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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-12-06, Page 19Cattlemen By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Concerns for the environment are oft discussed these days particularly in regards to agriculture. How the farming community will need to respond was the message delivered to the Huron Perth Shorthorn Club at its annual meeting at the Brussels Legion Nov. 29. Graham Headley of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association was guest speaker. He spoke to the 50 people present about the many changes in store for the agricultural industry. Raising the issue of water quality Headley said, “I don’t need to tell you that in Huron Bruce there are concerns associated with the live­ stock industry.” While research has been done to find the soil’s ability to absorb nutri­ ents from animal waste, it has yet to consider the movement of pathogens through the soil. “That’s an area they’re going to be looking at.” In the aftermath of Walkerton, he said, the Ontario government is working on legislation to regulate farm operations. “There is going to be an Ag-Ops Act,” he promised. However, while the consensus was it would be in the House before Christmas it looks like the politicians won’t be able to meet that time schedule. A chief concern is liquid manure systems, which, Headley noted, tend to be associated with big operations. “There have been implications in a number of spill situations so this is obviously going to be the target of this legislation.” The Bill, he said, would be “enabling legislation. It will contain powers for government to prescribe practices to be followed on farms in terms of waste and how it’s handled and spread.” Another concern, however, is cat­ tle access to water, he said, adding that there is currently a policy in the OCA office because of a problem east of Kingston. “The Department of Fisheries and Oceans have made a clear policy for zero tolerance. Get the cattle out of the stream or face being charged,” he said. “I know there are a lot of cows out there that do have access. But there are many of the farmers being more responsi­ ble who are making changes to address the situation.” The reality of the legislation is also causing areas of controversy, Headley said, particularly with regards to who enforces it, the municipalities or the province. Municipalities don’t want the cost, while the province -has said that if they do the enforcing it will be the environment ministry not agricul­ ture. “Whatever the standard is, it has to be practical for the average farmer,” said Headley. With regulations imminent, the industry is going to have to find ways to manage the problem of han­ dling animal waste. He spoke of a way to destroy the bacteria through heat, then convert the methane to hydrogen as a fuel source. The auto industry, he said, has developed a new energy source powered by fuel cells generated by hydrogen. The output is water. “I thought it was a novel approach to generate fuel which might then be used on the farm.” Odour is a big concern, particular­ ly on hog farms. “Looking down the road we have to find ways to address the odour problem. No one wants a pig farm next door.” What needs to be found is a way to destroy the pathogens and odour, but leaves you at the end of the day with a material that can be spread on land hear of changes and contains all the nutrients. “I’m not saying I’m good at pre­ dicting the future, but I think I know that if we are going to continue we are going to have to find novel ways to handle waste.” Noting that he has heard some people say that “big is bad”, and the only way to go is to less intensive operations, Headley said, “In my view that is not going to happen. We are not going back to where we were 20 years ago.” However, he added that cattle operations is an area where you don’t see such drastic change. “Yes, there are more cows in Canada than 25 years ago, but in terms of per unit it is not much of a change.” The concern for food safety and public health has resulted in the demise of small processors as well. “I think the writing is on the wall for some small abattoirs,” said Headley. Ontario currently has two processors for pigs, while there are none for cat­ tle. The closing of the last one, MGI Packers, was unfortunate, said Headley saying he understood that a deal to sell fell through on the day it was to close. While new investors sought for to keep the plant open, nothing materialized. There are now some 230 claims in total to be set­ tled. “I have had a lot of dairy farmers calling me now wondering where to go with their cows. The only thing I can say is auction.” The processors in Quebec, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin are regular buyers at auc­ tions here, he said. Headley also touched briefly on the national identification program. “Why are we doing it?- It’s not that we’re trying to make life difficult but Canada has to prepare itself for what is coming down the pipe.” With 50 per cent of Canadian beef being exported, Headley said, inter­ national standards will dictate that to export there has to be a system in place to trace the beef. “This program is simple and low- cost. The tag leaves the farm of the cow’s birth and we can usually know the last farm of feeding.” While he admits the program is not 100 per cent foolproof, Headley feels it is close. He also stressed that there would be growing pains, but that over the course of a few years the industry will grow into the sys­ tem. In summation, Headley re-iterated the concern of preventing pathogens in manure from spreading to the water. “Legislation is going to be so that waste is used for the soil but in a way that protects the environment.” “And looking down the road five to 10 years anyone who wants to keep a hog operation will have to find ways to address the odour prob­ lem. In the whole scheme that has to be included.” Ministry investigates liquid manure spill Officials from the Ministry of the Environment and are investigating a liquid manure spill which occurred in Morris Twp last week. According to George Szober, sen­ ior environmental officer with the Ministry’s Sarnia district, they received information on Dec. 1 that a liquid pig manure spill had occurred on or about Nov. 30, from one farm to the complainant’s property. Szober said the complainant claims that the spill contaminated the well. Staff’s investigation is of an unknown quantity of what is “believed to be liquid pig manure, the cause, source and possible impact on gorund water and watercourses.” No further details were available at press time. A little exercise can go a long way! Walking 3 km in 35 minutes can do wonders for your health. Its that simple. k Sharing a Healthier Fufure’^^w = = = ^PdRTiciPacrion THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2000. PAGE 19. 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