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The Rural Voice, 1979-05, Page 40ning to provide economic encouragement for the industry to build enough capacity for production in Canada. CACA committees have gone to great tenths to promote the safe use of chemicals over and above the high standards set and adhered to by member companies them- selves and the high demands for safety and efficiency set by the regulatory branches of the federal and provincial governments. New swine flooring can reduce costs A new type of flooring system for swine barns can reduce energy costs and health problems in swine operations, says Garnet Norrish, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food swine specialist. This system, developed in Ontario, combines the old solid concrete floor system with the newer slatted floor. "There have been problems with both of these conventional systems," says Mr. Norrish. "Removing manure from solid floor pens is time-consuming hard work. "Slatted floors, although they make manure handling easier, are drafty for the animals. As a result, more energy is required to heat the barn." The cantilever tloor combines the best features of both systems. The front of the stall has a solid concrete floor. The back of the stall has a slatted floor which is suspended over an open gutter. This system makes manure handling simple and inexpensive. Manure falls through the slatted floor into the open gutter. The gutter can be flushed out with water, or scraped. Gutters can be cleaned easily and quickly using a long scraper designed especially for this flooring system. The scraper, which resembles a long -crooked hockey stick, is pushed along the edge of the gutter, to scrape under the slatted floor. The only energy required to operate this peice of equipment is a bit of muscle power. Since the front of the pen has a solid floor, the pig can rest comfortably, free from drafts. The slatted floor at the rear of the pen ensures a tidy, dry, disease-free environment. This type of system can be used for dry sow, farrowing, or weaner areas, says Mr. Norrish. 25 percent of farm accidents happen this time of year The spring planting season is one of the most hectic times of year for the farmer. It "The best name around livestock today ..." ARCHER'S Clinton ,Ont, LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT SYSTEMS 1 request further information on HOGS Farrowing Crates Li Finishing Pens ❑ Dry Sow Stalls E CATTLE Free Stalls 0 Wide Arch Stalls 0 . Maternity Pens 0 HORSES Box Stalls ❑ Standing Stalls Manure Handling Steel Stalls Cl NAME Breeding & Boar Pens 0 Weaner Pens 0 Combination Pens 0 Calf Pens ❑ Bull Pens ❑ Corner Feeders Hay Racks Ventilation Systems 0 Drinkers ❑ ADDRESS - - Farmer ❑ Student ❑ Dealer is also the season when many farm injuries occur. More than 25 percent of the 2,200 reported lost -time injuries on Ontario farms last year occurred during April and May, says Larry Swinn, public relations coordinator for the farm Safety Association of Ontario. "Many of these accidents occur when farmers rush to finish planting operations, and disregard safety precautions," he says. "Farmers work long hours at this time of year, but it only takes a split second for an accident to happen." By following a few precautions, many accidents could be prevented. Don't become too anxious to get to work on the land. Wait until the land is dry enought to work safely. Make sure all farm equipment is in safe working condition. Before you start work on the land, replace worn or broken parts, and sharpen blades. Check to make sure all shields and other safety devices on tractors and other farm equipment are in place. Operate equipment properly and at a sensible speed for soil and weather conditions. Equipment breakdowns can be costly and frustrating, but don't try to ALFRED KNECHTEL Spray Painting Ltd. —SPECIALIZING FARM BUILDINGS— (519) 669-2638 R.R. 2 WALLENSTEIN, ONTARIO THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1979 PG. 39