HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-02-09, Page 1010 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Crop specialist lays out possible
dilemmas for grain farmers in 2011
Vanessa Brown
NI Agency
New research may show that applying
higher amounts of fertilizer on wheat
and corn crops after spraying with a
fungicide results in a higher yield, but a
local crop specialist warns area farmers
to do their research before jumping in
with both feet.
I)r. David Ilooker of the University of
Guelph and David Johnson, an
OMAFRA cereal specialist, have been
studying the relationship between
fungicides and nitrogen for three years.
They revealed in early January that crop
yields rose on average by 20 bushels per
acre when the two work together.
Mervyn Erb, a crop consultant with
Agri -Solve Inc. in Iirucefield, lauded the
work being done, but warns farmers
against moving too quickly.
"There's a lot of blood on the cutting
edge, Erb said.
He recommends that farmers switch
to Hooker and Johnson's method for
higher yields, but only after they know
all that's involved. Ile said there's money
to be lost if done improperly. Not all
fungicides work efficiently when
coupled with fertilizer.
Erb mentioned Ilooker and Johnson's
study, along with other advancements
in agriculture, during an information
meeting for grain farmers last week.
Pete Rowntree, seeds manager at Hill
and Hill Farms in Varna, was intrigued
by the study.
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Vanessa Bmwrtl
Mervyn Erb, a crop consultant
with Agri -Solve Inc. In
L Brucefleld, spoke to grain
farmers at the Stanley Complex
In Varna last week.
J
"The use of fungicides is relatively new in corn in
the last five years," Rowntree said. "(Merv)
presented something that could have profit:'
In his presentation, Erb outlined "hot topic"
dilemmas that grain producers could face this year,
fungicides being one. Another was herbicide
resistance.
Roundup is currently the most economical
choice in eliminating unwanted weed growth.
When it's overused, however, some weeds become
resistant, ultimately resulting in lower productivity.
Erb said spending a bit more on variety could help
ward off weeds.
"Roundup is the cheapest choice, but we should
be rotating chemistry with different modes of
action so we don't overuse," said Erb, urging grain
farmers to begin using different kinds of weed
killers.
Herbicide -resistant weeds can cause a lower
crop yield, negative effects on soil, and can
produce nutritionally weaker grains, all of whicl-
result in profit losses. Rowntree said it's never too
early to begin thinking of the year ahead.
"They should be looking ahead to this year's
crop," he said. "Mery was talking about forward
thinking."
Other dilemmas Erb mentioned were disease in
corn, fertility, soil tests and roots.