NEWS YOU CAN USE ~ SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
A monthly collection of recent news, upcoming events, and articles of interest
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PA No-Till Alliance to Sponsor Soil Health Academy Workshop
The PA No-Till Alliance, in cooperation with the Stroud Water Research Center, are excited to be major sponsor of a Soil Health Workshop conducted by the nationally known Soil Health Academy. Hosted by Alliance board member Jim Harbach, the workshop will be an intensive day-long program focused on the practical application of the principles of soil health and regenerative stewardship to progressive dairy operations. While the emphasis will be on dairy operations, any producer that wants to know more about “how do I get there from here” will learn what can be done, what it might cost, how long it may take, and what it could look like along the way.
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And the Best Part? – a 70% Reduction in Cost to Alliance Members
Because of the sponsorship funds provided by the Alliance and Stroud Water Research Center the normal $500.00 tuition will be reduced by 70% to only $150.00. First-come, first served, while spots remain open. To take advantage of this opportunity go to the Academy registration page and use coupon code PA-NTA
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Details of the Workshop:
October 26, 2021 | Loganton, PA
Farm Host: Schrack Farm, Jim Harbach and Family
School Location: The Sportsman Club, 55 South Sportsman Rd, Loganton, PA 17751
Who Should Attend?
- Anyone wanting to transform their dairy into a highly efficient and profitable business and transform their quality of life. You will learn how to build soil, animal, and economic health through a combination of classroom and field exercises. The school will tackle the biggest issues facing dairy producers, from herd health and reproduction, to crop and cover crop success, to waste management and fertility, to economics and building true net wealth. Hands-on experience will be heavily emphasized.
- Dairy producers of all sizes and types. Milk production is a fast-paced, highly demanding profession and dairy producers have the skill and revenue to accomplish great things. We hope to broaden your perspective on using your expertise and advantages with practical tools that increase your options, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen your resilience.
- Any producer that wants to know more about the “how do I get there from here”. Learn what can be done, what it might cost, how long it may take, and what it could look like along the way.
This is a power-packed session that will be backed up by future sessions and will change your perspective on what dairying should be and can be. Taught by highly experienced and expert regenerative farmers and dairy producers.
What You Will Learn
- Practical Application of The Principles of Soil Health & Adaptive Stewardship
- Cropping & Cover Cropping Strategies for Building Soil Health and Nutrient Dense Feedstuffs
- Making Dairying Highly Profitable & Highly Enjoyable
- High Level Observation and Decision-Making Skills
- Improving Cow Health and Performance While Reducing Inputs
- Strategies for Enhanced Net Margins
- The Practical Implications of Improved Soil Health, Including Mitigating Effects of Wet or Dry Conditions, Increased Harvest Windows, and Improved Animal Performance.
Topics Addressed
- Cropping rotations for soil health
- Strategies for significant input cost reduction
- Integrating livestock into cropping systems
- Grazing alternative forages (heifers, dry cows) - crop residue, cover crops
- Maintaining cow comfort while using the herd to advance soil health
- Manure and fertility management – Avoiding issues and effective application
- Soil health evaluation
- Building and maintaining cow health and optimal performance
- Addressing resource concerns
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PA No-Till Alliance Active at AG Progress Days
With Ag Progress Days once again “live” in August the Alliance added two new elements to the opportunities typically available at our tent. With the assistance of Associate Director Lisa Blazure, a video of Alliance members applying no-till and cover crop practices on their farms was projected on a screen as a continuous video “loop.” This proved to be a good conversation starter for interested visitors.
Also, the Alliance partnered with Bill Chain of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to have live demonstrations of the rainfall simulator twice on each day of the 3-day event. As always, this demonstration created considerable interest and discussion.
As in most recent years the Alliance also cooperated with Penn State Extension in doing a planting green demonstration each day. In addition, director Leroy Bupp’s ever-growing fleet of homemade wooden toy farm equipment carrying the no-till message was a hit with youngsters attending.
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The rainfall simulator attracted a crowd twice each day. |
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Attendees watch as planting into green cover is demonstrated. |
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Attendees were able to observe seed placement after planting green. |
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Leroy Bupp’s wooden no-till toys are always a hit with the young crowd. |
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Penn State Extension to Sponsor Field Crops Clinic on September 21
On Tuesday, September 21 (9:00 AM – 3:30 PM) Penn State Extension will sponsor a Field Crop Clinic at the Penn State Southeast Agricultural Research Center, 1446 Auction Road Manheim, PA 17545. This event will showcase Penn State research and educational field plots designed to train farmers, crop advisors, and industry professionals in recognizing and solving common production issues.
This event contains elements from the annual “Farming for Success" and “Agronomic Field Diagnostic Clinic" field days usually held earlier in the summer.
A sample of tour stops includes:
- burcucumber management in corn and soybeans
- identification and control of agronomic insects and diseases
- in-furrow fungicide trials
- several PA soybean board sponsored research projects
- a soil compaction clinic
- and much more!
Attendees will receive:
- 4 Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits
- 1.0 PA Nutrient Management points
- 2.0 Category PA Pesticide Credits
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Thank You Alliance Sponsors |
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Gold Sponsors
Lancaster Farming
MM Weaver and Sons
Stroud Water Research Center
Silver Sponsors
AgChoice and Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit
Corteva Agriscience
DuPont Pioneer
Gro-Mor Plant Food, Inc.
Melvin Weaver & Sons
Bronze Sponsors
American Dairy Association North East
Bayer CropScience
Fulton Bank
GROWMARK FS
Hostetter Grain, Inc.
King's AgriSeeds
PA Grain Processing, LLC
TIMAC USA
Univest Financial Corporation
Sponsor
Bernard C. Morrissey Insurance, Inc.
Bottom Line Ag Supply
Rosetree Consulting
The Mill
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Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance
2215 Forest Hills Drive, Suite 39, Harrisburg, PA 17112
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