CS-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 2, 1993 NORCROSS, Ga. Rememb er 1992? In most areas it was a banner year for crop production. The U.S. average com yield was a record more than 131 bushels per acre. That com crop and other high-yielding crops re moved millions of tons of phos phorus, potassium, and other nu trients from our soils. Then came the spring of 1993, with its wet weather and late planting. For many farmers there wasn’t time to replace the nutri ents removed by the 1992 crop. Your soil may be carrying an extra burden this year trying to produce a profitable crop without the full supply of nutrients needed to do the job. Other farmers suffered flooded conditions for the first time in many years, while still others suffered severe drought. We can’t predict these problems, but managing for a good year is the best way to cope with them. What’s ahead for 1994? You still need to consider the 1992 nu trient removal and plan to make up for any fertilizer that couldn’t be applied this spring. Factor in the 1993 crop. If yields are high again this year, removal rates will also be high. Where wet conditions re sulted in shallow root systems, nu trient removal from the topsoil will be especially high. This fall is an ideal time to begin rebuilding soil nutrient supplies for the 1994 crop. Start with soil tests. Study field histories for soil test results, ferti lizer applications, and yield re cords. Do you see any trends? Compare fertilizer applications with nutrient removal in the har vested crop. Are you maintaining soil test levels? If you don’t have the records to review, start this fall with a good set of soil tests and complete yield records for each field. You can’t plan a sound nu trient management strategy with out these records. Soil tests and cropping histories are the basis of the plan. Look at past yields and set a re alistic yield goal for 1994. Plan for Begin Nutrient Management Plans For 1994 optimum growing conditions and commit the resources to support the yield goal. If weather stress occurs, you can be assured that the optimum management system will help maintain yield potential. Where fertilizer applications have dropped behind crop removal rates, plan a buildup application in addition to the maintenance re quirement for your yield goal. Ar range for fall application of phos phorus and potassium fertilizers to avoid delays next spring, and be sure the 1994 crop is not short- Tracy Bollinger of Manheim sold her 234-pound lightweight reserve champion lamb for 95 cents per pound to Eagle Rental. EPHRATA FAIR Justin Good, right, with his reserve grand market hog with Hatfield Quality Meats representative Kenton Good. Hatfield purchased the hog for $2.20 per pound. minaiauiiaunaiaiaiainmqm Ephrata Posts Fair Sale Results 6SSB. BINS AND AUGERS * Take ’em Down! KMmm We Will Assemble & Deliver Bins To Your Farm changed on nutrients. Adequate phosphorus and po tassium soil test levels help im prove nitrogen use efficiency and increase total biomass production per acre, leaving more plant ma- (Continued from Pago C 5) LAMB CARCASS ON RAIL EVALUATION Pladngs; 1. Reneo Hoover. 2. Jenny Hover. 3. Keith Bollinger. 4. Kendall Relff. S. Jerry Bollinger. 6. Jeff Bollinger r * Northeast Agri Systems, Inc. Flyway Business Park 139 A West Airport Road Utitz, PA 17543 Ph. (717) 669-2702 terial to help reduce soil erosion and increase water use efficiency for next year’s crop. Soil tests crop histories yield goals for the basis of a nutri- Kendall Relff, right, exhibited the reserve champion ESS.^ b , at j~!L Ephrata Falr * Purchased by Keystone Farm Credit for $3.05 per pound, represented by Jerry Phil lips, senior loan officer. We Stock Truckloads Of Chore-Time Bins & Miles Of Chore-Time FLEX-AUGER Bins... Large Or Small Authorized Master Distributor STORE HOURS- Morvffl. 7 30t04» HR Sot. 8 00 to Noon __ 24 Hr. 7 Do/ Ropdr Swvlco Jgg| 1-800-673-2580 H ORAND CHAMPION ON RAIL Rent* Hoover ent management plan that is agro nomically sound, economically profitable, and environmentally responsible. Start rebuilding soil nutrient levels this fall. Plan for a good year in 1994. RESERVE CHAMPION Jenny Hoover - K >