Chelsey Carruthers, M.Sc., AAg
Regional Livestock Specialist, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
Watrous

Every fall with the first frost looming, livestock producers worry about nitrate in their forages. What is nitrate, where does it come from and what can you do about it?

What is nitrate?

During normal growth, plant roots take up nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrate and the plant converts it to protein. When plant growth is stopped by an event such as hail, frost, drought or chemical damage, this normal process is affected and nitrate accumulates in the plant.

When ruminant animals eat plants containing nitrate, their rumen microbes convert it to nitrite, which is much more toxic. At low levels, nitrite is handled by the rumen microbes and used for protein production. However, at high levels, the microbes can’t keep up. Nitrite is absorbed into the blood stream where it can cause problems by decreasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Animals can die due to lack of oxygen. Symptoms of nitrate poisoning include trouble breathing, weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors and death. At lower levels, nitrate poisoning can cause decreased productivity and abortions.

How can you tell?

Nitrate accumulates in the stems and leaves of plants following periods of stress. However, not all plants are equally affected. Nitrate tends to accumulate in annual forages, such as those used for swath grazing and green feed, and some weeds, and is usually higher in immature plants. Legumes such as alfalfa rarely accumulate high levels of nitrate. Crops that have been fertilized with nitrogen will be at higher risk of nitrate accumulation.

After a stress that kills the plant, such as a hard frost, the crop should be harvested as soon as possible. The plants will not recover, and cannot clear the nitrates. Because the plant roots will continue to absorb nitrate from the soil for a few days following plant death, the nitrate level in the plant will continue to rise during this period.

If the stress to the plant has been mild enough for the plant to recover and continue to grow, harvest should be delayed about ten days. This will give the plant a chance to use up the stored nitrate and convert it to protein.

If you suspect your harvested forage is high in nitrate, a feed test can be done to determine the nitrate level. This will give you an idea of what you are dealing with, and what you can do about it.

What can be done?

Not all frozen forages will be high in nitrate. Testing is the only method for determining the nitrate level and developing a plan to deal with high nitrate feed. Most of the time, the risk to livestock can be decreased by diluting high nitrate feed with low nitrate feed. Water can also be high in nitrate, and should be tested as well. A combination of feed and water both high in nitrate can be a more serious problem. Livestock should be maintained in good body condition, and provided with a diet well balanced in energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Livestock should also be introduced to higher nitrate feeds very slowly, and monitored carefully.

Understanding the process of nitrate accumulation, the risk factors, and the importance of feed testing can help you to plan ahead and deal with high nitrate feeds to protect the health and productivity of your livestock.

For more information on this or other topics please call me at (306) 946-3237, the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 or visit our website: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/

BY MURRAY FEIST, RUMINANT NUTRITION SPECIALIST

Weather conditions this summer have been conducive to the formation of blue-green algae blooms on dugouts and ponds.  Nutrient rich runoff flowing into a body of fresh water combined with warm daytime temperatures in the summer accelerates algal growth, including that of blue-green algae.
 
Blue - green algae is not an algae, but a bacteria called "cyanobacteria."  This bacteria produces toxins that can cause skin and eye irritations, gastroenteritis, liver and nervous system damage, sickness and, at times, death.
 
A surface bloom of blue-green algae may look quite differently depending on which species is dominant. Some will have a shimmering blue-green colour.  The bloom may also have a foamy sheen-like appearance that looks like spilled paint floating on top of the water.  Heavy blooms may appear like a solid shimmering blue-green sheen across the water’s surface, may have an appearance and consistency similar to pea soup, or may have a mixture of the colors tan, purple, grey, green or blue-green.
 
If blue-green algae is identified in a water source, all livestock, pets, and human contact should be prevented.  The water will require treatment. 
 
The most common treatment of blue-green algae in an open dugout or pond is with a registered product containing copper sulphate. A treatment rate of one pound (0.45 kilogram) of copper sulphate (by weight) will treat 100,000 gallons (1 kg/1,000,000 litres).  There are two common application methods: the copper sulphate can be dissolved in warm water, which is then sprayed over the water’s surface; or, the copper sulphate can be weighted into a cloth bag with a rope spread from side to side, and with the assistance of another individual, the bag can then be dragged back and forth across the water’s surface.  When treating dugouts, the objective of the treatment is to target the top meter (1.0 m) to kill the algae.

Copper sulphate works by killing the blue-green algae.  Doing so releases the blue-green algae toxins into the water.  Therefore, it is recommended that 12 to 14 days should pass prior to any livestock, pet and/or human contact with the contaminated water.  If treating a dugout containing fish, it is recommended that only one-third of the dugout should be treated, using one-third of the recommended copper sulphate weight applied in treatments over a three day period. 

The treatment process described above applies to non-draining waterbodies, such as dugouts, which are wholly contained on private land.  In the case of waterbodies that drain to adjacent properties or waterways, a permit for the chemical control of aquatic nuisances is required from Saskatchewan Environment. 

For more information, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

BY MICHEL TREMBLAY, PAG.
PROVINCIAL SPECIALIST, FORAGE CROPS

The 2012 growing season has been characterized by significant rainfall across the agricultural zone of Saskatchewan, following a dry, warm winter. In Saskatchewan, spring precipitation is the largest single determinant of yield of cool season forage species. With favorable soil moisture present in nearly all areas of the province, a good forage crop should be expected. Some producers have noticed that their alfalfa fields are not yielding, considering the soil moisture present. The following factors may be contributing to decreased alfalfa vigor and yield.
Alfalfa weevil
The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) is a pest of alfalfa crops, and is increasing in occurrence in Saskatchewan. Alfalfa weevils have been observed predominately in the southeastern and east-central parts of the province in alfalfa hay and seed fields. Adult weevils are approximately 5 mm in length, brown in colour, with a darker brown stripe from the head running down the back. The alfalfa weevil is a snout beetle, with a pronounced hook shaped proboscis at its anterior end. The larvae, when newly hatched, are yellowish green. At maturity, larvae are approximately 8 mm in length, and have a black head and a white stripe down the centre of its back. Adult weevils overwinter under plant debris and soil in and around alfalfa fields. Weevils emerge in spring and begin feeding on alfalfa leaves, creating round holes in the leaves. Females, when ready to lay eggs, chew a hole in the stem of the alfalfa plant and deposit from one to 40 eggs per stem. The bright yellow eggs can be seen with the naked eye if the stem is cut open. Eggs hatch one to two weeks after being laid, and the emerging larvae initially feed within the stem before moving to the developing buds, then newest leaves.

 

Alfalfa weevil larvae leaf damage.
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture

Damage begins as pinholes and progresses to extensive feeding damage to leaf surfaces between veins, resulting in a ragged, skeletonised leaf. Heavily infested fields may not have flowers present, as the larvae will remove developing inflorescences. Often the first sign of weevil damage is the discoloration of the crop as the larvae feed. Evident from the field edge, the crop will develop a whitish sheen, or frosted appearance, due to foliar damage.

 

Alfalfa weevil larvae.
Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture


Larvae feeding occurs predominantly early in the season, in mid-June to mid-July. Mature larvae move down to the base of the plant or onto the soil and spin a lace-like cocoon. The adults emerge from the cocoon in one to two weeks. The larvae represent the most destructive stage of the alfalfa weevil life cycle, and most weevil damage occurs on the first cut. Usually a single generation of the weevil occurs per season in northern climates.
The most cost effective control can be cultural. Cutting when the potential for significant weevil damage becomes apparent will stop yield losses. If the infestation is severe and early cutting is not feasible, alfalfa weevils can be controlled by using insecticides as per economic thresholds indicated below.

Economic thresholds for alfalfa weevil pesticide application

Seed:
Foliage: 35-50 per cent of foliage tips show feeding damage.
Larvae: 20-30 3rd/4th instar larvae per 90o sweep of insect sweep net.

Hay:
30 cm crop height and one larva per stem.
40 cm crop height and two larvae per stem.
Three larvae per stem requires immediate action regardless of height of crop.
Two or more active larvae per crown (four to eight larvae per sq. ft) on regrowth after the first cut.

Dr. LeeAnn Forsythe DVM, MVetSc, Disease Surveillance Veterinarian

Lead poisoning continues to be the most predominant toxicity encountered in cattle and a cause of significant economic loss for beef and dairy producers. Currently, the primary source of lead on the prairies is discarded vehicle batteries.

 
Symptoms of lead poisoning in cattle include neurological signs such as depression, stumbling or difficulty walking, blindness, and seizures. The most severely affected animals die within 24 hours of initial onset of clinical signs, but some animals may die up to 2 weeks after exposure.  Not all animals exposed to the lead will develop clinical signs; some may appear to be perfectly normal even though the level of lead in their blood is high. The only way to be certain of which animals were exposed to lead is to test blood for lead.

Because lead is heavy, pieces of lead can become stuck in the cow’s stomach. These pieces slowly release lead into the cow’s body over a long period of time.  Lead is deposited in the kidneys, liver, and bone and excreted in the milk, urine and feces. The time to elimination from the body is highly variable. In some cases animals have found to have lead levels above the acceptable limit for years after the exposure.

Livestock producers need to ensure that cattle do not have access to lead by removing discarded batteries, old oil, paint, shingles and other sources of lead. Meat and milk from lead-poisoned cattle is a food safety concern; therefore, these animals should never be used for food production

Nadia Mori, MSc, PAg, Regional Forage Specialist
Watrous Regional Services Office
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a well established practice in crop protection and can be a valuable approach in forage stand management. IPM means to have a well rounded weed and pest control plan which considers at all options from prevention to control methods available. The following components should be part of an IPM approach:
1.    Monitor Weeds
Monitoring is the process of regularly inspecting pastures to determine if any undesirable plants are present. Scouting also identifies conditions which could favour the development of a weed infestation. For example a recently flooded area on a slightly saline soil may start to convert to foxtail barley.
2.    Pest Identification and Biology
Correct pest identification is necessary in order to select appropriate and effective control measures. Consult with an agrologist or biologist if you are unsure about the identification of a weed or insect found in your pasture. Some basic understanding of the biology of the pest is also critical to effective control and prevention. For example, since annual weeds reproduce by seeds, control measures will be more effective if done before seeds are produced.
3.    Weed Control
Weed control measures must be evaluated in order to select the most appropriate control measures and combine control methods effectively. Herbicide application is one form of control but other alternatives like providing rest during the growing season, mowing, targeted grazing, burning, biological controls and even hand rouging should all be considered. Each control method will have associated costs and make some solutions more economical. For example, cost of weed control procedure, cost of lost production, and cost of damage to non-target plants are some costs to be considered.
4.    Evaluate Weed Control
Control measures must be evaluated to verify the degree of effectiveness. If adequate control has not been achieved, the reasons for the lack of effectiveness should be identified and corrected. Effects on non-target plants and impacts away from the target area must also be identified.
5.    Recordkeeping and Program Management
A complete and accurate set of records is basic to any pest control program. Records will assist in identifying key information such as: which pests have been a problem; where the infestations occurred; how successful different control options proofed to be; what the actual cost of the chosen control option was; during which conditions control options worked or not; which conditions allow certain pests to become a problem (for example, site disturbance, drought conditions, or overgrazing).
For more information, please contact:
    Watrous Regional Services Office (306-946-3220),
    Agriculture Knowledge Centre (1-866-457-2377) or
    Visit our website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.

EcoFriendly Sask is offering monthly grants of up to $500 to support local projects that will benefit the environment. We're interested in concrete, tangible actions from across the spectrum: from habitat restoration and recycling to planet-friendly urban design, gardening, wildlife and energy conservation. Additional information is available online at http://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2012/04/ecofriendly-action-grants.html. Email questions or proposals to ecofriendlysask@gmail.com

The Frenchman- Wood River Weed Management Area (WMA) and the Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards (SCCWS) have recently completed a factsheet on the identification of Salt Cedar - an up and coming invasive species that has been found in Saskatchewan. Salt Cedar (tamarix spp.) has the ability to use 80- 120 gallons of water per day per plant and render the soil below the plant saline.

Tara Davidson, Ponteix area cattle producer and AESB/PFRA Range Specialist notes, “the information provided in this factsheet is easy to read and well laid out.  Producers and land managers on the ground will be able to identify out-of-place plants as Salt Cedar. Invasives are a real threat to the industry.”

This factsheet is the final phase of the project.  Salt Cedar had been recently found in South West Saskatchewan, so extensive searching for other infestations in gravel pits and local creeks occurred this fall.  Thankfully, no new Salt Cedar infestations were found.  Government and Industry partners came together in February to discuss Early Detection and Rapid Response Planning for Salt Cedar.  A large group of producers and land managers attended an informational meeting on Salt Cedar in Cadillac February 15^th where a fellow cattle producer from northern Montana spoke about the risk Salt Cedar poses.

Montana ranchers Sylvan Walden and Ron Stoneberg brought a strong message. “You don’t want Salt Cedar. It can grow so thick that you can’t see cattle on the other side of the patch.  It uses a lot of water and impacts the grass and riparian areas.”

Print copies of the Salt Cedar factsheet are available by contacting the WMA or SCCWS or for download at www.sccws.com. Producers in the WMA and the SCCWS area will receive a copy in the mail shortly.

Funding for this project has been provided by the Government of Canada’s Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program delivered through Environment Canada. The Frenchman – Wood River Weed Management Area and the Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards have worked collaboratively on this project.

Nadia Mori, MSc, PAg, Regional Forage Specialist
Watrous Regional Services Office
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

Managing pastures for maximum productivity sounds easy in theory but once weather fluctuations, insect or wildlife damage, and other unforeseen circumstances enter the equation, pasture management quickly turns into a complex balancing act. Grazing management mistakes are bound to happen when dealing with the complexity of a pasture ecosystem. Learning from these mistakes is a good preparation for future unforeseen circumstances and better risk management in your grazing system.

1.    Looking only to the past to determine stocking rates.
Using the same stocking rates year after year often results in pasture degradation. What may have worked in the past may not be appropriate in the present. Most grazing animals have increased in frame size, thereby increasing forage demand for a single animal. Each year will also present a different moisture situation and therefore different amounts of available forage. Properly balancing your forage supply and animal demand based on weather patterns and herd requirements is recommended.
2.    Thinking that more animals grazed means higher profits.
As stocking rates go above what a pasture can carry sustainably, animal performance and animal health will start to decline. As forage supply becomes inadequate, animals are also more likely to graze harmful and toxic plants. In addition to compromised animal performance, the grazing pressure on your desirable forage plants can lead to reduced pasture health. Long periods of rest may be necessary to restore pasture productivity. Reduced pasture productivity can be costly if additional feed needs to be purchased to meet animal nutritional requirements. All these factors reduce your profit.
3.    Thinking that leaving forage behind is a waste of feed.
Drought is always a matter of when, not if it occurs in Saskatchewan. Keeping stocking rates conservative is the best drought insurance policy. Well rested, vigorous forage plants with a well developed root system will stand a much better chance of survival than an overgrazed, stressed plant with a compromised root system. Forage not used in above-average rainfall years can provide carry-over feed for periods of moisture shortfalls. Left-over forage material also turns into litter which helps protect the soil surface from soil erosion and keeps soils cooler and moister during the heat of the summer.
4.    Following the same pasture rotation year after year.
Grazing during rapid spring growth can be stressful to forage plants. Using the same pasture for spring turnout or during rapid spring growth, is taxing on forage plants. Desired plants are often selectively and repeatedly grazed during this rapid growth stage, which may give weedy or undesirable plants an opportunity to take over. Deferring grazing during critical plant growth periods, using pastures at different seasons of the year, and rotating through pastures in different sequences from year to year will help in maintaining good pasture health.
For more information, please contact:
 Watrous Regional Services Office (306-946-3220);

 Agriculture Knowledge Centre (1-866-457-2377); or
Visit our website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.

 
This training course will be personally delivered by Ed Kelly, President of KRT and son of founder Pe-ter J. Kelly. Workshop will include a balance of radionic theory, practical application and hands-on activities that will equip participants with the ability to apply radionics to the energetic world that flows through us all.
Ed Kelly is a uniquely qualified instructor, with years of experience building and developing radionic instrumentation, working with senior instructors, and writing about this amazing field, as well as countless hours spent in the company of some of the greatest names in radionics: Dr. T. Galen Hier-onymus, Col. Tom Bearden and many others - not the least of which, his father, Peter J. Kelly.

 
Fundamentals of Radionics-April 10, 11 and 12, 2012
A course designed to meet the needs of brand new beginners and seasoned veterans alike. Participants should bring samples of the water they drink and fur/hair from an animal they own. Topics covered will include:
History of Radionics
Radionic Instruments: Theory of Operation
The Operator and Focused Intent
Safe Use of Radionic Instruments
Capturing Effective Witnesses
Operation of the Kelly Instrument

Each individual and family/friend enrollee will be provided with following materials and information:
Radionics - Book 2: Applied Radionics Two 300 ml Griffin beakers
Set of 10 KRT radionic worksheets One year: Kelly Research Report
Set of 20 test tubes w/ stand Basic Nutrient Reagent Set
Retake includes completion of courses taught by any authorized dealer of KRT instruments

Individual Enrollment $599.00
Family and Friend Enrollment – Bring a buddy and save $100 each! $499.00
Retake* or with Purchase of a New Instrument $299.00
Instrument Rental (Supplies are limited!) $25.00

 
Energetic Analysis and Balancing
Water Analysis Worksheet
Animal Analysis Worksheet
Plant and Soil Analysis Worksheet
Use of Reagents: Physical and Electronic
Basic Rate Scanning/Electronic Dowsing


 
Saskatoon, SK-April 10- 13th, 2012 at the Cosmo Civic Centre

Advanced Topics in Radionics –April 13, 2012
A one-day course designed to explore advanced dimensions of knowledge. Participants must have previ-ously completed a Fundamentals course. 2012 topics to be covered will be:
Advanced Rate Scanning for Accuracy Reagent Selection
Electronic Potentizing and The Replicator Radionic Harmonic Matching
Individual Enrollment $149.00

SEATS ARE LIMITED!
Contact Back to Your Roots Soil Solutions today 306.747.4744
or deb@back-to-your-roots.com to enroll in these course!
Note: The universal concepts of radionics covered in these workshops will equip participants to conduct radionic research in any area desired. However, human health issues cannot be covered at any time. Re-grettably, any questions concerning human health will have to be declined

Analyzer Price List– Please Contact Kelly Research Technology to Order
706-782-2524 or sales@kellyresearchtech.com
The Workstation : Ag Analyzer - 32 Phase Array 40# $4,350.00
The Workstation - 40 Phase Array 40# add $75
The Workstation - 48 Phase Array 40# add $150
The Workstation Pyrex Well Upgrade 40# add $150
Mk II Ag Analyzer: Seporah & BNC Upgrade 32# $650.00
Mk I Ag Analyzer: Seporah & BNC Upgrade 32# $300.00
The Beacon Agricultural Analyzer - 32 Phase Array 32# $3,200.00
The Beacon - 40 Phase Array 32# add $75
The Beacon - 48 Phase Array 32# add $150
The Seeker Agricultural Analyzer - 32 Phase Array 32# $2,500.00
The Seeker - 40 Phase Array 32# add $75
The Seeker - 48 Phase Array 32# add $150
Beacon or Seeker Pyrex Well Upgrade 32# add $75
Kelly Personal Instrument 9# $1,350.00
Kelly Personal Instrument Pyrex Well Upgrade 9# add $50
Personal Analyzer: Seporah & BNC Upgrade 9# $300.00

WELCOME TO HOP HILL STABLE
A New Barn from Old Wood, a Recycling Story

Written by Nadine Abrams

In 2010, we showcased Hop Hill Stable, owned and operated by Michael Jewett and his family, for its unique approach to using recycled materials for the construction of a 20 stall barn, adjoining tack room and riding arena.  Through the use of salvaged materials from building demolitions around the province to the re-use of the original homesteads’ masonry stove, Hop Hill Stable is an excellent example of how a horse facility can use sustainable construction techniques to reduce its environmental ‘hoof’ print.

“Having [a] vision first and not arbitrarily collecting junk because it’s cheap” says Jewett, is the first step when wanting to pursue the ‘recycling’ approach.  By having a good plan and a rough design in place prior to sourcing materials, you will save time and money in the long run.

For Mr. Jewett, it all started when his son gave him a book on straw bale construction. The booked sparked his interest and he enrolled in a course to learn more about this sustainable construction technique.  At the end of the course, he had an idea to construct a facility that not only reflected his environmental philosophies but also demonstrated that it could be accomplished through sustainable construction techniques and using recycled and refurbished materials.

In 2000, Mr. Jewett noticed an article in the local paper about a demolition company that was dismantling steel buildings.  Mr. Jewett telephoned the company to inquire about the availability of steel beams and was directed to an “agent” who specialized in buying and selling materials from demolition sites.  Mr. Jewett retained the agent who informed him that the buildings mentioned in the article were already resold but there was another building that may interest him located in Oshawa.

Arriving on-site prepared to bid; Mr. Jewett found himself looking at 3 old General Motors buildings. He promptly bought all 3 buildings and with the assistance of skilled labour, the buildings were disassembled piece by piece, loaded onto 8 semi-trucks and shipped to the farm.  As the farm plans evolved, Mr. Jewett determined that the 24’ high I-beams of the biggest building were perfect for an arena.  After being stored in a field for over 2 years, the beams were refurbished and reassembled on new concrete footings to create the 200’ x 100’ arena.  In hindsight, Mr. Jewett laughs and says “there was this pile of steel in my field, I had no idea which beams went were”.  With the assistance of a contractor who had experience in erecting refurbished buildings, they were able to determine the order of the beams and sort through the materials from the remaining buildings to determine which were suitable for re-use.  The remainder of the building material was re-sold.

Mr. Jewett also mentioned to the agent that he was in the market for good timber.  The agent found the remaining materials from the Joseph Seagram Distillery in Waterloo which was demolished in 1993.  After another successful bid, Mr. Jewett had the timber from the distillery building trucked from a storage yard to the farm. The dark wood rafters and the stall post and beams are all Douglas fir salvaged from the distillery. The structural posts in the barn and in the link building which leads to the tack room are made from the 4”x4” barrel racking rails. These were once used to hold the whiskey barrels during the aging process.  Even the wainscoting along the walkway from the stable to the arena was re-sawn from this material.

Mr. Jewett continued to collect materials that fit the design of the facility.  In 2002, he read an article about a company named Priestly who were planning to demolish Terminal 1 at Pearson International Airport.  He was able to acquire the window glass, a receiving door and an old Customs bench. The glass and receiving door were incorporated into the arena and the customs bench now provides seating in the viewing lounge.

The Douglas fir stall planks are made from the floor joists salvaged from an old warehouse on Toronto’s King Street since demolished for a condominium.  One morning, with flashlight in hand, Mr. Jewett browsed through the building at 7 am and spot bid on items.  He says, “You may spend less on materials but [you] spend more on time than anything else”.  With a demolition schedule looming, Mr. Jewett had to move quickly to remove the timber he had just purchased.  He noticed that his local building supply store regularly shipped materials into the city for construction but the trucks would return empty.  He contacted the store and asked if they could stop by the site, load the wood and ship it north again. For a nominal fee, the supply store agreed.  In time, the Douglas fir planks were de-nailed and planed and then reassembled as the stall fronts and exterior surfaces.

In 2004, Mr. Jewett happened upon the 24’ diameter hexagonal skylight by chance. On his way home from work he noticed construction equipment outside the Thorncrest Mall on John Street in Thornhill.  He took a chance and approached the site foreman to inquire about purchasing the skylight.  The foreman agreed and arrangements were made to disassemble the structure. The skylight was taken down, pane by pane, loaded on a truck, and stored in the same field as the arena beams for over 12 months.  It was reassembled when the time was right and hoisted onto the roof by crane.

Mr. Jewett credits his successful construction to a flexible design.  He had an original concept in mind and collected the materials he felt suited his vision.  Many changes were made during the 5 years it took to assemble the material and construct the facility.  The barn’s skylight is a good example; because the skylight was not included in the original design, the building roof aperture was too small to accommodate its size.  The aperture was adjusted and reinforced to hold the weight of the glass.  Looking at the roof today, you would not notice that the skylight over-reaches the roof aperture by about 2 feet.  Jewett says that “it is these subtleties that give the building its unique character”.

Mr. Jewett recognizes that this type of material sourcing isn’t for everybody. It is a time consuming process and most times, the shipping and labour components associated with salvaging materials far surpass the value of the material itself. For Jewett however, reducing his environmental footprint by using recycled and refurbished materials was more important to him. “If you are willing to do the leg work and put in the time to view materials and ‘sleuth’ around then you can definitely get a deal”, he says.

If he were to do it all again, Mr. Jewett recommends that people start by visiting stores such as The Habitat for Humanity Re-Store or National Building Supply.  He also suggests that you start talking to people as one thing leads to another.  If your budget permits, you could also contact a demolition company directly or retain an agent that specializes in finding these types of materials to assist you.

This article has been prepared by the Healthy Lands for Healthy Horses Steering Committee, which is comprised of representatives from Equine Guelph, University of Guelph, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Equestrian Federation, Horse Facilities Council, Uxbridge Horseman’s Association, Ontario Trail Riders Association, and various Conservation Authorities.  Funding for events organized by this committee has been provided by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association from the Nutrient Management BMP Demonstration Grant funding project.

For more information please visit: www.equineguelph.ca/healthylands.php