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The Rural Voice, 1987-05, Page 51L.._ Pannell Kerr MacGillivray Chartered Accountants Listowel 291-1251 Goderich 524-2677 290 Wallace Ave., N. 40 The Square PARTNERS M.J. Hoyles, C.A. R.E. Takelo, C.A. N. MacDonald Exel, C.A. MANAGERS G. Knowlton, C.A. L.M. Gagnon, C.A. R. McLeod, C.A. IT'S YOUR ONE STOP FOR SPRING SUPPLIES Ultra Modem Diesel Powered Flotation Fertilizer Spreader • Liquid nitrogen 28% • Bulk and bag fertilizer • Anhydrous Ammonia • Complete line of seeds: cereal grains, soybeans, white beans, canola, plow -down clover and all forage seeds • Complete line of herbicides and insecticides • Two petroleum trucks to serve you plus a large stock of motor oils and lubricants This spring shop at Mitchell Co-op. Your one-stop farm supply centre. Mitchell Co-operative Mitchell Branch 348-8441 Monkton Branch 347-2232 1 50 THE RURAL VOICE ADVICE CONSERVATION'S AN INSURANCE POLICY by Robert Trout The conservation measures being used by Ontario farmers can be com- pared to an insurance policy which protects their crops and land from the damage caused by wind and water erosion. Weather is an uncontrollable factor in any crop production system. Too much rain or wind can remove soil, fertilizer, herbicides, seed, and plants from fields, reducing yields and increasing production costs per bushel. It is important to insure valuable farm assets. Recent land -rent value sur- veys, for example, have shown that farmers will pay less for eroded or compacted land, whether renting or buying, and that they don't expect yields or returns to be as high as those on farm land of top or average quality. And economic analysis shows that poor land is not as profitable overall, despite lower rent or purchase costs. Just as car insurance must be specific for each vehicle, erosion policies should be site- specific to provide maximum protection at an economical cost. Protecting soil and water resources from erosion and assuring productivity is the primary goal of the Huron Soil and Water Conservation District, a sister organization of the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association. The district's programs help farmers to plan an overall approach to erosion control. Just as car insurance must be specific for each vehicle, erosion pol- icies should be site-specific to provide maximum protection at an economical cost. Many landowners select a conser- vation cropping system as the most desirable option for whole field insur- ance. With this in mind, the Huron Soil and Water Conservation District as well as other regional groups has made conservation equipment available free of charge. With the help of such equipment,