The Brussels Post, 1979-02-28, Page 14For the best in custom building,
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14 -- THE BRUSSELS POST, FEBRUARY 28, 1979
Here's how the soil test works
BY MIKE MILLER
Associate Ag. Rep.
Any discussion on soil
fertility begins with the
principles of the soil test.
Fertility trials are carried out
regularly on farms and re-
search stations in Ontario.
The results of these trials are
used to calculate the nutri-
ents that must be added to
the nutrients in the soil in
order to produce the most
economic yield. In theory,
more nutrients might pro-
duce a greater yield but the
cost of the extra fertilizer
would be greater than the
Ilue of the extra crop.
The soil is tested for
phosphorus and potash.
Each sear phosphorus and
potash a:' released from the
soil particks and can be used
for crop production. The soil
test measures these putri-
ents. The soil is also tested
for PH or lime content and
magnesium. Most— Huron
soils do not need lime, and
magnesium values are also
high even though it appearE.,
hat high soil values of
magnesium do not insure
adequate values in crops.
The soil is not tested for
nitrogen because the test is
expensive and time consum-
ing and the nitrogen content
of a soil changes over winter.
Nitrogen is recommended
according to the crop to be
grown. For a crop like corn,
'-he farmer has the option of
increasing the nitrogen
recommendation if his exper-
ience indicates that his land
will produce more than 100
bus/acre!
100 lbs. of actual N could
be considered sufficient for a
100 bus. crop but one would
apply an extra 10 lbs. of N if
his experience indicated that
his yield potential was 110
bus. The "N" recommen-
dation would be increased up
to another 30 lbs. if the
Melville Guild met in the
Thurch parlour on Tuesday of
last week with Leona Arm-
strong opening the meeting
with a Call to Worship.
The scripture Psalm 23
read in unison was followed
a poem on "Love" and an
irticle on the origination of
/alentine's Day.
Ethel Brewer presented
he topic on "The Lord is My
shepherd" - Psalrh 23, fol-
owed by prayer by Isobel
,luether.
Donna Knight presided for
)usiness. Lunch will be serv- ,
:d following the morning
service on Sunday, Feb. 25th
:atered to by Group 1, and
nitrogen was broadcast be-
fore planting in early May as
there are greater losses with
early application.
The test result coming
back froin the lab, is adjusted
to take into consideration
plowed sod or manure ap-
plied to the field. A good 1/2
legume sod can supply the
100 lbs. of nitrogen required
to grow a corn crop. 2 tons
per acre of poultry manure is
equivalent to 9 tons per acre
of 'hog manure. These
amounts of manure have a
nitrogen rating of 25 lbs. of
actual nitrogen per acre
when applied in the fall and
winter. The figure increases
to 50 lbs. with spring appli-
cation and to 60 if the
manure is applied in the
spring and immediately
At last week's fertilizer
update meeting, U.C.O.
specialist, Jim Hodgins,
pointed out why bulk blend
analyses are attracting an
increasing number of farm-
ers. A ton of 10-10-10 fertil-
izer supplies 200 lbs. of
actual nitrogen, 200 lbs. of
actual phosphorus and 200
lbs. of actual potash. These
nutrients can be supplied by
mixing 445 lbs. of 18-46-0,
275 lbs. 46-0-0 and 340 lbs. of
0-0-60. This mix of 1,060 lbs.
has the same nutrient con-
tent as 2,000 lbs. of 10-10-10.
The difference in weight is a
limestone filler which really
adds little nutritive value.
The smaller amount of
material results in lower
spreading costs, lower nutri-
ent costs and faster service
from the dealer's standpoint.
There is also the added
advantage of being able to
Group 2 will cater to the
Lion's supper. The roll call
was answered by the intro-
duction of each guest, who
was invited to the meeting.
Due to the extensive re-
pairs that are being contem-
plated to the church the
Smorgasbord dinner. was
held over for discussion at
the March meeting.
Donna Knight and Rose
Marie Bishop agreed to meet
with members of sister
churches and the Ladies
Auxiliary to the Canadian
Legion to review the prices of
catering to meals.
The committee in charge
served a Valentine lunch.
covered witn soil. Cattle
manure is similar in nitrogen
and phosphorus content but
has three times (80 lbs./ac.)
the potash content of hog and
poultry manure. The nutri-
ents contained in manure or
sod can replace nutrients
that would otherwise have to
be supplied by commercial
fertilizer. These adjustments
are made automatically on
the soil report.
The soil test recommen-
dation can be inaccurate if
incorrect information is sup-
plied by the farmer or if the
sample is not representative
of the field. It's vital to
indicate what manure is to be
applied, whether or not sod
has preceded the crop and to
state clearly the crop to be
grown. When sampling, it's
prepare a special mix that
isn't available as a standard
analysis.
important that several
samples be taken for large
fields. It's been demon-
strated that a field sampled
in its entirety may need
nutrients. Large fields
sampled in just a few places
may not be representative of
the field.
The soil test can be used to
determine the extent that the
soil is storing phosphorus
and potash. The soil test
values indicate whether the
soil is low, medium, high,
very high or excessive. Thus
the farmer should test
periodically to check the level
of these nutrients. Excess
levels of potash can tie up
magnesium and actually
lower yields.
There's a great deal more
that could be said on the test.
The point we're making this
time is that the soil is a tool
to be used by the manager in
conjunction •with his know-
A bean program is planned
for the Exeter Community
Centre on Wednesday,.
March 7th from 9:30 to 3:30
p.m. The agenda includes
production tips on varieties,
planting date, crop rotation,
N rates and hilling. There
will be other presentations
on anthracnose, breeding
ledge of his farm. It has
limitations and often they are
Man made. The test needs to
be better understood by
those using it and that's the
reason for the aforegoing
discussion.
new varieties, root rot and
marketing.
BERG
ISales — Service)
Installation
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Donald G Ives
R.R.#2, Blyth
Phone:
Brussels 887-9024
Ben Ten Pas Brussels,
Melville guild reviews
cost of catering
Quality Construction
887.9309
Take advatage of
bulk blend fertilizer
Bean program planned
le• a IMOVAISMO