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The Rural Voice, 2003-05, Page 3About this issue A peskg pest becomes deadly As if there weren't already enough problems facing farmers, now they have to be worried about mosquitoes too. Oh the pesky things have been bothering farmers going about their outdoor work since the first settlers cleared the land but now a bite from these insects can cause illness and even death, both for farmers and their families and some farm animals, particularly horses. We took a look at the situation with West Nile Virus for this month's issue as the mosquito season dawns for another summer. Often overlooked in the recommendations of Justice Dennis O'Connor's inquiry into the Walkerton water tragedy is a call for protection of water sources on a watershed -wide basis. While Ontario government officials are still wrestling with the ramifications of trying to meet the O'Connor recommendation, farmers in New York State's Catskill Mountains have been dealing with such water concerns for a long time. Since the 1870s this area has been the source of drinking water for the metropolis of New York City, 150 miles away. Naturally those city residents tend to worry about farming practices in the area of their water source and naturally local landowners tend to resent the intrusion of city people into their affairs. Victor Brunnette, forestry program manager with the Watershed Agricultural Council in New York State recently gave some information on the situation there to a meeting at the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. May is traditionally our dairy issue and this month Bonnie Gropp talks to a Walton -area family who have proven Brown Swiss are a competitive breed of dairy cattle, having the highest producing herd in Huron County in 2001 and 2002 and highest producing Brown Swiss herd in the province in 2001. Ernst and Yolanda Gubelmann and their family have proven a success in Canada since immigrating from Switzerland. Whether for dairy farmers, beef farmers or sheep producers, pastures can be an important part of the farming operation. A recent series of "Profitable Pastures" meetings across Ontario provided an opportunity for all pasture - based farmers to gain a greater insight into pasture management. We have a summary of some of the findings. In the People section, two Bruce County residents were honoured at the Tommy Cooper Awards dinner in Elmwood. In recipes, Bonnie Gropp celebrates rhubarb season with a whole collection of recipes.0 Update Aiming at educating The report of the Maitland Watershed Partnerships Terrestrial Team that showed woodlots in the watershed were in generally poor condition caused quite a stir when we wrote about it in our October 2002 issue. The study suggested 60 per cent of woodlots in the area didn't have a healthy balance of tree sizes and ages. So how to remedy the situation? A committee of the Terrestrial team has been looking into ways to improve forest management in the watershed. The goal is to convince more people of the value of the resource, explained Steve Bowers, stewardship co-ordinator for Huron County and a member of the team. Whether for economic, environmental or health considerations, "forests in agricultural areas are not given the importance they deserve," Bowers said. The group seeks to increase the amount of information available through education programs, including workshops for farm groups, encouraging membership in woodlot associations and working with youth, among other target audiences. They may also encourage people to access the services of professional foresters.0 '°°Rural Voice Published monthly by: The Rural Voice, Box 429, Blyth, Ontario, NOM 1H0 Telephone: 519-523-4311 (fax 523-9140). e-mail: norhuron@scsintemet.com Subscriptions: $17.12 (12 issues) (includes 7% GST) Back copies $2.75 each For U.S. rates, add $5 per year Changes of address, orders for subscriptions and undeliverable copies (return postage guaranteed) are to be sent to The Rural Voice at the address listed above. A division of North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Editor & Publisher: Keith Roulston Editorial advisory committee: Bev Hill, farmer, Huron Cty; Diane O'Shea, farmer, Middlesex Cty.; Gerald Poechman, farmer, Bruce Cty. Contributing writers: Bonnie Gropp, Carol Riemer, Ralph Pearce, Bob Reid, Mervyn Erb, Sandra Orr, Janice Becker, Mark Nonkes, Larry Drew Marketing & Advertising sales manager: Gerry Fortune Advertising representative: Merle Gunby Production co-ordinator: Joan Caldwell Advertising & editorial production: Dianne Josling Printed & mailed by: Signal -Star Publishing, Goderich, Ontario Canadian Publication Mail Agreement Number 1375016 held by North Huron Publishing Co. Inc. at Blyth, Ontario. All manuscripts submitted for consideration should be accompanied by a stamped, self- addressed envelope. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs, although both are welcome. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Editorial content may be reproduced only by permission of the publisher. The Rural Voice makes every effort to see that advertising copy is correct. 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