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The Rural Voice, 1989-01, Page 26L BMOC Farce peL HIGH POWER ELECTRIC FENCING offers COMPLETE electric fencing systems -Vat POWER FENCER L PE 85 .ray. iiii ..I ENERGIZERS SP �i APPROVED Models lo suit all farms 'Self-monitoring * Ruggedly built 'Call for complete details HIGH PERFORMANCE INSULATORS — 10 -year guarantee Ii n, ir�ll PI.83 W Nail on Post Insulator V PI High Strain Insulators (Wrap around type) High Strain Insulators fU' typel PI 42 Standard PI43 Heavy Duty Underground Gateway Cable Cut Out Switches PA.40 P1.73 Steel'T Post Insulator P1.81 Wooden Post Nail Of Staple on Insulator B & L FARM SERVICES hestey, Ont. NOG 1LO 519-363-3308 Dealer Inquiries invited 24 THE RURAL VOICE average, 3 cultivator operations = 2 tandem disc operations = 1 moldboard plowing. For example, if one opera- tion with an offset disc gives the same results as a moldboard plowing plus one tandem disc operation, a consider- able amount of energy can be saved. If the same yields can be obtained using only one operation with a chisel plow, savings could be tremendous • combine seeding and tillage into a single operation whenever possible • pay special attention to tractor maintenance and weighting. Rear wheels should have enough weight to maintain traction, front wheels no more than needed to maintain stability and the ability to steer. Excessive weight increases motion resistance and, therefore, fuel consumption. This effect is worsened by increased speeds • select tractor size according to the type and width of the implement, using the governor control with trans- mission -gear selection to maintain a nearly full load on the engine, which will then operate at top efficiency • be very careful to maintain cutting edges and soil sliding surfaces. • do not cultivate every year for crop production unless the anticipated output/input ration is favorable The preceding points apply to crop production on soils cultivated yearly. But before the decision to undertake any tillage operation is made, the anticipated output/input ratio of the desired crop(s) on a particular soil should be determined. The results of a soil test should be considered as well, since N, P, and K requirements will influence the energy input which must follow if tillage is carried out. Obviously, tillage should not be omitted at the expense of yield, but tillage operations can often be reduced and yields sustained (or, if overtillage has been practised, yields can some- times be increased). Overfilling helps neither the crop, soil structure, nor the pocketbook, so why bother? Experimentation to determine the optimum amount of tillage on your farm could very well lower the expenditure of energy, time and money. Not only does this benefit the individual farmer, but it contributes to the overall conservation of our non- renewable resources, upon which modem agriculture is so dependent.°