2013 SPRING
4
Pralle’s Machine & Welding • Complete line of sprayer parts • Roller chain • Bolts, belts & bearings • Hydraulic hose • Steel Servicing sprayer pumps & monitors, repairing hydraulic hoses. General fabrication & welding.
Coulter, IA
641-866-6889
300 Central Ave. W. • HAMPTON • 641-456-3077
Nutrena, Purina, Kent, Moorman, Vita-Ferm, Big Gain, Progressive Nutrition, Sentinel, Showmaster, Buckeye, Triple Crown, Golden Sun Dealer
Farm Supplies • Animal Health Speedrite and Gallagher Fencing • Werkweld Forage and Dairyland Seed • Show Supplies
We can feed whatever you have! AgVantage FS 1327 Olive Ave Hampton, Iowa Your local FS Crop Specialist Keith Pillatzki is passionate about the business of farming. He sees every day as another opportunity to help you improve your farming operation. With a wide range of expertise, and all the latest production tools such as FS GREEN PLAN Solutions, Keith identifies yield-limiting factors and develops recommendations.
Office Phone: 641-456-2571 Keith Pillatzki Crop Specialist Cell: 515-689-6205
Keith Pillatzki is second to none in offering the best integrated solutions. Contact him today at 515-689-6205.
FARM
Drought has affected nitrogen levels
Drought causing Vitamin
A
deficiency
in calves
T
he drought of 2012 has likely increased the carryover of nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N) into the 2013 season, according to field agronomists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. In addition to less nitrogen being used by last year’s crop, the reduced rainfall in 2012 resulted in less nitrate leaving the soil through leaching and de-nitrification (loss by gas into the atmosphere). “It is common for about 40 to 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre to carry over from one season to the next, but soil samples taken in the fall of 2012 indicate that we have fields this year that may have over 100 pounds per acre of nitrogen carried over from last year,” said Jim Fawcett, ISU Extension field agronomist. “This provides farmers with the opportunity to cut their nitrogen rates this spring unless we have an unusually wet spring.”
I
Fawcett recommends growers pull some soil samples this spring to estimate the carryover. Before any spring nitrogen is applied, take the following steps to estimate sample on an area of nitrate-N carryover: no more than 10 to 20 acres. Mix thoroughly 1. Pull 1-foot soil sam- and send a subsample ples to at least a 2-foot (standard soil sample depth (0-1 foot and 1-2 size) to the lab to test foot) before the spring for nitrate. Multiple N is applied. A 3-foot samples per field depth is preferable. should be collected. Pull 15-30 cores per 2. Take the soil test result (ppm nitrate-N) times four to calculate pounds per acre of N.
We’re More Than a Bank...We’re Your Ag Experts! At First Citizens, we’re here to help you with seasonal operating lines, land purchases, farm improvements and equipment purchases. Sam Rasmussen is our ag expert in Latimer, stop in or give him a call today! Also, we now offer ID TheftSmart ...ask how it protects your identity whether you’re in the field, working in the shop or just relaxing after a long day! Not able to make it to the bank? Sign up online!
Sam Rasmussen VP, Loan Officer
May 15, 2013 • Section C
www.firstcitizensnb.com First Citizens National Bank 119 North Akir • Latimer, IA 50452 641-579-6240
5. Regardless of lab results, apply no less than 50 pounds per acre if no N has been applied, to account for field variability.
owa State University Extension and Outreach beef veterinarian Grant Dewell said effects of last year’s drought are evident at the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the form of an increasing number of calves with vitamin A deficiency. The 2012 drought and subsequent low-quality hay supplies for winter feeding mean cows don’t have normal liver stores of vitamin A, and without supplementation cows will potentially be deficient in vitamin A. That can lead to a variety of calf health problems, Dewell said. “Typically, calves have been submitted with a history of being either stillborn or weak at birth. Some veterinarians have reported blindness, neurologic signs or diarrhea that can also be associated with vitamin A deficiency,” he said. “Severe vitamin A deficiency can result in abnormal bone development in fetal calves. Other calves may be born weak and fail to thrive. Additionally, poor immune function can lead to increased infectious disease incidence,” he said. Dewell recommended that cows receive supplemental Vitamin A either orally or by injections. Calves may benefit from an injection of vitamin A at birth and potentially a second dose in two to three weeks, especially if cows have not been supplemented.
“If farmers are not able to do the soil sampling, I would recommend that they at least cut back their nitrogen rates to be on the low end of the range of recommended rates,” said Fawcett. “If we fail to account for this carryover nitrogen and put on a full nitrogen rate this spring, it may result in increased nitrate losses in 2013 and future years.”
3. Add up the N in each foot and subtract the “normal” carryover N (40 pounds per acre for 2 foot depth and 50 pounds per acre for 3 foot depth).
One tool is the corn nitrogen rate calculator found at http://extension. agron.iastate.edu/soilfertility/nrate. aspx. For more information, contact your ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist; field agronomists are listed at http://www.extension. iastate.edu/ag/field-agronomists.
4. Subtract the carryover N from your usual N rate.
ISU Extension and Outreach resources for crop-related issues during a drought can be found at www. extension.iastate.edu/topic/recovering-disasters.
THE FARM & COMMUNITY
Member FDIC
HEITLAND-MARSHALL CONSTRUCTION
BULLDOZER
DUMP TRUCKS
BACKHOE
Butch Marshall 456-3231 • 641-430-4947
221 3rd Avenue SW Hampton, IA
Working with the Soil Conservation Office
We have the personnel and machines for any job! All of our machinery is designed specifically for the job!
A manufacturing division of Winfield Solutions, a Land O’Lakes Company
may we grow together. 641-456-2500
1280 Imperial Road | Hampton | Iowa, 50441
KEEP YOUR FARM RUNNING SMOOTHLY If your equipment i t is i nott working ki properly, l it can costt a greatt deal d l to t repairi or replace l it, it nott to t mention ti the time it takes. For those situations when maintenance is necessary, call on us. Fast Service • Reasonable Shop Rates • Open Saturday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. • DOT Inspections Full Service • Cars • Trucks • SUVs • Vans • Tractors • Combines • All Farm Implements Up to date Computer Diagnostics for gas & diesel engines • Alignments Authorized dealer for General & Continental (Tires) • Just installed an alignment machine
All Makes of Combine & Tractors • We do everything for your farm.
BRENT’S REPAIR AUTO & TRUCK
Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5 • Saturday 8-12
641-456-5297 Brent Kotenbrink, Owner
1683 B Hwy. 65 North • Hampton, Iowa