The Rural Voice, 1995-12, Page 10FARM SAFETY FACTS
FROM THE
WEST WAWANOSH
MUTUAL
INSURANCE
COMPANY
1879 4) 1995
'Ne ighdour helping Neighbour"
529-7921
Alf of us
associated
with West -
Wawanosh
Mutual
share with
you the joy
of
Christmas
and exam(
our wishes for a safe,
successful and happy
New Year.
YOUR LOCAL AGENTS
Frank Foran, Lucknow
Lyons & Mulhern Ins. Brokers, Goderich 524-2664
Banter, MacEwan, Feagan Insurance
Brokers Ltd., Goderich 524-8376
Kenneth B. MacLean, Paisley 368-7537
John Nixon, Brussels 887-9417
Delmar Sproul, Auburn 529-7273
Clinton 482-3434
Donald R. Simpson, Ripley 395-5362
Chapman Graham & Associates,
Owen Sound 376-1774
Chapman Graham Insurance Brokers,
Walkerton 881-0611
City Insurance Offices Ltd., Sarnia 383-0044
McMaster Siemon Insurance Brokers,
Mitchell 348-9150
Miller Insurance, Kincardine 396-3465
Orr Insurance Brokers Inc., Stratford 271-4340
Percy Morris Insurance Broker
Owen Sound 376-2666
P.A. Roy Insurance, Clinton 482-9357
Georgian Bay Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Owen Sound 376-4049
Westlake - McHugh Insurance Brokers
Zurich 236-4391
528-3824
"INSURANCE FOR FARM, RESIDENTIAL,
COMMERCIAL AND AUTO"
6 THE RURAL VOICE
Scrap Book
Meat tenderness more than marbling
Most consumers and beef
producers think the tenderness in
beef is in the marbling of fat
throughout the meat, but research-
ers say it may be in the genes.
Researchers have discovered
that only 10 per cent of the
variation in tenderness in meat
comes from marbling. Another 44
per cent comes from varying
levels of an enzyme -inhibiting
protein called calpastatin.
It is estimated that the
tenderness or toughness of beef is
controlled about 70 per cent by
environment and 30 per cent by
heredity. Normally, the genetic
route would be difficult to use,
except for the fact that scientists
have now identified various forms
of a gene for calpastatin on
chromosome 7 of the beef
genome. Researchers have
developed a diagnostic probe to
detect the presence or absence of
calpastatin genes. Although
research is in its early stages,
some scientists are predicting that
one day calpastatin in beef may be
measured routinely as part of a
classification system that would
lend itself to the marketing of
branded products of predictable
quality. Scientists are currently
trying to develop a measurement
test.
For producers, it means being
able to select breeding stock for
low levels of calpastatin, since
lower levels of the protein yielded
more lean meat per pound of
carcass than animals with
desirably high levels of marbling.
This can also be an economic
advantage because trying to put
an extra pound of gain, largely fat,
on a 1,200 pound animal often
requires about 40 per cent more
feed than a pound of gain on a
leaner 1,100 pound animal. Often
some of that expensive fat is on
the outside of the cut and is
trimmed off.0
—Source: Food in Canada
Think spring: plan to count ladybugs
When spring finally arrives
there'll be a new reason for some
people to get out in their back yard.
The Canadian Nature Federation
(CNF) is looking for people living in
rural areas and students to help spot
ladybugs on farms and in backyards.
You may think ladybugs are just
an orange beetle with spots but there
are more than 500 different species
of ladybugs in North America. Some
of these species have been introduced
from Europe and Asia to control
harmful aphids. These introduced
species are fierce competitors and are
expanding their range across Canada.
The CNF says we have no idea what
effect this influx of alien species is
having on our native populations of
lady beetles.
To begin its research, CNF is
recruiting volunteers nationwide to
identify lady beetle species they find
locally. Thirteen of the more
common lady beetle species,
including two introduced species,
have been selected that people may
find in their area. Their goal is to
have individuals identify the species
that they find and send CNF a
reporting form outlining where the
lady beetle was found and its
behaviour.
This project has been adopted by
teachers in classrooms across the
country. It's also of interest to
farmers and gardeners in rural areas
who are able to benefit from the
natural pest control provided by lady
beetles. The project is part of the
Endangered Plants and Invertebrates
Program, partially funded by Science
Culture Canada, which attempts to
protect the 90 per cent of species,
including insects, non-vascular
plants, fungi and algae, not covered
by existing conservation plans.
Anyone wishing to receive copies
of the species illustrations and
identifying tips for lady beetles can
call 613-562-3447, or write to: Scott
Plunkett, Canadian Nature
Federation, 1 Nicholas St., Suite 520,
Ottawa KIN 7B7.0
i