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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-03-18, Page 46SEE US FOR ALL YOUR 1 1,1987 CROPPING. NEEDS � II BULK DELIVERY III CUSTOM SPREADING III LIQUID NITROGEN II CUSTOM LIQUID APPLICATION SPREADER AVAILABLE It's New At... 1yea 40401# 74lot Seem.d As . well as the top names in equipment we have been offering years, we are now adding a ... Feed Mill -Mixer Combination to our line. You can weigh and blend your already ground corn or grain into a complete ration or grind and mix your feed daily. We feature the Butler Scale for accuracy' and dependability. For more information call 395-5286 4MtN or MARK HILLER RR 3, Wingham 357-1626 iegotte, ?cvt�t s_4 "REMEMBER - WE HANDLE EVERYTHING - ALMOST" RR No. 1 KINCARDINE 396-5286 Zed. Reports show field performance... • from page 4A tion of some 200,000 acres of information that is entered by township. The type of in- formation included in the data base in- cludes seeding rates, planting data, actual yields, all the treatments of fertilizer and pesticides as well as applications of livestock manure and the tillage methods on the individual fields. It's this large data base that is used to support the cropping recommendations made to the farmer who also receive a print-out of the information broken down field by field every year. The information, in the form of a report, shows the farmer the performance of each field underthe cropping program. Also available through on consulting ser- vice is a budget to break down the costs of implementing a specific cropping pro- gram, says Mr. Perry. The budget establishes a projected break-even point, comparing the costs per acre with what the farm can realistically expect in return. All costs are taken into account when preparing the budget including the cost of fertilizer, seed, pre -harvest, harvest, and miscellaneous costs such as trucking, in- surance, land costs and even the fee for the consultation. With commodity prices currently at a loW leYel, SoiLab is involved with transfer- ring the information for growing new specialty crops which are "not by any means a savior", but may help farmers find new markets in order to realize a pro- fit. While these markets are relatively small, farmers have expressed a will- ingness to try the unconventional field crops out of sheer desperation. Some of the specialty crops farmers are considering are hard red spring wheat, soft white spring wheat, buckwheat, lupin beans, eolored beans, organically grown wheat. Mr. Perry said farmers have very little experience with these crops and new technology being tried to make them a viable crop including the Intensive Cereal Management ( ICM) program. "This data makes its way into the newspaper articles, but is never brought to the farmers. What we're trying to do is transfer the information to the farmers," he said. Non -certified seed use proves expensive As the economy continues to put pressure on crop production efficiency, more growers will be measuring the benefits of Certified seed against the perceived dollar savings of using bin -run seed. It is a fact that still over 80% of our cultivated land is sown with non -certified seed each year. This can prove to be an ex- pensive tradition because it can deny the farmer maximum yield and quality, and perpetuate weed and disease problems which bite further into his pocketbook. Many farmers still believe they can save money by hauling grain in the bin to the elevator to have it cleaned and hauling it back to the farm for planting. Planting seed from the bin may save a little money on the seed purchase, but that's often where the savings end. In fact, tests prove that bin -run seed can cost you money in the long run by reducing crop yields and quality. A 1984-85 study conducted by Dr. Brian G. Rossnagel and Dr. Robert T. Baker and evaluated at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan showed that proper cleaning of good quality seed can br- ing significant increases in the grower's return per acre. Results of the research showed that cleaning of seed produced a positive effect regardless of pedigree status, and is an effective way to improve its value. However, because a high percentage cleanout was required to achieve this ad- vantage in the bin -run samples, it .was con- cluded that Certified seed offers a higher return per acre. When the costs of trucking, fuel, labour, and the elevator cleaning process are all considered, it is often to the grower's advan- tage to sell the grain and buy good, clean bagged . or bulk Cerified seed. This is especially true in western Canada where growers may deliver up to 600 bushels of over quota grain and use the proceeds for the purchase of Certified seed of wheat, oats, barley, flax or rapeseed. This program offers growers increased opportunities for marketing grain and improving future crops. Compared to fertilizer, pesticides and all other input costs in crop production, Cer- tified seed is probably the lowest cost. Yet, it offers one of the highest returns. The small extra cost of buyoing Certified seed is an assurance of improved quality, cleanliness from weeds and disease, and good germination. Certified seed is controll- ed by strict regulations to ensure the seed is mechanically pure and true to type. Well- cleaned seed contains a greater percentage of large kernels which has proven to pro- duce healthier and more vigorous plants than small kernels. With new varieties being introduced every year, many of which are developed in response to current market conditions, Cer- tified seed gives growers access to the highest yielding, top performing varieties available. Growers aiming for a better return on their crop production investment find that Certified seed doesn't cost ... it pays. Know your roughage quality Roughage quality can vary a great deal over the course of a winter feeding pro- gram. As a rule not all feed is harvested at the same quality, so it is important to make the necessary adjustments to your ration when required. The key to maintaining good production is "knowing your roughage quality" and balancing the animals roughage diet with an adequate grain mix containing all essential nutrients. If you would like your ration checked, just give us a call. We can evaluate or formulate dairy and beef rations at no cost to you. Anyone wishing to have feed samples analyzed will be required to.pay a small fee. The following services are available through the Agri -Food Laboratories in Guelph. Types of Analysis Available I Dry Matter, Crude Protein $10.00 II Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Calcium, P hosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium $17.00 III Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium, Maganese, Copper, Zinc $19.00. IV (Roughages) : Dry Matter, Crude Pro- tein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, P otassium, Acid Detergent Fibre,Estimated Total Digestible Nutrients, Net Energy of Lactation $23.00 ✓ Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus $14.00 With Oiie of The Above Digestible Protein - (Measures heat damage in hay and haylage only) $8.00 Neutral Detergent Fibre $8.00 Acid Detergent Fibre $6.00 Input forms, information sheets and feed bags are available through the local Ontario' Ministry of Agriculture and Food office in Clinton. If this program is of interest to you, feel free to call. m•, li ma ph' S shoe doe she coo get °' Co pia'. the If h doe A' into'. qui rea logs', so t N into' ace'; Whi on so tow Ed we H yea whe pia A me ChrI pot how, do i M sev mat A yea de tre MP nun him, on said, As Mr. toge how` knoq can', Boxj Ac! shop '1 Belli a S pow, unil. c new tysj of CJ Eva Ai 0A' Ph the gro pro