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The Citizen, 2019-01-03, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2019. PAGE 17. Agriculture 43269 Amberley Rd. RR #2 Wroxeter Ph. 519-335-6813 Fax 519-335-4352 Jeff’s Cell 519-291-7777 Receiving Elevator for www.hurontractor.com BLYTH 519-523-4244 Soil health advocate notices uptake in practice TUESDAYS 9:00 a.m. Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows THURSDAYS 8:00 a.m.Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. Stockers Call us 519-887-6461 Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES Agricultural producer Doug Walker has seen an increase in planting of cover crops over the past three decades. The Belgrave-area man remembers a time when he was one of the few people using cover crops in his part of Huron County and now almost all his neighbours are planting cover crops. A lifelong resident of his family farm near Belgrave, he has seen more cover crops, less tillage and an increased interest in soil health over that time. Many Huron County residents have undertaken projects to improve soil health, preserve topsoil, reduce erosion and protect water quality with the support of the Huron County Clean Water Project. Doug Walker is one of the Huron landowners who has completed projects with support of the county program. In his case, he has taken part in the cover crop incentive and the forest management plan woodlot enhancement category. The Huron County Clean Water Project is funded by the County of Huron. Service delivery is provided by the Maitland Conservation and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authorities. The County of Huron has been praised as a leader in water quality initiatives such as Huron County Clean Water Project, providing grants in 17 project categories to county residents and community groups. “We tell people about the program,” Walker said. He has encouraged his neighbours to contact their local conservation authority to find out about grant support and technical support for their projects. Doug Walker grows cash crops (such as corn, soy beans, wheat, oats, barley and edible beans and black beans). He has also been producing pedigreed seed and processing seed since the early 1980s. Farmers learn a lot from each other about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to cover crops, according to Walker. “I have some neighbours who are doing some really good things with cover crops,” he said. “I usually learn as much from them as they learn from me.” There may be some challenges to cover crops, but their benefits, combined with reduced tillage, are great, according to Walker. He said he sees the benefits in the health of his soil and in the clarity of creeks and drains where they are planted. It takes time to get the soil health benefits of cover crops, so he encourages fellow producers to have patience as they increase their use of cover crops. The full benefits of cover crops happen when combined with less tillage, he said. “We did not get the full benefit of cover crops until we stopped doing full tillage,” he said. They strip-till corn and edible beans “but that is the only tillage we do,” he said. That reduction in tillage has resulted in time savings, less rutting, less soil damage, and less erosion. Huron County’s water and soil programs don’t just provide benefits for a single producer, according to Walker. They provide benefits for the whole community. “I hope we can make Huron County the place where others come to see sustainability in action,” he said. The Huron County Clean Water Project review committee has approved 296 new projects, with grants of almost $400,000, in 2018. This is an increase of 19 projects from the previous year. More than a quarter of the 2018 approved projects are cover crops. The total value of 2018 approved projects – when combining the contributions of the county and landowners and other partners – is more than $1.3 million. Since 2004, Huron County landowners and community groups have, with support of Huron County Clean Water Project, completed close to 2,700 protects to protect local water quality. The total value of the completed projects is more than $10.5 million. Cover crops, erosion control projects, and tree planting are three of the top categories in the 17 project eligibility categories. Last year was the third year of the cover crop incentive category and the project has supported the planting of almost 5,000 acres this year. “These cover crops are critical to keeping nutrients on the land and out of water,” said Kate Monk, Manager of Stewardship, Land and Education with Ausable Bayfield Conservation. The root mass of those plants helps to anchor soil, she said. To find out more about the Huron County Clean Water Project visit abca.ca or mvca.on.ca or huroncounty.ca or call your local conservation authority. You are invited to phone Maitland Conservation at 519-335-3557 or Ausable Bayfield Conservation at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888- 286-2610. Tried and true For decades, Belgrave-area farmer Doug Walker has been using cover crops to promote healthy soil. Over the last 30 years, he’s noticed an increase in other producers using the practice. (Photo submitted) OFA waiting on provincial growth plan By Keith Currie, President Ontario Federation of Agriculture In early December, the provincial government laid out its approach to expanding natural gas access and reducing red tape for rural Ontario and the agri-food sector. Both announcements have been long awaited and the initial response from the agri-food sector, rural residents and business owners was enthusiasm, but the devil is in the details. Both announcements are still in the early stages, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has been closely reviewing the few details that have been released. The passage of Bill 32, the Access to Natural Gas Act, 2018 is a step in the right direction to reduce soaring energy costs that so many rural, remote and northern Ontario residents and businesses are currently facing. But the details of the announcement reveal the expanded access is intended to only reach up to 78 communities and 33,000 homes. Those numbers will only meet approximately 10 per cent of those currently without access to natural gas – a far cry from the complete natural gas access Ontario needs. The OFA has been advocating for expanded access across rural Ontario, encouraging the government to lay down a long-term plan. Bill 32 is a step in the right direction, but appears to come up way short of needs. We’ll be following up with government to address the OFA’s concerns and push for our recommendations of smart expansion to be implemented. The OFA will be pushing for the delivery of natural gas that will pave the way for more expansions and ensure new projects connect rural business and agricultural customers. We’ll be advocating for rural, northern or remote communities to be prioritized, and we’ll be looking for a real long-term commitment to rural and remote expansion throughout the entire province. Change can be a good thing. The government has made some long- awaited promises and the OFA looks forward to more details. We’ll be working to ensure the programs work for Ontario farmers, rural residents and businesses. The OFA will hold the government accountable for its plans and ensure agriculture and rural Ontario is prioritized for long-term growth and prosperity. Continued from page 14 living a life as true people of God. Look inside, see and understand where you’re missing the mark, ask God’s forgiveness, then reprioritize and return to lives focused on the love of God and the love and care of neighbour. Repent, be cleansed, and bear fruits worthy of repentance. God overturns the broken reality of the world by changing people by getting our attention, by inviting us to repentance, a repentance based on the faith that God is gracious, and God forgives, and loves us so much that God came to earth, in human form, just like us and lived among the people of God’s creation. That is the Good News that John was preaching, in his own resolute way. So be prepared, and be open to invite Jesus, the Christ, the Saviour into our lives. So we can truly be the holy people God wants us to be. Amen. Be open and ready to repent: Todd MIDDLE-AGED FARMER seeks land to rent to help bring two boys to farm. Rent based on land history. 519-450-8281 Drop by our office in Blyth or Brussels and check out our wonderful selection of books. We have books for all ages. 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 See histories and historic photographs on our website www.northhuron.on.ca