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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-06-21, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989. Wet weather prevents weed control Farm Farmers who last year craved even a few drops of rain are starting to get too much of a good thing this year, says Brian Hall of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food office in Clinton. Southern parts of the county seem to have just about the right amount of moisture but north of Clinton there has been too much wet weather. Farms in the area between Brussels and Walton have been hit by several large down­ pours and have suffered washouts in the fields. Some replanting of beans will likely be needed. Hardest hit by the wet weather have been dairy and beef farmers looking to get off a bumper crop of hay. There has been great growth of alfalfa and hay with the moisture but farmers are looking for a dry spell so they can get the crop off, he said. All crops are up and looking good but the wet weather is causing problems with weed control, Mr. Hall said. With bean crops in for two or three weeks farmers need to watch to see how well their herbicide is working, he said. If there has been too much rain on a field, the herbicide may have been too -diluted to do its job. Farmers should walk their fields and see how much weed emergence there has been and try to get the weeds while they’re still small, either by chemical treatment or by scuffling or rotary hoe, Mr. Hall said. That’s been easier said than done though as the wet weather has prevented farmers getting on their fields to carry out weed control measures. Most farmers are behind in their work because of the wet weather, Mr. Hall said. Pork Congress recognizes winners The recognition of accomplish­ ments is an important factor in people’s lives. The Ontario Pork Congress has recognized the im­ portance of people skills, and, in fact, is what the Pork Congress thrives on. The Congress issues a number of different awards and possibly the most important is the recognition of those producers who have made a significant contribution to the Ontario pork industry. These out­ standing people are chosen by their peers from their own country. In the past, the Ontario Pork Congress has identified many well- deserved winners. Each of these winners has a unique willingness to share. It is this friendly sharing attitude that makes the pork indu­ stry such a wonderful setting at the Ontario Pork Congress. All award winners can be truly proud of this accomplishment. A new award for this year is the ‘ * Herdsperson of the Year Award. ’ ’ Such outstanding herdspersons should be nominated by their employers. Only one person will receive this recognition. All winners will be honoured at the Awards Banquet on Thursday, June 22, 1989. Our mistake In last week’s paper, we implied that Jackie Mauget was going to buy “Party! All The Time” owned by Allincourt Stables. Mr. Mauget only admired the stallion and was interested in the possibility of importing an American Saddlebred to France. The other concern OMAF staff has been trying to pass on to farmers is to watch out for alfalfa weavil infestation, Mr. Hall said. He said the weevil has been heavy in the north end of the county. Usually this isn’t something to worry about in first cut hay, he said, because there is so much Changes to Ontario Farm Tax Rebates announced Changes to the Ontario Farm Tax Rebate Program for 1989 were announced Friday by Minister of Agriculture and Food Jack Riddell. “As in the past, the program will be targeted to property owners whose gross farm production in­ come was at least $5,000 in Northern and Eastern Ontario and $8,000 in other parts of the province. Changes to be made in 1989 will target the program more closely to those whose main occu­ pation is farming,’’ Riddell said. “During the course of the year, my ministry, in consultation with farm groups, will evaluate the program to determine its long-term direction.” Rebates will be paid only on properties which are farmed, at 15 Junior Agriculturalists hired At present 15 Junior Agricultur­ alists have been hired in Bruce Huron and Perth counties. Orienta­ tion for these Junior Ags. was held on June 10, with well over 60 people in attendance. A presenta­ tion by Steve Matisz from the Farm Safety Association was an eye- opener for everyone involved and was very well received. Provincial CLASSIFIED - FAST - DEPENDABLE - HIGHLY VISIBLE Call Blyth 523-4792 or Brussels 887-9114 growth there. Problems can occur, however as the second cut starts to grow and there are more weevils than there is growth for them to feed on. Farmers should watch the regrowth and if feeding appears on the new buds, they should consider spraying to kill the weevils, he said. least in part, by the owner. The rebate will be reduced by five per cent for every $1,000 of owner’s off-farm income in excess of $40,000 when there is only one property owner or $60,000 when there are two or more property owners. Existing gross production value criteria will apply. Gross produc­ tion value is defined as total farm sales plus or minus changes in inventory, minus the cost of pur­ chased feed or livestock. Retired farmers and their spous­ es, spouses of deceased farmers, individuals who have been required to reduce production due to illness and farmers who rent farm parcels to their own farm operations will be eligible to receive benefits under the program. Program Manager, Laura West- over was also on hand to answer questions and to give an overview of the Junior Agriculturalist Pro­ gram. Some of the Junior Ags. will be starting June 19 and the rest the following Monday, June 26. The program runs until August 18. Second grade cattle sales up from last week The market at Brussels Livestock Inc. met a steady demand on choice steers and heifers and second grade cattle selling higher than the previous week, with 308 slaughter cattle and 337 pigs. Choice steers sold from $88 to $92 with sales to $95; good steers from $84 to $88. Five steers consigned by Wm. Bennett and Sons Ltd., of RR 1, Gorrie averaging 1182 lbs. sold for an average price of $92.59. Forty steers consigned by Maple Em­ blem Farms of RR 1, Dungannon, averaging 1144 lbs., sold for an average price of $90.23. Twelve steers consigned by Bob Blackwell Sr. of RR 1, Ripley averaging 1150 lbs., sold for an average price of $90.02. Two steers consigned by Bruce Johnston of RR 2, Bluevale averag­ ing 1115 lbs., sold for an average price of $89.33. One steer consign­ ed by Carl Courtney of RR 1, Dungannon averaging 1080 lbs., sold for $88.75. Four steers con­ signed by Joe Courtney of RR 1, Dungannon averaging 1178 lbs., sold for an average price of $87.28. Six steers consigned by Murray Johnston of RR 2, Bluevale averag­ ing 1170 lbs. sold for an average price of $87.17. Eleven steers consigned by Bill Van Nes of RR 1, Ethel averaging 1287 sold for an average price of $80.50. Eleven heifers consigned by Wm. Bennett and Sons Ltd., of RR 1, Gorrie averaging 1138 lbs., sold for an average price of $89.84. Eighteen heifers consigned by Ken Hopper of RR 5, Brussels, averag­ ing 1050 lbs., sold for an average price of $87.89. Seven heifers consigned by Bob Blackwell Sr. of RR 1, Ripley averaging 1087 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.29. DI and D2 cows sold from $57 to $60; D3 and D4 cows, $52 to $57; canners and cutters, $42 to $50; Bologna bulls, 1600 lbs. and over, $66 to $74.50; under 1600 lbs., $74. Weaner pigs, 41 to 50 lbs., sold from $57.50 to $69 with an average of $64.62; 51 to 60 lbs., $51 to $63.50 with an average of $58.80; 61 to 70 lbs., $51 to $61.25 with an average of $57.75; 70 lbs. and over, $56.50 to $60.50 with an average of $58.75. Ventilation I discussed at swine meeting The North Huron 4H Swine Club held their second meeting June 13 at the home of Ron Klingenberg. Members judged a class of bred gilts. Then the meeting was liioved to the house and President Hazel Rae opened the meeting with the 4H Pledge. Members discussed ventilation. Next meeting will be held at the home of Ginger Kavel- mon July 11 at 8 o’clock. The meeting was closed with the 4H motto and refreshments.