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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-03-25, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate, March 25, 1981 Tile drainage must be working properly Tile drainage is a major farm investment and to ensure maximum returns, farmers must keep systems functioning properly. "Many farmers have between $750 and $1000 per hectar ($300 to $400 per acre)invested in tile drainage," says Professor Ross Irwin, of the University of Guelph School of Engineering. "It's well worth the time it takes to get out and walk the field and check the system." Tile drainage systems should be checked two or three times a year, but spring is one of the most important times because problem areas are easier to spot. Begin by checking the drainage outlet. This is the most important part of the system because it proves whether the system is working or not. Check to make sure there is no erosion around the outlet and that Some anonymous author has written: "It is sometimes a good idea to change your mind, it may work better." snow and runoff haven't shifted the drain outlet. "Tile drains are running about half their capacity right now," says Prof. Irwin. "There should be some water corning out of the drain outlet, but if there isn't, check back in the field to locate the problem." As the soil begins to day, watch for areas of ponding or standing water. These wet spots may be symptoms of broken or plugged tiles below; the only way to be sure is to dig down and look. Holes or depressions over tiled fields often indicate that, • Mud and ., silt haw washed down into the drains. Tile lines in these areas should be dug up and cleaned. Another problem to watch for is rust, says Professor Irwin. Rust indicates iron ochre -- a condition caused by microorganisms that can impair or impede water flow through tile drains. "Farmers can justify the cost of tile drainage if they keep these systems open and functioning properly to provide good land drainage." TALKING CROPS — The Exeter District Co -Operative sponsored a Crop Production day Wednesday at the Exeter Legion hall. From the left are John Bennettof Exeter Co -Op, area farmers Bev Parsons and Gerald McFalls and Russ Johnston of Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology. T -A photo List of requirements needed when purchasing a good tractor We alt know that a good used tractor can be a smart buy. How do we determine a good used tractor from a not so good one" Following is a check list of some things to consider. It's very beneficial to know the year of the tractor, so this can be compared with Introducing the Sales Staff at Vincent's in Seaforth Ken Coleman Sales Manager International Harvester Pete Vandeborne wLHL& FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. Seaforth 527-0120 Jerry Fuhr All Short Lines Switch ur defense to FURANIi It's a fact. The best way to consistently control corn root - worms is to alternate carbamate and organophosphate insecticides each year And FURADAN in- secticide from Chemagro is the carbamate to switch to The outstanding contact activity of FURADAN stops early root - worms cold, before they can damage delicate feeder roots And. FURADAN protects brace roots from later rootworm attack Helps stalks remain upright for easier harvesting and better yields. Apply FURADAN as you plant. Hard, purple granules won't bridge or clog applicator boxes. This year, don't take chances with your corn yields, switch to 01A(,nN .s a P g TM of Fur, r;oro FURADAN. Your best defense against corn rootworms. Order FURADAN now from: Hensall District Co-op Inc., Hensall Exeter District Co-op, Exeter A1102CA-IS the hour meter. Every trac- tor has a serial number and with this number, we can tell the year the tractor was built. We can tell you where the serial number is located on each tractor and the average resale price for that particular tractor. This also applies to balers or win- drowers. Compare tire wear with hours of tractor use. Be suspicious when you see New tires on a tractor with 1,200 hours on the meter. This may mean the hour meter has been disconnected for some time. Rear tires should last approximately 3,- 000 - 6.000 hours. If you have to replace two 16.9 - 30 trac- tor tires. it will run you ap- proximately$600.00 Look at the drawbar. The drawbar on a tractor with 1,- 200 hours on it should not be wore excessively - also check the balls on the 3 point hitch lower arms and com- pare wear with the hour meter. Clutch - Check for signs of wear on the clutch pedal. If the food pad is worn badly, it could mean three things - (1) The previous owner rode the clutch (which could mean a clutch job). or (2) the trac- tor has had a lot os use, or (3 the tractor has had a loader on it. all of these could be costly. Check the play in the clutch. A clutch that doesn't engage until it is near the top could mean a clutch job. (6) CHECK the engine oil. If it is a milky colour, it means water has entered the oil. This could be a result of a blown gasket. or a cracked block. Check the general appearance of the tractor. A rough looking tractor probably means a rough operator. Below, are a few other checks that can be made before purchasing: Fuel system - Check the aggromolater bowl (diesel) or sediment bowl (gas). If these bowls have a thick ac- cumulation of sludge on the bottom or are 1/2 - 2/3 full of water. chances are the fuel pump on a diesel tractor has already been damaged. I have already mentionedone method of checking for cracked blocks or cylinder walls. also check for any ob- vious welding on tractor blocks. A welded block may F of A meet at Ethel Staff from the Rural Development Outreach Project (RDOP), will present the findings of the second phase of their study on Absentee Land Ownership to the Huron County Federation of Agriculture's monthly meeting, April 2, at 8:30 p.m. at Ethel Centrist School in Grey Township. This three phase study was inititated at the request of the HCFA because of the concern of its members about the increasing foreign land holdings in the county. Tony Fuller, Director of the RDOP and Julius Maage, and John Fitzsimmons, U. of Guelph, using a slide presentation, will present the results and their con- clusions of the Use and Management Phase con- ducted last August. In this, Shelly Paulocik and Ted Gruska interviewed the renters of absentee owned land and their neigh- borsdeterminehow the land was being managed. The farmerawere also given ample opportunity to voice their opinions and solutions about the issue. The third phase of the study, on social and economic impaota of ab- sentee owned land in Huron County is not yet finished. be U.K.. but why buy potential trouble? Check power steering for • play - loose steering could mean an inexpensive adjust- ment or sizable repair bill. Operate the brakes. If there is a Targe amount of travel in the brake pedal, check to see if brakes can be adjusted or if the adjustment has been used up. Determining this could save you $200.00 to $300.00. A qualified mechanic would advise about many more checks that can be made. however. If you know the year of the tractor, the hours on the meter, the average resale price, the horsepower. and fuel con- sumption. you can be in a better position than most. For the above information contact Sam Bradshaw at 482-3428. • List phone number for Last month we announced new phone numbers for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food office in Clinton. We have just been notified of an important change. Effective immediately, callers from any long distance exchange in Huron County can phone our office using Zenith 7-3040. Our local number is still 482-3428. This decision was necessary because of problems encountered with several phone numbers for our office. Please make this change in the blue pages of your phone book. We sincerely regret the confusion and inconvenience this may cause. Hopefully, this will be the last change in our phone listing. For those of you with a London directory, the phone number listed the Hallett Wildlife Management Area under the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is the Clinton Agricultural Office number.The correct number is 4824011. We would ap- preciate it if you would change that as well. Don Pullen, Agricultural representative. Huron County 4-H sheep club organizational meeting WANTED! Boys and girls to be en- thusiastic members of the Huron County 4-H Sheep Club. Applicants must be fun -loving and eager to learn. Good opportunities for advancement and no ex- perience necessary. The organizational meeting of the Huron County 4-H Sheep Club will be held on Saturday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room of the Agricultural Office in 11111111IIIIIIIIIIIIIII1fII11If11111IIMI1111111111111I1I1111011MIR11111111111111111111101111IIIIIl1111111111L H. VAN MOORSEL INSULATION= LTD. R.R. 5 MITCHELL 348-9376 * Sprayed In Place Urethane Foam * Blown Insulations NEW: FLAT ROOFING & REPAIRS Insulation Plus a New Roof FREE ESTIMATES • Agricultural & Industrial Bldgs. • N.w & Old.r Homes • 40 FT. BASKET TRUCK SERVICE OR RENT BY HOUR OR DAY 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111r�r Clinton. This club is open to boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 19 years as of January 1st, 1981. As a project the club member will be keeping records on two to five ewes and their lambs as well as ,studying production and management practices related to the sheep industry. If you are interested in joining this club, please plan to attend the meeting. Further details on the club may be obtained by con- tacting the Agricultural Office in Clinton. Len MacGregor, Extension Assistant. SAFETY ric I ET N '...on the Farm Ontario Institute of Agrologists 1981 CONFERENCE HURON HALL CENTRALIA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY. HURON PARK, ONTARIO Thome: Marketing...The Tool For The 80's Friday, March 27th 9:00 AM - Opening Ceremonies 9:15 AM - `Emerging Marketing Concepts' From the Rise and Fall of Previous Food Systems, Dr. Max Brunk, Cornell University 10:40 AM - Market Opportunities for the 80's Mr. William Doyle, P.Ag., Assistant Deputy Minister, Marketing Division, O.M.A.F. 11:30 AM- Challenges Facing Marketing Boards in Ontario Mr. Peter Hannam, President, CanFarm Co-operative Services Saturday, March 28th 9:00 AM - Developing Agricultural Exports, the National Perspective Mr. Ralph Ferguson, M.P. 9:45 AM - Agricultural Product Promotion - How Much Does It Pay? Mr. David Hughes, Broadwith-Hughes & Assoc. 10:40 AM The Ontario Program of Developing Export Markets Mr. Henry Pauls, Export Manager, Market Development Branch, O.M.A.F. 11:15 AM - Our Approach to Market Research and Development Mr. Madan Mallick, Camit Forms 11:50 AM - Conference Summary or "Where Do We Go From Here in Marketing? Mr. Byron Beeler, P.Ag., Executive Vice President, Ciba Geigy Seeds Limited The public is invited to attend this Annual Conference. Cost - $15.00 per daily session payable at the door. For further information contact: D. Jamieson, P.Ag., Principal, Centralia College of Agricultural Technology, Huron Park, Ontario Telephone: 228-6691 The Ontario Institute of Agrologists is a professional institute dedicated to making the agricultural profession of increasing service to the industry and the public. ATTENTION STARTING IMMEDIATELY N.H. SPREADERS AND GRINDER MIXERS NOW INTEREST FREE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1, 1981 USED SPREADERS 327 N -H c/wfine manure pan 130 Bushel 1 790 N -H c/w top beater 8 hyd end gate 360 518 N -H c/w top beater 210 bushel 1 555 IHC c/w top beater & hyd. end gate 190 USED GRINDER MIXERS 1 Model 354 N -H grinder mixers excellent 1 Model 352 N -H grinder mixers excel USED CULTIVATORS 1 9 %z' Kongskilde 1 11 1/2' Kongskilde 1 14ft model 45 - IHC nearly new 1 18 ft. model 45 - IHC c/w 3 bar 1 24 ft - model 45 - IHC c/w3 bar he 1 271/2 ft John Deere c/w 3 bar harrc 1 26 ft Glencoe c/w 3 bar harrows harrows 1 20' Allis Chalmers 1,15 ft. John Deere Rotary hoe Excellent Choice of New Kongskilde And WO Rich Cultiva on Hand In Our yard EFE EXETER FARM EQUIPMENT LIMI CALL HARRY VAN GERWEN (519) 235-13 HE BEST IN FARM MACHI 242 MAIN ST. NORTH EXETER, ONTA