The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-03-21, Page 376 = The Farm Edition, Week of March 21, 1984
Reduce problems with better tillage
Larger, more powerful farm equipment
speeds tillage, seeding and harvesting, but
it can also cause increased soil compaction.
"Soil compacti n in the short term makes
it more difficultor farmers to prepare a
seedbed and may increase the power and
fuer requirements of tillage operations,"
says Dr. Charles Baldwin, Ridgetown Col-
lege of Agricultural Technology soils scient-
ist. "But in the long term the problems are
more severe because crop yields and profits
may suffer."
Heavier equipment is often the cause of
increasing soil compaction problems in
Ontario. Three to four decades ago, the
average tractor weighed about 2.7 tonnes (3
tons). Now, tractors weighing 18, 27 and 36 t
(20, 30, 40 T) are not uncommon.
To reduce soil compaction, examine the
seedbed preparation and determine the least
number of passes across the field necessary
to do the job.
"Make the seedbed as shallow as
possible," says Dr. Baldwin. "This will
preserve the moisture in the soil and reduce
the fuel energy required. Don't lose the
moisture you have in the soil in order to get
the seed in the ground."
Wait until the soil is ready before you
begin tillage operations. Experience will tell
you when the moisture level is right.
"Unfortunately, today's larger and more
powerful equipment allows us to get on the
soil when it is still too wet," says Dr.
Baldwin. "Now, it is a matter of ` self
discipline for the farmer to wait until the soil
is ready."
The fin implement that heads the list in
soil compaction is the tandem disk. Although
it cuts well into the soil, it 'contacts only a
small proportion of soil, thus it exerts very
high pressure 8 to 12 cm (3 to 5 in.) down
into the soil. The surface shows a loose open
structure, but below the soil may become
very compacted.
"Field cultivators, such as mulch plows or
chisel cultivators, are the least .compacting
implements," says Dr. Baldwin. However,
although they reduce compaction, they must
still be used with discretion and must fit in
with the individual's farming system.
To determine whether your soils are
becoming compacted Dr. Baldwin suggests
watching for the following symptoms: When
the soil begins to warm, the rate of water
disappearance is slower; you may notice a
ponded area where there has never been a
problem before; the soil has a tendency to
dry out more than normal; it may appear
crusty or cloddy; you may also notice that it
is more difficult to prepare a good seedbed
than it was in past years.
Once the crop is in the ground, watch for
sickly plants. Plants that are stupted or off
colour (reddish or yellowish) May be a
symptom of soil compaction. Check the roots
of the plants too. Misshapen roots are
another common symptom.
"Farmers must be able to read their
soils," says Dr. Baldwin. "We must watch
soil carefully to make sure we don't harm
it.''
f
Wetlands aren't wastelands
Ontario's largest provincial conservation
organization has presented the Ontario
government with a 10 point action plan to.
save the province's dwindling wetlands. The
46,000 , member Ontario Federation of
Anglers and Hunters (0. . . c aims at
over five million acres of valuable wetlands
have been drained or filled in southern
Ontario, alone and are likely lost forever.
In a Position Paper and letter to all
M.P.P.s, the federation is asking that
wetlands be saved through tax incentives
made available to land owners that are
comparable to the Farm Tax Rebate Plan,
and when long term management agree-
ments (20 years) are reached, that additional
incentives be provided.
The federation insists that a Benefit/Cost
Analysis be included in an environmental
Assessment on each and every wetland
under consideration for drainge, and that no
drainage of any wetland be permitted unless,
subjected to a proper evaluation of the
impacts. A moratorium was called for on any
project affecting a wetland for one full
calendar year to allow • full ' seasonal
evaluation.
This sportsmen's federation also wants
the government to do a better job of.
informing the general public, particularly
land owners, of the importance of wetlands.
Since the first settlements, wetlands have
been thought of as wastelands and have
been drained and,filled in the name of
progress. only a fraction of the original
wetlands have escaped .conversion to farm-
land, town sites, cottages an ' to . ustrta
parks.
The federation is alarn ed at the general,
public's indifference to this valuabt re-
source that provides many benefits, free of
charge.,,Wetlands are described as land that
is seasonally or permanently covered by
shallow water. The five general classes of
wetlands in Ontario are bogs, fens, swamps,
marshes and shallow open waters.
Wetlands have the ability to absorb large
amounts of water and release it slowly 'over a
period of time. This alleviates flooding
during high water and augments low flow
during drier months.
Wetlands are very effective pollution
fighters, acting as settling and filtering
basins, collecting silt and pollutants. They
are also indispensable in wildlife and fish
production. Most •animals must spend at
least some part of the year in wetlands.
The federation is a 55 year old conserva-
tion organizationdedicated to the wise use
and management of Ontario's' natural
resources.
Certified seed has benefits
As inflation continues •to put pressure' on
crop production effiency, more growers will
be •measuring the benefits of Certified seed
against the perceived dollar savings of using
bin run seed. •
It is a fact that still over 80 per cent of our
cultivated land is sown with non pedigreed
seed each year. This could be one ofthe
most expensive traditions on the farm
because a denies the farmer maximum yield
and quality, and perpetuates weed and
disease problems which bite further into his
pocketbook.
Evidently, many farmers still believe they
can save money by hauling bin grain to the
elevator to have it cleaned and hauling it
back to the farm for planting. This has
proven to be false economy. When time,
trucking and fuel costs, and the elevator
cleaning process are all considered, it would
be their advantage to sell the grain and buy
good, clean, bagged or bulk Certified 'seed.
Thes is especially true in western Canada
where growers may deliver up to 600 bushels
of over quota grain and use the proceeds for
the purchase of Pedigreed seed wheat,
uai}, barley. flax or rapeseed. This program
offers growers increased opportunities' for
marketing grain and improving future crops.
When one considers fuel, fertilizer,
pesticides and all other input costs in crop
production, Certified seed is probably the
lowest. Yet, it offers one of the highest
returns. The small extra cost of buying
Certified seed is a guarantee of improved
quality, cleanliness from weeds and disease,
and good germination. Pedigreed seed is
controlled. but strict regulations to ensure
the seed is mechanically pure and true to
type. Well cleaned seed contains a greater
precentageof large kernels which has
proven to produce healthier and more
vigorous plants than small kernels.
With new varieties being introduced every
year, many of which are developed in
response to current market conditions,
Certified seed gives growers access to the
highest yielding. top performing varieties
available.
Growers aiming for better return on their
crop production investment find that Certi-
fied seed doesn't cost, it pays... and they use
it for all 'Cs worth.
Count On LTA
When 'You
Are Planting
or
Harvesting
HODGES MILL
SERVING iTSTNDEi S5 -1* -T JE
Animal Feed Business
SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM GRINDING, ROLLING,
AND GRAIN PICKUP
ALSO HANDLING A FULL LiNE OF BEEF, DAIRY AND
HOG SUPPLEMENTS AND COMPLETE RATIONS
HODGES ELEVATOR
When harvest time arrives
We have the facilities for receiving
and drying Corn, Wheat, Barley.
SHUR-GAIN
feed Service
Hodges
Milling Limited
DUNGANNON 529-7951