[Jacob-list] question - effects of crop applications

[gotothewhip at aol.com]

 Evelyn, I agree with all of Neal's info.. but wanted to follow up with a recommendation to remember there are Right To Farm laws in effect in most states... especially when the farmer was "There First" In this year of depressed milk prices..His historic Dairy farm may turn into a subdivision if he has to fight too many battles.. something I am sure isn't what anyone wants.

He likely has a pesticide applicators license, and follows label application.? The odor of many Herbicides are quite strong, but their safety level is also high.... Many of the stinkier sprays allow instant or quick grazing.? 

IMHO, the neighborly thing to do is go ask a few questions about what he is using.. It may work out that he can help you with your pasture management.? Dont go with an accusatory demeanor... Instead go "pick his brain" and see if all of his experience could help you! 

I am a County Extension Agent for CSU, and we recieve calls from folks in your situation often.... and my first bit of advise is to go talk to the farmer.... 

Jennifer Tucker
Moose Mtn Ranch
Bennett, CO
www.MooseMtnRanch.com


 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Neal and Louise Grose <nlgrose at yadtel.net>
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Sent: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 7:28 pm
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] question - effects of crop applications
















Evelyn,


?


There are set backs and other 
restrictions?that your neighbor has to follow, especially if you are in the 
Chesapeake Watershed. The Soil and Water?Conservation 
office?can?give you a written copy of them.?Odds are,?your 
neighbor?is already following them. If you are in an agricultural district, 
I don't know of any particular reason he has to notify you as long as he is 
following accepted farming practices.Since your neighbor is a dairy 
farmer,?he is not likely to use any chemicals?that would keep him from 
feeding the crops to his cows after the proper withdrawal times. The 
restrictions on milk supplies are more stringent than on?"beef", or 
sheep.?It is unlikely that he is using anything that could harm the sheep 
if used correctly.?That doesn't mean?*stuff* don't 
stink.?


?


Fertilizers are not usually sprayed in liquid form. 
More than likely, if you smell "chemicals", they are using pesticides of some 
sort. These definitely should not be sprayed on days when there is likely to be 
spray drift to your property.?Row crops?need to?be sprayed to the 
edge of the field, but there should be at least a 15 or 20 foot field 
border.


*Alfalfa requires spraying with?insecticides 
in late March?in our area to prevent alfalfa weevils from wiping out the 
crop. Generally these are short half-life insecticides that are gone in?14 
to 21 days. 


*Most soybeans are now sprayed with Round-up since 
almost all are "Round-up Ready". Though I consider Monsanto to be a necessary 
evil, Round-up is one of the most benevolent herbicides we use. You could 
probably drink it, but I don't recommend it. 


*If the are growing corn, they might use one of the 
2,4-D derived herbicides (which definitely stink)?to 
control?broad-leaved weeds. These can not be used on hay crops. (The 
hold-out period is 45+ days.)


?


With manure application,?he definitely has to 
follow restrictive regulations for application of waste (ours are more 
restrictive than those followed by city municipal systems). He can not spread 
when the ground is saturated or rain is expected. Farms are expected to be zero 
run-off. As for the smell and increase in fly problems, It is all relative. I 
see dramatically less fly problems when we are using liquid manure. The smell 
should only last until the next rain. Our regulations require a 50 foot set back 
on manure application from property lines. In my opinion, tilling it in should 
NOT be an option, since tillage creates soil erosion and increased water 
pollution.


?


I urge you to have patience. You don't say whether 
you have talked to the farmer in question.?Most of the time, we farmers 
like to keep good neighbors, and we?often simply get too busy to notice 
that there is a problem.?I have never met a dairy farmer who was not an 
animal lover, and have more than our share of experience with metabolic and 
birthing problems.?This guy might well be a valuable resource to you. Think 
about approaching him now, before cropping season while he is a little 
calmer.?The economy tanking has taken it's 
toll on dairy farms. Our farm?price for milk?is about half of what it 
was 18 months ago, this guy might not be in business next year, and your milk 
might be shipped in from Texas.


?


Neal Grose


Harmony, NC,?Holstein cow?and Jacob Sheep 
farmer



  
----- Original Message ----- 

  
From: 
  evelyn489 at aol.com 

  
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 

  
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 7:17 
PM

  
Subject: [Jacob-list] question - effects 
  of crop applications

  


This is a really odd question but I thought I'd shoot it out 
  there and see if I got any thoughts.

Our pasture goes to our property 
  line?and our neighbor farm is a large parcel of land that is used for a 
  variety of things, soybeans, alfalfa, timothy etc.? Is that farmer under 
  any obligation to me to report what he is applying to his land?? I ask 
  this because whatever fertilizers etc are sprayed on are pretty noxious to my 
  untrained nose?and I'm wondering what effect they have on my sheep who 
  are out there close to what they are spraying.? Is there any setback he 
  has to follow?? ?Also my biggest problem with this farmer is that he 
  reduces a manure pool from his other farm of dairy cows by spraying HUGE 
  amounts of liquid manure throughout the summer/fall.? This creates a huge 
  fly problem for my sheep not to mention my house and family.? We have 
  spoken to the soil conservation district and it is worth noting that we are in 
  the Chesapeake Bay watershed.? However, this is the single biggest 
  remaining Dairy farmer in the county, head of the county fairboard, etc. so he 
  is a "good ole boy".

Your wisdom is appreciated!? If I could move 
  my sheep I certainly would but we have just a small farmette.

Evelyn
  


  


  Worried about job security? Check 
  out the 5 safest jobs in a recession. 

  

  




  

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