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The Rural Voice, 1986-04, Page 51since they can be drained to a workable level one day after a heavy rain. It may take four times as long for the clay soil to reach a workable level. Loamy soils are somewhere between the two. For each of these soil types, Mr. Dyer's computer estimates tell farmers how many workdays they can expect if they want to be 50 -per -cent sure of completing their planting by a target date, or 80 -per -cent sure. "If farmers are aiming for 80 -per -cent certainty, then they can expect fewer working days, especially on clay soil," he says. "That means they'll need heavier - duty equipment to finish planting on time." The estimates can also help farmers work out what size of trac- tor they need to get the job done. Once they know how many workdays to expect, they can figure out how many hectares need to be covered each day, and whether the equipment they already have can handle the workload. If planting time is limited and the farmer doesn't have the right machinery to make up the time dif- ference, the result is delayed seeding. That in turn leads to later crop emergence, shortening of the growing season, and lower yields. To help overcome this problem, a few provincial agriculture departments — notably Ontario and Prince Edward Island — have put out fact sheets with workday estimates, all based on Mr. Dyer's original study. He says others may follow suit. For those farmers who are in- terested, workday estimates are also available from Agriculture Canada's Land Resource Research Institute, through the Neatby Building Library, 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa, K1A 006 or (613) 995-5011.❑ FADED SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES SIGNS Severely faded slow-moving vehi- cle signs on farm equipment are a hazard. There continues to be a number of rear -end collisons each year involving farm equipment and other vehicles on our highways. In many cases the slow-moving vehi- cle signs should have been replac- ed. The cost of these signs is minor when compared to the lives they may save. Check your slow moving signs today. Farm Safety Association 1VIORE FOUR FOR YOUR nIoxEr. 11; 4111A •I MINPI Mil lowAl l'•'I ifill IgIka ice• Ride the Rough Country BERNIE'S HONDA 1153 7th Ave. N. Hanover 519-364-1010 4111W FOLLOW THE LEADER! HARDI� _ PRECISION YOU CAN BANK ON. Special spring discount prices THE HARD! LINE OF SPRAYERS • 300, 500, 800 & 1000 U.S. Gallon tank sizes • Booms from 28' to 82', manual or hydraulic • Automatic flow proportioning, constant pressure, snap fit nozzle body • Complete range of optional extras Sprayers available for ICM spray applications RY15 BACK PACT( SPECIALS APRIL $8500 MAY $95./0..<– 0 REAVIE FARM LUCKNQW EQUIPMEN T LTD. 519.504995 SPECIAL EQUIPMENT SPECIAL, APRIL, 1986, PG. 9