Banner Graphic, Volume 15, Number 2, Greencastle, Putnam County, 5 September 1984 — Page 9

Putnam Farm Scene

Several factors involved in wheat crop planning

By MARK LEGAN Extension Agent-Ag Each year Putnam County farmers plant almost 7,000 acres of wheat. While we are still about a month away from the common seeding date, many producers are starting to make their plans for this year’s crop. Improved varieties and management practices have caused wheat yields to consistently increase over the past few years. Even with recent stagnated prices, many farmers still choose to plant some wheat each year for other benefits (i.e., double cropping, straw, a place to spread summer manure and even for a feed grain). EVEN WITH THE improved varieties, no one wheat has all the most desirable characteristics; rather, each has certain advantages. Winter hardiness, date of maturity, yielding ability, straw strength, grain quality, Hessian fly and disease resistance all must be considered in choosing a variety. Most public and private varieties are evaluated annually by Purdue University at various locations throughout Indiana. A summary of test results for up to five years is presented in a publication entitled, “Performance of Public and Private Small Grain Varieties,” available now from the Putnam County Extension Office. The data collected includes yield, test weight, plant height, date headed, per cent lodged and winter kill.

U.S. farm exports to Soviets push to near-record $2.3 billion

WASHINGTON (AP) - Shipments of U.S. agricultural commodities to the Soviet Union are expected to reach a nearrecord value of $2.3 billion this fiscal year, more than double what they were in 198283, according to preliminary estimates by the Agriculture Department. The value of farm exports to the Soviet Union last year was only $983 million, less than half 1981-82’s $2.3 billion mark, says a recent analysis by USDA’s Economic Research Service. Soviet purchases of corn and wheat have been heavy this summer, although most of the grain has been for delivery in the new fiscal year that will begin on Oct. 1. The value figures used in the agency’s report are for products actually shipped during a year. But unfortunately for American far-

'Agricultural policy must wean farmers from subsidies, help them compete'

WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) - The United States needs an agricultural policy that will wean farmers away from subsidies and help the industry compete in a world marketplace, the nation’s chief agricultural economist says. Assistant U.S. Agriculture Secretary William Lesher said the nation can’t afford to have the same agricultural policy it had in the 1930 s to continually increase government farm price supports. “Down deep, farmers don’t want government in their business. They want to produce and sell for the market so that they can make a profit, period,” he told reporters Tuesday. “And I think that if we didn’t have the embargoes, if we didn’t have the other government actions that really stopped farmers from having the free market, they would be in better shape,” he added. “So if we ever get back to there, farmers are going to be happy, the federal government is going to be happy and we’re all going to be one big happy family.” Lesher, formerly with Purdue University, noted that U.S. farm subsidies went from $3 billion a year in the 1970 s to a high of sl9 billion in fiscal year 1983 before falling to $lO billion in fiscal year 1984 a combination of the “payment in kind’ program and the drought.

Crop insurance deadline is Sept. 30

Sept. 30 is the last day to apply for Federal Crop Insurance for wheat and barley in Indiana, according to Harlan Stull, District Director of the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. (FCIC). “Today’s Crop Insurance can be tailormade to meet protection needs against adverse growing conditions for a variety of individual farmers,’’ Stull said. “By

GIRTON RENTS: ••Backhoe* • Bobcat* • Trencher* • Forklift* • Compreitor* • Poit-Hole Digger* Hourly, Daily. Weekly or Monthly ih Girton Implement Co. U S. 40 E. Brazil 81 2-443-427 1 Mon. Sat. 8 to 5

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Mark Legan

It is recommended that wheat be seeded within two weeks following the Hessian flyfree date, Oct. 1 for most of the county. Planting before this date not only heightens susceptibility to fly damage, but also leads to excessive fall growth, which could result in winter kill and may increase the presence and severity of several diseases. WITH THE IMPROVED disease and insect resistance of the new varieties, seed certification is very important. Bin seed saved for planting should be from a high quality crop with no disease problems. Seed treatment provides added insurance. Wheat has normally been planted at a rate of lVfe-2 bushels per acre. However, with good seedbed conditions, planting equipment and seed quality, many producers now find 1-IV 4 bushels per acre adequate.

mers, the huge jump in sales to the Soviets this year does not represent a worldwide boom of the same magnitude. Total farm exports are up, but only by about 9 percent from the depressed level of 1982-83. According to USDA records, the $983 million in U.S. agricultural exports to the Soviet Union in 1982-83 was the lowest value in nine years. In the 1980 fiscal year which included the partial embargo imposed by then-President Carter exports to the Soviet Union totaled $1.52 billion. In fiscal 1981, which included the remainder of the embargo ordered by Carter as a penalty for Soviet action in Afghanistan, exports were valued at $1.71 billion. The record value of U.S. commodity shipments to the Soviet Union was $2.32 billion in the 1981-82 fiscal year.

WILLIAM LESHER 'One big happy family'

In a speech to farmers, Lesher said one option for American agricultural policy is to continue as it has been since 1933, with payments to compensate farmers, for the difference between the cost of producing their crops and the price they can get for them on the open market. “It’s not going to happen,” he said, “because we can’t afford it. We’re not going to spend S2O billion a year on farm price supports ad infinitum.” Another option, he said, is increased government involvement in the farm industry, with production quotas and the like. “I’ve heard more farmers talking about mandatory controls and government involvement recently than in a long, long time,” he said. But Lesher predicted that government-

choosing Crop Insurance protection, farmers may close the gap between planting and harvest by minimizing problems which prevent completion of a successful growing season.” Now marketed through private insurance agents and companies, the Crop Insurance program has been renovated to

PUTNAM COUNTY CATTLEMEN Annual Picnic Sunday, Sept. 16 at i :oo p.m. Location Jack Hayman Farm, R.R. 1 Cloverdale Please Bring Covered dish, table service, family Meat (Huge Roast Beef), Drinks, and Bread Furnished Charlie Tomaw, Fret. Gene Milner, Treasurer DeWayne Cottin, V. Pret. Dan Hutcheson, Secretary Mark Legan, Advisory Director Gene Beck, Director

In the past, to many farmers, wheat fertilization has meant just nitrogen. But phosphorus and potassium also are very important, especially when doublecropping soybeans. Fertilizer rates for these nutrients should be based on a current soil test plus expected yield goal. Nitrogen rates should be based on expected yield goals and soil texture. Nitrogen can be applied at seeding time or topdressed, or both, for best results. Topdressing should be done as close as possible to the time regrowth begins in the spring, but can be applied up to heading time, in which case the form of nitrogen is limited to prevent burning. AN ALTERNATIVE to topdressing wheat is to fall apply all of the nitrogen in an ammonium form with a nitrification inhibitor. Research has shown that annhydrous ammonia with an inhibitor injected at a 15- to 20-inch spacing results in yields as good as or better than topdressing in most years. For producers wanting a good wheat crop it is important that proven wheat management practices are applied. Selecting the right variety, establishing a good stand and fertlizing properly are the key ingredients to realizing high yields year after year. In addition to the variety trials publication, AV-244 “Wheat Production and Fertilization in Indiana” is available at the Extension Office. Both are free.

Values are not adjusted for inflation and often reflect sharp changes in U.S. commodity prices. For example, total farm exports to all countries are expected to increase to S3B billion this fiscal year, reversing a two-year slide from earlier record levels. But the actual quantity, which rose to more than 160 million metric tons in the peak years of 1979-81, will be down again to around 141 million tons. The outlook for 1984-85 is for another dip in export value but probably some gain in the quantity shipped. According to department records, U.S. commodity exports to the Soviet Union total about sl9 billion over the last two decades. About sl6 billion of that has been since 1975.

imposed curbs on marketing would hurt the United States eventually in international markets "because we are not the only ones who can produce food and fiber.” Lesher said he is convinced that farmers must go to a more market-oriented approach if the industry is to survive and flourish. “I’m an optimist, or I wouldn’t be the chief economist for the Department of Agriculture,” he said, getting laughs from his audience. Lesher said there may have to be a transition program to wean farmers away from the current supports and steer them toward a “more market-oriented agriculture but with compassion.” Lt. Gov. John M. Mutz, the state’s agriculture commissioner, said that one of the things that will help make farmers more efficient is research. And he said the state should consider making up any federal cuts in agricultural research funds for Purdue. Mutz estimated that the cost to the state would be about $400,000 in the coming twoyear budget cycle. “Agricultural research is so important to our future in this state that I would expect the Legislature to keep that program whole,” he said.

be more responsive to the needs of farmers, Stull said. Information about agents is available at the Putnam County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Office. The Federal Crop Insurance Corp. is an agency of the US. Department of Agriculture.

INDIANAPOLIS <AP> - Hogs 1,000. Barrows and gilts slow, 1.752.00 lower than last Thursday. US 1-2 215-255 lbs 49.00-49.50. US 1-3 220-255 lbs 48.00-49.00. Sows: Moderately active; over 450 lbs steady, instances 50 cents higher; under 400 lbs 50 cents to 1.00 lower. US 1-3 350-400 lbs 39.50-40.00, 450-600 lbs 44.00-48.50. Cattle: 1,200. In early trading compared with last Tuesday,

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Livestock, grain markets

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September 5,1984, The Putnam County Banner-Graphic

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1025 lbs 56.50-61.50. Slaughter cows: Breaking utility and commerical 3-4 39.00-41.25, high dressing 43.00-44.25. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Grain prices Tuesday at Indianapolis area elevators: Corn No. 2 yellow shelled 2.94-3.08; fall 2.60-2.71; Jan 85 2.732.80. Oats No. 2 white 2.00. Soybeans No. 1 yellow 6.12-6.14; fall 5.93-6.13; Jan 85 6 21-6.27. Wheat, No. 2 soft red 3.10-3.34.

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