The Rural Voice, 1985-11, Page 64WHAT'S NEW?
Dwarf corn hybrid
Experimental corn plots in Ontario
of a new, high yielding dwarf corn
hybrid look very promising in low
heat -unit areas, says Gerry Dwyer,
PAG Seeds' hybrid production
manager in Woodstock.
The new productive hybrid
outyields other 70 -day hybrids by 20
per cent on average, Dwyer recently
told a group of agronomists touring
test plots in southwestern Ontario.
"Part of this yield advantage comes
from the way it is planted," he adds.
"Conventional hybrids are planted in
rows spaced a minimum of 30 inches
apart but dwarf corn is planted solid-
ly like cereal crops. This closer plant-
ing exposes less soil and reduces
moisture loss through evaporation."
Because this hybrid can be solid
planted, farmers are able to use their
own ordinary seed drill and don't
have to invest in specialized corn -
growing equipment, he notes.
The new hybrid is the result of 20
years of research by PAG Seeds, a
division of Cargill, Ltd. "In the past
2 years," Dwyer notes, "we have also
received assistance from Agriculture
Canada's New Crop Development
Fund (NCDF)."
There's no doubt the corn looks
unusual, Dwyer observes. "It
resembles a scaled-down version of
normal corn — shorter stalks with
smaller diameters, with leaf area and
ear size about two-thirds that of con-
ventional corn hybrids."
The dwarf hybrid has a strong stalk
and root strength, Dwyer says. It also
has "excellent seedling vigour and
gets off to a good start even under
cooler, wetter conditions in the spr-
ing. Planting dates, too, are likely to
be comparable with conventional
hybrids." CI
Protection plan
A new extended coverage program
for Massey -Ferguson tractors now of-
fers farmers protection from large,
unexpected repair expenses.
The MF Service Shield Tractor
Protection Plan provides extended
service and parts coverage for an ad-
ditional two years, or 1,500 hours,
whichever comes first; following ex-
piration of the standard warranty.
All new 16 to 125 hp. Massey -
Ferguson agricultural tractors now in
production are eligible for the pro-
gram.
Tractor owners may register their
MF tractor in the plan within 90 days
of the date of original purchase. MF
will finance the minimal cost if it is
included in the tractor sale price at
the time of purchase. Registered trac-
tors receive free annual inspections at
the participating Massey -Ferguson
dealership.
The plan can be transferred to a
new owner if the tractor is sold before
the extended coverage has expired.
An MF Service Shield Plan booklet
explaining the details of the plan is
available at Massey -Ferguson dealer-
ships. ❑
Chloramphenicol Alternative
The recent government ban on
chloramphenicol has left livestock
producers searching for an alter-
native. The popular antibiotic was us-
ed extensively by cattle and swine
producers to combat infections such
as shipping fever and pneumonia.
Erythro-200 (erythromycin) is an
effective alternative and its safety to
Roskamp Mfg., Inc. OD
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Head Office
R.R. 2, Monkton, Ont.
519-347-2424
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