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The Citizen, 1994-05-25, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 25,1994. PAGE 15. Farm Implement Act to protect farmers A provincial law was passed in 1990 which helps protect fanners from costly delays dye to machin­ ery breakdown or the failure of new equipment to operate at factory specification levels. The Ontario Farm Implement Act Water testing comes to area Safe drinking water is one of the more important necessities of life. Water supplies in this country have become a precious commodity. If you live in a rural setting, chances are the source of your water supply is from a well. When well water is contaminated, illness may occur, not only in your family, but it may also affect the health of livestock. One of the requirements of developing an Environmental Farm Plan is to know what the status of the farm's water quality is for wells which supply both the livestock and residents on the farm. The quantity and quality of water supply is mostly dependent on whether the source is from a drilled (deep well) or dug (shallow) well. Both types of supplies require regular sampling to ensure that it remains safe to drink. If it isn't, remedial action is necessary to make it safe. The Huron County Health Unit MP encourages nominations Nominations are now being accepted for the Environmental Achievement Awards which recognize the achievements and dedication of Canadians protecting and restoring the environment. MP Paul Steckle says, Canada's Green Plan is about partnership: the need for Canadians in every sector of society to work co-operatively toward the common goal of a cleaner healthier environment. Crop rotation vital covers any equipment or machinery designed and used for agricultural or horticultural purposes. The exceptions to the act include machinery valued at less than $3,500, motor vehicles, tractors with 20 horsepower or less, lawn and the Huron County Rural Health Co-ordinating Committee are sponsoring water testing informa­ tion nights in three separate locations around the county. A public health inspector will be available at the information night to provide information about the different types of water supplies, the tests which are available, why and how often you should test your supply, how to interpret the test results, and how problems can be corrected. Official sample bottles will be available to test for bacteria, nitrates, sodium, fluoride and calcium. The test is free after a questionnaire is filled out about the source of the water supply such as: the type of well, age, depth, type of construction, uses, distance to closest septic tank system, etc. The laboratory considers water samples very time sensitive and requires the samples reach the lab within 24 hours, therefore anyone taking a "This year's awards honour the efforts and commitment of individuals and organizations from all walks of life who work through diverse but mutually reinforcing actions, to protect and restore our environment," explained Mr. Steckle. Environmental Achieve­ ment Awards will be presented in six categories: non-profit organiza­ tion, outstanding communications for environmental awareness, and garden equipment and tires. With regards to new implements, the act states that the owner has 12 months to begin using the machin­ ery and 10 days or 100 hours from initial use to determine if it is working according to specifica- sample bottle at the information nights will be required to take their sample the next day to designated drop off points which will be available throughout the county. These samples will be picked up and delivered to the laboratory. Once the results have been received, they will be mailed to all participants with information on how to interpret the results and how to take remedial action if necessary. The dates and location of the water testing information night are: Hensall, Monday, May 30, Hensall Arena, 7-9 p.m.; Brussels, Mon­ day, June 6, Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre, 7-9 p.m.; Benmiller, Monday, June 13, Forester's Hall, 7-9 p.m. Anyone requiring more informa­ tion about the water testing information nights or about water testing in general are invited to call the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416 or 1-800-265-5184. corporate environmental leader­ ship, lifetime achievement, environmental leadership by a municipality and environmental science fair project." Nominations must be postmarked on or before June 6 and sent to the Inquiry Centre, Environment Canada, Place Vincent Massey, 351 St. Joseph Boulevard, Hull, Quebec, KIA 0H3, or telephone 1-800-668-6767. "I encourage the community of Huron-Bruce to submit nomina­ tions," Mr. Steckle said. tions. If problems arise, the selling dealer must be notified in writing within the 10 day/100 hour trial period. If no longer in business, notice should be sent to the Farm Implements Board. Upon receiving written notice, the dealer has four days to repair the equipment or supply a replace­ ment if the repair is not completed. After an additional 14 days, the dealer must have the implement fixed, furnish a satisfactory re­ placement or provide a full refund including any trade-in value. When dealing with replacement parts, many of the same guidelines exist with regards to the equipment which qualifies however, the parts may come from new or used imple­ ments which have been purchased since January 1990. The machinery must be less than WHEAT AND GRAIN SPRAYING BY AIR DOESN’T COST ... IT PAYS!!! • No ground • Grain ripens • No green heads compaction evenly when combining “SPECIAL PRICE” on fifty acre lots and up, we will match or better ground applicator prices for 1994. The loss of grain by tramping will more than pay for our service. Call today for 27 years experience - guaranteed application JIM'S FLYING SERVICE LTD. Seaforth 527-1606 MILTON J. DIETZ LTD. Seaforth 522-0608 10 years old and the breakdown must occur during a critical period. A planter part is not an emergency in November. Once the owner has notified the dealer in writing, requesting a replacement part, the dealer has three days to supply the part or pro­ vide access to emergency repair parts. If the replacement part required is not available in three days, the farmer is entitled to use a substitute machine at half the regular rental rate. Information regarding the Farm Implements Act can be obtained from the local OMAFRA office or the Ontario Farm Implements Board at Resources and Regula­ tions Branch, Ministry of Agricul­ ture, food and Rural Affairs, P.O. Box 1030, 52 Royal Road, Guelph, Ont. N1H 6N1, (519) 767-3549. "A Good crop rotation is the key to successful bean production." Sound familiar? This production advice is recommended for all crops, but is especially important for bean crops, since they are, undoubtedly, the most responsive to crop rotation. Producers, for example, who have grown white beans after a forage crop, have had much success in this regard. During the past several years as acres of soybeans have expanded, there have been more cases of soybeans following soybeans. Before considering growing "Beans after beans", evaluate the risk of reduced yields associated with it. A review of several field trials done in Ontario and in the U.S.A, reveal that a good rotation produced yields from 10 to 40 per cent higher than soybeans following soybeans. One of the longest term studies, at Purdue University, Indiana showed that over an 18 year period, soybeans following com yielded 10 per cent better than when the preceding crop was soybeans. This was true for both a no-till and conventional tillage system. In the same trial, corn yields were improved even more dramatically. Corn yields following soybeans were eight per cent higher than following com under conventional tillage system and 21 per cent higher under a no-till system. Some field experiences by growers in Ontario supports the yield benefit of soybeans in rotation. In Huron County a no-till farmer looked at the yield of com and soybeans in a field under two different rotations. The two rotations where a two year com/soybean rotation, and three year com/soybean/wheat rotation. The comparison of two different rotations over the long term. Part of the reason given for the lower yield of com in the two year rotation, was attributed to increased stalk breakage and leaf diseases. Another interesting rotation comparison was by a farmer in Lambton County who practised no­ till. The Lambton farmer summar­ ized his soybean yields for 1993 across all his acres when soybeans followed corn or when they followed a previous soybean crop. Soybean yields varied between 36 and 42 bushels/acre when the previous crop was com. When the previous crop was soybeans, the following crop of soybeans yielded from 19 to 41 bu/acre. In this comparison note the much wider range in yields when the previous crop was soybeans versus com. This was partly due to the better soil structure and lower incidence of root rot following com. NITROGEN FOR WHEAT Application of pre-plant incorporated spray at the same time it"” IS SBi' < z z z z a©S<Zz^ > Z |8| Z' - ,z zzAzz^z z /z"' ■ z : FERTILIZERS • Terra-Gator® with air spreader and impregnator • Standard Mixes • Custom formulations • Micronutrients • Accurate bulk spreading • Bulk delivery unit • Spreaders readily available CHEMICALS We have a large supply on hand. 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