Clinton News-Record, 1987-09-09, Page 22Page 2A—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1987
COMPETING FOR THE CR O WN
There were six Huron County Queen of The Furrow Contestants
competing in this year's contest held at Jack Riddell's farm on
September 4. They were left), Laurie Pentland, Dungannon; Don-
na Johnston, Bluevale; Lana Jones, Goderich Township; Jane
Anderson, Londesboro; Dianne Hamilton, Hensall, and Audrey
Bos, Auburn, (standing I. Ms. Bos was later crowned and Jane
Anderson was runner-up.
Conservation tillage
methods maintain
yields, say researchers
Various forms of conservation tillage
methods, including zero -till, gave the same
yields as conventional tillage on over 30 On-
tario farms. That was the conclusion follow-
ing the first year of an innovative experi-
ment reported at meetings of the Canadian
Society of Extension. The society is meeting
in conjunction with the 67th annual con-
ference of the Agricultural Institute of
Canada at the University of Western
Ontario.
Researchers H.C. Lang and J.D. Aspinall
of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and
Food and R.G. Kachanoski of the University
of Guelph set up duplicate fields on the co-
operating farms. On each farm, one field
was tilled conventionally while the other
was zero -tilled or minimum -tilled.
After a year, the conservation tilled fields
gave the same yield while saving labor, fuel
and giving a lower unit cost of production.
No differences were observed in crop
growth characteristics and disease pro-
blems were, for all practical purposes, the
same under either system.
Although the researchers caution that one
year's results do not provide enough infor-
mation for absolutely firm conclusions the
indications are that zero and minimum till
systems provide farmers with an excellent
means of conserving their topsoil while
maintaining yields.
Soil erosion is a serious problem in On-
tario. It is estimated that erosion cost the
province's farmers $75 -million in 1982• in
reduced yields, fertilizer and pesticide loss
and increased drain maintenance. The
heavier residues which remain on the sur-
face under zero and minimum till help con-
trol erosion. The researchers measured the
amount of residue remaining under the
various systems and found that residue
cover after planting measured 13.5 percent
under moldboard plowing and between 37
percent and 58 percent under zero -till.
The study will continue through 1987. Data
on crop yields and other factors will be col-
lected and soil erosion under the various
tillage systems measured.
Over the term of the project, it is hoped
that a conservatin tillage technology can be
developed into an economic package for
farmers and successfully introduced to a
large number of farmers throughout the,
province.
When you deliver your White Bean Crop to
r' 011
liS6(1.1 m
m
1f)
SIAN 1 n R A r N
1r/CS SEED;
F E V T i t 17 t p S
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
Hyland Brand Augusta Seed Wheat
Hyland Brand Houser Seed Wheat
Fredrick Seed Wheat
Cert. Monopol Red Winter Wheat
Be sure you buy Blue Tag Seed Only
This assures you of "Certified" #1 Seed
for "Purity" - "Quality" and
"Top Yields."
Any other facsimile is not the same.
Available only at Thornpson's or a Hyland Dealer
"For larger growers"
wishing Certified seed in Bulk we can supply. Please order ahead.
ALL SEED IS TREATED WITH VITAFLO " 280"
- Custom Fertilizer Spreading
- Soil Sampling Service
- Computerized Reports
- Recommendations from a Qu..lified Staff
For purity,
top germination,
disease free
Sow only Certified Hyland Seed
Hernscril
►62-252y
Mitchell
348.8433
ranfon
225.2'86
Seaforth
3454545. 2934211
Aliso Craig
A lbert
S294901. •
Nature
club
is active
Membership in Huron Fringe Naturalists
has grown to about 50, including children,
sparked by the interest of people who like to
get out in the fresh air and learn first-hand
about the wildlife within easy reach of their
community.
Field trips taken to places as far apart as
MacGregor Point near Port Elgin to the
north and Arkona to the south have in-
troduced the novices to life as small as in-
sects and as large as great blue herons, with
some knowledgeable club member always
at hand to explain for their benefit. Trips in-
to conservation areas and provincial parks
have had biologists from the provincial
Ministry of Natural Resources to lead the
group to special sights and inform on
technical subjects.
Joe Burgess, who lives in a self -built log
home at Point Clark, was the prime
organizer of the club in 1984 and became its
first president in 1987. His log home building
is exemplary of the deep interest he and his
wife, Crystal, have in the environment, owls
being the species they have horned in on.
The club, which is affiliated with the
Fede' tion of Ontario Naturalists, meets at
8 p.m. 1 Pine Ri United Church on each
fourth , uesday of ach month. Persons in-
terested in membership should telephone
529-7777.
New president
elected to
Seed Growers
Bowmanville seed grower Don Rickard
was recently elected president of the Cana-
dian Seed Growers' Association (:SGA at
their annual meeting in Saskatoon.
"I'm looking forward to accepting this
challenging position," Mr. Rickard said.
The CSGA supervises the production of
more than a million acres of seed by about
5,000 growers. Seed that passes the ('SGA's
stringent criteria is sold as certified seed to
thousands of Canadian farmers who prefer
to plant seed with guaranteed genetic puri-
ty, germination and cleanliness.
What's more, the proportion of Canadian
farmland planted with certified seed is in-
creasing steadily, according to Rickard.
"Now more than ever, farmers are look-
ing for value from the money they invest in
crop inputs," he said. "And each year, more
farmers are realizing that the first and most
important input they can buy is certified
seed."
Mr. Rickard, his wife Gail and their two
children represent the fifth generation of
Rickards on the family's 1,200 acre mixed
farm, which they operate in partnership
with Don's father and brother.
The International
Plowing' Match &
Vd.r' i Machinery Show
111
September 1.5 - 19, 1987
Meafard, Grey County