Re: Question on maize growing IA Gary

Posted by RodInNS on May 31, 2007 at 10:12:51 from (24.224.246.156):

In Reply to: Re: Question on maize growing IA Gary posted by Gerald J. on May 31, 2007 at 09:52:49:

We're talking about very low heat unit corn here; not what you're growing. I'm accostomed to dealing with Corn Heat Units, and our rating here in Cape Breton is anywhere between 2000-2400. TO give some perspective, Southern Ontario is around 3000, or more.... and you're probably up well over 4000 I'm guessing. I'd think this is something like 70 days maturity.
I'll see if I can scrounge up some pictures of the operation soon.... but basically, the corn is planted, sprayed, and covered in a 10 micron bio/photo degradable plastic mulch in one pass. The planter uses Kverneland vacuum metering units and a small Hardi sprayer built in, and then a standard plastic applicator on behind. The plastic also has pinholes arranged in strips over the rows. When the corn gets to the 6 leaf stage or therabouts, on a good hot day it jumps up through the plastic.

The biggest downside of this system is the cost of the plastic. Right now it's running at about 175 per acre... but hopefully they can get that down. Last year, in our area it took 12 tonne corn crops to 18 tonne per acre crops (silage), and boosted the starch content of that feed significantly. So, it's a high input system, but when you sit down and run the numbers, it will pay.

Rod

Replies:

• Re: Question on maize growing IA Gary Gerald J. 10:58:05 05/31/07 (1)
  • Re: Question on maize growing IA Gary RodInNS 13:53:34 05/31/07 (0)
• Check the Link... RodInNS 10:16:41 05/31/07 (0)

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