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The Citizen, 1995-03-22, Page 38Construction R R #3 BLYTH 20_9354 ioioai000 ;k1'/ Ei ',411i ill Et : Lbitif., o• zo, ,' , / , ,„„ ,,,,c., ,,, i FA! , , . .-- iii/ ,,,#.-- 111 ' Box 61 Auburn, Ontario Auburn (519) 526-7140 Goderich (519) 524-4701 • Soil erosion • Crop yields • Crop rotation • Land values • Plant growth • Aeration • Soil warm up • Harvest length • Soil conditions • Fertilizer efficiency CALL THE EXPERTS! "We install drainage tubing" NORTHRUP KING SOYBEANS S 0066 2575 CHU S 0230 2650 CHU FORAGES LEGEND 2 ENCORE VIKING MULTIKING CORN N 2555 2650 CHU N 2409 2700 CHU MARCH 21, 1995 EARLY PAY DISCOUNT 5% JOHN W. KING R.R. #4 Wingham 357-2645 "High Pressure Hot Water Wash" Equipment Painting Sandblasting • Home • Farm • Industrial FREE ESTIMATES "Fleet Service Available" TILE DRAINAGE PAYS! Let a good drainage system work for you to help improve: KMM Farm Drainage Ron McCallum 887-6428 Paul McCallum 527-1633 Walton "For all Your Carpentry Needs" Specializing in Agricultural Structures including: + Covered manure storage areas + Hay Storage buildings for round bales + Barns and Driving Sheds • Renovations and Repairs • Ventilation Systems Phosphorus Results Above 99 Excessive 80.6 Acres 60 - 99 Maintenance 82.5 Acres 36 - 59 Build-Up 26.2 Acres Below 36 Low 16.7 Acres Weighted Field = 94 Average n • pH Results and Limestone Recommendations 111 Above 6.7 Avoid Limestone Applications 8.5 Acres 63 - 6.7 No Limestone Needed 9.4 Acres 5.9 - 6.2 2 Tons I Acre 2.3 Acres Below 5.9 3 tons / Acre 8.5 Acres Weighted Field = 6.4 Average PAGE A18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1995. A GRICULTURE '95 + + + Hybrid development allows yield maintenance Continued from A17 different varieties of corn through- out a field depending on the charac- teristics of the land. "Eventually, the machinery could carry seeds better suited to dry or wet areas." Another advantage to reduced fertilizer application may be the gradual improvement of the quality of the land. Large amounts of fertilizer and extensive tillage have destroyed the desirable qualities in the land, says Mr. Shillinglaw. "We may have already caused the loss of 30 per cent of organic mat- ter." "The tremendous development in hybrids has allowed us to maintain yields." The return to no-till farming has returned some of the yield poten tial. Old micro-organisms which feed the soil are returning, as they could only survive in undisturbed soils, he says. One of the factors of GPS which limits participation thus far is the cost. The price of the entire setup, including yield monitor, global positioning system, computer and software can add up to more than $11,000. Some of the equipment can be eliminated by walking the land, mapping it without the satellite and using the computer to compare yields with location. The support services are also an area of concern. There is a need for more person- nel able to input and interpret the data, says Mr. Shillinglaw. The limited number of farmers using the system, who may wish to have the services of a planter which can utilize the computerized map- ping for fertilizer application, is also a deterrent for companies to become involved, says Mr.Wheel- er. "The cost output to purchase machinery could not be recouped by one or two users as the rental cost would be unreasonable for them to cover." Mr. Wheeler agrees that walking the land regularly will tell the farmer of problem areas without the need of the satellite system. The cost of the technology is not yet at the level where the average farmer could make use of it, he says. Both Mr. Shillinglaw and Mr. Wheeler agree that GPS is an inno- vation to watch in the coming years, as more data is acquired and refinements to the system occur. As the use of yield monitors and field, mapping become more wide spread, the agricultural supply industry may be more willing to invest in the technology, offering it for rent instead of making the pur- chase of equipment necessary for the individual. friltt'OrS Oft net 17614""(435.. 41tP clbren off andwai roe.% intro wodhinT3