Ag Innovations Showcased In Cecil County , Maryland DAVE LEFEVER Lancaster Farming Staff FAIR HILL, Md. Studies in Maryland show that seeding rates for com, soybeans, and wheat can often be reduced somewhat without hurting yields. That was one of the research findings fanners heard about at the Cecil County Ag Showcase this week. The event, put on by Maryland Cooperative Exten sion, took place on farmland near the Cecil County Fairgrounds, in conjunction with the fair. “There’s been a lot of emphasis the last few years to keep those (plant) populations up,” said Bob Kratochvil, Maryland extension specialist. But Maryland farmers shouldn’t always necessarily go along with recommended rates, he noted. With corn, for example, much of the research is done in mid western states, where soils are better suited for top com yields. Recommendations of 30-35,000 plants per acre for grain produc tion can be on the high side for Maryland, according to Kratoch vil. He recommends shooting for populations of 24-28,000 com plants/acre for grain production. On the most productive soils or with irrigation, farmers could do well with poulations of up to 32.000 plants per acre, he said. Com silage producers should aim for populations of 35-40,000 plants/acre. For soybeans, Maryland agron omists have long recommended 175.000 seeds/acre for conven tional plantings, but a recent three-year study indicates yields are practically as strong when the seeding rate is cut to 140,000 seeds/acre. “Soybeans have a tremendous ability to compensate for low plant populations,” Kratochvil said. In double-cropping systems, he suggested seeding rates of 180,000 seeds/acre, down 20 percent from previous recommenda- tions. And, while high seeding rates for wheat encourage good primary tiller develop ment, studies have also shown that wheat seeding rates can also be reduced without a significant effect on yields. A 2002 study on two Maryland farms show- ed that a fairly wide range of populations yielded the same num- ber of bushels/acre. On one of the re- Questions, Anyone? Get answers you can trust about federal gov ernment programs, ben efits, and services from the Federal Consumer Information Center. Call toll-free: 1-800-FED-INFO (that’s 1-800-333*4636) Mon-Fri Bam-Bpm Eastern Time or visit: www.pneblo.gwi.goite«H U S General Services Administration Ag Showcase visitors view a baling demonstration. search farms, populations of 17, 20, and 23 plants per row foot yielded the same harvest. Popula tions of 10 and 13 plants per foot, however, yielded less. One the other farm, all the test populations from 10 to 23 plants per foot produced the same yields. Kratochvil recommends aim ing for 17 viable seeds per foot or 125 million seeds/acre. That’s down from previous recommen dations of 1.5 million seeds/acre, and can save farmers $3-6 per acre on seed costs. Installations and prepaids from August 4* Learn more about Pasture Mat and other Comfort Zone products at the ASAP Dairy Interiors booth #433 He also discussed this year’s generally poor wheat crop. The rainy spring weather was largely responsible for low test weights and high levels of scab found in wheat throughout the region, he said. Yields ranged from 20-55 bushels/acre, with test weights as low as 20 pounds/bushel a third of the standard test weight for wheat. The Ag Showcase offered fanners the chance to witness some new hay handling equip- -16 th Scott Rowe shows multiflora rose plots he used in study on how to better control this invasive plant. ment in action, talk to equipment dealers, see a lineup of antique tractors, hear a safety talk on “hidden hazards on the farm,” and check out the results of a multiflora rose control study con ducted onsite. Scott Rowe, ag and natural re sources extension educator in Cecil County, showed the effects that various herbicides, mechani cal, and biological controls had on multiflora rose thickets. Three different herbicides Hi-Dep 2,4-D; Roundup; and Ally were applied to multiflora rose plots in May 2002. Plots, were also treated me chanically, either alone or in con junction with herbicide treat ments. This included standard mowing, and also handling the Weaver's Store , Inc . Route 897, Fivepointville, PA (717) 445-6791 or 1-800-856-4031 August 4, 5, 6,7, 8,9, 2003 Monday to Friday. 8:00 - 9:00 • Sat. 8:00-5:00 Free Ice Cream Cones with purchase Thurs. and Fri 12 Noon-9 P.M.; Sat. 9 A.M.-5 P.M. -*• Free Gifts •* Free $2.00 Certificate with $50.00 purchase Free $6.00 Certificate with $lOO.OO purchase Free $20.00 Certificate with $300.00 purchase Certificates are Redeemable See Next Week’s Lancaster Farming For A List Of Sale Specials