The Rural Voice, 2002-04, Page 53Ag News
Laurence Taylor named Innovative Farmer of the Year
Laurence Taylor, a grower from
the Londesborough area was
honoured at the Innovative Farmers'
Association Conference. Taylor
received the second annual BASF
Innovative Farmer of the Year Award
presented at the London Convention
Centre.
The award, created by BASF in
association with the Innovative
Farmers' Association of Ontario
(IFAO), is intended to distinguish an
Ontario grower who has displayed
innovative cropping practices and
leadership not only within the
Ontario crop industry, but also within
the community they live.
"We at BASF are proud to
sponsor this award," says Peter
Zwart, BASF Field Biologist. "It is
important that the growers in
surrounding communities are
recognized for their innovative
contributions to the agricultural
industry and the significant impact
they have on others' practices."
Taylor began a cash crop and beef
farming operation on a modest scale
in the late 1960s. The operation grew
rapidly to approximately 1,000 acres
of owned and rented land. He has
excelled in the production of corn,
soybeans,
wheat, barley,
trefoil seed,
and red clover
seed. The
operation has
been reduced
in recent
years, but the
principles
remain the
same. His
interest in
understanding
nature led to a growing concern
about various agricultural issues:
excessive tillage, lack of soil
coverage and the resulting soil
degradation and erosion. This
concern sparked an interest in no -till
and the possibility of its application
on his farm. He began experimenting
initially with less tillage, followed by
a modified mouldboard plough, and
later created a no -till drill for wheat
and soybeans. On his clay -loam soil,
Laurence Taylor
corn has proven to be the most
challenging to no -till; however, by
modifying a corn planter and using a
trans -till, corn was also no -tilled.
Taylor continues to experiment
with various crops for winter soil
cover due to his personal interest in
soil conservation and nutrient
recycling. The Taylor's farm is a
regular stop for University of Guelph
students studying crop rotation, soil
conservation and no -till practices.
Taylor's knowledge and expertise
have led to guest lectures at the
annual IFAO conference, University
of Guelph, and Kemptville College in
the past.
"I am very positive about the
relationships that IFAO and other
associations have formed with the
agri-business community," says
Taylor. "The BASF Innovative
Farmer of the Year award illustrates
this relationship."
As winner of the BASF
Innovative Farmer of the Year award,
Taylor received a plaque, a cash
award of $1,000 and a one-year paid
membership to the IFAO.O
OMAFRA or MOE? Battle over enforcement continues
The debate on whether it will be
the Ministry of Agriculture Food and
Rural Affairs or the Ministry of
Environment that will enforce the
regulations of Bill 81 the Nutrient
Management Act is still ongoing,
says Helen Johns, MPP for Huron -
Bruce.
"It's a tough battle I'm running
right now to keep it in OMAFRA,"
Johns said, speaking at the annual
Members of Parliament Meeting of
the Huron County Federation of
Agriculture, March 16. Johns said
she hasn't been thrilled with dealing
with MOE officials because they take
longer to respond and don't .work
Saturdays or Sundays.
Either way, it will mean more
employees will be hired and the
environment ministry has promised
to hire inspectors with an agricultural
background, she said. MOE estimates
it will take 76 full-time equivalent
positions to carry out the inspections
needed when the bill is finally passed
and its accompanying regulations are
announced. "I've seen the dollars
required (for inspectors)," Johns said.
"We're not just taking people off the
street."
Johns said she's been promised
some of those inspectors will be
stationed in Huron County.
On the suggestion from one
Continued from page 50
Huron -Bruce M.P.P. Helen Johns (left) and MP Paul Steckle (right) answered
questions at the Huron County Federation of Agriculture's Members of Parli-
ament meeting while HCFA President Charles Regele chaired the meeting.
APRIL 2002 49