John and Eadie are committed to running an environmentally sustainable operation. Their focus on protecting the environment involves extensive use of Best Management Practices and can be divided into five main areas as follows:
  • Soil Improvement
  • Wind and Water Erosion Control
  • Water Conservation and Management
  • Woodland Improvement and Wildlife Conservation
  • Energy Conservation and Management
                   
Soil Improvement

Soil Testing - Since 1998, they have been using full GPS soil mapping provided by Stratford Agri Analysis. This has resulted in better blends of fertilizers where needed and reduced purchases.

Fertilization Practices - The farm is currently running a NM2000 program - a Nutrient Management program developed by OMAFRA. The information from the annual manure analysis is used in this program. A weigh cell on the tractor loader allows for accurate measurement of composted, manure application rates. They are working to build soil fertility as overall soil tests are low.

Soil Structure - All field work is completed with dual wheels to reduce risk of compaction. Majority of pasture is managed to expect a minimum 5 - 7 year life. Use of no-till drill encourages worm populations for soil aeration.

Weed Control - A break crop of stubble turnips is planted between new pasture seedings. High grazing pressure at certain times reduces weed competition. Round-up is used prior to use of no-till drill. Round-up is used to control weed growth under perimeter electric fences.

Grazing Practises - Intensive rotational grazing has been practiced since farm inception. The size of the animals’ daily allotment of pasture is determined by their nutritional needs factored by the available dry matter, less desired residual for optimum re-growth.

Tillage Practices - The Environmental Farm Plan was completed in 1995 and the grant money was used to purchase a no-till drill. The no-till drill is used to save time, energy and improve soil structure.
                   
No-Till Drill   Walnut trees in Growtubes
No-Till Drilling of Turnips
 
Walnut tree plantation in buffer area.
                   

Wind and Water Erosion Control

Wind - In the first 5 years of farm ownership, over 2,000 trees from the Ministry of Natural Resources were planted. These trees were strategically planted around the greenhouse structures and along laneways to control wind and snow drifts. A considerable number have also been planted in fence rows to create wildlife corridors. A large amount of time has been invested in these plantings with fencing, weed control, watering, pruning, and replacement of dead trees. They have been successful in establishment of slow-growing hardwoods using growtubes. In 2001, many of the established trees were moved with a tree spade to create new windbreaks. This thinned out the established runs for better plant growth and native shrubs are currently being planted within these windbreaks.

 
Intensive Rotational Grazing   Windbreaks 7 years old
Ewes/Lambs at Pasture
 
Poplar and Red Oak windbreaks.
                   
Water - Contour planting is used in applicable areas to prevent surface run-off. No-till technology is used extensively, where-ever and whenever possible as well as frost seeding. In co-operation with the Wetland Habitat Fund, livestock are fenced out of all wetlands and open water sources. Intensive rotational grazing paddocks are also laid out for contour grazing so that nutrients don’t travel and for reduced livestock tracking.
                   
Water Management
In 1998, an agreement was signed with the Wetland Habitat Fund to build fences around a wetland area on the farm. The fences have been set back from the wetlands to provide a buffer for the wetland wildlife. This prevents the livestock from destroying the ecosystem with grazing and manure contamination.

Buffer strip   Protected from Coyotes by Electric fences
Wetland Habitat Fund Project
 
Whitetail Fawn
                   

Water is provided for the sheep, over the entire farm by means of a pressurized, main water line with umbilicals to rotational grazing paddocks. This improves the overall health of the livestock by providing cleaner, more accessible drinking water. All animals are housed in the greenhouse structures all winter to reduce risk of manure run-off on frozen ground.

In May 2001, John installed an electric clock monitor. It is wired into the circuit for the water pump and it records how long the pump runs. Average daily consumption is calculated and any leaks that develop are immediately obvious.

In May 2002, the farm was one of only 50 farms in Ontario selected as a Best Management Practices Demontration Site - jointly funded by the OCA and the OSMA. The project will be to build a berm (with native shrubs) to control surface run-off from the bunk silo loading area and to build an approved fuel storage area.

Also in May 2002, the farm was selected for the Peterborough County Rural Water Quality Program. The approved application was for a structure to prevent contamination from manure. We plan to build a raised central feed passage in each of the 7 greenhouses with an adjustable feed barrier. This will allow us to raise the height of the barrier as the pack builds and the housing season progresses. This way, all of the manure can be stored in the pack, in the greenhouse and spread directly from the greenhouse in the spring when the ground conditions are suitable. This modification to our feeding structures would allow us to store all of the manure under cover, all winter, thus eliminating all risk of run-off or gound water contamination.
 
                   
Woodland Improvement and Wildlife Conservation

In their first five years on the farm, over 2,000 trees were planted in windbreaks and fencerows creating wildlife corridors. Also planted, were many native species of shrubs as food for birds and small animals. A small, 3 acre plot was re-forested using white pine and spruce. Numerous wood duck and bluebird nesting boxes have been erected. Currently, forestry consultant, Doug Johnston is developing a long range plan for management of the 60 acres of woodlot.
                   
Energy Conservation and Management

Positioning of the greenhouses maximizes the available solar radiation in the winter. Radiant heaters provide supplementry heat in the two, air-insulated greenhouses used for the 6 week winter lambing. These propane fueled heaters are needed only at night. Thermostatically controlled ventilation fans are used on these two greenhouses. In Jan. 2001 and Feb. 2002, the Steele’s assisted Dr. John Martin (OMAFRA) with a temperature monitoring project. The project compared temperature fluctuations in greenhouses to more traditional structures and their effect on animal health.

The newly renovated, lamb feeder barn uses natural ventilation by way of roll up side curtains. All of the greenhouses also have roll-up side curtains for natural ventilation when the weather permits.

Use of the no-till drill saves in time and diesel fuel. Rotational grazing reduces manure spreading costs and forage cutting costs. Composting all of the manure, reduces the amount that needs to be spread, thus saving fuel. Sheep are able to efficiently digest whole grains thus saving processing costs and energy. Use of the ATV instead of the farm truck for livestock tending, saves fuel and laneway maintenance.

 
                   
                   
                   
 
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