The Rural Voice, 1979-12, Page 35i
Improper feed - -
sheep infertility
The most common cause of infertility in
sheep is an improper feeding program.
Ewes must be in good condition if sheep
producers are to expect maximum fertility
and a short, successful breeding season.
"The best way to help gain the highest
possible breeding efficiency from a flock is
to use a common feeding technique called
flushing," says Roy White, reproductive
physiology specialist with Saskatchewan
Agriculture's animal industry branch.
"Flushing means providing ewes with a
high level of nutrition just before the
breeding season begins," White said.
"Sheep should be fed an increased level of
energy and adequate levels of protein for at
least two weeks before the breeding
season."
A ration which includes between one half
and one pound of oats or barley along with
good quality forage each day for each ewe
will provide enough energy. Ewes on this
diet will be gaining in condition and weight
at the time they are bred.
Researchers are still studying the
complex relationships controlling repro-
duction in sheep. However, they do not
yet understand completely how flushing
improves breeding success rates. Some
researchers feel flushing increases the
ovulation rate. Others suggest flushing
increases the chance of the unborn lamb
surviving until birth.
"While the exact reason for its success is
not known, it is known that flushing
works," White said. "When ewes do not
get proper nourishment, the first body
function to fail is the reproduction function
"Since the breeding season begins in
September and continues until January,
producers should begin flushing their ewes
now in order to bring them into season
early."
Mushrooms
a challenge
to produce
Mushrooms, once consideree a delicacy
of the wild, are cultivated in commercial
darkrooms in Ontario to supply expanding
markets. About 60 Ontario growers pro-
duce half of the nation's creamy white
mushrooms. Most growers are located in
the Niagara Peninsula, close to fresh
markets, but some are as far afield as
Ottawa.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and
Food sponsors a mushroom program to
ensure a healthy industry in the province.
The service includes regular extension
visits to inform growers of the latest
techniques, research at Vineland Station to
develop insecticide programs specific to
mushroom pests, and a mushroom compost
test. For a fee of 56, the feed analysis
laboratory at the University of Guelph will
test compost samples sent in plastic bags,
for all-important nitrogen content.
"We provide a diagnostic service to
Ontario mushroom growers and advise
them on potential disease and insect
problems that can occur during the 10 week
production cycles," says Wayne Brown,
extension specialist. "Sanitation and pest
management are critical when spawning of
the mushrooms is in progress. Otherwise,
yields can be reduced considerably."
Mushrooms are a challenge to produce
commercially because conditions favorable
to their growth are also ideal for the growth
of molds, parasitic fungi, and insects. A
controlled environment, sterilized growing
medium, and proper humidity and ventil-
ation are essential for high yields.
Heat exchangers can
reduce energy bills
Soaring energy costs are perplexing
many farmers today. but there's good news
for those who manage livestock or poultry
operations. Heat exchangers can be suc-
cessfully adapted to most buildings to
reduce energy bills.
Ralph Gregg, Ontario Ministry of Agri-
culture and Food engineer, says one
commercial duck operation near Aurora,
Ontario, has cut energy costs by 25 per
cent during the last two winters by using a
heat exchanger.
The new ventilation system is housed in
a galvanized steel cabinet hung from the
ceiling. A fan sucks cold, outside air
through attic vents and past a series' of
metal plates to the duck pens. At the same
time. another fan draws warm, stale air
outwards through the cabinet ducts. The
metal plates are positioned strategically so
that incoming and outgoing air do not mix.
The metal plates, however, act as a
conductor so that the warm, outgoing air
heats the cold, incoming air.' The heat
exchanger prevents drafts over the ducks,
while maintaining a constant temperature
of 10°C (a F).
In the operation, electrical heaters are
still used for supplemental warmth, but
their use has been curtailed considerably.
On extremely cold nights, the heat
exchanger must be shut off because ice
forms over the air openings. It is usually
turned on again when the outside temper-
ature moderates at midday.
"Dust and moisture are natural con-
sequences in any livestock or poultry
barn," says Mr. Gregg. "With this
ventilation system, it is necessary to wash
the warm air exits daily where dust
collects."
The heat exchanger adapted for the 15
metre by 120 metre (50 ft. by 400 ft.) duck
barn is a sophisticated, yet functional
system. An annual output of 70,000 ducks
is expected from one of these buildings.
A grant from the federal Innovator
Incentive Program provided capital for this
venture. The Ontario Ministry of Agri-
cillture and Food and Ontario Hydro
supplied technical expertise to make it a
reality.
Popcorn is Kent's
newest cash crop
Popcorn, the newest cash crop in Kent
County, has just been harvested. About
560 hectares (1,400 acres) are devoted to
the special corn hybrids, according to
Barry Fraser, Ontario Ministry of Agri-
culture and Food county representative.
Popcorn production began in earnest two
years ago when larger processing facilities
were built. Farmers on the eastern shores
of Lake St. Clair are contracted to grow
seed selected from local test plots. They
follow normal cultural practices for core.
"This year, 1 estimate the popcorn crop
will be worth $450,000 to Kent County
farmers," says Mr. Fraser. "The combin-
ation of mild climate and fertile, well -
drained soil is ideal for this cash crop. We
have about 3,300 heat units and average 80
centimetres (33 in.) of rain per year."
Favorable growing conditions are impor-
tant, but processing is also critical. When
harvest is completed, only mature, healthy
corn cobs pass inspection by sorters.
Low-temperature drying techniques pre-
vent stress cracks and breakage in the
kernels.
Staff at storage facilities maintain the
popcorn at a predetermined moisture level.
A certain amount of moisture is necessary
in each kernel for maximum expansion
when popped.
Mr. Fraser predicts popcorn acreage will
ncrease in the coming seasons if the
market remains stable. At present, farmers
hope foreign imports can be replaced with
their quality, Ontario -grown popcorn.
"For generations, southwestern Ontario
has been the hub of corn production, for
both seed and grain corn," says Mr.
Fraser, "so it is natural that the innovative
idea of growing popcorn originate here."
THE RURAL VOICE/DECEMBER 1979 PG. 33