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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1989-03-08, Page 41FaTem Edition '89 — Page 21 ecological farming works • from page 19 the land was being built up. And if the land was brown, it was being depleted." On his farm, Zettel uses the manure from his dairy operation, and from a local hog operation. He has found he actually has more manure than he can use. Too much manure on land, he said, is just as bad as not enough. Before farmers were told how the new chemical products would increase yields and efficiency, they farmed using ecological methods. Up . until about 50 years ago, Ontario farmers were using methods that allowed for the use of natural biological controls, such as bird and insect life. That balance was upset when conven- tional practices were employed. Fence rows were taken out, swamps drained and woodlots cleared. Now farmers are finding they need those con- trols, Zettel says. It all works together for the betterment of soil and environment. If one part is taken away, the balance is upset. Then there's also the affect on the climate. Reducing forests changes the climate and weather becomes more volatile. An example, he says, is droughts tend to last longer and be more severe. Using ecological methods, says Zettel, has an end result that is attractive—self- sufficiency. Though he admits farmers will have to compromise, like use diesel tractors, or spray for mustard if a farm is overrun with the weed, he says ecological farming works. It's in th9 balance of the soil that determines how vigorously weeds grow. "We have weeds, but they seldom over- come the crops. Mustard isn't a big pro- blem here but it really thrives on over - fertility." If farmers have problems with a weed, like mustard, Zettels advises them to look at alternative crops. The weed isn't a pro- blem in winter cereals, or in perennial forages. As for another problem weed, milkweed, he says it's related to a structural problem in soil, such as compaction. Growing alfalfa will eliminate milkweed. Farmers must remember that the earth is home to a whole range of life forms. There are worms, microbiological life and fungi. A University of Guelph study shows that earthworms turn over the top six in- ches of soil in three years. But, if farmers use pesticides, worm populations are affected. That in turn decreases bird life, with the end result be- ing an unbalance. "If we wipe out above the soil, we wipe out below as well. We know fungicides and insectides are most damaging to soil life." Though Zettel worries about what's be- ing done to the soil through conventional farming, he says he's encouraged by how fast soil quality returns if good practices are used. In his own situation, Zettel says his crop yields went down right after he switched to ecological farming. However, in the years since then, yields have gradually returned to normal. His hay crops, if anything, did better than before. Yields never decreased. He also grows winter rye, winter wheat, oats and barley. His grain yields are about the same as when he was farming the con- ventional way. In the coming years, Zettel says farmers will experience a lot more pressure from outside groups about farming practices and what farmers are doing to the environ- ment. If farmers don't change their prac- tices, he says the government may step in and try to legislate change. That's something he doesn't want to see happen. He says he hopes farmers make the changes on their own. "I'm afraid there will be such pressure for change that it will be forced on us. I would like to see it (change) as an opportunity " Pr Herd 7 3 n 0# ) :ung for a New or Used Truck? +)� ve runt °aie Pick of the Litter". sck out our `Flock", Today! IF YOU'RE LOOKING Fals A NEW TRUCK ... • We have 1/2 Ton -)d 3/ • in 2 and 4 wheel drive Versions! • We also have a Shop 1 Box Step Side Pickup with 350 V8 Engine and Manual Transmission. Lots of trucks with air conditioning. • Compact Pick-ups & Jimmys in 2 & 4 WD • Full size loaded extended cab in short & long boxes. • Mini -vans in 7 & 8 passenger capacity. —THE BEST STOCK YOU'LL FIND IN THIS AREA & LOTS MORE COMING — Americans in love with canola Canada's vegetable oil refiners are gear- ing up for an expected increase of canola oil exports to the United States within the next year or two. "Already, exports have risen to about 120,000 tonnes from 5,000 tonnes five years ago. And they could reach 300,000 tonnes, worth an estimated $250 million, says Bob Burden, an oilseed analyst at Agriculture Canada's National Grains Bureau in Winnipeg. An oilseed refinery in Windsor, Ont., has doubled its capacity to meet increasing demands and another in Lethbridge, Alta., is set to do the same. Canola oil has gained acceptance in the U.S. because it is 50 per cent lower than soy- bean oil in monosaturated fat. Also, it con- tains Omega =3, a special group of fatty acids believed to have health benefits for humans, such as reducing risk of coronary, heart disease. Last year the American Health Founda- tion named a canola-based salad oil Food Product of the Year. But it wasn't until this fall, when the American Food and Drug Ad- ministration proposed the removal of a re- quirement to label canola oil as low erucic acid rapeseed, that the Canadian industry could look forward to big sales increases. "Canola is popular with snack food pro- cessors because it has a higher smoke point than soybean oil and almost double flavor stability, which means the oil can be used longer," Said Si Sigal, director of the oilseeds division of Agriculture Canada's Grain Marketing Bureau in Ottawa. "Cer- tainly we see a fairly high export potential at least for the near term." Future markets for canola oil look pro- mising. It's now being used to produce a high-quality newspaper ink. Mr.Sigal says the domestic market is presently being developed and opportunities exist to export canola ink in the future. Seed inspection: the power behind quality crops IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A USED TRUCK ... 1987 GMC 1/2 Ton V8 automatic, topper. #96A 1986 GMC 1/2 Ton Wrangler Big 6 autorratic, topper, cassette, 71,00` km., #b2A 1986 Jimmy Gypsy 2 WD air, cruise, tilt, cassette, 81,000 km. #90A 1986 GMC Mini Van V6 automatic, 90,000 -km. 468A 1986 Ford 3/4 Ton XL . V8, 4 speed manual, 51,000 km. #53A 1986 Ranger XLT Extended Cab 6 automatic, cassette, 39,000 km. #30A 1985 GMC 1/2 Ton Sierra Classic tilt, rally wheels, 56,000 km. #99A 1985 GMC 1/2 Ton 'Big 6 automatic, 31,000 km., orange. #80A 1985 GMC 1/2 Ton 4 WD High Sierra, V8 automatic, 115,000 km. #02A 1985 GMC 3/4 Ton Sierra Classic 350 V8 automatic, air, tilt, AM/FM, topper, 109,000 km. #98A • from page 18 can make sure the crop is the required distance away." If the CSGA finds everything in order ' after appraising the report, a Crop Cer- tificate is granted by them recognizing pedigreed status. Once harvested, the crop must be cleaned, graded, sealed and labelled before it can be offered for sale as seed by variety name. Canada has developed a reputation in the world marketplace for producing high quality seed based on strict standards for growing and inspection. "The inspection process assures both Canadian farmers and importers of Canadian seed they're getting quality seed that meets a labelled grade," says Roddy. Hansen Trip agrees. "Seed inspection provides the assurance of high germina- tion rates, genetic purity and consistent quality. 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