Montana farmer-stockman. [volume], August 01, 1951, Page 9, Image 9

About Montana farmer-stockman. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1947-1993

Image provided by: Montana Historical Society; Helena, MT

                
Diversification Is Key
To Good Farm Living
By JERRY LESTER, Roving Reporter
DIVERSIFICATION and farm
training are the keys to a good liv
ing on a FlatheacT valley farm, thinks
ex-GI W. F. (Bill) Cusick.
The first point, diversification, is
being helped on his place by a
sprinkler irrigation system that al
lows perfect control of the amount
of water applied to different crops
and soils with a minimum of labor
and skill. The farm training is be
ing taken care of through the vet
erans on-the-farm training program,
Bill did a 38-month tour of duty
during the last war with the Seabees
in the South Pacific area. His ex
construction jobs qualified him for
construction work after his return
home. But he was looking for a dif
ferent kind of life—and farming was
the answer. He got married, now has
two children, and is well set up in
the farming business.
Because he didn't want to rely on
what he had picked up as a kid
helping on the farm, Bill decided to
learn as much as he could about
perience as a carpenter on island
farming right there at home through
the institutional on-the-farm train
ing program sponsored by the state
department of education and the vet
erans administration. And while
working and studying farming on
his own farm, Bill receives $97.50 a
month to help him get started—just
as though he were attending a uni
versity or college under the veterans
education program.
Course Worth While
The course has been well worth
while, says Cusick for information it
provides him on soil conservation
practices, livestock feeds and feed
ing and farm mechanics. Nearly all
phases of the different types of farm
ing in the area are considered by
the classes. The classes meet once
a week during the busy season but
make up for lost time in the winter
months. The schedule calls for 200
hours of actual classroom work plus
another 100 hours of instruction on
the farm.
The farm consists of 130 acres,
with 25 acres in seed peas, 10 in
alfalfa, 50 in wheat, 10 in barley and
12 in alfalfa hay. Cusick had only 4
cows at the time of our visit, but he
plans to build up the dairy herd to
about 20 head of grade Guernseys
when permanent pasture is prepared.
j ;
Hi
i
s
-,
Bill Cusick turns tha Taira that puts
water in tha perforated pipes of his
sprinkler system. Tha crop is potatoes
here but the system is also used oa
many other crops. Rolling land and
light soils make ordinary gravity ir
rigation impossible.
He also had 300 chickens and a few
litters of pigs. He figures his 100 lay
ing hens added $480 to the family
income.
Most of the land was once part of
the old family farm and attempts
had been made in the past to ini
gate Ê
throu^/the farm. These attempts
failed because of the light soil and
rolling fields,
Spring creek that runs
Now, with the sprinkler irrigation
system, the soil type and rolling
fields are no problem and production
from the land can be doubled. At this
visit, Bill was giving his 4-acre field
of Netted Gem table spuds a third
irrigation. In the two earlier irriga
tions, 1 inch of water was applied
each time but this third watering
was to be the last for the season,
:/
»»1
i Æ
BUI Cusick. Flathead county ex-GI.
stands by the tractor operated sprinkler
pump used on his farm as Russel
Marsh, his on-the-farm training in
structor. checks on a farm study out
line. (MF-S photos)
P®* hour,
so 2 inches was applied. The system
puts down about an inch of water
Cost $22 Per Acre
The perforated pipe sprinkler sys
tem cost $3,000 or about $22 an acre
when figured against the farm as an
investment. It was purchased on a
5-year contract but Bill figures about
half this time would pay for the sys
tem in increased production from ir
rigation.
Year before last, he got 30 bushels
of seed peas to the acre. His potato
production was between 5 and 6 tons
to the acre and the entire crop was
sold easily on the local market. In
the future, Bill thinks he may go
into grass seed production. As a
start in that direction, he has 2 acres
of Ranger alfalfa and 3 of Grimm
alfalfa. With prices of over 70 cents
a pound for Grimm and over $1 for
Ranger (at the time of this visit),
production doesn't have to be too
high; to make this a good paying
business these days.
A 500 g. p. m. propeller type pump
lifts the water into the perforated
pipe sprinkler system. Bill has 1,500
feet of 6-inch galvanized main line
pipe and 1,200 feet of perforated
sprinkler pipe—all in quick-coupling,
portable sections. Two lines are used
down the field so that the water can
be switched from one side to the
other while pipes on the opposite
side are being moved to a new set
ting. The pipe moving takes about
half an hour. Estimated operating
cost of the tractor driven pump sup
plying water to the sprinkler is M
cents an hour.
r
i
Sure topped the
market with that crop
ft
• • •
think I'll
buy
another
tractor.
If
1
Congratulations, mister! The more modern machinery
at work in the fields of America, the better for all of us!
When you expand operations, our farm economy becomes
even more stable.
But listen, a new tractor is an important investment.
So start right off giving it the care it deserves.
Proper, consistent lubrication is essential to keep ma
chinery in top operating order. When you choose your
lubricants, follow the advice of a man who knows ma
chinery maintenance .., your Carter Farm Service Man!
He can supply you with the proper lubricant for each
type of service job. Your Carter Man knows that Carter
products are field-tested for performance, that they will
stand up to the most rugged farm conditions.
Good gasoline is another important consideration in
the care of power equipment. A clean-burning, high
octane gas like Carter Extra will develop every ounce of
power built into your engine . . . will help keep your
motor running smoothly and economically.
Remember, the life of your farm machinery depends
on the care you give it. So make good maintenance a
regular part of your farming program.
Your Carter Farm Service Man is always able and
willing to help. Call on him for the quality Carter
products that are scientifically designed to promote
better, more profitable farming.
Prompt Delivery to Your Storage
*
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