The Rural Voice, 1983-02, Page 12cereal, triticale is useful for control of
soil erosion during the critical fall and
spring periods. Triticale has higher
yields than oats, barley or mixed
grains.
Production practices for triticale are
similar to those of winter wheat, with
some important modifications. Triticale
can be sown at about 75% of the
normal rate for wheat, planted in 7 inch
rows. Spring application of nitrogen
should be reduced 10% to 25% to avoid
excessive lodging. Triticale matures one
to two weeks later than winter wheat.
Direct combining is suggested as
swathing can result in increased sprout-
ing problems.
Moore talked on growing oats for
Quaker Oats in Peterborough. How do
you produce milling oats? First,remem-
ber you are producing a food item not
just feed. Quality is of prime impor-
tance. Second, remember that most of
the oats produced will not make milling
quality. Dockage should be 1-11/2% and
moisture should be below the 14%
level. Quaker Oats recommends clean-
ing and drying oats before shipping.
Infected grain will be rejected because
Quaker Oats is a food processor.
Best yields and quality are obtained
by planting early. Plant in April if at all
possible. Poor harvest weather can
cause dark groats or wet weather can
result in mildew and the result is feed
quality oats.
Rick Upfold talked on verticillium wilt
in alfalfa. Although not a major problem
yet in Grey Bruce, he felt it could
become the most critical crop disease
that we will see in the future. An
infected field of alfalfa will die off in
three years.
Some symptoms of verticillium wilt
are yellowing of the leaves similar to
boron deficiency in alfalfa and the
tipping over of the plant crown. At
present there is only one variety of
alfalfa that is resistent to verticillium
wilt, that being Trumpetor.
Tom Lane talked on the benefits of
crop rotation. With a reversal of low
cost nitrogen and low cost fuel.the time
is appropriate for a second look at the
forage crop in rotation, particularly, the
legumestsaid Lane.
The most important reason for the
legume based mixture in rotation is the
nitrogen fixation by the legume roots.
Rotation has a value for erosion con-
trol, water conservation and quality and
tilth of the soil. According to Lane,
research over many years has shown
that any crop will yield better if it
follows a different crop and that corn,
soybeans, or white beans, grown after a
soil improving crop, should yield at
least 20% more than continuous crop-
ping.
John Kessler from the Ontario Farm
Machinery board, explained the function
of that organization. In the not too far
future, farmers will have to order ma-
chinery and wait for it to be built. not
buy machinery off the lot as now. He
felt that delays in receiving parts was
mainly to be blamed on incorrect part
numbers getting on the order forms and
that most companies have parts avail-
able for quick delivery in the majority of
cases.
He briefly discussed the new test
station for farm equipment at Chatham
and how 50% of this facility will be
devoted to the canning and processing
industry.
Dr. Terry Daynard was the final
speaker of the day. He gave an interes-
ting talk on tillage. The points he
stressed most were that many farmers
till too often and too deep. He had
several examples of OAC research to
prove these two important points.
Dr. Daynard stated that two new
publications on recommended tillage
practices will be available early this
coming spring. He concluded his talk
with several slides of test photos of
crops and different types of tillage
equipment.
The large number of farmers at crop
day could be an indication that cash
crops may have a larger part to play in
Grey Bruce agriculture. The topics cov-
ered during the day had a great deal of
information for a farmer who is con-
sidering diversification in his farm ope-
ration.
C.F.W. PRELIMINARY
SURVEY RESULTS
by Gisele Ireland
The survey of farm women in Bruce
and Grey counties last summer has
indicated some significant trends in the
agricultural industry since 1976. The
census year (1976) was used as a
starting point, with 1979 deemed as the
start of financial problems and 1981 as
the present because complete records
for 1982 were not available.
Eighty-six percent of the women
surveyed agreed that the agricultural
community was worse off in 1981 as
compared to 1976.
Of the women surveyed, the majority
of them were under 44 years of age and
had been farming less than 20 years.
They were situated on farms consisting
of 70-239 acres with the highest percen-
tage in beef, dairy and pork respec-
tively.
When reasons for their financial de-
cline were cited, the rate of interest was
given prime importance. Input costs
and prices received for their commodi-
ties fell shortly behind the interest rate.
Relative importance was also placed on
foreign land ownership and the roles of
the federal and provincial governments
PG. 12 THE RURAL VOICE, FEBRUARY 1983
in the total picture of declining farm
income. A factor which placed fourth
on the list of importance was their own
management.
From the responding women, it was
indicated that 68% of the farms are
owned jointly by husband and wife and
that 20% are owned solely by the
husband. The rest of the farms fell
under various forms of partnerships and
corporations.
From the respondents it would seem
that the number of farmers leasing their
land out has doubled during the 1976-81
period. In 1981, the farmers surveyed
indicated that 81.6% were able to pay
the interest charges on their holdings.
This figure dropped to 63.1% in 1981.
When questioned on the most attrac-
tive solution to their financial condition,
it was indicated that they would seek
employment as the prime target. At the
present rate of unemployment, this
would place greater emphasis on the
second choice, which was selling their
livestock. If this indicates a trend, then
what type of damage could this deci-
sion inflict on future food supplies? The
expectation of food being available
upon demand could at some future time
be denied.
Logic would have indicated to me
that the best solution would be to
re -mortgage. Yet, the respondents felt
strongly that this would be the least
desirable method in their present condi-
tion. Perhaps they feared the loss of
their land if they re -mortgaged under
the present conditions? The question of
re -mortgaging under forgiveable or mo-
ratorium clauses was not asked, but
perhaps should not be discounted for
future negotiations.
A question was posed to ascertain
what farm families really needed at the
time but couldn't afford to buy. The
purchase of equipment ranked highest.
Machinery needed to be replaced but
the money was not there to make it
possible. Additions to farm buildings
and renovations to buildings were also
of importance to farmers. These re-
sponses did not indicate future expan-
sion, but maintaining what was already
part of the farm.
Necessary repairs to the home ranked
high on the women's responses. Family
comforts and necessities such as fur-
nishings and new appliances were also
needed but not affordable. The personal
sacrifices exhibited by the farm women
surveyed would indicate to me the
positive action they are willing to take
to remain farming.
This is but a small part of the survey.
Future articles will deal with other
information from this survey. The total
survey will be published in book form in
the near future.