Al6-Uncast*r Farming, Saturday, November 30,1985 ATLANTA, GA. - While most fanners expect good yields from their crops, Herman Warsaw of Saybrook, Illinois, has topped the scale with a new record com yield of 370 bushels per acre (bu/A). On October 17, 1985, a total of 433 bushels of shelled com (corrected to 15.5% moisture content) was harvested from a measured 1.17 acres in Mr. Warsaw’s intensively managed production area. In 1975, Mr. Warsaw produced a 338 bu/A yield on a different field, and has also achieved previous yields of 312 bu/A in 1979,325 bu/A in 1981, and 307 bu/A in 1982. The 1985 yield was produced with FS Hybrid 854, planted April 25 at an estimated rate of 37,000 seeds per acre. Harvest population was 35,000 plants per acre. Harvest moisture was 22.2%. High soil fertility levels and a favorable growing season were important factors in attaining the yield. Dr. Harold F. Reetz, Jr., Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI) Southcentral Director located at Monticello, Illinois, has cooperated with Mr. Warsaw in recent years to observe and identify key management practices in a high yield system. “We’ve helped host hundreds of visitors from around the world, including researchers and fanners who come to talk with Herman Warsaw and hear his ideas. He’s worked for many years to improve his crop production methods,” Or. Reetz points out. Following are some key elements of Mr. Warsaw’s system. • The hybrid, FS 854, has some ■ r. The Better nuiiine electric fencing Quietly Professional • HIGH POWERED ' ALL-WEATHER (NON • WALL MODEL RUST) VERY STRONG • OPERATES FROM 12 POLYCARBONATE CASE VOLT RE-CHARGEABLE BATTERY * COVERED BY •OVER VOLTAGE INPUT 1 GUARANTEE PROTECTION I . REPLACEABLE •Up to 550 hrs per charge on I PRINTED CIRCUIT teSS’* 0 .CONSTANT PULSE RATE Amp/HR Battery • NOW WITH TWO OUT • EFFICIENT Ideal for PUTS ■ HIGH AND LOW Electrified Sheep Netting • POWER OUTLET and Boundary Fences * OPENLINE 6000 v •NO MOVING PARTS (Sohd • COMPETITIVELY PRICED . TESTED TO 500 ohm LOAD aV'eoiinvPHir im .• LOCAL SERVICE (HEAVY LEAKAGE) "modfis LU • DEALER INQUIRIES output still over • ‘ INVITED Distributed By HOOVER DIESEL SERVICE 2998 W. Newport Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (717) 656-3322 or (717) 295-1729 farmer harvests record 370 bu/A corn unique physiological traits (identified in University of Illinois research plots). The hybrid remains active with photosyn thesis longer in the season, con tinued nitrogen (N) uptake later in the season, and its lower leaves stay green longer than several other hybrids tested. • Deep chisel plowing helps incorporate fertilizer and crop residues deeper in the profile. The rich, deep soil with well-developed structure is partly natural and partly due to management practices on the farm. • Addition of large amounts of crop residue and livestock manure has contributed to soil tilth and fertility levels. • There was good rainfall distribution—24 inches during the 1985 growing season. * With the soil built up to high fertility levels, nutrients were available to meet crop needs. The management system and hybrid responded well. Soil tests taken from the top 10 inches on August 6, 1985, showed the following results; phosphorus (Pj - 203 Ib/A; potassium (K) - 1,080 Ib/A; magnesium (Mg) - 540 Ib/A; calcium (Ca) - 5,160 Ib/A; cation exchange capacity (CEC) - 23; copper (Cu) - 0.7 (index); pH - 6.0; sulfate (S) - 30 parts per million; zinc (Zn) -11 ppm; iron (Fe) - 85 ppm; boron (B) - 0.4 ppm. Mr. Warsaw currently has about 20 acres of continuous corn in his intensive management system. “With current technology, it’s not advisable to attempt such an intensive system on a large acreage,” Dr. Reetz notes. “But by concentrating efforts on a small acreage we can learn important responses to the management system and adapt this information to increase yields and profits on Fertilizer program 18-46 O ■ 250 Ib/A, fall applied 0-0-60 - 250 Ib/A, fall applied 28-0 0 1,070 Ib/A, preplant with herbicide 21-0-0 22 S- 300 Ib/A, preplant 46-0 0 165 Ib/A, at cultivation Limestone applied Dolomitic limestone, 2 tons/A (3-year application= $3l 35) Chemicals Buctnl-1 pt/A Lasso- 3 qt/A Furadan-1 Ib/A Seed FS 854 -36,000 seeds/A Total fertilizer, chemical, and seed cost per acre (Approximately 20 tons/A of livestock manure was applied to this field m addition to fertilizer listed Assume that value as a soil amendment is offset by cost-of application ) Field operations (Costs are based on current custom rates in Illinois, including labor, fuel, repairs, depreciation, and interest on capital) Stalk shredding Fall chisel plowing, 15 inches deep Spring field-cultivating Planting Cultivation, with nitrogen application Harvesting (based on 25 cents per bushel) Drying (approximately 2 cents per point of moisture removed) TOTAL OUT OF POCKET PRODUCTION COSTS— Based on the figure of $425.39 per bushel for the 370 bu/A yield the production cost would total acre, the out-of-pocket cost per averages only $1.15: ($425.39 - 370 $555.39; ($425.39 + $l3O = $555.39). bu = $1.15 per bushel). With this total cost per acre, the This figure does not include a production cost per bushel for the charge for land. However, 370 bu/A yield would be $1.50: assuming a rate of $l3O per acre, ($555.39 - 370 = $1.50 a bushel). If someone tells you they have never seen a better feeder than flat chain, ask them if they’ve ever seen ULTRAFLEX - Chore-Time’s new feeder. Experts in poultry feeding. larger acreages. Knowing that these super yields are possible provides incentive and confidence to set higher yield goals on other fields.” Corn yields for the entire Warsaw farm are expected to 80 FEET A MINUTE! - sliding Flex-Auger, driven, like a chain, with a sprocket. Handles all feed without skips or separation. Hens or pullets can’t pick feed while feeder is running Flex-Auger in trough bottom restricts hens or pullets from piling feed and billing feed into pit and isles. 5 Year Warranty Cage Systems Specialists. For more information call: (717) 299-9905 average about 200 bu/A for 1985. Mr. Warsaw says that higher yields per acre help to reduce the | cost of each bushel produced. I Following is a summary of his production practices and costs for the 370 bu/A test plot. Total fertilizer cost per acre= Limestone cost per acre/year= Total chemical cost per acre= Total cost of field operations= Costs $ 32 50 18 12 67 50 25 00 20 25 $163 37 $ 10 42 $ 460 16 00 18 50 $ 39 10 $ 26 00 $238 89 Estimated Costs Per Acre $ 700 12 50 5 50 12 25 6 75 92 50 50 00 $lB6 50 $425.39
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