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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-02-12, Page 14Page 14 Times-Advocate, February 12, 1976 JACK McCUTCHEON, Warden of Huron County, was the guest Miller, director and executive member of the Federation, Adrienne speaker at the February meeting of the Huron County Federation of Voss, president, Warden McCutcheon, and Allan Wolper, first vice- Agriculture, held in Seaforth last Thursday night. From the left: Glen president. SORRY! aimmisowama OW. We can repair it no matter how little (or how groat) Is the damage. ASK FOR A FREE ESTIMATE I COMPLETE COVERAGE FOR * Home * Farm * Life * Commercial * Automobile * Registered Retirement Plans CONTACT Bev Morgan Insurance Agency Ltd. 238 Main St. Phone 235-2544 Aiross from.Saveway LOmber K-W FARMERS MEET — Rea Stephen, secretary-traesurer, Ross Robinson', recording secretary and Ray Paynter, President, made up the dais for the meeting of the Kirkton-Woodham Farmers Club held lost Thursday at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre. SAVE $500 ON ALL Case David Brown Under 90 P.T.O. H.P. TRACTORS Until March 31 Limited to Available Supply C.G. Farm Supply RR 3, Zurich 236-4934 Which Allis-Chalmers girl am Usborne , council approves purchase of gravel pit In my former role as Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food I was always interested to read the resolutions passed by the On- tario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, I looked forward to at least annually meeting with the Executive of OSCIA to dis- cuss with them the implications of the resolutions. So it was with more than pass- ing interest I sat through the dis- cussions on nearly 50 resolutions. most of which were passed, at the annual meeting held in Kitchener the last week of January. There were six resolutions emanating from counties where blackbirds have become a severe menace to corn and grain production. The resolutions urged the Ontario Government to initiate research in ways to control or eradicate blackbirds, particularly from areas adjacent to marshes or swamps. For those not familiar with the damage caused by blackbirds to corn crops in particular, the birds light on the corn cob, just as it is in the milk stage and con- tinuing through the ripening process. The birds pick the end of the cob open to get at the developing kernels. This allows moisture, either dew or rain, and inse4s ,to„get inside the husk of the cob causingit to mildew and spoil. This is how the real damage is caused — it is not the amount of kernels that are ac- tually destroyed, although this can be substantial. Several years ago several thousands of dollars were spent on blackbird control research in Ontario. Subsequently much research has been done in U.S.A. where the problem is even worse, due to migration to con- centrated areas. In the U.S.A. some tests were conducted using Avitrol, a chemical which affects the birds' nervous system causing distress screeching, loss of flight, and in many cases death. It worked in controlling the bird damage. However there was a great public outcry from some conservationists, en- vironmentalists and bird lovers. From information on hand it would appear control measures can be taken, but public support should be gained by educating those who are not aware of the problem as to its seriousness, I find it incongruous that con- sumer groups, conservationists and many of the public generally are constantly urging the govern- ment to preserve land capable of food production, but many of these are the same people who write letters to the editor, to the Minister, as I know from per- sonal experience, in fact to anyone who will read their protests concerning blackbird control, One irate lady suggested, in correspondence concerning blackbird control, that farmers would just have to stop growing grain for the blackbirds must not be in- terfered with. It's little wonder farm people become frustrated! lull 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111: i ADAMS • Heating & Cooling . i E :71 • Heating Systems E. of All Types INSTALLED, MODERNIZED and MAINTAINED E Winter fun day Sunday The Ausable -Bayfield Con- servation Authority is planning a Winter Fun Day to be held at Parkhill Conservation Area on Sunday, February 15, at 1:00 p.m. A wide diversity of winter activities are available at the area, A grant from the Ministry of Natural Resources has allowed the Authority to maintain the ten miles of snowmobile trails available to the public. A toboggan hill, ap- proximately 300 feet long with a vertical drop of 50 feet on the south side of the reservoir, due north of the new gatehouse is ready for use. This hill is one of the best in the area, so bring your tobogg in and be prepared for some exciting fun. Open areas and the nature trails, with scenic and varied topography are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A guided cross- country ski hike will be organized. A limited number of snowshoes will be available for public use on a guided snowshoe hike, Usborne township council has given first and second readings to a by-law approving the purchase of the Kirkton gravel pit for $2,500 as offered by the Ministry of Transportation and Com- munications. This was moved by councillor W. Morley and seconded by councillor J. Stewart, Contracts let Drainage tenders were awarded to two firms by Usborne township council at their regular meeting February 3, The contracts for the Huron Street drain and the Leyes-Hern drain have been given to Roth Drainage Ltd. Parker and Parker Ltd. have been awarded the contract for the Cronyn- Prance drain. The following is a breakdown of the tenders and amounts received by council for work on the drainage projects. Gerber Drainage Enterprises wanted $15,680 for the Huron St. drain, $3,986 for the Leyes-Hern drain and $24,707 for the Cronyn- Prance drain. Roth Drainage Ltd, bid $15,200 for the Huron St. drain, $3,500 for the Leyes-Hern drain and $26,500 for the Cronyn-Prance drain. Jack Essery and Son submitted a bid of $3,537 for the Leyes-Hern drain, Parker and Parker Ltd. wanted $4,067.80 for the Leyes-Hern drain and $21,423.72 for the Cronyn- Prance drain. Van Bree Drainage and Bulldozing wanted $15,700 for the Huron St. drain, $3,700 for the Leyes-Hern drain and $24,825 for the Cronyn-Prance drain. Petition The Skinner drain petition signed by H. Kerslake and others has been received by Usborne township council. This was decided on a motion by J, Stewart and seconded by M. Dawson. The petition will be forwarded to A.J. DeVos, P. Engineer for a survey and report. Gravelling This year's gravelling contract for Usborne township has been awarded to Jennison Con- struction Ltd. of Grand Bend. This decision was reached after tenders on a per yard basis on roads and stockpiled. The tenders were as follows, showing the on road figure first and the stockpiled amount second. Ray Ireland Ltd., $1.45 and 95 cents, Jennison Construction Ltd., $1.36 and 84 cents, Jack Tanner Construction Ltd., $1.56 and 94 cents, Sandy Contracting Co. Ltd,, $1.46 and 85 cents, C.A. McDowell Ltd., $2.18 and 1.20 and Malar Farms Ltd. $1.53 and 1,47. Jennison was the low bidder in both categories. The motion to award the contract was placed by councillor M. Dawson and seconded by councillor W, Morley. The contract calls for 16,000 cu. yards of crushed gravel applied to the roads and 2,000 cu. yards to be stockpiled The total tender amounted to $23,440, Hunter-Duvar AND SON RANNOCH 229-8945 Bill Stewart's down to earth Blackbirds menace to corn It appears to me that when one sees up to 30'; of a corn crop ruined in areas adjacent to blackbird habitats that the public had better soon accept some type of population control. In the past "air gun bangers" have been us- ed, in fact almost every con- ceivable means has been employed by corn growers to scare the birds away. But all that does is drive them to some other producer's corn field. As a place to start to build public support it might be a useful idea for the OSCIA to in- vite conservation clubs, bird watcher clubs, the Audubon Society, environmental groups and individuals to come to these specific areas to see for themselves the damage that is being done annually, to say nothing of the loss of food. The news media has surely a greater responsibility in the matter than to publish the protests of those who oppose con- trol without pointing out the seriousness of the problem in- volving the loss of a crop that could otherwise be used for human and livestock food. I thought it was unfortunate that only one daily newspaper reporter, and no TV or agricultural press reporters, to my knowledge, showed up at the, annual meeting of OSCIA. Had there been other representatives of the news media in attendance, and I hope there were, but I doubt it, they would have heard, at first hand, the concerns of producers anxious to do a useful, effective job of food production. I was pleased to hear a sugges- tion from one of the delegates that OSCIA appoint a Publicity Committee to try to interest the news media in the positive con- cerns of Ontario's best farmers, not only those attending the an- nual meeting but at events throughout the year. Much is said these days about young people leaving the farm. But it has been ever thus. Dr. Claire Rennie, OMAF Director of Agricultural Education and Research, advised the delegates inall agricultural diploma gran- ting college graduates were go- ing directly back to the farm. With enrolment at an all time high in most of the colleges it appears young people are in- terested in farming and in gain- ing as much formal education as possible before embarking on it as a full time job. According to statistics one farm worker in 1951 produced enough for himself and 31 other people. In 1975 one farm worker produced enough for himself and 50 other people. What an illustration of increased efficiency? What an assurance of continuing food supplies for On- tario's 8 million consumers! Announcing A SPECIAL e • • Dairymen's Tour and National Dairy Conference JOIN US ON A TRIP TO SEE THE PURINA DAIRY RESEARCH FARMS IN ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI Monday, March 8th through Wed., March 10th,1976 THE COST $265 00 (INCLUDES AIRFARE, MEALS & LODGING) An Air View of The Purina Arkavalley Dairy Research Farm, Conway, Arkansas 1850 Dairy Cows - 1500 of which are Milking) For Additional Trip Information Contact Easy to find out! Just attend Hyde Bros. and Pioneer's Expo '76. You'll see the brand new line of A-C orange power and Pioneer corn research and production. There'll be„refreshments, lunch, door prizes — more important fun for the whole family. All here . , . GOOD FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Pioneer and Hyde Bros. Invite You to Enjoy 11111 MI EN 111 ON • I I 11111111111161 I I I MN I I I ir • FREE LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS • FREE DOOR PRIZES • FILMS BY PIONEER AND ALL1S-CHALMERS AT THE PINERIDGE CHALET Tues., Feb. 24 at 8:00 p.m. ::it.,°7rgri tq;'hole Family and Enjoy Yourself with Your Hosts . . . Sair ,?.35 J. Lome Ross St. Marys 284-3434 HYDE BROS. LTD. PIONEER HI-BRED LIMITED Bill Coleman, Dealer (Open Franchise) LUCAN AREA Contact Doug Kincaid 238-8126 Hensall 262-2605 A ALLIS CHALMERS • Genera; :;1-tor " Metal Wo,,f • Air Conditioning • Humidifiers • Ventilation 235-2187 ▪ 133 Huron St.,- East, Exeter Kippen