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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaluting Huron County's Agricultural Industry, 1987-03-25, Page 29THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1987. PAGE A29. Check on tingle voltage for happier animals During the early 1980s tingle voltage was found to exist on many beef, sheep, swine and dairy farms in Ontario. Today livestock and producers have options available to reduce the severity of the problem. Tingle voltage, also referred to as stray or neutral-to-earth volt­ age, has become a household word on many livestock farms. Dairy farmers have encountered condi­ tions such as uneven milk-out, increased cow nervousness, in­ creased mastitis, reduced feed intake, reluctance to drink water, lowered milk production, etc. Beef cattle may be reluctant to consume water from the heated water bowl, resulting in reduced rate of gain and additional days to Vet college celebrates 125th anniversary The opening in June of a $13.5 million animal centre at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University ofGuelph will crown 125th anniversary celebrations of the historic institute. The ribbon will be cut on the animal centre June 19. Billed as “the oldest veterinary school in continuous operation in Northand South America,’’ the Ontario Veterinary College was founded in 1863, by Scotsman Andrew Smith, whowasbrought to Toronto by the Upper Canada agriculture board to teach and run a veterinary practice. Affiliated with the University of Toronto in 1908, the veterinary school moved to Guelph in 1922 and became part of the new University of Guelph in 1964. The college, one of four in Canada and the only one in Ontario, has made its mark in many areas of veterinary medicine as well as training people from around the world, spokesman Andrea Mudry Fawcett said. Pioneers in domestic animal surgery, college staff also perfect­ ed techniques for artificial insem­ ination of dairy cattle and swine and for freezing bull semen. They were instrumental in livestock vaccination and testing programs, which led to the elimination of brucellosis (which causes abor­ tions) and tuberculosis in animals and humans. Researchers also explore areas where human and veterinary medicine cross paths, often on the leading edge of areas such as organ transplants, bone surgery, gene- Summary needed for OPHP BYANDYSANDE PORK ADVISOR FOR HURON COUNTY Most hog producers across Ontario will have just received their yearly summary from the Ontario Pork Producer’s Market­ ing Board. This year it will be in two parts. We have a “pre-metric” summary anda “post-metric’’ summary. Producerswhohaveenrolled in the Ontario Pork Industry Improve­ ment Plan (O.P.I.I.P.), must send a copy of BOTH reports to the county office if they are to maintain eligibility in the program. The deadline is March 31 for the O.P.P.M.B. summaries to be submitted. However, since pro­ duction records must be in by April 15 for Quarter 1 of 1987, perhaps theO.P.P.M.B. summaries should accompany the Quarter 1 produc­ tion summary. market. In many cases, severe reduction in water consumption has occurred resulting in great economic loss. A simple voltmeter can deter­ mine if a small voltage appears on some of the equipment that livestock contacts. Voltage creates a current flow upon contact, thus creating stress and reducing per­ formance. Because of wetness around most heated water bowls, current can flow very easily from the equipment, through the ani­ mal, to the ground. Attempts have been made to determine maximum acceptable voltage contact levels. Originally the maximum acceptable level was established at one volt. Today, most dairymen and livestock pro­ ducers prefer to maintain the tically engineered vaccines and cancer research, Mudry Fawcett said. A Noah’s ark of animals was studied and treated at the large clinic last year (including an elephant, kangaroo and gnu ante­ lope), another 8,000 at the small animal clinic and more than 16,000 farm animals through a mobile clinic. The college has a wild bird clinic, the only one of its kind in Canada. MILLS Howson & Howson Ltd Hour & Feed Milers, Complete Farm Supplies, Grain Elevators WINGHAM, BLYTH, CARGILL, 0WENS0UND maximum level below one-half volt. The tingle voltage filter was introduced a few years ago as a practical, reasonable-cost remedy. A tingle voltage indicator has been introduced more recently. The first requirement of almost every livestock facility in Ontario is a tingle volage indicator to show the level of livestock exposure to tingle voltage. The indicator made by Hammond Manufacturing costs about $60 and requires approxi­ mately two to four hours of an electrician’s time to install. The tingle voltage indicator is basically a small * ‘black box’ ’ with three indicator lights which show the level of voltage encountered on a continuous 24-hour basis. Al­ though the tingle voltage indicator is attached to the electrical service entrance, it should be located in an area which farmers frequent daily. If tingle voltage is found to be higher than acceptable, then a tingle voltage filter can be install­ ed. The filter is also manufactured by the Hammond Company, lists for under $400, and requires about the same amount of time for an electrician to install as the indica­ tor. However, there is one caution. Do not assume that just because a tingle voltage filter has been installed all is well. Make certain that, following installation, a check is made by the electrician to determine if it is performing as required. The filter should reduce the electrical grounding voltage to approximate­ Howson & Howson Limited Truck Spreader Unit •Low soil compaction •Saves time & labour •Dickey-John computer for accuracy Fertilizers •Straight, mixed or micro ingredients •Bulk delivery - anytime, anywhere •Spreaders readily available Chemicals •Large supply on hand to protect your crop LET US BUILD A FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL PROGRAM TO MEET YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS. Phone 523-4241 orcome in and see us for your complete line ofSpring Planting Supplies ly lOper cent oftheneutral voltage. Overtime, conditions with an electrical system may change, causing the filter to be bypassed, thereby reducing its effectiveness to nil. For this reason, the installation of a tingle voltage indicator, in conjunction with a filter, is strongly recommended. If livestock has contact with any piece of equipment connected to an electrical source, the electrical HANK’S SMALL ENGINES SALES & SERVICE HWY NO.4 LONDESBORO, ONT. P.O. BOX 254, NOM 2H0 DEALER FOR CANADIANA, BOLENS. LAWN A GARDEN EQUIP. WEED EATER TRIMMERS. POULAN CHAIN SAWS BADGER FARM EQUIP. HANK REININK PH 523-9202 USED SNOWMOBILES SERVICE TO ALL SMALL ENGINES BOARS & GILTS Low Backfat & Age PUREBRED LANDRACE AND YORKSHIRE Don Hejirij and Familij [Herd Health - Classified Good by OM AF] R.R. 1, Bluevale, Ontario NOG 1 GO Phone 519-335-3240 AND WE’RE READY TO HELP AT service entrance should be equip­ ped with a tingle voltage indicator to determine voltage levels. If the voltage is above acceptable levels, a filter should be installed. A tingle voltage indicator is necessary to monitor performance level of the filter on a continuous basis. By using the above equip­ ment, the level of tingle voltage experienced by your livestock can be reduced to acceptable levels.