riend F A
Visit us online at: www.fertrell.com
of Nature Since 1 94 6
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Spring Specials: 10% off Nutri-Sil – A live bacteria, added to silage and baled forages to assist the fermentation process. Nutri-Sil causes the forages to retain more of their moisture, protein and energy value and increases the palatability and digestibility of the harvested crop Available in 50 lb dry or 1 lb water soluble Vitazyme – an all-natural, liquid biostimulant for soil organisms and plants that contain certain biological activators which are byproducts of a proprietary fermentation process. These active agents include vitamins, enzymes and other powerful but gentle growth stimulators such as b-vitamins, triacontanol and others. Vitazyme may be tank mixed with fertilizers. It does not need to be tilled into the soil. The dilution rate is not critical as long as the proper application rate is used. Available in 2.5 gallon jug
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Kelp – Small Amounts, Big Benefits
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Spring Beginnings Means It’s Poultry Season!
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Paul Keiser Ag & Health Alive, Retires
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Swine Notes
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Welcome new dealers
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Cow Management
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Make Your Soils and Plants Work for You
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Spring Shipping
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You’ve got questions….I’ve got answers!
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Upcoming Events
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Marketplace
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Squash: Do You Grow It? I Do!
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Eager Farmer
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Changes to liquid fish program
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Kelp – Small Amounts, Big Benefits by Orin Moyer
Most of us know the benefits of feeding kelp to livestock and the great results it can have on overall animal health. Fertrell’s kelp can provide these same great benefits to your soil. Kelp is very biologically complex, providing and feeding many different types of bacteria, fungi, insects, and, of course, crops. The problem is that soil doesn’t clearly communicate to us when it is lacking something. Applying Kelp in small amounts to the soil can provide huge benefits to the microbial life in the soil as well as micro-nutrients for the growing crops. Another key ingredient in kelp is its high iodine content. Most “sucking/piercing” insects do not appreciate high iodine levels in the plants they intend to damage, nor will they lay larvae in an environment that is not suitable for them. So when kelp is applied in a small amount in the
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root zone of a plant, and the plant absorbs the nutrients, it provides a natural insect repellent for the crop. Kelp also contains cytokinins, auxins, and gibberellins, which are all naturally occurring plant growth stimulants/hormones that can increase the growth and health of the crop. With crop values remaining high, it is continually important to prevent damage and loss before it happens. Applying kelp in the row at planting time can be one way to do this while providing micro-nutrients and natural growth hormones to the crop at the same time. Using Kelp for Corn Planting 1st year corn 15 lbs. per acre. Apply through insecticide boxes. 2nd year corn 20 to 25 lbs. per acre. Apply through insecticide boxes. These amounts all need to be based on your knowledge of the insect pressure that you have on your farm. The Fertrell Company does not recommend the practice of corn on corn - a good rotation is always best.
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Spring Beginnings Means It’s Poultry Season! - by Casey Rogers
As the snow begins to melt and the ground turns mushy, we start to see the first signs that spring is approaching. Not only does that mean it’s time for new crops to begin growing, but it also means that it’s time for the first batches of chicks to begin arriving! Most farmers who produce broilers get their first batch in March or April and will get through several batches of broilers before the season is over. As we prepare for the onset of poultry season, I would like to remind our customers of some Fertrell products that can prove to be really useful to bird health during the changing weather conditions. And we want to make sure that our farmers start off this poultry season right, which is why we are offering a 5% discount on these products through April 30, 2015. * Poultry Booster Pack * Water soluble DFMs * Garlic Oil Tincture * Vitamin E Oil Blend Poultry Booster Pack – Do you have any Poultry Nutri-Balancer (PNB) lying around from last season? The Poultry Booster Pack allows you to refresh vitamins and direct-fed microbes for Poultry Nutri-Balancer that is over four months old (for broilers) and six months old (for laying hens). Vitamins have a storage life of six months when feed is kept dry and out of direct sunlight. Available in a 5 lb. bag. Water Soluble Direct-Fed Microbials (DFMs) – When poultry aren’t feeling right, one of the first signs we see is a decrease in feed consumption, while water consumption stays regulated. By adding DFMs to the water, the birds are more likely to receive the boost in their immune systems that they need in order to be healthy again. Water soluble DFMs can be used during any time of stress for the birds, whether stress due to temperatures, feed changes, predators - you name it. Available in 50 gram and 1 lb. bags.
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Garlic Oil Tincture – Many humans rely on the benefits of garlic when they aren’t feeling well, so why not poultry? Garlic is a natural antibiotic that has been used for centuries to combat infections all over the world. The Fertrell Company has taken certified organic garlic and steeped it in certified organic olive oil and aged it to perfection. Garlic tincture can be used on any species of farm animal, but it is especially easy to use with poultry. Use it anytime the birds aren’t feeling right; just add it straight into their water! Available in 16 oz. bottle.
Vitamin E Oil – Whenever you’re faced with an unknown disease or illness in your poultry (or a known one that isn’t getting better with traditional remedies), one of the first things we recommend is adding in some liquid vitamin E to their water. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it plays an important role in the formation of red blood cells. Often times when birds are sick, they go off feed, leading to a deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin E. Putting a few drops of Fertrell’s Vitamin E oil in their water can help to improve their health. If you have any questions regarding these products, please don’t hesitate to contact the Fertrell office.
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Paul Keiser of Ag & Health Alive, Marne, MI, Retires
As longtime Fertrell distributors, Paul and his late wife Nancy Jones have been educating growers in various parts of the U.S for decades. Paul has been an environmental activist since long before organic was “in”. His focus in his work has always been geared toward the benefits to people and the environment, as opposed to the profit involved. A few years ago, Paul shared the following article in our newsletter. As you can see, his dedication to organics plays a large part in all that he stands for. Nancy & I have used and sold Fertrell products for 24 or 25 years. One of our staples in both gardening and field production of vegetables and melons is Fertrell Super 3-2-3. We have sold and/or used this product in NJ, PA, DE, NC, NY, MA, SD and now Michigan for the last 12 years. In 1962, I sprayed synthetic chemical insecticides and fungicides for an employer in a small fruit orchard and herbicides on “weeds,” such as poison ivy, burdock and so on. Being young and careless, I poisoned myself and had immune system weakness in the form of severe allergic reaction to bee sting which took 12 years to overcome. I never sprayed synthetic poisons in garden or field again. At our home in Delran Township, Burlington County, NJ, we had a solar greenhouse that Nancy had constructed with a two-day workshop of paid attendees before we were married. In my family was a lily that had orange blossoms, and it grew about 14” high and produced two blossoms. It was called “Nan’s lily” after my Mother Jeannette’s Mother, Bertha Abigail Perry Smalley, who had kept the lily for decades. About 1985 or 86 we planted one of the Nan’s lily bulbs in a hanging pot in the greenhouse and added a bit of Fertrell Super 3-2-3 to the potting mix. That lily plant grew to 2’9” (not 14”) and produced six (not two) big, gorgeous blossoms! None of us had
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any idea that Nan’s lily had such genetic capacity! Paul has not only been a Fertrell distributor but also a writer for Acres USA. He was on DSE – TV’s “Living Green” as a guest speaker. In an interview with the Grand Rapids Press in 2009, Paul explains his passion for healthy food, clean earth, etc. (To read the full article, go to www.mlive.com) In the 90s, Paul managed a farm at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science School. From their farm they educated growers about organics and distributed Fertrell products to local farmers and gardeners. Paul set up a sizable dealer network in Michigan to make Fertrell organic fertilizers, offering available supplements to farmers/growers outside his immediate area. Over the years, the Keisers represented Fertrell at tradeshows and seminars, also offering Fertrell’s products and educating the public at local markets. Both Paul and Nancy not only sold and taught organics, they were living it every day! We would like to extend our best wishes to Paul for his retirement and offer a huge THANK YOU for his dedication over so many years!!!
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Swine Notes by Peg Meier Answers to some of the questions I receive from your phone calls. How much to feed pigs a day? As a rule of thumb, you feed 1 lb. of food each day for each month of age, up to a maximum of 6 lbs. per day. Do not feed more than this - you will waste money and end up with over-fat pigs. Be sure to weigh the food - six pounds is probably less than you think. As a second rule of thumb, all feed should be cleared up within 20-30 minutes. If not, reduce the amount, adding more gradually as appetite increases. Split the feeds into at least two offerings per day. FYI… -It will take roughly 5 to 6 months to raise a pig from birth to a finish weight of around 250 pounds. -After four to six weeks of feeding from its mother, an average pig will eat roughly between 700 and 900 pounds of food (depending on many factors) until finish weight - which is why you don’t want to over-feed or cause waste. Raising pigs is not inexpensive. Regularly check the body condition of your pigs. To do this, run your hand along the spine; if you can feel it clearly, the pig is a bit thin; if you can feel it with firm pressure, it is fine; if you can’t feel it at all, the pig is too fat. It is also a great thing to get to know your pigs through observation. Any changes are an alert for potential health issues. Pigs, like us, are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of foods. Also like us, they need a balanced diet of fiber, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to thrive. If you would like help with a balanced ration, call the office any time. Whether you are doing this as a small farmer or not, keep financial expenditures in good order for future reference. And I would also note health issues and observations as you get to know the “kids”. I cannot stress enough how important it is to observe your ani-
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mals. Any information gleaned will be especially useful when calling the office to discuss health concerns.
Welcome New Dealers Crane Dance Farm, Middleville, MI 49333, 616.293.1091, email:
[email protected] Stanford Orchards, 260 Lewis Stanford Drive, Onalaska, TX 73360, 972.672.2278, email: ValForsyth@ntxpp. com DVD on Diversifying Pastured Poultry Production 5 Disc set Topics Include: • Duck Production • Guinea Hens • Turkey Production (2 discs) • Special Nutritional & Health Needs for Waterfowl, Turkeys & Guineas Order online at apppa.org. $35 including shipping.
PO Box 85 | Hughesville, PA 17737 | 888-662-7772
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Cow Management - by Seth J. Epler Putting milk in the tank and then selling that milk is what a dairy operation is all about. So I ask a simple question – “Where does this milk come from?” Aside from the silly and obvious answer, a cow, Dr. Robert A. Patton states that a successful dairy operation can be attributed to the following: 20% to genetics, 30% to nutrition and feeding, and 50% to MANAGEMENT! This is a very complex way to look at milking cows. But it can be simplified like this – the one managing the environment of the cows has much of the control. According to Dr. Patton, the main reason that cows are culled is, “Reproductive failure-but at slaughter 90% are cycling normally. Problem is they don’t display heat-and 90% of these cows had foot problems. We do know that cows with sore feet show no or reduced heat symptoms. Cows also eat less and are thinner, reducing chance for productive and reproductive success. If we can change the environment to keep feet healthy, we can gain in both milk and reproductive success. (Patton pp 8, 9) When we think of things this way, the observation is there that with simple management practices profitable success can be obtained. This entire concept boils down to realizing that the comfort and stress level of the animal is in direct relation to production and profitability. It is why farmers do everything that they can to keep the cows cool during the hotter days of the season. It is the reason why farmers try to create a comfortable bed for the cows in their stalls. It is why the foot trimmer and foot baths are used. All of these are dairy management practices that, when used correctly, can help the comfort of the animals. In turn, this all helps ensure a more productive and successful operation.
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Make Your Soils and Plants Work for You - by Dan Dalton Dr. William Albrecht is well known for advising farmers to “feed the soil and not the plant.” While reading volume three of the Albrecht Papers, I came across another important piece of wisdom that all farmers should remember as we begin a new season. Agriculture is biology first and foremost. It is technology and management second.
When the season gets busy, it is easy to forget about how the biology in the soil is working for you – maintaining or improving soil structure and making nutrients available to your plants, among other things. As you plan your season, it is important to think about how your management and use of equipment will affect the biology in your soil. Tilling and plowing can be useful tools to control weeds, break new ground, and incorporate organic matter, but they are also very disruptive to your soil’s biology. When planning out your crop rotation, spend a few minutes to think about whether tilling or plowing between crops is necessary. Could the land be managed in a way that does not disrupt the soil microbes after every crop? Another great way to help your soil microbes is to be sure that they are getting a mix of food sources and enough food to sustain them. There are two important sources of plant food: sugars that are given off through the roots of plants and decomposing plant and animal material that is incorporated into the soil. Sugars are given off by crops to soil microbes in exchange for other nutrients the plant cannot make or access itself. It is a mutual relationship, meaning a healthier soil yields a healthier plant. Incorporating crop residues, especially cover crops, helps to feed other soil microbes, increases the available nutrients in the soil, and improves the soil’s structure, all of which lead to
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healthier crops. As the weather turns warmer and the season gets going, let’s remember that our soil biology is what makes farming possible. Don’t forget that “agriculture is biology first and foremost” and to “feed the soil!”
Spring Shipping
Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so.” Gen1:11(NASB) “Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.” Gen2:15 (NASB)
Spring has sprung! So for all who are busy cultivating and keeping … just a few reminders for those of you who will need freight quotes, and shipments. Please try to provide ALL necessary shipping information when placing your order or making your request. We will need the shipment destination town, state, zip, weight of possible order (for example, please let us know if there will be 60# bags on your order & how many), and any extra accessorial needed for the offload (notify call, delivery appt., pallet jack, lift gate, hazmat, short truck, etc.) Please note your receiving hours! Also, any self-arranged truckload or multiple pallet pickups must be picked up on the date scheduled. This will help with quote times and assure less issues on shipments. THANK YOU in advance for your help with this. It is greatly appreciated!
You’ve got questions...I’ve got answers! By Monica Pape
I’m on a mission to get to know all of you. Maybe not face to face, or right away, but if you are reading this newsletter, I know you have an interest in organic fertilizers and amendments. I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to connect with our dealers, distributors and customers through our newsletter. So I thought “Why not take questions from all of you?” That’s how I can get to know you, your interests, what you need help with and what you like or don’t like. One of our seasoned salesmen says “Here at Fertrell, we sell with service”. You don’t find that everywhere nowadays. We are here to help, and if I can help by answering your questions, then ask away! You can submit them via email to
[email protected] or mail them to our office at The Fertrell Co. c/o Monica, PO Box 265, Bainbridge, PA 17502. You may also call me Tuesday thru Thursday at the office at 717-367-1566. I’m going to get things started by asking all of you if you know what kind of plant is pictured below. I spent time with the folks at Hershey Community Garden located in Hershey, PA. One of their members thought it would be neat to grow this somewhat unusual plant in her plot. I’m lucky enough to have seen it before she had to clean her garden out at the end of the year. So, let me know what you think it is... One clue is that it smells delicious! And as a bonus - - - she used our products to grow it!
“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” Ps128:2 (ESV)
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Upcoming events:
The Farmer to Farmer Marketplace
For additional events which were not available at time of press, please check the Fertrell Facebook page --Thank you!
Hay, Forages, Grains and Livestock: Piglets that are being weaned at Great Bend Farm The oldest is 4 feeder pigs 40-45 lbs. ready now. There is a litter of 9 that should be weaned on Dec. 6 and another litter of 10 that should be weaned on Dec.20. There is also a litter of 8 that will be ready around Jan. 15. All the pigs are Tamworth Old Spot cross they are good looking piglets prices vary from 100.00 140.00 depending on how many they take. Let me know if you have any questions. Andy Dohner Great Bend Farm phone (610) 780-2579 farmers@greatbendfarm. com www.greatbendfarm.com (T0115)
March 4th, 2015 – Nofa NY Organics Dairy & Field Crop Conference, Holiday Inn, Liverpool, NY Info: Bethany Wallis 585.271.1979 ext. 513 or email:
[email protected] or visit www.nofany.org March 13th -14th 2015 – NC-VA Regional Hops Conference, Forsyth Cty Center, 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston Salem NC info: 828.684.3562 or
[email protected] March 14, 2015 - Lambing Clinic, Owens Farm, Sunbury, PA. Vet presentation, guest shepherd panel, hands-on observation/practice in 100-ewe flock. More info 570.286.5309 www.owensfarm.com. Wednesday, March 18, 2015 - Fertrell Poultry Meeting. 9:00am – 3:00pm. Location: Miller’s Natural Foods 2888 Miller Ln, Bird in Hand, PA 17505. Cost: Free (must RSVP!) to Peg 717.367.1566 or 800.347.1566 March 28th -29th 2015 - APPPA Annual Conference, Stone Barns NY. More info, please contact Mike Badger 888.662.7772 or
[email protected] April 3rd 2015 – Grower’s Meeting Sponsored by Fertrell Co, Organic Valley and Martin’s Farm Supply 9:30 AM – 3 PM at Mo’s Pub and Grill 3357 State Route 11, Malone, NY 12953, 518.483.3667 Free Lunch will be provided, therefore please RSVP by March 27th 2015 by calling 800.347.1566 ext 230 April 18, 2015 - Pastured Pork Day, Owens Farm, Sunbury PA. Producer panel, nutrition presentation, facility tour. More info 570.286.5309 www.owensfarm.com.
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Equipment: Poultry Processing Equipment - Ashley, Pickwick, Featherman, Poultryman pickers and salders. Vacuum packing machines, shrink bags, knives, kill cones and any equipment for poultry processing. We ship anywhere; Jim McLaughlin, Cornerstone Farm Ventures, Norwich, New York 607.334.2833 or on the web at www.chickenpickers.com (P0107) Edible Processed Products: Certified organic garlic – grown on our farm – Valley Organic Garlic Farm, 523 Valley Road, Quarryville, PA 17566 phone 717.806.0392 (T0114) Cheese - Shepherd’s Hollow Farm, 1624 Georgetown Rd., Christiana, PA 17509 (T0114) Cheese - King’s Kreamery, 995 B Musser School Rd, Gordonville, PA 17529 (T0114) Wanted: Looking for 1-2 used soil probes. Please call Melvin Martin, 315.265.4180 (T0115)
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Goat Nutri-Balancer •Rations formulated to meet the dietary and management style needs for both dairy and meat goats oice Free-Ch re ls a Minera ding le, inclu b a il a v a & nd Salt Redmo n Kelp Acadia
•A balanced blend of vitamins and minerals including copper •Direct Feed Microbials
Sheep Nutri-Balancer •Rations formulated to meet the dietary and management style needs of sheep •A balanced blend of vitamins and minerals •Direct Feed Microbials
The Fertrell Company • Bainbridge, PA 17502 • phone: 800-347-1566 • www.fertrell.com
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Squash: Do You Grow It? I Do! by Don Brubaker
Part Three of “Do You Have Your Pollinators Hired For 2015?”
Squash bees will nest in the ground as deep as two feet. They can also be found on the lower leaves at the base of plants.
As I drove to the Fertrell office this morning, the roads were icy, the school was closed and the office parking lot was a sheet of ice. As I put my thoughts together for another article on the pollinator kick that I have been on, for some reason my mind drifted to squash and grilling it with onions, peppers and tomatoes. Wow - that could be a meal in itself! But I digress… Now that I am in the frame of mind to eat some fresh squash, let’s get them pollinated. Back in November I attended a Xerces Society workshop in Melfa, Va. They are a great organization, working to improve man’s understanding of native pollinators. Who is the best pollinator? We could argue all day about that. As I continue to learn more about the world of pollinators, I get more and more excited. Nature has so much to offer us if we could only learn to work with it as it was created. Did you know that there is a squash bee? I didn’t. In fact, there are roughly 4000 species of bees in North America. Squash bees can be identified by their size - 0.4 to .0.6 inches in length. They are typically browner in color with sparse bands of brown hair around their midsection. They forage on squash, gathering nectar and pollen from flower to flower as they do the job of pollinating the plant. They do their job early in the morning, starting at least a half hour before sun-up, long before the honey bee is up and going.
News from the front: Just a friendly reminder: Prepaid fertilizer needs to be picked up / shipped no later than March 31st 2015. Please make arrangements at your earliest convenience --- Thank you !
Attention www.fertrell.com
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Changes to liquid fish program by Paul Douglass
Fertrell’s liquid fish program has undergone significant changes in the last few years. Inconsistencies in the supply and quality of our available raw materials as well as changes to the National Organic Program (NOP) rules governing the nitrogen levels of liquid fish for organic use have led to changes in the products we have available. We have already discontinued several products and changed the NPK levels of others. Now we will be undergoing changes yet again.
Eager Farmer Connecting Experience, Education and Enthusiasm in Farming Our mission is to establish connections, kick-start partnerships and encourage healthy agricultural landscapes that span the generations. Are you looking for an intern or apprentice? Are you needing a farm manager? Are you in need of part-time or full-time farm workers? Do you want to intern at a farm? Do you have farming experience and would like to partner with someone who has land? Are you a land owner wanting someone to manage it for future generations? Then Eager farmer is the place for you! Eager Farmer is an online connection for experienced farmers, educated farm managers, establish land owners and eager wannabe farmers.
Products that have already been discontinued include Omega Grow 5-1-1 and Fertrell Liquid 4-2-4. Changes to the NOP rules covering liquid fish products have caused us to discontinue any product with a nitrogen level higher than three. Fertrell Liquid Gold 2-4-2 and Liquid Starter 2-3-1 will also be discontinued when our existing stock runs out. Other products have had their nutrient levels changed. Fertrell liquid 1 was changed from a 4-1-1 to a 3-1-1 due to the NOP rule, and Fertrell Liquid 3-4-3 was changed to a 3-2-3 due to a raw material change. So what is new for the upcoming year? We will be continuing the production of Fertrell Liquid #1 3-1-1 and Fertrell Liquid #3 2-1-1. We will also continue to produce Fertrell liquid 3-2-3. As always, all Fertrell products will be available in quart, gallon, 5 gallon and 55 gallon drums. Fertrell will also be partnering with DRAMMATIC Plant Foods to carry Drammatic ”O” 2-5-1(OMRI Listed) Liquid Fish and Drammatic “ONE” 4-4-1 (OMRI Listed) Liquid Fish, Kelp, Chilean Nitrate, and Fulvic Acid available in 5 gallon and 55 gallon sizes. We will also carry Drammatic 5N 5-4-2 (OMRI Listed) with Fish, Chilean Nitrate, and Potassium Sulfate, available in a 55 gallon size.
Connect with us at www.eagerfarmer.com or www.facebook.com/eagerfarmer
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A
nd Frie
of Nature Since 1 94 6
Visit us online at: www.fertrell.com
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ALABAMA MAIL SERVICE DECATUR, AL 35602
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PO Box 265 Bainbridge, PA 17502 Phone: 717.367.1566 Fax: 717.367.9319
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