The Rural Voice, 2001-02, Page 20Make it
a Garst Corn Solution
Take advantage of more than 70 years
of progress in corn hybrid technology
with Garst seed corn. Garst is focused
on helping you maximize the yield
potential of your corn crop.
To find out more about Garst
solutions for your farm, contact
your local Garst Dealer:
Ayton: Carl Weber
519.665.2215
Belgrave: Murray Vincent
519.357.2678
Elmira: Murrell Brubacker
519.669.2338
Londesborough: Dave Bolinger
519.523.4973
Owen Sound: Jeff Gilkinson
519.376.5830
Paisley: Lynn Caldwell
519.353.5394
Palmerston: Gord Greer
519.343.3602
Petersburg: Roger Bechthold
519.634.5519
Tiverton: Steve Ferris
519.353.5518
Walkerton: Randy Tolton
519.881.3758
Garst
Or call toll-free 1.877GO.GARST
for the Garst dealer nearest you.
16 THE RURAL VOICE
no support = ruination. When the hog
industry consolidated into a handful of
processors and prices hit rock bottom,
the only game left in town was
contracts. It may now be the cash
croppers' turn. Once we start seeing
the input supply side issuing credit
and terms to harvest, which once they
were loath to do, and start drawing up
contracts for production that stipulate
seed, fertilizer, chemical and
designated elevator, all for a narrow
profit margin, look out.
Hybrids and Varieties: There is
certainly no room this year for
planting any second-rate, second -
place variety. Plant only those with
proven agronomics year in and year
out and the highest yields year in and
year out. The market is being cruel to
you, you're allowed to do the same.
On November 20, 1997, the Crop
& Soil Sciences Department,
Michigan State University completed
a seven-year study "Performance of
Early- versus Mid- versus Late -
Maturing Corn Hybrids in Michigan".
This study was initiated due to the
recent experiences with cool, wet
springs which caused delayed
planting, and growing seasons that
were short of Corn Heat Units (CHUs)
— (Michigan mustn't have global
warming either). The short version of
the story is this — and if you're alive
and thinking this may be no -news —
the greatest advantage was seen in the
mid -maturity groups, which produced
higher yields than the early -maturing
hybrids, but without the high kernel
moisture of the late -maturing hybrids.
In individual years, under ideal
growing conditions, later -maturing
hybrids provide higher yields and net
returns. However over the long haul,
which will include years that are less
than ideal, stick with the top yielding
mid -maturing hybrids.
Early flowering, high test weight
hybrids have done really well in the
short -season years.
Look for profitable hybrids bred
for heavy test weight. Hybrids bred
for heavy test weight need high
fertility management to reach full
grain quality potential.
If planting up to May 6, you can
plant hybrids 125 CHUs over your
area. If you're in the 2850 CHU area
you can easily go 150 CHUs over.
From May 7 to 13, plant hybrids of
your CHU area. After May 15, plant
hybrids that are 100 CHUs under your