The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen Agriculture, 2003-03-19, Page 28THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2003. PAGE A-3. Manitoba ranchers work with hog producers By Janice Becker Citizen staff With the proliferation of large- scale hog operations, sufficient land base for disposal is in constant demand. Manitoba is just one such place that has witnessed this rapid expansion, said Fraser Stewart of the Manitoba Forage Council. As the third largest hog producer in Canada, jumping from .87 million in 1975 to 6.4 million in 2001, the province’s agriculturalists were looking for a way to use the nutrient in an environmentally-friendly and economical way. “There are 13.5 million crop acres in Manitoba and hog manure can only fertilize 800,000,’’ said Stewart. “There are also 526,000 beef cattle.” Realizing the value of hog manure as a fertilizer, cattle ranchers began developing partnerships with hog producers for the use of the nutrient. Many of the hog operations are commercially-owned so the ranchers would lease the land or sell it to hog producers so they can have access to the fertilized pastures for their cattle. The manure is spread at no cost to the rancher or at just the cost for application. There are legal agreements tying the land to the hog producers to ensure the land base. Application rates are determined by the soil types and the location of neighbours is given consideration. Forages make good receptors for hog manure as the roots go deep, said Stewart. “Alfalfa can go down 10 feet.” The manure can also be applied to pastures several times during the year, unlike annual crops. This results in high energy food for the grazers. However, one of the problems discovered with forages bat had had manure applications was a distinct dislike by horses for forage which had received an application during the growth period. Stewart said this aversion could be alleviated by altering application methods. When the liquid manure was injected into the soil, through one of many options, the problem was minimized. The use of liquid manure also impacted neighbours. Stewart advocated good neighbour relations as one of the most important aspects as well as undertaking practices to lessen the aroma. Suggestions included putting straw on the lagoons to control odour, injecting the nutrient and installing a drape on the back of standard tank spreaders to keep the spray down. While different soils have varying capacities to both absorb and release nutrients, forage too has differing uptake abilities. “Forage has the potential to remove more nitrogen and potassium from the manure,” said Stewart, but there is some concern about the phosphorous. Manitobans are not seriously concerned at this point about phosphate build-up in the soils as most of the province is very low in phosphorous. “Eighty to 90 per cent of fields in the province test medium to low for phosphorous,” said Stewart. In adapting Manitoba pastures for the efficient use of hog manure, Stewart said using deep-rooted perennials and legumes and species accustomed to the manure are important. An effective application method would also put the nutrient more directly into the soil for absorption. Proper control of the cattle would help eliminate leaching vulnerable regions such as in congested areas around a watering site. \ After tests to determine differences in application methods. frequency and timing, Stewart said the council learned that grazing on pastures fertilized with hog manure was an option, but that cutting might have to be incorporated with the grazing process if there was a nutrient build-up. Prudential 357-2400^ Heartland Realty Toil Free: 1-888-234-3339 199 Josephine St, WINGHAM Fax: (519) 357-2422 24 Hour Paging Service vyJOENTM,It MALTOM* MLS E-mail: wingham@prudentialheartland.com WANTED NEW LISTINGS! ‘350,000. RR# 3 LUCKNOW: 98.87 ac. farm, 7 year old modular home, plus a vinyl sided 4 br. home, some harvestable trees. #022705 ‘349,000. WHITECHURCH: 181.58 acres (120 cleared) with highway frontage. Listing does not include house at front of farm. #021663 ‘320,000. RR# 7 LUCKNOW: Picturesque 100 ac. (70 workable) with 2 br. bung, with walk-out, original brick house used as workshop, 50x35 barn. #022390 ‘319,900. RR# 1 WINGHAM: 3 br. on 23.7 acs. with river running through, propane fireplace in living room, vaulted ceilings, plus 40x80 Coverall with shop. #030127 Aerial photos help to lay out grazing plans When setting up a rotational grazing system, the first step is to fence off restricted or protected areas. Aerial photos help in seeing the entire farm in an overview, making patterns easier to lay out. The first task is to fence off the house yard and any waterways. From there, the farm should be divided into paddocks, square if possible, with similar forage types in a single section. It is recommended there be six to eight paddocks. Alley ways for movement between fields must be allowed as well as crossings over watercourses. Each field is then subdivided, to allow for the rotation of animals as set out in a forage re-growth plan. The size of each division is determined by the stock density required. The choice for fencing can be barbed wire, though no longer a top pick; poly wire or high tensile wire. The high tensile wire has the advantage of being able to be strung through bush areas. Water for each area must be arranged so that the supply is kept clean. It should be located in a position so the animals do not have to walk more than 500 feet to the source. ‘449,000. RR# 2 TEESWATER: 101 ac. dairy farm, ‘449,000. RR# 1 GORRIE: 98.23 acre corner farm 67 workable, random tiled, newer 4 br. bung., full (70 workable), with large 4 br. home with newer basement, 44x100 barn with 50 tie stalls, milk kitchen, main floor laundry, older woodwork, house. #030185 #030108 Organizations stress drivers only no riders Runovers of an extra rider on farm machinery are a significant cause of farm fatalities. Between 1990-1996, 25 deaths resulted from the runover of a passenger who had fallen from a machine. Over half (56 per cent) of these cases involved children under age 15. If you are tempted to have a child ride on the tractor with you, remember - runovers by farm machinery are the most common cause of fatalities among farm children. Choose to set aside some other time to spend with your children. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture along with Farm Credit Canada, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada want to encourage Canadian fanners to practise Driver Only - No Riders! *169,900. WROXETER: Very nice 3 br., bung., aft garage, Ig. deck off dining area, lg. living room, basement with walk-out to 1.44 acre lot backing on to river. #030061 ‘925,000. RR# 2 BLYTH: 300 ac. mostly organic farm (190 workable), with a 7 br. aluminum-sided home. #022455 ‘259,000. RR# 5 LUCKNOW; 5 br. vinyl-sided home on 49.8 acs., large rooms, cedar cupboards, Manitoulin cedar in living room with wood fireplace. #022428 ‘119,900. RR# 1 WROXETER: 1.5 st. country home, main floor laundry, propane fireplace in family room, well kept yard with rail fence, single detached garage. #030172 Erwin Stone, Associate Broker Res: 335-6024 Cell: 292-0101 Landmarketer.com Opening Doors to the World I For a full list of our listings, check out our website www.prudentialheartland.com Harry Wilson, Sales Representative Res: 357-1879 Cell: 357-5961 For information on extension listings, call, 1-866-271-0393 and follow instructions J5 kfiSFred Lobb - Broker / Owner Ph: (519) 357-2400 Website: www.prudentialheartland.com