The Rural Voice, 1991-07, Page 44ADVICE
WATER MATTERS:
KEEPING CATTLE OUT OF CREEKS
IMPROVES HEALTH OF HERD, CREEK
Welcome to "Water Matters!" This
is the first article in what is to be a
monthly feature by Janette Smiderle of
the Saugeen Valley Conservation Au-
thority highlighting information on
water quality in the rural environment.
This month the focus is on cattle
access affecting water quality. Tradi-
tionally, cattle have been allowed direct
access to streams and rivers for pastur-
ing and watering needs. Since this is a
common practice, it has not been sur-
prising to learn that recent studies show
that allowing cattle opcn access to wa-
tercourses is a significant source of
bacterial water pollution. A single cow
can deposit up to 5(X),000 fecal bacteria
to a stream each day. These arc also the
microorganisms that, in high numbers,
can close beaches. It only takes 100
fecal coliform bacteria in a 100 ml
sample of water to create unhealthy
conditions for swimmers.
Many disease causing microorgan-
isms arc excreted in livestock manure.
Creek water acts as a carricr and can
transfer the problem within a herd or
downstream to neighbouring herds.
Two additional consequences of
livestock directly accessing streams arc
increased strcambank erosion and Toss
of aquatic habitat for fish species, etc.
Livestock trampling increases erosion
rates as well as introducing thc buildup
of siltation along thc strcambed itself.
With the loss of streambank material
and valuable farmland, the stream chan-
nel widens and water temperatures in-
crease.
Fencing the livestock completely
out of the river will not only help to
rejuvenate shadc vegetation, which will
provide stream bank stabilization, but
will also increase stream channel flows.
The possibility of herds contracting
diseases such as Leptospirosis, Sal-
moncllosis and Bovine Virus Diarrhea
would also be reduced. There is always
a benefit gained, even in fencing out
small herds. All pollutants eventually
enter the main watercourse where they
are carried downstream.
40 THE RURAL VOICE
Prior to fence installation, an alter-
nate watering source should be in place
and appropriate fcncing materials must
be considered. Shrubs and trees planted
within the fenced arca will help to even-
tually shade out noxious weed growth
and allow the river to improve its qual-
ity. Each improvement on rural prop-
erty (farm or not) whether small or large,
will greatly benefit the rivers or streams
running through those areas. Our Great
Lakes will fccl the benefit of your help
since rivers and streams feed into them.
Grant information is available for
those interested in improving their pres-
ent farming systems or their rural parcel
of land. Now is thc time to take advan-
tage of funding which will assist both
the rural landowner and the local
streams and rivers. For more informa-
tion please contact Janette Smidcrle of
the Saugeen Valley Conservation Au-
thority.°
HAY CAN BE
A BIG MONEY MAKER
FOR SOME FARMERS
Hay can be a big money-maker,
according to A. J. Croll of Oak Harbour,
Ohio. On his 20(X) acrc cash crop farm,
300 acres of hay and straw produced
more net income than 900 acres of soy-
beans, 300 acres of wheat, and 300 acres
of corn combined.
The Ontario Forage Council mem-
bcrs touring Wisconsin last summer
visited the Croll farm on their way
home. They were particularly im-
pressed by the small square bale han-
dling system which allowed Croll and
one other man to handle 60,000 bales
per year. .
Forages have big potential as a
money-maker if they can be managed,
harvested, and marketed properly. Hay
is the only crop we have that can be har-
vested several times per year over sev-
eral years with a minimum of added
input costs.
Farmers might do well to look at
ways to lower the risk and improve the
marketing of hay crops.°
by W. J. Baxter
agricultural representative
HAYING SEASON
FULL OF DANGERS
FOR THE UNWARY
The haying season is one of the most
dangerous periods on Ontario farms.
Statistics from the Ontario Farm Safety
Association indicate that the month of
June has one of the highest accident
rates in the farming year.
Large round bales represent a la-
bour -efficient method of harvesting
hay. However, they can be killers.
Many farmers, their children or live-
stock, have been injured or killed be-
cause these heavy bundles have rolled or
fallen onto them.
Farmers handling these round bales
should make sure the bales are secure on
the spikes or tongs that are used to move
them.
Several times in the past few years
people have been run over or otherwise
injured by falling off hay wagons or
coming in contact with hydro wires
while riding on the Toad.
Hay loads are no place for children.
Keep them away from tractors, balers
and elevators while haying operations
are in progress.
Chemical preservatives can bean aid
to making high quality hay. These acids,
however, can burn tender body tissues,
especially in the eye sockets. Make sure
proper protective clothing is worn and
proper care used when handling these
products.
Farmers work long hours in the
haying season. This often results in
over -tired and under -responsive people.
Such people are accident prone.
Proper rest helps farm workers stay
alert and safety -conscious. Avoid extra-
curricular activities during high stress
working periods to help prevent injuries
and save lives.
It may seem important now to save a
bit of time or to use a young family
member to drive a tractor. However, no
amount of time saved will pay for a lost
or disabled child
Farming is a great way of life. Let's
not make it a way of death.°
by W. J. Baxter
agricultural reprsentative