Huron Expositor, 2007-08-22, Page 8tor
Page 8 The Huron Expositor • August 22, 2007
News
Consistent rain needed to bring in a good yield
Because of `extremely dry' conditions, some crops are complete `write off'
Aaron J a c k l i n
While recent rains have helped
out area crops, we're not out of
the woods yet according to
OMAFRA soil specialist Peter
Johnson.
"It's still extremely dry, even
with the rain," he said.
While the south part of Huron
County got a good amount of rain
last Tuesday, less rain fell in the
north.
"We're still well below normal
rainfall," said Johnson, noting
that area farmers need about an
inch or two of rain every week
until September to salvage the
crops.
Rainfall has been very spotty,
with southwestern Ontario seeing
the full range with some getting
enough and others almost none.
Johnson said that in general,
the north half of Oxford County
and the south half of Perth
County have received the -most
rain this season.
The Niagara Peninsula, on the
other hand, has been hardest hit
with some areas receiving no use-
able rainfall this season.
"Some of the crops in that area
are a complete write off," said
Johnson, noting that such a large
number of factors are involved
that the health of crops varies
widely from crop to crop and field
to field.
In the Seaforth area, wheat
seems to have largely escaped the
effects of this dry season because
it matured early enough. Johnson
said that is
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Hay, on the other hand, has
been hit really hard, particularly
those fields on the two cut system.
"The second cut is
non-existent," said
Johnson.
Corn, soybean and
oilseed crops have all
been significantly
affected.
The overall lack of
rain is causing other
problems too.
Because lots of
moisture facilitates
the diseases that
keep insect popula-
tions in check,
Johnson said a lack of
moisture means there
are more insects to
cause crop injury.
In addition to that,
largely the case because the plants are already
with the early strained from trying to draw more
season crops. moisture, they're less able_ to
resist injury from insects.
That's not all.
"Any past management sins are
standing out in vivid
detail (because it's so
dry)," said Johnson,
noting that problems
are showing up now
relating to farmers
having to harvest
when the ground was
wet last fall.
Because of that,
soils are compacted
and aren't draining as
well as they could be.
With adequate rain,
this wouldn't have
been as much of a
problem.
Johnson notes that
he's not condemning
farmers because they
often have no choice and have to
go ahead in less than optimal con-
ditions.
'Any past man-
agement sins
are standing
out. in vivid
detail (because
it's so dry),'.
OMAFRA Soil
Specialist
Peter Johnson
Dinner and auction held by
Huron County 4-H to raise funds
for youth agriculture program
A recent roast beef dinner and silent
auction in Seaforth by the Huron County
4-H Leaders' Association raised money
for local 4-H clubs.
Kim Higgins, president of the leaders'
association, says Huron's 200 4-H mem-
bers are charged a $60 registration fee to
participate in local clubs but the group
must spend $8,000 to $10,000 each year
to put on a program with workshops,
shows and judging competitions.
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"We've tried to fundraise for the last
few years to keep the costs down for chil-
dren," she says.
Higgins says that 4-H groups were
funded by the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food until 1992.
"Now each county has to fundraise for
its own programs," she says, adding that
unlike other counties, Huron 4-H gets no
funding from the county.
Last year's dinner raised $2,000.
NEW BEST START PROGRAM
COMING TO DUBLIN
St. Patrick's School
September 2007
NOW TAKING
REGISTRATIONS
The Best Start Program provides childcare
for JK or SK children on their alternate school days.
• Full day program or before/after school care for JK/SK
children is available. This program helps children make the transition to
school seamless and successful by providing high quality childcare.
Call Naomi at Seaforth Co-operative 519 527-0682
Children's Centre to register or for
more information.
OPEN HOUSE
Come and view the program for yourself, tour the room
and meet with us. Aug. 29th 9-1 & Sept. 5th 1-5 or call
for an appointment. 519-527-0682