How do I know? Because our geese have returned, and so have our ducks! Our pastures are starting to get green again, and the horses are all enjoying the sun, laying around and starting to shed out! I really love this time of year, when things become new again.

It’s time to get my garden going. I’ve got my starter kit for seeds ordered and it should be here by this weekend, and get some of the plants started in my kitchen, where there is plenty of sunlight, and I can keep them babies warm.

I’ve got a horse stalled, so my compost pile can build. I’ll be needing this before long. I swear by a horse compost pile. That, and Feast® 9-18-9!

Let me SHOW you why I like the Conklin’s Feast® 9-18-9 so much.

My own personal results were not quite as good as Jerry’s, but I’ll be the first to admit, that, for a first time tomato grower last year, I grew enough tomatoes to make 6 large batches of Salsa and 2 batches of speghetti sauce from my 9 plants, and still had some left over for salads at each all season long! So, I’m really looking forward to what I can do this year, with more knowledge, and a better understanding of the plants themselves.

Feast is available in different quantities, depending on your needs, small or large. Visit Diamond M Enterprise for full selection, under Lawn and Crop Management

Here’s the story, of two horses, both about the same age (coming of 3 years old), both bought from the same guy. Their names are Star and Edge. These pictures were taken early spring 2008, we had bought them the summer of 2007, so it was their first winter with us. Both had lost weight, had dull coats, and their eyes weren’t as bright as I like them to be.  Edge had rain-rot, and we applied some MTG to help that along quicker. In hindsite, I wish I had left it alone to see how the Fastrack Fortifier® would have helped. But, I’m not one for doing something on the slower side, when it can be dealt  with in a quicker way.

We pulled them from the herd, and put them in their own field so we could use  1 oz per day of Fastrack Fortifier® when we grained them. Along with good grooming, the grain and Fastrack®, and a dose of worming, we watched them come along out of the early spring, and into full spring. They gained weight again, their eyes got brighter, and they shed their winter coats nicely, and ended up with a nice, smooth, shiney summer coat. The pictures below were taken 60 days after starting them on Fastrack®!

Check out these savings!

5 Pound Bags:                       8 Pound Tub:                         Bale:

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Preferred Customer Account Application : For those who just want to purchase at a discount price, but not build a business. Preferred Customers can upgrade to an IBO at any time, without any additional charges or purchases.

Are you needing a new roof, but don’t want to pay someone to come do it? Are you a DIY type of person? If you are, Conklin has roofing systems to help you repair your leaking roof. But, why wait until it is leaking? Using Conklin’s roofing systems is an excellant way to cut down on your electric bill, keeping your building cooler in the summers.

If your looking to start your own Business in the Roofing Industry, Conklin has the training and the products to get you started. Offering several systems that will not only generate an income for you and your family, but also provide years of satisfied customers.

For those that are in the roofing business, here is a video you will enjoy. Extending your working season by up to one month!? Not using Conklin’s Roofing Systems yet? Join Today and become a member of Conklin’s Master Contractors.

Feel free to email, call, or visit our Conklin Website for more information. Email and phone number can be found on the Conklin site.

DES MOINES, IOWA — Fall and winter alfalfa field management can have a substantial impact on spring growth and next year’s harvest. The timing of final cutting, weed control measures and fertilizer applications are production factors for next year’s alfalfa crop, according to agronomy experts from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business.

“Fall is the time for a thorough evaluation of the 2008 alfalfa growing season,” says Gary Brinkman, Pioneer field sales agronomist. “In addition to considering fall cutting options, growers need to decide what types of fall weed management and fertilizer should be applied.”

Pioneer suggests growers avoid harvesting alfalfa into the fall and consider the benefits this will have on next year’s alfalfa crop.

“If growers are considering a fall alfalfa harvest, they need to take into account the potential impact for the spring crop,” says David Miller, director of Pioneer alfalfa breeding.

Harvesting alfalfa into the fall potentially can damage alfalfa and increase the risk of winterkill. As alfalfa goes dormant it stores carbohydrate reserves in the root. Cutting the plant in the fall can leave it with inadequate nutrients to survive the winter.

“It’s a matter of arithmetic; if a grower depletes the energy source prior to dormancy, the plant may not have adequate energy to initiate spring growth,” says Brinkman. “If a grower needs to have that final cutting for added sources of feed, he or she should wait until two consecutive days of a hard freeze - 24 to 26 degrees.

” Waiting until after a hard freeze allows the plant to put down all possible root reserves. Harvesting after a hard freeze will not affect winter survival or the next spring yield. However, it is important growers leave 6 inches of stubble and potentially a few strips to help catch snow for improved insulation.

Fall is also an excellent time to start reviewing fertilizer and weed management
options. “Growers should make sure there are adequate levels of fertilizer - potash specifically,” says Brinkman. “A fall application or spring application is fine. Typically, the best time is after the third cutting (or fourth depending on intensity during the summer months) to help maintain winter survival conditions.”

Additionally, weed management is applicable in the fall as well. Fall is an optimum time to control perennial weeds. “It is smart to kill weeds before they get established,” says Brinkman. “The majority of the time, a great spring alfalfa stand is due to applying weed control measures in the fall”.

Typically, alfalfa needs to be planted approximately every three years. Intensity
of harvests can play a bit of a role in the number of years an alfalfa stand can be utilized. The general recommendation, following three years of alfalfa, is to rotate to another crop for at least one year.

“Corn is a great crop to plant after alfalfa because of the significant levels of nitrogen,” says Brinkman. “Some research studies have shown up to 100 pounds of nitrogen available for a corn crop. That is a huge value. Rotating out of alfalfa also breaks diseases and insect cycles.”

For growers looking to replant this spring, there are a couple of important factors to consider. Soil pH should be 6.8 and adequate levels of phosphorus and potash are needed. The field should have good internal drainage or drainage tiles. “The majority of planting occurs in the spring but is geography specific,” says Miller. “Usually a targeted window of early to mid-April for a eginningpoint is recommended. It is better to plant on the early side of this time frame rather than later. Alfalfa will emerge in fairly cool temperatures.”

Genetics also are an important aspect to look at before purchasing seed later
this year or early next spring. Pioneer(R) brand varieties are equipped with
characterization charts that offer growers information on disease and pest resistance as well as maturity and yield information.

“Pioneer still offers the traditional workhorse varieties, which are versatile,” says Miller, “However, in today’s industry, it is potentially more economical to invest in varieties that offer growers protection for specific field concerns rather than the conventional scout-and-spray method. For example, it may be wiser to invest in a leafhopper-resistant variety if the pest has a significant impact on two to three cuts per summer.”

It also is important to prepare the seedbed, which needs to be firm and packed.
Seed needs to be planted in the first quarter inch in heavier soils, and in sand, possibly a half inch.

“One of the major reasons growers see stand failure is because the seed
is planted too deep,” says Brinkman. “Plant alfalfa seed shallow, and work to achieve good seed-to-soil contact.

“Alfalfa is an important and valued feed source. Getting an optimum stand
next spring means good fall management and proper planting techniques.”

SOURCE: Pioneer Hi-Bred news release

AgroVantage System Alfalfa Production Strategies

Soil Preparation

AgroVantage System Soil Test
Soil Amendment Application ( SupercalLime 98G™ or SuperCal S04™ ) based upon soilanalysis
Broadcast Fertilizer Application based upon soil analysis

New Seeding/Stand Establishment
Seed Support –Amplify-D® Seed Emergence Aid – 4 oz. per 50 lbs. of seed
Soil Support –X-CYTO® Plant Growth Regulators - 15 oz. per acre and
Wex-NRA-WA® Multipurpose Wetting Agent – 1-2 pints per acre sprayed over top of ground with
20 gallons of water per acre

Foliar Feeding
Feast®3-18-18 or Feast® Liquid Plant Food 9-18-9 based on soil analysis
Feast® Micro Master™ 3.0% Chelated Calcium @ 1 quart per acre
Feast Micronutrients based upon soil analysis and leaf tissue analysis
Foliar X-CYTO @ 12 ounces per acre
Rain-Fast®Wetting Agent @ 1 ounce per 100 gallons spray solution
Feast®Boron @ 1 qt. per acre
Feast® Side-Kick @ 2 quartsper acre
Feast®Chelated Zinc @ 1 pint per acre
Harvesting

Pro-Serve III® Forage Treatment – 1.3 oz. per ton and
Wex- Wetting Agent– 1% concentration - applied at swathing
Feedstore®Generation II Silage Inoculant Applied at Baling

After Final Cutting (putting Alfalfa to bed)
Feast®3-18-18 @ 3-5 gallons per acre
Rain-Fast® Wetting Agent @ 1 ounce per 100 gallons spray solution

Interested in learning more about the Agro-Vantage Program and  how Conklin can help you save even more money with next years crop? Email me or visit my website

is about to explode! What is the secret? It’s a company that has been around for almost 40, and is setting all kinds of records, from sales to production!

Let me introduce you to Conklin©, which started in the garage of Harry Conklin in the 1920’s, with a few cleaning products and fuel additives. In 1969, Harry’s sons had a new vision for the company and introduced it to Network Marketing.

So, why are we still the “best kept network marketing secret”? Because we have expanded into new area over the years, and there just aren’t enough Independant Business Owners to get the word out fast enough!

Conklin© has over 190 products in 6 catagories. These catagories include:

1. Building and Roofing
2. Cleaning Products
3. Health and Personal Care
4. Agriculture and Lawn Care
5. Animal Products
6. Vehicle Lubricants

My goal over the next several weeks is to introduce you to the products, the company, the people behind the company, and the joy of having your own Home Based Business.