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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgriculture 2002, 2002-03-13, Page 16Be cautious of the "kick zone" (NC)—All grazing animals have wide-angle vision, but cannot see directly behind themselves — their "blind spot". Nature's way of pro- tecting the blind spot was to create the "kick zone" which is the area that can be reached by the hind legs with a kicking motion. Livestock handlers should become familiar with the blind spot and kick zone of the species they are dealing with as it can vary from one type of animal to another. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture along with- Farm Credit Canada, the Canadian Coalition for Agricultural Safety and Rural Health, and Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada want to encourage farmers to practise Livestock han- dling safety: Put your best foot for- ward. Farm Safety Means Farm Safely. - News Canada otavio s Fittest Water Woo Fat °vet tOn Year .p Well Drilling Limited • Licensed Well Technicians • State-of-the-Art Equipment • Premium-Grade Materials • We Guarantee Water • Screened Well Specialists • Hydrogeological Services • Hydraulic Elevator Shafts r7L7sterf:rtta, aocI at{ n 0 Ontario CD Mimstry of the Environment • Complete Pumping Service • Environmental+Geotechnical Drilling & Services • Free Estimates • Construction Drilling Onlano Ground Water Association WINGHAM 357-1960 1• 800-663• 3849 WATERLOO 664-1424 Brussels Agromart Ltd. Fertilizer • Chemical • Seed OM) 4ti ea %, Fax (519) 887-6150 61. it- *zc (519) 887-6273 PAGE A-16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2002. Agriculture 2002 Dealer purity an annoyance CROPLIFE CANADA The new generations Neil McGavin took over from his father, Gordon. Now his sons, Jeff and Brian have taken over the family business from him. Although the family takes pride in treating their customers Well, the tuxes were really for the wedding of Jeff McGavin who is standing on the tractor.(courtesy photo) Continued from A-15 They have been threatened with the removal of their distributorship for selling other manufacturer's machinery. On more than one occa- sion they have, had to shift lines because of conflict over the issue. His annoyance over the issue of 'dealer purity' and foreign domina- tion of the industry is illustrated by a story he tells, of one confrontation he had with a traveller for his major supplier. McGavin had been selling a Canadian-made Hagedoom spreader - both because it was a good piece of equipment and because he wanted to provide _ his customers with a Canadian product as an option. When the traveller noticed this he informed McGavin that the Hagedoom spreaders would have to go or his dealership would be can- celled. • After McGavin explained his rea- sons for carrying the product the response was - "Oh, we're getting patriotic are we." His attitudes to the manufacturers are not all negative. He notes that farmers want the quickest and the easiest when buying new machinery and that manufacturers continually develop their products to meet this demand. New equipment and technologies allow the farmer to farm more land more efficiently and yields are up. Air seeding, better, more precise spraying equipment and better ways of spreading manure have all con- tributed to helping the farmer cope with the economic pressures related to modem farming. McGavin notes that science and technology are changing the very nature of farming in Huron County. Large numbers of farmers now rely on computers for everything from analyzing the efficiency of various farm practices, to up to the minute commodity prices and weather reports. He says he wouldn't be sur- prised if more farmers had comput- ers than urban residents. McGavin illustrates the influence of new technology by describing how one of his customers uses a sprayer purchased from the dealer- ship. The individual has his whole farm set up for GPS (global positioning system). When the farmer sprays his fields he doesn't need to look out of the side of the cab to guard against overlaps. He simply watches the GPS monitor to make sure that he is exactly where he wants to be. "The only time he looks up," says McGavin, "is when, he gets to the end of the field." McGavin doesn't dispute the need for the new technologies and farm practices, but he obviously worries Q: What's the difference between pesticides and fertilizer? A: Pesticides is a broad term for all chemical substances used to control insects, diseases, weeds, fungi and other "pests" on plants, fruits, vegetables and animals. Fungicides, herbicides, sanitizers, growth regulators, fumigants, and insecticides are all pesticides. Pesticides are designed to attack particular pests without affecting beneficial or harmless insects or vegetation or microorganisms. Fertilizers help maintain the fertility of soil for the healthy growth of plants and crops. -Q: Why should I use pesticides on my lawn or garden? What's wrong with a few weeds? A: Through careful, planned use of lawn care products, proper mowing and water practices, healthy turf offers many benefits: increasing property values; preventing soil erosion; reducing allergens and the likelihood of insect bites and stings; controlling dust and pollen from weeds and grasses; absorbing pol- lutants from the air and reducing noise in busy urban centres to name a few. A well-kept 50' x 50' lawn creates enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four every day. Q: Are home and garden pesticides similar in nature to agricultural priid- ucts? • A: Yes. Generally home and garden pesticides are the same compounds as agri- chemicals but are more diluted and tailored to home and garden use. The toxi- city and range of pesticides offered for home and garden use is much lower than those of agri-chemicals. Q: How should pesticides (for home use) be stored? What is the shelf life? A: Pesticides should be stored in a secure, well-ventilated area, preferably locked in a safe cupboard, garage or garden shed. Most pest control products can be stored for extended periods at temperatures above freezing. Check all labels carefully for specific information. - News Canada about the effect they have on farm- ers. He feels that the farmers are becoming disconnected from their community, or perhaps more pre- cisely, that the-community is becom- ing disconnected from the farmer. Once during a conversation with an Ontario minister of agriculture, McGavin made the suggestion that people in his ministry should be paid with soybeans. As would be expect- ed the minister was a little confused by the suggestion and asked for an explanation. McGavin explained that a few years ago soybeans were worth $10 a bushel so a person getting $50,000 would be paid 5,000 bushels of beans. Now however soybeans were $7 a bushel, so the person would get the same amount of beans but only receive $35,000 for their work. McGavin noted with a slight smile, "The minister didn't think this would make people very happy." The point for McGavin, however, was that the people paid in -beans might end up having a lot more in common with the farmer aad a greater understanding of his prob- lems.