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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-03-17, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011.Farmersseeksupport Oops! Our mistake The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and Ontario Pork met with Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, as part of the pre-budget hearings, earlier this year to advocate for government support of a risk management program (RMP) to protect against market fluctuations and to share in and limit risk. The submissions are part of a joint effort by the beef and pork industries to enlist both the provincial and federal governments to partner with them in establishing insurance programs similar to the successful pilot program implemented and recently extended by the Ontario government for the grains and oilseeds industry. “Establishing a Risk Insurance Program for our farmers this year is our number one priority,” says Curtis Royal, President, Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and owner of Royal Farms in Simcoe County. “Over 80,000 Ontarians make their living on farms and more than 700,000 Ontarians work in the agri- food industry. We form an integral part of Ontario’s economic success, especially rural Ontario.” The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association represents 19,000 beef farmers in Ontario and Ontario Pork is the marketing board that represents Ontario’s 2,000 pork producers. In the past few years, Ontario’s beef and pork industries have experienced a severe downturn. Ontario’s beef cow herd has declined 18.4 per cent since the beginning of 2003 while the sow herd has declined over 20 per cent since 2007. This downturn is the result of several factors including BSE, H1N1, and a high Canadian dollar, bringing increased competition from imports. With multiple economic threats occurring over an extended period of time, the current AgriStability program alone is not enough to sustain these industries. “We have conducted major consultations with our members and the broader farming community and there is overwhelming support for a risk management program,” says Wilma Jeffray, Chair of Ontario Pork and a farmer of hogs, cattle, grains and oilseeds in Bruce County. “This program would offset the difference between the current market price and the average long- term cost of production, eliminating the need for ad hoc government support for both the beef and pork industries in the future.” Under the proposed insurance program, participating Ontario farmers in the beef and pork industries would pay premiums to In the March 3 edition of The Citizen, under the heading of “Looking Back Through The Years”, former Brussels resident John Lowe was incorrectly identified. Lowe was the son of Grace McCall and Wayne Lowe, and his wife, Hope Lowe. The Citizen truly regrets the mistake. NORTH HURON CARPENTRY SERVICES David Werkema Ph.: 519-526-7634 Email: northhuroncarpentry@sympatico.ca 38728 Moncrieff Rd., RR #3 Blyth, ON ~ suppliers of heavy gauge aluminum and metal seamless trough, any length ~ variety of colours to suit all needs ~ trough bracket options for all applications ~ have us install or let us deliver to your door, you install ~ let us show you our gutter guard, leaf and debris blocking system for your trough For all your exterior home renovation needs - trough, siding, windows Call for a free estimate Has your eavestrough been feeling the weight of winter? We can help! Let us turn this... ...into this! CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY NOTICE OF MEETING TO CONSIDER 2011 BUDGET Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will be, at a Public Meeting to be held on: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. giving consideration to the ‘2011 Budget’ with the intention to adopt and/or amend the budget in the Council Chambers located at 41342 Morris Rd., R.R. 4, Brussels, ON Everyone is welcome to attend. Nancy Michie, Administrator Clerk-Treasurer Municipality of Morris-Turnberry Letter to the Editor What a win! The ABC DD Gals won the ‘B’ Championship at the Blyth Lions Club year-end tournament last weekend at the Blyth and District Community Centre. The team is comprised of players from Blyth, Wingham, Clinton and Hensall. Back row, from left: Lila Procter, Teri Patterson, Lisa Huether, Kathy Abell-Rinn, two unidentified members of the rival Bad Apples, Lisa Whitfield, Erin Nesbit, Kathy Lavis and Karen Youngblut. Middle row, from left: Sharon East, Pat Newson, Erin Campbell, Suzie Dale, Jen Colquhoun, Kelly Wharton, Julie Wright, Kendall Whitfield, Nikki Culbert and Anne Elliott. Front row, from left: Allison Quennell and Terri Gulutzen. Absent was Michelle McNichol. The tournament took place despite questionable weather conditions on Friday that threatened to shut the tournament down. (Photo submitted) Soup fundraiser raises over $3,000 Continued on page 22 THE EDITOR, Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a day! I have just done the final tally and (drum roll please) this year Souper Saturday raised $2,962 plus all the food we collected, which I estimate to be worth $350. This year’s crowd was very enthusiastic and generous. We received a lot of favourable comments on the event and we also have some areas that need further work. All who devoted their time, soup and overall effort need to be commended for without your support we would not have been as successful as we were. Bravo to all of you. Oh, before I forget the People’s Choice award went to Kathy McNichol’s cabbage soup. Congrats Kathy! Regards, Herb McGowan. BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED