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Orono Weekly Times, Weclnesday, August 27, 1997 - 7 407 ETR tolling begins October 14, 1997 Transportation Minister AI Palladini announced that tolling on the 36-kilometre 407 ETR, north of Toronto, will begin on October 14, 1997 (the day after Thanksgiving) at 12:01 a.m. Hlghway 407 is reducing congestion and contiibuting ta faster and more efficient travel in the GTA. "The suc- cess of North American's first all-electronic highway is good news for the regian's econo- my," says Transportation Minister AI Palladini. The video imaging tol equipment betag used on the 407 ETR is a showcase for Ontario technology. "We're proud of this technology and anticipate taterest in the sys- tem from outside Ontario and abroad will lead ta more jobs,- says Palladini. Many jurisdictions are monitoring the development of the 407 ETR highway and in particu- lar the tolling technology. Talllng was delayed because traffic volumes on the 407 E'R exceeded expec- tations. -Original volumes were forecast ta start at 55,000 and increase ta 106,000 average trips per day once toîl billing commenced. Since the 407 ETR opened in June, trip volumes during weekdays have exceeded 300,000 trips per day. As a resuit, enhancements were made ta the tolling system to increase the video imaging capacity ta approimately 7,000 trips per hour. Further upgrades are expected ta increase the videa processtag capaclty to approxlmately 14,000 trips per hour. These upgrades ta acco mmodate higher demand were planned but nat expected until the highway was opened for a longer period. Mtorists are urged ta get a transponder ta order ta save $1.00 per trip.Transponders are available from participat- mng Driver an-d VehiÉcle Issuing Offices and from the 407 =T Operations Centre at 6300 Steeles Avenue West. Registration brochures cari be picked up at participating Home Hardware stores, TU Bank or Petro Canada loca- tion s, or by calling 1-888- 407-0407. Transpanders are mandatory for vehiÉcles weigh- ing mare than five tannes. Ministry of Environment and Energy Sterling un veils drive clean vehicle emissions testing Enviroriment and Energy Minister Norm Sterling launched Drive Clean, a pro- gramn ta reduce smog-caustag emissions from cars, trucks and buses. "Drive Clean is a mîlestone in Ontario's fight against smog," Mr. Sterling said. "*Keeptag aur vehicles ta good working order and testing them periodically is a small price ta pay for cleaner air and a healthier environinent. "Driving a' well-tuned vehi- cie has other payoffs," he added. "For a test that casts about the saine as a tank of gas, a motorist can save the equivalent of about 10 fil -ups over the course of two years." Drive Clean will begin i summer 1998 with all heavy duty trucks and buses in Ontario being required ta complete an emissions test as part of the current annuai safety inspection. In late summer or fal 1998, Drive dlean will be extended to cars and light trucks registered or resold wthin the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Hamilton- Wentworth region. An emi s- sions test will.be required every two years at registra- tion renewal for cars and ligbt trucks (4-10 years aid) and anytime at resale (ail model years). Antique cars, com- mercial farm vehicles arnd matai-cycles are flot incIu(lCd ti the program, More than one third of Ontario's 6.5 millions <(ars andl light trucks are regi,,it eruci in the OTA andHailo Wentworth region. Dr)i1ve Clean wiltke extenied h tar and, llght trucks ti other urban areas with serious recurrent smog problems, such as Windsor, in the years 2000 and 2002. The program is expected ta cut the release of smog-caus- tang pollutants from vehicles - - such as nitrogen axidçs and volatile orgamic compounds - - by an average of 22 per cent. and microscopic dust parti- dles by six per cent. "Drive Clean is a good pi-e- ventative measure for the health of aur communties," Health Minister Jim Wilson said. Based on studies by Health Canada and others, the Ministry or Environnient and Energy estimates that smog causes about 1,800 prema- ture deaths each year ti Ontario. Poor air quality bas been shown ta aggravate asthma, bronchitis and car- diac problems. The cost of enissions tests for cars and light trucks wil not exceed $30. Vehicles that do not meet provincial air quality standards must undergo maintenance work, which allen means a simple tune-up. In cases where more extensive repairs are required, there will be a $200 repair limit aitIhe time of first regist ration renewal. (If a vebîrle fails its retest, then the owner must prove that at least $200 worth of emis- sians-related repairs have I)een lofle.) Inil ortîi~tion from jurisdic- tions ieross North America ini(ates, thal 80 tu 9r5 per cen ofpasenercars pass Farm news Culling your beef herd by Joanne Handley, Beef Specialist, OMAFR Several factors have prompted beef producers to consider downsizing their cow herds: shortage of pasture due ta extended drought peni- od, lower hay ylelds this sum- mer, litile or no surplus hay carry over from last winter and higher than normal Transportation Minister AI Palladini, whose ministry bas been active in the develop- ment of Drive Clean, said the program has been designed with the motorist in min. "It will be inexpensive. conve- nient and fast ta have emis- sions from your vehicle checked. You will have a choice of test-only centres or certified neighbourhood garages," he said. Drive Clean will be man- aged by an independent con- tractor accountable ta the government through a legal agreement. A multi-stake- holder advlsory board -- with representation from industry, consumer, health and envi- ronmental groups -- will be set up in fail 1997. The board wfll oversee implementation of the prograin ta ensure that it meets environniental goals and the needs of vehicle own- ers. Drive Clean was developed followlng an 18-month pilot study, extensive consultation and a review of similar exlst- ing programs In 38 U.S. states and British Columbia. "We learned from the expe- rience of others," said Mr. Sterling. "I believe we have developed the best possible program for Ontario. We have worked hard ta slgnificantly improve air quailty and be fair ta vehicle owners. The Ontario governinent is proud of this prograin. prices for forages. Many pro- ducers are already feeding valuable hay taventory due ta lack of moisture and limited pasture regrawth. This is the time ta review your cow taventory and ldentify candi- dates for culltag. Your list of candidates should start with open cows and heifers. Pregnancy check- ing and culling open cows bas shown to returri $30.00 per cow exposed. With forages at a shortage and expensive ta purchase there is deftaitely no justification for retainlng and feeding open cows until the next breedlng season. Cows with a history of health or structural problems (i.e. poor feet or udders, eye prob- lems, bard calvers) should be next one the removal list. They will put a drain on feed supplies, increase your vet bills and their health and value may decline rapidly durtag the winter months. Review your adjusted weaning weights for the past few years and identify the cows that are continualiy pro- ducing below herd average. Select the bottom 10%/ota be added to your list of culling candi,.1ates. they are not gen- erating ts many dollars as others in the herd and may not be working efficiently. if your cow inventory is stili too high for your winter feed inventory and purchasine feed is not economical increase the number of below average producers ta be culled. Heifers represent large iavestri-ents in labour, feed, and management. Reducing the number of replacement females ta be maintaîned through the winter can increase faîl cash flow and decrease winter feed costs. Select heifers with strong per- formance from proven cow families and cull below aver- age performers and heifers from taconsistent producers. Remember, if you are down sizing your cow herd you won't need ta keep as many replacement females as in previous years. 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