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EE or FARM & RURAL LIFE 2 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1995 Orono berry growers meet with success From Page 1 effective as the birds," says Stevens. It's an ex- pensive control measure -- Hoesterey's services go for about $300 a day -- but with a high-value crop like blueberries, itis worth it. Besides which, the birds of prey have become an- other reason to visit the farm, says Judith Stevens. "They're a real drawing blueberries and apples at their 150-acre farm south of Orono for over 15 years. They grow several varie- ties of easy-to-pick high- bush blueberries, and ex- pect more than 6,000 visitors during a picking season which runs from early August until mid- September. The Stevens' are the - 'a ---- C--O" card." only commercial blueber- Charles and Judith Ste- ry growers east of Toronto, vens have been growing and employ a drip- ~ 7 ARZLE Al IAR za Ziel _tz=z=z:i Fun _g ZF ZiT IinansulL =: =E2% as wy -- -- ATVs « Watercraft « Snowmobiles Take Aim At Fall's Best Deal Take delivery of any 1995 Polaris ATV between August 1 and October 31, 1995 from dealer stock, and you can choose cither of our two special offers: ~~ $200 IN FREE GOODS! Your choice of $200 worth of Polaris clothing and accessories at the time of purchase. NO MONEY DOWN! No payments for 90 days and 90-day FREE financing with the Polaris StarCard®. Falcons are allies in battle against birds irrigation system to pro- vide the vital moisture to keep their berries big and juicy. The other way in which they've been able to grow berries in Durham's climate is by covering the base of each plant with a thick layer of sawdust. "That's one of our little secrets," says Charles. This summer's warm, wet weather has meant the best crop ever, he says. Even with nearly 35,000 pounds of berries waiting to be picked, they'll be sold out. "I love the look on kids' faces when they are in the patch and snacking on a few berries right off the bush," says Charles, who doesn't use any pesticides on the crop. And many of the visitors Just love to watch Hoeste- rey's hawks soaring high above. But there won't be any aerial battles over the berry patch. Hoesterey says his birds are trained never to attack other birds. In fact, the only way he has control over them is by only giving them food when they come to him. "Why would they hunt when it is easier to come to me to be fed?" he says. Hoesterey feeds his birds - a STEPHEN LEAHY/FARM AND RURAL LIFE 7 y 4 The hawks and falcons patrolling Wilmot Farms in Orono don't have to make kills to chase off the robins, cedar wax wings and other birds that for years have feasted on the blueberry crop. Since the birds of prey have been brought in, Charles Stevens has noticed a remarkable difference in the number of berries lost to the birds. fresh chicken or pigeon meat, with the feathers still on to aid digestion. Hoesterey runs Golden Creek Bird Farm with his father, Fred, at Sparrow Lake just north of Orillia. Golden Creek's hawks and falcons are used to patrol the skies over airports, dumpsites, marinas and farms. "We have over a hun- dred birds including Gold- en Eagles, Goshawks and Owls," he says. The Hoes- terey's breed and sell birds and run a school of falcon- ry. In the summer, they have falconry demonstra- tions on weekends. Dirk is a fifth- generation falconer, and learned his craft in Ger- many. In Europe, the birds are used for hunting, and also to protect crops including vineyards. The birds begin training at about seven weeks of age and it takes three or four weeks to get them ful- ly trained. Ongoing train- ing is necessary through- out their 25-year life span, because they will quickly revert to their wild state without it. "Patience is the most important ingredient," in training birds, says Hoes- terey. Patience was something the Stevens' were running short of until the Golden Creek birds arrived on the scene. And, despite the ex- pense of the Hoesterey's services, Charles says itis money well spent; crop loss is now less than five percent. With the bird problem licked, the Stevens' ex- panded their operation and started another blue- berry patch last year, but lost 50 per cent of their new plants. "Every year there are new problems to solve," he says. That's what makes farminginteresting. *Wed., Oct. 4at 10am Wed., Oct. 18 at 10am "Wed., Oct. 25 at 10am *Wed., Nov. 1 at 10am "Wed. Nov. 8at 10am FALL STOCKER SALES at LINDSAY COMMUNITY SALE BARN RR#2 Lindsay yearlings and calves yearlings and calves yearlings vaccinated calves calves and yearlings * Consign to Wayne Telford 705-292-9531 Peterborough - Victoria - Cattlemens Association Carl Hickson Arnot R. Wotten 705-324-9959 905-263-2512 Sale Barn 705-324-2774 FEMLHFRIS Believe 11. OPEN HOUSE SEPT. 16 & 17 Saturday 8am to 5pm Sunday 10am to 5pm Free Coffee & Donuts! JULY EMA: 17300 Simooe St. N., & REPAIR Port Perry Son 985-3192 YOUR ONE sToP CENTRE Fa 8354729 * On approvad credit Available only at participating dealers Ofer good only at time of sala subject lo modal availability from dealer stock WARNING: ATVs can ba hazardous to oparate. Thasa are fufl sized machines designed to ba ridden only hy adults 18 and oldar. For your safety Always wear a Bobcat' machines and attachments available by the hour, day, week or month. CALL FOR RATES: bobcat UTICA FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED 2 miles west of Manchester on Durham 21 helmet, aye protection and protective clothing Ba particularly careful on difficult terrain Polaris recom mands that all ATV riders take a training course For safety and training Information, see your dealer or call Polaris toll-free at 1-800-342-3764 © 1995 Polaris Industries Ltd 74 gE TE NEW ALE i" LON OF AA "he ov vo, . BE Lt . EL ' "5, LIN | . nN . ba) Wg Ls AAR ARK RCIA kN EN "WV " it - AC-H > 2, b, g LI I RT TE RS 985-9701 LE EE I Sr SE CE SE SO ELECTRIC MOTOR SERVICE | 4 Durham St. E., Lindsay Phone: (705) 324-9427 Fax: (705) 324-9840 LE I I SS SS