A weekly press release prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. If you require further information, regarding this press release, please call the Fergus Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website:www.ontario.ca/omafra
DUFFERIN COUNTY SOIL AND CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION AGM AND FEED SEED SHOW
The Dufferin County Soil and Crop Improvement Association Annual Meeting and Feed and Seed Show will be held on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 from 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Grand Valley & District Community Centre. Admission is $25.00 per person which includes a 2008 membership and a hot roast beef dinner. Speakers include:
ª Victor Aideyan, Risk Management Consultant Farms.com
ª Brian Hall, Canola and Edible Bean Specialist, OMAFRA
ª Tracey Baute, Entomology, Field Crop Program Lead, OMAFRA
ª Barry Roberts Regional Manager Agricorp—Risk Management Program
For further information please contact: Jim Irvine at 519-928-2100 or Allan Lyons at 1-705-435-9202
BALEWRAP RECYCLING PROGRAM
AT RIVERSTOWN LANDFILL SITE
submitted by Solid Waste Services (SWS) Division,
County of Wellington
Have you heard? Wellington County farmers are now recycling white balewrap at the Riverstown Landfill Site located at 7254 Sideroad 5 West (north of Kenilworth) – days/hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In 2007, the first year of the program, over 13 tonnes of balewrap was recycled.
Think Plastics Inc. collects properly prepared balewrap from the Riverstown Landfill Site and tranSports it to their processing facility in New Hamburg. From this they produce a plastic lumber product called Baleboard.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What type of balewrap is recyclable? Only linear low density polyethylene balewrap that is white on both sides can be accepted.
How much does it cost? White balewrap that is properly prepared will be accepted for recycling at the Riverstown Landfill Site at no charge. (Regular disposal fees apply for balewrap that is mixed with other waste or not properly prepared.)
How must the balewrap be prepared for recycling?
1) Shake the plastic to eliminate rocks, stones, excessive dirt and debris (washing is not necessary);
2) Cut the balewrap into small sections and roll the material into bundles weighing between 1. 5 to 2.5 kg (3 to
5 lb.); and
3) Do not put the balewrap into bags or tie with twine.
Why does Think Plastics Inc. require the balewrap to be shaken, cut and rolled into small bundles?
The collection vehicle is designed to move and lift bundles of balewrap.
The recycling equipment cannot handle balewrap contaminated with rocks, stones, excessive dirt or debris, and could be damaged by unrolled strips. Rolls heavier than about 2.5 kg (5 lb.) cannot be processed.
How many bundles of balewrap are needed to produce Baleboard? Approximately five small bundles of balewrap will produce one 2” x 4” x 12’ Baleboard.
For more information, contact SWS at (519) 837-2601, 1-866-899-0248, or visit www.wellington.ca.
Working Together to Reduce Waste in Wellington County!
HORSE News AND VIEWS
by Dr. Robert Wright, Veterinarian, OMAFRA, Fergus
A horse owner indicated that they were using hydrated lime daily as a disinfectant in wet areas of horse stalls. Lime in the hydrated form is hygroscopic (absorbs water) and produces a dry alkaline environment. It is often used to treat barns when animals are outside and the barn has been cleaned first. It is not recommended for use on a daily basis because of the possibility of horses inhaling the dry powder or feed becoming contaminated. The use of lime gives a false sense of security. Disinfection of barns effectively requires removal of all bedding and organic material; washing the barn down with soap; lots of scrubbing to remove the remaining organic material from all surfaces and, then, the use of a suitable disinfectant. Many disinfectants are quickly neutralized if organic material like bedding and manure still remain. If lime is used in livestock buildings, caution should be exercised since it can be caustic. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and eye protection should be worn while handling and applying this material. A toxic particle dust mask is also recommended.
Lime as a general disinfectant actually reduces bacterial numbers rather than eliminating them. It only lasts about 2 days and there is at least one study that found it didn’t work at all when sawdust was the bedding type.
If owners are trying to reduce ammonia in stalls, newer generation stall deodorizers can be used. Those containing zeolite, which is non toxic, trap the ammonia molecule in a way that will release it again as a controlled nitrogen source if the material is spread on fields. (Ref: Dr. Eleanor M. Kellon, personal communication)
COMING EVENTS:
March 5 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAFRA Boardroom, Wellington Place. For information, contact Lisa Hern, 519-848-3774 or jplh@golden.net.
March 5 Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at Waterloo Ag. Centre boardroom, OLEX. For more information, contact Richard Cressman at 519-662-2790 or rcresman@sentex.net.
March 5 – 7 Western Fair Farm Show, London, ON. Mark your calendar! http://www.westernfair.com/shows/farm.html.
March 14 – 16 Can-Am All Breed Equine Show, Western Fair, London, ON.
March 15 & 16 College Royal 2008, University of Guelph, Guelph. For more information, phone 519-824-4120 ext. 58366 or www.collegeroyal.uoguelph.ca.
March 19 & 26 Wellington Environmental Farm Plan at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch provided. Please call John Benham for more information or to register 519-846-3394.
