No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-03-17, Page 23FOR ALL YOUR NO TILL NEEDS McGAVIN'S IS THE PLACE For Spring Tillage with High Residue In Business since 1936 McGAVIN FARIVIEQUIPMENT Ontario.Walton, (519) 887-6365 (519) 527-0245 "Your short-line specialists" Established in 1936 FARM SUPPLY LTD. Tall 527.0245 WALTON 887.6365 I NoTill Grain Drills E di '< WATCH FOR MCGAVIN'S FIRST EVER USED INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE WE ESDAY, APRIL 7, 1993 -- MARK YOUR CALENDAR FARMING '93, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1993. A3. Computers save money Farmers are flocking to classrooms in order to learn more about computers. Two courses recently offered by OATI (Ontario Agricultural Training Institute), Farm Business Management Using Computers and Introduction to Farm Computing had to be offered twice to meet demand. "Ten years ago, only one per cent of farmers used computers," says OATI Program Coordinator, Jim Brown. "Now, approximately 20 per cent do." Computers allow farmers to keep accurate production and financial records, grant almost instant access to information and permit farmers to consider more options ,using spreadsheet calculations, he says. MN MN Ell NM NM Mil O11111111111E NM_ 111111•1111111--- MIMNM--MEWOMIIn/IMIOM-M--1444,401. By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Computers may save you money, but they don't save time. That's the counsel David Linton holds on personal computers, yet he wouldn't be without one. "The more you want out of them, the more time you have to spend with them," says the Blyth-area hog producer who uses his computer to manage almost all aspects of his farrow-to-finish operation. David and wife Brenda have owned and operated Lin-dell farms since 1975. From the first, when the Lintons had only 10 sows, they were taking advantage of computer technology through a send-away computer sys- tem known as Can-Farm. But the program costs and nui- sance of mailing soon prompted Continued on page A4 Computerized farming At Lin-dell Farms, a hog operation at RR 2, Blyth, almost all records, both financial and swine, are kept on the computer. By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Farm management, feeding and planning have already been maxi- mized with computer technology. Now, computers can be used to boost crop yields with a revolution- ary new program using satellites to map fields and their soil quality for programmed planting. Not only does the program allow farmers to increase potential returns, it benefits the environment by indicating where nutrients are required and in doing so, reduces the problem of over-fertilization. The program is called Crop Sight and Map Sight and is currently being tested and sold by Bruce Shillinglaw of RR 1, Londesboro. "It's one of the new technologies available," he said. "It's similar to technology where computers feed cows according to their production in that this technology allows farm- ers to plant and fertilize according to soil quality and yield potential." Before this stage, a significant amount of preparation is needed. Firstly, the farmer needs to digital- ize his field into the computer either by using a special receiving antennae that records field parame- ters via satellite as you drive the field's parameters or using aerial photographs which can be 'scanned' into the computer. Then, a grid is superimposed on the computer image of the field and soil samples from each grid block are recorded into the computer. Commercial and Agricultural Buildings Vanden Heuvel Construction. Co, Ltd„. Kase Vanden Heuvel 524-9176 R.R. #2 Goderich or Ken Janmaat 522-1858 Seaforth (after 6 p.m.) Fax no. 524-9240 Scanning in Using a scanner, Bruce Shillinglaw of RR 1 Londesboro inputs the parameters of his field into a computer from aerial photographs. This process is part of the new program he is using and selling called Crop Sight and Map Sight which enables crop farmers to plant and fertilize according to their land's potential. Computers increase yields Using this information, the com- puter calculates the yield potential and indicates how much fertilizer and seed should be applied to each area of the field. The last step is to go in the field with a variable rate fertilizer or Continued on page A4