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The Citizen, 1997-04-23, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23,1997 Ip arm Brussels Livestock report Steers, heifers up $3 to $4 A Look atAgricultuiv Plant corn early Ralph deVries, Crop Consultant with Howson & Howson Ltd. The highest yields are always obtained from com that is planted early. The optimum planting date is the first week in May. Delaying planting past the first week in May will result in an average loss of 3/4 of a bushel yield per day. You may remember lower yields from later planted fields from last year; the best yields were from fields which were planted early. These are some items to consider to make 1997 more profitable. Higher yield is not the only advantage of early planting. The fullest benefits from high plant populations and high fertilizer rates can only be enjoyed under early planting. It also allows harvesting earlier in the season, when conditions are usually better. And, very simply, early planting increases net returns without adding production costs. Com should be planted by the calendar, not the soil temperature. Planting should not be delayed because of cool soils, since soil temperatures fluctuate with air temperatures on a daily basis during the optimum com-planting period. During time periods when soil temperatures are below 10°C, little germination activity will occur. Since soil temperatures are likely to be lower in early com planting periods, germination and emergence may require more time. For this reason, planting depth is very important. One should plant seed as shallow as possible. Al­ though one to two inches is the usual effective range, the need to obtain good seed-to-moist-soil- contact should determine actual planting depth. This promotes uniform germination and plant emergence. Full-season hybrids respond especially well under early plant­ ing. Maximum yields for any area are usually obtained with hybrids that utilize the entire growing season. Early planting allows the use of the fullest season hybrids for a given area, providing them time to produce their maximum potential yield and minimizes the risk of obtaining immature com or sustaining early fall frost damage. Generally a 10 per cent increase in planting rate is recommended with early planting because the per cent of seeds that emerge may be lower with early planting. The cooler soil temperatures slow germination and growth and may result in more rotting of kernels and seedling losses. High quality fungicide-treated seed is important regardless of planting date but it is an absolute must for early-planted com. Early planting may cause some concern from leaf injury due to a late spring frost but this is usually not a serious problem. The com growing point remains below ground for two to three weeks after emergence or until the com plant is about 10 inches tall. At this time, when there are six fully emerged leaves, the stalk begins to elongate. It is this process that moves the growing point above the soil surface. Because the com growing point is protected for a considerable period after emer­ gence, a continuous temperature below freezing is necessary to kill the entire plant. Thus, while there may be some leaf loss from a late spring frost, this minimal plant damage will have little effect on grain yield. Low soil and air temperatures early in the season may favour faster growth of some weeds in com. Therefore, effective weed control is essential to prevent com yield losses as a result of early weed competition. Early planted corn generally produces high quality grain. Grain from later planted corn has a higher level of insect damage and often higher levels of grain mould toxins, making it unacceptable for livestock feeding. The low soil temperatures com­ mon during early planting slow nutrient uptake as well as reduces the rate of soil nutrient release. As a result, early com growth is slow. Row placement of a starter fertili­ zer stimulates early growth and increases yields,'especially during a cool season or with com produced under reduced tillage systems. The sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending April 18 were: fed cattle, 778; cows, 299; veal calves, 330; lambs and goats, 598; and stockers, 1,697. The fed steers and heifers sold $3 to $4 higher, with cows selling on a strong higher trade. Veal sold on a steady trade. Heavy lambs sold strong with lighter lambs selling steady. All classes of stockers sold on a steady market. There were 400 steers on offer selling from $90 to $96 to the high of $105. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Woodstock, averaging 1,395 lbs. sold for an average of $96.52 with sales to $105. Forty-three steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan, averaging 1,451 lbs. sold for an average of $92.87 with sales to $99.50. Fifteen steers consigned by Glenn Coulthard, Stratford, averaging 1,345 lbs. sold for an average of $95.73 with sales to $98.75. One steer consigned by Alec Nivens, Auburn, weighing 1,260 lbs. sold for $98.50. Eleven steers consigned by Kada Farms, Blue­ vale, averaging 1,346 lbs. sold for an average of $95.14 with sales to $98.25. Three steers consigned by Gordon Daer, Auburn, averaging 1,208 lbs. sold for an average of $95.72 with sales to $97. One steer consigned by Ferg A. Jantzi, Dublin, weighing 1,300 lbs. sold for $97. One steer consigned by Enos M. Sherk, Wroxeter, weighing 1,100 lbs. sold for $96.50. Six steers consigned by Randy Diebold, Cargill, averaging 1,390 lbs. sold for an average of $93.76 with sales to $95.75. Thirteen steers consigned by Bruce Robinson, Freelton, averaging 1,493. lbs. sold for an average of $91.02 with sales to $95.25. There were 342 heifers on offer selling from $90 to $96 to the high of $102.75. Seventeen heifers consigned by Leroy Gould, Exeter, averaging 1,153 lbs. sold for an average of $93.87 with sales to $102.75. Two heifers consigned by Alec Hammond, Monkton, averag­ ing 1,110 lbs. sold for an average of $95.27 with sales to $102. One heifer consigned by Arthur Widdis, Conn, weighing 1,125 lbs. sold for ‘ $98.25. Eleven heifers consigned by Bev Hamilton, Hensail, averaging 1,180 lbs. sold for an average of $92.74 with sales to $98.25. Thirteen heifers consigned by Gerald Rath- well, Brucefield, averaging 1,217 lbs. sold for an average of $88.58 with sales to $97.50. Twenty-seven heifers consigned by Ervin B. Martin, Mount Forest, averaging 1,138 lbs. sold for an average of $90.70 with sales to $95.25. Seven heifers consigned by Johnston Farms, Bluevale, averag­ ing 1,063 lbs. sold for an average of $90.53 with sales to $94.50. Six heifers consigned by Merv Continued on page 29 John Deere III Ford YT125 Ford LT8 Ford YT16 Ford YT16 John Deere 300 Cub Cadet 1720 Cub Cadet 1105 Simplicity 12.5 FCH 11 h.p. with 38“ mower 2 from $1,000. 125 h.p.with 38“ mower 2 from $1,900. 8 h.p. with 38“ mower clean $1,350. 16 h.p. with 42“ mower $2,500. 16 h.p. with 48° mower $2,600. 16 h.p. with 48“ mower hyd. lift $1,500. 17 h.p. with 46“ mower $2,500. 11 h.p. with 42“ mower $1,400. 12.5 h.p. with 42“ front cut $2,800. o'"'*"?:?” :Come in and check out our new Simplicity, New Holland, Walker and Grasshopper models O% financing until Sept. '97 on Simplicity mowers OAC SERVICE WITH A SMILE Ask for Neil, Brian, Jeff or Burt McGAVIN FARM EQUIPMENT Walton, Ont. 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