w hile many farm costs have been rising steadily, fertilizer
has remained one of the best buys. USDA cost studies show
land and labor costs have increased 40% to 50% during the
past ten years while fertilizer is very little higher in price.
Besides, numerous studies have shown that each dollar
spent on fertilizer is often worth $3 in terms of crop pro
duction.
Exceptionally high corn yields of 150 to 200 bushels per
acre may not be practical for your particular farm but un
doubtedly you can improve yields through better fertiliza
tion and crop management. This should be done with the
aid of soil test results.
The National Plant Food Institute, in cooperation with
state colleges, has compiled charts which show average
yields of various crops for each major soil type in the state.
They have also determined potential yields for each of these
areas. In many cases the potential is nearly double the yields
currently being realized. Check with your county extension
agent or the college for copies of these charts.
Flow-down applications are probably the best way or
putting on large amounts of needed fertilizer. Potash and
phosphate can both be spread and then plowed under. Part
of the nitrogen needed for the growing crop can be applied
as you plow. Many farmers are using anhydrous ammonia,
combining application and plowing in one operation. They
mount the ammonia tank on the plow or tractor drawbar
with hoses running into each furrow. This gives even distri
bution in the soil and researchers say losses are often less
than 1?. The hoses or tubes should be long enough so that
about three feet of length extends under the turned-over
plow slice. Complete application kits are available from sev
eral manufacturers.
Higher starter fertilizer applications can be safely used
if you have a planter with an offset fertilizer boot rather
than the old split-boot type. Phosphate and potash are most
important in starter fertilizer if you have plowed down
some nitrogen or plan to make a sidedress application later.
Normally starter phosphate should be at least 50? water
soluble to get the plants off to a fast start.
Nitrogen needs of the com plant are highest during mid
summer. Applied during the latter part of June, you’ll get
much more complete use and lend the most help to potential
yields. Remember for each 100 bushels of corn per acre the
plants need about 150 pounds of nitrogen, 70 to 75 pounds
of potash and about 25 pounds of phosphate. Make sure
your fertilizer applications are high enough to make this
amount available to the plants during the growing season.
Most soils respond favorably to fertilizer applied at plant
ing. But fit the rate and analysis to your soils. The best way
of knowing what your particular needs are is through a soil
test. Since starter fertilizers are high in phosphate and pot
ash the needs of most soils can be met by them. Without
sufficient phosphorous and potassium in the soil, plants are
not able to make full use of nitrogen.
that’s almost
:' possible to plug!
New Idea Hay Conditioner’s Free
flow DESIGN has a more aggressive, plug-free
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up roll with staggered flutes that are tapered
at the end.
The result: you get faster, more even curing
and leafier hay in at least one less day. Yet the
tender touch of this conditioner means less dam
age to the leaves, less leaf loss.
Balanced for easy one-man hook-up, New Idea
Hay Conditioner can be hitched behind a New
Idea semi-mounted mower for once-over mowing
and conditioning. Rock-proof roll design kicks
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to feed through without damaging rolls.
See your New Idea dealer today for the hay
conditioner that’s next to impossible to plug. Or
mail the coupon for free literature on New Idea
Hay Conditioners and the free Hay Conditioning
Profit Calculator.
i-1
I New Idea, Dept. 167
I Coldwater, Ohio
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