ElO-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 2,1991 Small Seed Just As Good As Larger Kernels DEKALB, 111. Some seed this season may he smaller than farmers have planted previously. But that is no cause for alarm, says Dick Bohimg, manager of agro nomics services for DEKALB Plant Genetics. “University and seed company research results consistently show that small com seed is equal m value to the medium and larger sizes,” he said. “In fact, small seed often delivers greater net return because it normally has a price advantage.” Bohimg notes, however, that using smaller seed means farmers will have to adjust and operate their planters a bit different than normal. “Planter adjustment and opera tion for small or light weight seed bags requires a little more preci sion and care, but modern plan ters, with improved metering devices, can handle any and all seed si/es with success,” he said. The DEKALI! agronomist recommends first checking the operator’s manual for detailed instructions Adjustments may be necessary or parts may need to be replaced. For example, with a Case IH air planter, some small seeds go 100 far into the drum holes and get “crimped” when the cutoff wheel rolls over them. This causes skips in the kernels planted and reduced seed population. One solution is to buy a seed drum with smaller holes (called a “popcorn” drum) and change drums as needed. Another solu tion is to buy rubber bells which fit around the seed drum. The OJL , Af/IBRICAS SOYBEAN ROASTING on your farm Don’t Waste It - Roast It! ROAST & COOL • All in one unit • Your own grain on your farm • Latest in Roasting Technology • Roast at higher temperatures • Cools in just 10 minutes • Ultimate in flavor, payability, uniformity in full-fat soybean industry • Ready for storage • Economical Call Schnupp’s Grain Roasting to ROAS77COOL and dry and keep you/ own high quality corn on your farm. RD 6, Lebanon. Pa. 17042 PH: 717-865-6611 extra thickness prevents cutoff wheels from crimping protruding seed lips. “A set of seed drum belts costs less than a new drum and, once installed, avoids the need to change drums,” Bohimg said. Most John Deere planters have a vacuum seed meter or a finger pickup meter. The company has issued special bulletins reviewing maintenance and adjustment pro cedures necessary to maximize planter performance with all sizes of seed corn. For example, with the finger pickup meter, worn brushes often cause the planter to overpopulate. The company recommends replacing them every 100 hours or more frequently if wear exceeds described limits. Also, small seed may magnify excessive seed drop if the carrier plate becomes worn. John Deere also recommends reducing planting speed when using small seed. Cut speed two to three miles per hour for the very smallest seed that weighing between 25 and 30 pounds per 80 thousand kernels. Operating speed affects John Deere finger pickup and vacuum meters in exactly opposite ways. Generally, driving the planter fas ter than the recommended speed increases seed drop of the finger pickup meter and decreases seed drop of the vacuum meter. “If you have problems or ques tions about plantability of any seed size, consult your operator’s manual, see your implement deal er or ask your seed dealer,” Bohling said. HEALTH KICK NFU Kicks Off Petition To 'Reopen WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Fanners Union (NFU) has begun a nationwide petition campaign designed to show Con gress and the Bush Administration a groundswell of support for reexamining the 1990 Farm Bill. The petition drive, announced during a Washington news confer ence, is designed to ask Congress and the Bush Administration to make four major changes in the bill: • Raise commodity loan rates to more effectively raise farm income from the marketplace. * Increase dairy price support levels at the same time that inventory-management programs arc utilized. • Target program benefits to family-scale producers and • Strengthen food and nutrition programs, such as food stamps and WIC (Women, Infants and Children). The farm bill, signed by Presi- Lime application during the winter allows the limestone time to react and Hi-Calclum HlMagixealum » ’ % W( , LIMESTONE Farm Bill dent Bush last month, has been characterized by Fanners Union leaders as “more poison than anti dote” for the struggling rural eco nomy. “We’re not asking for more spending on farm programs,” said NFU President Leland Swenson. “But there are ways to make the farm bill work for farmers within current budget constraints.” Swenson said his group is ask ing for both administrative and legislative changes in the bill. NFU released copies of a letter sent to USDA Secretary Clayton Yeutter which outlines a series of discretionary actions the secretary can take to “help restore farmers’ confidence in farm programs.” Swenson said the new farm bill is not set in stone and that Yeutter has the power to determine “whether it is a tombstone or the cornerstone of new opportun- llies.” Late last year, a number of anal ysts projected that farm program It's the right time to apply lime rfli spending cuts would result in like decreases in net farm income. During the farm bill debate in Congress, NFU lobbied for supply stabilizing provisions and other mechanisms aimed at stimulating farm market prices. “Giving far mers the tools they need to get income from the marketplace instead of from the government is a much more sensible approach to saving federal dollars than simply cutting farm income,” said Swenson. The petition states that, as a result of current market conditions and the affects of the farm bill as it now stands, “rural America is fac ing another devastating round of losses among farmers and rural communities.” NFU expects to collect signa tures until March 1, when the peti tions will be gathered at the group’s Philadelphia convention, then delivered to President Bush and the chairmen of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. For prompt delivery contact your local Martin Limestone dealer or caU Bine Sail, Pa. (800) 833-0805 (717) 354-4185
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