FSMancaster Farming, Saturday, January 4,1992 NEWARK, DE The results of Delaware's hybrid field com performance trials are published and ready for distribution. The trials, conducted by the University of Delaware Agricultural Experi ment Station and Cooperative Extension, covered 124 hybrids divided from five maturity groups. The trials were held at three locations in the state: the univer sity's Research and Education Center in Georgetown, the Round Maple Farm in Smyrna, and Rutk oske Brothers Inc. in Middletown. Hybrids were evaluated by yield, percent moisture, percent early stand, final population per acre, percent stalk lodging, percent root lodging and percent ear drop. Bob Uniatowski, Extension associate in agronomy, reports yield average across maturities decreased by 51 bushels per acre in Middletown, 78 bushels per acre in Smyrna, and 34 bushels per acre in Georgetown. He attri butes the drastic yield reduction in Smyrna to drought and high temp eratures. Rainfall was only 10 inches in Smyrna during the criti cal months of May, June, July and August, compared to 21 inches in 1990 and 32 inches in 1989. In Middletown, there were sta tistically significant differences between early, early-medium and medium maturities. But there were no statistically significant differences between the medium late and late maturities. The three early maturity groups out-yielded two later maturities by a 20- bushcl-per-acre average. There were statistically significant dif Aggressor Has More Total Disease Resistance! [Vf Phy tophthora |yf/\nthracnose fvfverticillium Wilt More Than Any Variety Of Similar Dormancy! Aggressor Fights Both Aphanomyces & Phytophthora. This map shows where Aphanomyces and Phytophthora may interact to cause losses to susceptible varieties. Plus, Aggressor resists Leafhopper Yellowing... better than any Pioneer, Dekalb or Northrup King variety. Pi. ROHRER & BRO., INC. Smoketown, PA <n iwi ABI Delaware Com Variety Trials Sum Up Crop Year fcrences between all maturities in Smyrna except the late maturities. The early* and early-medium maturity groups were most affected by the drought in Smyrna. The yield average was 102 for ear ly maturities and 90 bushels per HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The 75th annual Pennsylvania Cooperative Potato Growers ban quet is scheduled at the Farm Show Complex on January IS, 1992 dur ing die state farm show. The Pennsylvania Cooperative Potato Growers, Inc. was charterd in 1922 and today is the oldest agricultural cooperative in the U.S. DEKALB, 111. Successful com growers use yield goals as a part of their profit planning. “Yield goals should be estab lished for every field,” said Rick Mason, regional agronomist for DEKALB Plant Genetics. “Set a sound, realistic goal for each field and develop a set of sound man agement practices which will enable you to reach that goal at the lowest cost.” Mason suggests writing the goal down, perhaps on field-by field notes, and comparing it with actual yield at harvest. “When the season is over, you can analyze the records to deter mine why you did or did not reach or exceed your goal,” the agro nomist said. isease am lyf \phanomyces Wilt Wilt PH: 717-299-28^^^^^^ Potato Growers Will Establish ( est istance. ,esi AMERKffS. acre for medium varieties. Com varieties in Georgetown also showed statistically signific ant differences across groups with the exception of the late-maturing varieties. The highest yielding group in both Georgetown and Pennsylvania’s potato industry ranks 11th nationally, producing approximately 480 million pounds of potatoes valued at more than $35 million per year. The cooperative has helped improve the potato industry through promotional and research efforts in search of better markets, according to Roger Springer, gen- Yield Goals To Help Improve Profits Mason warns, however, against setting rigid goals because grow ing conditions change during the season. “For example, if seedling stands are good and soil moisture reserves are high, it is perfectly valid to raise the yield goal and sidedress a greater amount of nit rogen than originally planned,” he said. “If it is droughty at tasseling time, it may be prudent to lower the yield goal and forego a com borer control treatment that might otherwise be needed.” Mason says before setting a yield goal, verify profitability by calculating costs and returns. More yield usually requires more expenditure per acre. “The real key is whether the REDDY HEATERS What The Name Says & A Whole Lot More! (^MINHOLPS i&iix m 150 Lincoln Ava. Ralnholdt, PA 17569-0209 Smyrna was medium-late, fol lowed by late, medium, early medium and early. Uniatowski says the trial results are formatted in a bulletin with yield rankings for each location along with combined site averages Meet At Farm Show eral manager of the cooperative. “The potato offers consumers the desirable qualities of no fat and no cholesterol,” said Springer. ‘ ‘Tasty yet nutritious, potatoes are low in calories only 110 per medium potato—and high in vita mins, dietary fiber, and minerals.” Almost all of Pennsylvania’s potatoes are used for fresh table cost of producing a bushel of grain is reduced,” he said. When setting a yield goal, cal culate a three-to-five year average yield for a field and add 25 bushels per acre. Then modify this • R 35 35,000 BTU Kerosene $159.00 • R5O 50,000 BTU Kerosene.... $195.00 • RlOO 100,000 BTU Kerosene.... $289.00 • Rl5O 150,000 BTU Kerosene.... $349.00 • Thermostat Kit $29.95 GET READY FOR WINTER LIHWEK »■ MIIiWOKK INC. (215) 267-5400 and two- and three-year averages. He suggests that farmers use the trial results with an emphasis on two- and three-year averages when looking for a good, consis tent hybrid for the 1992 season. stock, processing, and potato chip production. The state ranks first nationally in potato chip produc tion, with approximately 30,500 tons a year. For additional information, con tact the Pennsylvania Cooperative Potato Growers, Inc., 3107 N. Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17110, (717) 232-5300. figure up or down to reflect your best knowledge about soil type, stored moisture status, fertility status, previous crop, and each factor of your own management, Mason said. Mon., Tum., Wod., Fri, 6:30-5 Thur. 6:30-6 Sat. 7:30-3 krfl
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