SEGMENT: CHANGES IN FARM EQUIPMENT, ELECTRIFICATION, & HYBRID SEED
Paul Shuman>LPL Interviews N-Z>LPL Interviews K-Z, Segment 10
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- CHANGES IN FARM EQUIPMENT
- Mr. Shuman discusses impact of mechanization. Few were being used when he began farming. Major change is larger & more sophisticated machines & result (requirement) is larger acreage that can be farmed & need to be farmed to pay off large expensive equipment. Farmers must get large or get out of agriculture. Gives price of first tractor, an International 450 that would pull 4-bottom plow. Gives price of tractor he just bought that pulls 5-bottom plow. Impact of large equipment is loss of fences & livestock. Use electric fences now when necessary.
- ELECTRIFICATION
- Mr. Shuman tells of impact of electrification on farm, including improving efficiency.
- HYBRID SEED
- Discussion of production yields with hybrid corn. Much of improvement over the years is due to hybrid seed, but also notes importance of new planters in consistent planting in any soil conditions, plant management skills. Also notes improvements in livestock genetics. Hybrids came into use in late 1920's. Father started his own seed business.
