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The Rural Voice, 1993-11, Page 40Biosecurity on the swine farm. The Ontario Pork Industry has done a good job of reducing unnecessary human and animal traffic on swine farms. Producers who have repopulated herds have an extremely high success rate in maintaining the health status of the herds. Advice The basic guidelines for farm animal security are simple. Anyone entering the farm property is confronted with a closed gate and clear instructions, preferably on a sign, of how to proceed and where to go. All business is conducted in a location remote from the barns. In situations where livestock viewing is part of the business, guests observe the animals from an isolated viewing area, through large windows, with no 36 THE RURAL VOICE direct access to the viewing area. Employees will wear barn clothing and footwear which do not leave the production area. They shower and change into street clothing any time they leave the farm. Essential service people shower and change into barn clothing and footwear before entering the facility. Traffic patterns and material handling should be set up so that supplies are delivered to a receiving location and then moved into the production area. If possible, traffic patterns of incoming goods should not cross with routine farm traffic. By far the greatest sources of risk are the introduction of new animals into a herd. These introductions should be carefully planned from the point of view of health status, and quarantine restrictions should be carefully followed. While the closed facility has been very successful to date, it must be constantly monitored to protect the health of the herd, and the investment of the operator.0 Ed Barrie OMAF Swine Specialist Early frost hurts corn standability On September 29, a severe frost occurred, which killed many acres of corn before it reached maturity. An early frost before corn maturity can often reduce both yield and quality of com, as well as increase the chances of stalk breakage of corn. Unlike last year, when corn was still in the milk stage and had no chance to mature, much of this year's corn was within about two weeks of reaching maturity. The frost which occurred this year killed corn plants below the cobs. When this occurs, the corn cob "robs nutrients" from the stalk to try to complete kernel filling and maturity. This results in weakened stalks, increasing the chance of stalk breakage. We have already seen some of this weakness in cornstalks from winds on October 16 and 17. Because of the increased stalk breakage being seen, many farmers are considering harvesting IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF CREDIT AND SHARPEN YOUR CREDIT MANAGEMENT SKILLS! A two-day workshop designed to add to your farm's bottom line. Topics include: • Structuring Credit • Negotiating Credit �h 1 • Security for Credit • Reviewing Credit Applications • Costs of Credit • Sources of Credit Guest speakers include a commercial lawyer, a banker, OMAF specialist and local farmers sharing their experiences. This program starts at 9:30 a.m. with registration and coffee. Adjournment is at 3:15 p.m. • Markdale OMAF Office November 30 Cost - $25. (986-2040, 1-800-265-9152) & December 1 • Walkerton OMAF Office December 8 & 9 Cost - $25. (881-3301, 1-800-265-3023) • Clinton OMAF Office December 8 & 15 Cost - $40. (482-3428, 1-800-265-5170) 4.11140141‘ February 16 & 23, 1994 (incl. lunch) riy Ministry of and and Food FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Ontario 36 THE RURAL VOICE direct access to the viewing area. Employees will wear barn clothing and footwear which do not leave the production area. They shower and change into street clothing any time they leave the farm. Essential service people shower and change into barn clothing and footwear before entering the facility. Traffic patterns and material handling should be set up so that supplies are delivered to a receiving location and then moved into the production area. If possible, traffic patterns of incoming goods should not cross with routine farm traffic. By far the greatest sources of risk are the introduction of new animals into a herd. These introductions should be carefully planned from the point of view of health status, and quarantine restrictions should be carefully followed. While the closed facility has been very successful to date, it must be constantly monitored to protect the health of the herd, and the investment of the operator.0 Ed Barrie OMAF Swine Specialist Early frost hurts corn standability On September 29, a severe frost occurred, which killed many acres of corn before it reached maturity. An early frost before corn maturity can often reduce both yield and quality of com, as well as increase the chances of stalk breakage of corn. Unlike last year, when corn was still in the milk stage and had no chance to mature, much of this year's corn was within about two weeks of reaching maturity. The frost which occurred this year killed corn plants below the cobs. When this occurs, the corn cob "robs nutrients" from the stalk to try to complete kernel filling and maturity. This results in weakened stalks, increasing the chance of stalk breakage. We have already seen some of this weakness in cornstalks from winds on October 16 and 17. Because of the increased stalk breakage being seen, many farmers are considering harvesting