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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-09-14, Page 23Wednesday, September 14, 2005 23 griculture TIMES -ADVOCATE Area farmers learn corn hybrids Exeter -area farmer Mike Strang, right, a certified crop advisor who runs Better Cropping Solutions from his home, hosted a special field day last week to provide area farmers with information on new corn hybrids. (photo/Ralph Pearce) By Ralph Pearce Strang, a certified crop advisor who SPECIAL TO THE T -A runs Better Cropping Solutions from his home, hosted a special field day to pro- vide area farmers with information and some guidelines for new corn hybrids. As a dealer for Mycogen, he was offer- ing growers a glimpse of what's new from the company's perspective. But he was providing growers some added information on changes they'll have to deal with in 2006, as well. EXETER — Some came looking for information. Others came looking for direction. And still others came to see and hear about the latest corn hybrids. The reasons varied but in the end, most left with something useful as they departed from the Exeter -area farm of Mike Strang, last Thursday. Strong demand, trade at market DENFIELD — The market at Denfield Livestock Sales traded on a strong demand at steady prices on the fed cattle with the fancy cattle at pre- mium prices. A good offering of stockers traded strong. Cows fully steady to higher, Holstein calves higher. Bob Hodgins, Lucan sold six steers average weight 1470 average price 101.26 to a high of 104 purchased by Norval Meats. John McLinchey, Parkhill sold 26 steers average weight 1268 average price 94.76 to a high of 98.25 purchased by Norwich Packers. Maple Lodge Farms, Dresden sold 24 head aver- age weight 1302 average price 94.40 to a high of 99.75 purchased by Norwich Packers. Robert Ready, St. Marys sold six steers average weight 1357 average price 91.34 to a high of 97.50. Glen and David Minnielly, Wyoming sold five heifers average weight 1188 average price 88.36 to a high of 94. Jim Scott, Lucan sold 16 heifers average weight 1251 average price 91.43 to a high of 97.25. Choice steers: 95-100 sales to 104; Good steers: 85-90; Plain steers: 70-80; Good fed Holstein steers: 60-70; Choice exotic cross heifers: 92-97.25; Good heifers: 84-88; Plain heifers: 60-70; Good fed cows: 40-50; D1 and D2 cows: 30-40; D3 and D4 cows: 25-30; Shells: 15-24; Good beef bulls: 40-50; Good Holstein bulls: 30-40; Good feeder steers 850-900 lbs to 111.75; Good feeder steers 600-700 lbs 105-118; Good feeder heifers 600-700 lbs 100-113.25; Good Holstein bull calves: $150-$230; Sows: 40-44. Active trade, prices steady at Brussels Brussels Livestock Market Report for the week ending Sept. 9. Total receipts 3,455 head of cattle, 654 lambs and goats. Summary Tuesday: The fed steers and heifers sold at prices $1 lower. Choice steers and heifers sold 89 to 95 sales to 104.25, second - cut steers and heifers sold 86 to 88. The cows traded on a steady mar- ket. Thursday: The veal sold on an active trade with prices remaining steady. The lambs sold on a strong active trade with prices steady to last week. Friday: All weights and classes of stockers sold on a steady market. Steers There were 608 steers on offer. Walter Riddel, Granton consigned two black steers averaging 1375 lbs which sold for 104.25. His overall offering of nine steers aver- aged 1377 lbs selling for an average price of 96.93. Twenty steers consigned by Jim Howatt, Londesborough averaged 1507 lbs which sold for an average price of 92.86 with his top black steer weighing 1415 lbs selling for 100.25. Heifers There were 290 heifers on offer. Melvin Bearinger, Mt Forest consigned four limo heifers averaging 1268 lbs which sold for 99.25. His overall offering of 53 heifers averaged 1291 lbs selling for an average price of 93.01. Eighteen char heifers con- signed by Sellers Farms, Bluevale averaged 1340 lbs selling for an average price of 92.02 with sales to 97.25. Floyd Bearinger, Mt Forest consigned one limo heifer weighing 1315 lbs which sold to Highland Packers Ltd for 95.25. "Today was just for building aware- ness, and to look at some of the unique things we have and how they can make the farmer more profitable," said Strang, referring to some of the hybrids Mycogen is set to bring to the market. Getting growers to think about corn in positive terms is a bit of challenge for seed dealers and consultants. Some growers, despite high yields last year and this year again in many regions, are facing the prospect of losing money on their corn crops. Fuel prices are on the rise, and so is the cost of nitrogen -based fertilizers. And now there's a call for trade action including tariffs against U.S. interests dumping corn into the province by the Ontario Corn Producers, Association. The move is garnering media attention, and some grower organizations have come out against the proposed trade action. In all, it's the recipe that has many growers questioning the value of planti- ng corn next spring. But research con- tinues to shine a positive light on keep- ing corn in rotation with wheat and soy- beans. Yields in wheat and soybeans are bet- ter when corn is grown every third year, as opposed to growing continuous soy- beans or even a two -crop rotation. To many consultants, what has to change is the mind -set that dictates the rates of nitrogen growers use on their corn fields. Strang invited Dale Cowan of Agri - Food Labs in Guelph to address that topic, including the importance of soil sampling to determine the specific rates of nitrogen necessary to grow a good corn crop. The term many consultants refer to is "farming smarter" without necessarily having to farm bigger, and it may be a sign of the future for Strang and other crop specialists. The focus in this case is on providing more timely information to growers, helping them with everything from advice on planting dates to choices of seed to effectively managing crop inputs like nitrogen and phosphorus. "The real push behind what (Cowan) is doing is looking at making farming more profitable," said Strang, noting the price hikes for nitrogen in the past two years. "It just so happens that the most eco- nomical rate to the farmer is the most environmentally friendly rate, too, so it's really where the industry needs to go." Another significant change, particular- ly where seed companies are con- cerned, is the changing trend for farm- ers using corn for silage. Strang pointed out that in the past, growers were often satisfied to simply cut their grain corn early for silage. But research into specific uses has changed that attitude, and many of the seed companies, including Mycogen, have been working in the past few years on improving quality traits and how they'll improve a farmer's bottom line. Show tips given to 4-H club By Christine O'Reilly EXETER — The 4-11 Beef Club held a meeting to prepare for upcoming shows, the first of which being the Kirkton Fall Fair on Sept. 10, 11. Many members hauled their calves to Mike and Andrea Hern's farm for the event. A few calves received their pre -show clipping as well. Nine yearling animals were available for the members to lead. They practised setting up their calves' feet and lining up as instructed. Mike Hern acted as judge and gave some useful show tips to the group: • Always watch the judge, if you miss your cue, he'll put someone else in your place. • Make sure to gently scratch your calves' belly before placing their feet. This will calm them down. But don't try to saw your calves in two with the show stick; they won't appreciate that. • Set up the front feet first. You can stop the calves so that you don't have to play with their feet much, which may make them fidget. • Grasp the lead rope palm up from under- neath, with your elbow tucked into your side. This will give you the strength to hold the calfs head up without tiring your arm. • Never pull your calf towards you when turn- ing. You could easily get stepped on. Push the ani- mal away from you and lead them around. You also have more leverage doing it this way. After the mock show, Andrea Hern provided the club with supper. It was a learning experience for both club members and show calves alike. The next meeting will be Sept. 12 at Carrie and Morgan Powe's. Members are reminded to read their 4-H newsletters in prepara- tion for the quiz. tory • eptem •Fir •BBs OFF •Plumbing Fixtures •Window Air Cond •Hot Tub Chemicals 0 • in s , k items - cash & carry only oseph's location rofHwy 21 &84 236-4770 1-888-GEO-TECK (1-888-436-8325) itTiCK qea e4t, & ecw&ftly .4iot €e t