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The Rural Voice, 1986-09, Page 23around the field will be sparse. The new boom -type air and mechanical spreaders are much more effective for this type of work. The blending together of the fer- tilizer and the seed is the least talk- ed about issue. Because the bulk density (pounds per cubic foot) of grain seed is much less than that of fertilizer materials, blenders must be careful in how it is blended, when it goes into the blender, how long it should be blended, and the handling of the mixture once it leaves the blender. As far as seeding rates are con- cerned, because of the equa- distance we have with broad- casting, I prefer rates of 165 to 180 lbs. per acre, or 2.7 to 3 bu. per acre. Also keep in mind that the newer varieties, Augusta and Franken- muth, do not tiller to the same ex- tent that the Yorkstar and Fredrick used to. Therefore, a heavier seeding rate is beneficial. One variety that really responds to high broadcast seeding rate, high fertili- ty and good management is Houser. Now that the 1986 wheat crop is still fresh on your minds, I know many of you are trying to forget it; now is a good time to initiate plans for your 1987 crop. ❑ CONSERVATION: A GROWING CONCERN Rob MacDonald, a summer research assistant explains the BASF No - Tillage Research Trials to interested farmers attending Soil Conserva- tion Day at the farm of Gordon and Paula Lobb, near Clinton. Dandelions created a problem, he says, as well as trash from the previous three years of com which tied up the herbicide. Vern Spencer, director of OMAF's Soil and Water Manage- ment Branch, Toronto, told farmers at Soil Conservation Day at Gordon and Paula Lobb's farm, outside of Clinton, that "we need controls on water the minute it touches the ground." Conserva- tion methods used by each farmer, he says, should be viewed collec- tively to see the overall effect it would have on the community as a whole. "We need resource people and interest groups to identify the pro- blems of soil erosion, propose local solutions, assist in testing, and documenting the solutions on a scientific basis, and then get the information back out to everybody as economically as possible," Spencer says. Wagon tours at Soil Conserva- tion Day viewed a reforestation site, no -till herbicide trials, and erosion control structures. There were also exhibits and a display of conservation equipment. Soil Conservation Day was sponsored by the Huron Soil and Water Conservation District of the Huron Soil and Crop Improve- ment Association, The Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Authority, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the On- tario Ministry of Natural Resources. O SM *Ila tespcare View Narms Breeders of f r • Superior • ROP f,`'{`• Tested s • Durocs • Landrace • Yorkshire OMAF HEALTH RATING "GOOD" Gerry & Linda Knechtel & Family Shakespeare, Ontario 519-625-8717 We invite your breeding stock ingwrie,: WARD MALLETTE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Exeter Box 299, NOM ISO 235-0120 Hanover 485 10th St., N4N 1R2 364-3790 Mount Forest Box 418, NOG 2L0 323-2351 Orangeville 77 Broadway, 2nd floor, L9W 1K1 941-0681 Owen Sound Box 397, N4K 5P7 ..376-6110 Port Elgin Box 509, NOM 2C0 832-2049 Walkerton Box 760, NOG 2V0 881-1211 Wiarlon Box 249, NON 2T0 534-1520 AMW SEPTEMBER 1986 23