Dl2—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 31,1984 Buffer helps digestibility LINCOLN, Neb. Sodium bicarbonate added to a com silage ration increased digestibility of both dry matter and fiber in recent research at the University of Nebraska. Beef steers were full-fed a ration of 90 percent com silage and 10 percent supplement, according to Terry Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska animal science professor. The ration contained, on a dry matter basis, either 2 percent sodium bicarbonate and .75 per cent magnesium oxide, 2 percent limestone and .75 percent magnesium oxide, or no butter. The sodium bicarbonate magnesium oxide mixture significantly raised rumen pH, which in turn resulted in increased digestibility of the ration (see accompanying table). “The bicarb-magnesium oxide mixture kept rumen pH in the Select a soybean variety LANCASTER Spending a lot entire crop reaches harvest the entire bean crop at the same of time looking for “just the right” maturity within a period of a maturity stage during a stress soybean variety for your farm may couple of days,” says Fleet. “If the period is minimized,” Fleet notes, be a mistake. But, spending that crop isn’t harvested in those few “And a range of maturity dates same time looking for two or three days, part of it will dry down below spreads out the harvest. ’ ’ good soybean varieties can be time the acceptable grain standard Choosing Varieties well spent. moisture of 13 percent. When this Soil type and row spacing “Obviously it is important to find happens, income is reduced in two practices are two keys to deter and plant soybeans that are going ways.” mining which varieties to plant in a to perform well,” says agronomist Losses particular field. Bill Fleet. “But it may be a Fleet explains, “First, there is Fleet explains that early mistake to single out one variety sheer volume loss. For example, maturing soybean varieties show and use it exclusively.” 52.5 bushels of soybeans at 13 excellent yields in better soils that Fleet, an area agronomist for the percent moisture translate into have high fertility and good water Eastern Division of Pioneer Hi- only 50 bushels of beans at 8 per- holding capacity, but are well Bred, points out that corn cent moisture. Two and' a half drained. producers have widely accepted bushels literally evaporate into the “Early maturing beans that are the practice of planting a air. planted in narrow rows or are “package” of hybrids to spread “Harvesting losses also increase drilled will yield much closer to their risk and limit the effect of a as the moisture level drops,” he full season varieties,” he says. “To particular stress period during the says. “Average harvest losses are get the maximum yield potential growing season. two and a half bushels per acre, from an early maturing soybean “This practice is also valid in However, this can double or even variety, plant it in the field with the producing top soybean yields,” he triple when soybeans are com- best soil and use closer row notes. “For best results, plant a bmedtoodry.” spacing. package of two or three soybean Fleet notes that there is a great “A full season variety can be varieties which differ in maturity temptation to plant all full season planted on almost any soil type,” by several days.” beans. continues Fleet. “And, full season The Pioneer agronomist notes beans offer more flexibility in row that planting a single variety on all of a farm’s soybean acres ultimately compresses the harvest into a couple of days. “In most cases when a single soybean variety is planted, the FEATURES: • 18x22.516 Ply Tires • 16,000 Lb. Capacity Hub I LEASING AVAILABLE 1 For More Information On This Tank And The Complete Line Of Liquid Manure Pumps, Contact F. ERNEST SNOOK RD 3, Box 84, Mifflinburg, PA 17844 PH: (717) 966-2736 "WE'RE HERE TO SERVE YOU" No + + Buffer Magnesium oxide Magnesium oxide Feed intake (Ibs/day) Dry matter digestibility (%) 63 3 Fiber digestibility (%) 48 7 Rumen pH 5 77 range required for unhampered growth rate and metabolic activity of fiber digesting bacteria,” Klopfenstein explained. “This digestion study seems to fit the theory that by maintaining rumen pH, cattlemen can improve digestibility of fiber in com silage, plus counteract the acidity of the grain protion of the silage.” Feed intake was also enhanced by sodium bicarbonate and magnesium oxide. Cattle fed this mixture consumed 17.8 lbs. of dry matter per day, compared to d “Full season soybeans usually yield more,” he says. "But, to spread the risk and avoid heavy combining losses, we recommend planting some early and medium maturing varieties. “By doing so, the risk of having S-3750 THE MIGHTY MID SIZE • 4” Spindles • 4 Wheel Brakes Buffer Effects in Corn Silage Diet Sodium bicarb 16 4 178 67 6 52 7 5 95 lbs. per day for contr^ I '- “There is not a clear-cut answer to the question of feeding sodium bicarbonate and other buffers. However, there is certainly an opportunity to enhance utilization of rations by raising rumen pH through their use,” Klopfenstein said. Others participating in the research were Keith DeHaan, a former Nebraska graduate student now with Farmland Industries, and Bud Britton, Associate professor of animal science. spacing WTO Limestone 15 7 67 0 51 0 5 87 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation’s farmer-owned Federal Land Banks and Production Credit Associations reported increased loan stress for the year ended Dec. 31, 1983, according to the Farm Credit Administration, the in dependent federal agency responsible for their supervision, examination and regulation. The problems of the borrowers are reflected in the institutions. Loan losses of Production Credit Associations increased from $159 million in 1982 to $238 million in 1983, while losses among Federal Land Banks rose from $l.B million! to $9.8 million. FCA Governor Donald E. Wilkinson pointed out that loan losses were covered by reserves and earnings. He noted that both PCAs and FLBs had declines in earnings for 1983 due to efforts of the Farm Credit banks to reduce net interest margin and loan fees to help troubled borrowers. He said the PCA allowance for losses account decreased 7.8 percent during the year, from $6ll million on Dec. 31, 1982, to $563 million on Dec. 31, 1983, and net earnings dropped 70.4 percent, from $261 million to $77 million. Despite the decreases, the total net worth of Production Credit Associations was down less than 1 percent, Wilkinson said, from $4.12 billion to $4.08 billion. 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PA 17522 Hershey, PA 17033 pSw)7m'il3l Phone (717) 533-4060 Farm Credit News Wilkinson said the allowance for losses account of the Federal Land Banks increased 1.7 percent during the year, from $524 million to $533 million, though earnings declined 53 percent, from $598 million in 1982 to $282 million in 1983. He reported the net worth of the Federal Land Banks increased 6.1 percent, from $5.5 billion on Dec. 31, 1982, to $5.9 billion on Dec. 31, 1983. Based on historical patterns and on the variability of incomes of individual farmers, Governor Wilkinson said he expects credit problems to continue through March and then improve seasonally through September. He said that what happens after September will depend on worldwide economic and agricultural conditions that will evolve during the upcoming growing season. “We certainly hope these con ditions will improve so that a good number of delinquent borrowers can become current and begin to improve their financial situation,” he said. The volume of credit extended by both Federal Land Banks and PCAs declined during 1983, reflecting the conditions in agriculture. The volume of loans outstanding from PCAs also declined, while amount out standing from the Federal Land Banks increased slightly.
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