LANCASTER Know any com grower who’d eagerly plant 40,000 acres of com every year, then be content to harvest only five or six acres in the fall? That’s com parable to planting a field nearly eight miles square, and settling for the proceeds from a patch the size of a football stadium! “The example may be a little extreme, but the proportions are the same as those in our new hybrid development program,” says Kent R. Schulze, vice president, sales and marketing at DeKalb-Pfizer Genetics. As the world’s largest seed Proper buffer feeding (Continued from Page Dl2) such as a ration that 9-tains large amounts of brewer’s grains. Otherwise, the extra potassium may cuase sodium-potassium unbalance,” he explains. A feed ingredient that is com monly called a buffer is magnesium oxide, although scientists are unsure about its exact mode of action in the -digestive system. University of Michigan research indicates that magnesium oxide aids in the mammary glands’ absorption of fatty acids needed to produce milk ' fat. It may also increase the rate at 1 which feedstuffs pass through the ’digestive system, thus producing less acid. Magnesium oxide may be fed at .4 to .6 percent of the total ration dry matter. Research indicates that magnesium oxide may be more beneficial when fed in combination with sodium becar bonate. Davis recommends a 1:3 Ko of magnesium oxide and irb, fed at 1 percent of the total ration. Another commonly used feed ingredient is calcium carbonate or highly reactive limestone, although Davis says its benefit in [jfcgisW.'°\ K the MOST UNIQUE - PROFITABLE COMPUTER SYSTEM DATA-FEED utilizes the easy-to-operate Rockwell AIM 65 computer, built to last by the space shuttle people. It feeds one ration, or any combination of two rations, all at the same feeder. Instant printouts track feeding activity of individual cows and the entire herd. An alarm list identifies non-eaters and partial eaters. Herd management is made easy with DATA-FEED's new cow calendar print out. Stainless Steel Dairy-Matic Feeders built especially for high moisture corn. Users report up to $2O/cow per month increased cash flow with computer system by maximizing production & minimizing feed costs. Equipment costs from $79.00 per cow, or montly lease plan payments jromsl.7s per cow. W DON’T-BUY ANY COMPUTER BEFORE YOU COMPARE OUR LOWER PRICES AND UNIQUE FEATURES tough life of a new corn hybrid The research organization, the com pany is no stranger to staggering numbers. “Every year, we begin testing about 40,000 promising new hybrids as part of our ongoing new product development program,” explains Forrest Troyer, vice president for research and development. “And each year, as the culmination of several previous* years’ rigorous testing and ex perimentation, only about five or six new hybrids are judged good enough to meet our standards,” he says. “Those are the ones released dairy rations is limited. “The only response to buffering with limestone has been with extremely high levels of grain— where 75 percent or more of the ration dry matter is concentrate,’’ Davis says. When introducing buffers to cattle, some dairymen prefer to feed 1/3 the recommended level for the first week, 2/3 the recom mended level the second week and then up to the full level the third week to minimize the possibility of cows backing off feed. Recent research at the University of Kentucky shows that this might not be necessary when feeding sodium bicarbonate, however. Dairy researchers compared this three-step feeding program with a ration that included the full amount of bicarb the first week. They used a ration without bicarb as a control. Results of the trial showed no significant differences in dry matter intake between the feeding programs, although all cows fed bicarb did seem to take longer to consume the grain. “It shouldn’t be necessary to introduce a buffer gradually, unless an extremely high level is being used,” Davis concludes. Not Good Enough WIN A 90-COW DATA-FEED SYSTEM WORTH *12,00011 Complete the coupon for our October, 1983 drawing for a DATA-FEED system. Consists of one computer, three feeders with electronics, 90 cow actuators and rings, and 200 feet of hookup cable. No purchase necessary. DRAWING WILL BE OCT. 1.1983 •Employees of DATA-FEED, INC DATA-FEED distributors and their employees not eligible. Winner must: (A( Be a bonafide owner (or operator) of a dairy operation in the U.S. or Canada; (B) Prepare a suitable site with 110 volt service, provide three stalls and install three feeders all within 90 days of October 1, 1983 drawing: (C) Agree to install and begin using the equipment within 90 days of drawing. MARTIN DISTRIBUTORS, INC. to our customers for commercial production.” But only a half dozen new releases a year out of 40,000 hybrids initially tested? Only one or two out of about 6,500? What happened to all the others? “All the others were discarded along the way,” explains Charles F. Krull, DeKalb-Pfizer Genetics vice president, temperate com research. “They simply weren’t up to the performance standards we demanded of them.” Why be Picky When you realize the sheer size and quality of DeKalb Pfizer Genetics’ com research program, it’s easy to see why researchers can be so choosy selecting new hybrids for release. And it makes sense that these flashy, but tough, new “recruits” are sure to respond well to good corn-growing management. Why? Just take a quick look at some of the numbers: • Each year, com breeding staffs under Krull and Troyer, introduce about 42,000 new hybrids into first year testing. • At year’s end, 36,000 to 37,000 of those have been discarded, having failed rigorous preliminary screening for yield, standability, dry-down or insect and disease resistance. • That means perhaps 5,000 to 6,000 new hybrids will have shown enough promise to merit a second year’s testing. • By the third year, the 400 to 450 new hybrids still showing enough promise to remain on test will prove their mettle in 100 to 120 locations coast to coast. “Our philosophy is to involve a lot of locations,” Troyer explains. “We’re looking for hybrids that do well in Nebraska and also Ohio, and vice versa. In fact, we really try to avoid having ‘eastern’ hybrids and ‘western’ hybrids.” Ranks get Smaller • In the fourth year, the ranks have dwindled to perhaps 30 to 35 For More Information, Call Or Write: 520 Prescott Rd. Lebanon, PA 17042 (717) 866-4906 “survivor-types,” now being tested in an even wider range of soil types and weather conditions. Some limited production may begin for exceptionally strong performers. • At this point, some outstanding performers also may be offered for limited commercial sales. Others may be retained for another year, or even two more years, of rigorous final evaluation before they’re available for planting on your farm. In this final stage, the top hybrids, along with notable competitive hybrids and established DeKalb Pfizer Genetics hybrids are tested in hundreds of on-farm comparison trials across the country. “What we’re seeking is just the right tempo of release,” explains Krull. “It’s aggressive enoujgh to get good new hybrids out in a timely manner, but not so aggressive that we don’t have enough information on each new number before we turn it loose commercially” But with hundreds of test plots, thousands of new hybrids each year and untold millions of bits of performance data, how does even a Ph.D. research specialist channel such a statistical blizzard into orderly, effective action?' “People can give you some very Wenger hails Clean/Green change HARRISBURG - Sen. Noah W. Wenger, R-36, hailed the Senate’s passage of an important amend ment to the state’s “Clean and Green Act” as good news for farmers who want to use part of their land for farm-related com mercial activities. The bill, of which Wenger is a co sponsor, would apply only to landowners who have enrolled a tract of land in the preferential assessment program. provisions of the measure, a maximum of two acres of this tract DATA-FEED DRAWING COUPON Please rush information on Computerized Feeding System Computerized Milk Metering Computerized Herd Management HERD SIZE NAME - ADDRESS TOWN COUNTY J STATE ZIP PHONE For information & to enter drawing, mail this coupon to Martin Distributors Uncaster Fanning, Saturday, April 9,1913—013 complicated answers,” notes Troyer. “But, very simply, what we want is our hybrids to out-yield and out-stand competitive hybrids.” “What we’re after are products that make the most money for our customers, and are relatively easy for us to produce to ensure a reliable supply,” Troyer adds. “It doesn’t really do the farmer any good to have a hybrid unless he can count on a good, reliable supply of it each year.” Krull strongly agrees. “Basically, with a hybrid release policy, if you have enough good information on the hybrid, any 12- year-old kid can tell you which is the best new variety.” he main tains. “But if you don’t have enough information, even the Good Lord Himself probably couldn’t tell you which way to go with your program.” Here, DeKalb Pfizer Genetics customers are at a big advantage, as Troyer sees it. “Being the largest com research organization anywhere, to me, translates into better performance for the corn grower. That’s because of the huge number of inbreds and hybrids we’re able to develop every year, and.the high-quality, exhaustive evaluation of than.” can be split off for related com mercial ventures without sub jecting the entire tract to rollback taxes. Wenger said that Senate Bill 3M offers a one-time opportunity to farmers who are in a position to diversity their traditional fanning operations. “They can become involved in direct retail sales or take on some other related com mercial project without being socked with a big tax penalty,” he added. Under Reliable Supply 45% to 50% OFF BOWMANS STOVE SHOP me. Follow Signs from Light at Hinkletown on Rt. 322 717-733-4973 R.D. 3 Napierville Rd„ Ephrata. Pa. Tues., Wed. 9-5; Thurs., Fri. 9-9: ■ Sat 9-4 Closed Monday
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