Customer Testimonials

Eelke Tjeerdsma
Phelpston, Ontario
120 Sows - Farrow to Finish
300 Acres - Corn, Soys, Winter Wheat, Sp. Grain

“I determined where and how much lime was needed and applied it with a variable rate spreader, thereby saving money by applying only what was needed. Also regular soil nutrient testing confirmed high rates of nutrients therefore requiring less fertilizer.”

“Knowing exactly what is needed and where will easily cover (the) expense of this program.”
June 1999
 

Doug & Greg Graham
Elmvale, Ontario

“With our drainage business and cash crop land we are becoming more dependent on specialized expertise. Stratford Agri Analysis helped to achieve optimum productivity through unbiased recommendations and their support staff.” (Doug Graham)
 

Dale Bogart, General Manager
Hunco Farms Ltd.
Cobourg,  ON

“We originally did a complete EPP program on 2250 acres in 1996 and 1997 and retested all acres again in the fall of 2000”.

“Farmers must use new technology like GPS to reduce their cost of production. The major benefit was the substantial reduction in our fertilizer costs”.

The most important thing we learned was that our soil pH was not what we thought it was on a composite test. We utilized the pH maps to improve our productivity by liming only the areas that needed it”.

“From the information we received for the original EPP program, we will continue to retest”.
 

Rob Vander Spank, Gilrie Farms
Dorchester, Ontario

Dr. Gil Vander Spank and sons Steve and Rob operate Gilrie Farms, consisting of a total of 1000 acres of which 843 acres are on the EPP Program; they also run a 180 - 200 head cow/calf operation.
“I didn’t realize that my Potassium (K) levels were so good or that my Phosphorus was so low. Without the EPP/GPS program information I would have done the wrong thing.

I was using some Zinc before but now I know exactly how much Zinc and Manganese I need and where to put it. For me, accuracy is important.“

Jim Bell, Bellwin Farms Inc.
Elora, Ontario

“Our goal in the cropping system is to better monitor inputs and yields on specific acreage in our crop rotation. We have obtained substantial savings on custom service because of very accurate mapping and field sizing. Soil samples taken every 2½ acres showed variation from field to field. Consequently, inputs had to be adjusted for maximum yields.

Stratford Agri Analysis fulfilled our needs and has become a member of our management team. ”  1999
 

Rob & Ken Musselman, Inverhaven Farms Ltd.
Arris, Ontario

"Inverhaven Farms Ltd. crop about 900 acres of corn, barley, wheat, beans, alfalfa and pasture. Most of this is to feed our broiler, swine, dairy and beef enterprises.

For many years we have soil tested, done some manure testing to try to match the valuable resource “manure” with the nutrient requirements of our crops.

This past year we soil tested about 400 acres “site specific” to try and see if there are areas that might need special attention. We are planning to have a yield monitor installed this year. With several years data we hope we can begin to see trends and possibly gain some efficiencies in our cropping program."
 

Irwin Slade
Kincardine, Ontario

"The Stratford Agri Analysis EPP program “helped me realize the value of manure” and was helpful in “controlling my input costs by identifying trouble spots thru the GPS mapping. I saved 50 units of nitrogen per acre - $350 to $370 per tonne." 

Mr. Slade owns 700 acres, rents 400 acres and also does custom work on 1500 acres.

Dale Feltz
Mitchell, Ontario

Cash crop, custom harvest processing, commercial seed and sales of soys, whites, and cereals.

“It’s of real value to sample the rented land to know the nutrient levels and accurate acreage”. (Dale)

Dennis & Brad Feltz

300 sow farrow to finish operation with 1000 acres.
“I wanted to find out exactly what my nutrient inventory was. The value of my hog manure was evident when we had it analyzed. We were able to reduce our use of commercial fertilizer significantly based on the information we got from the program.” (Dennis)

“It helps to locate trouble spots. The micro nutrient recommendations are helpful. Now we are using foliar manganese on beans. The accurate placement and use of swine manure is important - we can reduce the environmental impact of our manure by putting it only where it is needed.” (Brad)

Neil & Theresa Scholten
Palmerston, Ontario

"We run a 60 sow farrow to finish and broiler operation. The land had been rented out for 7 years and we did not know the nutrient levels in the soil (potassium, phosphorus, organic matter etc.). We didn’t have an accurate acreage for custom planting/harvest.
We did not know the N, P, & K values in the manure and that is important."

"We are pro-active with water management so we don’t want to use too much fertilizer or pollute the ground water."

"After having the soil tested on the EPP Program we saved approximately $11.19 per acre on our fertilizer application cost on corn and $21.59 per acre on spring wheat." 

"The consultation and recommendations were very useful - we are satisfied with the EPP service and will continue to follow up in subsequent years."  1998

Willy Toonen
Parkhill, Ontario

"I had 170 acres on the Environmental Production Plan in 1997 and I want to do 140 acres in 1998. I finish 1000 market hogs per turn. Manure samples were done and this gave me an accurate idea of the value of the manure.
Now I no longer buy Potassium and Phosphorus for most crops and I have reduced the Nitrogen application because I know the value of the manure.
I no longer use liquid fertilizer in the planter. Now I’m trying POP UP on corn (20 lb/acre of 11.52.0 ) through insecticide boxes on planter."

"I’m tickled pink - very pleased with the results of the EPP program. The price of the service is negligible when compared to the value of knowing what you really need. The accurate maps are very helpful. Consultation has been readily available to answer questions whenever necessary."

Lorne & Warren Jibb, Shadyway Farm Ltd.
Sunderland, Ontario
Dairy Farm - 560 acres (owned & rented)

"The G.I.S. coloured mapping has provided us with information that has changed the way we manage our crop inputs of fertilizer, herbicides and manure, which we will manage better because the only thing that beats good management is better management."

"E.P.P. is a management tool providing farmers with more detailed information on soils that are farmed. Information is a key component in all management decisions."
July 1999