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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1978-10-05, Page 14eo eft ees m fit, 4-;; to' es ef4 fit (ft Ifs ifscoqi (ft fisfi 10 T ifs10F T T r� T T T -or PAGE 14—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5,1978 Prepare for mud Mired gravity boxes and half -submerged combines were common sights during last fall's drenched corn harvest says the Ontario Farm Safety Association. Let's hope that the coming season blesses us with more favourable con- ditons ! Unfortunately, Ontario weather is often soggy when corn finally ripens. Getting stuck means downtime losses, possible damage to equipment and land, and the sort of frustration that can set the stage for personal injury. We certainly can't change the weather! However, there are some steps that can be taken to minimize the chances of getting bogged to the axles. Could drainage of your land be improved? Top farm managers are strong advocates of good subsurface drainage. Benefits include greater productivity, improved timeliness of field operations and soil conservation. Even with last autumn's wet con- ditions, a properly in- stalled tile system let growers get safely onto the land on the few days between rains. We realize that you don't want a 'drainage plow or trencher ripping through a mature stand of corn. There may also be financial limitations that prevent you from having all the tile in- stalled to create ideal drainage. If things get really soggy, special equipment such as powered rear combine axles, flotation tires or half-tracks could keep you going. It may be a good bet to simply harvest around the really wet holes. You may have a chance to get back to these spots later. Besides avoiding getting stuck, you will do less damage to the soil and harvesting will be able to proceed uninterrupted. Try to stay off of the land when it is too wet. If you must go on wet ground, consider filling grain wagons below capacity. Figure out a high route for hauling grain. Once a loaded gravity wagon sinks in the mud, its wheels just won't turn! Even the best operator is bound to get bogged down at some time. Following are some tips that could minimize downtime, avoid equipment damage and reduce the chance of injury. DON'T BE A STICK IN THE MUD! 1. If equipment is ob- viously stuck, don't keep gunning it in an attempt to move ahead. You will only get mired worse," and, in the case of a tractor, could cause a rearward tip. 2. Try to back equipment out first. This won't be WCB promotes farm safety Farmers in Huron County suffered 30 ac- cidents last year severe enough to cause them to lose time from work. Workmen's Com- pensation Board Chairman, Michael Starr, said the WCB had processed a total of over 2100 claims from farm workers for ` lost -time injuries in 1977. Starr was speaking at the Inter- national Plowing Match at Wingham. Representatives of the WCB were present at the Match to discuss farm injury problems and to promote the farm safety program. The Board finances safety organizers throughout the province, including the Farm Safety Association. Starr revealed the WCB had paid out over $5.5 million in benefits to injured farm workers last year. "I , suggest_ to you that the farming industry is far too important to ,this province to permit such an accident rate and such a bill in terms of human suffering," Starr stated. He added that farmers must preach safety to their families and their employees and "they must practice what they preach." Over 20,000 Ontario farms are covered under Workmen's Com- pensation. Auburn news... • from page 15 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Raithby. Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cartwright, David, Derrick and Lorie at- tended the Rueger- Lombardo wedding at Iona, Ontario last Saturday. Don't forget the October meeting for planning the 125th bir- thday party for Auburn is to be held on October 11 at 8 p.m. sharp. Try and be present and give your support. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cope and Carol and Mr. and Mrs. David Le Clair, all of London; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Gross, Anita, Bryan and April of RR 1, Auburn; and Mr. Allan 1VicDougall of Sudbti 'y visited last Sunday with possible if a grain wagon is involved; the wagon should be unhitched and pulled to higher ground with a chain. 3. Dig mud out from behind tractor or har- vester drive wheels. 4. Place boards behind tractor drive wheels and try to back out slowly. 5. If necessary, get another tractor to pull you out. Caution the other driver to engage his tractor clutch slowly and use his engine power cautiously to avoid tip- ping his tractor rear- ward. 6. If backing out is iin- possible, dig mud away from the front of all wheels and drive slowly ahead. If you need a pull from a second tractor, use a long chain and instruct your helper to move ahead cautiously. 7. Never put boards or logs in front of the drive wheels and attempt to drive ahead. If the drive wheels catch on them and cannot turn, the tractor could tip over backward in a split second. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth McDougall. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Johnston and Miss Laura Phillips visited last Sunday with his sister, Mrs. Ethel Farrow, a patient in Stratford hospital. U.C.W. The general meeting of the Auburn Knox United Church Women was held Wednesday, September 20 at 8 p.m. in the church Sunday school room with Unit One in charge. The theme was, "The Church in Society" and was planned by convenor, Mrs. Dorothy Grange. Mrs. Stanley Ball led in the devotional period Mrs. Earl St. Jean gave a meditation Mrs. Donald Haines was pianist VANASTRA HOME FURNISHINGS and appliances we how) a OSlargo selection of... 44* 10 *2, 3, 4 piece Chesterfields #46 Corner and Wowed' China Cabinets *3 pc. coffee table sots *Bunk Beds. Lamps *Ap p. Ilances.Antiques *Bedroom 1 kitchen Suites *LAWN ORNAMENTS It took months but Norman Alexander of Lon- desboro completed his display in time for the International Plowing Match. Built in a low trailer Mr, Alexander illustrated two types of ditch drainage systems, each showing the amount of erosion caused. (News -Record Photo) news farm news Mustard crops may rot Thirty-four Huron County farmers stand to lose between $1,000 and $20,000 each on mustard crops harvested in late August., Most of the crop was delivered to the Zurich bin of the processor for whom they contracted to grow the crop. But a glut of mustard, and potentially a bumper crop in Western Canada and the United States has made it difficult for the processor, Ontario Mustard Growers Limited, at Oxford Station, south of Ottawa, to sell seeds .already in storage. The 34 farmers met recently in Zurich to decide on action to be taken if they are not paidpayment in October, she for their musiard crops-.- said. They decided ,not to go to a lawyer yet but to send a registered letter and a telegram to Jack Smith, owner of Ontario Mustard Growers, asking for an explanation of the situation. When interviewed Mr. Smith, with his bins full because of the crop surplus, said he didn't know when he could pay the farmers. One farmer who stands to lose $20,000 if he doesn't get paid, said he experienced no, delivery or payment problems when he dealt with the company last year. The crop in 1977 was off at the end of August, delivered and paid for within two weeks with a second Smith said he doesn't know when he will' be able to accept delivery or pay for this year's crop, pointing out that a clause in the farmer's contract allows him to take delivery whenever he can. He said his company, which sells 60 per of its product as seed and 40 per cent as ground or prepared mustard, has its bins filled with three million pounds of seed. "We had a heavy carryover from last year and there is a bumper crop expected in Western Canada and the U.S.," he said. The firm sells about 75 per cent o'f its seed mustard in the United States, w ere it is meeting stif t ,ptnpetition this, year. .i ne major reason for a North American surplus is that the U.S. planted 30,000 acres compared with only 700 acres three years ago. The farmers will meet again in Zurich Oct. 4 at 8:30 p.m. at the town hall. One grower said if farmers had received a • Tetter from the company a month ago at harvest, they could have prepared for alternative storage, but because they were not informed many fear inadequate storage on their farms may result in spoiling of seed not delivered to Smith's bins. The farmers will ask Smith in the letter if they can be released from the contraot so.. they can sell to other, buyers. iME,ET THE STARS AT HURON TRACTOR -EXETER DURING OUR "Midnight Madness Sale" THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 6 WE'RE OPEN 'TIL 12 MIDNIGHT TraiffireTM The new breed of Deere. Bred for lightweight strength, comfort, handling, and great uphill performance. Super: -low center of gravity for stability on hills and switchbacks. Low -alloy -steel chassis . for lightweight durability. CD ignition. Adjustable handlebars. Aluminum slide - rail suspension. Fan -cooled 340 or 440 cc engine. SpitfireTM The lightweight snowmobile champ. Weighs just 275 pounds, yet features a • .� spunky 340 cc free-air engine and aluminum slide -rail suspension that adjusts to your weight and snow (c' conditions. Spitfire also has a unique " c'' direct drive system, CD ignition, disc brakes, storage compartment, grouser- TRAILFIRE AND SPITFIRE, BROUGHT TO YOU BY JOHN DEERE.. . THE COMPANY WITH A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND SERVICE. INTEREST-FREE FINANCING 'TIL MARCH '1,1979. BUY NOW SAVE ON THE TAX INCREASE. AND SAVE ON FINANCE CHARGES. THE EQUIPMENT PEOPLE EXETER "tilL: 46)414 t�sEtie TRACTOR 519-235-1115, Faris gate itl ric4S risi The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reports that the mid- summer drop in farm gate prices has now shown up in grocery stores. The OFA's Farmer Price Index (FPI) shows an average two percent reduction in July's farm gate prices. August's prices were up only a modest 0.3 percent. The August Consumer Price Index (CPI), however, indicates that cdnsumers have not benefited fully from the reduction in farm gate prices. The Consumer Price Index was down only 0.7 percent, led by beef down 4.3 percent. The OFA attributes much of the reduction in food cost, to locally grown vegetables replacing expensive imports. The FPI aggregate does not include fresh produce prices. The OFA states, retail prices continue to out- -distance the price paid to farmers. Since August, 1977,, the retail pre of domestic food has in- creased by 19.2 percept while the farmer has received only 12.5 percept more. As an example of the discrepancy between farm gate prices aiid retail prices, the OFA cites the example of11our and bread. Under' the two -price wheat program beginning late 197, the price that miller pad' farmers for wheat has been fixed at $3.25 a bushel. During the saline period, however, a 24 oz. loaf of bread has gone up 49 percent and a five pound bag of flour has increased by 33 percent. The OFA points out there is only 37.4 cents of wheat in a five pound bag of flour. The farmers' share of a loaf of bread is only ten cents, seven for wheat and three for other ingredients. Agricqi A good name to grow by A 100 per cent accurate spring weather prediction for this area It will be either wet or dry The 1)01111 is. nom, 1►f us kitim,, o !tat kind of spring avk ails us. That's ‘‘ by it makes good sense to appy fertiliser no : and heat 1 he sprint; rust) of ‘‘rk. ithutit being; at the niercof the ‘‘cathcr. Taking care of this important j11h 110\\ does more than 1i\.nu a head start next spring 1.aH ploughing speeds the deunnlp1)sitio11 «f residue. and appl\ins; nI1t0;en ('ith fall p111‘‘int; further hastens the decomposition process, It i1111)r(l\es 51)i1 11111) and the abilit), to absorb \\ inter nxnsturc. Fall fertiliiuti4►n 1►ffers.inipr04ed nttlricnt platen)enl unci lessens the labour and time pressures associated \\ ith the sprint: rush. " So keep these facts in mind! • !/ • Fall application of phosphorus is a recommended practise. This element will be tightly held in the soil. • With the exception of sandy soils, potassium can be effectively applied in the Fall, too. • Plowed down nutrients are placed deeper and will be more available in the moisture zone during dry periods next Summer. • Fall fertilization will rhake the spring rush a little Tess frantic and it'll give you a head start on top yields for the season to come. AgricQ A good name to grew by 11ervyn. Erb Blender, Manager .rucefield,0nt • 4. • •