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Clinton News-Record, 1974-04-04, Page 12Farm income only X5,000 in 1973 By DON PULLEN Agricultural Representative Huron, County "Farmers have never had it So good!" - according to the casual non-farm observer, Statistics . indicate that in- flation has entered thefood in- dustry picture. For example, the consumer price index for food consumed in the family home last summer was 160. In other words, for every dollar spent on groceries in the 1961 base year, the cost in mid 1973 was $1.60., Moreover, news reports suggest that net farm income had gone up 40% from 1971 to 1972. This kind of unqualified press coverage has resulted in great "gnashing of teeth" and "sabre rattling" by many pro consumer oriented groups. Because farm income fluc- tuates over the years like stocks or commodity futures, it is necessary to carefully evaluate all published information. In 1971, net farm income in On- tario/was reported $338 million, in 1972 at $478 million, and $448 million in 1951. • In reality, these figures mean that the Ontario farmers in- come was only up 7% over the period 1951 to 1972. How con- tent would organized labour groups be under these con- ditions?! The average income of the approximately 95,000 Ontario farmers was only $5,000 in 1972 -not much to keep the family going! True, farm commodity prices have reached historic levels in recent times - fat cattle at 65c/lb. last summer; Grade A eggs at 67c/doz. last October; fluid milk price over $9.00/cwt; higher fruit and vegetable prices; white beans likely to average $26.00/ewt.; corn at over $3.00/bu. However, on the other side, fat cattle and pork prices have dropped nearly 20c/lb. (40% decline - oh - by the way remember these calves pur- chased for nearly 75c/lb. last fall); cost of producing a dozen eggs is over 60c; milk produc- tion continues to decline. As well, fertilizers are in short supply and higher priced. Certainly inflation has hit the farmer. Second quarter Statistics Canada 'reports in- dicate Farm input price index to be approximately 164, or costs for inputs 64% greater than in 1961. At the same time, price index of agricultural products averaged 175. Therefore, while this would indicate some increase in farm income, farmers are not."living high off the hog" as suggested by some groups. A continuing effort is needed to provide our consumer friends and the news media with the "straight goods", in a "digestible" form, about costs and returns, as well as the modern farm situation in general. The "horse and Junior Farmers to mark 25th anniversary By JIM HENDERSON RR 5, Seaforth President, Huron County Junior Farmers It is my pleasure to be president of the Huron County Junior Farmers on the year of 'their 25th Anniversary. In 1949 the Junior Farmers of Huron County formed a county club which became a part of the provincial organization. The Junior Farmers are . planning celebrations for later in the year. In the past 25 years the Junior Farmers have had many changes with the joining of the Junior Institifte with the Junior Farmers being a major. one. Many urban young people joining the organization in the past few years has increased thenumber of members. The Junior Farmers in the past have tried to keep up its motto of Self Help and Com- munity Betterment through sport tournaments and many services too. The Junior Farmers also aim. in trying to help its members in developing leadership qualities and develop young people's skills, in singing, debating, drama etc. and in many games and sports. The Junior Farmers is a l;reat organization for young • peoPPObelung' to not only t64' develop their skills and leader- ship but is a great way to meet many people all over Ontario. 4-H C[UB Ugly Ducklings 4-H ' The fifth meeting of the "Ugly Ducklings" was held on March 25 at; the home of Mrs. Howes. The meeting was opened with the pledge followed by the minutes read by the secretary, The roll call was next which was "One aid that will improve storage in the bedroom". The meeting was turned over to the leaders. We discussed good health habits and our complexion. Mrs. D. Cantelon an Avon representative then discussed how to put on make-up. She showed us how to put on dif- ferent make-up. First, she ap- plied a cleanser then a skin freshener which was then wiped off. This was replaced with some Dew Kiss and then the ' blusher, eyeshadow, mascara and lipstick. Our club then presented Mrs. Cantelon with a present. The meeting was then adjourned by the president. by Brenda Hummel Clinton III 4-H The second meeting of the Clinton III 4-H was held on Monday 25th at the home of Mrs. Saundercock. The meeting was opened with the 4-H pledge. The roll call was an- swered by 14 members. The discussion was on "Little Things that Count", and demonstration was "A Manicure", demonstrated by Brenda Gibbings and Mrs. Murch. The next meeting is at Mrs. R. Saundercock's house on April 8. buggy" days, when over half our population lived on farms, are gone forever. Phenomenal Changes have taken place - far- ming now requires considerable technical skill, as well as very large amounts of capital. The need for factual and readily un- derstood information for con- sumers about the food produc- titin industry has never been greater. Because less than 7% of our population is engaged in primary food .production and , keeping in mind that political t representation• is based on population, the need for. high calibre communications is abundantly clear. Now that some of the facts are in perspective, it would ap- pear 'that the agricultural outlook is bright. In spite of increased costs of inputs it would appear that 1974 will be a record produc- tion year for both livestock and crops with accompanying firm prices. Agricultural land continues CLINTON NEWS RECQRD, THU.RS,D.AY APRIL' 4, 1974-141 to be used up at an alarmin rate in many -areas of the coun- try by hydro lines, highways and rural -urban type develop- ment, often without much, if any, consideration for agricultural land use potential, Demand for food domestically and globally is in- creasing. Consumers have 'demonstrated that they will pay reasonable prices for this food. Farmers have the ability to cope with difficult situations - to use fertilizer where it will return largest dividends, to match energy requirements to a variety of situations, to control costs at all levels of the produc- tion process, While risk and uncertainty abound, there is an excellent opportunity for farming. With a shrewd business attitude and the ability to work hard, it is possible to succeed in our highly competitive agricultural economy. —from the Soil and Crop News. Pesticide ban would make food cost soar Food costs four to five times higher than those of today could result if modern pest con- trol 'products were not em- ployed to protect crop yields,Deputy Environment Minister Everett Biggs repor- ted In an address to a symposium on pesticides in Toronto, Mr. Biggs cited estimates,by Nobel prize winner, Dr. Norman Borlaug, and others that 'crop yields would drop to less than 50 per cent of present rates without pesticides.' "This would result in a jump in food costs of four to five times those of today. And what would the consumer get for five times the present food bills? All estimates indicate that the quality of the products available would be less than today's Shopper is accustomed to," Mr. Biggs said. Commenting on possible results of a complete moratorium on pesticide use, Mr. Biggs quoted Dr. Borlaug's statement that "if we leave things to Mother Nature's whims„ we will harvest only one-third to one-half of the yield per unit of cultivated area tha't`"can'' be''"harvested'usiig„ modern balanced technological practices." The Deputy Environment Minister also pointed out that although these products provide great benefits for man's food production they can he a liability if misused. "Mishan- dling has had serious con- sequences such as the killing of benevolent plants or insects outside the intended target," he emphasized. "Figures supplied by the On- tario Ministry of Agriculture and Food reveal that in 1972, $150,000 worth of insured crops were destroyed by misuse of these crop -protecting products," he said. Estimates indicate that this loss was reduced to less than $50,000 in 1973. Mr. Biggs went on to com- ment on the penchant of some to overlook the benefits of pesticides use, seeing only dangers from their abuse. "When there is a car accident, people always investigate to see where the driver made his mistake. In the case of an ac- cident involving pest •control products, the immediate reac- tion is that these products are at fault and are too dangerous to use. "If we use these substances, if we agree .tha.t.,.they...nnust he usedv.•tben. they must he used wisely," he concluded. Seed regulations ad mend ed Cereal seeds such as wheat, barley, oats and rye now may be sold by variety name in Canada only if the seed is pedigreed such as Certified, Registered or Foundation seed. The new restriction is the most significant change in- cluded in several amendments to the Seeds Regulations an- nounced in a recent issue of The Canada Gazette. The amendments, effective immediately, were considered and agreed to by the major seed organizations and agricultural groups concerned. Wheat, barley, oats, rye and other field crop seeds that may be sold by variety name only if pedigreed are listed in the Regulations under Schedule B. This restriction has applied to forage seed and rapeseed for several years. Agriculture Canada's plant products division, advised the reason for the amendment is that only the pedigreeing system provides assurance of tureness as to variety. Non -pedigreed (commercial) Feed early with a specially formulated long lasting fertilizer for less than 10c a square yard. The C.I.L. program - beginning with an application of "Golf green" is an Impor- tant step toward that desirable thick green turf. Loan of spreader wlth purchase Seeds • Tools • Supplies "Everything for your garden" Listen to Garden Line C.F,P.L. Sunday A.M. 10--11 DURST GARDEN j= .CENTRE DURST FARM & GARDEN CENTRE 22 IISSAAC -$T, CLINTON 482-9333 seed still may be sold but must not be represented or labelled as to variety. Another amendment of special interest to farmers ex- tends the authorization for sale . of bulk certified seed. The change is intended to' make pedigreed seed of cereal grains more readily available to far- mers. The head table guests at the Clinton PUC. 60th anniversary dinner last Friday were left to right, Jack Boitson, public relations for Ontario Hydro; Clinton Mayor Don Symons; Mrs. Symons; Mrs. Hal Hartley; PUC chairman Hal Hartley, Western Region manager, George Currie from London; and Walter Palmer, Clinton area Ontario Hydro manager. (News - Record photo) Bill Dowson heads Bill Dowson, RR 1, Varna, has been elected as president of the Board of Directors of the Hensall District Co-operative for the year 1974. He replaces Delbert Geiger, of Zurich, who served in that capacity last year. Mr. Geiger has retired from the board, having served his limit of six years as a direc- tor of the organization. Vice-president of the area co- operative is Don Brodie, of Brucefield. Elgin Hendrick, RR 1, Dashwood, was re -appointed as secretary of' the group. Two new men were elected to the board of airectorsat--tf e Agriculture -tidbits WITH ADRIAN VOS- The planned nuclear generating station south of Goderich bothers me. It will sit right at the edge of some of the finest agricultural land in all of Canada. When we see what is hap- pening around the Douglas Point station, we know pretty well what will happen in Huron county. Schools for the children of the builders have to be erected, to be useless right after the plant is built. The same with housing and the necessary streets, sewage and water facilities. Sure, hydro will contribute to some of the cost of this, but a good deal will still have to come out of our taxes. Tran- smission lines will take more •of this, fine farmland, for there's no other land to go through. And the accompanying wrangles over compensation, with hydro people playing neighbour against neighbour, causing disruption in our social life that can't be measured, is another factor that will be shrugged off by those`who\have only learned to think in terms of money. Who will come to harvest our Crops when workers at the hydro plant are paid Toronto wages? Some farmers at the vicinity of the plant will leave their farms for secure wages there and area farmers won't be able to lease the land from them because they'can't afford to pay the wages. There must be a place to put the d thing where it will cause less disruption. Why not put it in Sarnia. Their Mayor is always hollering for more and the lines can be led along his new 4- lane highway or maybe even'"undergrourirtiirciugh' the oil pipeline he,so desperately wants. The oil could be a cooling agent. Or in northern parts of the province where it can be built on the rocks. It costs more in initial outlay but who can say what the ultimate cost will be in, higher food prices for everyone. Another thing thatbugs me is their arrogance. There will most likely be hearings andwhen they are all over, the minister will say that it was good that everyone had their say, but it was already decided five years ago that the plant will be where it is going. In the last three years, an area as Targe as Huron county was buried under concrete and now they are starting on Huron county itself. If I'm well infor- med, Huron was designated as farming country. Politicians seem to think this to mean they have a free hand with the land. WITH A CHOICE OF SO MANY HERBICIDES, HOW AM I TO KNOW WHICH ONE TO USE ON MY CORN? THIS WEED PRESCRIPTION.. FOLDER FROM CIBA-GEIGY HELPED MEI Co-op recent annual meeting. They are Keith Horner, RR 2, Zurich, and Ken Rogerson, of . Clinton. - 23 Million major electrical appliances are now installed in Canadian homes. COMING SOON SALE 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1 PLUS 1- CENT NEWCOMBE Phone 482-9511. Clinton CAMP MINWANDUM FOR GIRLS * CANOEING * SWIMMING * OUT TRIPS 8 - 16 YEARS * CAMPFIRES * CANOE TRIPS * LEADERSHIP * FUN ON BEAUTIFUL GEORGIAN BAY 20 MILES NORTH OF PARRY SOUND WRITE OR CALL - K -W YWCA 84 FREDERICK ST., KITCHENER (519) 744-6507 FREENER'S HOME RENOVATIONS LTD. EXPERTS IN HOME REMODELING ", AND . f INTERIOR and EXTERIORS - Cabinets Bath rooms - Kitchens - Painting - Wall papering - Carpets - Vinyl Siding - Additions - Roofs - Storms - Repairs - Cottages FREE ESTIMATES (GUARANTEED WORKMANSHIP) Phone 238-8 2 1 4 IT SHOWS THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF WEEDS THAT OCCUR AS YOU USE CHEMICAL CONTROLS YEAR AFTER YEAR. THAT GREEN FOXTAIL PICTURE SURE REMINDS ME OF MY SOUTH FIELDS. BUT IF YOU USE EKKO YOU'VE GOT TO GROW CORN AGAIN NEXT YEAR. dr 4p�t1 "ab®AA IT SAYS HERE THAT WHERE EARLY GERMINATING ANNUAL GRASSES ARE THE PROBLEM, YOU SHOULD USE EKKO.® i;1 Ai o �e�6 THAT'S O.K. THOSE SOUTH FIELDS ARE IN CONTINUOUS CORN ANYWAY. ®Ekko is a registered :trademark of CIBA-GEIGY CANADA LTD. AVAILABLE AT THESE AREA DEALERS MiLTON J. DIETZ LTD. FEED DEALER SEAFORTH 524-0608 ' RR 4 CLINTON 482=7220 SPRATEK MITCHELL 348-8218 fin!►{�,�F'�� ABOUT EKKO. IT SURE IP IOC* OLIT THE GREEN FOXTAIL AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE BOTHER OF MIXING TWO HERBICIDES TO CONTROL BROADLEAF WEEDS AND GRASSES! B331 W.G. THOMPSON LTD. • HENSALL 262-2527 GEO WRAITH LTD. RR 2 GODERICH 524-6511