The Rural Voice, 1980-07, Page 41ezuee eoait edeitaiecuos ririegeitevie
Bruce County
Farm report
Dr. Ted Burnside, University of Guelph, published some data
in 1969 as to what reasons were given for cows leaving home. 1
have similar data that he presented to us last fall and would like
to make a few comparisons.
The three main reasons cows leave were the same both times
although their relative order has changed. Poor production,
reproduction problems and breeding sales account for over 60%
of disposals. Reproductive problems are an increasing reason for
disposals recently (30% vs 20%). Both low production and
breeding sales have decreased on a percentage basis --production
from 16% to 14% and sales from 26% to 22%.
To me this indicates that if we have an area to concern
ourselves with, it should be the reproduction area. It will not hurt
and will probably benefit a dairyman to review all the signs of
heat, make a definite effort to detect heats and make sure the
cow reproductive system is healthy. Too many people have a
haphazard system of detecting and recording heats. At least
one-half hour/day should be set aside to watch the cows - all
heats should be recorded. No cow with an infection in the uterus
should be bred. These are only a few of the ways you can
improve your breeding interval.
The breakdown of the mammary system is the leading reason
for the other 40% of disposals. Udder breakdown accounting for
71/2% and mastitis for 31/2% of the total problem. This hasn't
changed much since 1969 when the mammary system accounted
for 10'/2% of the reasons cows leave. Sickness and injury account
for another 10% with the remaining 20% being a large number
of small things.
It strikes me that most of the reasons why cows are forced to
leave can be influenced quite a bit by management. Less than
2% of cows are shipped out because they are too old. If through a
change in management techniques we can keep a good cow
around an extra Near, the effort will have been worth it.
—William J. Grexton, Associate Ag. Rep., Bruce County Farm
Report
Do you have
a century farm?
Should you wish to designate your farm as a Century Farm
by means of a gate sign this is how you go about it.
Requirements:
1. The farm must be operated by direct descendants of the same
family for at least 100 years as of the date of the application.
2. The farm must have someone living on it at the time of
application and must be in active operation as a farm.
3. Incorporated farming operations are eligible if they comply to
regulation #1.
Contacts: Glenn Cumming, Provincial Director, Bruce County Jr.
Farmers, R.R. #4, Paisley, Ontario. NOG 2NO 353-5577 or
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Box 1330, Walkerton,
Ontario. NOG 2V0 881-3301. Don J. Emke Extension Assistant.
Keith Weedon was the recipient of the first Bruce
County Farmer of the Year Award. Brian and Gisele
Ireland (on right) presented the award to Keith and
Mrs. Weedon (on left) at the Bruce Semi -Annual
Banquet held In June.
GREY -BRUCE , PERTH -HURON
Shorthorn Clubs Annual
HOLIDAY SALE
Saturday, August 2, 1980
1 p.m.
Walkerton Fair Grounds, 4 bulls, 45 females, 11 calves,
consisting of register and grade Shorthorns, Shorthorns
and Simmental Crosses and Shorthorn Limousin
crosses from the following consigners: William Smith,
Sebringville; Wayne Mewhinney, Paisley; James &
Maurice Knott, Clarksburg; Wm. Butson, Staffa;
Bodmin Ltd., Brussels; Frank Bullock, Ayton; Reuben
Brodhagen, Brunner; Wm. Bryden, Mount Forest;
Smith Bros., Mildmay; Donald Watson, Clinton;
Wallace Storry, Listowel; John C. Tilson, Teeswater;
James Robinson, Fordwich; Frank & Leslie Falconer,
Clinton; William Lannin, Dublin.
Auctioneer, George Early, Kenwood
Sale Manager, Frank Falconer
R.R.#5, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
Phone 519-482-9128
Catalogues available from any of the above names
THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1990 P0. 36