr, 3492 Paradise Drive, West Bend, WI 53095.
2. Fifteen recipients will be chosen from the applications received by the scholarship committee. The top eight finalists will interview for the top awards. These are one-time scholarships. 3. Applications will be judged on the following basis: State Fair participation, 35%; Leadership activities, 30%; Interview, 20%; Scholastic Achievement, 10%; Career plans, 5%. 4. Each of the eight finalists will be interviewed on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 to determine the top scholarship winners. All award recipients will be contacted in May, ahead of any senior recognition programs. 5. The top candidates will receive the scholarships regardless of species exhibited. 6. Winners will be recognized at the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction on Wednesday, August 12, 2015. 7.For scholarship recipients entering their first year of college, the scholarship will be awarded after completion of the first semester and Wisconsin State Fair has received a copy of transcripts from the 1st semester and schedule for 2nd semester. For scholarship recipients entering their 2nd year of school, the scholarship will be awarded after receiving a copy of current transcripts. For More Information Contact: Blue Ribbon Sale of Champions Foundation c/o Mary Beth Carr 3492 Paradise Drive West Bend, WI 53095 Or, [email protected]
Pure Live Seed Dan Undersander
We have paid little attention to Pure Live Seed (PLS) in the Midwest because we have generally had high quality
seed (greater than 90% germ and 98% purity). But the short forage seed supply has caused some low quality seed to
come on the market. To avoid being caught paying market price for low quality seed take special care to check the
seed tag and compare PLS among lots of seed to be purchased.
A bag of seed consists of inert material such as dust, chaff, and seed coating; weed and other crop seed; and Pure
Live Seed (PLS) of the desired species. Since every seed lot has a different analysis, and only pure live seed will
produce plants, it is important to calculate the Pure Live Seed in a bag. This calculation will allow accurate price
comparison and adjustment of seeding rate, if necessary.
Begin by checking the sample seed tag for the analysis. First, find the percent germination. This is the percent of
seeds that germinated in a standard test. Most of our crops have been greater than 90% germination and we have
seldom made any adjustments. But with some short forage supplies, some lots of seed may have germinations as low
at 60%. Check the label so you are not caught off guard.
Continued on page 13
Extension Views Newsletter Page 15
Use PLS to determine the best seed buy Since PLS is what will produce plants in the field or pasture, with varying
seed qualities, seed cost per pound must be adjusted for the PLS to accurately compare seed prices. To find out what
you're really paying, first determine the PLS of seed you're considering, as described above. Then divide the cost per
pound by the PLS to get the cost per pound of PLS. For example:
$4.00 per pound/70% PLS *100= $5.71 per pound of PLS
or
$4.00 per pound/90% PLS*100 = $4.44 per pound of PLS
The table following gives actual seed costs for 50 lb bags of seed with varying prices and PLS.
Use PLS to adjust seeding rate
To determine needed seeding rate, check the seeding rate recommendations with the hay and pasture seeding rate calculator at
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/ or in UW Extension publication A1525, available at local county extension office. If PLS
seeding rate is less than 85% of those shown, you should adjust the seeding rate according the calculated PLS. For example, if
the PLS is 70% and you intend to seed 10 lbs per acre:
10 pounds/70*100 PLS = 14.3 pounds
This is a significant difference and if you hadn't made this adjustment, you'd be about 40 percent under the target seeding rate.
Many times, purity and germination are high enough that a significant adjustment will not be necessary. However, even seed
with 90 percent purity and 90 percent germination will have 20 percent less viable seed than you think if you don't consider PLS.
So don't overlook PLS when you buy or plant forage seed.
University of Wisconsin-Extension United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture Wisconsin Counties Cooperating and
Providing Equal Opportunities in Employment and
Programming
Then find the percent purity on the seed tag. This is the percent of the weight in the bag that is actually seed. High
quality seed lots will be over 95% purity, but seed coating, for example, may reduce the seed purity to 70%.
Multiply percent germination times percent purity and divide by 100 to find the PLS. For example:
(95% germ. × 70% purity)/100 = 66.5% PLS
This lot of seed only has 66.5 lbs. actual live seed for every 100 lbs.
Continued from page 12
Extension Views Newsletter Page 16
UW-Extension Staff Richard Halopka, Crops and Soils
Christine Hollar, 4-H Youth
Development
Karen Luctherhand, Dairy and Livestock
Nancy Vance, Family Living
Melissa Kono, CNRED
Brianna Miller, WNEP
Lori Hendrickson, Support Staff
Susan Caacbay, Support Staff
The University of Wisconsin Extension provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education, programming and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, gender/sex, creed, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or parental, arrest or conviction record or veteran status. La Universidad de Wisconsin-Extensión proporciona acción afirmativa e igualdad de oportunidades en educación, programas y empleo, para todas las personas calificadas, sin tener en cuenta raza, color, sexo, credo, discapacidad, religión, nacionalidad de origen, ascendencia, edad, orientación sexual, gravidez o pater-nidad, historial de detención o condena o estado de veterano de guerra. If you need an interpreter, materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access this program, activity, or service, please contact the program coordi-nator at 715-743-5121 as soon as possible (10 days is reasonable) preceding the scheduled event so that proper arrangements can be made in a timely fash-ion.
This newsletter is mailed to approximately 1,600 farmers and agriculture businesses in Central Wisconsin at a cost of .70 per copy. County budgets are tight and each department has been asked to reduce expenses. If you would like to view the Extension Views newsletter on-line versus receiving a paper copy
please contact the UW-Extension Office at 715-743-5121 / [email protected]. You can view the newsletter on our webpage at: http://clark.uwex.edu/agriculture/agriculture-newsletter/
Thank you for considering this option!
Midwest School for Beginning Grape Growers
Interested in grapes? Join us to turn your in-terest into reality
This intensive, three-day course gives you a realistic picture of what it takes to start and operate a successful vineyard business—including capital, management, labor and other resources. Topics covered include market assessment and profitability, site selection and soil preparation, variety selection, pest management, economics, equipment and labor needs.
What we offer: A unique program
that combines knowledge from
experienced growers and regional experts
Learn essential concepts in vineyard
management and what it takes to succeed in this
type of business
Spend extended time
with experienced growers and gather invaluable tips and practical know-how
Network and learn from fellow growers and
entrepreneurs
WHEN: March 29, 30 and
31, 2015
TIMES: 10am – 4:30pm
Sunday
8am – 4:30pm Monday
8am – 2:30pm Tuesday
LOCATION: Madison, WI
(details provided after you
enroll)
COST: $375
Contact John
Hendrickson at the
Center for Integrated
Agricultural Systems
UW-Madison,
(608) 265-3704 or