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The Brussels Post, 1980-10-08, Page 4Farm management topics • During National Newspaper Week, we pause to say . . soloing-for •••••,,.....seepse •341 • . because if it weren't for each of you, it would be impossible for us to publish , a newspaper? to Our Readers That for your Interest In The Brussels Post, as reflected by your calls, letters and comments. to Our Advertisers for your confidence In Investing your advertising dollars with us. This support continuer; to enable us to give our community a better newspaper. to Our Correspondents for your fine Job of reporting the happenings In your respective communities. These Items are of Interest far beyond our own immediate area. Thanks Than ks to All Others who constantly assist by bringing in news and pictures, or who have helped our staff In so many ways so we can give complete and accurate coverage of the area. flig11.1.1.11.14 NmESTA6LISHED 1872 g ruse s - - P t 'BRUSSELS ONTARIO 887-6641 B Than — THE BRUSSELS POST ► OCTOBER 8, 1980 4 • OVERGROWN?—These overgrown potatoes weighing two and a half and two and a quarter pounds were recently found growing on one .stalk in her garden by Mrs. Clem McLIellan of RR4; Brussels. - (Photo by Ranney) . . BY BILL GREXTON, associate agrictdtural REPRESENTATIVE "Feed costs too 'much. I'm going to buy less and grow more." ThiS is a phrase that hear a lot around the country. I'd like. to discuss some of the merits and fallacies in, this,= way, of thinking. FACT - On a commercial basis, it is cheaper to grow feed than buy it. But, can a person justify growing five acres of a protein crop to save $500. per year? His investment in equipment is too great. The time taken to get another crop into the barn often could be better used with the production items. Extra time with cows (20 minutes per day) may result in a minimum of 1/2 kg. (1 lb.) more milk, • per day. Some farmers cart ..get 2 kg. (5 lb.) more for 'just a bit more time and effort. The average dairy herd has about '40 cows. That 1/2 kg. increase in milk can bring $2,200. more income per year. Many people think that "more" or "different" crops are the way to overcome the high cost of feed. 'You will usually get improved results by doing a better job w, ith planting, caring for and harvesting the crops you now grow. Assume I have a 40 cow dairy herd to which I feed hay and corn silage. I put up I abOut 5,000 bales of hay each year and try to feed the cows about 4.5 kg. (10 lbs.) per day. Average hay will test about 12% protein, some will test only half that. If I produce hay that tests 17% protein I save $3,100 in purchased-protein each year. If I feed all hay and' no corn silage, I save $4,000. Can I do better than that by growing a protein crop? The "Crop Budgeting Aids for 1980" project that the return to land, labour, management and risk is $111. per acre for soybeans. It will take 29 acres of soybeans to make a profit equivalent to my saving with the better hay. That does not include the cost of my labour or land. And I have some additional prOblems. What I will I do with all those extra beans? (especially if I am not near a ready market). Where will I get the extra la lid --(at $2,000. per acre)? Will my land even produce a decent crop of soybeans? Why do I want extra headaches? Why not plant more legume in my hay crop, fertilize it, and cut it earlier? I have to do those things anyway; I might as well do them right. Now that makes sense ! The sensible approach would be to do a good job with what I've got. I could end up losing money on this BY WILMA OKE McKillop township council Monday accepted tenders for snow removal on township roads this • winter . from Ryan Bulldozing, RR2, Brussels, by -grader, .$25,80 per hour working time and Machan Construction, of „ Monktort, by grader, $26.00 per hour working time. Standby. time will be paid at the rate of $18.00 per day to both firms. . • Council' igieed to Italie tax • bills made • up' in London new enterprise, • or even worse, cause my old enter- prise to lose because of my neglect. All for the sake of a couple of hundred dollars savings! By the way, there are many people who are doing an excellent job with what ' they have right now! Oh, to be among those very few Itvho do a perfect job! Correspondent MRS. GEORGE BROWN 335-3424 Mr. and Mrs. Murray Hoover & Carol Ann of Brussels visited Sunday with Mrs. Sheldon Mann. Services for Gorrie & Wroxeter United Churches was held in Wroxeter last Sunday. John Patterson of Palmerston' was the speaker and will also be in charge of the 'service in Gorrie •next Sun. Oct. 12th. Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Harris of Wingham visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. .Harold. Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. 'Everitt Cathers and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Gowdy spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Attwood at London. Mrs. Isabelle. Adams, Mrs. Wilma Clegg, Mrs. Nellie King and Mrs. Jean Mc Donald have returned from a bus tour to the Muskoka District. again this year at a rate of, 31 cents each, up from 29 cents last year. ' Road;,,suPerintendeni Bill . Campbell reported that $249,633-0 the road 'budget had been . spent 'leaving ,a balance of $22,367 for the rest of 1980, This eompares to the $22,594 leftin the road -account at the first of Oetob et last year. Councillor Marie Hicknell was given permiss- ion to attend a one-day seminar for educators and municipal officials in '• the Middlesex County office on October 23. The fee. of $20 will be paid by the township. Council members set the rate'to be paid to the deputy returning , officers in the upcoming municipal election •- at $50,00;- up from $40 paid in 1918 and $50.00 will be , paid for Polling locations, up from $40.00 last election. It - was suggested polling clerks receive 540. The 1,116 voters' in the - township may have an elect- ion this year with two chairs on council 'vacant. Reeve Man Campbell and Councill- or Arthur Anderson are retiring from political life; Reeve• CamPbell has' been on council about 21 years, 12 years as reeve, and councill- or Anderson has 'served •12 Years. Councillor Anderion said he 'would like to get' more interest , before .the election. He said it, Was educational serving on council. ' Deputy reeve ligtrviy Craig has declared he , will seek the -reeve's .chair and councillor Marie Hicknell will seek to be elected deputy- 'reeve. • • • Councillor William• Leeming said he is unde- cidecl at this time. Wayne Dolmage who will takeover is road. superinten- dent on November I', replaci ing William 'Ciinpbell, who retires at the end of Oetbber, • attended the session. , —Craig Laink, OHS and Quarries Inspecf9r, Ministry of NiatUral Resources • it , Winghain, diScussed ' the new pits, and quarries - aet with council members. Clerk-treasurer Marion ,McClure was -authorized to •apply, ,for, the community • centre grant of $5,241 for the Walton . Recreation Centre which, cost $28,855 Ito 'construct. At Your Service... Put your order in the newspaper, and our staff will serve up your message just the way you want! Newspaper adver- tising let8 you tell it in 1001 different ways, and we'll help you do it effectively! .413russels Post 887-6641 DAIRY.' SYSTEMS LTD. Sales; Service & Installation of - pipelines .& milking parlours - R.R.4 WALTON