ROTATING CROPS

Crops are rotated wheat -soybeans - corn (and then the cycle repeats). Soybeans leave nitrogen in the soil and the corn takes the nitrogen out of the soil; this is why the corn is planted after the soybeans. Crops are usually rotated every year. If for example wheat is planted two years in a row in the same soil, the crop will be prone to diseases. A farmer rotates the crops so that the problems do not build up in a certain field.

FERTILIZERS

DEFINITION Fertilizer:substance such as manure or chemicals which is spread over or put into the soil to supply nutrients missing from the soil.

Liquid fertilizer is used for planting corn while dry fertilizer is applied by spreading it on the soil for soybeans. No manure is used when a farmer has no cows or other animals. Fertilizers are purchased by local retailers such as AGWAY (Dublin), Moyer & Son Inc.(Souderton), and Hydro-Kirby Agriculture,etc.

INSECTICIDES

DEFINITIONS

• Herbicides: a poisonous chemical used to destroy weeds; a weed killer
• Insecticide: substance for killing insects
• Pesticides: substance used to kill pests

Insecticide is only used for field crops when corn has been planted again after a corn crop in the field the following season. Chemicals must be applied according to the government standards so that it is safe for the environment and people living around the farm. Most area farmers have the company selling the chemicals apply it to the field. Today there is so much paperwork that is required to keep track of the chemical applications. To be able to apply the chemicals, one must first pass a test. Most farmers don't want to be bothered with all the paperwork and have the company applying the chemical keep the required records.

The Pennsylvania Agricultural Extension Service helps with soil testing, suggests different pesticides and herbicides. If there is a problem with a crop, local farmers contact the county agent to assist them.