Loading...
Farming '90, 1990-03-21, Page 27FARMING ‘90, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 1990. Bll. Farmers hear of 2 ways to test for nitrogen levels in soil University of Guelph scientists are still trying to find an accurate way of testing for nitrogen in the soil, Huron County farmers heard at a Soil and Crop Conservation day in Brussels March 7, but a U.S. farmer claims to have used a machine that will sense the nitrogen level while a farmer works his field. Dr. Eric Beauchamp of the University of Guelph explained that his team of scientists is on the verge of developing a program to measure nitrates in the soil but Terry Schneider told the group of a ntirogen sensor he had tested on his farm that will measure nitrogen in the soil 50 times a second as he drives across the field. Mr. Schneider, an Illinois farmer w ho cash-crops 1600 acres of row­ crops. said he tested a nitrogen applicator-sensor on his farm for several seasons and was amazed at its capabilities. The sensor takes readings from each tooth as it passes through the soil and he claimed the sensing was so sophisticiated that it uld sense where alfalfa had been grown in a field. Mr. Schneider said his experience was that the sensor, which can give computer printouts of all soil samples taken and their location in the field, always increased the yields and reduced the amount of nitrogen that had to be applied. The machine is costly at $12,000 U.S. but Mr. Schneider said that one year the machine would have paid for itself on just 300 acres and another year on 500 acres. Others in the audience were more skeptical ofthepowersofthe wonder machine. One knowledgeable observer said later he had never heard such glowing praise for the machine in his reading about the sensor. But Mr. Schneider said he had had more experience than anyone else who had used it, having it on his farm longer. Dr. Beauchamp saidthe talk of the machine kind of made his discus­ sion an anti-climax but he outlined attempts to develop a workable nitrate test for Ontario. Other tests had been developed in dry-land areas like the prairies but wouldn’t work under Ontario condtions, he said. One of the problems is that the nitrate levels vary according to the time of the year. Nitrogen levels are lower in the spring and increase as the soil warms up and plant material in the soil begins to rot. It hits a high in July then, as the corn begins rapid growth and uses up the nitrogen, the level drops, then picks up again in thefall whenthecorn stops growing. Levels of nitrogen carried over to the next year can be surprisingly high, he said. The testing method is almost ready to use, he said but the major problem is the turnaround time in the lab which, at a week might be too long for farmers, especially when the lab is flooded with samples when all farmers are getting ready to pre-apply nitrogen. His team would like to develop a simple system that would allow farmers to test for nitrates right in their own kitchen, he said. Get into a 4WD Jeep 1990 Jeep Cherokee Sport under Cherokee for 1989 Jeep Comanche $500 CASH BACK** 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer $1,000 CASH BACK** Drive home a legendary Jeep today! ‘Guarantee period expires September 30. 1990, and applies to 1990 models only ‘ ‘These offers are mutually exclusive and apply to purchase lor personal use only Qualified buyers choosing a reduced financing rate in lieu of cash rebate on selected vehicles are eligible lor 6 9% financing over maximum 24 month term For longer term loans other low financing rates are available as alternatives to cash rebates See Dealer for details Transactions are subject to Chrysler Canada Credit Ltd approval on purchase and delivery at participating Chrysler Canada ltd Dealers from February 1. 1990 until terminated by Chrysler Canada Ltd Oelivery must be taken from existing Dealer inventory Financing offers exclude fleet orders and retail lease vehicles The offers cancel and replace any and all previous offers and may not be combined Example if the amount financed is $10,000 on the purchase of a vehicle for a term of 24 months, the financing rate would be 6 9% APR. with a monthly payment of $447 27 for 24 months Total cost of borrowing is $734 48 Assummq a rebate of $1 500 as the alternative should you choose a reduced financing 'ate instead of cash rebate, legislation requires that the amount ol the rebate not taken be included in calculating the cost ol borrowing in order to arrive at an effective interest rate In the example given, the cost of borrowing, including the rebate nol taken would be $2,234 48 resulting in an effective interest rate of 23 497% Buyers must pay at time of purchase for transportation, licence, taxes and other fees such as registration Retail lease vehicles are eligible for cash rebates only Special leasing rates, as an alternative to •ehates, are available on selected models See Dealer for details tAdvertised price does not include transportation, licence, taxes and registration Factory order may be necessary. ttCashback direct from Chrysler See Dealer for details fgSR ■* / is Featuring 5-speed transmission, AM/FM stereo, aluminum wheels and tinted glass. 4.0 litre 6 cylinder engine. Now 1990 Jeep YJ “S” available 1989 Jeep Cherokee and Wagoneer Limited $1,500** CASH BACK or 6.9% FINANCING 1989 & 1990 Jeep YJ $500 CASH BACK** “S” model excluded. NOBODY. Jeep and Eagle Dealers of Ontario HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO IMPROVING YOUR ODDS AGAINST CANADA'S #1 KILLER.I Jeep EEagle LISTOWEL CHRYSLER JEEP EAGLE 754 MAIN ST. E„ LISTOWEL, /%ski * HANAriA __ - — — _ _ 754 MAIN ST. E„ LISTOWEL, ONT. CANADA Official sponsor of the Canadian Ski Association PHONE 291-4350 OPEN DAILY 'TIL 9 P.M.- SAT. ’TIL 5 P.M.