Information For Farmers
Helpful Links and Publications:
- Nutrient Management Legislation in PA: Summary of the Regulations {pdf} click here
- PA’s Nutrient Management Act: Who Will Be Affected? {pdf} click here
- Manure Broker/Hauler Act (Act 49): Frequently Asked Questions click here
- A Nutrient Management Approach for PA: Introduction to the Concepts {pdf} click here
- Tips for Choosing a Nutrient Management Plan Writer {pdf} click here
- Plan Development Incentives Program (PDIP) Cost Share Rates {pdf} click here
- Info on ACRE. click here
- Army Corps of Engineers click here
- USGS page click here
Conservation District Programs:
Want to Optimize Your Corn Yields, Save $$, and Protect Water Quality?
A Chlorophyll Meter can Help!
The Tioga County Conservation District (TCCD) is in the process of writing a grant to receive funding to buy a chlorophyll meter. If you are interested in using the meter to optimize your corn yields while minimizing fertilizer costs and water pollution, sign up! We will contact you this summer and plan to start using the meter next May-July.
What is a Chlorophyll Meter?
A chlorophyll meter is a portable, hand-held device that instantaneously measures the chlorophyll content or greenness of a plant. Nitrogen is closely related with leaf chlorophyll; therefore, the readings of corn leaves reveal the nitrogen status of the plant. Early season chlorophyll meter testing consists of taking meter readings of corn leaves when plants are 30-45 days after emergence (6th-8th leaf stage). Meter readings are then compared to readings taken from a high nitrogen reference plot that has been adequately fertilized with nitrogen. The results are the recommended nitrogen levels for the corn.
{pdf} The Early Season Chlorophyll Meter Test For Corn
Farmers NEED NOT have nutrient management plans to participate. If you are interested in participating, please sign up. We will contact you if funding becomes available.
For more information, contact Nate Barns at 724-1801 x 120, email
(nbarns@tiogacountypa.us), or stop by the Conservation District office.
Soil and Manure Tests
If you grow crops for profit, then soil testing is a great way to increase your yields and save on input costs. Soil testing can identify acidic fields where low pH is limiting the availability of essential nutrients- causing many crops not to grow to their full potential. Testing your soil can also identify fields that have deficient nutrient levels, as well as fields where fertilizer is being over-applied and wasted. Applying the right amount of fertilizer, based on field needs, can save money, optimize growth, and prevent runoff and leaching of pollutants to streams and groundwater.
Soil and manure testing are also required as part of the development of a nutrient management plan. Soil tests must be taken on each field every 3 years, and manure analysis tests must be done every year until and average nutrient content for the animal group has been collected. The cost of a soil test sent to Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab (AASL) is $9. The cost of a basic manure analysis is $32.
For more information, contact Andrea Boyce at 724-1801 x 110, email (aboyce@tiogacountypa.us), or stop by the Conservation District office.
