A36-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 22,1984 NEWARK, Del. - Nothing beats a good set of farm records. Far mers who want to make the 1985 cropping season more profitable can make important progress toward that goal by reviewing their records and doing some serious planning this winter, says University of Delaware extension agricultural agent Derby Walker. “You have more time now to think about your operation than you will when things get busy next spring,”'he says. “Waiting until then to make plans can lead to mistakes in judgment. ” Sound decisions in any business are based on good records. And farming is a costly business. Good managers keep records of the cropping history of specific fields-soil test results, fertilizer use, liming and pest control practices, varieties grown, plant populations and yields. “With all this information,” says Walker, “producers can compare yields from year to year and see whether they’re making any progress. If there’s a problem in a field and yields are going down, find out why. Sometimes the condition was beyond your control, but there may be other problems which could be corrected without spending a dime.” Crop rotation, variety selection and better equipment adjustment are three inexpensive ways to improve an operation Sometimes BREAKING MILK RECORDS! SSS.VI Call For Good 06 _^. Use records to planting rates need to be adjusted. Knowing the history, of a field can lead to profitable decisions at planting time. For example, a number of Delaware farmers have identified cyst nematodes or fusarium wilt in their soybeans. Simply by changing varieties, some of these producers have been able to greatly increase yields. “Doing this didn’t cost any more,” the county agent says, “but it put additional dollars in their pocket because they were able to harvest a full crop, whereas before they were lucky to harvest half a crop.” Knowing . the specific weed problems in a field makes it possible to select the most ef fective herbicide program for that field. Sometimes a very specialized program is needed because of a unique weed in festation. Bur-cucumber, giant ragweed, Canada thistle, john songrass, shatter cane, triazine resistant pigweed, Bermuda grass and cocklebur are some of the plants which require special treatment. “For these weeds you need a control program that will prevent their spread to the rest of the land you farm,” Walker says. “Otherwise the cost of your whole operation could go up. It’s better to spend a few extra bucks on one field when a new weed appears them to try to control the weed Lancaster Farming Carria* DHIA Reports Each Month! 352 (220 Bu) MANURE SPREADER w/10:00x20 Tires, Hyd. Endgate 352 (220 Bu) MANURE SPREADER w/10:00x20 Tires, Hyd. Endgate And Upper Beater 353 (320 Bu) MANURE SPREADER w/10:00x20 Tires, Hyd. Endgate , 354(390 Bu) MANURE SPREADER w/9:00x20 Truck Tires, Hyd. Endgate, Upper Beater SHARTLESVILLE FARM SERVICE RDI, Hamburg, Pa. Old Rt. 22 Between Hamburg & Shartlesville 215-488-1025 NEW IDEA YEAR END SAVINGS! 323(1 Row) CORNPICKER w/New Tires 509 HAYBINE 9 Ft i Are Thinking of Any New Uni-Equipment, Don't The Big Factory Discounts, Which End Dec. 26, make 1985 after it has spread." While reviewing production records this winter, the agent suggests farmers also take time to develop marketing strategies for 1985. “You may want to forward price part of your crop,” he says. “Watch market trends closely because there will probably be some opportunities to make a little extra money just through marketing. You can’t control the Mt, Joy shares API profits MOUNT JOY - The 100 members of the Mount Joy Farmers Cooperative Association will share a 2% cent per hundredweight cash distribution, according to J. Ivan Hanson, assistant secretary of the Mt. Joy Co-op. This represents Mt. Joy’s share of the operating profit from the 1983-84 fiscal year of Atlantic Processing, Inc. The Mt. Joy Co-op is a member of API. Atlantic Processing is a federation of milk cooperatives that processes and markets milk and milk products primarily in southeastern Penn sylvania. For more information about Mount Joy Farmers Cooperative Association contact J. Ivan Hanson, Box 291, R 2, Palmyra, Pa. 17078. Dec. Cash Price $4495 Dec. Cash Price . $4895 Dec. Cash Price $6295 Dec. Cash Price $7695 Dec. Cash Price ... $6695 Dec. Cash Price ..$6595 crop decisions market yourself, but you can choose when to sell-hopefully at a time when the price you receive covers your production costs and returns a profit as well." “If you’re getting less than average price for your grain, you definitely want to look at your marketing program because you’re getting too many bottom dollars and not enough top ones,” he says. Farming is a business, and END-OF-YEAR CLEARANCE NEW HOLLAND HAY EQUIPMENT 489 Haybine w/Hydraulic Lift $8595 Less Buyer’s Dividend 400 $8195 450 $7745 Less December Cash Disc, 256 Hay Rake w/Hitch & Jack w/5100-15 Drive Tires Less Dec. Cash Disc 1069 (Diesel) Automatic Bale Wagon $51,500 Less Buyer’s Dividend 1,000 $50,500 . 2.900 $47,600 Less Dec. Cash Disc NEW HOLLAND FORAGE EQUIPMENT 718 Harvester (540 RPM) Less Buyer’s Dividend Less Dec. Cash Disc 782 Harvester (1000 RPM) Elec. Cent. $9,995 Less Buyer’s Dividend 400 $9,545 ■ 800 $8,795 Less Dec. Cash Disc, 892 Harvester w/Metalert Dec. Price $12,495 28 Forage Blower Less Dec. Cash Disc 30 Forage Blower (1000 RPM) $2,895 Less Dec. Cash Disc. No. 8 Forage Box w/Roof & 3 Beater w/238 (12 Ton) Tandem Running Gear w/Tires $8,295 Less Dec. Cash Disc 300 $7,995 NEW HOLLAND MISC. EQUIPMENT 358 Grinder Mixer w/31x!3.5 Tires & 2 Screens Less Dec. Cash Disc TDSO Disc Harrow, 11’2” Cut w/Hyd. Leveling & Dual Wheel NEW HOLLAND SKID STEER LOADERS L 445 (30HP) Diesel L 250 (18HP) Gas w/47” L 775 (50 HP) w/Bucket, Bucket, w/10x16.5 Fork, 27x10.5 Tires 42” Fork, 23x8.5 Tires Tires, Bucket (66”) and Dec. Price Dec. Price Fork $13,995 $7,995 In lieu of cash - New Holland current programs eligible w/credit approval. New Low Financing Rates, Dividends For Cash and Special Clearance Allowances! Ask Us For Details!! SHARTLESVILLE FARM SERVICE RDI, Hamburg, Pa. Old Rt. 22 Between Hamburg & Shartlesville 215-488-1025 businesses must be run on second decisions, not emotions, Walker says. By taking the time to review records, farmers can improve their opportunities for increased income. “If you want help evaluating your farm operation,” he concludes, “those of us in the extension service will be glad to go over it with you. The more records you have, the easier it will be to answer your questions about specific cropping programs.” $2495 . 150 $2345 v Wm $6,995 ■ 400 $6,595 • 800 $5,795 $2,975 l5O $2,825 $2,745 »'l $8,695 . 750 $7945 $5,250 Dec. Price $20,900 Diesel
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