Banner Graphic, Volume 20, Number 173, Greencastle, Putnam County, 28 March 1990 — Page 7

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Former Putnam County Extension Agent Kenneth W. Harris (right) is presented the Friend of Agriculture Award during the March 20 Ag Day breakfast at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Putnam County farmer Bill Rowings presents the plaque, commemorating Hams’ ag-related endeavors. Harris, Route 1, Greencastle, has been involved in a number of agriculture-related ac-

Market reports INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Estimated prices Tuesday at Indianapolis area elevators: Corn No. 2 yellow: 2.392.56, new 2.25-2.41. Soybeans No. 1 yellow: 5.76-5.89; new 5.88-6.07. Wheat No. 2 soft red: New 3.01-3.21. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana direct hog market at 70 yards and markets Tuesday. Barrows and gilts: Steady to 50 cents lower. Demand moderate. US 1-2 220-260 lbs 51.50- few plant delivered early to 53.00; 210220 lbs 50.00-51.75. US 1-3 210-260 lbs 50.00-52.00. Sows: Under 500 lbs steady to 50 cents higher; over 500 lbs firm. US 1-3 300-500 lbs 40.0043.50, few 44.00; 500-650 lbs 43.00-48.00. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Hogs 600. Barrows and gilts moderate active, firm to 25 cents higher. US 1-3 230-260 lbs 53.25-53.50 with many at 53.50. US 2-3 250-270 lbs 52.50Sows: Weak to 1.00 lower on unlimited supply. US 1-3 445 lbs 44.00; 540-570 lbs 46.00; 650 lbs 51.00. Boars: Over 350 lbs 42.00. Cattle: 750. Compared to last week, slaughter steers fully 1.00 higher. Slaughter heifers firm to 1.00 higher. Slaughter cows 1.00 higher. Slaughter bulls steady on unlimited supply. Supply, select and choice slaughter steers, 35 percent heifers, 12 percent cows. Holsteins: Choice 2-3 12201375 lbs 72.25-73.75. Mixed, select and choice 2-3 11751390 lbs 67.75-70.00.

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tivities since his high school days in Knightsville. He is a former president of the Indiana State Fair Board and helped arrange for the present location of the Putnam County Fairgrounds. A building on the fairgrounds, Harris Hall, is named in his honor. (Banner-Graphic photo by Gary Goodman).

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Purdue ag alumni set pair of get-togethers

Putnam County Purdue School of Agriculture alumni have two opportunites in April to get together. AG ALUMNI FROM the ninecounty West Central Region will meet at 6:30p.m. April 5 at the Waterwheel Restaurant in Brazil. Former U.S. Sen. Birch Bayh, a native of western Indiana and now of Washington, D.C., will be the featured speaker. The meeting will also be the last appearance at a West Central Ag Alumni banquet by Purdue Ag Alumni Executive Secretary Mauri Williamson. Williamson is retiring in June after 30 years of service to the Ag Alumni organization. CLOSER TO HOME, the Putnam County Chapter of the Purdue Ag Alumni will meet at 6:30 p.m. April 16 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Special guest speaker will be Dr. John Hicks, former Ag School professor and retired vicepresident of Purdue University.

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Hunting SeasonOn These Opens Early Thisfer Hunting season for weeds in soybeans opens early this year. With an early application of DuaFherbicide, you can take aim at weeds before they get away. Just apply Dual up to 30 ™ days prior to planting. Early spring rains start the weed-controlling power of Dual. jtjjSSjjl You’ll stop weeds dead in their tracks. Ask us how to take aim with Dual 1 <ijg|S this season. Hidland CO-OP INC. || Dual ’ is a trademark .4 CIBA-GBGY Corporator RUSSELLVILLE PLANT FOOD Railroad Street, Russellville, IN

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BIRCH BAYH To speak at Brazil

Williamson will also be a part of the festivities. Tickets and more information concering these events can be obtained at the Putnam County Extension Office, 653-8411.

Super-early corn planting really an Indiana option?

By TIM YINGST Extension Agent—Ag Memories of last year’s unusually wet planting season continue to haunt many com producers throughout the state as they look ahead to 1990. The fear that similar wet weather and delayed plantings might occur again is causing some growers to consider unusually early com planting in late March and early April if soil conditions permit in order to avoid possible rainy periods during the more typical late April and early May planting season. IS SUPER-EARLY com planting a valid management option for the Indiana com grower? Let’s look at some of the determining factors. Soil temperatures: The primary factor determining whether com should be planted extremely early is soil temperature. Modem hybrids germinate at temperatures as low as 45 to 50 degrees F, but germination at these temperatures is not as rapid or as uniform as that occuring at higher temperatures. Subsequent seedling growth at these low temperatures is also not rapid or uniform. As mentioned in past articles, uneven stand establishment in com can lead to sub-

Managing pH in no-till system can require close monitoring

By DORIS D. SCULLY Soil Conservationist A soil becomes more acidic when base nutrients are removed more rapidly than weathered minerals can replace them. Now we might ask “what factors will accelerate this process?” APPLICATION of nitrogen fertilizers accelerates the lowering of soil pH. The problem is found most often where nitrogen has been broadcasted on the surface in a continuous no-till com system, and there is no soil mixing as in conventional tillage, causing the surface layer to become more acidic in the top two inches. When the surface does become acidic, it can tie up nutrients. In addition, triazine herbicides may be deactivated by low soil pH, which

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stantial (7to 20 percent) yield losses. IN ADDITION, EVEN though recent warm spells have raised minimum soil temperatures into the 50s in many areas of the state, cold snaps such as that experienced early this week quickly lower minimum soil temperatures back into the low 40s or high 30s. Ungerminated com kernels or young seedlings will basically stand still at these temperatures, providing more opportunities for insect or disease damage to occur. Spring frost risk: In addition to the cold stress imposed on com planted extremely early, the

are important in no-till weed control. Before going into no-till, make sure the pH level of the whole plow layer is greater than 6.0. To determine the lime required that raises the pH level, soil tests are taken. Testing should be done the first year of no-till and every 2-3 years thereafter. With no-till a soil sample must be taken at 0-2 inches. A separate sample should be taken at 2-8 inches. This is different than the samples taken for conventional tillage where only one sample is taken due to the mixing of soil during discing and other tillage practices. Always apply nitrogen below the surface. Once we have established an adequate level of pH, a good rule to follow is

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March 28,1990 THE BANNERGRAPHIC

seedlings also face increased risk from severe spring frosts. The current 30-day forecast (Midwest Ag Weather Service) is calling for above normal temperatures through mid-April. However, that does not mean that several nights of temperatures in the mid-teens cannot occur during that period. While surface frost itself has little influence on com seedling survivability, low air temperatures of that magnitude could easily penetrate the upper few inches of soil and damage or kill the growing point of the com seedlings. BOTTOM LINE: Don’t manage your com crop based on what happened last year. Unless you have evidence to the contrary, assume a normal spring and normal acceptable planting dates. Be prepared (equipment, seed, chemicals) to hit the fields when soil and weather conditions permit. Begin planting com after midApril (early April in southwest Indiana) when minimum soil temperatures reach 50 degrees or higher. Attempt to plant the bulk of your com acreage during late April and early May when soil temperatures are closer to being ideal.

to lime half as much, twice as often. LIME SHOULD be applied in the fall after harvest to give it time to neutralize soil acidity over the winter. In a corn-soybean rotation, applying lime after com and ahead of soybeans offers the best oppor- : tunity for any mixing with the coulter action of the no-till drill. : Also, soybeans response to lime is usually greater than that of com. In conclusion, a little more management and a closer monitor-; ing will be required in managing ; pH for a no-till system. However, in the long run those management skills will pay off with the nutrients and organic matter built up as a result of the reduced erosion in notill.

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