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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1992-02-05, Page 19Today, when organic farming is mentioned, one thinks of produce specialty grown to meet a market demand tor chemical -tree food. However, if research undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture through Centralia College of Agricuttural Technology continues in its current direction, organic farting may have ,a somewhat differ- ent meaning in the future. Jim O'Toole at CCAT points out that both provincial and federal ministries have taken the position that all Canadian foul is very safe to eat, and so called "organic" produce is only a marketing tad. However, because there are a number of organic produce organi- zations in Canada with differing standards, Agncutture Canada will 4 be establishing a set of national standards "to let people know what they are buying", explained O'Toole. But while the goal of}organic farming today is to produce food! without the use of commercial fertilizers or herbicides, O'Toole sees' 1 those goals being used to create a new kind of "ecological agricul- ture",in which -chemical use is reduced in order to protect the farm- eids land and the environment. The govemment program is being undertaken with consultation with organizations in the European .Community where such chemi- cal -free goals are more sought after. In Europe, Lammers may use up to 19 kilos of chemicals per acre. In •Canada -that amount may onbe about two or three kilos. Even so, finding ways to cut back on chemical use will benefit wa- ter tables and the micro-organisms which inhabit healthy soil. "My conclusion is that Ontario farmers are quite ecotolicalty sound. That's not to say we can't maize improvements, said O'Toole. Government studies in the U.S. and others by private Canadian farm organizations have paved the way to find new ways of fertiliz- ing crops, and controlling weeds and insects. Part of O'Toole's work in upcoming studies has been to`propose-a more integrated approach than in typical agricultural research. On a given test farm, researchers will be comparing nitrogen levels, crop yield, and effects -of weeds, tillage, insects, and all other fac- tors as they interrelate in the typical Canadian field. The farmer himself will be considered the main researcher in O'Toole's system, with an "interdisciplinary" research team to make '. use of the.gathered data. "The researcher becomes the farmer because he is managing his system," explained O'Toole. Consumer and environmental groups will also have an input into the outcome of the five to eight years of study to come. As for what might de discovered in those years, O'Toole draws on what he has seen in seven States he has travelled. It may become practical to grow plow -down crops to - keep weeds away from the main crop and to provide nitrogen nutrients. In a no -tillage scenar- io, a hetbiade might be needed to kill oft such a crop It's a chemi- : cal, but it may have less ehvironrriental impact than conventional methods. Genetic engineering of cover crops may lead to a red clover or al- falfa that will die oft of Ss own accord as the main crop takes over. It all depends on how existing organic farming methods will iii into =the Gaaadian e,art>ieels,arx!situ-erewrotatiorrsyslerns_ _ CCAT will not likely do such research on small test plots on its re- search farm. Local farmers will be needed to test the new methods on a larger scale. O'Toole foresees no problem in finding willing Lammers. "Farmers- in this area are very receptive to new ideas and helping Doled data," he said. ek -e TR/tes-Alfteale, February 6, 1992 Pape 27 vy H ounce �S ,. w f` e r t 'IOW and rhm4111 attaciantoft eilow ypu to alb your painter to your tillage practices. ■ Four notmrn-till coulter blades range from fluted to nppled tc bubbled. There's one to match your soil and residue levels. oriesmemintrir turner irt•'te rat idkattxtill cntlditionsr tough trashand heavy soil. Or select mw -mount coulters with heavy-duty down pressure springs tor min -till and light no -till • ■ Optional disc fur•rower clears trash between coulter and seed opener disc, ■ Optional cast or rubber dual closing wheels feature four pressure adjustments, variable width adjustments and gamed positions for better soil/seed contact. n "C" spring marker leaves easy -to -see, wide mark through trnh. • Other options include trash guards, blower screen and weight brackets. aStrip/ridge-till options also available. Gr Cook's. nll�` to meet your needs. „ For over 100 years, Cook's has expanded its facilities to serve the growing needs of our farm customers. In that time. we've earned a reputation for reliable commodity trading and responsive supply of crop inputs. We pride ourselves on being a full service, 1009h Canadian -owned business. ►* Out -8 -locations have everything you need this spring, from seed and fertilizer to crop protection products. And Cook's people have the expertise to help you get the most from your crop. We can help you with crop planning, provide soil testing and fertilizer blending. and custom application of nutrients and crop Hensall protection products. When you're looking for reliable input services this spring... plan to grow with Cook's. Amberly ;- as Atwood Walton Division of Parrish & Heimbeckcr, Limited iKirkton 1• Centralia imp Parkhill Beechwood SARNIA D LONDON 1 "Ifilleic',VUti can vatic' with coqjiden( Jim O'Toole - new research into organic agriculture. New research to make organic farming an Iveryday thing Mini -mum -Till tronit 5400 Grain Drill N 01 • heavy duty mounted drill • staggered double diec.with new heavy duty drawbar • adjustable .depthlpcesawheels •double ept<ings,on openers yielding 240 Ib. (109 Kg.) of downpressure •gulchattachable filch • ooiapal ile with various loot bars or Wlape.oquipment as IYrMaled STOP IN TODAY FORMORE DETAILS ON THIS FINE MINIMUM -TILL DRILL AND THE COMPUMENTARY ATTACHMENTS. Jt F ''td(eT$Rt.0NTAR10 #m) Bales,:Sendo0 illi eotalseince 1932 Fax (619). 2121 _"121 235.2791 ai+ amok rri COLD UPOONICING EVEN111 St COURSES Lege ijiyams ler Pormtiwners Feb. 1 *9109.m. - 3:30 p.m. Foe: Ste (Includes lunch) Presented'by-a panel of lawyers this one day meeting covers a wide ranee9tlagal teems .that ,t n la.farm borrowing, estate planning, prooffictMg a_- a and environmental issues facing farmers today Coordi r: flues Ratites, LLS., London Land S ewardshhp Part 2 Feb. 12, 13/92 10: a.m. - 3:t^0 p.m. Fee: $20 This segment of land stewardship looks at oonaervdbn tillage and croppingcropping s of conservation systems systems a a explaiand ned witth respect to Effective soil end wat re conser- vation. Land Stewardship - Pan 3 Feb. 19,20/92 -1OA0 a.m.-3:01t2.dt, Fee:*24 This segment continues the subtyrareas of maintaining and improv- ing water quality. Lend Stewardship - Pan 4 ' Feb. 26,27192 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Fee:420 Further di$cussbn on conservation, maintenance and management of wetland and woodbt areas on the farm. tnformatbn on wind ero- abn-eontrol -with--windbreaks,-estebNahment.-species, maintenance and Improvement of windbreaks is presented. Coordinator: Roberf Traut, ConaervatitinlicroneintIsf Preventative Horse Care Feb. 22 & 29/929:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fee: $60 This course deals with the care and preventative health maintenance of your horses) Instructor: Dr. Geoff Faulkner, D.V.M. Reef Ration Formulation Workshop March 2, 9,181'92 10:00 a.m. - 3;00 p.m. Fee: $30 This course will focus on using the new OMAF Beef Ration Formula- tion program when determining beef rations. An understanding of Lo- tus 1-2-3 and nutritional principles is recommended before registering for this three day progran.. AH courses Include GST Toregistergisteor Information for more infoation phone College, (519) 228-6691, Ext. 285 Ontanc, Ministry of Agriculture and Food CENTRALIA COLLEGE Huron Park, Ontario NOM 1YC Hansell Alias Craig ' Mitchell Port Albert 262.2527 293-3223 348-8433 529=7135 W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. has been serving the agricultural community for over 60 years with top quality products and exceptional service. Contact _us for your 1992 crop input needs. HL 2262 Marathon HL 2241 Apache HL 2275 Baron LG 2337 Crusader HL 2334 T-8508 HL 2320 Talon T-8902 Bi rka Rodeo Lester Craig Etienne Maskot We also handle a complete line of Agri- chemicals and fertilizer application. Discuss your needs with us! anti Seed... A Growing Tradition This apple btoe is wearing "pheromone traps" - sacks contain- ing the female sex scent to confuse male moths end reduce the insect population. This is but one example of how organic farming methods can cut down on the use of pesticides - Qiwd am cylinders in th. new Perkins 1000 Soria NOW enure leftism combustion with Nei.aui,*e, layer tibiae level and reduced engine wear. IFL11 eyacbrun>e.h, reverse -shuttle with `',speed ii wershift SFast, accurate Elects is (anlage Control •Silent Revolution Gab ;/Autotroac"' control of wmmon functions A►'1,r,,,i- ,/ Drop by loday and discuss your Sprig requirements .with us RueRielcialo Fats. Equip�nerrt Ltd. RR 1 Mitchel Phone a�.�avR RA Mitchel 229.8975 viAr