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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-03-16, Page 62'The Farm FAilikle, Week as Moak 16, 190 - 2i Urge hearing pr A simple, five minute test makes Ontario farmers aw- are of the importance of wearing hearing. protection. The Farm Safety Associa- tion has been conducting the tests because of a generally higher incidence of hearing loss found among fanners, says Larry Swinn, the asso- ciations's public relations coordinator. "We're urging farmers to wear accoustical earmuffs, available from safety supply stores for about S40, to conserve their hearing." The association . is also developing a questionnaire to assess more accurately the extent of Bearing loss among farmers. "We're questioning about one-third of the tested farm- ers for information on the history of hearing loss in their family, on the type of farm they work and the type of equipment they use." Swinn says the early re- sults show hearing loss is rection less evident among special- ized farmers than those in general farming. "General farming requires larger, faster equipment and a longer exposure to loud noise which seems to in- crease the incidence of hear- ing loss." An interesting preliminary result shows ' that of the nearly 1,000 farmers tested so far, the majority have the greatest hearing loss in the left ear. "My personal theory is that farmers usually turn one way to watch their trailing equipment behind the trac- tor. And when they're driv- ing a car or truck with the window down, they exper- ience a lot of noise in the left ear." Swinn says many tractor companies are engineering their equipment to reduce noise levels and are rede- signing tractor cabins to pro- tect farmers' hearing. But despite these changes, Swinn says farmers should still be wearing hearing pro- tection. "There's a reluctance am- ong farmers to wear protec- don because they fear they won't be able to hear their equipment running. But this is unfounded because ac- coustical earmuffs only cut out the dangerous noise levels." Swinn saysthe association plans toy conduct tests at several agricultural functions this year and will try to accommodate group's re- quests for the hearing test. He says the association staff is trained as audio- metric technicians to conduct the hearing test but he warns that staff is not qualified to interpret the results. "If their test indicates they may have a hearing problem, we encourage them to see their family doctor for a referral to a specialist. We never give them a diagnos- is." Farm show is success..... •from page 23. tion. Speakers addressed inter- ested and attentive crowds who responded enthusias- tically with questions and comments. Organizers estimate that 500 people attended the meetings. The need for care - Jul planning and manage- ment in 1983 was emphas- ized by all of the speakers. The future of agriculture is clouded. Hard work and planning will be necessary for farmers to. survive. • Ladies programs were well attended - and instructors were pleased with the inter- est shown in the demonstra- tions. Representatives from Mary Kay cosmetics and Amana conducted informa- tive seminars twice daily. Cattle Sales Two cattle sales and shows were held at the Farm Show.. A large crowd attended the Holsteinlnvitational Sale and organizers were pleased with the results. "Interest was keen and cattle sold well," says Dave Carsons. "Prices were good considering the current market." A bred heifer brought top dollar of 53,050. Thirty-two head were sold averaging 51,675. Cattle went to West- ern Canada, Lindsay, God- erich and other farms in Huron and Perth counties. The Winter Classic Sale of the West Central Ontario Hereford Zone also drew large numbers. "We had an excellent turnout," says Craig Lymburner, secretary of the Association. "43 lots were sold averaging $1,057. Top dollar of 53,100 was paid by Rick Davis of Thornton, Indiana. The next highest price was 52,300 paid by Onondago Farms , of St. George, Ontario. Three head were sold to Quebec, to Indiana and the rest to Ontario. Volume buy- er was Klaus Uloth of KRU Ranch, Brockville who bought 6a/a head. Country and Western en- tertainment was featured at the show for the first time this year. Recording artist Carl Johns and her band, Special Delivery, performed for capacity crowds during the evenings. The 1983 Canada Farm Show was once again an outstanding success and show manager Morris has already had requests from exhibitors for increased space next year. For more information, con- tact Dawn Morris, Canada Farm, Show, 20 Butterick Road, Toronto, Ontario M3W 2Z8, (416) 252-3506. Proper calibration insures effective crop spraying... •from page 28 equipment being used should be fitted with a levelling device. A question was asked as to whether land should be worked before incorporation. Dietz felt that land should be worked once before incorpor- ation to break up lumps and get better incorporation of herbicide. "You don't want to incorporate herbicides too deep," said Dietz, "or they won't be effective." After spraying mainten- ance is important for proper functioning of the sprayer in the next season. Drain the sprayer completely and flush the tank. Clean all equip- ment with household am- monia and rinse several times with water. Make sure the pump, control valves and lines are completely drained of fluid. Blow out, clean, and dry all orfices including the tips. 'Do not use a metal brush. If tips are plugged use a fine soft brush or tooth pick to clean them. Water rinse all parts and dry tips before storing. Pour lubricating fluid or antifreeze in the pump or remove and store in a dry place. Turn the pump over several times in storing with light oil or antifreeze in the chamber. Seal . the sprayer and all hose bearings to prevent entry of dirt or rodents. Relieve all pressure on gauges and pressure regulat- ors. Grease and oil (chains if any) and prevent rust. Touch up scratch marks or chemical damage with paint. Store the sprayer inside and make sure that you do not store or place anything on the tank as you may distort the shape. If you are storing leftover spray fluid or chemicals, make sure it is not accessible to children, livestock or pets. To do an effective job of spraying Dietz recommended not to spray while turning corners. The inside nozzles overlap and the outside noz- zles go too fast, failing to deliver the proper amoung of chemical on the corner. "Make square corners," he said, "by stopping the boom distance away from the fence. Take the time to back into corners and make sure that all nozzles are working - then spray." This spring consider cali- brating your sprayer to de- termine the litres per hectare that it sprays. You can then determine how much pesti- cide to add to a tank full of water to achieve the proper amount of chemical per hect- are which you require to control a pest on your farm. 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