The Rural Voice, 2004-05, Page 23saving operation," Paul said.
Among the improvements the
DeJongs have made is an enclosed
bunker silo with three feed bunks.
"The bunker silo has allowed us
more flexibility with our silage,"
Dorien said. "It's allowed us to get
our crops off at the best time to get
the best quality feed for our cows.
With the majority of our land being
tile drained, there's plenty of room to
grow alfalfa, corn and grain. And
since we have the lowest heat units in
our county, getting the right variety
of corn is key for us."
"Our forages are the primary of
food for our operation so it's very
critical that we try to do our best to
get as high quality and quantity as we
can to reduce the overall feed costs of
our ration," Paul added.
Once harvested, it's critical that
the forages be stored well to
keep the quality high and they
find no spoilage at all in their bunker
silo.
To get a consistent mix from top
to bottom from the face of the silage,
Paul invented a rotary auger attached
to his front-end loader that takes a
couple of inches off the silage from
top to bottom of the pile.
A creek runs through the DeJong
property near the barn and they take
care to protect it. Not only are cattle
fenced away from the water, but
downspouts on their barn take water
directly to the stream so it can't mix
with the barnyard manure. They have
one solid manure storage area which
they try to direct water away from
but they also collect any runoff.
They've also built round manure
storage tanks.
"The key is to make use of all the
nutrients produced and store and use
them as efficiently as possible," Paul
said.
• The couple are strong believers in
tile drainage and quickly drained a
new farm they bought last year.
"They don't call it Floatin' Proton for
nothing," joked Dorien about the
high water table in their township
under its pre -amalgamation name.
Tile drainage helps them extend the
growing season getting two and
almost three cuts of hay.
Like many farmers, the BSE crisis
has complicated the DeJongs' lives.
"We filled our quota and we filled
our over -quota," Paul said of the
HURON
CONSTRUCTION
/, • AGRICULTURAL
• RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
Complete buildings
- roofing - repairs - renovations
519-327-8361
519-292-0078
Fax 327-8445
Laverne Brubacher
RAISE MONEY
FOR YOUR CLUB OR
ORGANIZATION
Sell subscriptions to
The Rural Voice
and earn money for your
4-11 Association, Junior Farmers
group or other rural organization.
Substantial commissions offered.
For more information contact
Keith Roulston, 523-4311
Profitable Solutions
Your success is our biggest concern.
As summer season approaches, take
the time now to decide what feeding
options best fit your operation. We offer
a complete line of dairy heifer, dry cow,
beef calf and stocker feed.
Work with your local
Purina dealer to determine how we
can work together to provide you with
Profitable Custom Solutions for
your herd!
To find out more... give us a call today!
Al -Mar Feed Centre
Exeter
1-888-644-2844/235-1919
Milton J. Dietz Ltd.
Seaforth
522-0608
Bluewater Feed Company Ltd.
Tara Desboro
934-3122 794-2327
Milverton Farm Supplies Inc.
Milverton
595-2048
Springbank Farm Supply
R. R. 3 Walkerton
881-4492/1-800724-3850
Listowel Farm Supply
Listowel
291-2501
McPhail's Feed Services
St. Marys
1-800-774-9758/284-4000
a.
x
PURINA
MAY 2004 19