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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-09-03, Page 10Pogo 10 Times -Advocate, September 3, 1986 TOURING CROPS DAY — Many area formers attended Wednesday's Crops Day at Centralia College. Some are shown here on one of the wagon tours. T -A photo Although farmers have been accus- ed of being backward and not adop- ting technology, agriculture has pro- bably been in the forefront of change. But the predictions coming from the eggheads in the last few weeks have been enough to turn your co-op cap around. F'r instance: a robot -operated trac- tor that will plant and harvest crops. Biotechnology to replace most chemical herbicides and pesticides. Plants bred to resist disease. Livestock that is healthier and that will grow faster and better and pro- duce more meat or milk or muscle or wool or whatever. These are just some of the TOUR PLANNED The 1986 Livestock Management Tour is being held from November 9 to November 14. Participants will visit approximately 20 different livestock operations in the counties of Huron, Perth and Waterloo. Delegates observe and discuss the management ( feeding, breeding, housing, etc.) and financial manage- ment principles being practised. Delegates will also gain experience in judging and evaluation of livestock. The tour will end with participation in a livestock evaluation competition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The Livestock Management Tour is open to young people between 18 and 19 years of age who are interested or involved in the day to day operation of the farm. The cost of the tour is $130.00. This includes accommodation and most meals. Those interested in this Livestock Tour should contact Richard Ilamilton at 482-8428 or 1-800-265-5170. Richard Ilamilton Rural Organization Specialist Announcement Dr. Ross E. Caslick hos taken over my share in South Huron Veterinary Practice as of September 1, 1986. I wish to thank my friends and clients in Huron, Mid- dlesex and Lambton counties for their confidence and sup- port over the last 34 years. It has been a pleasure to serve yoy and I trust you will bestow the same support on Dr. Caslick and South Huron Veterinary Clinic, Zurich in the years ahead. Garnet L. Leitch, D.V.M. developments soon to be accepted in agriculture. New techniques will control the release of chemicals so that fertilizer will be applied only once and the nutrients will be released as the plant and the soil need them. Irrigation methods will be developed that will grant water to soil only where the water is necessary and in amounts needed. Computers will be used to regulate almost everything a farmer does. And the computer will help farmers to double their yields and tell them when and where to market their pro- ducts. The farmer may even call a buyer halfway around the world when the crop is ready to sell. Research in Cornell University has already produced a hormone that will soon be available to American farmers which will increase milk pro- duction by as much as 25 to 30 per- cent. Called somatotropin, it is simp- ly a tiny dose of the same hormone a dairy cow uses to produce milk. It is a growth hormone that stimulates the cow's natural ability to turn food in- to milk. Think of the ramifications here, my friends. A 25 -percent increase in the production of every cow will automatically mess up the intricate quota system in place in Canada. It could mean that one of every four dairy farmers in Canada will be out of business. The hormone has caused great pro- blems in the United States now and it is not expected to be on the market until 1988. The big boost in milk pro- duction is being viewed as a plot to destroy the family farm, as a boon to consumers and as an attack on the placid dairy cow's internal environment. It is, apparently, a simple, safe and almost -natural way to increase production. But who needs an increase in milk production? Certainly not Canada's dairy farmers. We have a huge surplus now. Farmers are being ask- ed to cut back, not increase production. Seems crazy, doesn't it? All farm magazines are telling farmers how to increase production when we've got too many cows pro- ducing too much now. And these eg- gheads at Cornell develop a growth hormone that will add another 25 per- cent to the total. Now, how about a hormone we can all take that will give everyone a hankering for more milk, the same essence that is in alcohol, for instance? Put that into the milk as it leaves the farm gate and we will get everybody addicted to drinking milk. Then. we can broaden the quota. In HARVEST SPECIALS NEW INNES 570 BEAN WINDROWER complete w/cross conveyor $6750 (2 only) y NEW IH FORAGE BLOWER s2950 (2 onlY) Don't Miss These Specials. Call Now D D FARM EQUIPMENT LTD: Sales & Service Since 1932 Exeter, Ontario Sales & Service 235-2121 Dashwood, Ontario Sales 237-3673 Service 237-3242 4 4 fact, maybe we can even dispense with quotas entirely and solve a big headache that has been plaguing the milk board for years. How about that, professor? Do you think the researchers at Cornell -- or, better still, Guelph -- can come up with an additive to milk that would be addictive? Make me a moontini, mommie! I need a fix. Riddell will consider crop insurance change Ontario is ready to work with the federal government to consider changes to the crop insurance plan, Agriculture and Food Minister Jack Riddell said this week. "All of our programs are constant- ly under review and we are always willing' to make changes," Riddell said. "None of our programs are carved in stone. If growers have con- cerns, we can make changes .if it is appropriate." Growers representing various com- modities are invited to discuss their concerns and make suggestions for changes in the crop insurance pro- gram each year, Riddell said. The federal government must agree to any changes that affect the cost of crop insurance as the program is set up under federal leglisation and Ottawa pays half the cost of premiums. Producers pay the other half of the premium cost, while the province pays the cost of administer- ing the program. Riddell said he initiated a review of the crop insurance program last April. The review is being conducted by a committee that includes represen- tatives of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture as well as the federal and provincial governments. Riddell, in Victoria, B.C. for the Federal/Provincial Agricultural Ministries' conference a'so indicated he could review, upon his return, the presentation made by Niagara area peach farmers who met last week with Treasurer Robert Nixon. As well, the Minister said he was prepared to meet the peach farmers personally. Recommendations of the review committee are expected to be dealt with by the Ontario Crop Insurance Commission at its meeting in late September. The commission is made of farmers appointed by the federal and provin- cial governments, while the chairman of the commission is an employee of the ministry of Agriculture and Food. Riddell said he expects to receive a report from the Ontario Crop In- surance Commissions on the recom- mendations of the review committee in October. "I think we have a good crop in- surance program that provides effec- tive coverage for a reasonable premium for most producers," Rid- dell said. "But there is always a need to fine-tune and improve programs," Centralia arranges day for bean talk Centralia College of Agricultural Technology will host the annual Select Bean Growers' Field Day on Tues- day, September 9. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., with registration, the morning program in Huron Hall features research findings and updates. J.J. O'Toole, CCAT, will discuss weed control in soybeans and white beans. Soon Park, Harrow Research Station, Agriculture Canada and Tom Michaels, Crop Science Dept., University of Guelph will describe the bean breeding program and developments to date. Bacterial blight in field beans is the next topic, by Lloyd Edginton and Giora Kritz- man, Dept. of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph. The morning program concludes with Bob Forrest's, CCAT report on soybean and white bean variety trials. Following lunch, bean growers are welcome to tour the bean research plots featuring experiments in rogu- ing, bacterial blight controls, her- bicide, tests, breeding and tillage and campaction trails. Guest speakers and resource people will answer ques- tions and explain research projects. The program was planned for select bean growers, but others are welcome. For more information, con- tact J. J. O'Toole, or Bob Forrest, Centralia College of Agricultural Technology. Plan assistance for polio groups In association with the Ontario March of Dimes, the Grey/Huron Post -Polio Association will have its first meeting on Saturday, September 6, at 1:00 p.m. at the Hanover hnd District Hospital, 90 7th Avenue, Hanover. People who had polio many years ago are experiencing perplexing new problems as they get older. In order to meet this growing concern, a sup- -port group is being founded to disseminate information about the late effects of poliomyelitis, to en- courage medical research, to educate physicians and health professionals and to serve as a resource centre for information sharing. Membership is open to any in- terested persons. You Can Deal With Confidence When You Deliver Your 1986 White Bean Crop to Ken R. Campbell & Sons Ltd., Seaforth Howson & Howson Ltd., Blyth, Ontario Palmerston Elevators .Ltd. Bar' B - Dee Farms, RR 1 Bornholm are also white bean receiving satellites for Thompson's We want and appreciate your business Nyland Augusta Seed Wheat Nyland Nowser Seed Wheat Cert.. Monopol Red winter Wheat (O Be sure you buy Blue Tag Seed Only This assures you of "Certified" #1 Seed for "Purity" - "Quglity" and "Top Yields." Any other facsimile is not the same. Available only at Thompson's or a Hyland Dealer Also there is Cert. #1 Fredrick seed wheat. "For larger growers" wishing Certified seed in Bulk we can supply. Please order ahead. ALL SEED IS TREATED WITH, VITAFLO " 280" 0 - Custom Fertilizer Spreading - Soil Sampling Service - Computerized Reports - Recommendations from a Qualified Staff CE • SSID It For purity, top germination, disease free Sow only Certified Hyland Seed 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 SEAN % GRAINS FEEDS SEEDS ,ERTIIIZ1RS Hensoll 262-2527 Mitchell 3488433 Seaforth 345.2545 Pt. Albert 529.7901 Ailsa Craig 2931223 Granton 225-2360