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Does using grain precleaners make economic sense?

Description

Reports on research conducted to determine if using grain precleaners makes economic sense. Results show that using grain precleaners to improve the grade of grain they are shipping does provide a... More ≫

Description

Reports on research conducted to determine if using grain precleaners makes economic sense. Results show that using grain precleaners to improve the grade of grain they are shipping does provide a positive economic benefit. However, there is a net economic disadvantage to using the precleaner to remove dockage in an attempt to reduce freight costs on grain with average dockage levels.

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Development of livestock feeding systems for grain screenings

Description

Grain companies and seed cleaning plants are making grain screenings available to livestock producers as feed. But to optimize the nutrient value to animals, processing by grinding or rolling is... More ≫

Description

Grain companies and seed cleaning plants are making grain screenings available to livestock producers as feed. But to optimize the nutrient value to animals, processing by grinding or rolling is required. In addition, grain and weed seeds must be rendered nonviable. This research update looks at the viability of using grain screenings from seed cleaning operations and grain elevators as an economical livestock feed.

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Modeling and comparing whole crop harvesting systems

Description

Presents the results of a 1997 examination of harvest methods to assess their suitability for whole-crop harvesting. The project examined the performance of a relatively new harvest technique... More ≫

Description

Presents the results of a 1997 examination of harvest methods to assess their suitability for whole-crop harvesting. The project examined the performance of a relatively new harvest technique known as the stripper header. Five methods of harvesting, including the stripper header, were then examined for their ability to efficiently collect and process grain, chaff and straw. Costs and revenues for each method were determined, and a net harvest product value was determined for each system by subtracting the total operating costs from the value of the commodities produced. In general, it appears that the economics of the system improves as the amount of processing in the field is reduced.

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Does soil packing matter?

Description

Reports on a three-year field trial examining how the interaction of opener design, packer shape, and on-row packing pressure influence crop emergence and grain yield of wheat, canola and field... More ≫

Description

Reports on a three-year field trial examining how the interaction of opener design, packer shape, and on-row packing pressure influence crop emergence and grain yield of wheat, canola and field pea. Results show that the advantages of matching openers and packers were minor and would likely result in little economic significance to most farmers.

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Using straw as a farm heating fuel

Description

Burning straw for recovery of heat energy is a viable alternative use using excess straw produced on Prairie farms. This project included a review of existing straw burning technology, a survey of... More ≫

Description

Burning straw for recovery of heat energy is a viable alternative use using excess straw produced on Prairie farms. This project included a review of existing straw burning technology, a survey of those currently heating with straw, monitoring of two on-farm straw burning installations, and a quick look at the economic feasibility of changing to a straw burning heating system.

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Post-emergent swine manure injection on cereal crops

Description

With increased hog production in Western Canada, manure is becoming a valuable fertilizer source to farms that are near hog operations. Most swine manure is applied to annual cropland in the fall... More ≫

Description

With increased hog production in Western Canada, manure is becoming a valuable fertilizer source to farms that are near hog operations. Most swine manure is applied to annual cropland in the fall or spring of each year. This study looked at the possible benefits of extending the application season to include manure injection at the post-emergent crop stage. It was found that post-emergent, low-disturbance injection of swine manure on wheat was an effective and economic means of boosting grain protein. However, late manure application, after the wheat was past the 3-leaf state, resulted in potential yield loss due to coulter injection and wheel track damage.

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