Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-08-23, Page 25ODDER ICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, AUGUST23, 1979—PAGE 9A Waste heat theory tested 011 vegetables BY DON HALL Hopes were high for a good harvest when about 150 people took in the official opening of Bruce Agripark'.s test greenhouse facility in Kincardine township Aug. 15. The project is designed to test the practicality of using , waste heat water from 'the Bruce Nuclear Power Developmentt to keep tomatoes nd cucumbers warm nd growing year-round. Bob Voorberg, vice- chairman of the Ontario Greenhouse Growers Marketing Board, summed up the purpose of the venture at a lun- cheon that follo*ed the official opening. "We (greenhouse growers) wish you all the best but we're from Missouri. We have to be shown." The investors in the project hope the test crops grown this year will prove to skeptical greenhouse growers in Leamington that produce can be grown using.waste heat in Bruce County at substantial savings over FARM P, conventional heating sources. Frank Miller, treasurer of Ontario and guest speaker at the opening, said he has been wat- ching the progress of the project with "more than passing interest" from his background in engineering. He also said the project was being THE BRUCE AGRIPARK greenhouse project in Kincardine township held an official opening last, Wednesday. Tomatoes and cucumbers, planted in early July, are doing well in their new home. The project is designed to test the feasibility of using waste heat water from BNPD to heat greenhouses year-round. (Don Hall. Photo) 1- ne in the lurrow' bye _ Letters are •appreoarea by Bob Tone, Eldaie RcI Elrn,ra or,r N38 7C 7 No one seems to know how soon - if ever- - Canada will become self-sufficient in oil. Most of us can remember when the late Joe Green was minister of energy. At that time, we were told that Canada had enough oil reserves for 90 years. That statement was soon refuted. This nation is fortunate but the supplies are not going to last forever. Other sources must be found. Until that time, shortages will occur. The federal government already has a method of rationing for implementation. Even to the point where ration books have been printed, I understand. Unless that rationing includes preferred treatment for farmers, this nation could be in trouble. Peter Hannam, the' articulate president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture puts it succinctly: No gas in the tractor, no potatoes on the table,., Other lobby groups no doubt will catch King Clark's ear. Certainly, the truckers in the Hew Hess Hay caught King Carter's ear. And who was left stalled in the back forty when the truckers got a bigger allocation? Farmer Brown, that's who. The ,Agriculura4 allocation was shorted to satisfy, the militant truckers. What this says to me is that the Americans would rather drive than eat. Farmers are not as militant as truck drivers. They are not as well organized as truckers' unions. They do not have the high profile that the teamsters have. I mean, they don't encase troublesome members in cement socks and then think of the bay. Farmers could, indeed Aecome the people to suffer, most when - not if - the fuel shortage becomes acute. The agricultural community must stick together on this issue. Before the shortages are acute, farmers must insist on reasonable prices for fuel. They must insist on adequate allocations, not just for the good of farmers, but for the good of the entire nation. Because I like to eat. It is a habit I picked up very early in life, a habit that is difficult to break. No gas in the tractor, no potatoes on the table. Or bread or butter or milk or vegetables or cereals. Or even whisky because it is made from grains. Hey! Maybe that's the tack farmers should take. "Give us fuel, people, or you won't be able to drink." Most people cry like a wounded warthog when food prices increase but meekly accept the ripoffs in taxes on beer and liquor. Little information is available about the federal government's emergency allocation plans. As I un- derstand it, agriculture will be grouped with essential services - in fact, the entire food .chain will be con- • sidered essential - such as hospitals, police and fire protection. Farm organizations should he asking questions and demanding answers. Farmers should have some idea of just how important they are to the people of this country. Farmers should 'know they are wanted. Government policies on fuel allocation should be hammered out now before the crunch comes. Food production now uses about 18 per cent of all energy consumed by the total food system. Farmers are well aware that diesel tractors are more efficient fuel users than gasoline tractors. That is whyso Many diesel tractors are in use. Farmers,'because they must be aware of production costs, can show a lot of people how to be energy - conservation conscious. The time has come to appreciate agriculture by letting farmers know what to expect when the fuel shortage arrives in Canada as it surely will. OPEN HOUSE .. HYLAND SEEDS invites you to join us for a tour of our HYBRID CORN, SOYBEAN, _ WHITE ___BEAN ...& _ COLOURED BEAN - PERFORMANCE TRIAL PLOTS TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1979 TIME: 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. LOCATION: THE.,BELL BROS. FARM ON No. 4 HIGHWAY, 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF HENSALL. — Refreshments will be served — NOTE: In case of rain tale date wilt be Wednesday, August 29th. W. G. THOMPSON & SONS LIMITED ,I CLAY — Silo Unloaders Feeders Cleaners Stabling Leg Elevators Liquid Manure Equipment Hog Equipment BUTLER — Silo Unloaders Feeders Conveyors FA'RMATIC" Mins Augers, etc. ACORN — Cleaners Heated Waterers WESTEEL-ROSCO Granaries B E. L - Hog Panelling LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS RR 1, Kinc rdine, Ont. Phone 0195-52$4 - 11111114161110.1110091911(6116. funded, totally without greenhouse industry and government assistance. says "the government Investors in the project should scrap its plans for include Huron Ridge Ltd. Kincardine and help of Kincardine, Anderson Leamington area ' Flax Products of growers overcome their Lucknow, Consumers' current energy .Gas, TransCanada problems." -Pipelines, Weston "The rosy picture that Energy Resources and has been painted for the' Ontario Energy Kincardine is not that Corporation. rosy at all," he said at a press conference Aug. 13. Mr. Mancini, in his report, disputes profit The test site on the fifth projection figures worked concession of Kincardine out by Peter Szego of the township is composed of Ontario Energy Cor - six greenhouses linked by poration. He said Mr. their sidewalls. Three Szego's figures call for a types of skins are being four -acre greenhouse to tried out, double poly produce 750,000 pounds of film, fiberglas and glass, tomatoes at a gross value In addition, two growth of $375,000 based on a mediums are being 'used, plant producing 20 sterilized soil and plastic pounds of tomatoes .per 'grow -bags'. Several year with the crop selling varieties of tomatoes and at 50 cents per pound. two varieties of Mancini used Ontario cucumbers have already Farm • Products grown up to three feet in Marketing Board figures the test facilities. in his report to show that A conventional heating last year one acre of source, to be installed Leamington greenhouse later this month, will produced 156,000 pounds simulate the use of waste of tomatoes in spring and heat water from BNPD. fall which grossed about If all goes according to $63,000 to the grower, projections and the before heat and labor venture proves feasible, costs. up to . 30 acres of According to Mancini, greenhouses could be four acres.ofgreenhouses installed. by as early as. will bring in $254,0009 a next spring. Projected year or about two-thirds routings for the pipeline of Szego's projection. which would bring hot Mr. Szego, in an in - water from BNPD to the terview Friday, said he site are already being agrees "whole-heartedly considered. with Mr. Mancini that the Leamington growers are AGAINST GREENHOUSES HERE Just prior to the opening of ' the pilot project greenhouses in Kincardine last week, Remo Mancini, Liberal MPP for Essex South, threw some cold water on the project with a report he will be submitting to Agriculture Minister William Newman. The report is critical of the proposed nuclear SIX HOUSES UP in trouble. The only things that keep them afloat is free family tabor, occasional bad weather in Florida and trucker strikes." "The best you can get out (of a Leamington greenhouse) is $65,000 per acre. When you spend $35,000 on heat there isn't much left," he said. "The Bruce county project is another option for the grower." In defending his projections, Mr. Szego said "The figures I projected are not what exist now. They are targets, what is needed to make the venture profitable. That's , why we're having the test." Mr. Mancini's report also said plastic -covered greenhouses may not stand the snow load in Bruce county "which has triple the snow of Essex county." Concerning weather conditions, Mr. Szego said "He (Mr. Mancini) doesn't know any better than I. We're testing three different • skins so the growers will have options." .10 R.K. PICK APPLIANCES In The Heart of Down Town Varna' • Vacuum Cleaners . Sales and Service of most makes • CB Radios and Accessories • Speed Queen Appliances • Moffat Appliances • Smoke Sensors • Insect Lights and Fly Killing Units • "Hondcrafted Gif Varna, Ont, Phone 482.7103 • FARM CLASSIFIED SECTION A. For sale ROUND used cord erib for sale. Phone 482- 3297.-34x 434 I.H.C. diesel with loader, trip bucket. Good condition. Phone 482- 9170.-34,35 B. Custom work CUSTOM SWATHING, phone Hank Reinink, Londesboro, 523-9202 or 482-9948.-32,33,34 BOOK YOUR CUSTOM COMBINING NOW! Low rates and long hours to get the job done. Grain, beans and corn. Phone Steve Buchanan at 524- 4700.- 28tfnc CUSTOM combining of oats, wheat, barley, and corn. Swathing also available. Phone Philip Steckle 565-5324 or Arnold Steckle 565-5329.-29TF C. Wanted CUSTOM COMBINING - grain, beans and corn. Reasonable rate. Phone 529-7890, or 529-7469.-33- 35 D. Livestock WANTED to buy - Holstein bull calves, three days old. Call Ripley, 395-3597.-33-34 UNREGISTERED Purebred and grade Suffolk ewe lambs, April born. Phone 529-7861 Dungannon. -34,35 ARE YOU a CAUGHT P j1;1 '5..1 i IN THE 1 o� i ,. J®WS.. " INFLATION? • \ SAVE YOURSELF! WATER WELL DRILLING "79 YEARS EXPERIENCE" • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FREE ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT • 4 ROTARY 8, PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES LOWER COST WATER WELLS" DAVIDSON WELL DRILLING LIMITED 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 357-1980 WINGHAM Collect Calls Accepted "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900" Ifyouwant.a loan for any good reason, wecan1endyou alittleora1�t. ... • up toy d 1,0.00 over 25 years at very COfllpeilie ▪ • If you are planning to build a cottage, add a room to your_home, install a backyard pool or any other major project see us for a Special Purpose Loan. • On approval we'll tailor a repayment plan that won't strain your budget. • Your loan will belife insured at no extra charge. • An existing -loam can he switched to the Royal Bank. Wheii you succeed...we succeed. ROYAL BANK JOHN P. LAWERENCE MANAGER DAVID W. MOLSON SENIOR LOANS J. BRUCE MAGEE LOANS OFFICER 521-2426 6 A'