Dl6-Lancaster Farming Saturday, November 1,1986 Brockett's Ag Advice ' h By John E. Brocket! Farm Management Agent Lewistown Extension Office Now is a good time to test your fields. There is generally enough moisture in the ground at this time of the year to make soil sampling fairly easy. Com silage is har vested. Hay crop fields are going or are already dormant. Fall grains and/or cover crops are planted and up. Finally there is still time to apply lime before winter freeze up in most of the state. Even though soil testing has increased in cost in the past few years, it is still one of the great bargains you have as a farmer. Good use of a soil testing program can save you more fertilizer dollars than it will ever cost for the testing. While you are out there collect ing those samples, check out the weed situation so you can do a better job of pinpointing your weed control needs for next year. Jot the weed problem down on the side of your sample bag or carry a pocket notebook with you to write down observations. LIME Lime is the “great equalizer.” It can correct a lot of management mistakes by making weed control materials more effective, releasing soil nutrients, and providing nutrients of its own. Recently, I read a brief report by PSU Agronomist Doug Beegle in the “Agronomy Gleanings” about lime. The main purpose of his report was to discuss the im portance of lime quality and the Write for information and a FREE sample of fiberglass—the superior, modern material for superior storage bins! ‘fiberdomeiNc P.O. Box 11 Lake Mills, Wl 53551 (414) 648-8376 PHIC BUILDERS Pottstown, PA. 215-323-4070 WEILERBROS. INC. RD 1 Box 360 Ephrata, PA 717-738-2428 PHILLIPS FEED SERVICE INC. Germansville, PA 215-767-3819 Bath, PA 215-837-6061 establishment of uniform liming material specs. There is nothing earthshattering in the report and there is nothing in it you can not read elsewhere. However, it is a good synopsis on lime and might be something you could use as a farmer to get a better un derstanding on IV use of lime. If you are interested in reading it, I’m sure your county agent would be happy to give you a copy of the report. Using Manure There is a new ST 10 out. Those of you who regularly soil test have probably made extensive use of the old ST 10. There are some revised tables on the value of manure in this leaflet. Of particular interest would be the rapid loss of nitrogen if manure is left on the ground for various periods of time before incorporation. For example, did you realize that manure applied to the ground then incorporated a mere four days later loses about half of its available nitrogen? That means that for an average 20-ton application of cow manure the loss would be 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre. If nitrogen was worth 15 cents per pound, that would be a $6 loss per acre. You should make Use of the tables from the ST 10 when you are calculating fertilizer needs from your soil test reports. It only makes good economic sense to not spend money on fertilizer you do not need. In addition, excessive use ...madti&tiaAt For more information contact your nearest dealer SOLLENBERGERSILO ROVENDALE SUPPL Chambersburg, PA Watsontown, PA 717-264-9588 717-538-5521 CECIL DAIRY w“rH SERVICE DEVRIEZE FARM R.smgSun MD EQUIPMENT 301-658-6923 Milanville, PA 717-729-7988 AUTOMATIC FARM FARM BUREAU SYSTEMS Souderton, PA 608 Evergreen Rd. 215-723-4355 Lebanon, PA 17042 Mifflinburg, PA 717-274-5333 717-966-1047 of fertihxer and/or manure can cause water pollution, including your own wells and streams. If you would like more accurate manure values for your own manure you can get a manure test kit from your county agent. Crop Records While we are on agronomy and crops, do not forget to keep some crop records. Records of the FLEX-AUGER-the best way er improvements include new PVC tubing with ultraviolet and wear inhibitors, plus new power-efficient direct drive motors that turn the auger. Get full facts now about Chore-Time’s FLEX-AUGER and line of feed bins. Chore-Time Has The Only Flex-Auger For High Model 125 Model 55 Cap. Lbs. 15/Min. • 5 systems to meet any need you have • 10-year warranty on coreless auger Cap. Lbs. 220/Min. COMPLETE SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT, SALES, INSTALLATION, SERVICE FOR CATTLE, HOGS AND POULTRY. We Welcome Your Inquiries - Coll Or Write w AGR»- RD 4, East Farmersville Ed., Ephrata, PA 17522 M I Lancaster County) Sat. 7;30t0 11:30 (717) 354-6520 (Parts Only) amount of manure applied to a particular field could help you do a more uniform job of spreading manure nutrients in the future. In addition, those records can provide you with a history of the requirements and performance of your fields. Crop and field records can help you make rotation decisions, weed control decisions, crop type and even variety ...that*s the reputation it's earned from farmers using it over many years. On thousands of farms Chore-Time’s “coreless”, flexible, spring steel auger system has built its record. It’s known for its reliability; its low power requirements, its long life. And Chore-Time :est Moisture Corn Model 90 Cap. Lbs. 100/Min. EQUIPMENT, .NC Model 75 Cap. Lbs. 50/Min. Model HMC Cap. Lbs. 50/Min. decisions, and be valuable if you are inteiested in an accurate “Farm Analysis.” I usually take for granted that anyone who reads my column and wants to improve spendable income is also in terested in a usable “Farm Analysis.” It is easiest to keep the crop records if you are in a Crop (Turn to Page Dl7) ■ t >. US*
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers