D6—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 16,1983 NEWARK, Del. “Managing soil fertility is like managing a bank account,” says University of Delaware soil scientist Leo Cot noir. “When you have high test levels, it’s like having $50,000 in the Marketing orders For nearly a half century, farm producers have made wide use of this “tool” for solving marketing problems. Today, 48 marketing order programs cover various kinds of fruit, vegetables and •UNLIMITED STORAGE CAPACITY ELIMINATES NEED FOR INEFFICIENT BUNKERS, PITS. BALES OR EXPENSIVE UPRIGHT SILOS •PROVIDES THE HIGHEST QUALITY FEEDS I Sand this coupon to: Or Call Toll Free ® iSILOPfIESSS 800/831/0807 J | PO. Box 9»a " Sioux City, It 51102 SILOPRESS { Na ™ ■ Address ■ County m Phone< * ' | □ Send me current information on the future of sealed storage today I ■ □ Send me the name and address of my area dealer or representative | k....———————« the original bagger! Soil fertility requires close management bank. You can draw on good residual fertility without fear of going broke.” He says it may take 10 to 20 years of com production to lower a high phosphorus soil test level enough (Continued from Page D 5) specialty crops in 37 states, with a farm value of about $6 billion, and 46 milk marketing orders cover 68 percent of all the milk marketed in the country, worth more than $12% billion at the farm. LOW m COST In tows Call Collect (712) 255 4569 Staff* to hurt yields. It might also take years to reduce high soil potassium to critical levels. “There’s no reason to expect these levels to drop overnight with high test soils,” the scientist says. “And with soil and plant tissue analysis, it’s possible to correct a potential fertility problem, should one occur. Like a bank statement, the soil test, in particular, will provide ample warning that corrective action is needed to maintain yield.” With medium soil test levels, the reserves in the account aren’t as large. ‘‘ln this range, farmers M M MERVIN MILLER YOUR RELIABLE BUILDER • DAIRY • BEEF • SWINE • POULTRY • HORSE BARNS * ALLPURPOSE BUILDINGS Cablevey 60’ Wide by 120’ Long Building Systems As Low As OtUO per Sq. Ft, INSULATION R. MAX URETHANE (4xB or to your spec) FIBERGLASS ROLLS BLOWN IN ★ ★ RD2, Box 267, East Earl, PA 17519 Call us for low prices - (717)354-7561 should put on enough fertilizer to replace what the-crop takes out,” Cotnoir says. This comes to bet ween 50 to 60 pounds an acre of phosphorus and 60 to 80 pounds an acre of potassium if the com is grown for grain. Silage com removes about 200 pounds of K in a season. “If you have extra money and fertilizer prices are moderate, certainly go with a little higher rate at these medium test levels,” he says. “And even without a yield response, do replace the nutrients you know plants will remove.” Apply banded fertilizer for maximum efficiency. At low soil fertility levels, far mers have two choices: (1) apply the large amount needed to raise levels to the high range, or (2) provide just enough to meet the needs of the current crop, banding the fertilizer especially phosphorus where seedUngs and new roots can get the nutrients easily. “Most fanners will take a middle course in managing soil fertility at low test levels,” Cotnoir says. “They will broadcast some milky Building Systems 7 KEENER RD., LITIT2, PA. 17543 PH: (717) 626-5204 BUILDING SPECIAL Distributor For WHEELING CHANELDRAIN ROOFING & SIDING • White • Gold • Brown • Tan • Silo Blue SALES fertilizer to gradually raise the soil test level, and band some to take care of immediate crop needs.” Soil test results over a period of years will show if they’re on the right track. Crop and fertilizer prices will dictate how fast fertility can be increased. When it comes to starter fer tilizer, Cotnoir says that even with high or very high soil test P and K levels, a little phosphorus in the row will provide better early growth and bring tasseling and silk set together. This won’t always put more com in the bin, but it can help with early no-till com planted in cold ground. A profitable soil fertility program also will take into ac count the yield potential of the soil itself, Cotnoir says. Farmers sometimes set yield goals that aren’t realistic. For instance, 75- bushel com or loamy sand without irrigation is about the best that’s possible on Delmarva, nine out of 10 years. “Farmers who think they’re going to take these sandy soils and substitute fertilizer for water are just kidding them selves/’hesays. Schuld & Feed S' » s Colors In Stock: • Red • Avocado Green • Plain Galvanized • Light Green Distributor For ALUMAX ALUMINUM ROOFING & SIDING COMPLETE POLE A OTHER BUILDINGS TRUSSES
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers