Why has sulfur become an integral part of fertility programs?

Posted on October 10, 2016 by - Darlington News

N, P, and K always garner a lot of attention when we talk about soil fertility but as many of you know, sulfur has been going into more and more of our fertilizer blends. In the past, sulfur deficiency was uncommon in the Midwest, so what has changed in the last forty years? Although there are several reasons for the increase in sulfur fertilization, three of the main culprits are cleaner air, more accurate fertilizer production, and higher crop yields. Burning fossil fuels released sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere and subsequent rain events would bring the sulfur back to the soil so there was always an adequate supply for crop production. The Clean Air Act was passed in 1970 and was successful at reducing the amount of air pollution including sulfur dioxide. Many older fertilizer blends contained impurities like sulfur which also added to soil levels. Today, commercial fertilizers like MAP and DAP contain much lower amounts of sulfur impurities. Lastly, the trend of increasing yields from our major agronomic crops has created more demand for added sulfur to maintain and elevate our current yield levels.

There are a few things to know about sulfur to make sure you are maximizing your fertilizer dollars. The form of sulfur is important. Sulfur contained in the soil organic matter is not available to plants but a portion of the organic matter mineralizes every year converting the organic sulfur into sulfate sulfur, the form available for plant uptake. Each percent of soil organic matter will release 2-3 pounds per acre of available sulfur annually. Sulfur needs to be managed for the entire season. Corn will take up half of its sulfur after tassel and soybeans will take up more than half of its sulfur need after flowering. According to the Mosaic Company on a per acre basis, a 200 bushel corn crop will take up 30 pounds of sulfur and a 70 bushel soybean crop will take up 25 pounds of sulfur. Fertilizing with sulfate sulfur will get sulfur to the plants right away but sulfate does have the potential to leach from the root zone though not as readily as nitrate. A product like elemental sulfur is not immediately plant available. Elemental sulfur needs to be oxidized by the soil microbes so it acts as slow release sulfur. Another thought to keep in mind is forage crops like alfalfa and corn silage will have a higher demand for sulfur because we are harvesting a larger portion of the plant. A 10 ton alfalfa harvest for the year will take up 54 pounds of sulfur. The form and analysis of sulfur fertilizers varies between products. Dry fertilizers that are commonly used are ammonium sulfate, elemental sulfur, and calcium sulfate (gypsum). Ammonium thiosulfate is a common liquid sulfur source used in this area. Don’t forget that certain products will supply other essential nutrients besides sulfur. Contact your agronomist at WS Ag to determine the best way to add sulfur to your fertility program or for ideas on how to improve your current system.

Thank you, Mark Kendall

Phosphorus and Potassium Fertility for Corn and Soybean Production

Posted on October 10, 2016 by - Darlington News

In order to help maximum yield potential, it’s important to understand how phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are utilized in corn and soybean production. Skipping or limiting P and K applications can decrease stress tolerance and consequently reduce yield potential.

Phosphorus is a nutrient required in relatively large amounts by plants. It has a relatively short range of movement in the soil and is considered an immobile nutrient. Plants need P for growth throughout their life cycle, especially during early stages of growth. The primary role of P is to store and transfer energy that is produced through the photosynthesis process to be used during growth and reproduction. The effects of P can increase water efficiency, promote early maturity and improve stress mitigation which all can lead to increased yields. Corn plants increase P uptake rapidly after V6 growth stage and can continue until near maturity. While soybeans demand for P is greatest during pod and seed development where more than 60% of P ends up in the seeds and pods.

Potassium is generally found in the soil in large amounts, but is not readily available for plant uptake to aid in growth and development. Potassium is associated with movement of water nutrients and carbohydrates within the plant. These functions stimulate early growth, increase protein production, improve the efficiency of water use and enhance resistance to diseases and insects. Adequate K levels are important to maximize soybean yield potential. Peak usage of K occurs from flowering through early pod development. A shortage of K at this time can result in yield loss without obvious foliar symptoms.

Also the severity of stalk rot in corn can be minimized with an optimum balance between K and N levels in plant tissue. Potassium has been associated with improvement of stalk strength. When corn plants take up sufficient K stalk dry is moderated after maturity and the risk of lodging can significantly be reduced. In corn K uptake increases rapidly after about the V6 growth stage. When deficiency symptoms become visible K demand is large and supplies are low. Understanding both crop nutrient uptake and removal can help match plant nutrient needs for a targeted yield goal. For corn each bushel harvested per acre removes .45 lbs P and .3 lbs K, in a silage situation K removal is much higher at an additional 8 lbs for every ton silage harvested. For soybeans crop removal varies around .85 lbs of P and 1.45 lbs of K are needed for every bushel harvested.

Although margins are tight in farming right now a sound fertility program is needed to ensure high yield environments in the future.

Thank you, Tom Arndt

New Building

Posted on October 10, 2016 by - Darlington News

Finally, after over one year our 10,000 ton Dry Fertilizer Building is up and ready to be used. Stop by to see the new building and all that WS Ag Center has to offer.

It’s Show Season

Posted on July 12, 2016 by - Columbus News

It’s that time of year again! We know how hard you exhibitors work on your fair animals, we want to help. This will be our third year offering our fair rewards program. For every exhibitor who has family that is a customer of ours will receive a $25 gift certificate to WS Ag Center. We would love to be able to purchase everyone’s animal, but that is not possible. For the exhibitors that we ware unable to purchase at the sale, here are this year’s rules and regulations for the fair rewards.:

  • $50 for class winner
  • $100 for Reserve Champion Overall
  • $150 for Grand Champion Overall

To qualify for these rewards, you need to be feeding our show feeds. If you show multiple animals at the fair, you can only choose one reward per species. These rewards also include showmanship.

Again, this qualifies for OVERALL Grand and Reserve Champion animals no breed winners.

 

Meet our 2016 Summer Intern – Ashley Lamb

Posted on July 12, 2016 by - Columbus News

Hi, my name is Ashely Lamb and I am currently a Feed Intern at WS Ag Center in Columbus, WI. I grew up outside of Waunakee, WI and I currently attend school at UW-Platteville.  I’m majoring in Animal Science with an Ag Business minor and a Dairy Emphasis. My hobbies including being with my friends and family, enjoying the outdoors and nature. I also enjoy farming which is good since my family owns a farm, Helt Diversified. From this internship I hope to gain more knowledge in other areas than just dairy.

 

Meet our 2016 Summer Intern – Suzanne Henning

Posted on July 12, 2016 by - Columbus News

Hey ya’ll, my name is Suzanne Henning or Suzy as everyone calls me and I am 22 years old. I graduated in 2013 from Clinton High School in Clinton, Wisconsin.  Currently, I just finished my junior year at the University of Wisconsin Platteville where I am double majoring in Agricultural Business and Animal Science. At the university I am highly active in the UWP BlocknBridle Club. Within this club I was one of the two Beef Show Chairs and helped organize the 2016 Pioneer Showdown. I have also worked as a student beef worker on the UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm. During spring break 2016 I took a class with Accelerated Genetics and am now certified to artificially inseminate cattle.

I have grown up in Janesville, Wisconsin with my Dad, Mom, and my 18 year old younger brother. We live on a family farm where we raise about 200 Purebred Black Angus Cattle and run over 3600 acres of cropland. I am also very active in the Wisconsin Junior Angus Association and was crowned Queen/Miss Wisconsin Angus in 2014.

 

Meet our 2016 Summer Intern – Gina Fisher

Posted on July 12, 2016 by - Columbus News

Hi, my name is Gina Fisher. I am from Deerfield, Wisconsin where I have lived my whole life. I am currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville where I major in Agribusiness and have an emphasis in Marketing and Communications. At Platteville I am involved in the Equestrian Club as well as Ag Business Club.

My hobbies mainly include horses, I have been riding since I was just a little kid but bought my very own horse in sixth grade. I started showing at open shows, English and Western. I now barrel race and am a member of the National Barrel Horse Association. My last internship was with Potter Ranch and Sherry Cervi the professional barrel racer in Bancroft, Wisconsin, where I spent my summer riding colts and keeping the finished rope horses and barrel horses in shape, along with helping doctor and move cattle with our horses. Horses is where my passion for agriculture began but I look   forward to how much I can learn about the industry through my internship with WS Ag Center.

 

Meet our 2016 Summer Intern – Abbey Ryan

Posted on July 12, 2016 by - Columbus News

Hi my name is Abbey Ryan I live on a small hobby beef farm in Lodi, WI. I am the oldest of four kids. I have 2 sisters and one brother. I am currently a junior at UW Platteville where I am Majoring in Agricultural Education. In School I am involved in Sigma Alpha Beta Delta sorority and Block and Bridle club. In the future I hope to be a high school Ag teacher.

Other hobbies I enjoy include showing beef cattle. My sisters and I have been showing cattle for ten years. I started out by showing dairy cattle then switched to beef cattle when I got older. I also love  being outside. In High School I was very involved in FFA which is where I found my knack for agriculture. I am very excited to learn a lot about the company, and look forward to learn more about nutrition and feeds.

 

Summer Horse Care

Posted on July 12, 2016 by - Columbus News

  1. Choose cooler turnout times. If your horse has a stall, but is turned out for part of the day, provide turnout during the cooler hours. Overnight is ideal, but if that’s not possible, have the horse go outside as early as possible during the day. Remember, the summer heat can also take a toll on the quality of your pasture. You might need to provide additional feed as the grass becomes sparse to maintain proper body condition and energy.
  2. Provide shade. If your horse lives outdoors or if he must be outside during the day, provide relief from the sun. A run-in shed is best. Trees are a source of shade, but as the sun moves, so will the shade; ensure that, regardless of the time of day, the trees are offering shade.
  3. Move the air. Fans are a great way to help keep the air moving in the barn, but use them wisely. Always ensure that your horse can’t get a hold of cords and plugs.
  4. Mist your horse. If you are fortunate enough to have a misting system for your horse, use it. As moisture is absorbed from your horse’s skin, it will take away some of the heat. Frequent mistings are far more effective than a single dousing with a hose.
  5. Provide fresh, cool water and an electrolyte source. Make sure your horse has plenty of fresh, cool water. A bucket hanging on a pasture fence will get warm and the water will no longer be appealing. Left long enough, the water will also become stagnant and unhealthy. If you are providing clean, cool water and your horse doesn’t seem to be drinking, then encourage it by providing a salt block, or even by misting hay with salt water. If your horse is sweating a great deal, water laced with electrolytes can help keep its body in balance. Whenever you offer electrolytes, however, be sure to offer a second source of fresh water, as well. Not all horses will drink electrolyte-laced water, so providing a source of water without them will ensure your horse keeps drinking. Also, too many electrolytes can be harmful.
  6. Slow down the work. Don’t think that because your horse has been working intensely at 1:00 p.m. every day that it can take the heat when the temperature tops 90°F. If you have to work your horse in the heat, lighten the work or spread it out over a couple of short sessions. This is especially important when the humidity is high, contributing to the poor quality of the air your horse is breathing. Cool your horse down slowly, and offer frequent sips of cool water. Take the tack off as soon as you’re done and sponge the horse off again with cool water.
  7. Stick to a schedule. Within the parameters of keeping him cool, try to stay as close as possible to his normal schedule. Too much change at one time can be an invitation for colic.
  8. Avoid sunburn. Horses, especially white horses, can suffer from sunburn. Even those with white socks and blazes, pink noses, or hairless patches from scarring can be susceptible. Using a fly scrim can help. In addition, applying sunblock to small, particularly vulnerable areas can be effective. Staying out of the sun’s harmful rays will, of course, be best.
  9. Clip horses with longer hair coats. Clipping is important, especially for those with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, or Cushing’s disease). While some coat can provide protection from the sun and insulation, a long, thick coat tends to hold heat and makes it difficult for the horse to cool down. Be careful not to clip the hair too close, however, as it provides some protection from damaging rays.
  10. Know your horse and signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke can happen anytime your horse is exposed to excessive heat that his body cannot handle. Heatstroke can happen if exercising in hot conditions, but be aware that it can also happen if standing in a hot stall or trailer.
  11. You should know your horse’s normal temperature, heart, and respiratory rates. To find the heart rate of a horse, simply find a pulse and count the beats for 15 seconds, then multiply that number by four, which will give the beats per minute. Count the breaths per minute in a similar way.Signs of heat stroke can include:

Signs of heat stroke can include:

* An elevated heart rate that does not return to normal in a reasonable period of time;

* Excessive sweating or lack of sweating;

* Temperature that persists above 103°F;

* Depression and/or lethargy; and

* Signs of dehydration: dry mucous membranes, poor capillary refill, and poor skin turgor.

If you are concerned that your horse is suffering from heat stroke, call your veterinarian immediately and get your horse into a cooler environment.

Data Sourced from University of Pennsylvania School Of Veterinary Medicine.

Heather Kuenzi, WS Ag Center, Equine Specialist

Be sure to stop by the store to pick up your summer horse supplies! We have plenty of fly spray,     electrolytes, salt blocks and barn fans in stock!