Purdue's Forage Field Guide revised to offer more information
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue Extension "Forage Field Guide" has been revised to give producers better insight into current forage issues.
"The revised field guide has been enhanced and is more complete," said Keith Johnson, Purdue Extension forage specialist. "It has more improved photos, a greater number of recommendations and a couple of new sections as compared to the first one published five years ago."
The field guide offers general information on forage types, soil testing, fertilizer and liming, establishment, weed control, insect management, diseases, livestock nutrition, harvest, and storage.
"Although the guide doesn't cover in-depth solutions to specific problems, it helps producers identify concerns and gives them information for solutions," Johnson said. "It is a great in-field resource."
New additions to the field guide include sections on making bale silage, new herbicide choices, pasture rental rate decisions and photos of forage seeds.
"Bale silage is more common now than it was five years ago, so we wanted to make sure farmers had the most current information," Johnson said. "Pasture rental value is a common question in the spring. There are many equations that calculate pasture rent value. Values may be based on a per-acre basis, per-head of livestock and have incentive payments for excellent animal production."
The "Forage Field Guide" is available for preorder through Purdue Extension's Education Store by calling (888) EXT-INFO (398-4636). The cost is $7 per guide and discounts are available on larger orders.
In addition, companies and organizations can order copies of the guide featuring their logos and other information. The minimum order is 100 copies, and they cost the same as the standard covers - with discounts for larger orders. Details about how to order custom covers, including prices and the specifications, are available by going to the Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Web site at http://www.ag.purdue.edu/agry/dtc/Pages/default.aspx and clicking on the "2010 Forage Guide" link.
Writer: Sayde Rayburn, 765-494-8402, srayburn@purdue.edu
Source: Keith Johnson, 765-494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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