PRESCOTT, Wis. There’s a quick and easy way for fanners to save from $3 to $4 per acre in seed com costs this spring, but many may choose to pass up the opportunity. “A lot of farmers believe that small and/or round-shaped seed combinations don’t have the yield potential of large and/or flat seed,” said University of Wisconsin agronomist Paul Carter. “Several studies have found, however, few significant differences in either emergence or grain yield.” Farmers willing to disregard those biases can achieve signific ant per-acre savings in seed cost, said Jim Vannet product informa tion services director for Jacques Seed Company. “With less demand for the smaller seeds, many seed companies offer price reductions as an incentive for far mers to purchase the seed. In addi tion to the lower cost, smaller seeds are frequently sold in 90,000 kernel-count bags instead of the traditional 80,000 kernel-count bags, so one bag of seed can plant more acres.” Producer Buster Manning of Pantego, North Carolina, grows 1,000 acres of con each year and plants only small plateless seed. Manning figures he saves over $3 per acre on his seed com costs with no reduction in field performance. Bobcat Delivers e Goods! i Choose imonfl six “B-Lino” modsls, with rated operating espscittes ranging from 600 to 1700 pounds. Available with gas and dlasal, liquid and air-eonlad anginas.* HBPqyfc-PA .west lw, PA SHEETS BROS., INC. CLARKLIFT SERVICES 717-632-3660 215-670-2950 Bethfchfln, PA 215-868-1481 Haw frPVft-PA NORMAN D. CLARK „ Di ... BA Jt qom iKir Nwdmwt. PA Carinto. PA CLUGSTON PETERMAN fv/jwow FARM EQUIPMENT FARM EQUIPMENT 717-573-2250 717-249-5338 HallWd. PA LCL CONSTRUCTION EQUIP. SALE CO. 215-362-2510 WHmlnBlpn,.D£ 302-998-0128 Seed Companies Provide Price Breaks The keys to planting smaller ing dates, with highest yield levels seed sizes, he said, are making a being obtained by earliest planting few adjustments in the planter and jdates in most years, driving at slower speeds. “Our hybrid com seed lots, “It’s not complicated at all.” regardless of size, all have to meet said Manning. “You just go by die the same quality assurance slan owner’s manual for your initial dards and specifications.” setup and then make small adjust- Agronomist Carter has also ments, if necessary. The price conducted studies to determine break on the seed was what got us any connection between tillage to try it, but now we’d plant it systems, seed size, and hybrid even if it cost the same as medium performance, rounds because small seed fits our He planted samples of two operation.” widely grown com hybrids in ran- Steve Schultz, Whittemore, domized, replicated plots at two lowa, plants with an air planter locations. Half the plots were fall and said he only had problems moldboard-plowed and disked in once planting smaller seed. the spring. The other half were no ’ll was the year after one of the till- The seeds were divided into drouth years when the small seed four groups based on size and was really small.” he said, “and I shape: small rounds, small flats, blew out some seed. But 1 don’t large rounds and large flats. The know how much of that was the «®st was conducted over two years seed’s fault and how much of it and hybrids were evaluated on the was the planter’s. That’s the year I basis of emergence, early growth, learned how important planter harvest moisture and yield, preparation and maintenance Th® **o-till system tended to was » result in lower-percent “Our research indicates only a very slight germination advantage for flat over round seed sizes,” said Vannet. “In our research plots, no significant differences in emergence, early growth or yield performance were found between small and large kernels, flats or rounds. However, the research did show significant differences in yield performance between plant m ua $6,772 $10,640 $12,313 $13,588 $15,338 $19,707 ¥ bobcat —■ Chambafiburq. PA CLUGSTON AG & TURF, INC. 717-263-4103 emergence, delayed early growth, higher harvest moisture and some what lower yields. But there were no significant differences in any of those measurements related to seed size. “We recommend that com pro ducers focus on genetic perfor mance potential and seed price and not a specific seed size or shape combination when selecting ood Machine irformance, durability, attachment irsafility, ease of operation and lamtenance, comfort, safety, and quality orkmanship make the Bobcat* “B-Lme” le best value in the skid-steer industry aiood Quality The quality of your work depends on the quality of matenals you use Likewise, the Bobcat “B-Lme" models are built with the highest quality materials and workmanship And they're backed by a nationwide dealer network for parts and service support Good Price* When it comes to quality skid steer loaders at great prices, nothing compares to the Bobcat Six value-priced “B" Series models are available, starting as low as $6,772 Lebanon. PA EVERGREEN TRACTOR CO. 717-272-4641 1-800-441-4450 ilM9s&!ft.PA CHARLES H. SIEPIELA, INC. 717-253-3334 ‘Manufacturer's suggested retail prlca In U S Anda, excluding freight or dealer delivery chargee Price Includes standard tlrea and dirt bucket Machine may be shown with optional equipment Prices subject to change without notice. Prices may vary and are subject to local dealer participation. Mill Hafl. PA DUNKLE & GRIEB 717-726-3115 MiHlinbum. PA BS & B REPAIR 717-966-3756 Towtnda. PA S.P.E. INC. 717-265-4440 Quggyyjft-EA GRUMELLI'S FARM SERV. 717-786-7318 hybrids,” Carter said. Today’s hybrid com technolo gy has proven that both small and large kernels are equal in germina tion rates and plantability, said Vannet “What is critical, howev er, for good plantability is proper plate selection for plate-type plan ters and proper disk selection, air pressure or vacuum, and brush settings for platelcss planters. “Before dropping the planter in the ground this spring, take time to manage,” said Vannet Be sure to: • Select hybrids best-suited to your farm and management practices. • Get the best value by choos ing the most economical kernel size. • When planting smaller seed, be sure that plates, bottom and mechanisms arc in good repair. • Plant a bit shallower than nor mal. This is key to even emergence and high stand cstab- Ketchen Receives President’s Award CORNELL, N.Y. Outstand ing contributions to the beef cattle industry in New York were prime reasons for Debbie Ketchen’s selection for the award by New York Beef Cattlemen’s Associa tion (NYBCA) President Fred Zeiner of Morris. Ketchen has managed the Cor nell Beef Cattle Teaching and Research Center in Dryden since 1980, being responsible for the care and feeding of all beef cattle at the T&R Center. Included in a typical year are more than 100 bulls in the New York Bull Test, 100 beef cows, 20 to 30 replace ment heifers, and 4 to 5 herd bulls, as well as more than 300 growing and finishing steers and heifers. She has been largely responsi ble for the development of a high performance beef herd at Cornell with weaning weight averages nearing 600 pounds. Research Lancaster Firming Saturday, February 22,1992-D5 lishment, especially under cooler and welter planting conditions. If small seed is planted too deep, the reserves will be depleted prior to the seedling breaking the soil surface. • Take time to inspect your planter for worn or broken parts, select proper sprocket sellings and have good plates of the recom mended number. • Test-plant to determine the proper seed drop. • At planting time, use graphite in the seed box, drive at recom mended speeds, and change plates as required. To receive a free booklet describing smaller seed size man- agement techniques, write or call Jacques Seed Company. 720 Sl Croix Street, Prescott, WI 54021, (800) 321-2867. Ask for the pam phlet entitled “The Case For Planting Smaller Seed.” results from the T&R Center are widely respected and used across the United States. The bull test becomes her first priority from the time they arrive until they leave after the sale. In addition to feeding and care dur ing the test and collection of the data, she oversees the preparation of the bulls for the sale. She spends hours communicat ing with consignors and potential buyers, as well as hosting visitors during the test. She was appointed coordinator of the bull test by Cornell in 1991. President Zeincr noted that Ketchcn is one of the most know ledgeable persons in the state on the care and management of cattle. Her husband, David Hunsberger, and their children were present at the NYBCA Banquet at the Com ing Hilton Inn for the presentation of the 1991 President’s Award.
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