Dl6—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 3,1980 Pencil becomes primary planting tool BY DICK ANGLESTEIN MANHEIM - Jim Ket tering, Colebrook Rd., R 7 Manheim, is using a pencil and pocket calculator as much as a plow and planter to put his com crop in this year. In these times of rising costs of production inputs, including skyrocketing in terest rates, this meant many planting preparation hours spent seated at a desk before he even climbed behind the wheel of the tractor to turn the first ground. “I did much more figuring and calculating this year than I ever did before,” Kettering explained. “My basic goal, just as I’m sure it was with many other growers this year, was to try and get the most production with the least possible cost, but still not skimp on anything important. “I wanted to cut costs, but I didn’t want to cut to the point that it would hurt the yield potential.” Beginning last year, not too long after the crop was in the bin, Kettering started taking a look at the already rising production costs “For last year’s crop, I put in 22 tons of 6-30-11 starter fertilizer,” he said. “Back in December when I went to buy this year’s starter fertilizer, I found that 18 tons cost me the same amount as the 22 tons had cost last year That cost included the early order discount, too.” So Kettering went back to take a second look at his soil test and decided to cut back his starter fertilizer use by about 23 percent. “Previously, I’d apply fertilizer a bit on the high side,” he said. “I’d include a little bit ATTENTION POULTRYMEN! 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Crider 717-627-2035 717-532-6557 As he loads seed corn into hopper of planter, Jim Kettering, R 7 Manheim, terms current season as one that required close planting and preparations. extra for insurance But this year, I’m following the soil test recommendations to the letter.” In addition, Kettering is shooting for a 150-bushel yield potential this year In the past he’s aimed a bit higher for approximately 175 bushels an acre A consistently high Lancaster County placer in the five-acre corn club, Kettering is not to be con sidered a production economizer, either. “When I saw the way the costs were heading,” he explained, “it became essential to sit down and figure as close as possible. “I feed 90 percent of my com through hogs and steers and saw the need to economize. A cash gram farmer would have to watch even closer this year.” Kettering alto made some \ Vk changes in his plcwdown fertilizer Last year, he plowed down 500 lbs of 32-0-10 and this year he switched to 600 pounds of 22-0-8 “My total nitrogen use last year was about 172 to 175 lbs an acre,” he explained “This year, I cut back exactly to the soil test needs and am applying about 142 lbs. an acre.” There are many other costs for Kettering which have shown dramatic in creases from one planting season to another. Among two that really stand out are interest rates and the cost of his fuel. “I can remember that interest rates were 9 percent at planting time last year,” he said. “Now, that rate stands at 17 percent, just about double.” - , > ' l ' '" t( - * His diesel fuel now costs 94.4 cents a gallon Last year, it was approximately half that amount, too Kettering, together with his father farms about 400 acres, more than half of which is rented ground. “Over the last three years, land rents have gone up considerably,” he adds. “I’ve heard of some rents COSTS A LOT LESS TO INSTALL COMPLETE PUMP AS PICTURED ABOVE Model #O6l-0010 ONLY $4,932.00 F. 0.8. LESS MOTOR 12” DIAMETER PIPE ABOUT $ll.OO SQ. FT. WE WILL BE GLAD TO PRICE YOU A SYSTEM FOR 6 MONTH STORAGE FOR 60 COWS EARTHEN BANK STORAGE 10 FT. DEEP x 1800 SQ. FT. BOTTOM & RAMP TAKES ABOUT 40 YD. CEMENT 6” THICK OR ONLY ABOUT 30 YARDS 4" THICK. MARVIN J. HORST (Turn to Page Dl 7) FARMERS If you’re looking for on underground transfer system look to the people who spectollxe in manure handling. Op Um Trai UNI ABO' NO EXPENSIVE CEMENTED ROOM NEEDED UNDER COW STABLE TO INSTALL MANURE PUMP. ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL NOT FLOOD OUT IF A WATER BOWL LEAKS PATZ MANURE SYSTEMS CALL DAIRY EQUIPMENT 1950 S. sth Ave. Lebanon, Pa, PHONE 717-272-0871 WE MANUFACTURE HIOH PRESSURE WASHERS Portable or Stationary Detergents or Soap Fluid Injection Available WE ALSO MANUFACTURE • Custom Built Hog Cattle Gates and Head Gates to your Specifications ★ Coal Fired Bucket-A-Day Stoves ■ ■■ • Machine Work Welding & Farm Supplies Hardware ★ New & Used Structural Pipe WE SUPPLY DIESELS AND MOUNT ON FARM EQUIPMENT D.S. MACHINE SHOP 3816 E NEWPORT RD . 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