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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1980-04-24, Page 12SON NEWS* CORD, URS; Ontario Ministry of ' Agricuitl.re And d :FOod': on farm and homy news Are yeti wastingfuel by carrying more weight With your tractor than you need? . Many farxners do this for most of the growing season. ,At the same time, many .others aren't carrying enough weight to give theta proper front end stability when doing heavy field operations like plowing or discing, 'You, the farmer of today, are very conscious of" fuel consumption of tractors, soil compaction, horsepower requirements differentfor jobs, How many farmers. stop.; to consider wat weights to buy for the new tractor? How much is needed? Where isit needed? Why is it needed? There are three types of weights that affect tractor performance. The weight of the tractor itself is something we have no control over, but you can increase the weight at the front end by adding cast iron weights in sections. Cast iron weights can fit onto the dxi:ve--wlieeis-ta in re - -, their weight also. The most common way to weight the drive wheels is by partly filling the tires with a calcium chloride solution. Farmers find this to be still the most effective method. It's a permanent solution to the problem though. It means that you will waste fuel by carrying around all that extra ballast during all but the heaviest operation. It's hard for us to find clear cut rules for tractor weighting. Most engineers agree with the following standards though: total weight of your tractor should be around 130 pounds per p.t.o. horsepower for two -wheel drive tractors and 120 lb. per p.t.o. horsepower for four-wheel drive tractors. A tractor like the J.D. 4440 then with 130 p.t.o. h.p. should wave. 130 times or .16,900 lb. total 'weight. The actual weight with ballast in the wheels is about 14,500 lb. Add more weight with cast iron. Where should you add these weights? This is where we get into the problem of stability and safe steering control. Aim for 25,30,35 percent of the total weight on the front wheels for pull type, semi -mounted, and fully mounted implements respectively. Your farm machinery dealer should be able to tell you the weights of most tractors. AT LAST, SPRING! Recent warm weather has awakerred thought of spring. farmers are busy with their cropping .plans for this year. If you missed doing it last fall, it is not too late to get your. soil tested, especially for corn and bean crops. This service, which is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, is free and will set you straight as to your fertilizer requirements. That's, - very important withfer- tilizer prices rising this year ! Forms and sample boxes are available at your local O.M.A.F. of- fice. Many gems of information concerning recommended crop production practices are contained in the "1980 Field Crop Recom rnendations (Publication 296) and for chemicals, the "Guide to Chemical Weed Con- trol" (Publication 75). These publications, as well,as many other factsheets and handouts can be a major help in your farming business. This 'l'formation is available by writing or visiting yot.: nearest office of the Ontario. Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Sunny days and drying winds have finally allowed the , land to dry up enough for some farmers to venture out and start working it. Although it will be a week yet before many are out on the still damp soil, several, like Bill Brand of Goderich Township worked his .land on Tuesday, and some with sandy land even had their grain planted. (News -Record photo) news farm news Farmers need a positive attitude BY DON PULLEN, AGRICULTURAL REPRESENTATIVE Eternal optimism is going to be a great asset for farmers during the 1980's to be successful and profitable. A positive attitude' is necessary ,as we face all kinds of challenges. , Interest rates will affect farmers more than some other businesses because of their static type of income. Returns of some commodities lr• e not as high as they were several years ago. Current cost studies with market hogs selling at under $50 per hun- dredweight, show that many pork -producers are losing up to $20 per hog marketed. These calculations include every cost in- volved. This is an age for realism and all costs must be figured. Also, these calculations were made on a relatively well- managed operation. Anyone with poor feed conversion, herd health problems or low quality hogs would not do that well. It's a sobering thought. Survival is the key word. It will be a little easier for the established farmer. I have real sympathy for the young farmer trying to get a toehold. Despite some forecasts, interest rates continue to rise. There has been a lot of talk about rates levelling. out but economists say it may be the myth of our • time. Compared to in- terest rates in the United States at near 20 per cent and about 23 per cent in Great Britain, ours is probably as low as anywhere. A recent Bank • Nestled in Benmiller, t)nt.. just 7 km. east of Goderich on Huron County Road 1. just off High way, ii., phone 52A-2191 WELCOMES you- ,„ AFTERNOON TEA 2:30 to 4:30 7 DAYS A WEEK Come, visit our -unusual country resort for Tea today! We've prepared buttered toast, freshly made scones, home made jam, Devon cream. cake. biscuits and Earl Grey tea for the occasion. Relax and enjoy as we serve you in front of an open hearth log fire in one of our two lounges. (reservations not required) $�00 Just • per person of Montreal report said a new combine valued at $80,000 with the bulk financed at 16 per cent, would Ant tgrk- cut to $40,000 in > inte-rnt""tover a five year term. Land costs are also very alarming, especially for buyers. .- Thesellers can pay capital gains and live happily ever after, but that' not firue for the purchaser. How do we cope with rising interest rates and galloping inflation? We must start with careful analysis of the farm business. Financial and production records must be kept on a sound basis. Accurate com- piling of profit and loss staternents and cash flow is so essential in making a pitch to a financial. institution. Make sure you shop ,,around, in purchasing inputs. Generally, prices, are very competitive. But if there is a difference, take advantage of it. , Work closely with the manager in setting aline of credit with one bank. Establish a line of credit for one full ,_year. An Operating loan of $50,000 will cost $700 per month in interest. In a successful operation, 35-40 per ,cent of farm sales would be retained for debt ser- vicing, labor, and living. Production . goals will continue to be very im- portant. c ood production . figures are 400,000 pounds of .milk. for ..a,30 dairy.cow herd and 18 pigs per sow' per year in hogs. Far- ming in the 1980s -y ill continue to be more specialized. Recent rapid increases in soybeans will not likely continue in 1980.'Acreage was under 1,000 acres five years ago. It rose to 8,000 in 1978 and doubled to 16,000 acres last year. Poor harvest conditions, lower yields and white mould in 1979 may be cause of a return for many Huron farmers to white beans. The number of acres planted in winter wheat last fall is nearer a normal level than for a few years because of better fall weather and planting conditions. We can expect a trend in the 80s to more haylage and corn silage. and more production per acre per farm. Everyone desires to, improve their production goals. This goes with specialization. When I came to Huron in 1963, there were 1,500 milk -producers. That number has dropped,_ off to less than 50Q, but they have almost as.. many cows producing as- much _. or. more milk. In spite of all of the adverse conditions, farmers are innovative, flexible and willing to cope with risks. They are poised at anytime to take advantage of an op- portunity. Things may be in the doldrums now, but better times are likely ahead. That's the story of agriculture right from the beginning. Most are able to cope with the economy but not without Turn to page 13 Conservationcontest �C PO You .know someone who has on their Own, or through assistance contributedsignificantly, to the conservation of our natural resources during. the past three to five years?. if so, we'd like to hear about them. You could nominate them for Our "Conse_rvatipn Award." - We're looking for an individual who has used one or more OM erosion control practices; stream improvement; woodlot management; . or, reforestation to .'prevent the erosion and depletion Rif our resources. The name and address of the nomdnee should be Mailed or phoned by July 31st, 1980,' to be' con- sidered for the .award.. Individuals, corppanies, and conservation authorities are eligible to make nonn.inations. Mail or phone ap: plications tat: 'C -on - servation Award;' Box 159, Clinton,' Ontario NOM 1L0, or Phone 482- 3428 or Zenith 7-2800. Hear resources laws The Huron County Federation of Agriculture's monthly members' meeting will e- ht-trsday; Mar -8 o— p.rn. at ' the Holrnesville Public School. The topic is the laws which fall under the Ministry of Natural Resources' jurisdictions and. how these affect 'farthing operations. Any area of interest to those at- tending will be discussed. Art Carr or another representative of the Dept. of Nat. Resources will be the speaker. The Huron County Federation of Agriculture's Land Use .his studied the new Fisheries Habitat Protection Act and has several resolutions May 1st is the deadline for applications call: Peter Roy 17 Gibbings St., Clinton -482-9357 concerningit that they will present to the meeting. Buy North America's Largest Selling Bins At Special - Spring Discounts WHY BUTLER? Ship. your livestock with . FRAi -VOCIO .DAS!°WOD Shipper Ta United Cooperatives of Ontarfo'Uvostock. Department Toronto Monday is shipping day from Varna Stockyards. CALL DASHWOOD 238.4707 OR BAYRELD 565.253.6 by 7;30 ARM, For Prompt Service Also Western Stockers & Feeders Available 44" high wall sheets for faster erection. No internal stiffeners. rr Elevated door for easier winter entry. IIOURS THEIRS 4" 21/2," 4" Corrugation is i. flatter so walls stay clean ORDER NOW AT SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS AND YOU PICK DELIVERY AND/OR INSTALLATION TIME. BUTLER Box 550, Main St., South Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S0 a Phone After Hours - AGRIE3lJ I LLS E R 519-235-2120 345-2284 Whenever possible, work land acquisition and major building and equipment purchasing into long term borrowing. Above all, finances must be worked out on paper. Make sure there is enough cash flow to service the debt. In a lqt of instances, there is great volume but poor profit. Make use of all bench marks. Take a good look at capital turnover. A good situation is two years gross income to equal the farm investment. BICK'S CUCUMBER CONTRACTS Available Now At NORMAN KRAMERS R.R. 4 SEAFORTH Lot 1, Concession 2 TUCKERSMITH PHONE: 527-0076 — OR — AT MRS. G. KRAMERS MAIN ST. DUBLIN PHONE: 345-2700 Your dollars cover more ground with High Qualify FARM SEE S Forage Seeds. We have on hand Reasonably priced and processed to a high standard of purity and germination. Special Mixtures As in the past, we prepare mixtures to meet your own individual requirements based on recommendations of the 11Thrustry of Agriculture at no extra cost. Locally Grown •Red Clover We are taking orders for registered seed grain. Customcieaning by appointment. Londesborg Seed P ant Robert Shaddick 523-4399 Surface application Lasso" herbicide by Monsanto is usually surface applied, before the crop emerFes. Some farmers, however, prefer to in_cbrporate their herbicides, and Lasso fits ti4e bill - "Shallow" is the key word. Lasso should be shallowly incorpo- rated, prior to planting corn or soybeans. First. broadcast Lasso, then thoroughly incorporate it into the top two inches of soil To make sure the incorporation is shallow, set your disc or cultivator to work the soil to a maximum depth of four inches. Shallow incorporation of Lasso plus atrazine suppresses yellow nutsedge in corn. To suppress yellow nutsedge for six to eight. weeks, shallowly incorporate Lasso plus atrazine (mixed at new labelled rates) before planting. Suppressing yellow nutsedge with Lasso plus atrazine gives your corn the chance to become established without nutsedge competition that can hurt your yield. Shallow incorporation Whether 1,011 surface apply or shallowly r -c incorporate; you get outstanding grass control vtrith Lasso. Lasso consistently controls annual grasses in corn and soybeans. With excellent crop safety. And no carryover. And you can surface apply Lasso or shallowly incorporate it. Because it's your choice, with Lasso. Monsanto Monsanto Canada Inc Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver Always read and follow the label directions for Lasqo. Lasso° is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company 1,1