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
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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
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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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