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Home My WebLink AboutFarming '92, 1992-03-18, Page 11Farming '92 FARMING ’92, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,1992. All Milkhouse wash water causes water problems Studies suggest that approximate ly 80 per cent of the province's dairy farms discharge directly from the milkhouse to an open water course. The disposal of milkhouse washwater through sub-surface drainage to open ditches, creeks, and streams has been a common practice for Ontario dairy farmers. Phosphate detergents and acids bring the concentration of phospho rus in milkhouse washwater to lev els more than 1000 times the Ontario Ministry of the Environ ment guidelines. This amount of phosphorous leads to excessive algae growth, and as the algae' decomposes, it depletes the oxygen in the water supply this causes fish kills, and releases toxins. Milk solids in the untreated washwater poses another problem - bacteria. Cool, dark drainage tiles provide an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. Tile effluents are contami nated with bacteria which can be transmitted downstream. In addi tion to being a source of severe water pollution, milkhouse wastes are also a potential health risk to livestock and humans. Ontario has legislation prohibit- Robinsons market most of their own product Continued from page A3 with a water and chlorine solution, rotated for 24 hours, and then stored away in sealed tanks. The Robinsons package and wholesale most of their product themselves, retailing either at the house or at the sugar camp. They supply approximately 80 stores across Southwestern Ontario and a few restaurants. They do have some beef cattle and some cash crops, but as Susanne relates, they receive three-quarters of their income from their maple syrup products. Bill has served in the past as the President of the Ontario Maple Pro ducers Association and as the Ontario Delegate to the North American Maple Council. Only way to make orchard profitable is to do extra work yourself Continued from page A5 hours are long and the only way to make it viable is by doing most of the work themselves, says Erika. The prices of chemicals and other merchandise that farmers need to operate have increased, while the price of the product remains the same, says Erika. "It is a business that is suffering as well," she says. Boyd, who is also a dairy farmer, says that if the orchard were his sole source of income, he'd starve to death. The margin of profit is minimal, he says, with the intent that the consumer gets good measure. David says with all components factored in, Blake’s does show a working profit. But, he maintains, it takes all aspects of the industry working together, from the growing stages to wholesaling the product to make it happen. "It takes it all. On its own it wouldn't work," says David. ing the contamination (polluting) of streams and water supplies from milkhouse and miiking parlous. Improperly disposed washwater is a pollutant and should be stored and handled properly. The challenge is to find the most effective way to handle milkhouse waste. Enlarged concrete storage areas where milkhouse washwater is directed into a manure or runoff storage is probably the best system. Again 240 days of storage should ATTENTION FARMERS...ITS OUR r* FIELD - “HAZARD WARRANT ' & COMPLETE ’ »ON THE FARM, __SERVICE ?■ SALE * ENDS APRIL 30/92 MEULENSTEEN TIRE 220 MITCHELL ROAD SOUTH LISTOWEL, ONTARIO CALL 291-1841 AFTER HOURS CALL TOLL FREE 1-552-8359 5ENER/U TIRE COMPLETE ON-THE-FARM-SERVICE RBAR4I j||KCT(|jj ■Mlli TUBE TYPE SIZE TYPE PLY MFG. SUGG. LIST SALE While quantities last 12.4x28 FARM TRAC.4 PLY 347.25 241.69 13.6x28 FARM TRAC.6 PLY 412.35 287.00 14.9x28 FARM TRAC.6 PLY 447.07 311.16 16.9x28 FARM TRAC.6 PLY 494.83 344.40 18.4x30 FARM TRAC.6 PLY 555.78 386.82 18.4x34 FARM TRAC.6 PLY 612.67 426.42 18.4 x 38 FARM TRAC.6 PLY 690.38 480.50 be available to handle all wastes. Another alternative is the holding pit system where milkhouse waste is collected in a separate storage area and is later land spread. Sizing requirements are based on an accu rate measure of daily water usage. Two hundred and forty days of storage is recommended to allow for timely application. The final option is that of the septic tank/trench treatment system. If properly installed and maintained (Service Call Extra) FRONT TRACTOR ™ SIZE TYPE PLY MFG. SUGG. LIST SALE while quantities last 600-16 AGRI TRAC 6 PLY 85.73 59.67 650-16 AGRI TRAC 6 PLY 99.39 69.17 750-16 AGRI TRAC 6 PLY 113.20 78.79 1000-16 AGRI TRAC 6 PLY 188.08 130.90 1000-16 AGRI TRAC 8 PLY 196.34 136.65 1100-16 AGRI TRAC 8 PLY 218.27 151.92 RIB IMPL EME■NT II TUBE TYPE SIZE TYPE PLY MFG. SUGG. LIST SALE while quantities last 9.5L-15 RIB IMP II 8 PLY 94.40 65.70 11L-15 RIB IMP II 8 PLY 99.45 69.21 this system can work in most soil types, but is best suited to open soils. The greatest advantage of this system is that the additional cost of spreading is not required, but the lank must be pumped out each year to remove the solids. These options are not without cost, but your local Conservation Authority may be able to help. As of April 1, 1992 there will be 16 Conservation Authorities partici pating in the Clean Up Rural RIB IMPLEMENT SIZE TYPE PLY MFG. SUGG. LIST SALE while quantities last 9.5L-14 RIB IMP 8 PLY 96.30 67.02 760-15 RIB IMP 8 PLY 96.50 67.16 9.5L-15 RIB IMP 8 PLY 111.16 77.36 11L-15 RIB IMP 8 PLY 113.36 78.90 12.5L-15 RIB IMP 8 PLY 166.07 115.58 600-16 RIB IMP 6 PLY 72.33 50.34 650-16 RIB IMP 6 PLY 89.03 61.96 750-16 RIB IMP 8 PLY 104.10 72.45 11L-16 RIB IMP 8 PLY 165.78 115.38 Beaches (CURB) Program. Grants may be available for projects improving water quality. Milk- house/parlour washwater treatment systems are eligible for a grant for 50 per cent of the cost to a maxi mum of $5,000. Grants may also be available for restricting livestock from open watercourses, and upgrading manure storage facilities and septic systems where there is evidence they are contaminating water courses.