Kent's Korner for April 1999

TSM Logo April 1999

[Previous Article] [Back] [Next Article]

Kent's Korner

By Kent Durbin, President
TSM Services, Inc.

Does it seem to you that the clock speeds up each year? Or am I getting slower each year that I get older? Are you ready for spring? We seem to have a lot of irons in the fire. Pit Boss, the product for controlling manure odor, is catching on fast. We are in the process of getting the marketing rights in several states. If you would like information on Pit Boss, just give us a call.

The TSM2000 program is progressing along. It is so exciting to think that there is a possibility of a 48 to 72 hour turn around for recommendations. Send off your soil samples today and get recommendations either tomorrow or the next day.

Many requests were received for the crop production costs spreadsheets. If you received them, I hope you are using them. Remember that it is better to reduce your fertilizer usage than eliminate it altogether, even for one year. Anything that reduces yield will cost the farmer a "bundle". Our research shows that TSM has the ability to maintain a higher yield under a reduced fertilizer usage program.

Does tiling pay? How long would it take to pay for tiling? Gary Grimm has been doing some extensive studying on this very topic. One of his projects normalized yield in 2 years. Ask Gary how we can help you normalize your yield. You might want to start out by asking Gary what normalization means.

As if I needed another project, I started on a new fertility program for turf and golf courses. Did you know that all turf and golf course programs are what I call "Cosmetic Fertilization". They either treat symptoms and/or try to prevent symptoms. Does balancing fertility not work for turf and golf courses? Balancing fertility would probably make the turf healthier, lower the stress level under abnormal conditions, require less water for irrigation, reduce the use of pesticides, less time is spent in treating problem areas, very early green-up in the spring and generally makes it prettier to the naked eye. Are any of these things important?

I am still waiting on someone who is interested in processing dry manure so that it can be mixed with fertilizer. I will make you money! I have been spending some time trying to make a manure management program that is generic and meets all states and etc. I gave up on it! Should manure be applied on every acre regardless of soil test? Illinois says its okay. Manure management programs should be split between (1) a balanced fertility and (2) a waste disposal plan. Putting manure on every acre regardless of soil test without balancing all the nutrients is a disaster waiting to happen. If a balanced fertility program (MEY) has a point where no more commercial fertilizer can be applied, then there should be a point where no more manure can be applied also. Let's be consistent!