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Clinton News-Record, 1983-10-05, Page 13Five area farm dealers held a machinery show at the farm of Bruce Coleman fn Tuckersmith Township on Sept. 26. About 300 area farmers attended this first ever demonstration. Its initial success has prompted local dealers to consider holding a similar show in 1984. (Wassink photo) Farmers pleased with terracing project By Wendy Somerville One day in May, 1983 a two inch rain fell on John and Hugo Maaskant's cornfield. As a result, severe gullying in various spots of the field took place. The run-off led from their 110 acre bowl -shaped field, rushed to lower ground through a water- way and eventually travelled down to the nearby Maitland River. This single rainfall got the wheels turn- ing for the Maaskant brothers. The Maaskants operate their farm as Coranga Company near Holmesville and initially thought of placing rock rip -rap to decrease the gully effect at various spots in the field. After some investigation and discussion with the hical Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) extension engineer, Sam Bradshaw, they learned that the source of the problem was in allowing the run-off in the first place. An article written by John Maaskant in the Christian Farmer Magazine, sums up the Maaskant brothers' feelings at this time. "Until we stood in our field during a heavy spring rain and saw the magnitude of the soil movement actually happening we were never aware of the seriousness of sheet erosion and the increased damage caused by cropping up and down instead of across the slope. As a result we realized how inadequate our present practices were to protect our farm." Mark Hickenbottom, a drainage con- tractor and farmer, and John Hickenbot- tom, owner of a terrace construction firm. were both Iowans who introduced the Maaskants to terracing. They convinced the Maaskants that terracing is an impor- tant method of reducing sheet erosion on farm land. Briefly the Maaskants learned that a ter- race is a water carrying or holding ridge or channel (or combination of both) con- structed of earth across field slopes to stop sheet erosion. It also controls, water before it can collect and cause rills and gullies. Terraces are usually parallel to each other because they are then much easier to farm and maintain. Surface water inlets are used to remove the water temporarily ponded by the ter- race. A topographic survey is usually done to help design the system. The key terrace, usually the top terrace is laid out first and all others are placed in relation to it. The slope, direction, the location of fences and roads, and the shape of the field are con- sidered in the placement of the top terrace. The Maaskant brothers were convinced, and by August 22 construction of a terrac- ing project was underway. The project was done with the assistance of the OMAF Farm Productivity Incentive Program grant. Stan Simmons, a Soil Conservation Ser- vices Engineer and District Supervisor, Oren Champ, a retired Soil Conservation Services Technician, and John and Mark Hickenbottom can'ta--from Iowa to lend their expertise. Equipment used in the construction was partially donated by Southwest Tractor .Ltd., a John Deere dealer from London. "Southwest Tractor was very co- operative, and the people from Iowa were very helpful and generous with all their support," said John Maaskant. An engineer's workshop was held at the same location by Jim Arnold of OMAF, for laying out and designing terrace systems. The Maaskants chose the Broad Base terrace because it allows them to farm over the whole terrace. These terraces can be built on slopes of up to six percent. The) are the most expensive of three terrace types available and more soil is moved during construction. There is 11,000 feet of terrace on the Maaskant farm and the terraces are 150 feet apart. John and Hugo Maaskant are very pleased with the results. We had a very big rain last week and all the terraces had water on them, by the Horning the water was gone," said John Maaskant happily. There is a formula available for estimating corn yields. This formula is bas- ed on counting the number of kernels per ear and then making some calculations. You can do this calculation any time after the kernels start to fill. However, if the corn has reached the black layer stage, your yield estimate will be more accurate. This is because you will be able to count all the harvestable kernels. To find if your corn has reached the black layer stage, cut the kernel from top to bottom and observe the black layer formed at the tip of the kernel where the kernel attaches to the cob. The first step to estimate your yield is to count the number of fully formed ears in 1/1000 of an acre . If you are in 30 inch rows, it takes 17.4 feet to make 1/1000 of an acre. Similarly, if you are in 28 inch rows, it takes 18.7 feet, and if you have 32 inch rows, it takes 16.5 feet to make 1/1000 of an acre. After you have counted the number of ears in 1/1000 of an acre, select three average ears. Count the number of rows of kernels – this will always be an even number. Then count the number of harvestable kernels per row. To calculate your estimated yield, take the number of ears per 1/1000 of an acre times the average number of kernel rows times the average number of kernels per row times 0.01116. This will give you bushels per acre at 15.5 percent moisture. For example, if you find 22 ears in the row length, 14 kernel rows per ear and 36 kernels per row, your estimated yield is 22 x 14 x 36 x 0.01116 equals 124 bushels per acre. As in any sampling technique you should sample a number of areas. Also, the areas should represent the field. If 20 percent of your corn field is poor, you should do one sample in the poor area and four samples in the other areas. The more samples you do the more ac- curate your field results will be. Generally, I am skeptical about calcula- tions such as you have just read. However, this formula is used by crop scouts in Michigan on a regular basis. Last year they boasted about using this calculation and were generally within five to ten percent of the actual yield. If you use this calculation, let me know how close it came to your actual yield. Pat J. Lynch, Soils and Crops Specialist. Feeding wheat to milking cows We have received a few calls and visits to the office regarding the question to feed wheat or not to feed. Wheat usually is not considered to be a feed grain, but evidently there is a carry-over of sprouted wheat on some farms. The real incentive for feeding wheat is its value as a protein supplement.. It does not contain as much protein as supplements such as the oil meals; it can, however, be us- ed to replace the mixtures of corn and pro- tein supplements. Wheat contains about 13 percent protein compared to 9 percent of corn. Since protein is the expensive component in dairy rations, wheat's higher protein content makes it more valuable than corn. The net energy content of corn and wheat are similar, thus adding wheat to a grain mixture does not af- fect its net energy content. The best way to adjust a grain mixture when adding wheat is to replace 10 pounds of soy meal or other 44 percent protein supple- ment and 90 pounds of corn for each 100 pounds of wheat added. The resulting mix- ture will contain about the same amounts of protein and net energy as the original mix. Economically, then, the value of feeding wheat depends on the prices of ingredients it replaces. However, since wheat has not been a com- mon feed ingredient, many dairymen have had no or little experience with it. This, IT'S TIME TO PLANT YOUR WINTER WHEAT AND FAIL FERTILIZE YOUR ALFALFA OUR 2 AIR FLOW SPRAYERS ARE READY TO GO!! *PLANT YOUR WHEAT FOR THE SAME COST AS SPREADING YOUR FERTILIZER Our 2 Airflow Units are capable of doing both lobs at the same time UP TO 500 ACRES PER DAY! *Or you can bring your own seed in and we will custom spread it for you. SEED WHEAT Bagged or Bulk * FREDRICK * HOUSER *FAVOR *GORDON *AUGUSTA * FRANKENMUTH Day orNite the Service is `Rite HOEGY'S FARM SUPPLY I1rr,r111.�e n LIMITED %1ITEI) :4,13-231 311-2911 out th': that sbringshoupuld thebe taken. matter oft a few precau- eat protein (gluten) has different pro- rties than proteins of other feed grains. (Gluten is responsible for the pasty nature of the wet wheat flour, which is so very im- portant to the baking industry). However, this characteristic can affect how much cows will eat and cause some digestive disturbances if too much wheat is fed. How much is too much? I believe the amount of wheat in grain mixtures should be limited to about one-third of the total mix. At this level, palatability should not be a problem. Most palatability problems due to feeding wheat are caused by grinding too fine. This finely -ground material results in a floury meal that forms a pasty material in the mouth which causes cows to eat a great deal less and tends to foram a sticky mass in the rumen. Therefore, coarse rolling or grinding is necessary and recommended. Another problem with the feeding of wheat is one of making a change to wheat too quickly. Sometimes, cows will go off feed since the rumen bacteria have not ad- justed to the different feed. A gradual change to wheat should be made. Start by adding 10-15 percent to the grain mix for 2-3 weeks. After this, the level may be increas- ed to 30-35 percent without any rumen disf unction. - Dennis Martin, Farm Management Specialist. Smut infested corn safe for cattle The O.M.A.F. office received several calls on corn smut in September. Common smut is prevalent this fall. It usually affects the stalk, showing as a spongy grey mass. This turns dark as the CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1983—PAGE 13 c smut spores mature. The smut spores ate not toxic to cattle. In severe cases where the smut reduces grain yield, the energy level in the silage will be lower and should be com- pensated for by feeding extra grain. Head smut was identified in Ontario in 1979. It was more wide -spread in 1980 and has been less prevalent since. Head smut, a fungus, enters the seedling corn plant only during seed germination and seedling emergence. Symptoms are not evident until development of the tassel and ear. In infected plants, the cob is usually replaced by a mass of spores enclosed com- pletely by the husk. The ears will be shorter, swollen and spongy when grasped and have no silks. The infected tassel looks like a black tar brush. Where the tassel is infected by head smut, the ear will also be infected. Other plants may show infected ears without infected tassels. The same plant can be infected by head and common smut. The head smut will ap- pear on the ear and possibly the tassel while common smut may appear on the stalk. Head smut spores over winter in the soil and attacks corn in the seedling stage in the spring. Spores can survive for several years in the soil. The fungus grows within the plant, affecting the ears and tassel. On maturity, the spores drop to the ground reinfecting the soil. Seed treatment with Vitaflo 280 is effec- tive to control seed -born head smut spores. Harvest and tillage equipment should be thoroughly washed off after use in infected fields to prevent spread of the spores. If producers suspect they have head smut, they are urged to have it identified by their local O.M.A.F. office. Stan Paquette, Farm Management Specialist. Huron plowers take prizes RICHMOND - Ten plowman and Huron County's Queen of the Furrow, Lynne Dodds of RR 1, Seaforth took part in the com- petition at the International Plowing Match in Richmond and many showed their plowing expertise. Although Huron's Queen of the Furrow didn't make it to the finals, she will compete in the 1984 International Plowing Match which will be held in Wellington County. In the 1983 plowing division, two junior competitors took top awards. Fifteen -year- old Steven Adams of RR 5, Brussels earned the Ontario Junior Champion Plowman award while Jeff McGavin, 15, of RR 4, Walton was the Reserve Junior Champion. Huron's two other junior competitors were Paul Dodds, 16, of RR 1, Seaforth and Murray Townsend, 12, of RR 4, Seaforth. All four junior competitors had successful showings at the International Match and placed in the top five positions out of 17 competitors on Friday. Edgar Howatt of RR 1, Belgrave represented Huron County in the Horse Plowing Class. Competitors in the two furrow mounted plow class were Rev. Ken Innes of Brussels, Brian McGavin of RR 4, Walton and Bevon Shapton of RR 1, Exeter. Robert and Bill McAlister of RR 2, Auburn represented Huron in the four or more furrow class. Provincial Director Neil McGavin of Walton had a busy time at the Match, assisting the Ottawa -Carleton committee at the tractor park. All Huron participants reported that warm, dry weather helped to make the Plowing Match week enjoyable. Now Available Beginning Farmer Assistance Program A New Ontario Program to Help Farmers Get Started in Their Own Operation Over the next five years, the Ontario government will be investing up to $135 million to encourage competent new farmers to enter the farming business. This will be done—for qualified applicants— by making it easier for beginning farmers to meet the present-day high costs of farm loans. How the program works: • The Ontario government will pay a direct cash rebate for 5 years on the amount of loan interest in excess of 8%, up to a maximum of 5 percentage points. This interest rebate will apply on loan amounts up to a limit of $350,000 per person. • The loans will be administered by the FCC (Farm Credit Corporation) and other authorized lending institutions including the Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the Toronto Dominion Bank. • The program applies to qualified loans granted on or after May 10, 1983. • Applicants must never have been a farmer before (either for a majority of their time or for a majority of their income) and never owned a viable farm, but must have agricultural experience and/or agricultural education. FULL DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE from local OMAF county offices or from lending institutions. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food nrn„.. 1-hr,.n 1.A., WI, I .,• fAVK Buy I` `°,nr Lawn "' d Tractor N Interse Free till rP;Le 1964 ok, n Deere 1b HP Lawn Tract r If you've got 2 acres or more of grass and wont to get done in a hurry, look no further than a model 318. Rugged, reliable, new 18 hp. 318 has heavy duty two cylinder engine, hydrostatic drive, hydraulic lift, power steering, reserve fuel system, 26" turning radius and more. 14 HP Lawn & Garden Tractor The best selling model. The 214 is a classic. 14 hp Kohler engine and 4 -speed trans -axle that lets you change speeds without clutching. . e.' 16 HP Lawn Tractor The 116 and 116H have a twin cylinder 16 hp engine. These feature the 46" three blade mower. The 116 has a 5 speed gear drive transmis- sion, the 116H has a super smooth hydrostatic drive. ekt 11 -hp Lawn Tractors The John Deere 111 and 111H feature a 38 -inch mower. The 111H has a hydrostatic drive system for one -lever control of direction and speed. Rear bag- ger, front blade, and snow thrower available. Lawn Sweepers John Deere Lawn Sweepers are available in widths of 31 or 38 inches. Tow one behind your lawn tractor or rider to save hours of raking time. Heavy-duty hampers provide non-stick cleanout. JOHN DEERE Blyth 523-4244 Exeter 235-1 1 15