Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-03-18, Page 63Choosing the right hybri As the business of farming becomes in- creasingly demanding, --economic survival depends, more than ever, on the corn grower's ability to choose the right hybrid. How he chooses that hybrid is as important as the choice!itself. • Government and the seed industry are reliable sourdes of hybrid performance in- formation. These sources offer growers trial results, test plot data, hybrid research information, grower'testimonials .and competilive hybrid statistics.. In the final analysis; however, -how a hybrid per- forms for the farmer in his field is what . really counts," explains Funk Seeds'. Marketing Manager, -Doug Knight. "Under today's market conditions, it is in- - creasingly important that corn producers take_the tirrie to critically evaluate the local perforinante of. each hybrid they may consider growing. Growers must take - the time to learn .how different i,..arieties perforrn - an evaluation process which begins with Pre -plant preparation and ex- tends through to post harvest." • To encourage the comprehensive. evaluation of hybrids by Ontario corn pro- ducers, Funk. Seeds has developed two Hybrid Evaluation Guides, providing tOi is critical growers with the necessary criteria for variety assessment and selection. Through a series- of questions, the guides help pro- ducers build a foundation of information to realistically judge hybrids. They include pre -harvest and post-harvest checklists of hybrid characteristics, from seed quality and growth -habits to harvest management and yield. The guides will also help corn growers assess the inter -relationship bet- ween crop performance, environmental conditions and management. Discovering the strengths and weaknesses of hybrids in the grower's local. area is a key factor in determining Which varieties will make the best econotnic contribution to next year's corn program. No matter what brands theY may be considering, growers must be critical in choosing the hybrid best suited for their area. Ultimately, the objective of the Hybrid Evaluation Guides is to assist producers in making a more infortned and profitable seed purchase. ' "The guides are not intended to tell corn growers what hybrids to grow. Instead, they are designed to help growers in- dependently ;deritify and gather local, fac- tual information on hybrid performance," Knight stresses. New safety standards published.0. from page 16A on internatibnal standards bodies -such as ISO. Facts The new standards fall under the title Tractors a..40 Machinery for Agriculture and Forestry - Technical Means for Ensur- ing Safety (RSO 4254 ). The first [document in the series tISO 4254 Part 1 General) hs just been publish- ed. It consists of nine main -sets of re- quirements; beginning with a brief state- .ment of principles regarding overall design and construction. Attention!is given to: Moving parts treated as dangerous: notes about sha0s, run-on points of belts, etc., protruding keyways, pinching and shear- ing points, whoels close to the operator. Guard types: a description of three types of guards designed to prevent contact with moving pats. Guard construction: Mainly general re- quirementS, but with some specific perfor- mance details such as strength and -c on- structiOn notes. • . • Safety distance: this- is one of the most. detailed sections of the standard. The safe-. ty di•stance!is based on measurements that specify 'specific distances from which so- meone can ,prate, maintain or inspect a dangerous part. :It consists of specific distances for-yeaeh in various directions. and is well illustrated. Provision of information: requirements for operating manuals, warning notices, etc. t in accordance with other existing ISO International Standardsi. Operator's workplace: another substantial set of more specific requirements related to handholds, steps, operating positions, seats,. controls and various mechanisms • such as steering; lifting and sropping. Means for moving and supporting machines: general requireinents for hit- ches, jacks and supports.. Power transmission: protection of power take -off. power intake connections and power take -off drive shafts. Other parts of ISO 4254 now being cir- culated to IS() S 90 member nations for ap- proval. include specific guidelines for in- dividual machinery types such as: traC- tors, . sowing equipment, planting and distributing fertilizers, soil working equip- ment, husbandr., .cleaning . installations, forestry winches and arihydrouS ammonia -applicators: 3cott re-elected to a Bill IA, an egg farmer froni Seaforth, has been re-elected to his tenth term as the director of the Ontario Egg Producers' Marketting Board. _ - Mr. Scot will continue to represent the 82 egg - prOducers in Huron CoUnty, who elected -him to the board on -February r8. As well as representing Huron producers on the ,provincial board, -• Mr. Scott represents: all. Ontario producers as a director of the Canadian Egg Marketting Agency,. the organization which ad- ministers the national . supply manage- ment system for eggs. Mr. Scott operates a custom hatchery in addition46- Ws egg production operation. E f&M vrit Scott Poultry FarMs. near Seaforth. Policies and operations. of the Ontario Egg Producers' Marketting Board are the- responsiblity of 15 producer -elected direc- tors. Thirteen- of:these are elected by egg - producers in 13 zones or areas of the pro- vince: two are -elected by pullet producers, --or farmers who raise chicks to egg -laying - age, In each zone, producers elect a set number of committeemen who then elect a director • for that zone. Pullet producers - elect committeemen to vote for a pullet . producer director for -each half of the pro- vince. Directors are elected for a one-year . term. Storage bins and dryers now t . By Brian Hall ' Farm Management Specialist HurortCounty Until January, 1987, farmers could apply for.a refund of Ontario sales tax on grain storage bins and -dryers. The refund has • • x exenipt been replaced by an exemption. This will save farmers the bother of processing a re- fund claim. • Contractors who erect these- structures for farmers may also purchase the materials exempt rorn tax. Page 17A Airless Spray Painting - Farm buildings. storage tanks, etc. Special coatings for rusted steel roofs - add years to their life. 0,Sandblasting Lucknow A a rson Contracting Ltd. • ®Air -hammering (0) fl 528-2113 Affisism•••••••maa.mes Kn Wfi at ing know to ink,. up t csr tipri s Now it's tri your ninu. b 21 2800 6 2850 H.U. 1 2410 H.U. - - See your Funk. dealer today! .1*hn Teesw@ter Bluev,ater Agro r•r KLIardine Wr & [:'arry EUtt Luckrillw Keith kek- [gray Haivey Ste art - aim! Ro Baer - Goderich FL hi lifiS 08”ISEgnn- Funk Si..eds. CIIIA-GERi CAN kDA LTD