The Rural Voice, 1978-09, Page 34Quack grass weed
no laughing matter
'Quack grass' may sound like the punch
Iinc for an animal joke. but Canadian
farmers don't find it funny.
Quack grass. Agropyron rcpcns. is a
widespread weed found in almost all
agricultural areas of Canada. It is abundant
in grasslands. gardens. roadsides and
abandoned fields. but it is most harmful in
cultivated areas.
Romain Rioux. a weed specialist at
Agriculture Canada's La Pocaticre. Que..
Experimental Farm. says that one of the
greatest problems with this perennial mveed
is that it reduces grain crop yields.
"Some corn crops have been reduced up
to 85 per cent because of extreme quack
grass infestations and we have had reports
of reductions in oat yields of 30 to 70 per
cent." Mr. Rioux says.
It has also been known to drop yields for
barley and soybeans.
The Agriculture Canada scientist has
been looking for the best means of
controlling this pesky weed
"One effective way to fight quack grass
is the traditional method. namely. working
the ground in the fall and applying a good
herbicide." Mr. Rioux says.
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The scientist has been conducting
experiments on glyphosate. a herbicide
shown to be effective in controlling the
'weed.
The experiments showed that the
chemical virtually eradicates quack grass
when applied at a rate of six or seven litres
per hectare (four or five pints per acre)
when quack grass has at least four leaves.
Plowing may be done four days after
application.
Traditionally. herbicide applications
combined with careful and repeated tillage
from the beginning of August until the
ground becomes frozen. give good control
of quack grass. but with glyphosate
repeated fall tillage is not necessary." Mr.
Rioux says.
Heat stress dangerous
In -transit heat stress kills a significant
number of hogs shipped to Ontario markets
every year. says Dr. Peter Oliver, Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food swine
disease consultant. A layer of fat and the
inability to sweat handicaps hogs during
hot. humid weather.
Prevention of in -transit deaths during
the heat of August and September should
be a major concern of pork producers. A
safe journey to the market starts with
sotmd management practices on the' farm.
When market time arrives. proper
transport is vital.
"Adequate space and ventilation on -
shipping trucks rcduccsstress." says Dr.
Oliver. "Nothing is gained by overcrowd-
ing."
Loading early in the day is cooler for
herdsmen and hogs. Narrow loading
chutes prevent hogs from turning and
exciting others in the holding pen. Sand on
the loading ramp lessens chance of
slipping and injury.
Dr. Oliver condemns the use of electric
prods that can excite and overstress hogs.
Once hogs are loaded, the road trip
should be made as soon as possible. If
delays occur. the shipping truck should be
shaded or, the pigs sprinkled with water
from a hose.
Sometimes even healthy -looking hogs
die during transportation.
"It's critical to determine the cause of
death through postmortem and to get
advice." says Dr. Oliver.
Surveys and postmortems show many of
these deaths result from inability to cope
with stress. Dr. Oliver says herds with a
high incidence of in -transit losses -probably
have a genetic factor that predisposes hogs
to this condition.
Researchers in Iowa are working toward
the identification of blood groups that are
styes -prone in hogs. If research results are
developed for practical use. farmers could
choose breeding stock best suited to
withstandinu stress.
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1
Howson Mills
Elevator Division
Receiving White Beans & Corn
- Fast Unloading
- Probe System for Corn
- Sell, Store or Contract your Corn
- Satellite Dealer for W.G. Thompson
& Sons Ltd. in Beans ONLY
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Blyth 523-4241
Elevator 1 mi. East of Blyth
off County Rd. 25 523-9624
P(;.34 THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER 1978