The Rural Voice, 1997-04, Page 68I
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Advice
cattle may exhibit more variation in
qualitative traits (i.e. colour, horns,
etc.)
Summary: Development and
formation of the composite will be
the determining factor on its
applicability and value to Ontario
producers. Composites have been
developed to be managed as a pure
breed and for the best results a
breeding program utilizing
Composites should consist of cows
and bull from the same composite
population. Composite breeds that
have been around for a period of time
include Shaver Beefblend, Hays
Converter and Beef Master. Many
large breeders in the U.S. have started
to develop composites but a
consistent supply of reasonably
priced replacement females and herd
sires to avoid inbreeding will be a
major concern for producers
considering a composite breeding
program in Ontario.0
There is life in the soil
By Joan McKinlay
Soil and Crop Advisor
OMAFRA, Markdale
Is there life under the soil surface?
Of course there is.
It is too easy to think of only the
above -ground parts of the plants and
to see soil as something to stand on,
something to anchor plants and
something to wash out of our clothes.
We often do not think of it as the
dynamic material that it is.
Organic matter of the soil is
humus, a very stable form of
material, and an active part of living
material composed of bacteria, fungi,
earthworms, etc. These life forms
have a predator -prey relationship just
like the wild animal kingdom or the
plant kingdom that we are more
familiar with. Just as populations of
these will shift when conditions
favour one species over another, so
do the populations underground.
Temperatures, moisture conditions
and nutrient or energy supply will
cause massive and immediate shifts
in the numbers of individuals. Just as
the predator -prey relationship
suggests, each is a food source for
some other. Populations will expand
only as food sources flourish.
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Superior Strength
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R.R. 3, Walkerton, Ontario NOG 2V0
519-392-6929
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"For increased land value and greater crop yields"
We can help you plan
your drainage requirements
Contact Bruce Tile or Your Local Bruce Tile Drainage Contractor:
• Farrow Farms, Chatsworth
• Schmidt Drainage, Harriston
• K.M.M. Farm Drainage, Walton
• Ron Williams Drainage, Listowel
• Tait Brothers, Grand Valley
• Barry Weigel Drainage, Mildmay
• Nichol Drainage, Listowel
• Steve Otto Drainage, Sebringville
• Bruce Cook, Stratford
• Harold Kuepfer, Newton
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Fax: 519-369-3129
APRIL 1997 67