The Rural Voice, 1991-12, Page 45NEWS
NEW VIRUS TRACERS PINPOINT AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION
by Ian Wylie-Toal
Trying to trace some sources of agri-
cultural pollution in rivers is a bit like
asking a room full of children who broke
the plate in the middle of the table —
everyone shakes their head and says
"not me." Without hard proof, it is
impossible to pinpoint the culprit.
This is changing in England. The
weekly science magazine New Scientist
(29 July, 1991) reports that the National
Rivers Authority (NRA), which moni-
tors pollution in British water bodies, is
using viruses to locate sources of silage
pollution in rivers.
Leaking silage fluid is a major water
problem in England, especially in the
North. High in nitrogenous and phos-
phorous materials — silage fluid is re-
ported to be 300 times stronger than raw
sewage — this fluid causes immense
growths of algae and water plants which
rapidly kills water organisms — most
dramatically exhibited in fish kills. Si-
lage liquid also percolates into the water
table, and contaminates wells used for
human and animal consumption.
In order to stop the leakage, the
source must fust be found. Scientists
from the NRA have cultured a mixture
of bacteriophage viruses that they add to
silage enclosures. Each mixture added
to each enclosure is distinct, and there-
fore traceable.
The viruses infect bacteria living in
FARM WELLS TESTED
Agriculture Canada will be conduct-
ing a ground water quality survey of
1,500 wells across Ontario this fall to
test the quality and safety of drinking
water for farm families and to determine
the effects farming has on water.
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improve-
ment Association has agreed to conduct
the survey for Agriculture Canada. In
midwestern Ontario, areas to be sam-
pled have been decided, and most land-
owners participating in the study have
been contacted. Water samples will be
tested for bacteria and nitrates, and may
also be tested for pesticides. Results
from individual water tests will be kept
confidential with the co-operator.0
42 THE RURAL VOICE
the silage. The bacteria are then flushed
out of the enclosure with water, making
their way to wherever they will eventu-
ally end up. The end point for one
enclosure is the polluted river —
samples taken at the polluted stretch will
contain bacteria that have a distinct viral
"fingerprint" that can be traced back to
the source.
The technique has already been put
into practice, successfully locating the
silage enclosure that was polluting a
village well and a stream that was used
by farmers to water their cattle.0
FUNKS AND FIRST LINE SEEDS TEAM UP
First Line Seeds Ltd., of Guelph, and
Funk Seeds of Cottam, a division of
CIBA-GEIGY, have announced a new
agreement between the two companies
serving the Ontario farm market. The
agreement provides for Funk dealers to
sell First Line soybeans and inoculant,
and First Line dealers to market Funk
corn hybrids and forages.
"The move is seen as a very positive
one for both companies, the dealer net-
work, and customers," says First Line's
Peter Hannam. "Now we are able to
offer a very complete range of seed pro-
ducts, including high performance Funk
corn hybrids, soybeans, soybean inocu-
lant, and forages. In turn, we can offer
Funk dealers a full range of soybean
varieties, with strong performance,
right across the province."
Doug Knight, marketing manager
for Funk Seeds, agrees that the ex-
panded product range will strengthen
the competitive position of both Funk
and First Line dealers.
Hannam agrees, "It's like two neigh-
bours working together."
Both companies will retain their own
brand identities and independent dealer
networks. Effective immediately, cus-
tomers can order Funk seed corn, First
Line soybeans, Histick Inoculant, and
forages from any Funk or First Line
dealer.0
Cutting the ribbon for the new state-of-the-art hog barn on the Thames Bend Farm
at Tavistock are left to right Warren Stein, MP Ken Montieth, MPP Noble
Villeneuve, MP Harry Brightwell, contractor Fred Groenestege, and Richard Stein.