Manure Spreading Advisory #4 SEPTEMBER 2010
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UBC Dairy Research Reports |
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Islands News Summer Newsletter |
Hay for Sale in BC ....
The Lurking Menace of Weeds - Farmers' enemy No. 1
Today more than a billion people in the world are hungry, the result of flawed policies mainly, but also of wars and revolutions and of natural hazards like floods, droughts, pests and diseases compounded, nowadays, by climate change.
But one huge hunger-maker lurks largely unnoticed ...
"Maybe it's because weeds are not very spectacular," says weed expert Ricardo Labrada-Romero. "Droughts, insects and diseases like Swine Flu are attention-grabbers because their effects are dramatic. Weeds are different. They play havoc quietly all year round, year after year."
Consider, he says, the damage caused by one weed alone, Broomrape (Orobanche spp), an aggressive root weed which attacks legumes and vegetables and can not only lead to complete crop failure but also make fields infertile for many years.
Figures clearly show that weeds should be regarded as farmers' natural enemy No. 1. According to a leading environmental research organization, Land Care of New Zealand, they cause some $95 billion a year in lost food production at global level, compared with $85 billion for pathogens, $46 billion for insects and $2.4 billion for vertebrates (excluding humans).
At today's prices, $95 billion translates into some 380 million tonnes of wheat, or more than half of world production expected in 2009. And of those $95 billion, $70 billion are estimated to be lost in poor countries.
Economic losses may be even greater considering that more than half of the time farmers spend in the fields is devoted to weed control, says Labrada-Romero. It follows that if farms are to increase their productivity one of the first things they must do is improve weed management.
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| High: 26°C |
Low: 10°C |
High: 26°C Low: 12°C |
High: 18°C Low: 12°C |
High: 18°C Low: 11°C POP: 40% |
High: 15°C Low: 11°C |
As the fall approaches, it will be very helpful to plan final manure applications now, so that storage facilities are close to empty. Heavy rains typically begin sometime in October: there is about twice as much rain in October than in September.
Perennial grassland fields are well suited to receive manure at this time. Harvested or fallow fields are poorly suited for manure application unless cover crops are planted early enough to support substantial fall growth and become well established.
Producers are responsible for decisions regarding manure spreading. Legislation gives no specific dates for manure spreading, but it does not allow for manure to be spread in a manner that causes pollution.
Please read the entire advisory for details and important information to assist producers with decision-making about manure application.
The Manure Spreading Advisory Committee (consisting of industry and government representatives) is advising that careful manure application is suitable on some sites. The committee will monitor weather and soil conditions and will issue further advisories as conditions change.
Harvested Annual Crops (including corn and vegetables) - For farmers considering manure application this fall on fields with harvested annual crops, the key message is “the sooner the better.” Manure application should only be considered if a fall soil test has shown need for fertilizer and a winter cover crop has been planted or the cover crop will be planted by September 24*. As the days get shorter and colder, cover crops are less able to take up nutrients. Also, as fall rains arrive, the risk of nutrient runoff and leaching increases. Read the following guidelines to ensure manure is being applied appropriately, according to whether it is as a fertilizer or a soil conditioner.
Guidelines for applying manure as a fertilizer:
Guidelines for applying solid manure as a soil conditioner:
Join fellow ranchers & farmers for an informative day exploring alternative forage crop options and innovations in forage crop management. Brochure in pdf format. On this field day you will see the two annual forage species plots which one is conventionally farmed and the other using minimum tillage equipment. Also during the day we will have guest speakers talking about forage stand management, equipment innovations and much more.
Date : Tuesday , August 31, 2010, 10 am to 2 pm
Location: Demonstration plots at the Cranbrook Irrigation Fields
10 am - 12 noon at Bayliff’s – Chilancoh Ranch.
Driving directions: From Williams Lake Hwy 97-Hwy 20 Junction, head west on Hwy 20 (for approx 131 km) turn left onto the Chilko-Newton Road, turn right at junction (approx 0.5km) onto the Bayliff Road. Drive approx 10 km. Plots will be on the left side.
For more information, please contact Corky Tucker at 250-392-5068 or BCFC at 250-267-6522.
District of 100 Mile House –Industrial Hemp Crop Tour on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010. We will be touring an industrial hemp field and Canada Wide Varietal Industrial Hemp test plots containing four varieties.
1:30 pm: Meet at 100 Mile House District Office for brief introductions.
2:00 pm: Visit the sole BC location of Canada Wide Hemp Test Plots (Horse Lake vicinity). Visit Industrial hemp field in production. This crop is being grown for fibre processing and green building construction, part of the field has already been harvested and there will be a display of industrial hemp products and green building technology.
4:30 pm: Travel back to 100 Mile House
Please RSVP to Robin Diether at: 250-395-2434 (ext 240) or 100milehousehemp2010@gmail.com
Farmers looking to replace inefficient technologies with a variety of energy-saving products are invited to apply for the BC Hydro Power Smart Product Incentive Program. The program provides financial rebates on a wide range of energy efficient products. By installing energy-efficient technologies, your farm will benefit from lower maintenance costs, improved comfort for the animals as well as savings on your energy bill.
BC Hydro farm customers can apply for any eligible products in the program. Some product replacements for farms include:
Start saving energy today and keep your chickens and cows happy!
For more details on eligible products and incentives for your farm, visit: bchydro.com/incentives or call us at 1-866-522-4713. Farms are also eligible for incentives and offers from the small industrial Power Smart programs.
*Note: please be aware of stray voltage issues, check with BC Hydro Power Smart before starting any upgrades.
In response to poor estrus detection and low fertility in lactating dairy cows, reproductive management tools such as estrus synchronization programs are increasingly used on dairy farms. One tool, the Ovsynch timed artificial insemination (AI) protocol offers producers potential freedom from estrus detection difficulties. The Ovsynch protocol involves injecting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), followed 7 days later by injecting prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a), and then 48 hours later by a second injection of GnRH. Animals are then inseminated 14 to 16 hours later. The economical benefits of Ovsynch are based on reducing the interval from calving to first AI, reducing the number of days animals are open, and reducing culling of cows because of reproductive problems. While cows treated with Ovsynch have similar pregnancy results to cows bred at natural estrus (~30%), this is still far from satisfactory. See entire article.
I would like to establish a U-pick strawberry business in southeast B.C. What are some good varieties that are hardy enough to survive in this region? Are there guides available to get started? Are there active associations or grower groups who might be able to share their knowledge? Site selection? Field preparation? Mulch vs bare ground? Sources of seed stock in BC? Pointers on operating a U-pick operation?
NewForum Post: How does one start farming?
Comments: We are a young couple with background in ornamental horticulture (18 yrs combined)...not the most sustainable industry. We both really like the idea of providing crops sustainably but are very intimidated by the high cost of land/housing to get into the game. Can anyone offer insight about how we may get started in a farming enterprise? It seems all the established farmsteads are very expensive. Help from those who have done it before?
Lameness is widely regarded as a problem for both dairy cows and dairy producers. Lack of access to pasture has been linked with higher rates of lameness. Pasture is also perceived as providing a more natural environment for cows, so lack of access to pasture is often viewed as a welfare concern and organic standards typically require some pasture access. That said, many producers prefer housing systems based on zero access to pasture as free stall barns are designed to provide a high degree of comfort for cows. To provide access to pasture could be a challenge on many dairy farms. A well-designed barn provides cows with a comfortable place to lie down, protection from the elements, and free access to a well-balanced diet that helps maintain high levels of milk production. If cows can use a well-designed freestall barn do they really prefer or need access to pasture, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of pasture access?
COOMBS Farm Animal and Poultry Swap - First Sunday of the month.
Please support the BC Forage Council. Membership is only $20 per year, and shows producer support for forage research and education within BC. A strong membership helps the BCFC when making funding applications for forage research projects. BCFC 2010 Membership Form
Guide To Best Management Practices In British Columbia for Cereals, canola, field corn, field peas, grasses and legumes for forage and seed production. The 2008/09 edition of the Field Crop Protection Guide is now available for B.C. producers. Contact your nearest B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands office to obtain a copy. Contents of the Guide are also available off the BCMAL website in PDF* format. Contents:
Introduction
