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Producers must file their intentions to place feed grains in FOR with their local Farm Services Agency (formerly Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service) office by April 30. This intention does not obligate the producer, but a regular nine-month CCC price support loan agreement must be executed before the intention is filed. Producers may not obtain the FOR loan until the expiration of a nine-month regular, nonrecourse price support loan. Feed grains on which producers earned marketing loan gains by repaying their nine- month loan at less than principal plus accrued interest, and grain on which a loan deficiency payment has been made, will be ineligible for entry into the FOR. The total quantity of feed grains in the FOR may not exceed 900 million bushels including outstanding 1992-crop feed grains in the FOR maximum quantity and as of Sept. 20 there were 124.4 million bushels.

European honey bees found here have very little resistance to the parasite. As the mites feed on the bees' hemolymph, or blood, the bees may die, weakening the colony. [Maryann Frazier] says the mites also can cripple larvae and pupae, causing malformed wings, legs, abdomens and thoraxes. Frazier says there are several methods for detecting varroa mites. One is simply to closely inspect the adult bees and capped brood. Another method is to place a piece of white paper on the bottom board of the hive and check the paper for mites that have fallen off the bees. A third method is the \"ether roll\" technique. To use this technique, spray ether in a jar containing several hundred bees. The ether causes the bees to regurgitate honey, making the inside of the jar sticky. If mites are present, they will stick to the jar.

A parasite of the gypsy moth, the B. schineri fly kills unlucky gypsy moth caterpillars that accidentally eat fly eggs while munching on leaves. A gray-black speck about the size of a thumbtack point, the fly egg hatches inside the caterpillar's stomach. Hungry B. schineri maggots can't stop ravenous caterpillars from defoliating trees and shrubs. But the flies can lessen the following year's gypsy moth generation by killing pupae. Parasitized pupae will never become fertile, egg-laying moths. No one expects B. schineri -- or any single gypsy moth parasite -- to suddenly and completely eliminate the moth problem. But B. schineri may prove a valuable new player on the American biocontrol team.

The narrower rows and higher density of corn plants more rapidly create a leaf canopy that blocks sunlight from weeds, preventing their growth, USDA scientist John Teasdale said. Herbicides are needed to control weeds primarily during the period before the corn leaf canopy closes. The narrow-row planting required fewer equipment changes than expected, for corn can be planted with a no-till planter equipped with a splitter to insert the narrow rows. And a combine with a conventional corn head harvested the 15-inch rows as efficiently as 30-inch rows. *Government Regulation Compliance (for horticulture professionals) -- All sessions: 1-4 p.m. Nov. 3, Chester County Extension Office, Government Services Building, West Chester; Nov. 17, Montgomery County Extension Office, Route 113, Creamery; Nov. 30, Berks County Extension Office, County Road (off Route 183), Leesport.

The formula now contains 25 percent cornstarch, along with environmentally friendly additives and a biodegradable polyester. And the researchers, collaborating under an Agricultural Research Service cooperative agreement, hope to boost the cornstarch content of these biodegradable plastic spoons, forks, and knives to 95 percent over the next several years. Cornstarch, which is less expensive than starch from other sources, has captured most of the industrial starch market. While fuel alcohol continues to be the dominant industrial use of corn, the industrial markets for cornstarch are growing. Along with its use in biodegradable plastic, cornstarch is also being used to produce natural adhesives, primarily for the paper and paperboard industry. *Landscape Maintenance Estimating and Bidding Workshop -- Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-noon, Penn State Great Valley Campus, Malvern, Chester County. *Government Regulation Compliance (for horticulture professionals) -- All sessions 1-4 p.m. Nov. 3, Chester County Extension Office, Government Services Building, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester; Nov. 17, Montgomery County Extension Office, Rt. 113, Creamery; Nov. 30, Berks County Extension Office, County Road (off Route 183), Leesport, Berks County.

Participants may enroll in only one of the these harvest classes: Shelled Corn; Ear Corn; Shelled Corn three-acre harvest sample; Ear Corn machine harvest sample; and Corn Silage. The Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System is up and running. Under the new system, three laboratories -- Penn State, Summerdale and New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania -- work together, exchanging samples by courier and sharing a common fee schedule. *University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Helen Acland, Associate Director, Laboratory of Large Animal Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine - - New Bolton Center, 382 W. Street Road, Kennett Square 19348-1692. Call 444-5800 or fax 444-0892.

On soils with optimum to high fertilizer levels, this decision will depend more on the conditions. If the corn is being planted early in cold, wet conditions, especially if it looks like it will be cold and wet for a while after planting, it's also likely a starter fertilizer will be beneficial. The first consideration is the fertilizer material. Any good complete fertilizer that contains at least nitrogen and phosphorus will work as a starter fertilizer. (But avoid materials containing urea.) The physical form of the fertilizer, whether it is a blend, a granulated complete fertilizer, or a fluid fertilizer, does not affect starter performance. The second consideration is the application rate of starter fertilizer.

Estimating the amount of nitrogen that will be supplied by the soil is important. Excessive nitrogen applications affect profitability, increase disease pressures and increase lodging potential, as well as decreasing yields and increasing the potential for nitrogen leaching. Inadequate nitrogen also affects profitability because it results in reduced yield. One major factor affecting nitrogen available in the soil is frequency of manure applications. Our research indicates that when fields are manured every one or two years, you should apply up to 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre; if applied every three to four years, use 30-60 pounds of nitrogen per acre, and when applied less frequently, use 60-90 pounds of nitrogen per acre. [WINTER] barley has less resistance to lodging than wheat, so the nitrogen rates should be reduced accordingly. Keep the nitrogen rates at 45-60 pounds per acre when manure is not applied frequently to the field. When manure is frequently applied, use up to 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

Estimating the amount of nitrogen that will be supplied by the soil is important. Excessive nitrogen applications affect profitability, increase disease pressures and increase lodging potential, as well as decreasing yields and increasing the potential for nitrogen leaching. Inadequate nitrogen also affects profitability because it results in reduced yield. One major factor affecting nitrogen available in the soil is frequency of manure applications. Our research indicates that when fields are manured every one or two years, you should apply up to 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre; if applied every three to four years, use 30-60 pounds of nitrogen per acre, and when applied less frequently, use 60-90 pounds of nitrogen per acre. [WINTER] barley has less resistance to lodging than wheat, so the nitrogen rates should be reduced accordingly. Keep the nitrogen rates at 45-60 pounds per acre when manure is not applied frequently to the field. When manure is frequently applied, use up to 30 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

Technology exists that can save almost all tractor operators involved in overturns. Known as ROPS, roll-over protective structures with safety belts can save lives. U.S. tractor manufacturers have voluntarily installed ROPS on all new tractors since 1986, but many tractors manufactured earlier are not equipped with them. In Sweden, where ROPS are mandatory, the American Society of Agricultural Engineers says 90 percent of tractor operators involved in overturns escape serious injury or death. The National Safety Council's Agricultural Division says that in the United States there is a 50 percent fatality rate for side overturns and an 85 percent rate for rear overturns on non-ROPS farm tractors. Safe tractors must have an approved ROPS and the operator must fasten the accompanying safety belt with each use. In addition, operators should inspect the tractor's warning and marker lights for proper functioning and ensure that the tires are sound and properly inflated.