Warning: The following questions may be poorly worded and subjective. Exam questions will be worded differently. Exams may also contain questions not listed here.

1. What are the 4 primary reasons for tillage discussed in class?
2. List 4 possible effects of tillage.
3. Name a few considerations for determining a tillage program?
4. List 2-4 goals that we try to achieve during seedbed preparation.
5. In general, what is the yield difference from plowing 12" vs. 71/2" ?  Cost difference?
6. Why would a farmer want to plow deeply?
   1. Give a reason NOT to plow deeply?
7. What is a less costly method for breaking a hardpan layer?
8. What is intertillage and what is it’s primary purpose?
9. For what kinds of crops does intertillage work?
10. Describe a typical conventional tillage program
11. Define conservation tillage. Define No-till
12. Name 3 specific benefits to reduced tillage.
13. Name 3 drawbacks
    
    
14. What defines Good seed
15. What’s wrong with low germination?
16. What’s wrong with low purity?
17. Name three general types of seed and give a basic description of each.
18. Describe the physical appearance of the 3 most common sowing implements so that the differences between them are apparent. (bin, furrow openers, row spacing,...)
    1. How are seeding rates and seed spacing controlled with each type?
    2. What kinds of crops are each traditionally used for? Give examples.
19. Describe the theoretical optimum Seeding Rate.
20. What is the consequence of too few plants in the field.
    1. What about too many plants?
21.  Name any three competitive factors affecting the optimal seeding rate.
22. What kind of Seed Spacing would theoretically be ‘perfect’ for optimal production?
    1. Why is it not generally used?
23. What 3 general factors determine the optimal planting date.
    1. Name 2 plant factors
    2. Name 2 climatic factors
    
    
    
24. What are the two primary objectives of soil fertilization?
25. How does a high crop yield affect the nutrient levels of the soil?
26. Indicate 2 ways in which soil water affects potential nutrient absorption (good and bad).
27. Specifically where in the soil are the majority of roots of most plants located?
28. What determines fertilizer requirements of any particular crop, like corn? (Ignore differences between hybrids)
29. Which three elements are NOT supplied by the soil?
30. Define a "Macronutrient",  "Micronutrient".
31. Name any 4 Macronutrients and any 4 Micronutrients.
32. What form of Nitrogen to plants prefer?
33. How is the soil nutrient status usually determined?
34. Does soil nutrient availability insure plant nutrition? 
    1. How can one be absolutely sure of the actual nutrient status of a plant?
35. What does lime do for the soil?



36. What is the nature of the losses from insects ? (Types of losses)
37. Name two kinds of Direct Damage that insects cause.
38. What is the nature of the losses from disease?
39. Name and Define two general classifications of disease.
    1. List 5 types of infectious disease organisms.
    2. Give an example of a physiological disease
40. What is a weed?
41. Describe 4 possible types of losses from weeds
42. Describe the four Pest Management Principles.
43. Name 3 ways to Prevent pests.
44. What are the 4 categories of pest management methods?
    1. Describe each
    2. Provide one example of each



45. What are the 2 most common surface irrigation methods?
46. List the 4 major types of irrigation systems
    1. How does water arrive at the plants for each?
47. What are the 4 most common sprinkler irrigation types? Describe them.
48. List 2 advantages to sprinkler irrigation.
49. Describe how sub-surface irrigation works.
50. List 5 design and use considerations for irrigation systems
    1. What information is important concerning Water? Crops? Soils? Topography?

    
    

51. When are grains "mature"?
    1. What is the moisture level of corn at this stage?  Wheat?
52. What determines the best moisture percentage for harvest (not a number)
53. Below what moisture percentage is harvest easiest?
    1. Why would someone wait for lower moisture before harvesting?
54. Define "Threshing".
55. When is harvesting considered to be "late"?
56. What losses in yield and quality might be suffered with a late harvest?
57. What is the nature of losses in yield and quality due to an early harvest?
58. What is "irregular ripening"?
    1. Name a crop with which might this happen.
    2. What is the best time to harvest these crops?
59. What is the difference between straw and stover?
60. What is silage?
61. When are grain crops harvested for silage?




62. What factor has the greatest influence over the quality of stored grain?
63. Indicate the 3 methods for drying grain
    1. Which is most economical?
64. What are the restrictions with drying with unheated air?
    1. How many cfm (cubic feet per minute) of air movement is needed to dry with unheated air? 
65. When is drying with heated air a necessity?
66. What are the recommended drying temperatures if the grain is to be used for seed?  For foods  For feed?
67. When is simple aeration used with grain?