HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-09-21, Page 15Give warning about killing alfalfa * • •and yourself in silo
By PAT LYNCH
Soils & Crops Specialist
MIKE MILLER,
Assoc. Ag. Rep.
The alfalfa plant will
winter kill badly if it’s cut at
the wrong time in the fail. In
----------------------—
JIM SIDDALL
&SON
LICENSED & INSURED
TRUCKER
• LIVESTOCK
• GRAIN
• FERTILIZER
• FARM SUPPLIES
KIRKTON 229-6439
L_____J
Huron County, this rest
period lasts for three weeks
before and three weeks after
September 10 in the north
and three weeks before and
three weeks after Sep
tember 2Q in the south.
Serious damage can be
done by cutting close to the
critical date. The damage is
still significant as the cutting
date moves either way in the
rest period from the critical
date.
Several factors have an
influence on the severity of
the damage. These points
also explain why one might
get away with cutting in the
rest period one year and not
the next. A stand that has
been well fertilized will take
more abuse than one which
has been neglected. A stand
that has been allowed to
come well into blossom
before each cut will have
more reserves than a stand
where one or more cuttings
have been taken with very
little flower.
Generally, we like to see 40
days between each cut.
Lastly, a killing frost that
comes earlier or later than
usual will have an influence.
Why do we need a Sep
tember rest period? An
alfalfa plant uses its root
reserves as it regrows
during the three weeks after
cutting. During the next
three' weeks, the reserves
are built up as the leafy top
growth manufactures food
which is carried back to the
root. If a killing frost occurs
3 or 4 weeks after cutting,
then the plant goes into
winter in a weakened con
dition.
We take a high risk if we
ignore the September rest
period. The recommendation
is based on information from
previous years. This in
formation tells when the first
killing frost can normally be
expected. Some years,
Mother Nature will send a
frost earlier than usual and
upset this advice. If we cut
early in September, we’re
guessing that the first killing
frost won’t come until mid
October. In taking this ac
tion, we’re running contrary
ahead and take it during the
rest period. An October
harvest will coincide with
the first killing frost and the
plant won’t deplete itself by
regrowing. However, it's
vital to leave at least 4” to 6”
of stubble because research
has shown that winter soil
temperatures are several
degrees higher under the
plants that have a good top.
Soil temperature is an im
portant factor in winter
survival.
The dry weather of 1978
has upset cutting schedules.
Some second and third cuts
will undoubtedly be reaching
prime condition in Sep
tember. This article has
attempted to identify some
of the theory behind the
September rest period. We
recommend that cutting be
avoided in this period. It’s
generally recognized that
the yield loss the next year is,
at least, as large as the cut
taken in the rest period, and
it's also a permanent loss.
Silo Gas Hazard:
Silo gas is heavier than air
RODEO SALE SUCCESSFUL — It was a good crowd that gathered at Exeter Community Park
Saturday to dispose of what was left of the Exeter Rodeo grounds, According to Carf Cann of
the rodeo committee, the sale grossed $2,600. T-A photo
and tends to hang along the
surface of the silage or spill
down the chute of a tower
silo and into the feed room, It
can be present within a few
hours after filling with the
greatest danger being 12 to
60 hours later. The danger
period can last up to three
weeks.
Silo gas symptoms range
from irritation of eyes,
throat and lungs, to severe
respiratory problems - days
or even weeks after ex
posure. The gases can also
cause instant death as was
the case with an Eastern
Ontario incident in 1977.
Several precautions should
be observed. Silage
distribution equipment
should be properly serviced
and adjusted before starting
to fill the silo. The silo should
be filled quickly, if at all
possible, and then the
operator should stay away
from it for 2 to 3 weeks.
Leaving a silo door open just
above the silage level will
mean that the gas MAY be
expelled by running a blower
for 15 to 20 minutes.
Times-Advocafe, September 21,1978 Page 15
HURON
COUNTY
September
26 - 30 1978
Plowing Competitions
Exhibits and Parades
Ladies Program
Something for Everyone
WINGHAM
one mile east on highway 86
DRIVING
CONTEST
EXETER FAIR GROUNDS
CONTEST BEGINS AT 12:30 P.M.
It’s better to delay cutting
early October than to go
Special thanks to the following farm equipment dealers
for helping make this contest possible.
BERT BORLAND LTD.
Centralia 228-6814
• WHITE TRACTORS •
TRACTOR
gallon
• JOHN DEERE TRACTORS*
..21.55
.. 29.59
^illiiiiliillliniimiililiiliiiiiiliililliiiiliiilliiliillliiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiiiliiiiliiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiliiiiliiliim: to the law of averages.
| ALVIN BECKER = ' J
| Smith - Roles Agent
|. invites you to visit the
| Smith - Roles
| Display
8 Methane gas
| not ready yet
5
f Methane from swine
f manure may be an alternate
= energy source for the future,
f but it is not practical for
= most producers now.
| That’s the opionion of Dr.
e Jack Pos, School of
= Engineering, Ontario
| Agricultural College in
| Guelph, who is currently
5 working on methane
_ ~ research
HiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiKiniiiiE
STARTS SEPTEMBER 20-30,1978
at the
Plowing Match
in Wingham
From Sept. 26 to 30
SATURDAY, SEPT. 23
AT THE
The South Huron Junior Farmers and The Exeter Agricultural
Society invite you to see competitors test their skills in a trac
tor driving contest.
BLYTH
(519) 523-4244
Exeter Ford Equipment Sales
Hwy. 83, Exeter 235-2200
• FORD TRACTORS •
N.T. MONTEITH LTD.
Hwy. 4, South of Exeter 235-2121
• INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER TRACTORS •
SHERWOOD (EXETER) LTD.
18 Wellington St. W-, Exeter 235-0743
• MASSEY FERGUSON TRACTORS •
ANTI-FREEZE’
For All Seasons I
ANTIGEL
4ENT
; j WARNING/AVERTISSEMENT
Lu ... . . .
GlACE
Windshield
Washer Anti-Freeze
Effective to ~35aC. Special anti-smearing
formula. Premixed. Rubber preservative
minimizes wiper blade wear. Safety
Childproof cap................................. 548-022
ea.gal.
4 Season
Anti-
Freeze
All-year protection against
winter freeze-up and summer
boil-over. Permanent, won't
evaporate or boil away or
foam. Mixes well with other
types. Good from -64°C to
136°C.......................... 548-008
71/4” Heavy-duty £*Q99
Skilsaw® Uw Ea.
All ball bearings. 1/is" to 23/a”
cut depth at 90°, 17/a” at 45°.
Features blade lock,
heavy-gauge steel foot,
sawdust ejection system.
5200 rpm............... 597-710
Eclipse Hacksaw *799With 12" Blade I
Tubular chromed frame,
comfortable grip. Adj. for 10”
or 12” blades. ... 547-724
Gas Line Anti-Freeze
De-ices frozen gas lines; re
duces build-up. Keeps fuel
system condensation-free.
6 oz. bottle. Childproof cap.
....548-011
30 amp. battery
charger with
200 amp booster
Dual-purpose ... boostsDual-purpose ... boosts car batteries on
coldest mornings or charges overnight. 6
and 12-volt settings. Fast, Slow and Boost
settings. Dbl. insul.......................... 572-173
SONIC CHARGERS
6 amp. 572-035.
10 amp. 572-037
11-Pc. Combn.
Wrench Set OET99 by “Gray’' ZO
Contains 11 combination
wrenches in sizes %” to T’in
a handy roll-up storage kit.
.............................. 547-218
5-Shelf
Utility Unit
Grey utility shelf unit is 36”
long, 70" high, with a shelf
depth of 12". Easy to as
semble.................. 594-500
Zurich HehSdll Brucefield
236-4393 262-3002 482-9323
SALE PRICES in EFFECT TILL SEPTEMBER 30,1978
3/a" Skil
“XtraTool”
Adjustable trigger speed
control 0 to 850 rpm. For
ward or reverse operation.
Use it as a screwdriver,
drill or hammer drill. Ham
mers 33,750 blows per
minute. 1/s hp motor (115V,
3.2 amp)............... 597-702
Drill62®8
Lufkin® Umlok
25' Power Tape
Stud markings. 3Ia" blade.
Toggle iock. .... 524-050
3 metre/16' tape as above.
524-051 ............Ea. $6.88
10" Vise Grip
Locking Plier
Wrench
Two curved jaws with built-
in wire cutter. Double action
lever grip................547-656
10 oz., 8V2
Pump Oiler
Detachable flexible spout
for hard-to-get-at areas.
Seamless heavy-gauge
metallic blue steel body, all
brass pump..........547-700