The Rural Voice, 1980-11, Page 27Head smut damage down
In Perth County head smut on the corn
crop is under control. The damage this
season was less than last year.
"There is news of a cure for head smut.
But it is not too effective as of yet " said
Art Lawson, of the Perth County OMAF
office. None of the hybird varieties are
totally resistant to smut. The treated seed
could help fight against smut but spring
conditions are the deciding factor.
"The wet weather pattern in the spring
seemed to favour the corn borer. The
adult corn borer laid three broods in some
plants this year. The adults attack the
ear and stalks of corn. The stalks are then
hollow and break off easily along the
stalk " said Mr. Lawson. "Chemical
sprays are being used in Iowa and Illinois
to help combat the corn borers. These
sprays are not used too extensively in our
area as vet."
Rootworm damage to the crop occurred
in June and July. It was discovered too
late this season for any measures to be
taken against it. The eggs were laid in
early September which means the larvae
will hatch next spring and will then feed
on next year's crop of corn.
WET SPRING
The wet weather in the spring was
ideal for the rootworm population. To
combat rootworm, the use of insecticides
is essential, but they must be used as
directed to be effective.
Crop rotation is another method of
control. The larvae will starve to death if
no corn is present to feed upon. The use
of deep rooted hybirds and adequate
fertility which provides optimum advant-
ages for the plants are necessary.
"The rootworm eggs are laid in the
ground. But the monitoring of the adult
corn borer population can help predict
next year's problems. The canneries
always keep track of damage to corn. This
helps to decide what insecticides are
needed for the crop next year " said Mr.
Lawson. "If all the available information
could be gathered, it should give a
prediction as to the damage to expect
next year."
TEST PLOTS
"Not all varieties are affected by the
corn borer and rootworm. Take the time
to see the test plots provided by the seed
companies. Compare the different
varities before ordering your corn for next
year. Find the ones that are not as
susceptible to diseases, corn borer and
rootworm, and are ready early " advised
Mr. Lawson.
Junior farmer visits United Kingdom
Bill Armstrong, of R.R. 4, Wingham,
had an opportunity recently to draw some
firsthand conclusions about the British
dairy industry. Bill, 22, and three other
Junior Farmers visited a number of
United Kingdom farms on an exchange
program.
Following an orientation program,
when he met some of the 65,000 members
of the English Young Farmers, who are
either rural or urban residents up to the
age of 26, Bill visited farms in Wales,
northeastern England, Scotland and
Inverness in northern Scotland.
The family Bill visited outside
Oswestry, Wales were "hill farmers",
whose land was at an altitude of 800 feet
and higher. The tenant farm family
worked 800 acres, one small portion of a
15,000 -acre estate. The family kept 2,500
breeding ewes and a 100 -cow suckling
herd.
In the lake district in northeastern
England, Bill stayed with dairy farmers
who owned 45 British Friesians and
worked 85 acres.
The Junior Farmer discovered a unique
aspect of the father and son operation
was that the house and barn were one
unit "which is common in that region."
Farmers in the area faced several
geographical drawbacks. Since the land is
so level, it's difficult to drain and
quicksand is prevalent about four feet
below the surface. To compensate, there
are no footings or tanks deeper than four
feet and structures are built on top of
deep pilings.
In Inverness, Scotland, Bill visited a
dairy operation where farmers use a
rotary parlor to milk their cows. Bill said
25 cows are placed on a large wheel that
takes three and a half minutes to make
one complete turn. The animal is milked
by the time it returns to the starting
point, where it steps off and is replaced
by another cow.
On his return, Bill said, "I found the
hospitality and courtesy of the British to
be far more than I had anticipated."
Perth discusses Farmers' Bill of Rights
Pressure on farmers from urban
sprawl, restrictive by-laws and other
moves whichthreaten their lifestyle has
led the Perth_ Federation of Agriculture to
appoint a delegation to discuss and
investigate a Farmers' Bill of Rights.
The decision was made at their
September meeting.
Ironically, the Perth Federation
decision was arrived at while London
Township is proposing stricter agricul-
ture controls in their new zoning by-laws.
Some provisions in the London plan
would allow no new farms of under 40
hectares, no new farm buildings within
300 metres of the city and additional
restrictions on construction near
municipal drains and drainage ditches.
THE
Many of the articles in the Farmers'
Bill of Rights being considered by the
Perth group seek to deal with such
municipal legislation. Some of the details
are outlined in a nine -page discussion
paper, prepared by the OFA En-
vironmental Committee.
Under objectives, the paper includes
"To lessen the impact of non-farm uses in
urban areas," and later says. "To protect
farmers from harassment and com —
plaints from non-farm, encroachment
into farming areas."
The committee members are Bill
MacDougald of Fullarton, Ron Christie of
Hibbert, Vic Rowland of Downie and
Clara Keller of Fullarton.
RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1980 PG. 25