820508_Agronomic report_20220527

Steve Troxler
Commissioner
June 6, 2022
Prestage Farms, Inc.
PO Box 438
Clinton, NC 28329
Attn: Randy Barefoot
Mr. Randy Barefoot,
North Carolina Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services
Agronomic Division
Dr. Colleen Hudak -Wise
Director
I visited three of your swine operations on May 27, 2022, and one operation on June 3, 2022, to assess the condition of the
receiving crop on sprayfields. The assessment evaluated the bermudagrass stands on the fields to determine if the stand was
adequate for receiving waste water.
Fields 5 and 6 on Farm P-21 under permit 82-407 do not have adequate stands of bermudagrass for waste application. In
order to utilize the PAN rate for bermudagrass for the 2022 season, these fields should be resprigged as soon as possible.
According to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Forage Planting Guide, bermudagrass may be sprigged into early July
with irrigation. If it is not possible to resprig these fields by early July and ensure irrigation, an alternative summer annual
crop is.recommended with plans for resprigging bermudagrass in the spring of 2023. The dominant warm season species in
these fields is crabgrass. Crabgrass can serve as the receiving crop with 75% of the PAN rate for bermudagrass for the soil
type with an application window from April 1 to September 30. Sorghum-sudangrass is another alternative crop to plant on
these fields. Based upon the soil sample reports presented on the visit, the soil pH and soil potassium levels were low to very
low. Up-to-date soil samples should be taken, and lime and fertility recommendations should be followed prior to
resprigging.
Field 1A on Farm P-25 under permit 82-400 was evaluated and determined to have an adequate stand of bermudagrass for
waste application. There is evidence that weed competition has reduced the stand in small patches within the field. Timely
weed control of curly dock and spiny amaranth along with adequate fertility, especially potassium and sulfur, based upon soil
test reports presented will prevent weed competition with the bermudagrass and allow the bermudagrass to re-establish in
the thinned areas.
Field 5 on Farm P-8 under permit 82-505 was assessed and determined to have an adequate stand of bermudagrass for waste
application if timely removal of overseed and timely weed control especially for crabgrass is performed. Soil sample reports
from March of 2022 also indicate low soil pH and low to moderate levels of soil potassium. Timely weed control for crabgrass
and other weeds along with adequate fertility, especially lime and potassium, based upon soil test reports will prevent weed
competition with the bermudagrass.
Fields 1, 2, 3, and 4 were assessed on Farm PX-13 under permit 82-508. Field 1 does not have a stand of bermudagrass or any
forage crop for waste application. A high population of alligatorweed has out -competed the bermudagrass. It is
recommended to initiate herbicide control measures for the alligatorweed this summer in order to prepare the field for
resprigging in the spring of 2023. Field 2 does have an adequate stand of bermudagrass for waste application if timely
removal of overseed and timely weed control of curly dock, crabgrass, and other weeds is performed. Field 3 does have an
adequate stand of bermudagrass for waste application if timely removal of overseed and timely weed control of curly dock,
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crabgrass, and spiny amaranth is performed. Field 4 does have an adequate stand of bermudagrass for waste application if
timely removal of overseed and timely weed control of curly dock, crabgrass, and dogfennel is performed. It is evident in
fields 2, 3, and 4 that some sprinklers in the solid sets are not applying as much volume as others. The bermudagrass around
underapplying sprinklers is struggling due to inadequate nitrogen fertility, whereas, bermudagrass around fully operational
sprinklers is performing very well due to adequate nitrogen fertility. It is recommended to monitor all sprinklers for proper
operation to ensure the bermudagrass is receiving adequate nitrogen fertility to prevent stand decline. Soil sample reports
from March, 2022, show adequate pH and fertility other than sulfur. It is recommended to follow sulfur recommendations
from the soil test reports.
Bermudagrass stands on the fields that were assessed have been impacted by untimely (late) harvest, weed competition, late
removal of winter overseed, and low soil fertility. Earlier removal of winter overseed, adequate and effective weed control,
and timely harvest will prevent competition and shading issues for the bermudagrass. Adequate fertility from
implementation of soil test recommendations and from properly functioning sprinklers will maintain the health and vigor of a
viable bermudagrass stand.
Please prepare a conditional amendment to the Waste Utilization Plan based upon this recommendation and retain this
letter for your records as documentation of this recommendation.
If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
z.
I I ;I(
Willie Howell
NCDA & CS, Agronomic Services Division
Regional Agronomist
Phone: [phone]
CC: David Hardy