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The Citizen, 1996-06-19, Page 11A Look at Agriculture Stretching your alfalfa fields Ralph deVries, Crop Consultant with Howson & Howson Ltd. With a tough winter on alfalfa past us and the first cut hay harvest well under way for 1996, you may be disappointed with the amount of alfalfa left in your fields. You may be wondering how to stretch your alfalfa fields for another year or when to destroy the existing stand. There are several things you can do to improve the situation for 1997. Under normal conditions, the last cutting of the season should be taken no later than the first week of September; four to five weeks before a killing frost. Cutting after this can be a major problem because allowing less than four weeks growth before a killing frost doesn't allow enough growth to replenish root reserves for spring growth. If you have enough hay feed for 1997 with two cuts in 1996, allow the third cut growth to flower and build up root reserves and the overall strength of the alfalfa plant. Cutting after the plant has gone dormant (October) leaves little to no stubble to collect snow. Because of the added stress, fall cut your alfalfa only if you're short of feed. Late summer soil sampling is very important and should be done regularly. Phosphorus is important for root growth and potassium is especially important for good winter hardiness. If you have a good soil fertility program for your alfalfa you will also be benefiting the other crops in your rotation. Compared to other crops grown in this area, alfalfa is the highest consumer of soil phosphorous and potassium. Alfalfa also responds well to small amounts. of Boron. Older stands or injured stands should be monitored closely. Just after first cut is probably the best time to evaluate your alfalfa stands. Stand counts should be taken and written down for reference. Counts should be taken by using a one square foot frame and placing it on the ground in several locations in the field. Count only the crowns and not the stems. If your stand has less than four to five crowns per square foot you should consider destroying the stand. (This would not apply if your stand was full of grasses and is the type of hay you want.) Tying up the field as well as applying fertilizer in the fall would be just wasting your money if your alfalfa hay stand is below four to five plants per foot squared. Root samples should also be checked to note any diseased or weak plants that may be lost over the winter months. Dig out some root and cut them down the centre to ensure that they are white. If they are not white, they are likely diseased. Close and timely evaluations can save money as well as loss of yields due to poor stands. The last option you could consider would be fall seeded alfalfa. Fall seeded alfalfa must have six to eight weeks of growth prior to the first killing frost. This would put the planting date to the second week in August. With dry conditions, even more time is necessary because there will not be enough moisture for seed germination. Firewood Hard Maple or Ash S LA B WOO D Limited Time Offer - Call now - $130./17 cu. yd. Truck Load Delivered within 20 miles Mileage charge Beyond That Large Quantity Discounts When You Haul!!! Craig Hardwoods Ltd. Auburn, Ont. 519-526-7220 BRUSSELS UPCOMING LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. SALES TUESDAYS 9 a.m. Finished Cattle & Cows THURSDAYS 10:00 a.m. Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs BRUSSELS 887-6461 r MAITLAND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS LTD. 354 County Rd. 25, Blyth 523-9705 • Mechanic on duty daily • Safety Inspection Station Call today to make your appointment SAVE 15% OFF LABOUR ON ANY TRUCK, TRAILER OR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR WITH THIS COUPON L Maximum 1 Coupon per customer -- Valid until August 15, 1996 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1996 PAGE 11. Brussels Livestock report Top quality steer, heifer sales very active The market at Brussels Livestock for the week ending June 14 was: fed cattle, 800; cows, 253; veal calves, 254; lambs, 1131 stockers, 898; and pigs, light run. The top quality steers and heifers sold very active at prices $2 - $3 higher. The cows traded steady. On Thursday veal sold $5 - $10 higher. Lambs sold steady. On Friday calves sold $5 higher with the yearlings selling steady. There were 407 steers on offer selling from $80 to $86 to the high of $93. Nineteen steers consigned by Don Shiell, Wingham, averag- ing 1,374 lbs. sold for an average of $84.77 With sales to $93. Seven steers consigned by Mary Blackler, Kirkton, averaging 1,316 lbs. sold for an average of $84.93 with sales to $92. Ten steers consigned by Dave Bender, Palmerston, averaging 1,230 lbs. sold for an average of $88.49 with sales to $90.75. Ten steers consigned by Terry McCarthy, Dublin, averaging 1,388 lbs. sold for an average of $84.74 with sales to $87.75. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Woodstock, averaging 1,435 lbs. sold for an average of $85.32 with sales to $87.50. Thirty-seven steers consigned by Ed McCann, Dash- wood, averaging 1,456 lbs. sold for an average of $83.14 with sales to $87. Two steers consigned by Dean Aldwinkle, Varna, averaging 1,320 lbs. sold for an average of $85.17 with sales to $86.75. Twenty steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan, averaging 1,309 lbs. sold for an average of $85.01 with sales to $86.75. Five steers consigned by Charles Ready, St. Marys, averag- ing 1,199 lbs. sold for an average of $81.66 with sales to $86.75. Sixteen steers consigned by Ken and Joanne Blackler, St. Marys, averaging 1,275 lbs. sold for an average of $79.75 with sales to $86.75. There were 374 heifers on offer selling from $80 to $86 to the high of $89.75. Fourteen heifers consigned by Mux Lea Farms, Woodstock, averaging 1,282 lbs. sold for an average of $85.18 with sales to $89.75. Thirteen heifers consigned by Ray Brown, Goderich, averaging 975 lbs. sold for an average of $82.63 with sales to $87.50. One heifer consigned by Chuck Durrer, Mildmay, weighing 1,285 lbs. sold for $84.75. Forty- nine heifers consigned by Malcolm McPhail, Dover Centre, averaging 1,181 lbs. sold for an average of $81.85 with sales to $84.50. Four heifers consigned by Ron Gutscher, Elmwood, averaging 1,226 lbs. sold for an average of $78.35 with sales to $84.25. Ten heifers consigned by Franz Lachnit, Staffa, averaging 1,049 lbs. sold for an average of $79.76 with sales to $83.75. One heifer consigned by Calvin Semple, Ethel, weighing 1,300 lbs. sold for $83.50. Two heifers consigned by Doug Simpson, Teeswater, averaging 1,368 lbs. sold for $83.50. Seven heifers consigned by Springglad Farms Ltd., Kirkton, averaging 1,187 lbs. sold for an average of $81.67 with sales to $82.85. Five heifers consigned by Joe Smith, Pork Cong. opens June 20 By Douglas Richard Swine Advisor Clinton Field Office With the opening of the 23rd Annual Ontario Pork Congress in Stratford on Thursday, June 20 you know summer is on your doorstep even if Mother Nature has been showing you otherwise. This year's Congress theme is "Ontario Pork - A Tradition of Quality" and has things of interest to any one working in the pork industry. The education program is hosting speakers talking about a wide range of topics such as "Internet: Personal Application for Agriculture", a debate on the different types of barn ventilation, an update on PRRS, and "New Disease Challenges". The Stratford Fairgrounds will be housing over 200 exhibitors displaying their services for the pork industry. Some unique pig art and crafts along with some of the finest purebred animals will be shown and sold during the two day event. The Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture, Food and Rural Affairs swine specialists and advisors will be featuring a display on the "PORK INDUSTRY INFORMATION HIGHWAY" along with the "SWINE PROFIT PREDICTOR'", a computer program you can try that looks at your own operation's profit picture. The producer chosen top swine innovator will be Continued on page 12 Brussels, averaging 1,212 lbs. sold for an average of $68.74 with sales to $82. There were 253 cows on offer selling from $35 to $53 to the high of $55.50. Three cows consigned by John Welechenko, Hanover, averaging 1,275 lbs. sold for an average of $9.03 with sales to $55. Four cows consigned by Hank Huigenbos, Wingham, averaging 960 lbs. sold for an average of $47.07 with sales to $53.50. Four cows consigned by Andy Lindner, Gads Hill, averaging 1,435 lbs. sold for an average of $43.35 with sales to $52. There were 13 bulls on offer selling from $45.50 to $51.50 to the high of $62.50. One Black bull consigned by Shawn McMahon, Bluevale, weighing 1,745 lbs. sold for $62.50. One Limousin bull consigned by Barbara Vandenberg, Walkerton, weighing 1,625 lbs. sold for $61.50. There were 254 veal on offer: Beef sold $80 to $115; Holstein, $80 to $95; and Plain Holstein, $60 to $75. Eight veal consigned by David Erb Wellesley, averaging 685 lbs. sold for an average of $97.76 with sales to $115. Three veal consigned by John Martin, Lucknow, averaging 677 lbs. sold for an average of $93.93 with sales to $109. Four veal/consigned by Bill Devos Jr., Bluevale, averaging 649 lbs. sold for an average of $101.50 with sales to $106. Lambs, 50 - 79 lbs., sold $130 to $146; 80 - 94 lbs., $142 to $148. Sheep sold $30 to $52. Goats sold $30 to $92.50. Steers, 400 - 499 lbs., sold $80 to $109.50; 500 - 599 lbs., $80 to $111; 600 - 699 lbs., $80 to $99; 700 - 799 lbs., $75 to $95; 800 - 899 lbs., $70 to $84; 900 lbs. and over, $70 to $83.50. Heifers, 300 - 399 lbs., sold $75 to $85; 400 - 499 lbs., $70 to $119; 500 - 599 lbs., $65 to $113.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $65 to $88; 700 - 799 lbs., $65 to $80.50; 800 and over, $65 to $76.50.