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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1984-05-09, Page 22Paco 10A Times -Advocate, May 9 1984 Conservation practice good insurance practice good insurance New to reduce thanes of joining the neighbors in trading sail By Robert Traut Conservation Agronomist - Huron Soil and Water Conservation District "The neighbours are trading soil today," was the comment made by one area residents Monday, April 30, 1984, swept past the province. He stood helplessly and wat- ched his valuable topsoil be- ing ravaged by the forces of nature which were slowly changing the.topography and productivity of his farm. Winds from the south-east reached 100 km per hour dur- ing the day and its influence was felt in many ways. A combination of many factors on that day led to a major wind erosion event on this farm. Let's take a look at their influence. Soil texture played an im- portant role. Sandy soils have structure consisting of single grains with less sticky clay than loam or clay loam soils. The sand particles can be detached and moved from the soil surface when dry. Wind speeds must be suffi- cient to carry these particles. Where measures have not been taken to lower wind speeds, sand particles will blow. Residue management can help to lessen wind speeds and protect soils. In their natural state, soils support plant growth whose vegeta- tion, in return, enrich and pro- tect it. No -till planting is an Ideal way to maintain this balance, particularly with sandy soils. Ridge till planting is an ef- fective way to maintain crop residue in poorly drained sands or heavier soils. This system involves the forma- tion of ridges in the field dur- ing the growing season and planting the following crop on the ridge. Both no -till and ridge planting leave max- imum amounts of crop residue near the surface of the soil. Mouldboard plowing can bury crop residue completely but modifications can im- prove this. Removing cover - boards, altering mouldboards and chisel board plow at- tachments can be used to disturb the soil and leave crop residue on the surface. Crop residue also decreases water erosion by absorbing water, opening the soil and stopping water flow: This allows water to infiltrate the soil, thus limiting surface A GRADE TWO DISPLAY — Erin Kraftchecks' display on dinosaurs was a grade two winner in the recent science fair at Precious Blood Separate School. A HYDROPONICS DISPLAY — A display on hydroponics or solar was a grade eight winner for Chris Beierling in the recent science fair at Precious .Blood Separate School. T -A photo Insurance Agents... before you renew your client's employee -group health and dental benefits plan, ask me for information on a Blue Cross program. Your client will.be glad you did. For details contact Brian Dalton 371 Dufferin Avenue - London. Onlano N6B 1Z5 .. (519)139-0136 OfVTAR10 BLUE CROSS runoff. An added benefit to crop residue is protection from wind erosion. Wind speed is reduced and soils are less likely to blow dry. Hilltops are particularly susceptible to winds which drift soils into low lying areas leaving stones, debris and subsoil behind. Winds can also be averted by the use of windbreaks. With each tree that is remov- ed and not replaced, trees become a dwindling resource which has contributed to higher winds at ground level. Windbreaks should be carefully planned and planted to give maximum protection to soil. More trees are re- quired than those which pro- tect dwellings and barns. Windbreaks along fields are required to protect larger acreages. Clay loam soils will also benefit from windbreaks which protect them from the major wind erosion events which affect them. This situa- tion usually occurs when frozen soil, unprotected by snow cover; is subjected to driving winds which carry drifting snow. This snow detaches soil particles and creates snoil, a combination of 'snow and soil, which is deposited in drifts along with snow. Erosion is the affect of many forces in nature. All these factors individually must reach maximum poten- tial for an erosion event to oc- cur, but in combination they can easily lead to an uncon- trollable disaster. There is no one so helpless as a farmer literally watching his farm blow away. The cruellest irony could be witnessed there that day. The farm was a valuable proper- ty and cedar trees along a ditch and low area had been removed to cultivate each tillable acre. These natural windbreaks had been remov- ed, leaving the soil vulnerable. Hydro wants 9.1 percent Ontario Hydro has taken the first in a series of steps to establish new rates by pro- posing an average increase of 9.1 percent for 1985. The proposal has been sent to Philip Andrews, Ontario Minister of Energy, who will refer the proposal to the On- tario Energy Board. The Board will then hold public hearings to examine Hydro's 1985 rate proposal and report its findings to the Minister of Energy. Following review of the Energy Board's recom- mendations, Ontario Hydro will announce the new rates in the fall. New rates become ef- fective January 1, 1985. The increase will vary among the 320 municipal utilities and approximately 1015 large direct industrial customers according to their monthly electrical demands and service conditions. Without., this increase Hydro's revenues would he $349 million short of the level needed in 1985. The main factors con- tributing to the additional revenue requirement are con- tinued inflation, the retubing of Pickering Units 1 and 2, and new generating units corning on line. The ' 1985 rate year is forecast to be the peak year for operating cost increases related to new generating units being placed in service. In addition to one unit placed in service earlier this year, five more units will be started up at Pickering B. Bruce B and Atikokan during 1984 and 1985. Proclamation May 12 is Canada Health Day Canada Health Day will be celebrated on May 12, 1984. The theme is "Behind the Scenes«n Health Care." Cosponsored by the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Hosptial Association, the purpose of this day is to increase the awareness of the general public and the health sector of topics related to health. The 1984 theme provjes the community with an unique op- portunity to learn more about its health organization, its role and its services. It is also a chance to become better acquainted with its administration, funding, programs, volunteer ac- tivities, research projects and many more aspects. Canada Health Day is also on occasion for health institutions and local organizations to communicate their programs to their communities, to assist the public to become more knowledgeable about health care. The municipalities of the Town of Exeter, Village of Hen- sall, Village of Zurich, Township of Stephen, Township of Hay, officially proclaim May 12, 1984, as Canada Health Day. 4 r In an attempt to make each the value of the entire farm. Conservation practices help acre pay, he had sacrificed On one day. protect, like insurance, from WORK ON ATLAS — These people began work on the Huron County Atlas recent- ly. In front, left t O right, are Cathy Vandenberg, Andy McLean (editor) and Joanne Buchanan. In back are Bev Brown and Bill Partridge. The historical atlas is a bicenten- nial project and so far, 250 submissions have been received, from every corner of the county. However, the committee is hoping for many more submissions from families, forms, industries, service clubs, schools and hospitals. If you would like to reserve space, call 524-2950 or 524-8394 in daytime or 335-6118 in the evenings. The deadline is May 15. Photo by Joanne Buchanan that one day in five years, or ten years, when all factors combine to produce erosion in its many forms. Many services are available to put soil manage- ment practices in place on your farm. The Huron Soil_ and Water Conservation District (H.S.W.C.D.) can provide resources and equip- ment to co-operators in the Huron County area on a five acre trial basis and assist with the development of con- servation tillage techniques. Equipment available through the H.S.W.C.D. in- cludes a no -till drill, no till planter, ridge -forming cultivator, ridge planter and modified plows, including a chisel -bottom plow. Technical assistance is also available providing farm planning, her- bicide and fertilizer recom- mendations, assistance at planting and monitoring of the trial during the growing season. Yield, moisture and harvest Outdoor• ► Economy Ge,een i Outdoor Turf . Carpeting Durable thick greed pile carpeting with the ap- pearance of real grass. Hard wearing carpet resists fading, mildew, rot and chlorine. Ideal for patio decks, porches, steps and pool decks. Latex backing prevents carpet from sliding . Easy upkeep - just hose down to clean. 6' ft. width losses are recorded to develop conservation cropping systems which are economically feasible under Huron County conditions. All of these options allow the farmer to protect his resource for productivity tomorrow while increasing it's valise today. If you are interested ht,� developing conservation crop- _ - ping systems in your opera- tion, contact Robert Traut, Conservation Agronomist, Huron Soil and Water Conser- vation District, Clinton O.M.A.F. Office, at 482-3428. Tri•Coonty Bathtub Glazing Put a sparkling new shine on that worn out bathtub for a fraction of replacement costs. DON'T REPLACE $% A,f "REGLAZE" E Vor °NyVA Don't Delay - "Call Today" 455-1344 London * In home services * Fully written guarantee * Major appliances CO-OP SPECIAL per running foot Tank included co oP SPECIAL Pre -Cut Spruce Picnic Table This summer there's no excuse for you not to have a picnic table in your own back- yard at this super low CO.OP price! Table is pre -put, ready -to -assemble. kiln -dried 2 x 6 Spruce. All hardware and instructions included 72" long. Seats 6 adults. Compare the features. Compare the puce. • 710-003 You're sure to agree that this economical Turco gas barbecue is too good to pass up. 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