Corn Growers Look At Good Things In Small Packages KALAMAZOO, Mich. Big ger might be better in basketball and body building, but when it comes to selecting hybrid seed corn, kernel size has little, if any, effect on performance. Provided com growers main tain and adjust planters according ly, research trials have consistent ly indicated there is no significant difference in performance between small-sized seed com and larger-sized seed of an identical hybrid. While all com plants pro duce some seed that fit any one of eight different size and shape categories, unusual growing con ditions last season presented the U.S. seed industry with higher than-normal supplies of small com seed this season. Because small seed often is priced 5 to 10 percent below its average-sized counterparts, this presents grow ers with an economic advantage for the upcoming season. “Seed com size is controlled initially by genetics, but subse quently by environmental condi- LET’S MAKE A CONNECTION... • UHF/VHF/800 Jemarl Vou can have the Hay Day of your life as you watch a steady stream of bales flow up the chute “energized by free com pression” and tumble into the basket! Then trip the lever and unload 100 bales m 10 seconds by the barn conveyor as you drive away to load it up again and again...It’s so E-Z it's.. .incredible! No other bale handling system com pares with the simplicity and maintenance-free method of E-Z Trail’s Bale Basket! Inquiries call (217) 543-3471 or write: E-Z TRAIL INC. P.O. BOX 268 ARTHUR, IL 61911 tions,” said William Reiss, Ph.D., technical services agronomist, Asgrow Seed Company. “The combination of heavy com borer infestations and high incidence of stalk and leaf diseases last season stressed com plants during 1990. The result is a larger-then-normal amount of small-sized com seed available industry wide this season.” DEKALB, m. Fanners who plant com hybrids of differing maturity have a greater chance of a profitable harvest. DEKALB Plant Genetics reg ional agronomist Jim Schwartz said planting three maturities makes good agronomic sense and helps com growers spread produc tion risks. “If you spread out your hybrid maturities, you spread risks from >uch factors as insects, diseases. IL! telL. The crisp sound of Motorola Plant 3 Maturities, Spread your needs anty uy ANGLE MMUNICATIONS CO 10-828-2211 INESS TALKING” 4 Reiss said, “A com grower’s primary concern in buying seed com should be superior genetics and high physiological quality. After that, it’s important to keep seedlot size uniform, and have the planter properly maintained and adjusted to handle the specific kernel size being planted.” In an effort to ensure top results with Asgrow hybrids, the com pany conducted plantability stu md different weather patterns over ■be course of a year,” he said. He advises growers to plant the jest available hybrid in each maturity group. They should select nigh-yielding, strong-standing nybrids that will be as dry as prac ical at harvest. Schwartz advises growers to nlant early, medium, and full jeason hybrids. A 25-50-25 ratio ,nf these maturities can help grow ers maximize yields and reduce READING (215) 929-4211 GOOD NEWS... FOR HAYMAKERS! Hitch a Bale Basket to your baler and you will never need to load another bale by hand! dies in cooperation with Case IH and John Deere. Results of these tests indicate that modem com planters have the capability to plant any kernel size with the accuracy that the fanner expects. In a related study with John Deere 7000 series planters, the effect of planter condition and speed demonstrated the necessity to keep com planters in top work- nsks. “Planting 50 to 60 percent of vour com acreage in the mid season range helps reduce the risk from frost and maximizes the total amount of heat units,” he said. ‘Plant another 20-25 percent in the full-season range to get total utili zation of sunlight and heat units.” Schwartz suggests planting another 20-25 percent in the short season range. Growers who sell grain at harvest may want to plant more of this maturity because of moisture discounts. FINKSBURG, Md. Al though it was a rainy day, a good group was in attendance at the Fairgrounds in Frederick, Md. on April 20 to see 45 lots of Sim mental cattle sold for an average of $1,056. Seven bulls were sold at an average of $1,132,11 open heifers Lancaster Farming Saturday, May 11,1991-07 Md. Simmental Sale Held