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The Citizen, 1998-02-04, Page 23A Look at Agriculture Rotation, Rotation, Rotation Ralph deVries, Crop Consultant with Howson & Howson Ltd. Ontario soybean acreage exceeded corn acreage in 1997. The doubling of soybean acreage in the past 10 years has resulted in dramatic shifts in crop rotation practices on Ontario- farms. Many farms which 20 years ago had rotation involving two or more consecutive years of corn, now have rotations which contain two or more consecutive years of soybeans. Many cash crop farmers have also dropped winter wheat from the three-year rotation system corn-soybean-wheat which was popular during the 1980s. Aside from soybean disease concerns, the two biggest risks with increas- ing the frequency of soybeans in crop rotations are loss of soil structure and limiting potential corn and soybean yields. Ontario's rotation research has clearly indicated increased corn yields when corn is rotated with other crops. Highest yields occurred when forage legumes (i.e. alfalfa or red clover) precede corn in rotation. Research conduc- ted by Doug Young of RCAT observed corn yield responses to rotation were up to 30 per cent higher than continuous corn on medium and fine-textures soils in Southwestern Ontario. Long-term rotation research near Elora (1980-1997) by the University of Guelph has also found substantial corn yield increases when corn is rotated with other crops. Yield responses to rotation were even higher in conservation (i.e. chisel plow) tillage systems than with tradi- tional moldboard plowing on this silt loam soil. Research results demonstrate that first-year corn yields after wheat averaged about 10 per cent higher than those with continuous corn. Corn yields were increased an additional seven per cent when the wheat was underseeded with red clover. In fact, red clover plow- down resulted in corn yields which were similar to those obtained after keeping the red clover for an extra year to harvest as a seed crop and two years of alfalfa. The benefits of including wheat, and especially wheat plus red clover, may persist beyond just the following year. For example, underseeding red clover into wheat at Elora resulted in second- year grain corn yield increases in the moldboard system which were almost as large as those observed for first-year corn. In addition, soybean yields during the third year after underseeding red clover were also higher than when red clover is not included in the four- year rotation systems. Larger corn yield increases can be expected when rotations include winter cereals rather than just corn and soybeans, especially when the cereal is underseeded with red clover. Planting more and more soybeans is increasing the susceptibility of Ontario's soils to erosion. In fact, the structure of soils in corn-soybean rotations can actually be poorer than soils which are in continuous corn production. The economics of any rotation system are entirely dependent on assumptions made about yield levels, relative crop prices and whether crop input prices and/or timeliness of operations are affected by rotation choice. Higher corn yields, when rotated, usually result in substantially greater returns compared to when planted continuously. Based on the assumptions resented, inclusion of wheat improved returns relative to the corn-soybean rotation almost everywhere. Ontario rotation research suggests that underseeding red clover enhanced profitability of the rotations relative to just wheat alone. In fact; the value of higher corn yields alone due to underseeded red clover was usually at least twice the $15/ac underseeding cost. This does not take into account the cost savings associated with reduced N requirements for corn which could be applied most years. Neither was there any income added to the wheat crop for any sale of straw. Clearly Rotation results in a more profitable cropping system. arm New Holland First in Grassland Farming PRESEASON SAVINGS No finance charges and no payments until January 1, 1999!* That's right - Just make a deal on a baler, mower- conditioner, forage harvester, or other eligible hay tools from New Holland before March 31, 1998 and take advantage of these special sales incentives No finance charges and no payments until January 1, 1999 Up to $275 cash back Or, other retail financing plans are available See your New Holland dealer NOW for details! • Financing available to qualified buyers through New Holland (Canada) Credit Company. AltrAL FARM SUPPLY LTD. mom] WALTON C C EIN HOLLAND 'redit Company County Road 12, Walton 527-0245 887-6365 ,Ewl `\\\\ BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK D!vision of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 9:00 a.m. Finished Cattle & Cows THURSDAYS 9:00 a.m. Bob Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs BRUSSELS 887-6461 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1998. PAGE 23. Brussels Livestock report Fed steers, heifers sell on very strong market The sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending Jan. 30 were: fed cattle, 508; cows, 341; veal and bob calves, 306; lambs and goats, 67; stockers, 2,072. The fed steers and heifers traded on a very strong market. The cows sold steady to last week. Veal traded $2 lower with lambs selling on a steady market. Calves sold $2 lower with yearlings selling barely steady. There were 319 steers on offer selling from $89 to $98 to the high of $103.50. Thirty-one steers consigned by Murray Forbes Farms Ltd., Clinton, averaging 1,387 lbs. sold for an average of $93.76 with a limo steer weighing 1,295 lbs. selling for $103.50 to St. Helen's Packers. Thirty-two steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan, averaging 1,450 lbs. sold for an average of $92.94 with sales to $103.25. One limo steer consigned by Allan Thorton, Gorrie, weighing 1,095 lbs. sold for $99.25. Twelve steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Woodstock, averaging 1,558 lbs. sold for an average of $91.13 with sales to $99. Thirty steers con- signed by Kada Farms, Bluevale averaging 1,313 lbs. sold for an average of $93.11 with sales to $98.75. Nine steers consigned by Ross Battin, Monkton, averaging 1,341 lbs. sold for an average of $91.55 with sales to $98.50. Four steers consigned by Machan Construction, Monkton, averaging 1,470ribs. sold for an average of $90.33 with sales to $96. Three steers consigned by Bev Hamilton, Hensall, averaging 1,431 lbs. sold for an average of $91.66 with sales to $95.75. Twenty-one steers consigned by Howard Martin, Brussels, averaging 1,473 lbs. sold for an average of $90.37 with sales to $95.25. Eight steers consigned by Murray Shier, St. Marys, averaging 1,307 lbs. sold for an average of $88.72 with sales to $95.25. There were 164 heifers on offer selling from $89 to $98 to the high of $98.75. Ten heifers consigned by Ron Smith, Denfield, averaging 1,232 lbs. sold for an average of $91.10 with a gold weighing 1,115 lbs. selling to St, Helen's Packers for $98.75. Five heifers consigned by John Smuck, Wingham, averaging 1,132 lbs. sold for an average of $93.92 with sales to $97. Five heifers consigned by Mery McPherson, Orangeville, averaging 1,230 lbs. sold for an average of $90.68 with sales to $95.25. Two heifers consigned by Lois Kerr, Palmerston, averaging 1,123 lbs. sold for an average of $90.80 with sales to $95. Two heifers consigned by Albert Miller, Lucknow, averaging 1,173 lbs. sold for an average of $92.84 with sales to $94.25. Six heifers consigned by Lloyd Weppler, Ayton averaging 1,354 lbs. sold for an average of $89.87 with sales to $94. Four heifers consigned by Fred McClure, Walton, averaging 1,031 lbs. sold for an average of $90.74 with sales to $93.50. Two heifers consigned by Mike Kerz, Palmerston, averaging 1,157 lbs. sold for an average of $89.76 with sales to $93.25. Five heifers consigned by Gerry McPhee, Auburn, averaging 1,094 lbs. sold for an average of $91.11 with sales to $92.25. Four heifers consigned by Gordon Dougherty, Goderich, averaging 1,186 lbs. sold for an average of $90.67 with sales to $92. There were 341 cows on offer selling from $37 to $56 to the high of $69. Three black cows consigned by Jack Culbert, Dungannon, averaging 1,145 lbs. sold for an average of $65.30 with sales to $72.50. Two limo cows consigned by Irvin Schenk, Petersburg, averaging 1,580 lbs. sold for an average of $65.89 with sales to $69. Two cows consigned by Bill Aitcheson, Chatsworth, averaging 1,310 lbs. sold for an average of $63.85 with sales to $69. There were 18 bulls on offer selling from $51 to $56.50 to the high of $77.75. Two bulls consigned by Kada Farms, Bluevale, averaging 1,905 lbs. sold for an average of $77.61 with sales to $77.75. One limo bull consigned by Jimonika Farms, Teeswner, weighing 1,610 lbs. sold for $70. There were 306 veal and bob calves on offer: Beef sold $95 to $133; Holstein, $85 to $95; Plain Holstein, $75 to $85. Six veal consigned by Albert Hessels, Wingham, averaging 693 lbs. sold for an average of $110.76 with sales to $133. Four veal consigned by Matt Townsend, Londesboro, averaging 651 lbs. sold for an average of $124.39 with sales to $126. Five veal consigned by Jane Van Sickle, Ripley, averaging 637 lbs. sold for an average of $112.31 with sales to $126. Lambs, 50 to 79 lbs., sold $170 to $172.50; 80 - 94 lbs., $146 to $162.50. Sheep sold $52.50 to $75. Goats sold $20 to $105. Steers, under 400 lbs., sold $104 to $125; 400 - 499 lbs., $98.50 to $129.50; 500 - 599 lbs., $98. to $128.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $99.75 to $126.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $97.50 to $117.50; 800 - 899 lbs., $94.50 to $115; 900 lbs. and over, $87.75 to $108.75. Heifers, 300 - 399 lbs., sold $87.50 to $122; 400 - 499 lbs., $84 to $115; 500 - 599 lbs., $94 to $116.75; 600 - 699 lbs., $85 to $105.25; 700 - 799 lbs., $78 to $107.75; 800 - 899 lbs., $85 to $97.50; 900 lbs. and over, $79.50 to $95. Plain stockers sold $50 to $65.