mcaster Farming,'Saturday, October 20,1984 DB—l MISSION, Kan. Farmers can learn several yield-increasing lessons for next year’s com and soybean crop by analyzing plant and soil conditions at harvest time, says Trevor Bower, director of Agronomic Services for AgriPro Seed. “Many cultural and pest problems, including disease and soil qualilty, are very visible from tlie combine this time of year,” Bower says. “But farmers must know what to look for, and how to act now to maximize yield in 1985.” Detecting disease or pest problems during the fall is the first step farmers can take toward minimizing present and future yield losses, Bower emphasizes. “Farmers who identify the grayish-green mold caused by corn ear and kernel rot can change harvest procedures to minimize damage and loss, for example,” he says. “By carefully setting the combine, many infected kernels will be discarded during harvest, while the rest will experience minimal damage. Careful harvest practices will protect healthy kernels and ears.” Field scouting can also help identify Phytophthora root rot, a soybean disease responsible for annual yield losses in excess of 5 percent, Bower continues. “Look AUTOMATIC CATTLE HEADGATE Full roof cover for outdoor protection Heayy duty fw \ positive locking Handle can be operated from both sides Double link, for extra sta Full sheet protection front • Over; • Overall Height: 72 inches • Fully Open Clearance: 26 inches • Heavy 6 inch channel base, 2-3/8 inch tubing, 12 ga. wall, high yield steel • Heavy 2% inch square top support AARON S. GROFF & SON Farm & Dairy Store RD 3, Ephrata, PA 17522 (Hinkletown) Phone; (717)3544631 Store Hours: Mon., Thurs. & Fri. 7 A.M. to 9 P.M Tues. & Wed. 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. Learn during this year’s harvest for short, undeveloped plants with few pods in low lying areas,” he says. “These plants were probably victims of Phytophthora. Although this practice won’t reduce current losses from Phytophthora, it can help farmers recognize the need to plant one of several varieties which have field or race resistance to the disease.” A good mid Group II variety that exhibits field resistance to this disease is AgriPro’s AP-240, ac cording to Bower. “This variety also has good lodging resistance and is well-adapted for narrow rows,” he says. “A late Group IV variety we recommend is AP-350, which has a very good level of Phytophthora resistance and is well-adapted to double-cropping,” he says. “And, a good Group 111 soybean variety with field resistance to Phytophthora is AgriPro 26,” he says. “This variety has done extremely well in our trials, as well as Ohio State University trials.” Soil Analysis Fall soil analysis is an excellent diagnostic tool that all growers should use to avoid future pest and disease problems, Bower notes. “Nitrogen, potassium and potash levels should be determined, as well as soil micronutrients and pH.” Imbalanced soil fertility can cause plant stress, which predisposes crops to disease and pest infestation, Bower points out. “Low potash in relation to nitrogen levels, for example, causes corn plant stress that can lead to stalk rot.” One of the worst disease in the Corn Belt, stalk rot is responsible for annual yield losses ranging between 5 and 10 percent, according to USDA estimates. Soil pH also affects the rate at which plants take up nutrients, Bower points out. “Low pH soils tend to be low in potash availability,” he says. “Un corrected, this could increase stalk rot, lodging and com leaf blight.” Using soil analysis results as a guide, farmers can change their fertilizer or liming programs, Bower says. “If tests indicate a need for potassium or phosphorus, these can be applied in the fall,” he says. “This eliminates one more chore during the busy spring planting season.” At present, he adds, it’s not advisable to add nitrogen during the early fall, as it leaches from the soil quickly. “However, a one-time fall nitrogen application with a stabilizer is feasible on some soil types. Growers can check with their state university or extension office on enches needed to it back set open easy adjustment both sides so unal size can be ited under lure indie to help »se for slow homed cattle leek size adjusts •oms” to 7” STARTED PULLETS AVAILABLE Floor Grower Variety Amount 55,000 5.000 3,500 5.000 5.000 Sex Sal (Brown) Sex Sal (Brown) B-380 (Brown) Tftwf&ti CHICKS, INC rrnrayim chi«**rtown, m iwsi BROWN & WHITE (215) 536-3155 BROILERS EGG LAYERS [NC] Vnorthrup J Order any combination of seed corn or forage grasses by Nov. 10,1984 and save the following: 100 bags 50-99 bags 25-49 bags 10-24 bags 1-9 bags the wisdom of applying nitrogen to their fields in the fall,” he adds. Crop Rotation Crop rotation is an excellent tool to reduce next year’s pest population and correct soil fertility problems, Bower says. “Soybeans and alfalfa, for example, are good non-host crops for such com pests as rootworm, earworm and European corn borer. A cover crop like red clover, can increase levels of nitrogen in the soil for the following year,” he adds. “By paying close attention to soil and crop conditions at harvest, and making appropriate adjustments, farmers can reduce pest and disease problems in their fields, and increase yields,” Bower concludes. rii I \ W I ’ 4 NK AHEAD... fares Markets on Page 3. THU Read Futi 20 Week Date 9/28 11/29 10/5 10/12 11/7 DK XL Medistan Alfalfa Saranac AR Alfalfa asgrow SiAoney Saving offer \ g I 09 VI c o > z o 70 > VI VI Tristan Red Clover Bison Ryegrass tractors (Continued from Page D 6) and general tillage. PTO applications are handled by an independent dual speed PTO with reversible PTO shaft for easy 540/1000 rpm changes. For hitch work, both the 1896 and 2096 feature Case draft-controlled three-point hitches that adjust automatically to ground contour and soil conditions for reduced wheel slippage and increased tractor productivity. A two position upper link provides a maximum of 8250 lbs. (3742 Kg) lift capacity for a variety of hitch applications. Non-hitch versions for Wheatland farmers are also available. Both models come equipped with an electrically activated standard 12-speed power shift transmission with three no-clutch power shifts “This transmission provides a low effort, consistent shifting sequence, regardless of tem perature variations,” Gottman said. “With twelve forward speeds and three in reverse, it offers a broad selection of speeds for a wide range of farming operations and tillage or crop conditions.” Sit U$K» YOUR * ARM IXCAVATINO NIiOS SC &EK GENERAL CONTRACTORS P.O. Box 212 Norristown, PA 215-275-0440 Sales Rei Reynold Todd 215/948-9604 Earlßenshaw 717/786-8409 Clayton Renshaw 717/768-3400 i $7.00 per bag $6.00 per bag $5.00 per bag $4.00 per bag $2.00 per bag Case Home Phones i Vm <3^
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