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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-09-16, Page 17FARMJJYDATE Times-Adv008te, September 16, 1902 Papa 17 Pushing the heat -ung too far Rellance on late varieties may have to change, warn crop experts By Adrian Harte T -A Editor HENSALL - The tread to late maturing seed varieties as seen in this area in recent years, will likely come to a quick halt after this sea- son, local producers were told last Tuesday during a plot tour spon- sored by W.G. Thompson. The past few summers, with their hot and dry weather; have led local farmers to push the limits of theft growing season with late -maturing, high heat -unit varieties of corn, soybeans, and white beans. Reli- ance on those varieties to provide good yields may backfire after this year's relatively cold, rainy spring and summer. John VanHerk, a dry edible and white bean breeder, guided the 37 farmers on the tour through the ex- perimental plot just north of Exeter. The white bean crop, he said, has been especially susceptible to white mold this year. "Some were bad enough to be turned under," he explained, but noted that even though some late varieties have proved vulnerable, those that survive stand a good chance of producing the better yields. VanHerk explained some of the new hybrids under testing and how they compare to the tried and true brands in common use in the area. One variety, from the University of Guelph, is called Gryphon and may become quite popular, he said. Another hybrid, Rocket, has nev- er really caught on, and will be dropped from W.G. Thompson's lineup next year. In the soybean plots, Jini Mor - lock, a district sales manager with Hyland seeds, offered a note of caution for farmers. He said recent dry years have led farmers to push the limits on the high heat -unit va- rieties. "We're not in a 2,600 heat unit area," said Morlock. Consoquebtly, this wet year has proved the early varieties the best soybean producers, generally show- ing better pods than the later varie ties. "Just keep in mind next year, don't go to the far end of the scale," he said. VanHerk agreed, noting that in experimental trials, the early - maturing soybeans proved far more consistent this year. He said he is working with some new varieties, that while perhaps not ranking among those with the highest yields, do show promise of being very consistent year to year. These included T8508 and Talon. Of the regular varieties in use, Marathon continues to do well. White mold however, has begun to appear in some local fields in the past two weeks, and farmers will have to hope for some dry weather to keep it at bay before harvest_ A new program W.G. Thompson expects to offer next year for soy- bean growers is an "identity preser- vation" program. Premium prices will be paid on crops of Apache and Marathon soys, beans which are preferred for Pacific Rim tofu production. One of the big stories for farmers this year is the corn crop. The fear Letters to Editor of frost within the next few weeks is foremost in producer's minds be- cause, as Morlock explained last Tuesday, it needs another month in the field to mature and dry. "We need four weeks before we can even think about frost," he said. The problem is the same all over the province, said Morlock. The Blenheim/Chathrun arca, normally: expecting 3,200 heat units, has so far this year received only 2,500. The provincial average, he estimat- ed, is about 300 heat units behind normal. "I don't thing anyone will disa- gree with me, they've got a good crop," he said, but said more time in the field is needed before , har- vest. With an expectation of a return to more normal weather patterns, seed companies are likely to be recom- mending to local farmers to keep their corn varieties to below the 3,000 heat -unit category. One good bet, said Morlock might be HL 2342, a new variety expected to be approved for 1993 with good yield and a fast dry down in the 2,800 heat -unit range. Morlock is advising growers to visit as many of the test plots in the area as possible to get as much in- formation on the various varieties available to them. The differences. especially with this year's weather, can be very educational. After the plot tour, the farmers re- turned to W.G. Thompson's HenselI facility to join their annual barbe- cue, which was attended by about 250 people. Marbles for the milk board Dear Editor: The Ontario Milk Marketing Board is implementing a 4.29 per- cent quota cut to the producers. Producers may enlighten their frustration by sending some mar- bles to John Core and the O.M.M.B. I did! Little Johnny Little Johnny cried and cried, He knew that he's been "Had", His best friend was an "honest" crook, And it really made him mad. Johnny was a small little boy, But he wanted to play the game, So he bought some marbles off his friend, And marked them all with John- ny's name. He played the game and followed the rules, He won but he didn't brag, But he was real upset and sad, Some marbles were gone from his bag. Johnny had paid for his marbles, They were his without a doubt, So he bought some more to play the game, And ferret the culprit out. As he paid he cried in anger, Having checked ten, eleven and more, He was spending his money to buy the same marbles, He had marked and paid for before. Johnny's other friends all said he was right, They were victims of the same cruel deed. Their "friend" played the game the same way with them, To multiply his marbles and greed. In silent contempt Johnny's parents sat, The real world was at their door, BLAT THE HIGH COST Ot', WATER HEATING ELECTRICALLY 30. GAL OIL produces 1.00 gal. hot water per hour 30 GAL GAS produces algal. hot water per four It takes a 68 GAL. ELECTRIC WATER HEATER to produce 45 gallons hot water per hour AYBRAWLIZATILIGLEIBZ gOILTEPERISAll BASED ON A FAMILY OF FOUR Electric $666.00 Propane $424.00 011 $264.00 'We are cotlatn ttedto saving our tasiomtrs $' CALL KEVIN TODAY FOR DETAILS OF OUR WATER HEATER RENTAL PROGRAM Til Johnny came up with an an- swer, That shook them to the core. "To take something and sell it that is not yours is stealing, Dad!, isn't that true?" "Then your best "friend", the Milk Marketing Board, is doing the same to you". Harry A. Schroeder Centralia, Ontario. John VanHerk explains the benefits of some new soybean varieties to the farmers who partici- pated in last Tuesday's W.G. Thompson plot tour. Huron County Beef Carcass Competition BRUSSELS - There are forty- three (43) head of beef heifers and steers entered in the Huron County Beet Carcass Competition. This Competition features two evening programs that are open to all beef producers to attend and participate in. On Wednesday, September 16, at the Brussels Stockyards the eve- ning program begins at 7:00 p.m. Everyone will have an opportunity to view all of the steers and heifers. A demonstration class will be used to discuss the live animal versus its carcass. A second class of four ani- mals will give everyone an oppor- tunu\ to estimate live weight, dressing percent, lean yield percent and grade. The lunch counter at the Stockyards will be open over the supper hour and early evening. �t the Seaforth Agricultural Fair budding on Wednesday, Septem- ber 30, the grading of beef cattle will be discussed. Agri -businesses that have sponsored the Carcass Competition will be on hand to talk to farmers at 7:00 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. the evening program will fea- ture a slide show of the Carcass Competition: slides of the live ani- mal, its carcass and the blue tag in- formation will be shown followed by a grading update. The winners of the Huron County Beef Carcass Competition will be announced at this time. Prize winners will be determined by the carcass information collect- ed under the blue tag program. The primary objective of this Competition is to provide a practi- cal opportunity for beef producers to learn more about the beef grad- ing system. This event is being or- ganized by the Huron County Beef Improvement Association, the Sea - forth Agricultural Society and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and food in Clinton. 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