Estate Planning & Risk Management Workshop

An upcoming opportunity for those in the agriculture community to learn about estate planning and risk management in Kent County.  Be sure to bring plenty of questions.  A certified financial planner and  estate planning attorney will lead the workshop. 

Estate Planning and Risk Management Workshop

DATE: Tuesday, February 7, 2012

TIME: 9am-11am

PLACE: UD Kent County Cooperative Extension Office (Paradee Center)

69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901

REGISTRATION: Please call (302) 730-4000 by February 6 to register

or you may e-mail: carolm@udel.edu

This meeting is being held to provide a deeper look into estate planning and risk management workshop for farmers with guest speaker Todd Roselle, Certified Financial Planner™ Practitioner. Topics include identifying the true risks to you, your family, and your business, how often to review your life insurance, taking advantage of estate planning opportunities that have never existed before, and what happens if you have no family in the business to succeed you. These and many more topics will be covered during this session. Light refreshments will be provided.

Phillip Sylvester, Extension Agriculture Agent, UD, Kent County

What to Do With Rutted, Compacted Fields

It's time to think about what type of tillage, if any, is going to be performed in this spring.  Fields with ruts left by harvesting equipment last fall may require additional consideration.  If the ruts lead to deep compaction, then ripping the soil is an optional if we have a dry spring.  Ripping wet soils accomplishes very little and can make the situation worse.  Since we are have a mild winter so far and the ground is not frozen, it's a good time to walk fields and measure compaction.  This can be done with a soil probe, tile probe, or a compaction meter (penetrometer).  Pereferably, this is done a couple days after the soil has reached field capacity from a rainfall event.  Be sure to check turn rows, heavy use areas, and where different soil types exist in the field.  Below is a good article on spring tillage management in fields with ruts and compaction. 

Many corn and soybean growers have harvested record crops. However, they may be facing compaction issues because of saturated soils at harvest. Combines and grain carts caused deep ruts and severe compaction issues.

So what can farmers do to break up that soil and smooth out rough fields?

Farmers may be facing two types of compacted fields. One type is where there is an isolated compacted area, such as end rows or poorly drained sections of a field. It is suggested to do whatever is necessary to get that area ready for planting and leave the rest of the field alone.

The other type is compaction across the entire field, and whatever is done in terms of tillage operations is applied to 100% of the field.

The following options will aid growers in preparing for spring planting:

• Do nothing about deep compaction, especially if it turns out to be a wet spring. You don't want to make a bad situation worse by performing deep tillage on wet soils because it destroys the soil structure. If a farmer can get a no-till planter or drill across rutted ground reasonably well, it may be better to take a slight yield hit in 2012 and then try to correct the deep compaction problem (if it exists) after harvest.

• Perform light shallow tillage, but only if the soil is dry. If ruts or tracks are more than 2 or 3 inches deep, a light tillage pass can smooth out the soil and create a surface satisfactory for planting. Fill in ruts enough to eliminate standing water.

• Use 2011 as a valuable lesson. Extra tillage in the dry fall of 2010 led to compaction and traffickability problems in 2011. Consider the benefits of continuous no-till, especially with controlled traffic. Strip-till, either fall or spring, may be best for corn planting


Research has shown that compaction affects crop yields. Years of OSU Extension research on Hoytville silty clay loam showed that through compaction, 10% to 15% of the potential crop yield was being left in the field.

To counteract yield losses from compaction, researchers recommend no-till production. Recent research shows that continuous no-till soil resists compaction from heavy loads better than soil that is subsoiled every 3 years, resulting in higher yields. Firm no-till soil resists compaction better than deep-tilled soil. The first trip across loose soil causes about 85% of the total compaction.

Source:
Reeder, Randall and Alan Sundermeier. 2012.  What to do with Rutted, Compacted Fields?  C.O.R.N. Newsletter 2012-01.  The Ohio State University Extension.  Online.  http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2012/2012-01/#1

Lima Bean Variety Trial Results Posted

Results of the 2011 University of Delaware green baby and Fordhook lima bean variety trials have been posted.  Trials include entries from the University of Delaware lima bean breeding program as well as commercial checks that are commonly grown here in Delaware.  Results from previous years can be found at the UD Vegetable Program's website by clicking here:  http://ag.udel.edu/extension/vegprogram/trialresults.htm  To view results from the 2011 trial, click on the picture below.

Results of the 2011 UD Lima Bean Variety Trial.

Delaware Agronomic Crop Budgets

The Delaware agronomic crop budgets have been recently updated by UD Cooperative Extension.  The budgets can be found by visiting the agronomic crop budgets homepage at http://ag.udel.edu/extension/agnr/CropBudgets/  Crops include conventional dryland corn, no-till dryland corn, conventional irrigated corn, conventional no-till corn, sorghum, dryland full season soybeans, irrigated full season soybeans, no-till full season soybeans, barley/double crop soybeans, and wheat/double crop soybeans.  The budgets includes estimated costs for items including fertilizer, chemical, field operations, etc...   The estimated costs are only for reference and you should use your own costs in the spreadsheet for accuracy.  There is also a section to put the best, expected, and worst crop price and yield.  While you will not be able to modify the spreadsheet if you open from the website, save a copy to your own computer if you wish to modify.  You can also add other line items in if necessary.  By completing crop budgets, it gives you an plan ahead of time of what crops will be most profitable.  Inputs and commodity prices are always changing so having a spreadsheet budget on your computer will be beneficial. 

 

 

Example of the Conventional Corn Budget.

Friends of Ag Breakfast-Today

Friends of Agriculture Breakfast

January 20, 20121 Harrington Fire Hall

7:15 a.m.

Speakers: 

Delaware Governor Jack Markell

and

Delaware U.S. Senator Tom Carper

Reserve the right to change speakers due to the potential demands of their schedules.

  Registration for each breakfast is $20

Advance Registration is Preferred

Contact Alice Moore at

302-831-2504 or

You may also register online at

http://ag.udel.edu/agfriends/

Delaware Ag Week -Saturday Market Garden Roundtable Session

This session will be held tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 21) at the University of Delaware Paradee Center in Dover.

9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
All small-scale vegetable and fruit growers and market gardeners are invited to attend a roundtable discussion session on production and marketing of fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable specialists and extension agents from the University of Delaware and Delaware State University will be on hand to answer questions and lead discussion. Topics will include sustainable production practices, new and alternative crops, managing pests, season extension, finding and growing markets, and opportunities to take advantage of the growing “buy local” movement. Time will also be dedicated to sharing information between growers – what works for you, what doesn’t, tool and machinery adaptations, innovative production techniques, and much more.

12:00 p.m.—1:15 p.m.
Potluck Lunch
All participants are encouraged to bring a dish to share for lunch and to continue informal discussions.

1:15 p.m. ADJOURN

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 2
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 2
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 3

Delaware Ag Week-Agronomy/Soybean Day

Agronomy/Soybean Day Program – Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, Dover Building
Moderator: Mr. Phillip Sylvester, Kent County Agriculture Extension Agent, University of Delaware

9:00 to 9:20 a.m.
Overview of the Delaware Irrigation Management System
Kevin Brinson, Delaware Assistant State Climatologist, University of Delaware

9:20 to 9:35 a.m.
Environmental Stewardship Awards
Mr. Larry Towle, Program Administrator Delaware Nutrient Management Program, Delaware Department of Agriculture

9:35 to 10:15 a.m.
Wheat Nitrogen Management in Fall and Spring
Dr. Bob Kratochvil, University of Maryland

10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Break to visit Exhibitors

10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
“Grain Marketing Strategies for 2012; A Pause that Refreshes”
Jerry Gulke, Gulke Group, Chicago, IL
Sponsors of this presentation are the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the University of Delaware

11:45 to noon
D.R.I.P. Program
Secretary Ed Kee, Delaware Department of Agriculture

12:00 to 1:00 pm – Lunch Break and Visit Exhibitors

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 2
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 1.75
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2

Agronomy/Soybean Afternoon Program – Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

1:00 to 1:40 p.m.
Sulfur Management in Coastal Plain Corn
Dr. Joshua McGrath, Assistant Professor, University of Maryland

1:40 to 2:20 p.m.
No-Till Weed Control in Soybeans and Issues with Palmer Amaranth
Dr. Mark VanGessel, Weed & Crop Management, University of Delaware

2:20 to 2:40 p.m.
Farm Bill Programs
Timothy J Garrahan, Farm Bill Program Specialist, USDA-NRCS

2:40 to 3:00 p.m. Break and Visit Exhibitors

3:00 to 3:20 p.m.
Stink Bug Management in Field Crops: What We Learned in 2011
Ms. Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist, University of Delaware

3:20 to 4:00 pm
Irrigation Management of Grain Crops and Research Update
James Adkins, Irrigation Engineer, University of Delaware
Dr. Cory Whaley, Sussex County Agriculture Extension Agent, University of Delaware

4:00 pm Adjourn

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 2
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 2
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 2.25
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2

Delaware Ag Week -Thursday Evening Session

DDA, FSA, Farm Credit Young Farmer Loan Program – Evening – Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

Commodities Building

6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
Financing Your Farm Operation: Sources and Options for Beginning Farmers
Access to capital is key to any successful farming operation. Representatives from USDA, Delaware Department of Agriculture, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, and commercial lenders will be on hand to discuss sources for funding to buy farm land and equipment as well as finance operating costs. Topics will include:

Delaware’s new Young Farmers and Rural Irrigation Programs;
USDA loans for beginning farmers, women, and minorities;
MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s StartRight Program for young, beginning, small, and minority farmers.

Delaware Ag Week-Wednesday Day Sessions

FVGAD Processing Crops Session – a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, Dover Building
Moderator: Phillip Sylvester, Kent County Extension Agriculture Agent, University of Delaware

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Processing Sweet Corn Trials
Emmalea Ernest, University of Delaware

9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Understanding and Managing Phytophthora Diseases in Processing Vegetables: Pickles and Beans
Dr. Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University

10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Potential for Variable Rate Nitrogen in Processing Vegetables, Sulfur Needs of Processing Vegetables, Nitrogen and Sulfur Research in Sweet Corn and Snap Beans
Dr. Mark Reiter, Virginia Tech

10:20 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.
Lima Bean Breeding Material Evaluations and Variety Trials
Emmalea Ernest, Vegetable Crop Associate, University of Delaware

10:35 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Weed Control Updates in Lima Beans
Dr. Mark Vangessel, Extension Weed Science Specialist, University of Delaware

10:50 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
Lima Bean and Pickle Research project Updates
Dr. Gordon Johnson, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist, University of Delaware

11:05 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Disease Management Updates in Processing Vegetables
Dr. Kate Everts, University of Maryland/Delaware

11:20 p.m. – 11:35 a.m.
Insect Management Update in Processing Vegetables
Joanne Whalen, University of Delaware

11:35 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Nematode Management Update in Processing Vegetables
Bob Mulrooney, Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Delaware

11:50 a.m.
FVGAD Annual Business Meeting

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 2
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 4
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2.5

Direct Marketing Session – Wednesday, Jan. 18

9:00 a.m.—9:05 a.m.
Welcome
David Smith, Marketing Specialist, Delaware Department of Agriculture

9:05 a.m.—9:25 a.m.
The Many Facets of Ag Marketing
David Smith, Marketing Specialist, Delaware Department of Agriculture

9:20 a.m.—9:30 a.m.
Specialty Crop Block Grants Overview
Jo-Ann Walson, Marketing Specialist, Delaware Department of Agriculture

9:30 a.m.—9:50 a.m.
Shore Gourmet & USDA Value-Added Grants
Bruce Weaver, USDA Rural Development
Brad Powers, President & Executive Director, Shore Gourmet

9:50 a.m.—10:20 a.m.
Farm to School
Lisa Falconetti, Marketing Specialist, Delaware Department of Agriculture

10:20 a.m.—10:45 a.m.
Beyond Farm to Table
Dave Bean, President & Founder,
“Slow Food Delmarva”Susan Ryan, Owner, Good Earth Market

10:45 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Ag Tourism Trails in Delaware
Marie Mayor, President, Delaware Ag-tourism Association & Owner, Lavender Fields

11:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.
Tailoring Season Extension with Direct Marketing Opportunities
Gordon Johnson, Extension Fruit and Vegetable Specialist, University of Delaware
Rose Ogutu, Horticulture Specialist, Delaware State University

11:30 a.m.—11:55 a.m.
Food Safety & Delaware’s Farmers Markets
Dr. Sue Snider, University of Delaware

11:55 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Evaluation
David Smith, Marketing Specialist, Delaware Department of Agriculture

12:00 p.m. Adjourn

Session Summary:

DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2

Poultry and Nutrient Managment Program – Morning – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

NOTE LOCATION:University of Delaware Elbert N. and Anne V. Carvel Research and Education Center, Georgetown, Del.

Moderator: Mr. Bill Brown, Poultry Extension Agent, University of Delaware

9:30 a.m.
Composting Revisited and Adding Value to Compost and Litter
Bill Brown, University of Delaware, Poultry Agent

10:00 a.m.
What Poultry Producers Need to Know About the Farm Bill
Timothy J Garrahan, Farm Bill Program Specialist, USDA-NRCS and Jayme Arthurs, Program Specialist Natural Resources Conservation Service

10:20 a.m.
CAFO Inspections: What’s Good and What Can Be Improved
Mr. Larry Towle, Program Administrator Delaware Nutrient Management Program, Delaware Department of Agriculture

10:40 a.m. Break

10:55 a.m.
The Future of Poultry Bedding on Delmarva
Tommy Johnson, Eastern Shore Forest Products

11:20 a.m.
Soil Phosphorus: What Goes Up, Must Come Down…But When?
Dr. Frank Coale, Professor, Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland

12:00 p.m. Adjourn

Note: This session is identical to the evening program held at the Delaware State Fairgrounds on Wednesday. Attendees will only receive credits for attending one of the sessions.

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 2.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2

DDA, FSA, Farm Credit Young Farmer Loan Program – Morning- Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012
Commodities Building

10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Financing Your Farm Operation: Sources and Options for Beginning Farmers
Access to capital is key to any successful farming operation. Representatives from USDA, Delaware Department of Agriculture, MidAtlantic Farm Credit, and commercial lenders will be on hand to discuss sources for funding to buy farm land and equipment as well as finance operating costs. Topics will include:

Delaware’s new Young Farmers and Rural Irrigation Programs;
USDA loans for beginning farmers, women, and minorities;
MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s StartRight Program for young, beginning, small, and minority farmers.

FVGAD Special Session – Tillage, Cover Crops & Vegetable Production- p.m. – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, Dover Building
Moderator: Emmalea Ernest

All growers are encouraged to attend this special session dedicated to understanding tillage and cover crops in your vegetable rotations. Topics will include how forage radishes have been integrated into vegetable rotations; reduced tillage, strip-till, and no-till successes and challenges; use of vertical tillage tools; and choosing cover crops for vegetable rotations. This session was designed to expand upon the session from 2011 on vegetables and soil health.

1:15 p.m.
Forage Radishes, Biodrilling, and Vegetable Crop Systems
Dr. Ray Weil, University of Maryland

1:45 p.m.
Cropping System Studies with Vegetables
Dr. Mark VanGessel, University of Delaware

2:15 p.m.
Vertical Tillage Tools and Vegetable Crops
Grower and Dealer Panel

2:45 p.m.
Cover Crops for Vegetable Production Systems; No-till production and Strip-Till Production of Vegetable Crops
Dr. Gordon Johnson, UD

3:30 p.m.
Reducing Tillage in Vegetables: Challenges and Opportunities
Panel Discussion with Speakers and Growers

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 1
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 3.25
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2.5

Aquaculture – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 Opportunities in Aquaculture – Exhibit Hall Board Room


1:00 p.m.—1:05 p.m.
Introductions/Logistics
Dennis McIntosh, Delaware State University

1:05 p.m.—1:20 p.m.
Introduction to Aquaculture-What You Need to Know
Dennis McIntosh, Delaware State University

1:20 p.m.—1:40 p.m.
Aquaponics
Steve Hughes, Cheyney University

1:40 p.m.—2:00 p.m.
Considerations of Cage Culture
Andy Lazur, University of Maryland

2:00 p.m.—2:20 p.m.
And the Feed is Free-The Benefits of Oyster Aquaculture
Don Webster, University of Maryland Extension

2:20 p.m. BREAK

3:00 p.m.—3:20 p.m.
Critical Questions to Ask: Is Aquaculture an Option for My Farm?
John Ewart, Delaware Sea Grant

3:20 p.m.—3:40 p.m.
What Do the Numbers Say?
Matt Parker, Maryland Sea Grant

3:40 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Value Added Producer Grants
Bruce Weaver, USDA Rural Development

4:00 p.m.—4:30 p.m.
Wrap-up/Evaluation
Dennis McIntosh, Delaware State University

4:30 p.m. ADJOURN

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 1
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 0

Delaware Ag Week-Wednesday Evening Sessions

Poultry & Nutrient Management – Evening – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 Dover Building
Moderator: Mr. Bill Brown, Poultry Extension Agent, University of Delaware

6:00 p.m.
Soil Phosphorus: What Goes Up, Must Come Down…But When?
Dr. Frank Coale, Professor, Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland

6:40 p.m.
CAFO Inspections: What’s Good and What Can Be Improved
Mr. Larry Towle, Program Administrator Delaware Nutrient Management Program, Delaware Department of Agriculture

7:00 p.m.
The Future of Poultry Bedding on Delmarva
Tommy Johnson, Eastern Shore Forest Products

7:25 p.m. Break

7:40 p.m.
What Poultry Producers Need to Know About the Farm Bill?
Timothy J Garrahan, Farm Bill Program Specialist, USDA-NRCS and
Jayme Arthurs, Program Specialist Natural Resources Conservation Service

8:00 p.m.
Composting Revisited and Adding Value to Compost and Litter
Bill Brown, University of Delaware, Poultry Agent

8:30 p.m. Adjourn

Note: This session is identical to the program held at the Carvel Research and Education Center on Wednesday morning. Attendees will only receive credits for attending one of the sessions.

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 2.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2

Beef Cattle Producers Session Wednesday Afternoon

6:00 p.m.—6:20 p.m.
Farm Bill Programs for Beef Cattle Producers
Timothy Garrahan, Farm Bill Program Specialist, USDA-NRCS
Jayme Arthurs, Program Specialist, USDA-NRCS

6:20 p.m. BREAK/LITE DINNER

6:30 p.m.—7:15 p.m.
Methods for Extending the Grazing Season During Times of High Feed Costs
Susan Garey, Extension Agent, Animal Science, University of Delaware

7:15 p.m.—7:45 p.m.
Large Animal Manure Compost for Soil Health
Dot Abbott, Renewable Resources Agent, University of Delaware

7:45 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
Delaware Programs for Young Farmers
USDA Farm Service Agency and Delaware Department of Agriculture

8:00 p.m.—8:45 p.m.
TBA

8:45 p.m. QUESTIONS/ADJOURN

Please RSVP to Susan Garey (302) 730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu by January 13th if you plan on attending so we can make the necessary arrangements for food and materials.

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 1
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 1.5

Small Flock – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

6:00-6:05 p.m.
Introduction and Welcome

6:05-6:25 pm
Egg Record-keeping
Lehke Paudel, Delaware State University

6:25-6:55 pm
Animal Welfare Approved
Emily Lancaster, Animal Welfare Approved

6:55-7:10 pm – Break

7:10-7:40 pm
Cocci
Dr. Dan Bautista, University of Delaware, Lasher Laboratory

7:40-8:00 pm
Chickens used as insect control in a pole lima bean plot: Preliminary Results
Ashley Mills, Delaware State University

8:00-8:10 pm - Break

8:10-8:40 p.m.
Pickled eggs and Canned Poultry Meat
Sue Snider, University of Delaware

8:40-9:00 pm
An Egg Cooking Demonstration – How to cook Crepes, Omelets and Fried Egg Sandwiches
Ashley Mills, Delaware State University

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 0

Delaware Ag Week-Tuesday Daytime Sessions

FVGAD General Session, Tuesday Morning , January 17, 2012, Dover Building
Moderator: Dr. Gordon Johnson, University of Delaware

8:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Ed Kee, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture

9:00 a.m.
Produce Food Safety Updates and Certification Session
Updates from the Delaware Department of Agriculture
Updates from the University of Delaware – Dr. Gordon Johnson, UD
Lessons from outbreaks with produce in 2011 – Dr. Sue Snider, UD

9:45 a.m.
Invited Grower Spotlight
Kent Schwartz, Texas grower

10:30 a.m.
Regional and Local Food System Initiatives and Food Security Initiatives and How they Will Affect the Produce Industry
David Marvel Jr., FVGAD;
Dr. Gordon Johnson, UD;
Dr. Sue Snider, UD.

11:00 a.m.
Labor Issues for Produce Growers
Jim Mooney, Regional Coordinator, US Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division

11:30 a.m.
The Farm Bill and How it Will Affect Produce Growers
Representative from United Fresh

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 1
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2

Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference – Day Sessions – Tues. Jan. 17, 2012
Moderator: Dr. Les Vough, Forage Crop Extension Specialist Emeritus, University of Maryland

9:00 to 9:20 am
Farm Bill Programs Affecting Forage Operations
Presenter: Mr. Timothy J. Garrahan and Mr. Jayme Arthurs,USDA-NRCS

9:20 to 10:40 am
Forages in Your Future
Presenter: Mr. Bob Hendershot, CFGP, CCA; State Grassland
Conservationist, Retired, USDA-NRCS Ohio

10:40 to 11:25 am
From Seed to Feed—The Nitty Gritty on Pasture Mixes
Presenter: Dr. Les Vough, Forage Crop Extension Specialist Emeritus,
University of Maryland

11:25 to 11:55 am
When a Bale Isn’t a Bale—Changing the Pricing Paradigm
Presenter: Dr. Richard W. Taylor, Extension Agronomist, University of
Delaware

12.00 pm
Lunch and Visit Exhibitors

DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 1.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 3


Grain Marketing Strategies Session – Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, Exhibit Hall Board Room
Moderator: Carl German, Extension Crops Marketing Specialist, University of Delaware

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
What’s New with the Farm Program?
Robin Talley, District Director, Farm Service Agency, Dover, Del.

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Rural Energy for America Program
Bruce Weaver, USDA Rural Development Loan Specialist, USDA, Dover, Del.

10:00 a.m – 10:30 a.m.
Crop Insurance Considerations Impacting 2012 Production and Marketing Decisions
Gene Gantz, RMA-USDA

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Economic Situation and Outlook for Grains and Oilseeds
Dick Willey, President, Perdue Agribusiness, Salisbury, Md.

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Discussion

Noon Lunch

Sponsored by the University of Delaware, RMA-USDA, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2.5


FVGAD Fresh Market Vegetables and Vine Crop Sessions – Tuesday p.m. Jan. 17, 2012, Dover Building
Moderator: Gordon Johnson

1:00 p.m.
FVGAD Activities for Fresh Market Growers
David Marvel Jr., FVGAD

1:10 p.m.
Watermelon Pollenizer Trial.
Emmalea Ernest, University of Delaware

1:25 p.m.
Snap Bean, Potato, and Pumpkin Variety Trials
Dr. Joshua Freeman, Virgina Tech

1:45 p.m.
Watermelon Research Updates: Pollination Survey, Hollow Heart, Growth Regulators, and Bacterial Inoculants.
Dr. Gordon Johnson, University of Delaware

2:10 p.m.
Understanding and Managing Phytophthora Diseases in Fresh Market Vegetables: Vine crops, Peppers, Tomatoes, Beans
Dr. Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University

2:40 p.m.
Sweet Corn Herbicide Trials
Dr. Mark Vangessel, University of Delaware

2:55 p.m.
High Tunnel Research Update
Dr. Rose Ogutu, Delaware State University

3:10 p.m.
Bumblebee Pollination Research in Watermelons
Jacquelyn Marchese, University of Delaware

3:25 p.m.
Fresh Market Vegetable Disease and Fungicide Updates; Watermelon Fruit Blotch in 2011
Dr. Kate Everts, University of Maryland/University of Delaware

3:50 p.m.
Soil Health and Vegetable Crops Research Updates
Dr. Gordon Johnson, University of Delaware

4:05 p.m.
Insect Management and Insecticide Updates
Joanne Whalen, University of Delaware

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 3
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 4
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0.25
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 3

Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference – Afternoon Sessions – Tues. Jan. 17, 2012
Moderator: Dr. Les Vough, Forage Crops Extension Specialist Emeritus, University of Maryland

1:00 p.m.—1:15 p.m.
Greetings From the National AFGC Office
Bob Hendershot, Past President, American Forage and Grassland Council

1:15 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Focus on the Forage
Bob Hendershot, CFGP, CCA; State Grassland Conservationist, Retired, USDA-NRCS, OH

2:30 p.m.—3:15 p.m.
Pasture Design and Layout: Avoiding Common Mistakes
Eddie Franceschi, Equine Resource Conservationist, Montgomery Soil Conservation District

3:15 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Avoiding Pasture Disasters
Dr. Richard Taylor, Extension Agronomy Specialist, University of Delaware

4:00 p.m. ADJOURN

DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 2
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2.5

Grain Marketing Strategies Session – Exhibit Hall Board Room
Moderator: Carl German, Extension Crops Marketing Specialist, University of Delaware

1:15 p.m.—2:15 p.m.
Commodity Markets Today; Perspective of a Veteran Grain Trader
Ben George, Grain and Oil Seed Specialist, ABN-AMRO Clearing Chicago LLC, Member Chicago Board of Trade, CME GROUP, INC. Chicago, IL.

2:15 p.m.—2:45 p.m.
Executive Summary; 2012 Grain Marketing Strategies
Carl German, Extension Crops Marketing Specialist, University of Delaware

2:45 p.m.—3:15 p.m.
Grain Conditioning and Handling
Galen Julius, Vice President, Tam Systems, Bridgeville, DE

3:15 p.m.—3:30 p.m.
Discussion

3:30 p.m. ADJOURN

Sponsored by the University of Delaware, RMA-USDA, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 1.5

Delaware Ag Week-Tuesday Evening Sessions

Forestry Session HAS BEEN CANCELLED

 

Equine Pasture and Nutrient Management – Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012

Moderator: Dr. Carissa Wickens

6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
Best Management Practices for Horse Operations
Dr. Ann Swinker, Penn State University

6:45 to 7:15 p.m.
Going Green on Your Farm: Tips for Eco-Friendly Horse Keeping
Dr. Carissa Wickens, Assistant Professor, Equine Extension Specialist, University of Delaware

7:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Farm Bill Programs
Mr. Timothy J Garrahan, Farm Bill Program Specialist, USDA-NRCS

7:30 to 7:40 p.m. Break

7:40 to 8:15 pm
Discussion with the Experts about Current Topics in Equine Management

Timothy J Garrahan, Farm Bill Program Specialist, USDA-NRCS

Dr. Ann Swinker, Associate Professor, Extension Horse Specialist,
Penn State University
Dr. Richard Taylor, Agronomist, University of Delaware
Dr. Carissa Wickens, Assistant Professor, Equine Extension Specialist, University of Delaware

8:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Forage Update: What Is and Isn’t Working in Equine Pastures
Dr. Richard Taylor, Agronomist, University of Delaware

8:30 p.m. Adjourn

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 2.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 2


Small Ruminant – Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012

6:00 p.m. – 6:05 p.m.
Introduction and Welcome

6:05 p.m. – 6:55 p.m.
Considerations for Organic Sheep and Goat Production
Linda Coffey, Technical Specialist, National Center for Applied Technology

Break for Dinner

7:10 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.
Genetic Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants
Dr. Richard Browning, Ph.D., Research Animal Scientist, Tennessee State University

7:40 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Dams and Daughters; Lambing and Kidding Related Diseases
Dr. Wendy Freeman, VMD Longwood Veterinary Center

8:45 p.m.
Questions and Adjourn

Please RSVP to Susan Garey 302-730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu by January 13, 2012 if you plan on attending so we can make the necessary arrangements for food and materials.

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
MD Pesticide Certification Credits: 0
DE Nutrient Management Credits: 0
MD Nutrient Management Credits: TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits: 1.5

Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware (FVGAD) Annual Banquet-TONIGHT

 
**Pre-Registration Requested**

Tickets are $20. To reserve tickets for the FVGAD Banquet, call
Emmalea Ernest

@ (302) 856-7303

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware Annual Banquet Harrington Fire Hall, Harrington, Del.

•     Distinguished Service Award
•     Family Award
•     Special Presentation – LEADelaware Trip to Peru

Delaware Ag Week Begins Today

Delaware Ag Week begins today at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  Here is the schedule for today:

FVGAD Fruit Session, Monday Evening, January 16, 2012, Dover Building

Moderator: Gordon Johnson

6:00 – 6:30 p.m.Understanding and Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Fruit Crops   Dr. Jerry Brust, University of Maryland

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Summer and Fall Production of Strawberries with Repeat Bloomers (Day Neutrals); Developing New Strawberry Varieties for the Mid-Atlantic and the Strawberry Breeding Program at USDA Beltsville  Dr. Kim Lewers, USDA, Beltsville

7:30 – 8:00 p.m. High Tunnel Strawberry Research Michael Newell, University of Maryland

8:00 – 8:30 p.m.Research on Fall Production of Blackberries and Summer Production of Strawberries Dr. Gordon Johnson, University of Delaware

8:30 – 9:00 p.m. Commercial Opportunities and Markets for Select Gourmet Strawberry Varieties Mike Wellik, The Strawberry Store, Middletown, Del.

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits:  1
MD Pesticide Certification Credits:  1
DE Nutrient Management Credits:  0.5
MD Nutrient Management Credits:  TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits:  3

Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference – January 16, 2012

Delmarva Hay & Pasture Conference – Monday Evening Program

Agricultural Commodities and Education (ACE) Building, Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington, Del.

Moderator:  Richard Taylor, Extension Specialist—Agronomy

6:00 to 7:15 p.m.  Maximizing Forage Utilization. Mr. Bob Hendershot, CFGP, CCA; State Grassland Conservationist, Retired,
USDA-NRCS Ohio

 7:15 to 8:05 p.m. From Seed to Feed—The Nitty Gritty on Pasture Mixes Dr. Les Vough, Forage Crops Extension Specialist Emeritus, University of Maryland

 8:05 to 9:00 p.m. Avoiding Pasture Disasters  Dr. Richard W. Taylor, Extension Agronomist, University of Delaware

 9:00 pm                       Adjourn

Session Summary:
DE Pesticide Certification Credits:  1
MD Pesticide Certification Credits:  0
DE Nutrient Management Credits:  1
MD Nutrient Management Credits:  TBA
Certified Crop Consultant Credits:  3

Delaware Ag Week Begins on Monday

Delaware Ag Week will begin Monday night at 6pm with the Delmarva hay and pasture conference and the FVGAD fruit session at the fairgrounds in Harrington, DE.  Be sure to visit the De Ag Week website to see times and locations for sessions.  Most are held right at the fairgrounds.  This is a very good opportunity to receive nutrient management and/or pesticide re-certification credits.  CCA credits will be offered at some sessions.  The number of credits is listed on the website.  Many vendors will be present as well as the antique tractor club.  Click on the link below to go to the website.  See you there!

Kent County Crop Masters-2012

The Kent County Crop Master sessions will begin in February 2012.  Sessions will be held at the University of Delaware Paradee Center, 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE.  DE nutrient management, DE pesticide, and CCA credits will be available.  Details of each session will be posted in the near future.  To register for sessions, call (302)-730-4000 or email phillip@udel.edu.

February 8, 2012 (Wednesday) 6-9pm-2012 Weed, Insect, and Disease Management Update

February 22, 2012 (Wednesday) 6-9pm-Maximizing Irrigated Corn Yields

February 29, 2012 (Wednesday) 6-9pm-Get to Know Your Soils

March 6, 2012 (Tuesday) 9-11am-Tools for Irrigation Managements

Phillip Sylvester, Extension Ag Agent, Kent County, UD.

Soybean Contest Results-PA

Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania Soybean Board have recently released the results of the 2011 Pennsylvania Soybean Contest.  Several entries in the contest are over 80 bushels per acre.  Results also include comparisons of management practices.  It is interesting to see some of the populations, planting dates, and planting practices used by entrants.

The results of the 2011 Pennsylvania Soybean Contest have been posted http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/soybean/yieldindex.cfm. Entries were down a bit this year due to the unusual weather, but we were still able to document some top yield production in the state. The top yield this year was 86.28 bushels per acre, recorded by the Charles Farms, Inc. from Lancaster County. They were one of four entrants that produced more than 80 bushels per acre this year. This year the contest also recognized top yields from farms in the West Tier and Central Tier regions of the state. The top yield in the West Tier was recorded by Rick Telez from Lawrence County with a yield of 76.39 bushels per acre while in the Central Tier, David McLaughlin topped the contest with a yield of 65.68 bushels per acre.
These top yields reflect the top management of our producers and the genetics available to them. Management practices used by the soybean contest entrants tend to reflect some of the results from agronomic research studies in that top yields can be produced with a range of seeding rates and row spacings and that soybeans are tolerant of delayed planting through the end of May. Soybeans are also an ideal no-till crop and this is reflected by the 83% of the entries that were no-till. Our producers in the contest are also following some of the national trends, moving to more planters (78%) compared to drills (22%). Many producers are opting for the planters with split rows as 56% of the entrants were using rows from 11 to 20 inches. Only 33% of the entrants applied a fungicide, which likely reflects the lower disease pressure this year and the conscious effort many producers make at using and integrated pest management approaches on their soybeans.

Source:
Roth, Greg & Del Voight.  PA Soybean Contest Showcases Top Producer. Field Crop News, Vol. 12:01, January 10, 2012.  Penn State Extension.  Online.  http://extension.psu.edu/field-crop-news/archives/2012/january-10

Delmarva Dairy Day-2012

Delmarva Dairy Day will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at the Hartly Fire Hall.  Below is more information on the event:

Delmarva Dairy Day- Thursday, February 16, 2012- Hartly Fire Hall, Hartly, DE

9:30 – 10:30 AM View Exhibits, Talk to Vendors, Coffee and Pastries
10:30 to 11:15 AM Optimal Parlor Techniques- Marco Lopez, Vicor
11:15 to 12:00 PM Protocols for Optimizing Somatic Cell Counts- Jon Garber, University of Pennsylvania
12:00 to 1:00 PM Lunch and Visit With Exhibitors
1:00 – 1:45 PM Best Nutrient Management Practices for the Crop, Cow and Farm-Eric Young, Miner Institute
1:45 to 2:30 PM Maximizing Milk Production Through Forage Quality- Eric Reid, Old Mill Troy

1.0 NM CEU’s awarded for attending the program

RSVP NEEDED FOR LUNCH: Please contact Carol Hrupsa by phone 302-730-4000 or email carolm@udel.edu by February 3, 2012

Herbicide Update

The Ignite herbicide brand will have its name changed back to Liberty in 2012.  Below is the press release from Bayer CropScience:

Bayer CropScience announced that the global brand Liberty® herbicide will replace the Ignite® herbicide brand for use on LibertyLink® crops in the U.S. market starting in the 2012 crop season.
“Globally, the use of the LibertyLink system is experiencing rapid adoption due to growing weed resistance to glyphosate and the excellent germplasm performance, which in turn is increasing the demand for a non-selective herbicide,” said Al Luke, head of broad acre crop marketing for Bayer CropScience. “Bayer is investing to increase the global production of Liberty herbicide and help ensure adequate supplies, especially in the rapidly expanding U.S. market.”
“Liberty herbicide still offers the same benefits and levels of performance as the former Ignite herbicide, including the new 65 ounce seasonal maximum for soybeans,” Luke said. “And Liberty herbicide should be applied according to label directions.

Annie's Project 2012

Annie's Project will begin on January 25, 2012.  The event is going to be held in Sussex County at the UD Research and Education Center in Georgetown, De. There is a fee and registration is required to attend the workshops.  For more information, contact Tracy Wootten at (302)-856-7303.

Annie was a woman who grew up in a small town in Northern Illinois. Her goal was to marry
a farmer and she did. Annie spent her lifetime learning how to be an involved business partner
with her farm husband. Together they did great things, but it wasn’t easy. This is Annie’s
Project – to take her experiences and share it with farm women living and working in a complex
business.

Objectives
Annie’s project is designed to empower farmwomen to manage information systems used in
critical decision making processes and to build local networks throughout the state. The target
audience is farmwomen with a passion for business and involvement in the farm operation.

Project Topics cover the five areas of Risk Management – Production, Market, Financial, Legal
Risk, Human Resources.

Annie’s Project
Wednesdays Jan 25 – March 14, 2012 (2 days in computer lab Feb 15 and Feb 22)

Sussex County Extension Office, Carvel Research & Education Center,
16483 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 6:00pm-9:00pm
$75.00 per person: Includes Dinner and All Course Materials

For registration information contact Tracy Wootten at wootten@udel.edu , 302.856.7303 (o),
302-236-0298 (c) or visit the website at www.anniesproject.umd.edu.

Evaluating Disease Resistance in Soybeans

VIPS (Varietal Information Program for Soybeans) is another resource that growers can use when selecting soybean varieties for next year.  While the program is housed in Illinois, it tests many of the same commercial varieties that are grown here in Delaware.  It also captures some useful information on  disease resistance including SDS (sudden death syndrome) and green stem.  The southern part of Illinois (Belleville, Elkville) would be the most comparable to our growing climate.  Click on the picture below to go to the website:

Ag Industry Dinner

There are still plenty of seats open for this event.  This is a good opportunity for those in the Delaware agricultural community to socialize and network.  Mark your calendars and be sure to RSVP soon.

41th Annual Agricultural Industry Dinner scheduled for January 26, 2012
Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will speak
The Delaware Council of Farm Organizations invites the public to attend the 41th Annual Agricultural
Industry Dinner that will be held on January 26, 2012 at the Dover Downs Hotel & Conference Center.

Festivities begin with a reception at 5:00 PM with dinner to follow at 6:30 PM. Reservations and
payments must be made by December 30, 2011. For more information, contact Lisa Falconetti at the
Delaware Department of Agriculture: Phone – 302.698.4554 or E-Mail – lisa.falconetti@state.de.us .
During an enjoyable evening full of good food and fellowship, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will be the featured speaker; and DDA Secretary Ed Kee will present the Secretary’s Award for meritorious serviceto Delaware agriculture. This time honored Delaware tradition provides an opportunity to celebrate Delaware’s hard working farmers, honor the First State’s rich agricultural heritage, and discuss current and potential challenges to the industry. Attendees will also have the chance to thank elected officials for their support and advocacy of agriculture in Delaware in 2011 and the future.

Individual tickets cost $60.00 and a 10 seat table will cost $550.00. Event reservation forms and
information are accessible as follows:
• By e-mail from deagindustrydinner@gmail.com
• By mail from the Delaware Council of Farm Organizations, P.O. Box 986, Dover, DE 19903.
• On-line at www.dda.delaware.gov under Hot Topics.
Event updates regarding attendees, the menu, and photos of Delaware agriculture are available on
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Agricultural-Industry-Dinner/170916926254767.

Kenneth Wicks, President, Delaware Council of Farm Organizations said, “I am extremely pleased that USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack will join the Council, the public, agricultural industry attendees, and our public officials as we celebrate Delaware’s $8 billion agricultural industry. We are indeed honored by his acceptance. The reservation deadline is fast approaching so I urge those interested in attending to sign-up as soon as possible.”

Corn Hybrid Performance Tests

The University of Maryland Extension completes corn hybrid performance tests every year.  The closest research stations to Delaware are the Wye Research and Education Center located in nearby Queen Anne's county and the Lower Eastern Shore Research and Education Center-Poplar Hill located in Quantico, MD (near Salisbury,MD).  The tests include many brand names and maturities.  The link below provides more information and results of the trials. 

http://www.mdcrops.umd.edu/Corn/2011AgronomyFactsNo.54Final.pdf

Freeze Injury to Wheat

While the recent drop in temperature will not affect the wheat crop, freeze injury can be a problem on winter wheat.  Spring is the time of the year to be concerned with low temperatures.  During the winter, wheat has a strong tolerance to cold temperatures (see graph below).  As temperatures warm in the spring and the plant switches over to reproductive growth, it becomes susceptible to cold temperatures.  The risk for freeze injury increases when temperatures increase rapidly in late winter, early spring, causing the plant to develop at a rapid pace.  With the plant developing quicker than normal, a late spring freeze could cause injury.  This is highly dependent on the growth stage of the wheat.  To check for freeze injury, split the wheat plant's stem to view the growing point.  This can be extremely small, but should be present in the spring (after vernalization).  It is located right above the uppermost node, and will appear as a very small version of a wheat head.  Normal color is bright white to yellow-green and is turgid.  A damaged growing point is off white or brown and water soaked in appearance.

Figure 1. Temperatures that causefreeze injury to winter wheat at different growth stages. Winter wheat rapidly loses hardiness during spring growth and is easily injured by late freezes (graph adapted from A.W. Pauli).

Source:
Shroyer, James P., Merrel E. Mikesell, and Gary M. Paulsen.  1995.  Spring Freeze Injury to Kansas Wheat.  Kansas State University.

How Phosphorus is Lost from Farmland

A good article on how phosphorus moves in the soil and how it is lost:

While phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, P runoff from the landscape can also lead to degradation of surface waters. Enrichment of streams, lakes, and rivers with P leads to algal growth and subsequent decay, which depletes the water of oxygen necessary for fish and other aquatic organisms. Not only does this process (known as ‘eutrophication’) result in degraded aquatic habitats, it makes surface waters unfit for recreation or as a drinking water source.

Common sources of runoff P are eroded soil and surface applied manure or fertilizer, but it can also originate from fields without these obvious P sources. Soils having high P levels also produce runoff that contains high concentrations of P. These high-P soils are typically the result of field or farm level nutrient imbalances; these imbalances often extend to the regional scale. Phosphorus that is mined in Florida and used as fertilizer in the Midwest is commonly shipped to Eastern farms in the form of livestock feed. Only a fraction of the P in the livestock feed leaves the farm in the form of food, fuel, fiber, or live animals. The majority of the P is distributed on the land in the form of manure, often at rates selected to meet the nitrogen need of the crop but exceeding the P need of the crop. Phosphorus accumulates in the soil until the soil cannot absorb anymore; runoff P concentrations tend to increase as this accumulation occurs.

P Loss Pathways

Phosphorus has two forms in runoff, soluble and particulate. Soluble P comes from the release of P from soil and plant material and is completely dissolved in runoff, while particulate P is attached to eroding sediment or associated with organic material. Erosion always occurs on the soil surface, but the other P-loss pathways can take place both on the surface and through the subsurface.

Surface:

Tilled fields and overgrazed pastures are especially susceptible to the P loss that is associated with erosion. Phosphorus binds very strongly to soil particles, and the erosion of these soil particles can be a significant source of P loss even if the soil P level is low. Particulate P is the dominant form of P in runoff from cultivated lands.

Dissolved P can also be carried in surface runoff from tilled or untilled fields. Although different soils can adsorb different amounts of P, for a given soil the higher the soil P level is in the field, the higher the P concentration is in the runoff. The soil P level is more uniform in tilled soils because of mixing, but is highest in the uppermost soil layer of pastures and hayland. As runoff flows through a field and interacts with surface soils, P is released in a dissolved form. This release results in the dominant P loss pathway from grassland.

Highly-soluble P in manure and fertilizer, and the manure and fertilizer itself, can be readily washed off of the soil surface by runoff from rainfall or snowmelt. Application rate and timing are important factors in how much P is lost through this pathway. A couple runoff events following nutrient applications can represent the bulk of the surface runoff P for the entire year.

Subsurface:

Dissolved P can move from upper soil layers into shallow groundwater with percolating water. This is more common in sandy and gravelly soils, but can be enhanced by large pores (e.g. wormholes) in other soils. Once P is in shallow groundwater beneath a field, it can flow to a bordering stream or ditch. Drainage tile can increase the magnitude of this P loss pathway.

A little-recognized P loss pathway is the movement of manure or fertilizer P from the surface directly into drainage tiles through large soil pores or cracks. This process has been observed and demonstrated in many agricultural soils, but is more likely to occur when applying liquid manure sources.

Management to Limit P Loss

The risk of P-loss from a field can be divided into two categories: 1) source factors and 2) transport factors (Table 1). Source factors are directly related to the amount of P that water interacts with as it passes through a field, and can often be controlled with management efforts. Transport factors are related to the volume of water leaving a field and the likelihood of that water reaching a stream. Various management and conservation practices are also helpful for controlling transport factors.

Phosphorus source control is achieved primarily by managing the rate, timing, and method of P applications to fields. Additionally, the type of P amendment (e.g., inorganic fertilizer vs. poultry litter) should also be considered to account for varying proportions of water-soluble P that can be readily lost to runoff.

The rate of P additions to a field should be based on the agronomic need of the crop being fertilized. When P is applied at rates greater than the agronomic need of the crop, P will accumulate in the soil. As P accumulates in the soil the risk of P loss increases. Annual soil testing allows for informed and economical use of P to meet crop needs.
The timing of P application can have a large influence on the amount of P in runoff. Phosphorus sources should not be applied to frozen or saturated soils. Probability of runoff in many areas of the Mid-Atlantic is greatest in the winter with snowmelt and in the spring with rain on saturated soils. Large rain events in the summer can also produce significant runoff. Weather predictions can be used to select application times when the forecast is for relatively dry weather.

The method of P application can be on the surface, on the surface followed by incorporation, or injected into the subsurface. Injecting or incorporating P sources can reduce P loss if it can be done without increasing the risk of erosion. Injection and incorporation also forces P into deeper soils and reduces P-enrichment of surface soils that interact with runoff.

Phosphorus transport control relies on a number of management and conservation practices that serve to reduce the risk of runoff P from reaching a water body. Even with proper P transport control measures, some fields and soils inherently have a greater risk of P loss. In these fields, source control measures become more important.

Soils that are more likely to produce large amounts of runoff have an increased risk of P loss. Several management practices can be implemented in these fields to help reduce runoff volumes. Cover crops, reduced or no-till, and contour farming all help precipitation to infiltrate and reduce runoff.

Concentrated flow paths (ditches, natural swales, etc.) increase the risk of P loss by greatly reducing the opportunity for runoff to infiltrate into down-slope soils and for sediment-bound P to settle out or be trapped by vegetation. If concentrated flow paths do exist in a field and cannot be avoided, making sure they are well vegetated and are not eroding will help to reduce P loss.

As the distance from a field to a stream becomes shorter, the risk of P loss increases. This risk can be reduced by leaving forest or grass buffers between the field and the stream. These buffers trap sediment-bound P in runoff and help prevent stream bank erosion, another potential source of P loss. In general, the wider the buffer, the more effective it is at trapping P.

Erosion control methods are also very effective at reducing P transport. Avoiding overgrazing, maintaining vegetative cover, and reduced or no-till practices limit the amount of sediment-bound P that can be moved with runoff.

Phosphorus transport through the subsurface is difficult to control. Excessively drained soils increase the risk of transporting P through the subsurface; drainage tile can also enhance this risk in less well-drained soils. If possible, construct wetlands at tile outlets to slow runoff and help reduce P loss through adsorption, sedimentation, and plant uptake.

 

	Factor	Description
Source Factors	Soil P	As the soil P increases, so does the risk of P loss
	Application rate	Higher application rates increase the chance of P loss
	Application timing	Applying during wet times or before rain increases risk of P loss
	Application method	P injection or incorporation decreases risk of P loss
	Source of applied P	Some P amendments contain more water-soluble P that can be transported with runoff
Transport Factors	Surface runoff	Runoff serves to transport P from agricultural fields
	Concentrated flow paths	Concentration of runoff increases risk of P loss
	Distance to stream	Buffers allow for infiltration or filtering of runoff
	Erosion	Erosion is a significant source of P loss from tilled fields and damaged pastures
	Subsurface flow	Subsurface drainage, preferential flow, and highly permeable soils can enable leaching of P

P-Index

The P Index is a tool that was introduced in the 1990s, and is now a widely used method for evaluating the risk of P loss from agricultural fields. The P Index rates the source and transport factors of a particular field, with the understanding that the risk of P loss is highest when there are interactions between P sources and transport pathways. Conservation practices and management are considered when evaluating risk of P loss. Each state has developed their own version of the P Index based on their local soils, climate, and landscape. Most versions are straight-forward, and are designed to help nutrient management planners and producers evaluate the effects of alternative management practices on P loss.

For More Information:

SERA-17, Organization to Minimize Phosphorus Losses from Agriculture: http://www.sera17.ext.vt.edu/

USDA-ARS, Agricultural Phosphorus and Eutrophication, Second Edition: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/Phos&Eutro2/phos&eutrointro2ed.htm

eXtension and Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center, Animal Manure Management: http://www.extension.org/animal+manure+management

Source:  

Faulkner, Joshua.  2011.  How Phosphorus is Lost from Farmland.  West Virginia University Extension.  Mid-Atlantic Regional Agronomist Quarterly Newsletter.  December 2011.