Loading...
Clinton News-Record, 1979-01-18, Page 14PAGE 14—CLINTON NEWS-RECORD,THUR•SDAY, JANUARYS j8, 1979 a Pullen says Good year for Huron farmers. The year 1979 should be a good one for farmers in Huron County according to Agricultural representative Don Pullen. Pullen- said in an in- terview last week, "our farmers should get off to a good start this spring. Because • of excellent late fall weather all fall plowing and other work was completed. If it wasn't it should have been." The ag rep continued, "Spring seeding should start on time because the land is prepared and weed control should also get off to a good start." Pullen added, "There is a bit of physcology connected with getting the fall work completed which a lot of people don't think about. When work is done on time it creates better family relations during the winter and also gives farm families time to get their records up to date." The farm outcome for 1978 was much better than was anticipated at one time according to Pullen. Some farmers were depressed when corn plantings were late but killing frosts didn't arrive until November. Due to wet weather and late harvesting of some of the white beans, winter wheat planting was reduced to about 75: percent of a normal year. In 1977 that figure was cut to about 40 percent because of the disastrous bean crop when some fields were never har- vested. Pullen lists the International Plowing Match. as the highlight of 1978. About this he said, "You know it's amazing. We had nine inches of rain from early Sep- tember to the first week of October but only a small amount fell during the match." He attributed the success not only to the good weather but., the great community par- ticipation. Due to late planting Pullen ,said some of the winter wheat is "pretty short." He suggested the number of acres of white beans for this year could be reduced saying, "some have been caught two years in a row with harvesting problems." Sod crops are being used more often in Huron in rotation. Seeding of clover in the spring and plowing in the fall im- proves soil structure and yields. Pullensaidmuch more farm building took place in 1978. These additions included implement sheds, grain storage buildings and additions to broiler barns. Beef cattle prices were higher than ever in 1978 but Pullen cautioned, "at the same time replacement costs went away up so farmers were nqt much better off." 'He continued, "There is a risk situation in beef like never before when farmers could be caught with the high cost of replacement stock." Huron continues to lead all of Ontario in barley, white beans, silage corn and cattle marketing. The county also has the largest sow inventory. It was the first time in many years that all debt commitments were' -met for an International Plowing Match, Pullen said, "There is no question it was the most successful match ever held.' Attendance of 215;000 and the number of caterers and exhibitors at 600 were the highest ever." Farm gate prices finally level The rapid increase in farm -gate prices which began in September is now tapering off. Farm - gate prices in December rose 0.9 percent com- pared_ to 1.2 percent the previous month. The moderation in prices during December was due primarily to beef prices declining by 0.9 percent. Pork, however, was up by 4.7 percent and poultry prices rose by 1.0 percent. The Farmer Price Index (FPI) now stands at 17.5 percent above last year. The year-tb-year increased were led by beef up 35.7 percent from the previously depressed prices. Other meat was up 46.1 percent, pork up 20.5 percent and poultry up 12.8 percent. Price increases for other major commodities were well below the general rate of inflation. The FPI, with 1971 equaling 100, now stands at 203.2. December saw the announcement of the long delayed National Chicken Unfreezing water pipes Many farms are plagued with the repeated freezing of underground pipes," says Ross Irwin, of the School of Engineering, Ontario Agricultural College. Most problems occur in unheated buildings, crawl spaces under buildings, and exterior walls subject to drafts, — but pipes under drivewaysand sidewalks, where snow is scraped off, may also freezer The best solution is, prevention. Pipes should be -laid below the frost line. The depth of the frost line varies depen- ding on your area. The pipes should be laid in a straight line, on a uniform slope, between buildings. Insulation will also help prevent freezing. Pipes in unheated areas should be insulated to slow down heat loss. "In very cold weather, allow a bit of water to run through the pipe," ad- vised Mr. Irwin. "Even with insulation, the water will freeze if it is left standing long enough. If you plan to leave the heat off in a building, drain the piping system for protection." Once the soil or the pipe is frozen, it won't thaw naturally until spring. However, there are methods of thawing the pipe without causing damage. "Metal water pipe can be thawed using a welder -or pipe thawer," . says 'Irwin. "However, most farm welders are limited to 180 amps, and are too small for thawing metal pipes." Keeping cattle outside Spending the winter outdoorsmay • be better for beef cows than pen- ding it in a warm barn. "Cattle kept' outdoors are generally healthier and cleaner than cattle kept in .the humid, overcrowded conditions indoors," says Ralph Macartney, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food beef cattle specialist. - Animals must receive proper care and attention to survive winter con- ditions, however. Adequate feed is essential. "In the southern parts of Western Canada, cattle roam the rangelands during the winter," says Macartney. "They can find adequate feed because of the low snowfall. Ontario beef producers, however, must .rely on 'stored feed because of heavy snowfall." Macartney says that all mature, -pregnant, dry cows should be fed enough to maintain body condition, but that the best hay should be given to the younger cows. He - recommends separating two and three-year-old heifers from the mature' cows, because the younger cows require more • nutrients. Also, exotic, crosses may require more feed than the domestic breeds. "If the animals are fed hay, they will get adequate protein but use salt -free mineralism elements with" low calcium, high -phosphorus content and vitamins ' A and D," he says. Cattle can 'withstand very low temperatures .and heavy' precipitation, but they need a wind- break for protection from the wind. JANUARY SPECIAL C®CICAYfELS -- $404)" Allton * CANARIES * mimes * GREEN AMAZON PARROTS TROPICAL AND MARINE 'FISH lir 'r Kij 0.144. s PST SHOP HAMILTOt9l Pumps can be thawed successfully using hard glass heat • bulbs, or radiant heaters, suspended about 45 cm above the frozen pump. Pump houses should be insulated and the heat bulb vshould be operated by a thermostat. "A shining heat lamp is also good for thawing short distances of metal pipe," says Irwin, "but it is ineffective for plastic pipe because,plastic pipe doesn't conduct heat. Some farmers have found that heating cables will thaw plastic pipes, but don't let the temperature of the heating cable become too hot or it will affect the pipe." Plastic pipe with electric heating cables installed in the centre of the pipe is now available commercially. A similar homemade system can be constructed using fine copper wire and a fusing six -volt transformer. Agency. The industry has long suffered from erratic imports which have ,created temporary surpluses and depressed prices. Although the new agency will notbeable to control imports, under G.A.T.T. rules, • its existence allows the federal government to negotiate an appropriate level for imports from the U.S. This will -allow both processors and producers to effectively plan for the future and should en- courage investment to improve efficiency. says the OFA. The newagency which• has both consumer and processor represen- tatives, will not set farm prices. As is the case with turkeys., prices will continue to 'be set by the' provincial boards. The agency, however, will review provincial pricing-, formulas and should have a large influenceon farm - gate prices. The new agency will -•.not 1be 'able ,to 'influence' retail or processor prices. Experience in 1978 shows that retail chicken prices tend to be influenced more by the price of beef than by the cost of chicken, says the OFA. Wholesale prices rose from 'a low of 59 cents in July and August. In December they were at 73". cents a figure probably below cost. Retail prices have not followed this de -cline ,L and have remained constant at .scizzWia.zis4/brr.rvwy,,s4'Xa,ts,snxtz�ai:il:A'v. '" •'A't 3.: r•'rj:. nsPY;-.�2+»'yi sx -ski ,�•rt sv++ia-. F. y ay.°i .,s✓: g rYt J t• 2..a..;.-..,r,�,.,�&4..c,...;:. '.I,.. ..s..4..:;�..�J,.i9.lf i.?Y.l?�.4 �z ,i,,,...•�,.,.e... r..-..:. .. The nearly 45 cm (18 inches) of snow that has fallen on Clinton in the last week has meant a lot of long hours for the crews on the snow clearing equipment as , they struggle to keep ahead of the nearly constant fall. Here Arie Verhoef, Jr.;' of the Clinton Public Works department uses the town's blower to clean the sidewalks. (News -Record photo) news farm news Reducing energy bills Helmut Spieser, energy management specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food has some good ideas to help farmers reduce their energy bills in 1979. "The first step to energy saving," says Spieser, "is adequate insulation, properly in- stalled, with a vapor barrier to keep the in- sulating material dry. Damp insulation lets heat escape." Spieser also warns that choosing a reputable contractor is essential. Other steps include redesigning barns and other farm structures to block the wind, and planting trees and shrubs as Windbreaks. New materials, such as sandwich boards, also help cut energy costs.. These are prefabricated wall panels with in= sulation sandwiched between them. Another way to reduce energy costs is to avoid fertilizer waste. "Farmers should have their soil tested yearly so that they can calculate the correct amount of additional fertilizer needed for each crop," Spieser says. "All they have to do is pick up soil Food specialists at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food suggest you keep dry, white Ontario beans handy in your cupboard. Stored in a tightly covered container in a cool dry place, they'll keep indefinitely. sample kits from their local country agricultural office, take a few sam- ples, and send them in for analysis. The service is offered free of charge by the • Ministry of Agriculture and Food." Farmers might also cut energy costs by reducing the frequency of tillage operations Perhaps that -extra run over a field is unnecessary. "Energy is not going to get cheaper in the future," Spieser points out. "'Farmers should do themselves a favour, and reduce energy waste." ' For detailed in- formation on energy conservation on the farm, contact H. Spieser, energy management O14MB picks chairman At a special meeting of the Ontario . Milk Marketing Board, held in Toronto recently, Ken- neth G. McKinnon was re- elected Chairman of the Board, and J. ` Grant Smith was re-elected Vice -Chairman of the Board. McKinnon represents milk producers in the counties of Grey, Bruce and Huron, and resides on his dairy farm at Port Elgin. Smith represents milk producers in the counties of Oxford, Elgin and Norfolk, and resides on his dairy farm at Burgessville. specialist, c -o RidgetolAtn College of Agricultural. Technology, Ridgetown, Ontario NOP 2C0. Antett Jewellers LIMITED 11 ALBERT ST.. CLINTON 4i: 39R1 'OPEN WEDNESDAYS • Fo;r, Your Convenience , HOURS: Mo.day through Saturday: y, a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday nights till 9 p.m. I 1 Lb.. Blanched Peanuts For Only/25° (1 Ib: per family) When You Present This Ad Personally At COYLE'S Factory Outlet 260 Tillson Ave., at Coyle Lane, Tiilsonburg Fresh Roasted Cashews, Peanuts and Mixed Nuts Bulk Packs of Paper Plates Et Serviettes Plastic Cutlery, Coffee Cups, Wine Glasses and Stir Sticks Wilton of Chicago Cake Decorations OVER 50 STYLES OF TOPS ON DISPLAY Store Hours Mon. to Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p,m. Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m: Children must be accompanied by an adult This Offer Expires Mar. 17, 1979 SHIRTS Special 99 Group REG. TO 121.w 7 • EA. SLACKS Special Rack 3 OFF SUITS SPECIAL GROUP SPORTCOATS UP TO 50' OFF WINTER JACKETS $15 00 SAVE UP TO lir ao *Many More In Store Specials *An Sales Cash and Final •Alterations at cost on all Sale clothing SWEATERS '/2 PRICE SPECIAL GROUP amplocIrs MAIN CORNER, CLINTON, 482-9732 4 ...If ' :e k" ' � s�S�a�F�( �+X� 3zzr^y .. x. rr.c. , ..•..`.... n�z, ✓wIr"k1x �•- -.. s. ,t.x -ins vw-n...>- H. ....iZ::A•,r'.•!.. • - � J r . .:.: r..r. .3s.� S..✓..,. Y:. .r..v5�1.,. ,:xrK::.: a..., .., '-. -,.i 1 .':. .... : �. .. .�� --. �'./...:�.Y✓�e.Yiliv!•L _.�<:A/. (ham .-:. �:.�/.�/���:+�£24Fi ..'r'Q�'•N�.�u�''��r�s,j1�:�'vda��ss2�, ., fss ...l5.ir�: i.%i,T _ yf5 �u �r,,"'."a � s ,�; t� 9 a �c rrs. �• xr i ' A27' c�3.. �r��• WATCHES AND CLOCKS I y••.SEIICO, BULOVA, CARAVELLE CPFC#4ti DIAMOND RINGS SIZING AND BOXES EXTRA AU % OFF , 30% OFF UP To' 50000 oven' S00:i0 ALL GOLD RINGS CHARMSSOLDERING AND BOXES EXTRA S 100 OFF ANY STERLING CHARM 20% OFF GOLD CHARMS AND BRACELETS AND STERLING CHARM BRACELETS IGOLD CHAINS BOXES EXTRA 20 ale OFF 10K CHAINS 30% OFF 14K CHAINS VISA AND FINAL ALL SALES CASH JEWELLERY SUNCOAST MALI - GODERICH. 94 THE SQUARE - GDERICH SUTTON PARK MALL - KINCARDINE