HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1989-03-08, Page 63Pani Edition a Psi 10A
Farm homovaters motivated by environ
Concern for the environment is
motivating innovative Ontario farmers to
adopt soil and water conservation
measures, according to a recent .analysis
of farmer attitudes.
The study was released by the Soil and
Water Environmental Enhancement Pro-
gram (SWEEP), a joint federalKprovinciaal
program to reduce agricultural sources of
phosphorus in the Lake Erie basin.
The SWEEP study focused on 27 farm
operators in southwestern Ontario who are
recognized) lefders inn conservation farm-
ing. Among other things, the study showed
that protecting the environment is impor-
tant to farmers. The threat of erosion and
soil :degradation was the major reason for
adopting conservation strategies.
"This survey confirm our impression
SWEEP approaching
end of third , year
from page 12A
practices will have on a total watershed in
terms of improved water quality and more
profitable soil productivity.
Federal contact is Mike Hicknell,
Agriculture Canada, Agriculture Develop-
ment Branch, 450 Speedvale Avenue West,
Unit 104, Guelph, N1N 7Y7 (519) 763-5433.
PROVINCIAL RESPONSIBILITES -The
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
(OMAF) enhances its existing soil and
water program capability through
SWEEP by means of • local demonstra-
tions; technical assistance and soil and
water conservation management
incentives.
Soil and Crop Management Demonstra-
tions -mainly in tillage and crop rotations
promotes wider adoption of proveneonser-
vation technology .by. farms. Side-by-side
plots amused to :compare °cropping.,rata-
tions and various tillage and cultural
practices.
Tillage 2000 is an example of a SWEEP
demonstration project 'using 30-50 on-farm
sites for three to five years to examine the
effects of alternate tillage practices and
crop rotations, and thus provide data to
develop crop management practices for
the year 2000.
that Ontario's leading farmers are
developing an increasing awareness of en-
vironmental issues," says Agriculture
Canada's Wally F n,; ray, the research
scientist responsible for the report. "We
hope that the example set by these in-
novators will be followed by other Ontario
farmers."
The study has been very helpful to
SWEEP, adds Fin .A y "The study firms
tip auur•uunderstan ; g of who conservation
farmers are," he says, "and it has helped
us to recognize their most pressing
needs."
BACKGROUNDER
SWEEP Study Results
The "Review of Farm -based Soil Con-
servation Research and Development"
was prepared by Ecologtstics Limited of
ent
concerns
Waterloo under the direction of Ecological
Services for Planning Ltd., Guelph on
behalf of Agriculture Canada. Among
other things, the study showed that:
4The threat of erosion and soil degradation
was the major reason for adopting conser-
vation strategies.
*According to these innovators, conserva-
tion pays. Economic factors were the se-
cond most frequently cited reason for
adopting conservation measures.
*Conservation farmers are relatively well-
educated. Almost 70% of the respondents
had some possecond.y education.
*Conservation ply are often discussed by
the family. The study found that 65% of the
respondents discuss conservation ply
with their spouse.
"Continuous corn is falling out of favor
with conservation fah niers. None of the
respondents grws corn every year on any
field. More than -196 ase a three-year,
corn -soy -winter wheat rotation.
*Cover crops are popular. About 85% of the
farm innovators use cover crops ro protect
their soil from erosion while another crop
becomes established.
*Conservation farmers are willing to take
chances. Almost 70% describe themselves
as "risk takers."
*Weed control is a top concern. Most
farmers surveyed expressed dissatisfac-
tion with the effectiveness of conventional
herbicides used as part of .a conservation
farming program.
*Farmers find information on conserva-
tion farming methods difficult to obtain.
The American farm press was named as
the source of most relevant information.
AB THE REINS!
NORTH AMERICA'S
NEW
POWERHORSES
Technical Assistance - provided by teams
of conservation advisers with field exper-
tise in soils and crops, .soil and water
engineering and farm management,
assists farriers through organized wor- •
shops, field daysiand tours to solve specific
problems and find alternatives.
Management Incentives - grants are
available to help farmers build eroision-
reducing devices to abate phosphorous
loading of water systems. Devices such as
grassed waterways control the movement
of water and sediment from intensively -
cropped lands.
The Ontario Soil Conservation and En-
vironmental Protection Assistance Pro-
garm (OSCEPAP 11) has been made part
of SWEEP and extended to 1990, providing
advice, demonstrations and grants to
farmers on manure management, erosion
control and alternative cropping prac-
tices. (Applications available at local
OMAF county or district offices. )
Provincial .contact is Galen Driver,
OMAF Soil and Water, Management
Branch, Guelph Agriculture Centre, P.O.
Box 1030, Guelph, N1H 6N1, (519) 823-6700.
Expert advice is available locally by
calling the Maitland Valley Conservation
Authority, 3353557, Ausable-Bayfield Con-
servation Authority, 235-2610; or the Clin-
ton OMAF Office at 482-3428.
A
SALES & SERVICE
CHEPSTOW
366-2325