Spring annual forages

Ideally, one should graze to keep the growth between 6 and 12 inches. This might require an initial lighter stocking rate, about one cow-calf pair for every two acres, then adjust animal numbers upward as oat growth changes. In general, a good stand of cereal small grains could support up to 2 cow-calf pairs per acre for about a 6-week period.

Haying

The small cereal grains are usually ready for hay harvest around the 3rd week of June. This can vary depending on the desired forage quality. Early harvests, such as when the crop is in a late-boot stage will result in forage with a crude protein content of 12 to 14%. When harvested at a later growth stage, such as milk to soft-dough, yield will be greater and crude protein content may range from 7 to 10%.

Haylage and Silage

While maturity remains important to maintain quality of small grains, moisture at ensiling is another factor to consider. Wilting is needed in most cases when ensiling grass forages as haylage and silage. At harvest, small grains in the boot stage may be at or above 80% moisture or 20% dry matter (DM). The goal is to produce a low-moisture silage more commonly referred to as haylage, baleage, or wilted silage. When ensiling, grasses should be 40 to 60% DM prior to ensiling. Forages should not be ensiled with more than 70% moisture (or less than 30% dry matter concentration) due to potential seepage losses and growth of undesirable bacteria, which can result in undesirable fermentation. Generally, small grains harvested from boot stage to soft dough require wilting of 24 hours or more to achieve the targeted range of 40 to 60% DM.

#####

On a crisp Sunday morning, Ralph showed up late to his tee time. His playing partners were somewhat perturbed and asked why he was running behind. “Well,” John explained, “It’s Sunday and I was feeling guilty about missing church, so I decided to leave it up to chance and flip a coin.” “That doesn’t explain why you are so late,” his annoyed friends answered. Ralph looked at his foursome sheepishgly and responded. “The good Lord must have really wanted me to go to church because I had to flip the coin twenty times.”

#####

First professional sports organization in the United States was the Maryland Jockey Club, founded in 1743.

SyStem

Handling hydraulic hoses requires extra caution in winter

The hydraulic hoses on tractors and implements must be in prime condition to withstand the extreme temperature changes of the winter months.

Extreme cold temperatures throughout the winter months can cause challenges to hydraulic hose lines in tractors and machinery.

“The temperature of a piece of machinery can fluctuate from -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes,” says Angie Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension farm and ranch safety coordinator. “The hydraulic hoses on tractors and implements used in the winter months must be in prime condition to withstand the extreme temperature changes we face in the northern Plains.”

Hydraulic systems are critical for tractors and machines to work properly and conduct tasks year-round. These systems store fluid under high pressure, typically 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch (psi), up to 3,000 psi.

A hydraulic hose failure could cause extreme machine malfunction, potentially causing severe harm to the operator. Other hydraulic hose hazards include burns, skin penetration, and component failure or collapse.

Burns

Unhooking an implement or making a repair on a hydraulic system can be dangerous if the operator has not released the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic system. This means that if the implement or loader on the tractor is in the raised position, it contains trapped hydraulic fluid that is pressurized. As pressure increases, the operating temperature of modern hydraulic systems can become high enough to cause severe burns if an operator is sprayed with escaping hydraulic oil from a puncture in the line or the immediate release of high pressurized oil from a loose hydraulic fitting.

Safety tips:

Always relieve hydraulic pressure before loosening hydraulic fittings. This includes lowering the implement (or loader) to the ground and testing your pressure relief valves to ensure they are reducing pressure buildup, if applicable on your tractor.

Move the hydraulic control lever (found inside the tractor if hooked up to an implement) back and forth several times to help relieve hydraulic pressure.

Follow instructions in the operator’s manual. Specific procedures for servicing hydraulic systems provide safety guidelines to follow when performing maintenance or repair.

Skin penetration

Pinhole leaks in hydraulic hose lines are extremely dangerous. With the naked eye, pinhole leaks can be impossible to see. A common injury involves an operator running their hand or finger over the hose line, where the invisible pinhole leak then penetrates oil into the operator’s skin without even knowing it. Immediately after the fluid injection, the operator may only experience a slight stinging sensation in their hand or finger and think nothing of it. After a few hours, the operator may begin to develop severe pain. If not seen by a medical provider immediately, the injury can result in a condition called gangrene, where amputation of the hand or finger is required because of the tissue damage.

Safety tips: simple h brace can be done in five minutes

Shut down all equipment and release pressure before checking for hydraulic fluid leaks.

Use a piece of paper or cardboard to check for pinhole leaks in hydraulic hoses, not your hand or finger. Run the piece of paper or cardboard across the hose to identify any pinhole leaks.

Always wear safety glasses and heavy gloves when working with hydraulic systems. Note: Gloves will not prevent oil from a pinhole leak from penetrating your skin.

Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect hydraulic oil has penetrated your skin.

Component failure or collapse

Failure of a hydraulic hose, fitting or seal can cause a rapid release of hydraulic oil, causing the supported component to collapse. Examples of this include a loader on a tractor or a header on a combine. Gradual leaks can also cause components to drop unexpectedly, crushing a worker under the component. A combine header can weigh three tons and crush anyone who may be working underneath it.

Safety tips:

Never work under an implement, truck bed or other machine supported by a hydraulic ram/cylinder without the lock in place or other means of support. Make sure all equipment

CONTINUED ON PAGE C10

NDSU Saddle and Sirloin club

Agriculturalists of the Year

Dean and Paula Swenson of Wheaton, North Dakota, will be honored as the Agriculturists of the Year at this year’s NDSU Saddle and Sirloin club Little International Showmanship contest.

The Swensons graduated in 1973 from NDSU, where they were both active in the Saddle and Sirloin club, as well as many other campus organizations. They married after graduation and later bought a farm in Walcott, North Dakota, where they still live. They raised crops, sheep and Angora goats, as well as club lambs and goats that they leased to 4-H and FFA youth, which allowed them the opportunity to show. They later transitioned from Angora goats to meat goats and expanded to include cattle in their operation.

The couple started The Sandburs 4-H club and have worked with the local livestock judging teams. They are active in their local church and were instrumental in developing the meat goat shows at the Red River Valley Fair and North Dakota State Fair. Dean also worked on the Cass County Livestock Achievement Day Committee and was a member of the Red River Valley Fair Board. They are both active in the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, where they have held various executive positions and helped with the starter flock program. They are also members of the American Sheep Industry Animal Health Committee and American Farm Bureau Federation.

The Swensons have three sons and eight grandchildren. They continue to farm with their oldest son and his family.

“The crop we are most proud of is our three sons and their families,” says Dean Swenson.

“The theme for the 97th Little I is Leaving a Legacy, and Dean and Paula are tremendous examples of this, as well as exceptional role models for both the members of the Saddle and Sirloin club and agriculturists across the state,” says Lydia Lyons, 97th Little I publicity chair.

John Deere 6600 combine, gas, pickup header $2000 Massey-Ferguson 510 combine, Perkins diesel $3250 Ford 600 tractor with loader, good tires. Runs

Handling hydraulic hoses requires extra caution in winter

CONTINUED FROM PAGE C8 is turned off when working on it.

Even if an implement is not attached to the tractor, the hydraulic system may still be pressurized. If making repairs to the hydraulic system, never assume the implement is no longer under pressure just because it is not attached to the tractor.

Hydraulic hose and system maintenance

Hydraulic hose systems on tractors and machinery can fail when hoses and oil are not properly maintained. When conditions become cold, hydraulic hoses can become stiff, inelastic, brittle and lose their ability to bend. Cracks in hydraulic hoses can become more prevalent during cold temperatures, meaning visual inspection for cracks, abrasions and oily residues is crucial for equipment maintenance and operator safety.

Used Haying

American Hay Master 500 series stack wagon with hay basket $7500

New Holland 1032 bale wagon $4500

John Deere 1380 pull-type swather $2500

Hesston 1014 swather $1500

Ford 14-92 sickle mower $600 3-wheel hay rake $1000

MISCELLANEOUS

Front Dozer Blade with manual adjust. Fits various models $2500

Oliver/White loader fits 1650/1655 $1250

Wagner loader for Ford 8N, 9N, and NAA. With front pump & mounts $1500

Shaver HD8 front mount post driver $1295

Running gears. Each $600 Dixon 50” zero turn mower. $2500

Kioti Tractors

Kioti RX7320PCC tractor, 73 hp, creeper, power shuttle, 4WD, cab, air conditioner, heat, 3 pt., PTO. 1 In Stock Kioti CK2610 with KL4030 loader, 25 hp, tier 3 diesel, 4WD, 3-pt., PTO. 2 In Stock Kioti K9 2440, 2 rows, seats 5, 22 hp diesel engine, MacPherson struts, steel dump box 1 In Stock

Kioti DK4510 with KL5520 loader, manual transmission, 4WD, 3-pt, PTO. 3 In Stock

Kioti CS2210H with SL2410 loader, SM2454 mower, KB2465 backhoe 1 in Stock

Used Tractors

Take time to check for oil leaks and worn hoses. If you can see the metal wire layer of a hydraulic hose, or an oily film on the hose or near the fittings, it needs to be replaced. Change the hydraulic oil and filter in your tractors and machines. Hydraulic oil that is contaminated with dirt, dust, particulates, etc., can cause damage to your hydraulic system. Monitor your tractor’s hydraulic oil sight glass to determine if more hydraulic oil needs to be added. Read the operator’s manual to determine how often the hydraulic oil and filter should be changed.

Allow your tractor to warm up in cold conditions. The more your tractor’s fluids warm up before use, the better your hydraulic hoses can respond. In extreme cold, you may need to allow your equipment to warm up for an hour before use. Connect the correct hydraulic lines from the equipment to the tractor couplers. If the hose lines are not coupled to the tractor correctly, the implement will not rise and drop as expected. Use colored zip ties or tape to label the hoses to match which coupler end they need to attach to on the tractor. Always lower the hydraulic working units to the ground before working on or leaving the machine, making sure the machine is off once you begin to work on it.

“Remember, tractors and equipment can be replaced – you, on the other hand, cannot be replaced,” says Johnson. “Take time for safety this winter by keeping equipment in proper shape and using safe techniques when equipment repairs and maintenance needs to be made.”

New Red Devil

6-ft. snow blower with QA skid steer mount.

Reducing fed hay losses

By, Brad Schick, UNL

Making, transporting, and feeding hay is a large investment in time, equipment, and money. How can you reduce loss of hay during feeding to make that investment go further

$6250

Ford 2000 Select-o-Speed For Parts

There are many ways to feed hay, with each method impacting waste differently. If hay is fed unrestricted, cattle can waste 45 percent of the hay they are provided. Limit feeding hay so only what is required is fed, will significantly reduce waste right away. Studies show that cattle fed daily versus fed every four days, needed 25% less hay. That’s a huge amount, but labor and equipment cost slightly increased.

A common and usually labor efficient method of feeding is to feed hay directly onto the ground by unrolling bales, distributing ground hay or loose hay, and bale pod grazing. With any of these methods, there should only be enough feed distributed or available for one day.

Bale pod grazing is when bales are spread out across a field or pasture and temporary fence is used to confine animal access to one or several bales. When it’s time for more hay, the producer moves a fence instead of moving a bale. The losses will depend on herd size, however, because this relates to limiting feeding or limiting access.

Limiting access by physical barriers is another way to decrease hay loss. Bale rings, racks, fences, feed bunks, bale pod grazing, or another form of limited access can all decrease waste. These methods work by reducing trampling and animal ability to lay down on the hay. The most effective physical barriers have solid side bottoms. This prevents the hay from being pulled out onto the ground. While these methods are effective, they require the purchase of additional equipment which for large herds or changing feeding location can add significant time and money.

No matter the improved method, reducing fed hay losses will improve the return on the hay investment.

Mid-winter cornstalk grazing

By Jerry Volesky, UNL

Here in mid-winter, cornstalks remain a great forage resource for livestock producers. Snow cover on cornstalks is generally not a problem for cattle as they are adept at digging their way through to get at the leaves, husks, and remaining corn that they are seeking. However, if an icy crust develops on the snow, this will limit grazing and supplemental feed may need to be provided.

Another important consideration is the stocking rate and how long they have been in a particular field. Nutritional value of cornstalk residue is greatest at the beginning of a grazing period and declines with time as the most nutritious plant parts are consumed. A general stalk grazing rule is there is about 30 cow days per 100 bushels of corn that the field produced.

Over the fall and winter, weathering can also play a role in reducing cornstalk quality. Rain or melting snow soaks into dry corn stalk residue and leaches out some of the soluble nutrients. Most serious is the loss of sugars and other energy-dense nutrients, which lowers the TDN or energy value of the stalks.

Another factor that affects cornstalk grazing is wind. We have had our share of excessively high winds which easily blow corn leaves and husks off the field. This of course, can impact the amount of feed, and after grain, those leaves and husks contain the highest nutritional quality.

Cornstalks are still a great and economical winter feed source. Just be sure to closely monitor cow and field conditions while adjusting your supplementation program accordingly.

• 4 - FARMALL 50A UTILITIES

These non-cab tractors are value priced and “Tough As Nails”. MFWD, 50 hp, 540 PTO, 3-point and 1 rear remote, 8 speed transmission with F-N-R shuttle. Equipped with L545 loader. The 50A is the perfect chore tractor.

• 4 - FARMALL 55A & 65A CAB TRACTORS

Features like cab with heat and air, air seat, 12x12 transmission with power reverser, 3-point hitch, 2 remotes, 540 PTO and equipped with L610 loader.

•

2 - PUMA 185 MULTICONTROL TRACTORS

MFWD, Class IV F/axle, 180 hp with Power Boost, deluxe cab with suspension, guidance ready, 18 speed full powershift, block and transmission heater, big rear weights, 540/1000 PTO, 3 electronic remotes, heavy duty 3-point and L106 loader/grapple.

• 2 - FARMALL PRO 130A & 140A

Tractors

Deluxe cab tractors with MFWD, 105 and 115 PTO hp, 16x8 transmission with Power Shuttle, 3 remotes, 540/1000 PTO, front fenders and equipped with L104 loader grapple.

We’d appreciate it if you tell an advertiser you read his ad in the Trader’s Dispatch.