The Rural Voice, 1979-05, Page 39October applications.
This means a lot of nitrogen in the
sludge escaped into the air, instead of
being retained for use by plants. Estimates
of loss were 60 per cent for May and 56 per
cent for October. These losses occurred in
the first six to seven days after surface
application. Research on liquid cattle
manure applied to the soil surface in the
spring showed available nitrogen losses of
30 to 33 per cent in the first week. Studies
conducted elsewhere with solid manure
have shown much greater losses, depend-
ing on conditions. Clearly, volatilization is
a real problem for the farmer who wants to
get maximum value from manure or sludge
application.
Research indicates that these losses can
be prevented, or at least significantly
reduced. The University of Guelph study
identifies one way farmers can minimize
loss. During the May experiment, the field
was disked on the fifth day after sludge
application. Subsequent levels of ammonia
in the air above the field were substantially
lower than on previous days when sludge
was left on the surface. Just as water
beneath the soil surface is more likely to be
used by the plant than lost by evaporation,
so the nitrogen in manure or sludge
incorporated into the soil is less likely to be
lost to the air.
The experiment also showed that losses
through volatilization were greatest during
the first two days after application, and
they decreased over time. So, if sludge is
incorporated into the soil to capture the
nitrogen, it is vital that this be done as soon
after application as possible. The best
method of application would be one which
injects the liquid manure or sludge
immediately into the soil. This would have
a secondary advantage of reducing odor,
particularly important near urban areas.
Experiment results suggested that loss
of nitrogen may also be related to air
temperature and rainfall. More research is
needed in this area, but indications are that
some atmospheric conditions may be more
favorable for application than others. For
example, rainfall may reduce nitrogen loss.
Timing applications according to weather
forecasts, as is now being done for
fungicide spraying in some areas, may help
minimize nitrogen loss from sludge or
manure applied to forage fields, where
immediate incorporation is not feasible.
Production forecasts
as crucial as weather
Forecasts of production and prices are
becoming as important to farming as
forecasts of the weather.
Government also needs agricultural
forecasts to make decisions about policies
and programs. Plans for stabilization,
transportation and trade agreements all
PG. 38 THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1979
require accurate and timely commodity
forecasts.
Economists in Agriculture Canada's
Policy, Planning and Economics Branch in
Ottawa are developing new commodity
forecasting models.
The models include all the major var-
iables, such as prices, production, con-
sumption, inventories and trade, that
affect sales of the commodity.
The models are fed into a computer. It
calculates how changes in any of these
variables will affect the other factors.
Agriculture Canada's models cover the
major grains and livestock—wheat, feed
grains, beef, pork. dairy products, poultry
and eggs. They also cover major farm
inputs such as machinery and fertilizers.
Most of the models can provide regional
information as well as a national picture.
Some also compute U.S. market variables.
The wheat model describes the inter-
national markets.
All models can give short -to -medium
term forecasts.
In addition to aiding policy decisions,
the models are used to improve the
department's outlook program.
These models now are being linked with
others to form a single model for the total
agricultural sector.
It will aid in forecasting retail food
prices, farm incomes, and costs and
agricultural production.
This project will also provide a large date
base of commodity information for other
types of studies.
Chemical producers
are regulated
Manufacturer s, formulators, and
primary distributors of pesticides in
Canada have an organization which speaks
for them --the CACA or the Canadian
Agricultural Chemical Association.
Athough pesticides represent only 2 per
cent of the farmer's input costs, they
provide, conservatively, some 30 per cent
more in food production than would be the
case if they were not used.
No commodity sold in Canada is as
highly regulated for health and environ-
mental safety as the pesticide chemical.
Agricultural health and environmental
authorites, both federal and provincial
require exhaustive research and field data
to establish product safety before a
registration may be granted.
Registration can be immediately revoked
and withdrawal of a pesticide from the
market is implemented at the slightest hint
of risk
Now the Canadian government is begin -
How do you want your
NITROGEN?
Goo0
CO -00
Aqua Ammonia
for corn side dress or pre -plant. With 3"
to 4" depth of application. Nitrogen is
available when needed in the early stages
of growth. Convenient to use. Custom
application services available.
Anhydrous Ammonia
for side dress or pre -plant on corn. Apply
it yourself or ask at your Co-operative
about custom application to meet your
requirements.
Dry Nitrogen
for top dressing fall wheat, hay, pasture,
and corn stover. CO-OP spreaders
available for either own use or custom
spreading.
Lucknow
LUCKNOW
District Co-operative
529-7953