The Rural Voice, 1987-12, Page 49ADVICE
IMPROVE HEALTH
OF PASTURES
The dung pat is both a blessing and a
curse. It recycles valuable nutrients
back to the pasture but it also produces
areas that are rejected by grazing ani-
mals.
It has been found that the maximum
area (about three square feet) rejected by
cattle occurs one to two months after the
dung is excreted. But even after a year
when the pat is no longer visible, an area
up to 30 per cent larger than the original
dung pat will still be avoided by the
animals.
An average of 20 to 30 per cent of a
season's pasture production can be
wasted because of fouling. And the
fouling of pastures with dung can lead to
undesirable changes in the pasture's
plant makeup.
Pasture underneath a dung patch
decays and both legumes and grasses
eventually die. If the dung patch re-
mains for more than a couple of weeks
there will be little regrowth from surviv-
ing plants. Recolonization of the patch
area may have to be from surrounding
herbage or from the germination of
seeds. While this is taking place, pasture
production is lost from the area and an
opportunity is provided for weed spe-
cies to establish themselves.
Harrowing pastures will help to
eliminate the negative side effects of
dung and will make better use of the
nutrients it contains.0
Susan Robinson
SEMINARS FOR
FARM COUPLES
"Partners in Success," the weekend
seminar for farm couples, is again being
offered by the Ontario Ministry of Agri-
culture and Food.
The program, which will be put on
four times during February at various
locations across the province, offers
workshops in communications, setting
goals, building confidence, and dealing
with change.
The weekend package, which in-
cludes meals and two nights of accom-
modation, is $175 a couple. Contact
your nearest OMAF office.°
FINANCIAL
CENTRE
122 The Square, Goderich
524-4464
1-800-265-5503
•� F C 'S1ON
BUTLER
Silo construction
& silo wall restoration
SYSTEMS DEALER
Livestock Equipment
Feed Mixers
Sib unloaders
Cattle, Hog
& Truck Scales
•Gm DlvsSlON
Hanover: George Bauman 519-364-5226 (after 5 p.m.)
Wingham: Glen Walker 519-357-3729
Head Office: Elmira 519-669-1655
LUCKNOW
BUILT
TO
LAST
Available in single
and double auger
60" to 102"
SNOWBLOWERS
At this holiday season, it is time to
say Thank You and to express to
our customers, old and new, warm
Season's Greetings
HELM WELDING LIMITED
LUCKNOW, ONTARIO, CANADA PHONE (519) 529-7627
V
DECEMBER 1987 47