A Cost Comparison of Alternative Planting Methods: Twin-Row vs. Single 30 Row Corn and 7 1/2 or 15 Row Soybeans

New technology continues to be developed to help farmers use their resources more efficiently. This research focuses on a method of planting crops in a twin-row configuration versus conventional planting. Farmers need to analyze many factors when considering switching from planting corn in thirty-inch rows and soybeans in seven and one-half or fifteen-inch rows, to planting in twin-rows. The objectives of this research are: (1) Analyze the cost of alternative implements and how the differences in investment affect planting cost per acre. (2) Determine added cost per acre at planting higher corn populations in twin-rows compared to conventional thirty-inch rows. (3) Determine how much of a yield increase is needed to make higher corn populations with twin-row planting profitable. (4) Compare breakeven corn yield increase from objective three with results of recent field trials. A higher initial investment results in a higher cost per acre for each implement due to the fact that the cost is based on the list price. There is an added seed and fertilizer cost of twenty-two dollars for planting at higher plant populations in twin-rows. An increase of 5.45 bushels per acre is needed for twin-rows to be profitable on a corn-soybean operation and a 6.68 bushel per acre increase for twin-rows to be profitable for a continuous corn operation. It was also concluded that in recent trials the required breakeven bushel per acre increase is obtainable to make twin-rows profitable for farmers

Practice patterns of naturopathic physicians: results from a random survey of licensed practitioners in two US States

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by consumers in the U.S., little is known about the practice of CAM providers. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the practice patterns of naturopathic physicians in Washington State and Connecticut. METHODS: Telephone interviews were conducted with state-wide random samples of licensed naturopathic physicians and data were collected on consecutive patient visits in 1998 and 1999. The main outcome measures were: Sociodemographic, training and practice characteristics of naturopathic physicians; and demographics, reasons for visit, types of treatments, payment source and visit duration for patients. RESULT: One hundred and seventy practitioners were interviewed and 99 recorded data on a total of 1817 patient visits. Naturopathic physicians in Washington and Connecticut had similar demographic and practice characteristics. Both the practitioners and their patients were primarily White and female. Almost 75% of all naturopathic visits were for chronic complaints, most frequently fatigue, headache, and back symptoms. Complete blood counts, serum chemistries, lipids panels and stool analyses were ordered for 4% to 10% of visits. All other diagnostic tests were ordered less frequently. The most commonly prescribed naturopathic therapeutics were: botanical medicines (51% of visits in Connecticut, 43% in Washington), vitamins (41% and 43%), minerals (35% and 39%), homeopathy (29% and 19%) and allergy treatments (11% and 13%). The mean visit length was about 40 minutes. Approximately half the visits were paid directly by the patient. CONCLUSION: This study provides information that will help other health care providers, patients and policy makers better understand the nature of naturopathic care