Volume 14 Issue 2
February 2007
What’s Inside…
CALENDAR ALT. MARKETING ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Conference 10
Bend LaPine Schools Farm to School Program
Meals in the Bend-LaPine Public Schools have become fresher and closer to home since the school district developed its Farm to School program. The district’s Nutrition Services department has teamed up with farmers from the Bend Farmers Market to provide Oregon-grown, farm-fresh produce at breakfast and lunch to students. The Farm to School program at Bend LaPine Schools has been going strong for the last two years. “We are always looking for opportunities for Oregon farmers to provide us with farm fresh products,” said Katrina Wiest, Wellness Specialist for the Bend-LaPine Nutrition Services and coordinator of the district’s Farm to School program.
Back Page Central Oregon Niche Marketing Opportunity
Farmer-Chef Connection 10 North American Farm Direct Marketing Convention 11 Local Farmers Markets OFMA Annual Meeting 11 11
This past season we received from Happy Harvest Farms from Mt Angel watermelons, cantaloupe, blueberries, peppers, tomatoes, celery, broccoli, ♦ Spring Wheat Trial Results 9 cauliflower, and strawberries. Rick Steffen Farms from Silverton, provided ♦ Fertilizing Wheat 9 watermelons and cantaloupe. Bill Atherton, a local Central Oregon farmer, supplied watermelons. Thomas Orchards from Kimberly, is still providing FORAGE apples and winter pears. CEREALS 4 “When we approached the farmers two years ago and presented the concept of Farm to School, the farmers had not previously considered school districts as ♦ Alfalfa Intensive Training another market for their produce,” said Wiest. The produce is harvested on Seminar 5 Tuesday, brought to Bend for the Market on Wednesday, and served at the schools on Thursday. We serve fruits and vegetables everyday to the students ♦ Hay Sampling Certification during the school year and also our Summer Lunch program that runs during the Exam 5 summer. We can take product year round, if we can find local producers that can provide year round. Though the Bend Farmers Market concludes for the ♦ Spring Cereal Forage Varieties 5 season in Mid-October, the school district continues to receive vegetables from Oregon farmers until the middle of December and orchard fruit until mid♦ Applying Nitrogen February. “We are looking forward to May when we are scheduled to receive Fertilizer 6-8 farm fresh strawberries,” said Wiest. Contact Katrina Wiest at (541) 3836111. GENERAL AG ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Vole Control Pork Producers Annual Seminar Length of Calving Season LIVESTOCK 4 Have you thought about doing something like this? This is an excellent opportunity for producers to start a new agricultural enterprise, or expand an already existing enterprise, with an existing, growing local market! Mylen Bohle 2 3 ♦ PNW Certified Forage Testing Labs
RANGE & NAT. RESOURCES
Range Management Symposium Back page
PAGE 2
Central Oregon Agriculture is a monthly newsletter produced by the Central Oregon Extension offices and the Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center. The intent of this newsletter is to extend agricultural research-based information to solve problems, develop leadership and manage resources wisely. Please direct comments and changes to the mailing list to your local County Extension office listed below. (Area code is 541) Agricultural Extension Staff Rich Affeldt - Mint, Seed Crops and Weed Control, 475-3808 Mylen Bohle - Forage, Pasture and Cereals, 447-6228 Marvin Butler- Mint and Seed Crops, 475-3808 Fred Crowe - Plant Diseases, 475-7107 Fara Currim - Ag. and Natural Resource, 553-1520 Tim Deboodt - Range Resources and Livestock, 447-6228 Amy Detweiler - Horticulture, 548-6088 Brian Dugan -Crop Physiologist, 475-7107 Steve Fitzgerald - Forestry, 548-6088 Steve James - Potatoes, 475-7107 Barbi Riggs—Livestock and Water Quality, 447-6228 Pam Wiederholt - Ag Newsletter Coordinator, 447-6228 The above individuals represent 8.25 full time equivalents devoted to extending agriculture information to producers. Many of the individuals, in addition to agriculture, have assignments in research, 4H/youth, administration and community resource education. Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center 475-7107 Madras Site – 850 Dogwood Lane Madras, OR 97741 Powell Butte Site - 8215 S.W. Hwy. 126 Powell Butte, OR 97753 Crook County Extension Office 447-6228 498 S.E. Lynn Blvd., Prineville, OR 97754 Deschutes County Extension Office 548-6088 3893 S.W. Airport Way, Redmond, OR 97756 Jefferson County Extension Office 475-3808 34 SE D St., Madras, OR 97741 Warm Springs Extension Office 553-3238 1110 Wasco St., P.O. Box 430 Warm Springs, OR 97761 Often it is appropriate to mention brand names of some commercial products; however, they are used only for the purpose of information. Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of the product, nor does it imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others. This publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon Counties. Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials—without regard to race, color religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, material status, disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam—era veteran status as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer. OSU Extension programs will provide reasonable accommodation to persons with physical or mental disabilities. Contact Pam Wiederholt at (541) 447-6228 to request reasonable accommodation.
VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
Livestock
Oregon Pork Producers Annual Educational Seminar
February 24, 2007 Holiday Inn Express, 105 Opal St NE, Albany, Oregon RSVP by February 19, 2007 by emailing Gayle Burke at bukegl@earthlink.net 12:00 Noon Check In 12:10 PM Welcome …..
12:15 PM Pork Quality Assurance youth certification program – Presented by Gene Pirelli, Extension Swine Specialist and Vicki Avery, State 4H Livestock Program Leader. Hands on and activity based program that will supply the youth certification for Pork Quality Assurance. 1:30 PM Caring for your new project pig & How to ear notch correctly – Nannette Bierma OPP Board Member Break National Pork Board – Jennifer Schmidt The Pork You are Selling, Is it Good to Eat? This is a presentation on carcass and meat quality in both youth project pigs and commercially sold pork. The factors that lead to poor pork quality and how to prevent them are the topics in this session. Presented by Ben Cunningham OPP Board Member, Gene Pirelli Extension Swine Specialist and Lowell Bickle, OPP Board Member The Impact of Feral Pigs – US Department of Agriculture Seminar ends.
2:00 PM 2:15 PM 2:30 PM
4:30 PM 5:00 PM
Cost: Youth 18 & under $5.00 – OR with paid OPP Jr. Membership of $5.00 Adult with paid OPP Membership $10.00 Adult without OPP Membership $30.00 Adult with 4 or more paid youth FREE Oregon’s Annual Educational Seminar Sponsored By: Oregon Pork Producers, OSU Swine Extension & Your Gayle Burke
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
Livestock
Length of Calving Season Can Affect Your Bottom Dollar
Cow-calf producers keep a close watch on margins. Producers try to whittle away at input costs where possible, but, not always can these minor adjustments make a big impact. However, there is a tool that some producers have not used yet that can significantly increase income and save labor. The length of the calving season can be managed to produce more pounds of calf at weaning and therefore increase profit. Weaning of calves is typically done at a given date regardless of weight or age of the calves. Young calves wean at lighter weight than older calves simply due to age. For example, a calving season of 180 days results in calves that may have weaning weights anywhere from 320 pounds to 560 pounds and ages of 4 months to 8 months of age. Let’s assume that the average weight for this set of calves is 480 pounds. Total weaning weight for 100 hd of calves is 48,000 pounds. Now, let’s assume that this same set of cows calve in 60 days rather than 180 days. Weight for these calves range from 500-560 pounds and let’s say the average is 542 pounds. Total weaning weight for the 100 hd of calves is 54,200 pounds. The difference in weight is 6,200 pounds or equivalent to selling 11 more calves, OR, an extra 62 pounds per calf if breeding season is shortened. Another way to look at this, in the shortened breeding season, the producer could experience 7% reduction in weaning weights or calf crop to have the equivalent income as the lengthened calving period. Assume calves are selling around $100.00 per cwt, this translates into an increase of $62.00 per calf. The results of a similar scenario in regards to potential income will vary slightly, dependent upon price of calves. Lighter calves do bring more money per pound however, it has been estimated that a uniform calf crop that is similar in appearance can optimistically yield a premium of $50-$70 per head, further supporting economic benefit to shorter calving seasons. Shortening the calving season has other benefits as well. A calving season of 60 days means fewer nights watching cows and fewer days tagging calves. Calf loss due to negligence or lack or recognition of dystocia problems is less apt to occur. My experience is that the last few cows to calve have a tendency to not be watched as closely because focus is on other projects such as seeding crops or fertilizing pastures. By shortening the calving season we are less likely to be distracted. Having a calving season of 45-60 days will result in a more reproductively sound herd. The females that do not breed back within this structure will eventually fall out of the herd leaving only the most reproductively sound females and will propagate reproductively sound replacement heifers. How do we accomplish a tighter calving season? The strategy will depend upon how spread out your current calving season is and the number of cows in your herd. If you are currently calving year-round, it may take a few years to achieve a 60 day calving season without too much loss of revenue. However, the first line of attack should always be with your replacement heifers. A producer should pick his target dates for calving and plan appropriately for the replacement heifers. Be sure to breed the heifers 3-4 weeks prior to the mature cows in order to allow the growing heifer ample time to recover from calving/lactation before the next breeding season. Breeding/calving dates can be moved by scheduling bull exposure and removal and/or incorporating estrous synchronization. Synchronization can be used to achieve a tighter calving season more rapidly than scheduling bull exposure alone. This is a process in which hormones are injected into the cow in order to trigger physiological responses that will induce expression of estrus at approximately the same time. There are several different synchronization protocols that can accomplish a tighter calving season. Producer’s should work with a beef cow specialist to choose the most economic and efficient protocol that will fit the goals of the operation. Synchronization can cost $5.10 per cow or more and will require at least 2 times through the chute. Other considerations for synchronization include providing adequate bull power for natural service or implementation of artificial insemination. Synchronization is the most powerful tool available to accomplish a tight calving season in the least amount of time. Many producers have used this to go from 120 day season to 60 day season in just one year. Remember that a tight breeding season means a tight calving season. Although you have less time to watch cows, intensity of calving can be great particularly when synchronization was utilized. Timing of the calving season will be crucial to calf survival, specifically in cold climates where a storm event can have a large impact. Management of a short breeding/calving season will be successful only if the producer is firm with the dates. Bulls must be turned in with the cows on the appropriate date and must be pulled at the appropriate date, regardless of other obligation the rancher may have. Cows that do not breed and calve within the set season must be culled without exception. Shortening the calving season is a cost effective program that can increase profit and reproductive performance of the herd with little to no extra input costs. For more information on calving seasons or synchronization please contact Barbi Riggs at OSU Crook County Extension Services. Barbi Riggs
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V O L U M E 14 I S S U E 2
General Agriculture
Vole Control Method
At the C.O. Farm Fair in 2006 , Michael Slater from APHIS-Animal Damage Control told the crowd that there is another method to reduce Voles in fields. They had given a bunch of mouse traps (200) to a small owner orchard (10 acres) to try and clear out their Vole infestation. After a couple of months, they brought the mouse traps back and said they had “eradicated” their problem. The COARC Powell Butte site put out about a dozen mouse traps in our grass variety trial, right after that and when we checked the traps the next morning, half of the traps had caught voles! While this is a labor intensive method, it works! We have done this at both COARC Madras and Powell Butte sites and it works very well. You will probably want to attach a small chain or rope or something to the trap (with a spike for ground attachment) so once a vole is caught, a predator, raptor or other bird will not run or fly off with the vole and your trap. Voles are mice, so you can bait the traps with peanut butter or you can melt chocolate on the bait area of the trap and it will last quite a while, especially in this cooler weather. You will want to put those traps you have baited under something, so that small birds, or big birds for that matter, will not get caught in the trap. You do not want to kill birds. Place the traps so that they are in line with the runs that the voles have created so that they have to run across the traps in line. It may not be necessary to bait the traps either. You might try it both ways. For the orchard people, they found out that it worked, whether they baited the trap or not. I know that for large fields this may not be practical, but if you have bad spots in a field, it may be a way to reduce the pressure in those areas. But for smaller fields, it may as close to a silver bullet that we have… Let us know how it worked. (As a side note, Michael Slater, APHIS, will be speaking on rodent control at the Green Industry Conference and Central Oregon Pesticide Conference in February, locally, and hopefully at our Living On A Few Acres Idea Fair in April.) Mylen Bohle
Forage
PNW Certified Forage Testing Labs (2006)
The following labs were certified by the National Forage Testing Association (NFTA) for 2006. Oregon : ♦ Agri-Check, Inc. Umatilla 541- 922-4894 (Chemistry) ♦ Basin Agri-Serve, Merrill 541-798-5112 (Chemistry) Idaho: ♦ Bar Diamond, Parma 208-722-6761 (Chemistry) ♦ High Desert Dairy Lab, Nampa 208-888-0040 (NIRS) ♦ North West Labs, Inc. Jerome 208-324-7511 (NIRS) Washington: ♦ A.V. Labs, Othello 509-488-2468 (Chemistry) ♦ Central Washington Labs, Inc., Mattawa 509-9325555 (NIRS) ♦ Custom Dairy Services, Lynden 360-354-4344 (Chemistry) ♦ Kuo Testing Labs, Inc., Othello 509-488-0112 (Chemistry) ♦ Soiltest Farm Consultants, Inc., Moses Lake 509765-1622 (Chemistry / NIRS) ♦ USAg Analytical Services, Inc., Pasco 509-5473838 (Chemistry) California: (There are many certified labs in California) Montana: ♦ MSU Analytical Lab, Bozeman 406-994-3383 (Chemistry) The labs are certified annually. If you are interested in other labs or other information from, or about, the NFTA, their web site address is: http://foragetesting.org/. Mylen Bohle
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
Forage
Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar
With today’s technology expanding at a rapid pace, there is much to be learned about alfalfa. The Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar, developed by the National Alfalfa Alliance, gives participants the knowledge they need to make the best of their alfalfa time investment. The next training seminar will be held at the Holiday Inn Select International in Bloomington, MN, on March 6-8, 2007. The Alfalfa Intensive Training – Beginners Seminar will be held on March 6-8, and the Advanced Session will be held on March 7-8. The Program will include: genetics, varieties, variety development, seed production, growth and development, soils, fertility, nitrogen fixation, stress, stress management, dormancy, over-wintering, pests, harvest management, drying, harvest aids, forage quality, sampling, testing, terms, marketing, economics, buying and selling hay, dairy, beef and horse nutrition.
Hay Sampling Certification Exam
The purpose of the certification is to aid in standardizing hay testing protocols and to improve your understanding of the sampling and testing process. This is a learning opportunity, NOT just a test of knowledge. You can read the study materials and then take the exam on-line. The exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions that will focus on hay sampling methods, forage quality terms, and interpreting forage quality reports. All of the study materials are on-line to help you study. You have to answer all of the questions correctly to pass, but you can take it as many times as you like. The purpose is to serve as an instructional aid.
You can find this exam at http://www.foragetesting.org . It is a very educational exercise. (Edited from Hay Sampling Certification Exam by Dan Putnam and Steve Orloff, from the U. of California – Davis.) Mylen Bohle Presenters are Dr.’s Garry Lacefield, U. of Kentucky, Dan Undersander, U. of Wisconsin, Neal Martin, U.S. Dairy Research Forage Research Center USDA-ARS, and Glenn Shewmaker, U. of Idaho. There will be Certified Crop Spring Cereal Forage Varieties Advisor credits offered in the areas of crop management (8.5), soil and water (2), and integrated pest management There is information available on the comparison of (1). spring wheat, oat, barley, triticale, and rye varieties that have been tested under irrigated conditions at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center (COARC) at the Powell Butte site from 1990 to 1993. Many of the varieties tested are still available on the market. Late boot and soft dough yield, quality, and other agronomic information is available. (There is specific seeding rate, height, lodging, harvest day of year, protein, ADF, NDF, TDN, RFV, and nitrogen uptake data available for all of Tuition is $550 if registered by February 21,or $600 after the varieties.) Knowing the harvest date may help you February 21. Class size is limited. Cost includes match up your water needs. If you harvest earlier, you instructional materials, which will provide an outstanding may be able to avert drought for the crop. Planting the permanent reference source, all refreshment breaks, and right species and variety may save you an irrigation, or some meals. Make your reservations with Holiday Inn two, to put elsewhere, or allow you to harvest a needed Select International, Bloomington, MN at (952) 876-8650. forage crop for the coming year. Plant height information Room rates are $104 single plus tax until February 12. will help you plant the right variety based on your Make sure you mention the National Alfalfa Alliance irrigation system limitations. when making your reservations. Who should attend? Alfalfa producers, agronomists, district sales managers, certified crop advisors, seed sales persons, product managers, communications specialists, marketing managers, beef and dairy nutritionists, farm editors/broadcasters, Extension agents, co-op staff members, crop consultants, forage custom harvesters, and seed growers. For more information and to register, contact Matt Harris, National Alfalfa Alliance, 100 N. Fruitland, Ste. B, Kennewick, WA 99336, Phone # (509) 585-6798 or go to their website at www.alfalfa.org. (The National Alfalfa Alliance also has publications on the internet that you can view or order, including the Winter Survival, Fall dormancy, & Pest Resistance Ratings for Alfalfa Varieties (2005/2006 edition)). Mylen Bohle This information is located at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ coarc/index.php. Click on crop research and go to spring cereals for forage… Or if you do not have a computer linked to the internet, contact Mylen Bohle at 541-4476228. Mylen Bohle
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
Forage
Applying Nitrogen Fertilizer to Grass Hay and Pasture
A. Calculating Growing Degrees and T-Sum There is a better way to track the growing season than using calendar time. Thermal time is a better and more accurate way to track the growing season to determine when is the best time to apply N fertilizer to grass pastures and hay fields. This example, demonstrated in this newsletter, of using T-Sum (summing of temperature) to track the early spring growing season, is for pasture and hay, but could work for other crops as well, as long you know the base growth temperature (grass and alfalfa really have a base growth temperature of around 41 degrees, but 32 degree base temperature works better for T-Sum). The T-Sum is calculated by summing the daily average (add the daily maximum and minimum temperature in degrees F, divide by two (2) for the average) and subtract 32 degrees (base temperature for “grass”). If the average is less than 0, discard the number, if the number is positive, it is accumulated, from January 1st as a growing degree-day (GDD). Table 1 shows the dates of selected T-Sum’s for numerous sites, which represent sites that have incremental elevation differences. An example reason for using T-Sum: the earliest Madras has accumulated 360 GDD’s since 1988 (from other accumulated data) was Feb 12th (1991) and the latest was March 23rd (1993). That is a difference of 39 days in calendar time. Thermal time makes quite a difference in calendar time. One web site address you can track the thermal time is at: http://pnwpest.org/wea. On this page: under the “degree-day calculators” column, click on Oregon. On the next page, use 32 degrees F for lower threshold (for grass and cereals). Just below this box is another with “single sine” (methods of calculation box) and click on this box and use “simple average” for method of calculation. Do not scroll down the page as this will change the “method of calculation” box. Click, hold and drag the scroll bar down the page until you reach the site you want and then click on the year you want. Then click, hold, and drag the bar back to the top and click on the “calc button”. Next page up, click on “continue”, and the next page will reveal the cumulative and individual daily GDD data, as well as high and low daily temperature and daily precipitation. B. Pasture Fertilization Optimum timing for T-Sum (summing of temperature) nitrogen fertilization for earlier pasture growth was researched on-farm at 4 sites east of the Cascades and at 4 sites west of the Cascades. The preliminary results show that T-Sum 360 (degrees F) or thereabouts, is the optimum time to fertilize grass pastures in Central Oregon, you want earlier grass forage production. Local research was conducted in 1999 and 2000 at Madras and at Powell Butte, and earlier production of forage was achieved. If you fertilize based on T-Sum, you will increase earlier forage production, if that is a desired outcome. Around T-Sum 360 (360 gdd’s) is the time to fertilize your pastures. The best news is that you will help your fertilizer supplier (or you) spread out the workload over the spring, rather than waiting until irrigation water turns on. We also found that the total forage produced, was approximately the same between all application times, after two clippings. What is the down side? You may have to fertilize earlier with your second application. C. Hay Fertilization Different rates of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, and 150 lb/ac of N) were applied at four different times (target times of approximately 360, 540, 740, and 900 accumulated growing degrees), based on accumulated growing degrees, to 120 square foot plots, replicated four times, at the two sites. Harvest was accomplished with a 32-inch cutter bar width Jari-mower; the plots were clipped at approximately 3 inches height in 1999 and at 4 inches height in 2000. The yields are reported on a 10% moisture basis (dried at 149 degrees F till no change in weight and then adding back 10% moisture). The goal was to determine the optimum time to apply different nitrogen fertilizer rates in the spring to achieve optimum forage production at two different climatic sites in Central Oregon.
See Forage: Nitrogen Fertilizer, page 7
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
FORAGE: Nitrogen Fertilizer
The take home message for Central Oregon grass hay fields (based on two years of trials at two different sites each year): Optimum timing for Medium rates of N applied: does not appear to be as critical (?) based on these four timings, though there were differences between years and sites. Results were mixed (see Table 2). Optimum timing for High rates of N applied: seems to occur between 500 and 775 growing degrees (dates vary depending upon location) (see Table 2). Optimum timing for Very High rates of N applied, was at 726-775 growing degrees, for both years at Powell Butte and Madras in 1999; while Madras in 2000 the best timing was 350-500 growing degrees (because of the earliness of the harvest) (see Table 2). It was clear that waiting beyond 775 growing degrees, there was a definite reduction in yield for high and very high rates of N applied; for medium rates of N applied, that relationship was less clear. There did appear to be a frost effect on the tips of the grass leaves (burned back with more shriveling of the leaf tips) with the high, and very high rates of nitrogen applied at the earlier timings. We did not make any application early in the growing season (no applications were made in the Fall or at T-Sum 0 or 180). Both years the trials were run had comparatively dry weather in the late winter and early spring.
Table 2. T-Sum Nitrogen Application Effects on Grass Hay Yield (10% moisture) in Central Oregon. N Application Time Based On a Growing Degree Range (gd’s) Check 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 (324-353) (500-595) (726-775) (924-993) (324-353) (500-595) (726-775) (924-993) (324-353) (500-595) (726-775) (924-993) Powell Butte 1999 COST of N per ton (date applied) 1.35 2.15 (3/3) 1.84 (4/5) 1.99 (4/23) 1.87 (5/13) 1.94 (3/3) 2.19 (4/5) 2.15 (4/23) 1.85 (5/13) 2.35 (3/3) 2.49 (4/5) 2.70 (4/23) 2.22 (5/13) 6/17 Powell Butte 2000 Yield (t/ac) / (date applied) Madras 1999 Yield (t/ac) / (date applied) Madras 2000 Yield (t/ac) / (date applied)
N Rate (lb/ac) Low 0 Medium 50 50 50 50 High 100 100 100 100 Very High 150 150 150 150 Harvest Date
Average Yield (t/ac)
0.89 1.49 (3/17) 1.46 (4/6) 1.62 (4/18) 1.66 (4/25) 1.85 (3/17) 1.85 (4/6) 2.06 (4/18) 1.89 (4/25) 2.14 (3/17) 2.29 (4/6) 2.49 (4/18) 2.11 (5/13) 6/1
1.05 1.57 1.61 1.66 1.65 1.95 2.11 2.21 1.87 2.06 2.22 2.36 2.02 (2/20) (3/21) (4/12) (4/25) (2/20) (3/21) (4/12) (4/25) (2/20) (3/21) (4/12) (4/25)
0.62 1.20 1.25 1.17 1.07 1.69 1.79 1.61 1.27 1.99 2.05 1.69 1.37 (3/13) (3/27) (4/11) (4/21) (3/13) (3/27) (4/11) (4/21) (3/13) (3/27) (4/11) (4/21)
0.98 1.60 1.54 1.61 1.56 1.86 1.99 2.01 1.72 2.14 2.26 2.31 1.93
6/6
5/17
See Forage: Nitrogen Fertilizer, page 8
PAGE 8
VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
FORAGE: Nitrogen Fertilizer
Table 1. T-Sum dates for selected years for 180, 360, 540, 720, and 900 accumulated growing-degree days (GDD’s) from January 1st for Madras, Prineville, Powell Butte, Mitchell, Bend, and Xmas Valley. (gdd’s as of Feb. 4, 2007) Location/Elevation Madras (2340’) Year 2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007 2007 180 GDD’s Feb 4 Jan 23 115 Feb 1 Jan 31 113 69 360 GDD’s Mar 7 Feb 26 540 GDD’s Mar 19 Mar 25 720 GDD’s Apr 6 Apr 9 900 GDD’s Apr 22 Apr 23
Prineville 4 NW (2840’) (PRIO 3 COOP) John Day (3063’) Redmond (3077’)
Mar 6 Mar 14
Mar 19 Apr 3
Apr 7 Apr 17
Apr 23 Apr 30
2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007 2005 2006 2007 2007
Feb 2 Jan 31 110 Jan 30 Feb 3 131 Jan 27 Jan 29 124 Jan 31 Feb 4 126 Jan 30 Feb 9 152 Feb 2 Feb 8 125 90
Mar 7 Mar 16
Mar 26 Apr 6
Apr 9 Apr 21
Apr 25 May 3
Powell Butte (3180’)
Mar 5 Mar 17
Mar 19 Apr 7
Apr 9 Apr 22
Apr 25 May 5
Mitchell (3320’)
Feb 27 Mar 5
Mar 10 Apr 2
Mar 27 Apr 15
Apr 15 May 1
Bend 7 (7NE OR) (3358’)
Mar 5 Mar 23
Mar 17 Apr 11
Apr 7 Apr 26
Apr 25 May 7
Bend (CW4520 OR) (3600’)
Mar 3 Mar 28
Mar 14 Apr 13
Apr 5 Apr 27
Apr 23 May 8
Bend (Agrimet) (3650’)
Mar 7 Mar 27
Mar 24 Apr 13
Apr 15 Apr 27
Apr 28 May 7
Shaniko (ODT34) (3340’) Paulina (3688’) Klamath Falls (Agri) 4100’) Burns (4170’)
2007
49
2007
28
2005 2006 2007 2007
Mar 11 19 40
Apr 6
Apr 25
May 4
May 14
LaPine (4275’) Christmas Valley (4360’)
2005 2006 2007
Mar 5 Mar 22 46
Mar 28 Apr 13
Apr 23 May 1
May 4 May 12
May 15 May 18
Fort Rock (Agri) (4430’)
2005 2006 2007 2007
Feb 27 54 19
Mar 17
Apr 14
Apr 29
May 10
Lakeview (4770’)
Mylen Bohle
PAGE 9
VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
Cereals
2005/2006 Spring Wheat Trial Results
The 2005 and 2006 spring wheat trial results are available at: http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/wheat/. Previous years yield trial data are available at: http://cropandsoilscience.edu/cereals/. Mylen Bohle
Fertilizing Wheat
As Spring approaches, the planting of wheat will begin shortly. Fertilizer applications needed for both winter and spring wheat are fast approaching as well. Research, on-farm, and on-station at the COARC, has shown that hard red spring wheat (HRSW) nitrogen needs are a minimum of 320 lb of N per acre (soil N + fertilizer N). Soft white spring wheat nitrogen needs are just a little more than half of that amount. In general, HRSW takes 2.8-3.0 lb of N to produce a bushel with 14% protein. Soft white spring wheat yield probably tops out at 1.5-1.7 lb of N per bushel. With soft white wheat, low protein is the product sought. With on-station variety trial research over the years, the winter wheat/triticale grain trials have been managed for 200 lb of N per acre and spring soft white wheat/triticale trials have been managed for 160-180 lb of N per acre (soil N + applied N), for optimum yield (not optimum protein for HRSW) and also if greater than those rates of N were applied, we found that lodging increased. Over the years, producers and fieldmen most probably will find that each field has its own yield potential, and needs to be managed accordingly. Local research in Central Oregon has also shown that nitrogen fertilizer needs to be applied by 1st visible node. If application is made after that, your yield potential will decrease. HRSW needs 70 percent of the nitrogen requirement to be applied at planting, with the rest (30 percent) applied no later than boot stage. It is/may also be good insurance to apply 20-40 lbs. N per acre around heading. Nitrogen applied at this late growth stage increases protein only. Table. Nitrogen rate response of six HRSW and one SWSW varieties at the COARC Madras, Oregon in 2000. Treatment # N Applied (Total N Available) (lb/ac) 1. 135 (188) 2. 215 (268) 3. 295 (348) N Use Eff. of Total N Avail. (%) 75.8 62.5 52.7
Yield (bu/ac) 132 133 130
Protein (%) 10.8 12.4 13.9
Test Wt. (lb/bu) 63.8 63.6 62.7
Grain N Uptake (lb/ac) 150 174 189
Lb of N Per bu. (lb/bu) 1.5 2.1 2.8
N Cost Applied ($) 67.50 107.50 147.50
N Cost per bu ($/bu). 0.51 0.80 1.13
N cost is figured at $0.50 per lb. One would also need to add an application cost. The N for treatments #1 was applied on April 1, and treatments #2 and #3, N was broadcast applied on April 19th and irrigated. There is more in depth data published in the 2000 COARC Annual report. To raise HRSW vs SWSW, the additional nitrogen cost will be approximately another $75-$95 an acre, over and above the cost of raising SWSW. When protein is 10.5%, we think we have achieved maximum yield. It appears that we would need approximately an extra $0.65/bu to raise HRSW to break even, compared to growing SWSW. If we have a severe stripe rust infestation as we did in 2005, than HRSW varieties will need multiple applications of a fungicide. The SWSW varieties have not been hit by stripe rust nearly as severely as the HRSW varieties, but they still have needed at least one fungicide application. But who knows what the year will bring us. (Research was done locally by Peter Sexton, Rhonda Bafus, Neil Christensen, Russ Karow, John Bassinette, and Mylen Bohle) Mylen Bohle
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
Alternative Marketing
Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Conference Farmer-Chef Connection Conference
The 7th Annual Farmer Chef Connection Conference will be held on March 5, 2007 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds in Canby, OR. The conference focuses on restoring connections between those who grow food and those who prepare or present food. Farmers and ranchers join forces with restaurant chefs, grocery retailers, specialty food store owners, food service operators, institutional buyers, and distributors to cultivate partnerships. Over 500 participants attended last year; the previous year attendance was 225 – a growing event. Eating at the conference is a big thing! Local chefs will prepare just harvested, locally-grown, fresh produce into a buffet. The event is akin to “Speed Dating”. Farmers and Ranchers will line up on one side of the room and all of the food buyers will line up on the opposite side of the room. The individuals will come together, with individuals picking someone they have not previously met, to talk about potential business relationships they may strike up. After 8 minutes of “dating”, the individuals rotate and pair up for meeting and greeting the next group; and it continues to repeat itself. It is a chance to network, meet new potential business partners, and reach agreements that can lead to the beginnings of a business relationship.
The 7thh Annual Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Conference will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2007 on the OSU Campus at the LaSells Stewart Center, Corvallis. Keynote speaker is Dr. Marion Nestle, who will talk about “What to Eat: Personal Responsibility vs. Social Responsibility.” The cap-note speaker, Lucy Norris, will talk about “Five Things You Should Know About Your Customer” Concurrent Sessions will include: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Novel Crops for Niche Marketing Farm to Cafeteria: How Small Farms Can Sell to Big Institutions Conversation with Marion Nestle Farmer’s Markets: Finding Your Best Fit Organizing Community Support for Local Agriculture
Workshops will include: • Certification; Claims, Verification, and Multiple ♦ Women and Small Farms: Exploring an Oregon Truths Women’s Agriculture Network • Farmer Chef 101: Getting Started with Farm-Direct ♦ Soil Fertility Management Purchasing ♦ Explore Diverse Direct Marketing Opportunities • Farmer Chef 201: The Art of the Deal: collaboration, ♦ Debit and Food Stamp Electronic Program: What Contracts… You Should Know • Farm Bill: In-Depth Discussion with conference key note speaker, Daniel Imhoff (wrote Citizens Guide Pre-Registration is $30 per person or $50 for two people to the Farm Bill) from the same farm or business ($40 per person at the • Local Meat: Exploring the “Values” Chain door). Fees cover lunch and two publications (2007 Farming Source Handbook and Certification and • Food Processing: Add Value and Extend the Season. Labeling Considerations for Ag Producers). Pre• Mechanics of Institutional Purchasing: Schools and th registration is due by Thursday, February 8 . Make hospitals checks payable to ARF and send to FDM Conference, th OSU Benton County Extension Service, 1849 NW 9 St., • Pork Butchering Demonstration Corvallis, OR 97330. For more details on the This event is sponsored by Eco-Trust and Chefs conference, go to Collaborative Portland Chapter. Registration is $20 (by http://www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org . February 21st) and includes a copy of the “2007 Guide to Questions? Call the Benton County Extension Service at Local and Seasonal Products”. For more information call (541) 766-6750 503-467-0800, or visit the website at http:// Mylen Bohle www.farmerchefconnection.org or email dsohm@ecotrust.org. Mylen Bohle
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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 2
Alternative Marketing
North American Farmers’ Farm Local Farmers Markets Offer Opportunities Direct Marketing Convention
The North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Convention “Grow West” theme will be held February 12-17 at Calagary, Alberta, Canada. The bus tour is from the 12th – 14th, with all day workshops on the 15th, and the convention happening from the 16th 17th. The tour options ($545-CAD) on the 12-13th include: • Grow the Experience • Grow the Sale • Grow the Value This coming summer, there will be four (4) Farmers Markets operating in the central Oregon area. Bend has had a farmers market for years and has grown to 35-45 vendors depending upon the week, and has expanded into two markets - Drake Park on Wednesday afternoon, and at St. Charles Hospital on Friday afternoon. Madras will be in their third year, but has switched their market day to Friday afternoon. Prineville Farmers market will again be held on Saturday morning, in the City County Plaza. Redmond will be in their third year.
There is more and more interest and demand by the urban population to buy their organic and traditionally Thursday, February 15th there will be concurrent produced vegetables, fruit, berries, meat (goat, lamb, workshops (costing either $175 or $300 CAD): beef, pork, etc.) honey, cheese, jams and jellies, baked 1. Staging Engaging Retail Experience (by the author of goods, cooking oils (canola, safflower, sunflower), fresh cut and dried flowers, fresh and dried herbs, free range The Experience Economy: Work is Theatre and chicken eggs, plants, etc., from local producers. For the Every Business A Stage.) 2. Educational Programming for People of All Ages (at producers, this offers an opportunity to do some Farm Direct Marketing, selling for retail prices, instead of the Calgary Zoo). having to be a price taker, and sell for wholesale prices. 3. Advanced Event Planning: Best Management People seem to like the idea that they know exactly Practices where there food was grown, and that it is fresh, and 4. Innovative Marketing Made EASY safe. 5. Pricing for Profit, Margins, and Controls. 6. How to Package and Market Irresistible Agritourism There is still lots room for numerous producers to Experiences participate in these farmers markets. This may be an 7. The New Classic: Creating an Upscale Urban opportunity to expand your farm or ranch in another Farmers’ Market with Down-Home Country direction; or it may be an opportunity to start a small Chutzpuh agricultural operation in the area (starting even a small to moderate sized farm and ranch, is becoming more and On Friday and Saturday the 16th-17th, the more difficult). But, if you have thought about pursuing convention will run with concurrent sessions with your dream, you will have numerous opportunities to multiple topics within each of these sessions (the participate in local markets. As cost of transportation convention fee is $275 for members and $340 for nonincreases, these local markets will/may become more members CAD): and more important to communities. 1. Advanced Learning The Farmers Markets are charging a membership fee 2. Professional Development and weekly vendor space fee. The Farmers Markets are 3. Agritourism operating from around mid-May to mid-October, 4. On-Farm and Ranch Retail depending on the market. 5. Farmers’ Market Mylen Bohle The convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Calgary. (1-(800) 233-1234 or visit www.calagary.hyatt.com. Special NAFDMA rates are Oregon Farmers Market Association $129 (Canadian). To register and or for more details on Annual Meeting the convention and the association go to www.nafdma.com/alberta. Membership dues are $150 The Annual Meeting of the Oregon Farmers Market annually. You will probably need a passport to cross the Association will held on February 16th in Corvallis, border. You must pre-register, on-site registration will Oregon at the Benton Public Library from 10:00 am— not be available. 5:00 pm. More information is available at: Mylen Bohle http://www.oregonfarmersmarkets.org/ . Please RSVP to ofma@att.net or you may call 503-233-8425. Mylen Bohle
Sage Grouse & Sagebrush Symposium
The 36th Annual Pacific Northwest Range Management Symposium, Sage Grouse & Sagebrush Steppe: Biology, Ecology, & Management Implications will be held March 20-21, 2007 at the Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum in Ontario Oregon. In this symposium, we will present state-of-knowledge information that land managers need to consider concerning sage grouse life cycle needs and habitat requirements. We will provide the context of the sagebrush biome and what we know of its history, location, size, plant communities, and dynamics related to climate, fire, grazing, etc. Issues of scale will be discussed related to habitat needs and to monitoring. We will discuss current Western Association of Federal Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) guidelines and the BLM and NRCS programs related to the guidelines. We will discuss key management questions that should be addressed, recent and current research that is attempting to address those questions, and what appear to be important knowledge gaps that should be considered for research funding. At the conclusion of the symposium, the audience will have an opportunity to pose questions to the speakers and to generate a discussion of the topics of greatest interest. Meeting and hotel information is available at the Crook County Extension Office, 498 SE Lynn Blvd, Prineville. Early Registration (postmarked by Feb. 28): $130. Registration (postmarked after Feb. 28): $160. Mail Registration to: Connie Thompson, 202 Strand Hall, OSU Rangeland, Corvallis, OR 97331; (541)737-1619. Mike Borman
Calendar
February 9 Central Oregon Pesticide Short Course, Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Redmond 15-16 High Desert Green Industry Conference. Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Redmond. 16 Oregon Farmers Market Association Annual Meeting. Corvallis (see article) 17 Oregon Farm Direct Marketing Conference. OSU Campus, Corvallis (see article) March 5 Farmer- Chef Connection Conference. Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Canby (see article) 6-8 Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar. Beginners and Advanced Sessions, Bloomington, MN (see article) 12-17 North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference. Calgary, Alberta (see article) April 14 Living On A Few Acres Idea Fair. Deschutes County Fairgrounds, Redmond
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