“Tour Group Looking at Sorghum Production”
A group of sorghum buyers from Eastern Asia and the Philippines are visiting the United States this week focusing on the value of sorghum as a feed for poultry and swine production. The group will visit a few traditional country elevators in South Texas before traveling to a sorghum farm near Palacios, Texas, to learn firsthand how sorghum is grown and processed in the United States. The tour group is hosted by the Sorghum Checkoff and the U.S. Grains Council.
After their tour in South Texas, the group will travel to Mexico where they will visit commercial feed mills and poultry production facilities. The goal of these visits is to allow the group to see how the Mexican swine and poultry industries utilize sorghum as a high quality feed. Stewart Weaver, a sorghum producer from Edmondson, Arkansas, says many of these buyers have not used much sorghum. We want them to – see the value sorghum offers here in the U.S. and to other countries who use U.S. sorghum.
Joe Kelley, manager of Farmer’s Cooperative of El Campo Agricultural Export Center, says – we want these groups to know that we are very concerned with quality and providing them with the best value possible.
**************************************************
“Student Biodiesel Initiative Begins”
The Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel initiative is up and running with 28 founding members signing an on-line declaration of support for biodiesel. The campaign is modeled after the Scientists for Biodiesel campaign which was launched in February of 2009 and has 125 scientists who have signed the declaration. Both programs are backed by the National Biodiesel Board.
The student group was formed to demonstrate and grow support for biodiesel among tomorrow’s scientific leaders. Lucas Ellis, of Dartmouth, pursuing his Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering, is one of four co-chairs of the effort. Ellis says – in college there is an eagerness to become an advocate or have a cause, and mine was the environment, science and educating others about sustainability. He says, – biodiesel combined all of those and became my passion.
Joe Jobe, CEO of NBB, says – cementing support among future energy thought leaders is important to biodiesel’s future. Jobe points out that – any student scientist can sign the declaration. They will then have opportunities to learn from each other, including a virtual conference scheduled for September 28. Other co-chairs are: Bernardo del Campo, Iowa State University; Mikkel Leslie, Oregon State University; and Jason Strull, University of Nevada.
**************************************************
“Research Could Change Conservation Programs”
Cover crops–mostly rye, barley, and wheat–are a principal tool in Maryland for controlling nitrogen and phosphorus flows to the Chesapeake Bay. The crops catch excess nitrogen and phosphorus left over from fertilizers and manures used to grow corn, soybean or other summer crops. This year scientists are using an innovative remote sensing technologies program to aid the Chesapeake Bay cleanup in Talbot County, Maryland, on the Bay’s Eastern Shore.
Greg McCarty, a U.S. Department of Agriculture soil scientist, and Dean Hively, a visiting U.S. Geological Survey physical scientist, have merged remote sensing, field sampling, and farm program records to judge the effectiveness of winter cover crops in controlling farm nitrogen and phosphorus losses. A 4-year study shows that wheat is by far the least efficient at taking up nitrogen, due to its slow fall growth. Yet 60 percent of the land planted to cover crops is in winter wheat.
The scientists are developing software to summarize the data and help the Talbot County soil conservation district office to evaluate underperforming fields to plan for improved implementation in the coming year. This work could also lead to annual adjustments in federal and state conservation program implementation strategies. With success, the project will be scaled up to each of Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts statewide.
**************************************************
“Timing of Last Alfalfa Cutting Important”
Alfalfa growers should consider the timing of their last cutting to allow for enough regrowth to reduce the risk of winter injury. David Miller, Pioneer alfalfa research director says – cutting from September 10 to October 1 in most northern climates rarely allows the crop enough regrowth time. Miller explains – poor fall harvest timing can negatively affect stored root food reserves, which can lead to poor winter survival.
Generally, an alfalfa stand needs about six weeks of regrowth time after the last cutting to gain appropriate nutrients to avoid winterkill. During winter months and the following spring, alfalfa utilizes regrowth nutrients gathered by the roots. Depleting the energy source prior to dormancy will not allow the plant enough energy for adequate spring growth.
For growers who have yet to meet their feed requirement, Miller says – growers should wait until two consecutive days of a hard freeze – 24 to 26 degrees. According to the University of Wisconsin, the hardening process in preparation for cold weather begins when temperatures drop below 40 F. This process allows the plant to tolerate freezing temperatures for extended periods.
**************************************************
“Consider Fertilizer and Weed Management Options”
Fall is a good time for alfalfa growers to review their fertilizer and weed management options. David Miller, Pioneer alfalfa research director, says potash levels are key to a good crop next year. Miller says – an application in the fall or spring is fine. Typically, the best time is after the third or fourth cutting – depending on yield levels during summer months – to help maintain conditions for winter survival.
Also, the fall months are a good time for producers to work on weed management. Miller says – autumn is an optimal time to control perennial weeds. It’s smart to kill weeds before they establish. He says – the majority of the time, a great spring alfalfa stand is due to applying weed control measures in the fall or early spring while the alfalfa is still dormant.
