Al2-Lancastw Farming, Saturday, March 30,1985 THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA One of the real regrets that I have crane to feel is that there was no organization like the FFA in the high schools of my youth. That came long after I graduated. I think the girls had something like Future Homemakers Society, but the boys were either out for foot ball or else faded into the wood work and kept quiet. I was among those who were never heard and seldom seen. When writers and orators and politicians feel the urge to ask whether there is any future for farming, they explore and expound on the economics of agriculture, or on the world political situation, and they deplore the demise of the family farm. All good and valid subject matter for discussion. But they seldom mention the great drive and motivation that propels so many young boys and girls toward a career in agriculture. Thank God that drive is still alive and strong as ever! One of the reasons for keeping alive the enthusiasm for farming in young people is the Future Farmers of America. Along with the 4-H program, these organizations do much to foster and stimulate a continued desire to live the good life that is only possible in rural America. FFA is not only a side effect of the vocational agriculture program in the high schools, it is a great source of stimulation to excel in everything that is tackled. The key to its success in stimulating a continuing interest is the way that FFA encourages competition Tl>e Dairy Business By Newton Bair among the students, and rewards them for their efforts. Competition is the ultimate key to success of our democratic way of life. It not only makes the game of life and learning more fun, but it also encourages us to go for the rewards that are offered. Stop to think of it; all through life everyone is looking for some kind of reward for their effort. To achieve any reward in a com petitive world requires extra ef fort. Those who prefer to fade back into the walls are not adequately conditioned to compete for and earn the rewards. The first rewards may be small and in consequential, but they pave the way for the real ones that ultimately build confidence and leadership. I’ve just completed a round of awards and achievement banquets that is a yearly event in our county high schools. The thing that is most impressive about these events is the enthusiasm and gusto exhibited by the officers and member of FFA chapters. There is just no denying the great value of the leadership training that is manifest in the conduct of their rituals. It is a natural result of the competitive spirit fostered by their teams in public speaking, parliamentary procedure, and salesmanship. The competition begins within each class and ex tends finally to county, state and national groups. And within each agricultural enterprise, and there are many available, every individual has a chance to excel in his or her chosen projects. But it is the group spirit that is most fascinating and in spiring, because that is What really builds the will to cooperate with their fellows, and support and enhance each one’s individual endeavor. No one can achieve his or her best without support and encouragement from friends and fellow students. That is where real leadership begins. Starter fertilizers help com off to good start Starter fertilizers can help get a corn plant off to a good start, particularly when the farmer is using no-tillage practices. “This early application of fer tilizer supplies nutrients to the corn seedling, thereby establishing a good root system,” said Dr. Douglas Beegle, Extension Agronomist at The Pennsylvania State University. “This can result in greater yields, even in fields with existing high soil fertility levels.” Starter fertilizers are par ticularly effective under no-tillage conditions because soils are cooler and wetter due to the presence of crop residue, which acts as an insulating mulch. Cold, wet soils decrease contact between the plant root and immobile nutrients in the soil. This can be corrected by placing a small amount of fer tilizer where it can be readily taken up by the seedling, the Penn State Agronomist pointed out. Generally, the material used as starter fertilizer should have a high phosphate ratio and be water soluble. For optimum ef fectiveness, the phosphate should be in combination with ammonium nitrogen. “Urea-containing materials should not be used in starter fer tilizers and diammonium phosphate should be used with caution because both materials mrw IVBwIKW, r UIdM I IPBUI I* Alii The Hershey recirculating fan is a low profile unit, easily and quickly installed to give you control of wasted hot air trapped on the ceiling It pulls air from below and distributes it 360 degrees along the ceiling, evening out temperature differences and creating a healthy draft free environment for your animals Housing construction is of 18 gauge stainless steel while motor supports and basket guards are galvanized for long life and low maintenance The energy efficient motor can be wired for single double (220 volt only) or variable speed operation and couples to a stamped aluminum blade Don’t waste all that hot air - re use it effectively with Hershey’s efficient recirculating fans MODEL RF24-1100 I',| f SYC**o«HNO.WMm Route 30 Wo* Mi I ? mnjmnm mm , HERSMtY MUM’MEMT uWwSimim* J P| liMnnuiv, Hie. -- - »■>•* F//, H. I salute all those dedicated and nearly fifty of thgm in each high hard working ag instructors that school in our county. Even those have devoted their careers to that eventually choose a wnw helping young people get a good other than ag have learned lessons start in life. If I ever have the urge in competitive achievement that fit to address the question of the them to be future leaders. And future of agriculture, I’ll know those who stay in farming will be where to begin. I’ll just say this: the agricultural leaders of the “Take a look at the Future future. And the future of fanning is Farmers of America. There are largely in their hands.” react in the soil to produce free ammonia. This can be harmful to germinating seeds and seedlings”, Dr. Beegle emphasized. The actual analysis of the starter fertilizer is not critical as long as it meets ratios such as 1-2-1,1-3-1 or 1-4-2. Granulated, blended and fluid fertilizer also can be used effectively as starter fertilizers if used in correct combinations. “Only a small amount of fer tilizer is required and phosphorus is usually the only nutrient that can be applied totally in the starter band. Banded phosphorus is about twice as effective as broadcasted phosphorus in the short term, but the long-term is about the same,” he said. Dr. Beegle cautioned that problems can arise when too much starter fertilizer is used. High rates increase the potential for salt '' injury. The rule of thumb is more than 70 pounds of total nitrogen and phosphorus be ap phed per acre if the nutrients are placed two inches beside and two • inches below the seed. If the fer tilizer is placed closer, then the total amount should be lowered. “Farmers often have problems getting fertilizer two inches below the seed when using the no-till system,” the Penn State noted. “Many remove the taMMMfe I coulters from the planter* mP I MOTOR BLADE DIA. R.P.M 1100 simply dribble the fertilizer mr the seed row. This method has drawbacks but is better than eliminating the starter fertilizer.” Other farmers place fertilizer directly with the seed. This placement is called “pop-up” and no more than 50 pounds per acre of total fertilizer should be applied when using this method. “Research data has indicated that the “pop-up” starter fertilizer placement in no-till corn gives as good or better seedling phosphorus uptake and grain yields as traditional methods. It also helps avoid some of the problems often encountered when trying to get the planter in the ground, since only one opening is required to place the seed and the fertilizer,” Dr. Beegle said. 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