Winter is an excellent time to reflect on pasture management and devise an action plan for the coming season. Whether you want to improve your pastures or maintain their quality, there are multiple steps to take throughout the year to ensure that forage growth is sufficient for your operation.
A few pasture improvements can take place in the winter. Frost seeding can be a good option for fields grazed heavily or mowed towards the end of the growing season. Small seeded legumes such as clover or birdsfoot trefoil are good candidates for frost seeding. The winter patterns of soil thawing and freezing creates nooks and crannies on the soil surface that can be infiltrated by dropped seed; over time this action works seed down into the soil. Seed to soil contact is critical and can be increased with the use of a drag chain or very light disking when needed. Grass seeds tend to be very light and often include a structure called an awn (a small bristle), both qualities generally make grass a poor candidate for frost seeding.
We have had a relatively mild winter thus far in Franklin county and the warmer temperatures have been conducive to winter soil testing; soil testing can be accomplished any time that the ground is not frozen. It is recommended that producers soil test at least once every three years. Testing kits are available at the Penn State Extension Office in Franklin County, and each contains instructions for taking representative samples from each pasture. Your soil test will return recommendations for liming and fertility considerations for the upcoming growing season. Proper soil pH and fertility will maximize desirable growth and minimize competition from weed species.
Liming soil can also be accomplished in the winter. Frozen ground can help minimize compaction from equipment; however, you will want to avoid spreading lime on pastures that may be heavily impacted by winter rains or snow melts. Primarily, these are sloping fields. The cycle of freezing and thawing that assist us with frost seeding also helps us incorporate lime into our pasture systems. Take care to ensure that limestone is spread evenly, as some dumped piles can freeze and cause uneven spreading. Consider that limestone slowly changes the pH of our soils over time so be sure to plan ahead to maintain regular liming if needed.
Other pasture management tactics, particularly renovation or reestablishment, can take multiple years of effort to accomplish and maintain. During winter, we recommend pulling up a map of your property and considering any notes from the previous growing season. Are there any changes that can make your system more efficient?
Decide upon projects for the upcoming year and price out potential expenses. Source materials for reseeding, weed management, and any changes to fencing systems. Contact local experts and agencies for technical assistance with pasture design and engineering projects. Your local Extension educators are happy to take any questions related to pasture production. Interested parties can learn more at an upcoming Pasture Workshop to be held at 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202 from 10 AM to 2:30 PM on April 1, 2020. This event is free and includes a hot lunch. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 1-877-345-0691 or online at https://extension.psu.edu/pasture-workshops.
– Franklin County Beekeepers Association Winter Meeting – Thursday, Feb. 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m. – Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. The featured speaker will be Mr. Craig Cella of Loganton, PA. Mr. Cella was a Pennsylvania State Bee inspector in Franklin County for many years and now continues to make a living with his bees and honey. Mr. Cella will share tips and insights from the methods he developed for keeping bees over the winter, treating and queen rearing. For directions, please contact the Penn State Extension office at 717-263-9226. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.fcbapa.com.
– Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Training – Feb. 19 – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Cumberland Valley Produce Auction, 101 Springfield Road, Shippensburg, PA. At least one supervisor from every produce farm with annual sales over $250,000 is required to attend a Grower Training Course. To register, please visit: https://extension.psu.edu/fsma-grower-training and choose the appropriate location or call 1-877-345-0691. The cost is $25 per participant, and registration is required. For more information, please contact the Penn State Extension office in Franklin County at 717-263-9226.
– Manure Management Workshop – Feb. 21, – 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg (lower level). The Franklin County Conservation District is offering this free workshop to assist farmers in creating their mandatory manure management plans. Lunch is free, but pre-registration is required by February 14. To register, please contact the Franklin County Conservation District at 717-264-5499.
– Private Pesticide Applicator Shortcourse – Two-Day Series – Feb. 24 and 26 – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm lane, Chambersburg (lower level facing the stream). This course will prepare attendees for the PA Department of Ag private pesticide certification exam by reviewing and highlighting key material in the Pesticide Core and Supplemental manual. Order your training packets in advance. Fee is $40 and includes lunch for both days. To register, please call 877-345-0691 or register online at extension.psu.edu/private-pesticide-applicator-short-course. Other questions may be directed to the Penn State Extension office in Franklin County at 717-263-9226.
