The Rural Voice, 2006-09, Page 57Advice
Shelterbelts help
reduce odours
The Canadian Pork Council
(CPC), along with regional partners
in eastern Canada, are currently
delivering a program that will see
more trees planted across the
agricultural landscape, to the benefit
of both farmers and the non -farming
rural public.
Rows of trees strategically planted
at or around hog barn sites provide
farmers with an opportunity to better
control odours produced at the site, at
the same time reducing the amount
of energy needed to keep barns warm
and dry for the animals inside.
Environmental Programs
Coordinator Cedric MacLeod says
the current two-year demonstration
and awareness initiative, known as
the Shelterbelt Establishment for
Hog Barn Odour Control and
Improved Aesthetics in Eastern
Canada Project, is designed to get the
word out concerning the many
benefits of farmstead shelterbelts.
CPC President Clare Schlegel
asserts that the project is another
excellent example of the leadership
by the Canadian pork industry in
demonstrating innovative ways to
improve environmental awareness
and sustainability in the Canadian
agriculture sector.
"When a hog producer comes to
understand that by simply planting
trees in a planned approach, the
prevalence of odours is significantly
reduced, farm energy costs can be cut
by 25 to 30 per cent, greenhouse gas
emissions are reduced and the
aesthetics of the site are drastically
improved, the uptake of the practice
is likely to be rapid," Schlegel said.
The two-year project was initiated
in April 2005 and will be wrapping
up activities in March 2007.
Producer tours of the 28 shelterbelt
demonstration sites planted in
Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes
will be ongoing throughout the
summer of 2006.0
Grain Markets
Is unavailable this month. It
will return in October.
54 THE RURAL VOICE
AgriTech
Celebrating our communities
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
Though communities across the
province host fairs throughout the
spring and summer, forme, the
perfect time for an agricultural fair is
the autumn.
The harvest has begun to come in
from fields and gardens. The year's
bounty can be enjoyed in many ways,
from a delicious apple pie, perfectly
ripe tomatoes or a well -tied bundle of
corn on display. The children have
returned to school and examples of
their artistry are on display. The hard
work youngsters have put in during
the summer months to train that calf
may also be appreciated.
If a day's adventure to enjoy the
simple pleasures of good food and
entertainment are on your agenda for
this fall, the first stop should be the
Association of Ontario Agricultural
Societies (OAAS) at
www. ontariofairs.com. The
association is celebrating its 160th
anniversary this year.
With more than 230 fairs each
year, there are bound to be a few that
fit your schedule. Under the Fairs
heading, you can sort alphabetically,
by district or by date. The current
month's offerings are listed on the
home page. From the listing, it is
obvious September is a popular
month for planners as well with more
than 40 fairs scheduled for the second
week of September alone.
Some of the agricultural societies
have their own web pages to which
you can connect through the OAAS
site. This connection gives you more
detailed information about planned
events.The OAAS site lists highlights
of entertainment such as tractor pulls
and demolition derbies and includes
contact information through either
phone or email.
A big event for many in
southwestern Ontario is the
Western Fair, www.westernfair.com/
home.html, which open on September
8 and runs through September 17 in
London. Befitting the size of the
event, the web site is extensive, with
numerous pull-down menus for a
search of vast amount of information.
Under The Fair tab, you will find
everything from pricing and buying
admission tickets to a daily schedule,
grounds map, fair hours, attractions
and youth talent competition
requirements.
The Western Fair has transformed
over the years, to more than just an
agricultural show. There are now
many elements geared to urban
dwellers for whom cows and pigs
hold little interest. In the Consumer
Show section, visitors may still attend
the traditional events such as the
poultry show, but may also stop by
the boat show before enjoying the
tastes and smells at the food and wine
show.
A few of the events that look like
a lot of fun include a Mom and Dad
calling contest, duck and pig races,
chubby bunny contest and Little
Ray's Alligator Show, and those are
just on the first day.
There is, of course, the king of
fairs, The Royal Winter Agricultural
Fair, www.royalfair.org, which closes
out the fair season from Nov. 3 to 12.
Billed as a time when the "country
comes to the city", one of the
highlights of the Toronto fair is the
horse show, drawing competitors
from near and far. Other feature
events include the dog show with the
Eukanuba Superdogs, an exhibit on
good health, petting farm and pony
rides, giant vegetables, butter
sculptures and a pizza -making
workshop.
So whether visiting a small
community fair or a large, city
exhibition, why not check out a few
of our local editions, support our
farmers, home crafters and children
as they put their talents on display.
Though many fairs runs on
weekends, there are a few mid -week
events for a lovely fall evening
excursion. Contact me at
jlbecker@wightman.ca or through
The Rural Voice office.0