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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-03-18, Page 48pa e 6A co•oP =msstv raw 1I w � COOP SES US FOR ALL YOUR 19 7 CROPPING NEEDS II BULK DELIVERY � CUSTOM SPE��,i�ING 1 LlNiTRgGE�! ■ CUSTOM LIQUID APPLICATION � SPREADEAVAILABLE MlLi3tUlA1(- WALKERTON 367-2657 881-2021 It's New At... .4440 944,m, £4eem4 As well as the top -names in equipment we have been offering for over 20 years, we are now adding a o,o Feed Mill®Mixer Combination to our line. You can weigh and blend your already ground corn or grain into a complete ration or grind and mix your feed daily. We feature the Butler Scale for accuracy and dependability. For more information call 395-5286 -44or MARK HILLER Rl 3, Wingham 357-1626 *7azm Sty "REMEMBER - WE HANDLE EVERYTHING - ALMOST RR No. 1 KINCA".DONE 396-5286 4 Reports show field performance... • from page 4A tion of some 200,000 acres of information that is entered by township. The type of in- formation included in the data base in- cludes seeding rates, planting data, actual yields, all the treatments of fertilizer and pesticides as well as applications .of livestock manure and the tillage methods on the individual fields. It's this large data base that is used to support the cropping recommendations made to the farmer who also receive a print-out of the information broken down - field by field every year- The information, in the form of a report. shows the farmer the performance of each field under. the cropping program. Also available through on consulting ser- vice is a budget to break down the costs of implementing ,a specific cropping pro- gram, says Mr. Perry. The budget establishes a projected break-even point, comparing the costs per acre with what the farm can realisttcally•expect in return. All costs are taken into account when preparing the budget including the cost of fertilizer, seed, pre -harvest. harvest, and miscellaneous costs such as trucking, in- surance, land costs and even the fee for the consultation. With commodity prices currently at a low level, SoiLab-is involved with transfer -- ring the information for growing new specialty crops which are "pot by any means a savior", but may help farmers find new markets in order to realize a pro- fit. While these .markets are relatively small, farmers have expressed a will- ingness to try the unconventional field crops out of sheer desperation. - Some of the specialty crops farmers are considering are hard red spring wheat. soft white spring wheat, buckwheat, lupin beans. colored beans, organically grown wheat. Mr. Perry said farmers have very little experience with these crops - and new technology being tried to make then- a viable crop including -the Intensive Cereal Management t ICM program. ` - "This data makes its way into the -newspaper articles, but is never brought to . the farmers. What we're trying to do is transfer the information to the farmers." he said. - Non -certified seed use proves expensive As the economy continues to put pressure - on crop production efficiency, more growers will be measuring the benefits of Certified seed against the perceived dollar savings of using bin -run seed. It is a fact that still over 80% of our cultivated land is sown with non -certified seed each year. This can prove to be an"ex- pensive tradition because it can deny the farmer maximum yield and, quality, and perpetuate weed 4nd disease problems which bite further into his pocketbook. Many farmers still believe they can save money by hauling grain in the bin to the elevator to have it cleaned and hauling. it back to the farm for planting. Planting seed from the bin may save a little money on the seed purchase, but that's often where the savings end. In fact, tests prove that bin -run seed can cost you money in the long run by reducing crop yields and quality, A 1984-85 study conducted by Dr. Brian G. Rossnagel and Dr. Robert T. Baker and evaluated at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan showed that - proper cleaning of good quality seed can br- ing significant increases in the grower's return per acre. Results of the research showed that cleaning of seed produced a positive effect regardless of pedigree status, and is an effective way to improve its value. However, because a high percentage cleanout was required to achieve this ad= vantage in the -bin -run samples, it was con- cluded that Certified seed offers a higher return per acre. When the costs of trucking, fuel, labour, and the elevator cleaning process -are all considered, it is often to the grower's advan- tage to sell the grain and buy, good, clean , bagged or bulk Cerified seed. This is _ especially.true in western Canada where growers may deliver up to 600 bushels of over quota grain and use the proceeds for the purchase of Certified seed of wheat, oats, -barley, flax or. rapeseed. This program offers growers increased opportunities -.for marketing grain and improving fuure crops. Compared to fertilizer, pesticides and all - other input costs in crop production:Cer- tified seed is probably the lowest cost. Yet, it offers one of the highest returns. - - The small, extra cost of buying Certified seed is an assurance of iriiproved quality. cleanliness from weeds and disease, and good germination. Certified seed is controll- ed by strict regulations to ensure the seed is mechanically pure and tree to type. Well: cleaned seed contains a greater percentage of large kernels which has proven to pro- duce healthier and more vigorous plants than small kernels. With new varieties being introduc•edevery year, many of which are developed in response to current market conditions, Cer- tified seed gives growers access to the highest yielding, top performing varieties available. • Growers aiming- for a better return on their crop production investment find that Certified seed doesn't cost ... it pays. Know your roughage quality Roughage quality can 'vary a great deal over the course of a winter feeding pro- gram. As a rule not all feed is harvested at the same quality, so it is important to make the necessary adjustments to_yourration when required. The key to maintaining good production is -knowing your roughage quality" and balancing the animals roughage diet with an -adequate grain mix containing all essential nutrients. - If you would like your ration checked, just give us a call. We can evaluate or formulate dairy and beef rations at no cost- to you. Anvone wishing to have feed sainples analyzed will be required to pay a small fee. The following services are available through the Agri -Food Laboratories in Guelph. Types of Analysis Available I Dry Matter, Crude Protein $10.00 - II Dry Matter, Crude- Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium $17.00 III Dry Matter, C" -rude Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium, Maganese, Copper, Zinc $19.00. IV I Roughages i : Dry Matter, Crude Pro- tein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, . Potassium, Ac -id Detergent Fibre,Estimated Total Digestible Nutrients, Net -Energy of Lactation $23.00 V Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus $14.00 With One of The Above Digestible Protein - i Measures heat damage in hay and haylage only l $8.00 Neutral Detergent Fibre $8.00 Acid Detergent Fibre $6.00 • .' Input forms, information sheets and feed - bags are available through the local Ontario • Ministry of Agriculture and Food office in Clinton. If thisprograip is of interest to you, feel free to call.