HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-03-18, Page 31ARRA
Over 25,000 head of cattle grazed
by Corinne Boyle
BRUCE TOWNSHIP—Since 1966, when the
Bruce Community Pasture first began
operations, approximately 25,000 head of
beef cattle have been grazed on 1,400 acres
of land. Of the 10 similar pastures in On-
tario, the Bruce Community Pasture, also
known as ARDA ( Agricultural Rural
Development Arrangement), handles the
largest number of cattle per season.
The principle behind the operation is that
an beef farmer in Bruce County can apply
through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food (OMAF) to graze a maximum of
20 head of cattle on the land for the summer.
An average of 75 applications are ac-
cepted each year allowing cattlemen to
graze their cattle from the first week of May
until the first week of October. It is the job of
Glen Wells, manager, and Ted Parker to
check the cattle daily and perform the
regular duties required on any farm.
Wells says that statistically, farmers can-
not graze their cattle as cheaply on their
own land as on the community pasture if all
costs are considered.
The land is located on Concession 6 of
Bruce Township, one mile from the Bruce
Nuclear Power Development. Cattle are
grazed on a per pound basis and fees to the
farmer include 25 cents per pound plus a $3
per head entry fee to cover veterinary and
loss expenses.
The application period is from February
until March 20 and a committee reviews ap-
plications for acceptance. The local com-"
mittee that manages the farm includes a
representative from the Soils and Crop Im-
provement Association, the Bruce County
Federation of Agriculture, 'Bruce County
Council, Bruce County Cattlemen's Associa-
tion, OMAF staff and one member at large
is appointed by the committee. Applications
are available through OMAF.
At one time when beef production was at
its peak in the county, there were twice as
many applications as were accepted. Wells
says the number of applications in recent
years has been more in line with the amount
of room available because of the decline in
beef production.
Cattle being put onto the pasture in May
must have been wormed at least two weeks
before going to pasture and must have been
treated for black leg and any other illness.
The cattle are branded with the farm's own
brand and ears are tagged so each farmer's
cattle can be identified. Cattle can be given
growth implants at the farmer's request.
"Any cattle that don't meet regulation
health standards are immediately sent back
home," says Wells.
'Salt and mineral are supplied by the
pasture farm, and water, which comes from
one central well, is pumped throughout the
farm by way of underground plastic pipe.
The land is fenced into 100 acre lots with a
maximum of 300 head in each lot. Though
most of the cattle are left on the pasture un-
til October, about 350 are sent home in July.
These "short-term cattle" are brought in to
maintain pasture by helping eat the excess
growth that comes in May and June.
Wells says the Bruce Community Pasture
tried this process first about 10 years ago
and now most of the other 10 community
pasture farms in Ontario do this as well, as
do a lot of individual farmers.
Studies and tests are a big part of what
goes on at the pasture during the summer
months. Over the past three years there
have been a lot of studies done on grass,
grass consumption and grass production in
connection with the University of Guelph.
Wells says theasture farm is currently
Y
involved in tests to rejuvenate old pasture
stands without plowing them up. Tests are
underway with five different methods being
examined. These tests will be ongoing for
the next couple of years.
Over the last two years, tests of nitrogen
Turn to page 16 •
WiLLEM\S
1
•
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Page 15
THE OLD FASHIONED WAY --Glen Wells, manager of the Bruce Community
Pasture in Bruce Township, spends a lot of his summer on horseback. Part
of his daily duty on the pasture farm is checking the cattle daily, and
because there are about 1,400 acres to cover, it takes between five and
six hours. (Boyle photo)
MULTI FEEDER BY STARLINE
Only a dairyman could have invented
such a perfect feeding system ,
Research on multi feeding shows a milk production
advantage to the dairyman of 2-5 lbs. of milk/day.
Gilchrist Farm Supply
R.R.#5, Lucknow 395-2851