Times-Advocate, 1983-08-10, Page 15EXPERIMENTAL PLOT HARVEST — Marc Etienne and Les Shugar have completed
the harvest of W.G. Thompson's test plots of winter wheat on Highway 4 south
of Hensoll. The results, in dozens of white cloth bogs, will now be tested for such
factors as moisture, gram weight and milling quality. A special combine is used
on the test plots.
My grandfather used to say
if it doesn't rain in the oats, it
will rain in the hay.
In other words, you can't
win if you are a farmer. If the
rain doesn't come in time for
the hay, it will come in time
for the grain. In mixed -crop
farming, even nature has
trouble balancing the rainfall.
Our part of the province
went more than a month
without rain. When it came;
it was too late for the grain.
Wheat, barley, ,oats and
buckwheat suffered and the
yield will be down between 10
and 30 percent.
The first hay crop was tops
and the moisture came just in
time for the corn. As I unders-
tand it, the corn was at a
critical stage. Corn does not
need an abundance of ram but
when it is at the stage were
the blossoms are forming,
rain at the right time can
make the difference between
a good crop and a disastrous
crop.
Most of our area got rain at
the right time for the corn but
too late for the grain.
This points out again,
Woman to boyfriend: "I've
been through three intense
relationships already. Now I
just want to try something un-
complicated — like getting
married."
....pp..c•.,.0 by Bob t.on.• fkW,* RO •,,m.. On, N38 2C„,
though, how fickle this
business of farming can be.
It was a wet spring. The
corn was late being seeded on
many farms, especially on
fields poorly drained. Early in
June, one of my neighbours,
after working about 18 hours
a day to get his corn planted,
met me at the feed mill. He
'looked weary and wan.
"I got it all sown," he said.
"But if prices don't improve,
I won't make enough money
to pay me for the seed, the
fertilizer or the fuel. I'll end
up working for the bank again
this year."
With that characteristic
movement of many farmers,
he grabbed the peak of his
cap, swept it off his head,
mopped his brow with a tat-
tered shirtsleeve and replac-
ed the cap, all in one motion.
There are those who would
measure a farmer's efficien-
cy by the swiftness of this,
motion.
The chap who can do it in
one -second flat is a good
manager, the pundits say.
I cannot vouch for the
truthfulness of the idea but
my friend would be right up
there with the best of them.
He struggled to get his
crops in because of the
weather. A month later, he
was praying for rain as he
watched a field of oats strug-
•
gle to survive. He got barely
enough rain the last week of
July to save his corn crop.
The crop was saved but, if
he doesn't get a reasonable
price for it, he will have work-
ed and prayed for a meagre
return.
It is, of course, another
reason why farmers are dif-
ferent from any other sector
of the economy. They not on-
ly struggle constantly with
the vagaries of the market
place but they are often in a
pitched battle with nature as
well.
No other feeling can com-
pare with that of walking
away from a full barn know-
ing that there is enough feed
and bedding for the winter.
i. ut imagine how desolate a
feeling it is to watch helpless-
ly as the grain slowly dies in
fields aching for water. Or,
conversely, watching a crop
rot at the roots if there is too
much moisture or seeing the
destruction of a once -vigorous e
crop flattened by wind or torn
to shreds by hail. h
Daniel Webster said it well O
more than 150 years ago:
When tillage begins, other T
arts follow. The farmers,
therefore, are the founders of g
human civilization.
It is about time the rest of a
the world appreciated
agriculture.
Huron farm and home news
Times -Advocate, August 10, 1983
Page 15
Some reasons why hard to get farm workers
Most farmers need some
hired help at one time or
another. Some farmers say
they have trouble finding or
keeping good help.Everybody
has a theory as to why there
are problems.
An agribusiness recruiting
service from Iowa offers
some observations on the
"Top Ten Reasons For Labor
Problems." The reasons
aren't in any particular order
other than the first reason.
1) Lack of Communication:
It's estimated that 95 percent
of the problems are due to
failure to communicate. It's
suggested that employers and
employees should talk on a
regular basis. Outline what's
to be done and how it should
be done. Where will everyone
be if they're needed? Many
things that may be second
nature to you may need time
and explanation to a new
person.
A few minutes of talking
two or three times a day can
help to avoid problems.
2) Too Many Bosses: This
often occurs in family opera-
tions. Brothers or a father and
a son may be giving
employees simultaneous and
conflicting directions.
3) No Defined Responsibili-
ty: With no specific tasks the
employee often lacks any
sense of accomplishment. It's
a good idea to put the
employee in charge of two or
three tasks. Give them
definite morning respon-
sibilities to let them get
started on their own. Let
them finish some jobs from
beginning to end to allow
them the enjoyment of a• job
well done.
4) Not Growing - Not Lear-
ning New Skills: The
employee enjoys this part of
the business as much as you.
Encourage them to take
courses or attend meetings
periodically. You'll both be
better for it.
5) Time Off Not Defined: If
you just say "Ask for time off
when you need it", the
mployee will feel like a ser-
vant. Try to arrange regular
ours, time off and how will
vertime be handled.
6) Inadequate Wages For
heir Skills: Sometimes
othing can be done. It's a
ood idea to check with com-
parable businesses in your
rea to see how you compare.
7) Broken Promises:
Sometimes a,farmer may of-
fer an incentive or bonus plan.
When the payoff is due the
employee either
misunderstands or the
farmer changes his mind. Put
all promises in writing when
you hire.
8) Lack of Recognition:
Compliments can pay big
dividends. If the employee
has some special ac-
complishments, leave him a
note praising his work. The
Iowa researcher said,
"They'll keep the note forever
and show it to their family
and friends." It's a simple
gesture that can mean a lot.
9) Problems With The
Employee's Spouse: A mar-
ried employee depends on
family support and reinforce-
ment just the same as you do.
It's a good idea to meet with
the spouse whenever possible.
10) Poor Work Environ-
ment: Unheated shops or
buildings, poor tools, lack of
safety equipment are fre-
quently mentioned by unhap-
py employees. Many
employers mention the fact
that the work is hard and they
can't afford to pay top dollar.
Surprisingly, the Iowa study
showed employees worry
more about little things. Big
things such as low pay and
Plan plow coaching
For all those interested in
learning the finer points of
competitive match plowing,
the Middlesex County
Plowmen's Association is of-
fering a coaching class on
Wednesday, August 24, star-
ting at 2 p.m., at the farm of
Hugh Dodge, RR 2 Kerwood.
Plow adjustments, open
splits, crowns, casting off and
finishing, with other details,
will be covered during the
afternoon's instruction.
In addition, the Middlesex
Soil and Crop Association is
sponsoring a tilage
demonstration, with a guest
speaker, at the same farm on
the evening of August 24 and
those attending the coaching
class are invited to attend
that program.
The farm is located on the
second road south of Ker -
wood, known as the 8th line,
concession 3 of Metcalfe
Township, and can be reach-
ed from Strathroy by travell-
ing approximately four miles
south on County Road 9, tur-
ning right at the paved road
Kim McArthur,
Carpentry
* Additions
* Renovations
*Small Repairs
Low Rotes - Free Estimates
Licensed General Corpenter
COI St. Marys
284-2474
and proceeding about two
miles.
The 1983 Middlesex County
Plowing Match is scheduled
for Saturday, October 8, on
the farm of Bev Hughes at RR
3 Ilderton, and will include
classes for horses, garden
tractors, tractor plowing, as
well as machinery displays
and demonstrations, com-
petitive horseshoe pitching
and log sawing. As in past
years it is expected there will
be keen competition in the
Queen of the Furrow event,
and a large number of entries
are expected in the antique
equipment class.
hard work were seemingly
less important.
Conference for Rural Women
A conference for rural
women will be held at Cen-
tralia College of Agricultural
Technology during late
August. The program starts
at 6:30 p.m. on Friday,
August 26 and continues until
5 p.m. on Saturday, August
27.
A $21 conference fee in-
cludes refreshments and
lunch. Accommodation and
breakfast are an extra $12.00.
Cheques should be made
payable to Directions '83. You
FARMERS
Book Now
To have your seed
wheat custom
cleaned on your
farm. We clean,
treat, bag or bulk
and we offer ger-
mination tests.
Call:
Canadian
Mobile Seed
Cleaning Ltd.
(agent)
519-289-5602
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GOOD NEINS
for livestock
poultry Producers=
The complete line of famous Purina Chows and Health
Products are now available from Cook's.
We are pleased to announce our association with Ralston
Purina and look forward to serving you. Drop by soon and let
us show you the complete range of Ralston Purina products.
'66)/(A/
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DIVISION OF GERBRO INC. Raiston Purina
HENSALL CENTRALIA KIRKTON
262-2410 228-6661 229-8986
Cali 11S txlay.
• Reg T M Ralston Punna Company
Dalston Punna Canada Inc Req,stered ther
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can obtain more information
or register for this conference
by contacting Centralia Col-
lege of Agricultural
Technology, Huron Park, On-
tario, NOM 1Y0 (519 -228 -6691) -
Assistance is available for
transportation and in arrang-
ing child care.
The progi am will consist of
several workshops: ick itify-
ing leisure needs; eating well
- being well; women and the
law; planning and tune
management skills; develop-
ing leadership ability; com-
munity development; finan-
cial management for women;
relieving stress.
Jane Muegge
Rural Organizations &
Services (Home Economist)
1
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FREE ESTIMATES r Residential, commerical and farm, founds•
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For guaranteed strength. quality controlled and service call
C.A. McDowell
Redi-Mix Ltd.
Centralia, Ontario
Plant: Exeter, Hwy . No. 83 west 235.2711
Office: 228-6129 After hours: 228-6780
RESULTS
Of Wheat and Field Crop Competition
Sponsored by
Kirkton Agricultural Society
Field Wheat Frederick
Mike O'Shea 95
Wilbur Kernick 94
Albert Weernink 93
Rick Debrabandere 92
Ken Bearss 92
Bill Denham 92
Ewart Crago
Bob. Ratcliffe
Gerald Poel
Philip Blackler
Brent Blackler
Bob Debrabandere
89
89
89
88
87
86
1
441
•