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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFarming '91, 1991-03-20, Page 16Alb. FARMING ’91, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991. Farming ’91 Changing farming practices help promote conservation planter. This is part of the tillage equipment for landowners to tryHere a farmer uses a no-till conservation tillage trials. BY BONNIE GROPP Farmers have become more aware over the last several years that certain agricultural practices may be having an adverse effect on soil and water. Thanks to assis­ tance from conservation authori­ ties, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) farm­ ers are being encouraged to adopt land management practices that allow for the sustained use of soil and water resources. The Land Management Program of the Maitland Valley Conserva­ tion Authority (MVCA) addresses specifically the issues related to the management of agricultural lands. Methods to conserve soil have become of primary concern. Paul Weitendorf, Community Relations Co-ordinator of MVCA notes that soil is a resource that is often overlooked, yet one of the most important ones in our area. "Like anything else," he says, "it will only last so long if it’s continually abused.” Poor cropping practices have been a factor in the deterioration of the soil. Mr. Weitendorf explains that in the previous two decades there was a trend to plant the same thing in the same field year after year. This is hard on the soil mainly because it opens it to wind and water erosion. "1 have been to areas where you can actually see the soil washing down the rows,” he said. MVCA has been trying to get farmers to use tillage techniques R.R. 4 WINGHAM This is a solid manure storage facility. Solid storage containment area is in the foreground and a tank for liquids is io the background. that conserve more of the crop residue on top, which slows down water flow and wind. In 1990 MVCA staff assisted in the plant­ ing of 14 tillage trials in the Maitland watershed. These trials help to fine-tune conservation till­ age techniques to local conditions. Farmers can borrow no-till planters to try them out and there is a technical staff ready to advise them. The MVCA works in conjunction with OMAF and the Ausable-Bay- field Conservation Authority to offer services to farmers who are making these changes. They work through the Huron Soil and Water Conservation District, a local group of farmers that act as an advisory board to projects and services. A major survey of agriculture land management practices is be­ ing done by MVCA staff to provide a data base of current farming practices in order to measure the effectiveness of soil conservation assistance activities. The survey will also look at landowners’ atti­ tudes towards conservation prac­ tices. This will give the MVCA information to help them develop new methods for promoting con­ servation. The methodology for the survey was completed last year and in 1991 over 300 farmers will be interviewed. Tests done on streams and rivers have shown that poor drainage practices and rural waste manage­ ment are leaving rivers contami­ nated with bacteria, nutrients, and sediment. MVCA educates farmers on how to solve the problem and provides assistance for making the necessary changes. MVCA staff also work to design soil conservation structures to con­ trol water and to hold water and erosion back. Twenty-five to 30 years ago the government supported the removal of trees around fields to increase the amount of land that could be planted according to Mr. Weiten­ dorf. Since that time, however, it has been realized that trees around the fields, slow the wind, cutting down erosion and making the ground warmer in the spring. MVCA offers roadside and wind­ break trees to municipalities and Continued on page A17 Maitland Valley Conservation Authority staff are planting windbreak trees to help prevent water and wind erosion. SOYS FROM FIRST LINE Maple Glen OAC Scorpio OAC Libra Maple Donovan PLANTING NORTHRUP KING CORN FROM INDEX NORTHRUP KING CHU 104 PX 9060 2550 104 N 2001 2650 104 PX9161 2700 109 PX 9214 2800 N 3624 2900 EDGE ALFALFA MARCH LEGEND ALFALFA SPECIALS New Symko 2 row barley $9.50/25 kg. with special purchase of 5 x 25 kg. soybeans receive HISTICK for $14.50/pouch. JOHN W. KING 357-2645