b'INSIDERS ADVICE FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTSPOTATO EQUIPMENTSuccessful Farmers Know An Ounce of PreventionDWIGHT PERKINS Service ManagerLOCKWOOD Manufacturinglockwoodmfg.comFunctional, well-maintained equipment canmissing parts. Next, grease the power take-off andthe highest likelihood of wear/breakage. Inspect to make the difference between farming successany bearings which require daily greasing. (Newerensure nothing is loose or hanging, the bearings and enormously costly misses, breakdowns andplanters grease manifolds make this step a wholeon disks dont wobble, the plastic tuber holders on losses. In the more than 35 years Ive spent in thelot easier.) Then, check tire pressure, taking a mo- individual rows arent broken, and the chains and equipment business, Ive found most farmers doment to inspect lug nuts for tightness and hubs tosprockets are all adequately tight. Have an extra a decent job of prepping their planters, harvestersensure they arent damaged or dragging debris.look at all the moving components of the roll unit and other equipment for winter storage, and ofMachines that still use kingpins should be bearing issues here are a very common issue. greasing, tuning and maintaining their machinesgreased first thing in the a.m. and again halfwayFinally, its time to turn your planter on. Take prior to use the next season. However, dont patthrough the day. This onerous maintenance will soona moment to listenair leaks, rubbing sounds, yourself on the back just yet. Ive also found farbe a thing of the past, todays newest machinessqueals, etc. should never be ignored or put off. With too many farmersId argue the vast majorityare shifting from kingpins to ball-joints. Ball-jointsthe machine running, do another check for hydraulicfall short on the regular in-field maintenancenot only come lubed for life, they also offer easierleaks, at the same time inspecting for hydraulic their equipment needs and deserves. To keep yoursteering, enhanced stability, less tire tread wear,hose bubbles or wear spots. Double inspecting may planter at its best this season andhopefully and better alignment of the tow and caster. seem tedious but its a whole lot better than missed long into the future, here are my top tips for dailyOnce the externally visible components areplantings, unnecessary wear on your machine, and planter maintenance.checked, its time to lift the planter. While fewleaked hydraulic fluid in the field. Before starting the machine up, do a walk- farmers do an adequate external check, even few- And then get planting. Best of luck this around checking for anything abnormal: hydraulicer check underneath, despite the fact that compo- season! leaks, loose hardware, bent or broken pieces,nents which come in contact with the ground have POTATO GROWTH REGULATORS AND SPROUT INHIBITORSSprouting: An Unnecessary Hit to your WalletBILL ORR Canada Technical Representative1, 4 Group14group.comIve heard growers say, literally countless times,regulations, North America often follows.a sprout suppressant alternative.1,4 DMN used Theyre just little sprouts. They arent a bigWhat other sprout suppressant options doas a stand-alone does require more than one deal. While its true that processors will often ac- farmers have?application for season-long sprout control.cept sprouts up to 1.5 inches, sprouting is actuallyThe easiestbut, of course, riskiest - optionOnce sprouting does begin, what options a big - and unnecessarydeal. Whereas a dormantis the do nothing approach. Some table and seedshould farmers consider? potato tuber is natures ideal moisture storagepotato growers who store at low temperature andSeveral effective rescue products do exist on mechanism, each sprout leaks moisture. The mathwho know they will sell early can occasionallythe market today. Smell continues to be an issue is simple: less moisture = less weight = lessget away with not applying any form of sproutfor some, but not all, of these products. 1,4 Zap, money. As such, any grower who wants to optimizeinhibitor or dormancy enhancer. Only those withavailable in Canada since September 2019, does a crops returns must prioritize sprout control! a very high tolerance for risk should consider thisnot have a scent issue and is safe for workers. In Currently, our industry relies heavily on CIPCoption. Note: tubers that go into storage stressedfact, 24 hours after a custom thermal fogging ap-for sprout control. And no wonder: so long as afrom poor growing or harvest conditions have aplication of 1,4 Zap, people in the storage building first application is applied by January 1, CIPCfar shorter natural storage season. Since 2019srequire no personal protective equipment. Expect a does an admirable job. That said, Europes recentharvest was so challenging virtually across North95% burn from 1,4 Zap.decision to not renew CIPC suggests that NorthAmerica, opting to go sprout suppressant free thisI truly believe growers need to change their American growers should consider other options,year will be especially risky.mindset about sprouting. You worked hard for your both to prepare for future marketing opportunitiesWere seeing very strong interest in 1,4 DMN,crop: dont let its value sprout away.to Europe and because where Europe leads forlikely due at least in part to growers looking for 22 SPUDSMART.COM SPRING 2020'