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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-07-04, Page 21THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990. PAGE 21. Farm Watch for spontaneous combustion Livestock report Prices steady to fewer at Brussels Friday The market at Brussels Livestock Inc. Friday sold steady with cows selling $2.00 lower. There were 232 slaughter cattle and 186 hogs on offer. Good to choice steers sold from $85 to $90 to the high of $93. Sixteen steers consigned by Mur­ ray Schiell, RR 3, Wingham aver­ aged 1168 lbs. sold for $88.89. Eight steers consigned by Doug Schiell, RR 5, Wingham, averaged 1284 lbs. sold for $88.86 to the high of $93. Four steers consigned by Everett Dustow, RR 2, Mildmay averaged 1270 lbs. sold for $88.62. One steer consigned byJim Simp­ son, RR 3, Goderich weighed 990 lbs. sold for $86.50. Thirteen steers consigned by Doug Sheill, RR 3, Wingham averaged 1247 lbs. sold for $86.50. One steer consigned by Elmer Gordner, RR 3, Mitchell weighed 1040 lbs. sold for $86. Twelve steers consigned by Bruce Bros., RR 1, Belgrave averaged 1389 lbs. sold for $85.41. Six steers consign­ ed by Ken Steffler, RR 3, Tees- ^Rater averaged 1250 lbs. sold for $84.83. Good to choice heifers sold from $83 to $87 to the high of $89.75. Mole drainage solution According to researchers at Al­ fred College in Eastern Ontario, mole drainage is an ideal system for draining heavy clay soils. Mole drains are soil-formed sub­ surface channels, spaced 10 to 15 ft. apart and at a depth of 2.5 ft. The farmer uses a 130 HP tractor to pull the mole plow. If a field is narrow with a ditch at one side, the mole drains can outlet directly into the ditch and the cost is approximately $18/acre. For large fields the mole drains are connected to gravel backfilled plastic pipes (collectors). The col­ lectors are spaced 200 to 400 ft. apart. They are permanent and are installed by a drainage contractor. The system of collectors and mole drains cost between $190 and $360/acre. These are approximate costs. They may vary according to soils, topography, shape of field, and/or geographical location. What is the Advantage of Mole Drainage? Heavy clay soils with more than 35 per cent clay are often imper­ vious and require plastic drains at =, spacings as low as 15 ft. apart for proper drainage. In this case, the incurred high expense is reduced by using mole drainage to provide the required narrow spacings. Can I Mole Drain my Field? Take a lump of soil about the size of a golf ball, at the depth of 2 ft. Put it in a glass of water. If the ball keeps itsxshape for 12 hours, your soil is likely to be suitable for mole drainage. How To Mole Drain Flat Lands There is now a mole plow capable of setting grades on the mole drain. It does not require a laser and a gradual slope is done using the mole plow’s own hydrau­ lic. Therefore, more than 500,000 acres of heavy clay soils can be mole drained in Ontario. Is It Proven Technology? This technology has been suc­ cessfully used for over 50 years in Great Britain. British farmers in­ clude mole drainage as an integral part of their cropping cycle. In Ontario and in Quebec, half a Four heifers consigned by Everett Dustow, RR 2, Mildmay averaged 1092 lbs. sold for $89.25. Two heifers consigned by Murray Hast­ ings, RR 4, Wingham averaged 1070 lbs. sold for $86.64. Seven heifers consigned by Gerry Borg, RR 1, Fordwich averaged 1160 lbs. sold for $82.48. There were 87 cows on offer. DI and D2 cows sold from $60 to $63; D3 and D4 cows, $55 to $60. Three cows consigned by Glen Walden, Lucknow averaged 1030 lbs. sold for $63.22. Two cows consigned by Mac Inglis, RR 1, Clifford averaged 1183 lbs. sold for $62.50. One cow consigned by Maurice Hallahan, RR 1, Belgrave weighed 1870 lbs. sold for $63. One cow consigned by Don Deitner, RR 1, Ethel weighed 1350 lbs. sold for $60.75. One cow consigned by Jacob Miller, RR 2, Auburn weighed 1450 lbs. sold for $59.75. Two cows consigned by Hammond Bros. RR 1, Monkton averaged 1230 lbs. sold for $59. Ten cows consigned by Bert Elliott, RR 1, Kincardine, averaged 1174 lbs. sold for $57.57. Pigs under 40 lbs. sold at $113.40; 40 - 50 lbs., $89.06; 50 - 60 lbs., $91.38; over 60 lbs., $84.69. dozen systems are working effect- tively. Alfred College, of OMAF, has been successfully testing mole drainage for the past five years. How Long Do Mole Drains Last? If properly installed, mole drains can last between three to 10 years. Even a partially collapsed drain will provide many years of adequate drainage. How To Get The Mole Plow? The best mole plows are trailered and are presently made in Eng­ land. One can import them easily at a cost of $3,000 to $13,000 (mole plow with grade control). Many Canadian companies are interested in manufacturing them here. Until 1991, the Alfred College will lend its two mole plows to farmers and contractors and will help with HENSALL LIVESTOCK SALES LTD. SALES REPORT The market on Thursday, J une 28 met a steady demand. There were 187 heifers and 239 steers on offer. Six steers consigned by Dean and Paul Aidwinkle averaging 1168 lbs. sold for $92.80 with a top sale of $97.50. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Forty-two steers consigned by Arnold McCann averaging 1280 lbs. sold for $90.55 with a top sale of $92.50. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Thirteen steers consigned by Frank Dolmage averaging 1130 lbs. sold for $90.10 with a top sale of $92.50. Purchased by Dominion Meat Packers. Twenty-four steers consigned by Maple Emblem Farms averaging 1223 lbs. sold for $90.05 with a top sale of $95.25. Purchased by Dominion Meat Packers. T wenty steers consigned by J. A. McConn averaging 1218 lbs. sold for $89.50 with a top sale of $90.25. Purchased by Dominion Meat Packers. Forty-eight steers consigned by Van Osch Farms averaging 1227 lbs. sold for $88.35 with a top sale of $92.00. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Twelve steers consigned by Roger Moore averaging 1226 lbs. sold for $88.15 with a top sale of $91.25. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Fifteen heifers consigned by Larry Ryan averaging 1154 lbs. sold for $90.35 with a top sale of $93.00. Purchased by Darling Meat Market. Fifteen heifers consigned by McBride Farms averaging 1151 lbs. sold for $89.45 with a top sale of $93.00. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Fifteen heifers consigned by Galein Farmsaveraging 1124 lbs. sold for $89.20 with a top sale of $92.00. Purchased by Darling Meat Market. T wenty-one heifers consigned by Van Osch Farms averaging 1124 lbs. sold for $88.70 with a top sale of $91.00. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Thirty heifers consigned by Powe Farms Ltd. averaging 1150 lbs. sold for $88.60 with a top sale of $93.00. Purchased by Darling Meat Market. Fourteen heifers consigned by Greb Feedlot averaging 1146 lbs. sold for $88.30 with a top sale of $92.00. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. OWNER&MANAGER SALESREP. BARRY MILLER 262-2831 JOEZEHR 235-2717 887-9599 WICK-WEEDING • 25'BOOM •ROUNDUP • ATC DRIVEN & DROP NOZZELING • 8 ROW •TRACTOR MOUNT FOR FAST KNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICE CALL US TODAY Howson & Howson Limited BLYTH 523-4241 BY HARODL K. HOUSE OMAF AG. ENGINEER HURON COUNTY Lives have been lost and hay crops destroyed because of fires caused by spontaneous combus­ tion. When the weather doesn’t co-operate many farmers try to store hay before it is properly cured. If the hay crop is put into the mow above 20 - 25 per cent moisture content, spontaneous combustion may occur. A hay crop that is placed too wet into a mow will rapidly heat. If the mow is so large that heat loss is restricted, the internal temperature will rise. As the temperature rises above 130 degrees F. (55 degrees C.), a chemical reaction occurs and may sustain itself. This reaction does not require oxygen, but the flammable gases produced are at a temperature above their ignition point. These gases will ignite when they come in contact with oxygen. Check your hay regularly. If you detect a slight caramel odour or a distinct musty smell, chances are your hay is heating. What do you do? First of all, Conservation funds available The Huron County Land Ste­ wardship Program has limited funds available. The county committee has re­ viewed the present number of completed inspections and, due to either weather or economic condi­ tions, the committee finds itself with a limited amount of extra funds. These funds are available to clay soil installations. Why Don’t We Use Mole Drainage Everywhere? Mole drainage is designed for heavy clay soils where spacings of 10 - 30 ft. are required. Tile drainage is used for all other soils. When is the Best Time for Moling? When the soil is neither too dry nor too wet. This is usually, between May and July, depending on your local .climatic conditions. Take a ball of soil one inch in diameter at the depth of 2 ft. If you succeed to roll it between your hands into 3.5 inch thread, you will know that the soil is ready for moling. make yourself a simple probe that can be inserted into the hay mass to check the temperature. A probe can be made from a 10 ft. piece of electrical tubing. Rivet a hardwood pointed dowel to one end and drill six half-inch diameter holes in the tube just above the dowel. Drive the probe into the hay mass and lower a candy thermometer on a long string into the probe. The thermometer should be left for 10 minutes to ensure an accurate reading. Watch for the following tempera­ tures: •150 degrees F. (65 degrees C.), Entering The Danger Zone, Check temperature daily. •160 degrees F. (71 degrees C.), Danger, measure temp, every four hours and inspect mow. •175 degrees F. (80 degrees C.), Call the Fire Department! Wet hay down and remove from bam. •185 degrees F. (85 degrees C.), Hot Spots and Pockets May Be Expected, flames will likely develop when heating hay comes in contact with oxygen. •212 degrees F. (100 degrees only on a first come, first serve basis and will apply to projects which are completed by the end of August. In this regard, the Huron County Committee has made eligible the following categories: A - 1 Under the Land Stewardship Program, direct seeding of for­ ages be eligible for $15.00 per eligible acres (30 per cent of tilled acres) seeded up to August 31, 1990. Forage acres must be increased. A - 1 Cover crops seeded before August 31, 1990 for overwinter soil protection be eligible based on eligible acres at a rate of $15 per seeded acres, ie. oats, hairy vetch. C - 1 Rental of no-till equipment be eligible based on eligible acres to a maximum of $1,000 per appli­ cant. C - 2 Purchase or modification of planting and/or residue manage­ ment equipment to a maximum of $3,000 per applicant be eligi­ ble. The grant is based on two-thirds of cost to a maximum of $3,000. These funds are available to new applicants as well as those partici­ pants on file who have not reached their maximum allocation. C.), Critical!, temperature rise is rapid above this point. Hay will almost certainly ignite. Caution: Before entering the mow, place long planks on top of the hay. Do not attempt to walk on the hay mass itself. Pockets may have already burned out under the hay surface. Always tie a rope around your waist and have a second person on the other end in a safe location to pull you out should the surface of the hay collapse into a fire pocket. Extreme caution should be taken when fighting a hay fire if hay has been treated with chemical preser­ vatives. Hay treated with preserva­ tives containing ethoxyquin and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) will at around 240 degrees F. (115 degrees C.) produce hydrogen cyanide gas. This gas is very deadly. Additives containing pri­ marily propionic acid do not pro­ duce hydrogen cyanide during a fire. Many farmers sprinkle salt on hay as it is stored, in an effort to prevent hay fires. However, tests have shown that salt has no effect on controlling spontaneous com­ bustion. Dry ice, liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas pumped into the hay will help prevent combustion by eliminating the oxygen from the hay mass. Spontaneous combustion is not an accident. It is a gambling loss. By following good storage prac­ tices, not only will spontaneous combustion be avoided, but a higher quality of hay will be obtained. NOTICE Township of McKillop The Cowan Bridge located on Concession 6 & 7, Lot 22 McKillop Township will be closed for approximately 6 to 7 weeks for repairs. McKillop Township Concession Road 6 & 7 will be closed between side road no. 20 and Huron County Road No. 12, on July 9, 1990 until bridge repairs are finished. Wayne Dolmage Road Superintendent R.R. 1, Seaforth, Ontario NOK 1W0