—Lancaster Farming, Saturday. Feb. 26, 1977 14 Farmers given corn growing tips By LAUREL SCHAEFFER Berks County Reporter LEESPORT, Pa. - Less than five per cent of the com planted in Pennsylvania is of the non-hybrid variety, Joe McGahen told area farmers attending Berks County Crops and Soils Day. Me Gahen, a Penn State University agromomist was among several people who addressed over 80 area farmers at the Berks County Agricultural Center on Feb. 15. The Penn State agronomist discussed com standibility, selection of best com varieties and the use of early season varieties in southeastern Pennsylvania. In continuing his lecture he Peterson dies HOUSTON, Tex. Homer R. Peterson, 74, former president of American- International Charolais Assn, and one of the nation’s oldest producers of Charolais, died of a lingering illness February 13. Peterson was president of the national breed registry in 1963, and since his early membership in three predecessor organizations was an active supporter and leader of the breed. Predecessor organizations were the American Char bray Breeders Assn., the American Charolais Breeders Assn., and the International Charolais Assn. He served for many years as a member of the AICA board of directors, and most of its committees. He was credited with being the first Charolais breeder to become associated with Per formance Registry In ternational, a performance records-keeping organiza tion. He was a founder of Peterson Bros. Steel Erection Co. of Houston. SPECIAL PRICES ON ALL NEW M-F AG TRACTORS AND MOST AG IMPLEMENTS. (1) M-F 1105 cab w-multi-power (1) M-F 1085 cab w-multi-power (2) M-F 265 diesels, 8 speed (1) M-F 255 diesel, 8 speed (1) M-F 235 gas, 8 speed (1) M-F 4500 Forklift ABRACZINSKAS FARM EQUIPMENT, made note that early pollinated com yielded only about 40 bushel per acre back in the early 1900’s and today this same com can yield about 96 bushel per acre. Those early corn yields, McGahen said, have been increased by one third because of culture practices while the use of hybrids has increased yields another third. McGahen also stressed that selecting the right hybrids is very important. To pick the top hybrids, McGahen said, a farmer not only has to consider the test data available but also his own farm, and the adap tability of the com to his conditions. The speaker went on to discuss the use of early maturing com varieties. He stressed that farmers should work towards early hybrids that will be ready to harvest in October. McGahen told the audience that having wet com at harvest was their own fault because thay are not selecting early enough hybrids. “Slightly lower com yields may pay in the long run” McGahen continued, “if you don’t have to go to the expense of putting it through a dryer.” Longer season BUY NOW AND SAVE!!! NEW EQUIPMENT OH STOCK (Most Related Attachments In Stock) Financing available R.D.No 1 Catawissa, Penna Ph: 717-356-7409 (south on Route 42) hybrids may produce a few more bushel to the acre, but it may cost more to harvest it if it needs to be dryed. McGahen went on to exclaim “corn should be in a shellable condition in Oc tober.” In discussing the inability of some corns, to stand, McGahen proceeded with a slide presentation to demonstrate his major points. “When you are breeding corn to stand yuou are fighting Mother Nature,” McGahen stated. “Nature wants the corn plant to drop the ear to the ground so a new life cycle can begin,” he expained. “To get good standing corn, breeding is very imprrtant,” he added. It is also very important to know when stalk rot is in our fields, McGahen added. Than you have to select the best harvesting date to beat it to the ear. McGahen went on to discuss some of the factors that help to promote stalk rot. He noted that controlling com borers helps to reduce stalk rot since it can develope in the holes the borer has made. Sanitation was another factor mentioned, since (1) M-F 40 offset disc (2) M-F 520 12 ft. disc (1) M-F 25 gas (1) M-F 245 diesel (1) M-F 750 combine (1) M-F 275 diesel w-multi-power plowing down infested stalks only puts the borer back into the soil again. The use of insecticides can help control this problem, McGahen said. Another major problem in dealing with corn stan dability is the fertility balance. McGahen stressed You’ll brag for months about the dealyougoton ( your Madison Silo. You’ll brag for about the qua! The sooner you order your 1977 Madison Silo, the more you can save. Madison’s Winter Purchase Plan is on! And getting an especially good deal is important these days. However, long after you’ve forgotten the good deal you got on your 1977 Madison Silo, you’ll be enjoying the extra quality that came with it. Look at just some of the ways you get a full measure of value from Madison HoOpS.* 9/16" high-strength steel, specially galvanized and dichromated to fight rust. 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Send me a copy |of Madison Silos ’ “Eight Key Questions ” booklet. m Name INC. I T] Check here if student □ Vibra-Cor'Stave: Unique, bridge-truss beam design... thickest stave in the industry... twice the lateral strength of other concrete silo staves Street or RFD Town •e of livestock. the use of soil tests. To im prove standability, watch the potash fertility balance, McGahen told the farmers. The pH of the soil was also cited as a possible problem. McGahen concluded his part of the day-long program by mentioning a disease FARM SYSTEMS CHROMALLOY DIVISION State carried by Johnsongrass. Johnsongrass is not only a problem in itself, but insects can transfer Maise Drawf Mosaic to com from this weed also. The speaker went on to stress the importance in getting Johnsongrass controlled. Zip Number of head € I <*
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers