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Huron Expositor, 2001-08-08, Page 5News Insects two deep on soybeans From Pops 1 Johnson said that 35 bushel figure will continue to drop every day there is no rain. "Economically, we are breaking even at best in the soybean crop and going below the line every day the drought continues," said Johnson Tuesday afternoon. Making the situation even worse for soybeans and now alfalfa is an unusually high insect population thriving in the dry conditions. "We have probably seen the most spider mites that 1 have ever seen," said Johnson who has been working in the industry since 1985. He said 1988 was the worst year on record for spider mites but this year has topped that. The mites eat the soybean leaves and cause them to drop reducing the yield on plants to zero. And then there are the aphids. "The aphid situation on the soybean crop you would liken to a three -alarm fire. They are almost having to stand two -deep on the plants," said Johnson. The aphids suck juices out of the plants further adding to the stress they are under because of the dry conditions. Because of the combination of effects, Johnson said. "We don't know how much damage the aphids do." The aphids exude a honeydew that sticks to the plants. There are so many aphids that Johnson said. "When you walk through a soybean field, you come out and it's like a glue on your pants and shoes. When there is that much sap being sucked out of a plant and this much drought -stress, it's not good for the crop." The dry conditions do not allow fungus to grow which contains parasites that help control the insect population. "They thrive. in these dry conditions," said Johnson. Trying to be optimist, Johnson said, "Hopefully, we are not hurt as badly as people think. There are some good fields out there too." He said the situation is critical for individual farmers but some crops are surviving well enough to allow some farmers to survive. But he said many farmers who would be out spraying to control the spider mites have decided not to spend the extra money on insect control, feeling there is no point because of the expected yield losses already. The situation is virtually the same for edible beans that are suffering in the dry weather and also facing reduced yields. "The mental attitude in the country -side is not as positive as it was two weeks ago," said Johnson. While he said it's generally bad news all around for farmers, he said the bright spot in the current situation is the wheat crop which started out poorly but managed to come around and produce close to typical yields this year. And in the dry conditions, he said the bean crop will be harvested early and, through crop rotation, is followed by wheat being planted early this year, in good time to help produce a good crop next year. A real friendship was beginning to form by the end From Pug 4 Soon there was laughter and great whoops of triumph coming from the living room whenever the Nintendo game was on. And, at one point, two beaming boys raced to my side to tell me how they'd teamed up to beat the game. Time spent reading about Japan on the internet also proved valuable. One mealtime, when Reon was obviously enjoying his meal by lustily slurping up his noodles, Aaron turned to me and explained, "Remember Mom, in Japan slurping is considered good manners." The end of the two-week visit came just as the boys were reaching a level of comfort and enjoyment in each other's company. It was still too soon for any meaningful conversations or the exchange of anything but the most basic information. But, through the continued best efforts of both boys, a friendship was beginning to form. Through the wonders of the internet and maybe even Canada Post, that friendship might have a chance to deepen and grow. And, a two-sided education about Canada and Japan might begin. Community day is expanded From Pogo 1 event to Vanastra Community Day, a penny sale hosted by the Vanastra Lions. The penny sale will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Vanastra Recreation Centre. Amoraal suggested that anyone who would like to donate a prize for the sale should contact Lion Glen McLachlan at 482-9581. Noting, "We're trying to make the Community Day bigger and better- every year," Amoraal said that a new addition to this year's events will he a co-ed hall game. Featured in the game, to he held at the baseball diamond beginning at 1:30 p.m., will he a team from Huron East, made up of municipal staff and lifeguards. which will take on a church team. The afternoon will feature events ranging from euchre to swimming for members of the local community, before another new event wraps up thc big day. This event will he the Pineridge Chicken Barbecue. which will run from 5-7 p.rn. Only advance tickets will be sold for this barbecue, and they can be obtained at the Vanastra Country Market or in the door-to-door ticket selling campaign. Any tickets remaining on Saturday of the 150 to be sold will be made available, Amoraal said, at thc hall diamond food booth during the ball game. All in the Vanastra community arc invited to take in the events to be featured Saturday. "We're hoping people will gather around this Community Day," Amoraal said. Seaforth has more land available, says deputy mayor of industry need From Popo 1 • compare prices in Clinton. Huron East is not competitive," shc says. MacLellan says he disagrees with "coffee shop talk" that Seaforth doesn't have enough industrial land. "There is more than one parcel of land we can expand to in Seaforth but it's not a good idea to purchase without a need." he says. But, McGuire says he discovered during his search for land that Seaforth is one of thc few towns in the arca with no industrial land ready to be developed. "Council has to look around at thc surrounding municipalities and see the land they have available. Mitchell, Clinton, and Exeter all have land but Seaforth, which makes it attractive to go to other towns." he says. McGuire adds that industries comparing towns aren't going to want to take the time to go through the local council to buy land and go through the rezoning process if they don't have to. Mayor Lin Sterner says the issue of industrial land is "on thc table" at Huron East council. "We would likc to see more industrial land and we're working on it. We can't do it all in six month's," shc says. Huron East Clerk -Administrator Jack McLachlan says the municipality does not own any industrial land in Seaforth or Vanastra but docs own some industrial land in Brussels. He says he doesn't know if surrounding municipalities own industrial land. "The town (Seaforth) has an industrial park that got filled up. Why they didn't take the next step and buy more, I don't know because I wasn't on the job then," he says, adding it's a "possibility" Huron East could buy some industrial land. Scott Hilgendorff photo Giving blood The Seaforth community responded to a plea in last week's Expositor for a real need for people to donate blood to the Canadian Blood Services, setting a recent and possible all-time attendance record at last Thursday's blood donor clinic at the Seaforth and District Community Centres. Attending the clinic were 227 people donating 194 units of blood. The quota for the clinic was set at 150 and last year, the clinic suffered with onty,119 people giving blood. Forty of this year's donors gave blood for the first time including Michael Janmaat pictured with RPN, SJ Hutchins. Since 1993, the most number of first-time donors was at 28 and the highest number of units of blood collected was 168. The highest number of people attending since 1993, prior to this year, was 189 people. The local clinic was hosted by the Seaforth Optimist Club. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, August 0, 2001-6 BAYFIELD PREMIER CRAFT SHOW Saturday, Aug. 11 Sunday, Aug. 12 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. RESORT ONE (Hwy. 21 South) No Admission Charge! LOTS OF FREE PARKING 1-800-214-5855 Something for Everyone! For real peace of mind,. look for this symbol ,.r protection. We provide insurance protection that lets you sleep at night. That's because the collective strength of our 50 community based mutual insurers makes us among the most financially secure insurance networks in the world. For you, it means friendly knowledgeable service from people who understand your needs and provide the protection and service you want. Sebringville 393-6402 ,/f/6ulta�.7tu�.Y�...� Y,�..y,•.•y 1-800-263-1961 A Member O7 The At (Marto Mutual Insurance Assouahon .Agal .7.wu ltWelo KV/p,1.5/ Call LYNDA VINCENT at 527-2204 or toll free 1-888-269-0377 Seaforth TD bank business as usual through changes It will be'business as usual for Seaforth and area customers of the Toronto Dominion Bank as it goes into the final stages of "integrating" Canada Trust. A new sign that says TD -Canada Trust will be the only indication in Seaforth of the combination of the two banks, says TD spokesperson Jeff Keay. "The only significant change for local customers will be the signage," he says. Keay adds that there may be longer than usual line-ups at the bank or waits for telephone banking as the tellers get used to a "new and improved" system under the "integrated retail network" that brings together Toronto Dominion and Canada Trust. At the Seaforth branch, a cake-cuttting ceremony was held yesterday to celebrate the merger of the two banks and manager Cheryl Ryan says customers can expect treats all week. Here today. Call 527-0240 to place your ad in the classifieds. Deadline for all classified ads is Monday at 12 noon* *excluding li-lolidays M vTl/ ll'1T/17' L vN viva 3E. CLASSIFIEDS