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B799: Field Appraisal Of Resource Management Systems "Farms" Crop Yield And Quality Relationships With Soil Erosion, Paul R. Hepler, Lauren H. Long, John A. Ferwerda

Bulletins

This document presents objectives and preliminary results of the Field Appraisal of Resource Management Systems (FARMS) study. This study assumes that estimates of soil erosion using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) represent long-term rather than short- term effects. The FARMS study randomly sampled 2400 plots over a three year period, 1980-82, for: crop management, soils, conservation practices and management, crop yields, soil chemistry, and sociological data.

This report presents analyses from the 800 plots sampled in 1980. Statistics of rill and sheet soil erosion, as estimated by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), are presented. Data are presented for …

B798: A Census Of Maine's Potato Production, Storage, And Packing Operation, Raymond J. Nowak, Edward F. Johnston, Alan S. Kezis

Bulletins

Both internal and external factors relating to the production and marketing of Maine potatoes continue to influence and often undermine the profitability and market position of this important agricultural industry in the State. Among these factors are the technical aspects related to commercial production, storage and packing of potatoes in Maine; the current market structure; responses by the Maine industry to market preferences; and public policies, both foreign and domestic, affecting financial conditions and promotional activities in Maine and competing production regions. The quality of Maine potatoes in produce outlets in major Eastern U.S. markets is affected by production practices, …

B796: A Comparison Of Direct Market Users And Nonusers Habits, Acceptance, And Preferences For Direct Marketed Small Farms Horticulture Commodities, Neil C. Buitenhuys, F. Richard King, Alan S. Kezis, Howard W. Kerr

Bulletins

Until recently small scale farming has been considered inefficient and undesirable. Small farmers have found it difficult to compete with large operators in the market place because of their inability to provide a significant quantity of product over an extended period of time to meet the needs of large scale marketing firms. According to the 1978 Census of Agriculture small farms, those with sales under $40,000, account for nearly 76 percent of the farms in Maine. Therefore, a market system has developed which is not amenable to the small farmer who represents a significant segment of Northeast agriculture.

Though the …

B795: Production, Marketing, Socieconomic Characteristics And The Perceived Needs Of Maine's Small Farmers, Neil C. Buitenhuys, Alan S. Kezis

Bulletins

For nearly 30 years small scale farming was considered inefficient and undesirable. Small farmers found it increasingly difficult to compete with large operators in the market place because of insufficient produce quantity, the seasonal nature of their production, and lack of marketing information . During this period, large commercial farmers moved to higher levels of management sophistication and use of modern production technology. The market system also became more sophisticated because of mass marketing of agricultural products, monocultural production techniques,and highly advanced assembly and distribution systems.

In the late 1960's and early 1970's, it became evident that consumers' food buying …

B791: Soil And Topographic Features That Help Predict The Manageability Of Sugarloaf Mountain, T. B. Saviello, R. A. Struchtemeyer

Bulletins

As the economic and aesthetic value of mountain areas increases, more pressure is applied to develop and manage them. This study was conducted on Sugarloaf Mountain ski area . It involved examining soils above and below the 765 m contour, which Maine had established as a critical contour for land management . Soils were excavated and profiles were described and sampled. Soil and topographical features that proved significant in predicting the manageability of this mountain ecosystem included slope, drainage, depth, texture, organic matter, pH and nutrient content.

B790: Effects Of The Symbex System On Yield, Quality, And Tuber Size Distribution Of Katahdin Potatoes Maine -- 1979-81, L. S. Morrow, H. J. Murphy

Bulletins

This paper reports on three years of research conducted at Aroostook Farm; Presque Isle, Maine, to determine the effectiveness of "Symbex System" products for improving the yield and quality of Katahdin potatoes. These products included the following: Symbex, a bacterial soil inoculant; Symbooster, a non-inoculated soil additive containing nutrients for microbial development; Symcoat, a bacterial seedpiece treatment; and Symspray, a foliar applied plant food supplement.