310196_Extension_20190423

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Steve Troxler North Carolina Department of Agriculture
Commissioner and Consumer Services
Agronomic Division
To: Michael and Jim Stocker
444 Sammy Godwin Lane
Warsaw NC 28398
From: D d G. chols
Regional Agronomist NCDA&CS
11 Nicholson Rd.
Sanford NC 27332
Michael and Jim Stocker,
Dr. Colleen Hudak -Wise
Interim Director
On or about April 23, 2019 I became aware that your swine farm, Eco Systems Farm (facility # 31-196),
that you had exceeded the limitations of your pumping window date outlined in your waste plan by
pumping past the date of September 15. According to your records, the last date that you pumped was
September 23, 2018 on millet.
Although I did not have the occasion to visit your farm, according to your records, you planted millet on
June 20, June 23 and July 3. All three of these planting dates for millet would have been agronomically
acceptable to still have been able to receive additional nutrients for hay production into late September,
given proper management. September 30 would have been an acceptable date for the extension.
Millet planted during this time period would have the time to be cut for hay two, possibly three, times
during the growing season, depending on growing conditions. There was an extended period of time
during late July, early August, that could delay some growth but rains in mid to late August would have
helped to resume crop growth.
It is my professional opinion that millet, properly managed for hay, could, and would, have benefitted
from additional PAN at this stage of the season. Had this crop been grown for seed production, the
additional PAN at this stage of growth would also be beneficial due to the fact that 50% flower would
occur at about 70 days after emergence.
This justification for pumping is for this event only, as long as it did not exceed available PAN. Please
add a copy of this document to your waste plan. If I can be of further assistance please let me know.
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