Clinton News-Record, 1985-5-15, Page 27Calibration takes time
but it will pay off
When the ground is dry, the weather is
warm and farmers are anxious to start plan-
ting, the last thing they want to do is spend a
lot of time calibrating equipment. But, time
spent calibrating insecticide and other ag
chemical application equipment is a good
investment.
"It does take time to calibrate, sometimes
up to a half-day," affirms Donna Houghton,
Development Representative for Dow
Chemical Canada, Sarnia, Ontario.
"However, proper calibration is extremely
important because putting on too high a rate
and using more product than necessary
•
costs money.
"Shaving the rate or applying under label
rate will not provide the necessary quality
of protection. That can cost in the long run
through reduced yields from rootworm
damage."
Houghton supplies the following tips for
proper equipment calibration:
• Measure out at least a 100 -meter distance
in the field. (Most products give rates in
grams per hundred meters of row, however,
read the instructions on the calibration
device which will state the, distance the
planter must calibrate over in order to work
correctly);
• Place stakes at either end to mark the
distance;
Attach calibration tubes, or bags, available
from many rootworm poduct dealers, to
the outlet on each hopper (be sure to
calibrate each hopper since there are dif-
ferences from one hopper to the next) ;
• Get the tractor and planter/applicator up
to planting speed (about 10 km per hour)
and drive the pre -measured distance, stopp-
ing at the end as quickly as possible;
• Carefully remove the bags or tubes from
each unit. When using tubes, the gradua-
tions along the side of the tube will show the
volume converted to weight. If using the
Dow bags and scale, simply hang the bag on
the scale according to the instructions and
weigh the bag to determine how many
grams were actually applied.
w Compare the amount applied to the recom-
mended rate and repeat the procedure as
necessary until the exact amount is applied.
Houghton points out that while it's
unusual to come up with the proper applica-
tion rate initially, the time spent precisely
calibrating the equipment is well spent.
"It generally takes about an hour to an
hour anda half per test. That's not much
time • considering the importance of getting
the required protection. It's especially im-
portant in a year like 1984 where rootworm
populations were quite severe across the
province," says Houghton.
Carefully weigh the contents of each bag to check the actual amount being applied by
each hopper and adjust the gauges accordingly. It may be necessary to repeat the
calibration process several times to come up with the correct application rate for each
hopper.
Local farmer featured
in The Furrow Magazine
Treating certain crops with growth
regulators is resulting in surprising yield
increases. But not every year. That
shouldn't be surprising, since the chemicals
being tested are new to North America. So
new, in fact, that few plant growth
regulators are licensed in Canada for
general use on grain crops. Most are still
being tested and used under controlled -
acreage permits, which make it possible to
gather more information about their
effectiveness and safety.
Experimental use of ai growth regulator,
last year convinced local farmer Jack Peck
that it reduces lodging. In an article entitled
"Growth Regulators Put to the Test" in the
most recent issue of The Furrow magaine,
writers talked to Peck about his experience
with these chemicals.
Peck, who grows seed crops near Kippen,
has used Cerone, .a Union Carbide product,
on some of his barley acreage under an
experimental -use permit for the past two
years. At the moment, he says he's leaning
toward using Cerone routinely if it's
licensed.
"In 1983, I was out for top yields with
barley," Peck says. "I had applied up to 125
pounds of nitrogen per acre on much of it.
But the weatherwas a good growth
regulator that year. No lodging developed."
In 1984 Peck was more conservative with
nitrogen; 80 pounds per acre was about the
top rate. Even at that, lodging was severe
where no growth regulator was used. There
was very little lodging on Cerone-treated
barley. Both yield and quality of untreated
barley were lower. Peck figures that the
yield loss in untreated barley was about 15
bushels .per acre. He says this was
convincing evidence of what a growth
regulator can do under certain conditions.
Farmers and researchers are learning
more about using these new chemicals, and
with more farmers trying intensive cereal -
grain management, we'll be hearing a lot
more about growth regulators in the future.
FCC interest rates reduced
Agriculture Minister John Wise announc-
ed that Farm Credit Corporation (FCC)
reduced its interest rates effective May 6.
The reduction reflects the lower cost of
funds to FCC.
Loans under the Corporation's Shared
Risk Mortgage program are now available
at an interest rate of 12 per cent, down from
121/2 per cent, the rate which had been in ef-
fect since April 9. The interest rate on a
Shared Risk Mortgage is adjusted annually,
with downward and upward changes shared
equally between the borrower and FCC.
There is a ceiling of 21 per cent on in-
creases over the six-year term.
The Corporation also offers mortgages
with a five-year fixed interest rate of 1212
per cent, a decrease from the previous rate
of 13 per cent. The rate for ten-year fixed
terms is 13' 4 per cent, a reduction from 13'2
per cent. Twenty-year fixed term mor-
tgages carry an interest rate of 131/2 per
cent, down from 133/4 per cent.
Farm syndicate loans for the joint pur-
chase of machinery or buildings by a group
of three or more farmers are available at an
interest rate of 121/2 per cent, reduced from
the previous rate of 13 per cent.
Calling all pig artists
If you are artistically inclined, now is the
time to reap some benefits from this talent.
Plan to enter the Pig Art Competition at the
1985 Ontario Pork Congress. Art may be an
oil painting, water colour, charcoal draw-
ing, graphics, etc.
If Ceramics is your hobby, why not enter
some ceramic hogs in the Pig Art Competi-
tion. These may be preformed or original.
If you are into stitchery or quilting, how
about a Farm Pork Scene that is sure to
Batch the judge's eye.
Amateur and professional photographers
may enter their favourite black and white or
colored pork photo. You may wish to enter a
photo depicting a farm gateway, family
name, barn, etc.
1
If you're a Pork Poet,
But don't really know it,
But, your feet show it,
Because they're Longfellows,
why not enter the Pork Poetry Competition.
There are many ways you can display
your talents in the Pig Art Competition. You
may participate in the prize money and
have your masterpiece sold, Tuesday even-
ing, June 18, 1985 at the Ontario Pork Con-
gress. Competitions are open to children
and adults.
For entry forms or further information,
write or phone: Mrs. Jean Smelski,
secretary, Ontario Pork Congress, Box 61,
Stratford, Ontario, N5A 6S8. (519)625-8811.
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