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Times Advocate, 1996-07-31, Page 8Page 8 - ""''°°°ca° July 31 FARM LIPL)A TE FieId corn spraying tips Paul Hageman, Horticulture Crop Advisor, Kowa* CLINTON - That's the most fre- quent question on my phone this week, and it can't be answered with a simple yes or no. Here's a few considerations when you arc mak- ing a decision. What's the threshold? In other words, what per cent of the plants have corn borer damage before it's worthwhile to spray. We've had thresholds of 50-75 per cent over the years in Ontario, but it never made much difference because no- body sprayed anyway. Now every- body wants to spray. Is it really be- cause of the damage you see today, or is it just revenge for the damage you saw last fall? With the high price of corn this year, it may pay to spray at a 50 per cent threshold. However, we have very little Ontario data on how much yield you can gain by spray- ing. If you decided to spray, why not learn something at the same time. Leave a few upsprayed check strips, and compare yields at har- vest. Then you'll have a much bet- ter idea whether the spray was worthwhile. When should I spray? There's two parts to this question - when through the day and when through the season? The first part is easier to answer. Corn borers feed more at night, and are more likely to move to external plant surfaces (leaves) then. Also, nights are cooler and that slows the breakdown of any chemical. Aim for an evening spray if possible. Picking a date to spray is trickier. If you assume you're not going to spray any field more than once, then you want to maximize the ef- fectiveness of that spray. In the uni- voltine area, (everything north of a line from Sarnia, through London to Hamilton, including eastern On- tario) a spray will likely have the biggest effect sometime in late July or early August this year. Scout for corn borer damage after the peak moth flight. In the area where the bivoltine rate of corn borer predominates, (south of Sarnia -Hamilton line) it gets even trickier. First generation damage is evident now, and it will soon be too late to do anything about it. The corn can be sprayed without difficulty by a high boy or other high clearance ground rig (Custom operators charge about $7.00/acre). But the second genera- tion of corn borer is usually much larger than the first, and has the po- tential to cause more damage. It will likely be feeding heavily in late August, and will have a more prolonged emergence (harder to get a good kill), and do more extensive stalk tunneling (more potential yield loss). At that time, the corn will be too tall for most ground rigs, so aerial sprays may be neces- sary (at a custom operator fee of about 512.00/acre). Don't assume that spraying will reduce the size of the second generation - there will be more than enough survivors and fly -ins to munch on your corn. Spraying in July will only impact the corn borers that are present in July. Survivors! You mean I can't kill them all? U.S. consultants who have been scouting corn fields and timing ECB sprays for years, esti- mate that 50 per cent kill is pretty good. They target the spray for peak ,egg hatch, to catch the maxi- mum number of borers before they hide out of spray's reach. Even a well timed spray will miss the early borers (already feeding on leaves and tunnelling) and the late borers (eggs not yet laid or laid but un- hatched). It is absolutely essential to scout a field for egg masses in order to accurately time this spray. A spray at the wrong time is not only a waste of money, but it also kills many of the lady bugs and minute pirate bugs who would oth- erwise eat a lot of corn borer eggs and young larvae. What product is best? Cymbush. Ripcord and Decis (all in the py- rethroid family of insecticides) arc the cheapest products available at around $8.00/acre. If the daily highs are 25 degrees C or less, then they will do a good job - fast kill and up to five days residual ac- tivity. However, the hotter it gets, the poorer their activity, as they breakdown faster and are less toxic to insects at higher temperatures. At 30 degrees C, don't expect much benefit. Other pyrethroid in- secticides such as Ambush may perform marginally better, but will still lead to disappointment if it's hot. Furadan (about $15.00/acre) will perform better in the heat and the residues will stick around longer, but it is highly toxic to the opera- tor and has a 48 hour re-entry in- terval. Sevin (around 515.00 acre) is safer to use, but it has a spotty record for effectiveness. While many growers are satisfied with its performance, others are not. It will also breakdown in hot weather, though not as rapidly as the py- rethroids. There have been questions about pesticide resistance in corn borers. I tested for resistance to Sevin in 1995 and found none. I haven't tested other products, but I don't think resistance is likely. Most On- tario corn borers have never been sprayed with any insecticides, so they've had no chance to build up resistance. Several years of wide- spread spraying in the U.S. has not developed resistant strains, so I think we're safe for a while yet. Accidents occuring with large bales GUELPH - The handling of large bales has resulted in a number of serious accidents this year. Much of Ontario's hay crop is harvested as large bales. Along with the benefits of the big bale have come a number of hazards. The manner in which the bale is handled and transported is the leading cause of accidents. Several operators have been seri- ously injured when improperly se- cured bales rolled down the arms of front-end loaders. It is strongly rec- ommended that tractors handling these bales be equipped with 4 -post rollover protective structures (ROPS), if available for your model of tractor. A loader should be equipped with a spear or grapple that is specifical- ly designed for the handling of large bales. Keep the following points in mind: • Always keep the bale as low as possible for maximum stability. • The loader should be equipped with a restraining device to prevent the bale from sliding backwards down the loader arms. • The loader tractor should be large enough and equipped with sufficient counterweight to handle bales safely. • Set tractor wheels at maximum width to increase stability. • Try to avoid steep slopes and rough terrain when conveying bales with the loader. • Avoid sudden starts, stops or changes of direction. • Travel only at low speeds when moving a bale. • Keep bystanders clear of all bale handling operations. Lions Club member Larry Eveland, at left, and Mayor Ben Hoogenboom draw the first winners of the Lions Trip of the Month Club at the Exeter Scotia Bank on Friday. Helen and Wayne Miller, of RR 1 Dashwood, won a seven-day trip to Orlando, Florida One prize will be drawn each month for the next year In efforts to raise funds for the Lions. This week's Denfield sales Market report for July 23, 1996. The market at Denfield traded ac- tively with prices 2-3 dollars higher. Fancy muscled cattle bringing a 10- 12 cent premium. , Mac Parker, Watford, sold 5 steers ave. wt. 1185, ave. price 92.89. Jim Wiegand, Dashwood sold 3 steers ave. wt. 1230, ave. price 99.02, sales to 105.75. Norris McMtlsan, Oil Springs sold 4 stars ave. wt. 1179, ave. price 99.37 sales to 106.75 purchased by Dendecker Meats. Jim Thompson and Norm Lewis sold 22 steers ave. wt. 1274, ave. price 91.23 sales to 103.75. Morley Hodgins, Parkhill, sold 14 steers ave. wt. 1315, ave. price 89.33. Charlie Tulloc k, Wallas burg, had the high steer sale for a black steer 1305 lbs. at 106.75 purchased by Dendecker Meats. Choice steer 96.100 sales to 106., Goods steer 87-92 Choice heifers 92-95 sales to 96.75 Good heifer 85-90 Compton 80-85 1)1 and D2 cows 45-50 D3 coati 40-45 Shells 2045 Hol. bull calves 30-130 dollar Pip - 40.50 lbs. 75-85 50.60 lbs. 7080 Sows 52-62 8osn 47.75-61, Have afarm tip? Call the Times -Advocate 235-1331 Delight Rath presented a donation recently on behalf of the Grand Bend Legion to South Huron Hospital. The portable oximeter, valued at $2,000, measures oxygen saturation in blood and is used frequently. The donation was received by Audrey Poole, Director of Nursing, at left and Doris Wragg, Nurse Manager on Nursing Unit, at right. caVv",:t; USW Country Corners Rent - All Operated by Logan Ford Tractor Sales Ltd. RR A 3 DASHWOoo (MT. CARMEL) ONTARIO Telephone: 237-3456 1-800-265-2901 Civic Holiday Weekend Special. Rent from Aug. 2 p.m. - Aug. S:a.m, .for, 11/2 days Rent lir.�✓.�.rs.�.�.r.�.-r.�✓.rrr.1-✓.1.r.�✓.�.�.�,r✓.�✓.�rr-.f.1.�- 0 Brussels livestock sales BRUSSELS - Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending July 26, 1995. Fed Cattle: 534 Cows:234 Veal: 265 Lambs 177 Stockers; 1184 Pigs: Light run Fed steers and heifers selling $1.00 higher on a strong active trade. Cows sold steady. On Thursday, veal sold $2.00-$3.00 higher with lambs selling steady. Friday calves and yearlings sold steady to last week. There were 352 steers on offer selling 85.00 to 91.00 to the high of 98.50. Thirty-six steers consigned by Ed McCann, Dashwood averaging 1321 lbs. sold for an average of 89.22 with sales to 98.50. Twelve steers consigned by Mike Fife, Shedden averaging 1161 lbs. sold for an average of 88.28 with sales to 97.00. Thirteen steers consigned by Woodham Farms, Woodham averaging 1183 lbs. sold for an average of 84.79 with sales to 96.00. Forty-three steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1291 lbs. sold for an average of 89.84 with sales to 95.75. Seventeen steers consigned by Ken Eadie, Holyrood averaging 1356 lbs. sold for an average of 89.59 with sales to 94.00. Eleven steers consigned by Kada Farms, Bluevale averaging 1313 lbs. sold for an average of 89.15 with sales to 92.00. Twelve steers consigned by Raye Pegg, Tupperville averaging 1304 lbs. sold for an average of 88.65 with sales to 92.00. There were 163 heifers selling from 85.00 to 91.00 to the high of 95.50. Fifteen heifers consigned by Springglad Farms Limited, Kirkton aver- aging 1030 lbs. sold for an average of 84.90 with sales to 93.50. Two heifers consigned by Geo. Paul and Mark Pennington, Mildmay averaging 973 lbs. sold for an average of 85.77 with sales to 86.75. Two heifers consigned by George Chettleburgh, Wingham averaging 1235 lbs. sold for an average of 84.43 with sales to 86.75. Six heifers consigned by Richard Tanner, Appin averaging 1006 lbs. sold for an average of 83.41 with sales to 86.50. Six heifers consigned by Gordon Dougherty, Goderich averaging 1208 lbs. sold for an average of 82.51 with sales to 85.00. Fourteen heifers consigned by Ron Coulter, Creemore averaging 1147 lbs. sold for an average of 84.32 with sales to 85.00. Two heifers consigned by Gordon Daer, Auburn averaging 1025 lbs. sold for an average of 84.38 with sales to 84.50. Two heifers consigned by Murray Gordon, Blyth averaging 1138 lbs. sold for 84.50. Four heifers consigned by Lloyd Weppler, Ayton averaging 1345 lbs. sold for an average of 79.16 with sales to 84.40. There were 234 cows on offer selling from 35.00 to 50.00 with sales to 67.50. Two cows consigned by Hans Sturzenegger, Auburn averaging 1583 lbs. sold for an average of 58.44 with sales to 67.50. Two cows consigned by Percy Bros., Holyrood averaging 1350 lbs. sold for an average of 59.14 with sales to 65.00. Three cows consigned by Mike Courtney, Ripley averaging 1608 lbs. sold for an average of 53.28 with sales to 60.00. There were 19 bulls of offer selling from 50.00 to 58.35 to the high of 66.00. One char bull consigned by Burton Eskrick, Tiverton weighing 1970 lbs. sold for 65.50. There were 261 veal on offer selling: hol - 65.00 to 85.00; Beef - 75.00 to 106.00; Plain and Heavy Hol - 50.00 to 60.00. Six veal consigned by Allan McKinnon, Shallow Lake averaging 659 lbs. sold for an average of 89.35 with sales to 106.00. Five veal consigned by Wilbert McLellan, Mount Forest averaging 600 lbs. sold for.an average of 77.95 with sales to 93.00. Four veal consigned by Eric Nonkes, Auburn averaging 568 lbs. sold for an average of 82.01 with sales to 88.00. Lambs: under 50 lbs. 108.00 to 120.00 50 to 80 lbs. 134.00 to 175.00 80 to 95 lbs. 133.0010 135.00 95-110 lbs. 120.00 to 131.00 Goats: $22.00 to $86.00 Stockers: Steers: 400-499 lbs. 73.00 to 123.50 500-599 63.50 to 112.00 600-699 58.00 to 106.00 700-799 73.50 to 102.00 800-899 73.00 to 96.00 900&over 72.00 to 93.25 Heifers: 300-399 lbs. 78.00 to 93.50 400-499 51.00 to 96.00 500-599 58.00 to 84.00 600-699 59.00 to 95.00 700-799 65.00 to 88.00 800 and over 69.25 to 89.25 The Logo in C.G. Farm Supply Ltd. Should have been t AGC0 Sales & Service Phone (519) 236-4934 Fax (519) 236.7330 22 Main Street, E., Zurich The Times Advocate apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused •WHEAT • CANOLA AC RON, HARUS AND FUNDULEA SEED WHEATS AVAILABLE WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE YOUR 1996 * Red and White Wheat * Throe Receiving Pits * Harvest Serf est available CONTACT PETER Hill an Hill FARMS u1 0 YARN ONT. CUSTOM COMBINING AND TRUCKING AVAILABLE ROWNTREE OR BEV HILL Varna Varna 233-7908 VARNA GRAIN 233-3218