The Rural Voice, 1989-06, Page 34Pack Your Bags
for
Centralia College's
Computer
Camp
Are you interested in computers? Would you like to learn more about
agriculture today? Then sign up for Centralia College's overnight
"Computer Camp".
Friday, June 16 to Saturday, June 17, 1989
Campers arrive at Huron Hall on Friday evening between 6 & 7 p.m.
and the program wraps up on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
Campers will participate in:
• computer workshops • public speaking
• agriculture seminar • life skills
• games and activities • barbecue (Sat. evening)
Each camper is asked to invite 1 guest to the Saturday evening
barbecue (1 guest is included in the registration cost).
* Cost is $60 per person
* Campers prepare their own meals
• Campers need to bring casual clothing as well as: running shoes,
pjamas, shorts, toothbrush and toothpaste
* Campers must be 10, 11, 12 or 13 years old as of January 1, 1989
If you would like to participate in the "Computer Camp" please contact
Centralia College for a registration form.
Ministry of
Agricul ti ire
and Food
ONTARIO
Jack Riddell, Minister
CENTRALIA
COLLEGE
Huron Park, Ontario NOM 1YO
(519) 228-6691
DiversaytoWytdotte Inc.
U L L t= R
Ddi1k Coolers*
FIRST FOR DAIRY
SUPPLIES & SERVICES
Sanitation Supplies
' Computer Feeding
' Pipelines/parlours
' Fre-heaters
' Cow Mats
' Multi Drop Feeders
GARY McKNIGHT
SALES & SERVICES LTD.
P O Box 669
Walkerton, Ont. NOG 2V0
519-881-2440
32 THE RURAL VOICE
is not yet fully understood, it is known
that some factor in the early growth of
such pastures prevents the uptake of
magnesium. Pastures that have been
heavily fertilized with nitrogen or po-
tassium seem particularly vulnerable.
An animal suffering from grass
tetany will have low blood serum
magnesium (and often calcium) levels.
Usually, the heaviest milkers will be
affected most severely. In an acute
attack, cows may be grazing normally
only moments before staggering,
falling, and convulsing. The disease
progresses rapidly and animals may be
found dead without any sign of illness.
Less severe cases show nervous-
ness, walk stiffly, urinate often, and
may be oversensitive to touch and
sound. Heartbeat is loud and rapid.
Early treatment is essential and
will often bring about rapid recovery.
Prevention includes feeding ample
amounts of grain and hay and a miner-
al mix with magnesium. Where grass
tetany is a problem, dolomitic lime-
stone (which contains magnesium)
should be used on soil rather than
calcitic. Nitrogen should be applied
to spring pastures in several small
applications rather than one large one.
A second problem caused by
abnormal levels of mineral uptake by
plants is nitrate toxicity. Nitrogen is a
normal component of plant matter, but
in abnormally high amounts it can be
very hazardous to animals.
Nitrate toxicity studies were the
result of a problem in western areas
known as "oat hay poisoning." It was
found that the most vulnerable crops
were cereal hays and corn or sorghum
fodders, called "accumulators." Less
dangerous, but still a threat, are "inter-
mediate accumulators" which include
ladino clover, timothy, and brome-
grass. Alfalfa and Kentucky bluegrass
showed only low levels of nitrate.
Environmental conditions that can
lead to problems include heavy
fertilization, low light intensity, and
drought. More common than severe N
toxicity is a subclinical form which
can affect growth, reproduction, milk
production, and the Vitamin A or
iodine status of the animal.
It is suggested that forages with
potentially dangerous levels of nitrate