The Rural Voice, 1980-08, Page 13polyethylene. two under fibreglass and two covered with glass.
The polyethylene ones had problems when ice formed between
the layers of plastic when temperatures fluctuated. These three
products were tested with sunlight, soil and snow load conditions
found at the site. The fibreglass proved highly successful and so
did the glass but the cost factor involved in glass greenhouses is
high and the durability factor of fibreglass under long periods in
these conditions is unknown vet.
36 MORE ACRES
Since this project has proven successful, plans are in the
making for 36 additional acres of greenhouses in the next year.
Thirty six acres are to follow the next year and 72 acres the year
after. It's expected that six million pounds of tomatoes can be
harvested from 36 acres. If 18 acres are in tomatoes, 70 jobs
would be available, but if 18 acres went into flower production,
300 jobs could be available.
These proposed greenhouses will be condominium style
modules of four acre lots, connected by shared warm water
transportation and cold water irrigation systems. Various options
will be open to greenhouse operators coming to the project.
These options will include a method whereby a greenhouse
module and related land could be leased or purchased along with
a contract for the supply of warm water for heating. Another
proposal which could see the grower purchase or lease the land
only, with a contract for the supply of warm water and construct
his own greenhouse is being investigated.
FISH FARMS?
After these greenhouses have been heated the water still
retains enough temperature to make fish farming feasible. This
would make fish growth possible all year round, increasing the
recreational fishing and the commercial fish industry.
Lake Huron's temperatures from November until late spring
allow no growth in fish. You have to have at least 48 degree
water (F) to allow growth and 58 degree water is considered
excellent.
With the waste heat this can be achieved. Millions of tons of
fish could be harvested annually from these proposed fish farms.
Normally it takes a trout two to three years to attain a 12 oz.
size in this area and under warmer temperatures and controlled
feeding you could get this weight in 12 to 18 months. From the
fish farm the water would be cooled further and discharged back
into the lake. At the present time, there are several different
analyses being made in Lake Huron to determine whether fish
farming, using water from this lake, would be commercially
profitable.
ETHANOL
In between the greenhouse and fish farms, the water
temperature is high enough to lend itself to the production of
ethanol. This is a grain alcohol and blended with gasoline is a
moderately satisfactory extender for combustion fuels for both
gasoline and diesel fuel.
A 460,000 barrel per year ethanol plant requires seven million
bushels of corn. At 90 bushels per acre, 80,000 acres of land
would be required for corn production.
The 2.4 million bushels of spent grain could serve as a protein
supplement for 120,000 head of cattle. Local feedlots could use
this to finish cattle. adding 600 pounds per beast. A further land
area of 50,000 acres could produce corn silage which along with
corn stover from the grain harvest could balance the feed lot
ration.
The greenhouses at the AgriPark are a beginning, and a
successful one. The possibilities are seemingly endless and when
realized, can make full use of the waste energy at the Bruce
Nuclear Development.
v-IIII
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THE RURAL VOICE/ AUGUST 1980 PG. 11