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Resolve to
Improve Farming Practices in 2013
By Sam Custer
OSU Extension, Darke County
New Year's resolutions aren't just for those who are overweight,
sedentary or struggling to break a bad habit. Farmers can resolve to
avoid poor management practices or implement better production
techniques in 2013.
Steve Leer, communications consultant/senior writer for Purdue
University’s AgComm news and public affairs and publishing units,
collected farmer resolutions from Purdue University crop, livestock and
agricultural economics specialists. Those resolutions, and specialist
comments about them, are:
Bob Nielsen, Extension corn specialist
* Resolve to improve hybrid decision-making. "Look for hybrids that not
only have high yield potential but also a demonstrated ability to
consistently achieve that potential across a wide range of growing
conditions, because you cannot predict what 2013 will bring in terms of
weather."
* Resolve to spend more time in the fields with the crops. "This will
help you better identify the yield influencing factors most important
to your farming operation. Then work with your advisor(s) to develop
strategies to begin managing those factors."
* Resolve to work toward improving the overall efficiency of your
nitrogen management program. "Take steps to reduce the risks of N loss,
such as leaching, denitrification and volatilization."
Shaun Casteel, Extension soybean specialist
* Resolve to read the variety tag. "Seed size varies from year to year.
The drought conditions - timing and duration - have impacted seed size
- small and large - germination and vigor. Your planter settings and
seeding rates need to be adjusted accordingly."
* Resolve to take stand counts. "Plant populations of 100,000 to
120,000 plants per acre optimize return in investment. Early season
stand counts provide the opportunity to verify your seeding rates and
emergence potential. You will also be scouting the field for pressures
of weeds and pests."
* Resolve to harvest grain above 13 percent moisture. "We are losing
out on a portion of our yield when we harvest below 13 percent. Note
that this might mean having to set the combine multiple times based on
the toughness of the stem and ease of pod threshing. You will gain
yield in water weight and reduce the losses due to dry grain and header
loss."
Keith Johnson, Extension forage specialist
* Resolve to sample soils for nutrient levels. "Follow through with the
addition of limestone and fertilizer recommended by the test. The
application of a blended fertilizer like 12-12-12 and calling this your
fertilizer program is not a wise decision."
* Resolve to scout fields. "Do this weekly to determine the well being
of the growing forages. Evaluate grazing pressure, presence of pests -
weeds, insects and disease - and possible nutrient deficiency symptoms."
* Resolve to evaluate the possibility of grazing corn residues in the
early fall. "This can reduce feed cost substantially for beef and sheep
producers."
Ron Lemenager, Extension beef specialist
* Resolve to take feed samples and have them analyzed for nutrient
content. "Work with a nutritionist to formulate rations that will
minimize cost and optimize performance."
* Resolve to adjust rations for cold stress, to minimize losses in
weight and body condition. "For each 10-degree drop in wind chill
factor below 30 degrees, the maintenance energy requirements increase
by 13 percent for cows in moderate body conditioned with a dry, winter
hair coat and 30 percent for thin cows or cows with a wet or summer
hair coat."
* Resolve to create a business plan of where you want to go and how you
plan to get there. "It can help not only when you go to the bank for a
loan, but also when the IRS does an audit."
Brian Richert, Extension swine specialist
* Resolve to closely monitor your feeding program, since feed is 70
percent of your swine costs. "This includes sticking to your feed
budgets, being vigilant in your feeder adjustments, monitoring your
feed particle size and analyzing your feed ingredients. Analyzing your
feed ingredients is critical when you feed more byproducts with their
increased variability, and with a bad growing season this year even our
corn and soybean meal needs to be analyzed."
* Resolve to collect and use records. "You should be culling the
lowest-producing females, monitoring drug use, conducting timely
euthanasia and evaluating all your costs across all phases of
production."
* Resolve to re-evaluate vaccination and medication plans. "Meet with
your herd veterinarian to ensure they are meeting your herd's health
needs."
Chris Hurt, Extension agricultural economist
* Resolve to never say, "It can't happen to me." "The 2012 drought was
a stark reminder that bad outcomes can come to our farms and
businesses. Evaluate and use the tools to help reduce the terrible
financial consequences that can come from bad outcomes. Start with a
re-evaluation of crop insurance alternatives."
* Resolve to make 2013 a learning year. "New technology is coming at us
quickly. There will be a new farm bill to learn about. Tax laws will
likely change. New farm products are emerging. Brand new opportunities
will be presenting themselves. Be sure to commit time to increasing
your knowledge and to the improvement of your decision-making skills."
* Resolve to review your family's succession plan and update your
estate plan. "Even if you have a great plan, remember the laws are
changing. At the very least, learn about those changes and how they
affect your plan. If you don't have a plan, the new laws will give you
a great reason to get started."
Other crop and livestock management tips are available at Purdue's
Agricultural Producers information page,
https://ag.purdue.edu/pages/producers-index.aspx. The Ohio State
University and Purdue University partner in extension to bring current
agriculture research to the communities in our states.
For more detailed information, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web
site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page
or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.
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