HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-03-18, Page 48pa
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CUSTOM SPE��,i�ING
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■ CUSTOM LIQUID APPLICATION
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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.