Farm Horizons • Dec. 5, 2016 • Page 23 garden
• saves time and money tending to garden needs Hazards of rubber mulch
It’ s flammable – research study comparing several different mulches found that when rubber mulch, which contains petroleum products, is ignited, it is more difficult to extinguish than any other mulch--including wood chips.
It’ s toxic – like any other material, tires and rubber mulches are eventually broken down by environmental factors, such as sunlight, or by bacteria and fungi. The chemicals that leach from tires are anything but benign. They include heavy metals, such as aluminum, cadmium, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Two other common rubber leachates are 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole( MBT) and poly aromatic hydrocarbons( PAHs); these chemicals are health hazards for humans and the environment.
It’ s destructive – many vegetables and ornamentals mulched with rubber can accumulate high levels of zinc, sometimes to the point of death. Other metals found in decomposing rubber can also accumulate in plant roots, leaves, or fruit, depending on the species. Acidic soils are particularly sensitive because heavy metals are more available for plant uptake. Decomposing rubber mulches provide a constant stream of toxic leachates into adjacent aquatic systems. Research has also shown that entire aquatic communities are injured or killed when exposed to these chemicals. Send your gardening questions to rcschlueter @ yahoo. com •
What is a fair farm rental agreement?
Determining a fair farm rent agreement is a challenge in today’ s economy with significantly lower corn and soybeans prices in 2016, preceded by recent record high commodity prices and farm land values. Farm land rental rates are dropping as corn and soybean prices continue in this low price cycle.
Landlords, farmers, and agri-business professionals can learn about the factors affecting land rent at informative meetings being held across Minnesota. These free meetings are being provided by the University of Minnesota Extension.
David Bau, Extension educator in ag business management, will present topics including historic and projected farmland rental rates, current farm land values, projected
2017 input costs and cash grain prices, along with rate of return to the landlord at current market values which help calculate an affordable rental agreement.
Attendees will receive several useful worksheets and factsheets that will help to determine a fair 2017 farm land rental rate.
• Monday, Dec. 12 at 9:30 a. m. in room 120 at the Wright County Government Center, 10 2nd St. NW in Buffalo.
• Tuesday, Dec. 13, 9:30 to 11:30 a. m. at Carver County Government Center, Township Hall Conference Room on second floor, 600 E. 4th St., Chaska, MN( enter building by flagpole).
For additional information, contact your county Extension educator. •