To Scout For Allium Leafminer

On May 23, 2018

Leaf symptoms of adult allium leafminer activity were observed on chives, garlic and wild garlic in a home garden in the Leola area of SE Pennsylvania on April 13. Based on the amount of observed damage, the population is estimated to be minimal but this indicates that the first adults of the spring generation have now emerged. No evidence of allium leafminer adults was found in a nearby commercial allium planting or during scouting at the Penn State Research Center in Manheim further indicating that we are at the very start of spring emergence. Growers unfamiliar with this pest can get more information at: http://ento.psu.edu/extension/vegetables/pest-alert-allium-leafminer.

Any allium crop is at risk for damage or loss from this insect; growers should begin scouting now to determine the need for control measures. Consult the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations for labeled insecticides to control allium leafminer. Any producer planning to use row covers to protect their crop should scout, apply any necessary insecticide, and cover their crops immediately. Grower experience has shown that timely insecticide applications will minimize damage from this pest while unprotected fields have resulted in significant or total crop loss. Weekly updates on allium leafminer can be heard by calling 1-800-PENNIPM (1-800-736-6476) from a touchtone phone and selecting the allium leafminer update (#8). This report will be updated weekly during the spring and fall flights.

To Market Your Hay

Almost always, when talking to other hay producers across the state, the price of hay comes up as one of the first topics of conversation. We immediately turn our attention to the current price of hay at local auctions as the barometer. Using this past winter as an example, the conversation hasn’t been pretty with respect to hay price. Many factors will contribute to the arrived price of hay, including: quantity and quality of hay coming into the market, size of bales, animal numbers in a certain geographical area, financial ability of buyer to pay, and many others. Some growers say they are going to sell “just enough” so that they can get this year’s crop into the barn and leave the rest in the barn for later sale. If carry-over stocks are higher than average, you as a hay producer may need to differentiate yourself from your neighbor. This may allow you to receive a higher price for your hay. Extension Agronomist Dwane Miller explains he grew up on a farm where they raised vegetables and traveled to farmer’s markets to sell their produce. He believes marketing hay is very much like marketing vegetables; you need to set yourself apart from other competition. Yes, taking the hay to the auction may be the easiest way to SELL your hay….but maybe you have to begin to MARKET your hay.

In order to capitalize on price, you must begin to develop a relationship with potential buyers. Would you entertain giving someone a bale or two of hay in order to see if they “like” what you have? When selling hay privately, there should be no surprises. If the customer hasn’t seen the same hay in previous loads, they are offered the opportunity to get a sample to try first. What criteria do your customers use to purchase their hay? If you know which animal(s) they are trying to feed, you may be able to help them select a variety or cutting that matches their needs. We all buy our concentrate feeds based on the nutritional value on that feed tag; but yet many hay buyers purchase based on color, smell, absence of weeds, etc. In some cases, if you can develop a long-term relationship, having your forage analyzed for nutritional content may be a worthwhile option.

If you’re marketing small square bales of hay, do you offer delivery? When you unload, do you have help that you are willing to provide in the barn or is your sole responsibility to get it off the truck? Sometimes, a producer will offer a discount for certain things like picking hay up at the farm, large quantities, pre-paid sales and more.

If we develop a relationship with customers, many times we know if the hay we are baling is already sold before it leaves the field….what could be a better feeling on that hot August day? In some cases, we may be able to market that hay to the customer directly out of the field. This is advantageous because it eliminates the cost of unloading, storing the hay in your barn, and then reloading at a later date. If not, we can store the hay in our barn, knowing it is already sold and will be taken sometime over the winter months. Being upfront with customers who would like to pre-purchase hay can be very appealing. Just ensure you have an ample supply to meet their needs until next year’s crop is harvested.

Finally, ensure you take time to follow up with customers. After you deliver the hay, ask them if they are satisfied with the product. You also need to be upfront with your expectations for what will occur if your hay doesn’t meet their standards. Will you replace unacceptable bales, or refund the purchase price? Is there a timeframe for which they have to bring concerns to you? Finally, if you’ve marketed the hay through the auction, and you have more of the same hay, ask them if they would be interested in more. Start cultivating that relationship with them; you may have a potential long-term customer in the future!

For more information on hay marketing, check out this factsheet from Les Vough in Maryland: https://psla.umd.edu/sites/psla.umd.edu/files/_images/uploaded/Extension/MD_Forages/Other_Pubs/Developing_a_Hay_Marketing_Strategy.pdf

To Repair Winter Damage To Horse Pastures

The 2017-2018 winter was tough on pastures. If your horses weren’t on a dry lot, your pastures will likely need some renovation this spring. Many horse farm owners are looking with dismay at the damage that their horses inflicted on their pastures if they were turned out during this challenging winter season. Fluctuating temperatures, frequent freezing and thawing, and above average moisture has produced muddy conditions and extensive damage to the pasture forages. Development of properly designed heavy use areas (animal concentration areas / sacrifice lots) with a good base for drainage and screenings for surface materials can be used to protect pastures during adverse weather conditions.

If you are not fortunate enough to have ACAs on your farm and had to turn horses out on pastures, you are most likely going to have to reseed and repair damage to your pastures. The fact sheet Basic Pasture Management for The Equine Owner: https://extension.psu.edu/basic-pasture-management-for-the-equine-owner provides tips you can use to successfully maintain and improve your pasture quality.

To Learn About Starting A Small Farm Business

Have you ever thought of starting your own small farm or agricultural business? Maybe you’ve envisioned taking up a second career or a lifestyle or hobby-farming venture or cut flower business to the next level? The aim of this short course is to help you learn what it takes to start and manage the farm you envision as more than a dream, as an agricultural business, and help you navigate the process of starting a small farming operation.

This three-evening adult education short course is geared for the exploratory discovery-based learner. In this course, educators at Penn State Extension along with guest speakers from local and established farms, USDA services and agricultural banking/lending will lead you on a journey to explore, organize and evaluate many of the exciting and unique steps necessary to launch a successful agricultural farming business.

Exploring the Small Farm Dream is a three-evening course series for anyone interested in starting a farm, urban farm, small scale agricultural business or other agricultural endeavors.

The courses will be held May 10, 17 and 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Penn State Extension, Northampton County office (Greystone Building), 14 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064.

The costs are $125 per person or $200 for two farm business partners, which includes course books, materials and light refreshments. To register, go to https://extension.psu.edu/exploring-the-small-farm-dream or call Penn State Extension Customer Service Team at 877-345-0691.

Quote Of The Week: “.“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison