ISU Extension
IA State Univ.
IA Dept. of Ag
IA DNR

December 2002

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In this issue
Invitation to Discuss the Future of ISU Extension
Manure Management Update
Buffer pH, What is it?
High Swine Turnover Rates
Ethanol Co-Products
Sign Up for Wool Deficiency

Invitation to Discuss the Future of ISU Extension
Peggy Haafke, NW Area ISU Extension Director

As the priorities of Iowa’s citizens and communities evolve and the funding base for carrying out ISU Extension’s mission changes, Extension must appropriately allocate resources in each program area and make adjustments to our organizational focus.  The development of a strategic positioning plan will provide Extension with a guide for adapting to both recent and future changes.   

The ISU Extension Futuring Committee has been asked to undertake an assessment of the current environment, develop the strategic positioning plan, and establish priorities based on the assessment and consistent with the plan and Extension’s mission.   

To develop this plan, the Futuring Committee is seeking input from Extension staff, stakeholders, and customers.  You are being asked to share your views on:

• the current efforts of Extension,

• the needs of customers/clients,

• potential or new customers/clients and their educational needs, and

• where resources should be targeted to best meet the needs of customers/clients.

The timeline is very short for your input.  You must respond before December 13, 2002.  Response is easy.  Type into your computer’s browser this address: http://enterprisemidamerica.com/ISUEfuturing.html  From this home page you can read all about the Futuring committee.  Your response should be submitted through the “Feedback” button.  We do want your input.  Thanks.

Manure Management Update
Kris Kohl, ISUE Field Specialist

Issues related to livestock manure continue to emerge at a quickened pace.  While there is a chance for public input, the time is short.

The Federal EPA will come out with their recommendations on December 15, 2002.  This information will control concentrated animal feeding operations.   While it will deal with both confinement and open lots, the major concern will be changes for open feedlot cattle.  The final time to make public comments will be short.

By March 1, 2003, the DNR will have the new guidelines to write phosphorus manure management plans.  They will go into effect for new facilities and phased in for older units.  There will be a comment period for this when the first draft of the proposed rules are released.

Manure management plans will need to be submitted annually starting March 1.  For most individuals without changes there will be a simple procedure.  We will update producers on the new regulations at the manure re-certification meetings in January and February.

For those who missed a Confinement Site Continuing Education Class in the last three years, you will be required to pass an exam.  The exams will be given on January 16 and 21 at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm in the North Grand Mall in Spencer.  I am planning an exam preparation class in Spencer on January 16 and 21 at 10:00 am.  There will be a $15 registration fee for the class.  Call the Clay County Extension Office at 712-262-2264 for details.

Buffer pH…What is it?
by Todd Vagts, ISU Extension Crops Field Specialist

Fall and winter is often the time when soil sampling occurs and fertility decisions must be made.  Soil testing can give a large volume of information about the soil being tested, one of those parameters being soil pH. 

Soil pH is an indication of the acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured in pH units.  We most often refer to soil pH in terms of its “active” acidity, which is the acidity that the plant root is exposed to in the soil and is the acidity that we try to change when we add lime. 

Yet the soil test will also give another important soil pH value called the buffer pH, also called the reserve or stored acidity.  Soils with a higher percentage of clay and organic matter can store acidity and therefore have a greater ability to resist pH changes.  Ultimately, the buffer pH will give an indication of how much lime will need to be applied to correct pH problems.

Soils that have an “active” acidity pH value of 5.8 or below typically are tested for their buffer pH.  The buffer pH is measured with a weak base that starts out at pH 8.00.  The more the solution decreases from pH 8.00, the more stored acidity the soil has.   In other words, two different soils may have the same active acidity pH but may require different amounts of lime to change the pH to desired levels. 

As an example, a sandy and a clay soil have a pH value of 5.5 (active acidity).  Yet the buffer pH value of the sandy soil could be 7.80 while the buffer pH value of the soil with clay could be 7.30. Since the sandy soil has decreased the buffer solution pH value of 8.00 less than the clay soil (7.80 vs. 7.30), the sandy soil will get a lower lime recommendation since it has a smaller amount of stored acidity. 

For more information on soil pH, soil fertility and soil sampling, call your local extension office or refer to these web sites:

• Soil Sampling:  http://www.agron.iastate.edu/soiltesting/

• Crop nutrient recommendations for Iowa:  http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/fert/

• ISUE soil fertility pubs:  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/so.htm

Information source:  http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/bobweb/BOBWEB8.HTM

High Swine Turnover Rates
by Dave Stender, ISUE Swine Field Specialist

High replacement rates of females in the swine breeding herd takes a toll on productivity and profit. Nutrition, management, death loss, lameness and genetic type all play a part in keeping the sow in the herd at a high level of productivity.

Producers need to consider how gilts are developed and how that relates to longevity in the herd.

Michigan State University Extension Swine Specialist Dale Rozeboom, has conducted extensive research on energy and fiber levels in the developing gilt diet and how that affects longevity in the herd.

Iowa State University Assistant Professor of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Dr. John Carr, has widespread experience in the UK and US on causes of sow mortality and management tips to help reduce sow mortality.

Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center Dr. John Mabry, has worked with research and producer farms studying management interactions with various genetic types of sows and the impacts on longevity, replacement rates and productivity.

On December 18 these three experts and more will be in northwest Iowa for an all-day Swine Breeding Herd Management Seminar.  The seminar will be held in Building C, Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon. The $25 registration fee includes lunch and materials. 

Contact Terry Janssen, O'Brien County Extension Director at (712) 757-5045 or email tjans@iastate.edu to register. Pre-registration is required to insure meals and materials for everyone.

Ethanol Co-Products
by Beth Ellen Doran, ISUE Beef Field Specialist

Area Meeting: Beef and swine producers are invited to attend a special meeting featuring Feeding Ethanol Co-Products to Beef and Dried Distillers Grains to Swine.  The program will be December 17, 1-4 p.m., at Western Iowa Tech Community College at Cherokee. 

Dr. Jerry Shurson, animal science professor at the University of Minnesota, will discuss the feeding value of "new generation" dried distillers grains (DDGS) for swine.  In his research, he noted that inclusion of DDGS in swine finishing diets can reduce the incidence of ileitis, an intestinal inflammation, and improve pig health.  Dr. Shurson will explain nutritional formulation and feeding management of diets containing DDGS.

Dr. Allen Trenkle, distinguished professor of animal science at Iowa State University, noted in previous trials that wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) fed to beef had an energy value greater than corn.  From his studies, the energy value for WDGS was estimated to be 125% the value of corn.  Currently, Allen is researching the feeding of corn co-products to Holstein steers at the ISU Ruminant Nutrition Farm near Ames and will present new research with co-products. 

Dr. Dan Loy, Extension feedlot specialist at Iowa State University, will discuss designing beef rations with co-products, emphasizing not only the potential nutritional and economical advantages, but also discussing when it might be advantageous to use a particular co-product in a certain kind of beef ration.

Dr. Kent Tjardes, Extension feedlot specialist at South Dakota State University, has just completed one year of research looking at various methods - open piles and silage bags - and the use of preservatives in storing corn co-products.  He will discuss volume and nutritional changes during storage.

Dr. Wendy Powers, assistant professor of animal science at ISU, will present new information on how to manage manure nutrients from co-products.  Recent swine data indicates that DDGS may reduce the concentration of phosphorus in swine manure because the phosphorus is more available.

Dave Stender, swine field specialist, will look at the cost analysis of using DDGS in swine diets, and Beth Doran, beef field specialist, will share updated sensitivity tables comparing co-products to corn and soybean meal in a beef finishing diet.

Pre-registration ($10/person) is due December 13.  To obtain a brochure and registration form, contact your local County Extension Office.  Registrations after Dec. 13 will be $15/person.

Storage Demonstrations:  Dr. Allen Trenkle and Dr. Dan Loy are working with area Extension beef field specialists to conduct storage demonstrations with wet distillers grains.  These demonstrations may include ensiling, deep stacking and covering and the addition of forage and/or grain for longer-term storage.  Information from these demos will be used to develop a brochure concerning storage of ethanol co-products.  Currently, a deep stacking demo is being conducted at a Sioux County feed yard.  Storage losses and nutritional changes of a large quantity of wet distillers grains in an open bunker with no coverage are being monitored.       

Sign-Up for Wool Loan Deficiency Payment
Dennis DeWitt, ISUE Livestock Field Specialist

American wool producers can sign up for wool loan deficiency payments (LDP) administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA). The agency made available on Nov. 6, 2002, Notice LP-1878, which addresses the 2002 through 2007 Crop-Year Marketing Assistance Loan and Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) Program for Wool and Mohair.

Sheep producers must complete FSA Form 633 to apply for the LDP. For 2002 wool sold before Oct. 11, 2002, producers must complete the form by Jan 31, 2003.  Producers who sold 2002 wool between Oct. 11, and Nov. 4, 2002, must sign up by Dec. 6, 2002. Producers who still own 2002 wool must sign up before they sell the wool and by the Jan. 31, 2003, deadline.

Program details can be accessed through the FSA portion of the USDA Web site: ftp://ftp.fsa.usda.gov/public/notices/LP_1878.pdf or at your local FSA office.

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