I am compelled to take issue about the story, “Cuts In The Cost Of Production” (page 58, January issue), by Ron Brunoehler.
We have an operation that raises corn-corn-soybeans. Our primary planting procedure is ridge planting. But it really got my attention when I got to the area of the article where it said it takes 6-7 bu/acre of beans to pay for typical herbicide costs. (I estimated bean prices at $5/bu, equaling $30-35/acre in herbicide costs.) I can see where those costs can be cut by a considerable amount.
In our case, we generally use herbicides that cost approximately $8/acre: $3/lb of 2,4-D applied 7-10 days ahead of planting and 1 qt Roundup as a post spray.
I agree that all these costs of equipment, chemicals, seed, fertilizer, herbicides and land all have to be addressed.
I hope these herbicide costs have caught your attention!
Robert Marisch
Spalding, NE
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