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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-04-02, Page 31Farm News Ontario. farmers reject commodity mortgages The Ontario Federation of Agriculture's board of directors, in its monthly meeting, unanimously rejected a federal plan . for commodity price -based mortgages. "Michael Wilson's budget speech an- nouncement led faimers and consumers to believe that farmers now have access to 6 percent money. This was out and out misrepresentation on the part of the federal government. The fine print tells the real story," said Barry Pelissero, OFA president. The House was not told - as budget papers released later revealed - that farmers would have to actually take on a mortgage at 14 3/8 percent (2 percent higher than the current rate for FCC loans). "Rather than giving interest rate assistance to farmers, this program actually charges.a 2 percent penalty to enroll in it," -Commented Pelisseeo. While t ". "`i r gage is registered at 14 3" percent a "side agreement" will allow FCC to fix the interest rate at 6-9 percent, trying the principal do to commodity price fluctuations. Government budget papers stated 'that given a moderate price increase in com- modities, the program would not be any GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR. WEDNESDAY. APRIL 2.1986-PAGl; 7B H. BRUCE -ERSKINE 86 North -St,. Goei,rich 524-9555 more or less expensive than conventional financing. Pelissero said he interprets this to mean that the program would not cost the government any money. "In fact, with the 2 percent surcharge, it could actually make money for the government." The OFA board of directors passed a resolution to "demand that the federal minister of Agriculture and the FCC develop a program which truly reflects a legitimate loan program and restructured mortgage program, using the $700 million outlined in the budget, as promised in the past years, with affordable interest rates." Blueberries could become. alternative cash crop for many Ontario farmers Blueberries have received quite a bit of attention in the press recently as an alter- native cash crop in Ontario. One of the most important considerations of growing blueberries is the potential returns and availability of a local market. While these have been adequately addressed in recent articles there are other important con- sideraiiurs. Blueberry growing presents quite a challenge because the plants require special conditions. SOIL TYPE The most important condition is the soil type. Blueberries have a shallow root system and grow best in well -drained, loose soil high in organic matter. Plants also need a low pH soil of between 4.0 and 5.0. This means that for most areas in Ontario our soil pH would have to be altered to suit these conditions. On sandy and sandy -loam soils the preferred method of lowering the pH and preparing a suitable seedbed is tq, mix acid peat into the top six to eight inches of soil. Sawdust can be used as an alternative to peat, but is not nearly as good' a mixture for the plants to grow in. Sulfur at the rate 11/2o2 pounds per 100 square feet for each point the pH is' above 4.5 should be applied before planting. In Huron County where the pH is in the 7.5 range, this would be about one ton of sulfur per acre. The pH should be checked each year to maintain the 4 - 5 pH range. In high pH soils' or in clay soils a raised sedbed large enough for several plants should be • If you're NEW, IN TOWN and don't know which way to turn, call the dome,aeon, hostess at 52472544 LT0 prepared. - FERTILIZER A fertilizer program using 10-10-10 should be followed each spring at a rate of one ounce per plant, the first year, increasing this by one ounce each year until a level of six to eight ounces per plant is reached. Fer- tilizer should be: spread evenly around the plant at a time when n the buds are bursting. PLANTING AND GROWTH Highbush blueberry plants are planted at a rate of 1,000 plants per acre at a cost of about $2.00 per plant. Blueberry plants are more winter hardy than peaches, but are likely to b.e injured or killed by temperatures of -20 degrees to -25 degrees, Therefore, without good Snowcover, produc- tion is not likely to be successful in the col- der areas of Ontario. In those areas of the province with less than 2900 heat units -a winter hardy variety should be planted. The variety Northland is the commercial variety suited to these Northland is a hybrid between the highbush and lowbush blueberry. Plants are fairly short and snow cover should provide ade- quate production. Blueberry plants remain productive for 20 years or more if growing conditions are good and the stand is well cared for. With the shallow root system of blueberry plants, irrigation is advisable. Trickle ir- ' rigation is the most popular system used. 1 manufacturers sell trickle irriga- Severs win City School of Hairstylin Waterloo, Ont. •Hairstyling •Barbering •Ear Piercing •Make-up 55 Erb St. East ;;;;� �' Monday to Friday t- / 8:30 am to 4:30 pm CLM'POUT PR/CSS 3 Kelvinator 13.8 cu. ft. F.F. Refrigerators, Reg. 765.00 1 White Westinghouse S.C. Range Reg. 895.00 1 White Westinghouse S.C. Range Reg. 875.00 1 Sharp Convection Oven Reg. 895.00 CLEAR -OUT PRICE CLEAR -OUT PRICE CLEAR -OUT PRICE CLEAR -OUT PRICE 58.500 79500 77500 7559° FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED . See our other Clear -Out Specials in our Main Window HUTCHINSON SERVICE 308 Huron Rd., 524-7831 SERVICE Ernie Says... BE A WINNER! A BIG SALES BREAK Is Coming to Perth Furniture - Here's an Example... FIVE -PIECE BEDROOM GROUPING Includes: Triple Dresser, Large Mirror, 5 Drawer Chest, Headboard and 1 Night table, in Pecan Fi2nish Tag Price 8798.0° Ernie's Discount....$ 5 500 'EXTRA SPECIAL 36" Box Springs & Mattress Sets $160.00 per set CORRECTIQN Please take note of the following correc- tions to our "'DOLLAR. POWER" circular, ef- fective Tuesday, April tst, 1986. The "SWAN LIQUID", 1 liter Size, advertis- ed on page one at $1.54 will not be available due to manufacturing delay. It will be replaced by "LUX LIQUID", a higher value product that will be on sale at the same low price of $1.50. The, sale price of the ""DISH TOWELS" advertised on page 7 should have read 6 for $5.00, and the price of the "DISH CLOTHS" Should have read 2 for 51.00. 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE MAJOR COMPANIES ONLY PEOPLES apologize for any inconvenience. We are in this tion systems for blueberries. One grower I talked with recently made his own from hose costing 60 per foot and drippers costing 7¢ each. BIRD DAMAGE Birds are a real troublesome pest to blueberry growers.. While a number of. methods such as nets and 'bangers' have been used, none are completely successful. Often a stronger deterrent is required with constant surveillance. YIELDS Growers can' expect to begin harvesting blueberries in the third year of production. Although yields will differ from area to area of the province and management, plants should yield about one half pound per bush in the third year. By the sixth to eighth year when the bushes reach full production yields of six to eight pounds (four quarts) per plant or higher are possible. Prices will vary with local demand. (ine' grower reported that prices in his area were $2.10 per pint picked or $1.60 per pint for pick your own, Blueberry production can be a fun and rewarding enterprise. Before starting into production, consider your costs, markets,. soil type, labour requirements, and produc- tion recipe required to produce a successful venture. Failure to plan is planning for failure. For further information contact your local Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food office and ask for a copy of the factsheet "Blueberries for the Home Garden" No. 235-12. rnunity.:,isr �[ ade up of manyindividuals with mane terests. The commurIjli triest<,be ri rkWltb ut maExe ref ectic t;p ,our community, I. FHE G( DKRICH SIGN -STA`. {£ii'.':€ ";��: ,,F ANY FRIDk< • GI.0 AM TO' 12 NOON Aowi �. OR AT („t:U1t''e i4vEN PERTH FURNITiIRE 684 Ontario Street.STRATFORD Lots of parking, drive in off Burritt Street. WE 'DELIVER STRATFORD STORE ONLY et' J. Keller, the nager at the Goderich Signal- ar'nand tell her your opinions. We need your best ideas! re Fully 1.. uipped for any Job • Farm ponds • Gravel Bailing Dragline Trucking • Gravel,. Sand & Stone • Bulldozing • Excavating • Top Soil • Septic Systems "No jobI is too big or too small Trucking 51,icavating, Clinton,. Shop 482.9926