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Feed Corn project, need some info.

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Brent

02-13-2001 13:07:31




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I am considering putting out 10 acres of Feed Corn as a FFA project this spring and need some info. I am going to plant 40" rows about 6" apart which would give me a 26,000 plant population if I am not mistaken. A bushel of seed has 80,000 kernals and weighs about 56 lbs I think so I need to get 4-bags of seed with plenty extra, right? About how much does a bag of Pioneer seed run? What about lesser known or local brands? Pioneer seems to be the Cadillac of seed. I planted a little bit of seed that was 3 years old in early-July(just for fun) and nearly every one germinated. Shocked me. I am told to put down 400-500 lbs of granular fertilizer per acre and around how much does it cost a ton? What's best to put down? 12-12-12? My countys yield average is around 120-130 bu an acre if that helps. I have clay-loam soils on the eastern edge of the corn-belt. Herbicide costs about $20 an acre right? A custom guy sprays around here for $12-$14 an acre. Or should I cultivate since it's not that many acres? I have plenty of time to spend in the field. Luckily I have a great neighbor who will pick, then grind or shell the corn for me at a low cost. I put it into a mix for my hogs or take to the mill if the price is good. I was born on a sheep/corn/bean farm but had to move when I was 1 and lived in town until 3 years ago. Almost nobody I my family farms anymore and I think that's sad and feel I need to keep up the tradition. Dad probaly would have wanted to farm if the prices etc. weren't as bad as they were in the 80's I hear. Both of my Grandpas grew up on farms and could help me but one died when I was little and the other lives 2,500 miles away. I already have 2 tractors, plow,disk, 2 planters,etc. to do it with. Any other general advice or comments are welcome. Sorry about the length.

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Alvin

02-15-2001 17:36:10




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 Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to Brent , 02-13-2001 13:07:31  
If this is to be a FFA project, check with your AG. instructor , bout having your field for a test plot, contact all the seed dealers in the area to donate corn for the plot, useing all different kinds of corn.It will give them free advertizing, especally if the field is next to a hiway.When it is time to harvest get a weigh-wagon in to weigh and moisture test the grain, find out what the yield and acre cost is, maybe the FFA chapter could have a Brat and burger fry at the same time. Good Luck ,enjoy and don't get disappointed..

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ed

02-14-2001 19:58:25




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 Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to Brent , 02-13-2001 13:07:31  
Brent, My brother-in-law is a seed dealer here in NY. I know very little of the seed corn market as I am into the sweet corn to market "hobby". Your seed dealer may have some deal as to the plot used as a school project. I know in other types of businesses they offer school programs that either offer products at a reduced cost or at no cost (ie donations). I would call all the dealers up and have a program that I was very familar with. As you wrote you have the idea layed out very well. I would also present your plan out in letter form to you dealers and go from there. I know when growing corn weather plays a big role. Don't be discouraged with your first yeald, it may not live up to your expectations right away. I always look to it as the learning I never had. I hope this has been of some help. I would like to hear how the year went with your corn. I also perdict your corn to be 200 bu. Good luck and thanks for keeping farming alive for the future. ED
ps If this pays out with the dealers I would try the other businesses. My opinion would be to cultivate. I just like to ride on the tractor and see the results of my labor.

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Larry Ks

02-13-2001 23:17:03




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 Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to Brent , 02-13-2001 13:07:31  
Here is my 2cents worth. Go to the field with the intention of raising the best possible crop possible. If you start out trying to cut costs, you'll only hurt yourself in the long run. You want to buy the best imputs so you'll have everything in place to raise a great crop. I think the other guy gave you great advice on the soil test. You can have the herbicide and fertilizer put put on at the same time, by the custom applicator--go talk to them right now and find out what other farmers in your area are doing. Its gonna cost you some $$$ but, you gotta spend it to make it. I'd suggest you go with 30 inch rows, if you can adjust your planter and cultvitor to that row width. You'll gain quite a bit by doing that, although your neighbor who is harvesting it, may not be able to handle 30inch rows. Talk to him. I think you're on the right track, you may have to borrow some $$$ to put the crop in, but if you've got pretty good ground, then go for it. If I read what you're saying right, it sounds like you're planning on feeding cob meal to your hogs?? I've heard that hogs don't do so well on it---but I personally don't know. I think it might be great for sows, but as a finishing ration it might have too much bulk---check with your FFA teacher. I hope your project works out good for you, I was in FFA many years ago, and I sure got a lot of good out of it. I can tell you one thing from experience, if you cut back on the seed quality, and fertilizer and weed control, you'll probably have an ideal year (weather-wise) and you'll be kicking yourself for not giving it 100%, and then the next year you'll go the whole route, and have a medium or poor year. I personally think you've got to go to the field and give it your best shot, I think you'll come out ahead in the long run doing it that way. If there is a really good farmer right around you close, go and talk to him, I'd bet he'd be more than happy to help you. Let us know how your project turns out, it sure would be fun to see how it all works out for you. I hope you have 200 bushel corn!!

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paul

02-14-2001 12:06:26




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 Re: Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to Larry Ks, 02-13-2001 23:17:03  
I agree with much of what you said, but there are many seed companies out there. The big ones are into combine corn. If he is planning on cob picking it, why waste his money on Pioneer which might actually be a poor performer for him?

I pick some ear corn, and I have a lot of alkili/peat fields. There is a small family owned seed grower near me that sells their corn for $50 a bag. It yields the same in a poor year, and I am able to harvest more in a good year than my trials with Pioneer EVER have. Why? Pioneer drops its ears on my soils. Big yield - laying there on the ground. The negative to my local seed corn is that it does not dry down as well or quickly as the big brands. But, since I earcorn pick it, that's no problem to me.

So, a person needs to look at their situation, and spend wisely on inputs. I am far out and ahead buying $50 seed corn over Pioneer $120 seed. For me. I see this guy is a similar situation. If he were raising 3000 acres and combining it in a short harvest window & didn't have the Pioneer green-snap problems we've had around here 2 of the last 3 years, then yea go for Pioneer.

In his case, other options might be much better for him. Maybe I should have explained this better the first time. :)

I am not too familiar with hogs, but I wondered too about feeding ear corn these days?

--->Paul

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Larry Ks

02-14-2001 20:38:15




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 Re: Re: Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to paul, 02-14-2001 12:06:26  
You are probably right. Me? I'll take my chances on the home run.



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paul

02-15-2001 09:21:39




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to Larry Ks, 02-14-2001 20:38:15  
That's what it's all about - different ideas. :) If everybody farmed the same, we'd only need a few large farms....

Oh, wait a minute!!!! ..... :(

--->Paul



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paul

02-13-2001 18:53:34




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 Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to Brent , 02-13-2001 13:07:31  
I believe corn is sold by the count, 88,000 seeds in a bag, weight will be 40 - 50 lbs a bag. You might want to match your seed size to yor planter type.

I'd pay an average price for seed corn in your case, it will take a few years to get on the top of your yield game, and those high-priced seed only preform if you get everything else right...

--->Paul



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TomH

02-13-2001 15:54:17




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 Re: Feed Corn project, need some info. in reply to Brent , 02-13-2001 13:07:31  
Get a soil test, put on the sample that you are growing corn. They'll recommend how much of each nutrient you need. To cultivate or spray depends on the economic threshold of the various pests. Learn to recognize weeds and bugs and how much of each the crop can tolerate before control measure are cost effective. Here's a good place to start doing research, many of these are in pdf format that you can read online:

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