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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-04-14, Page 11The Zurich Chamber of Commerce was told it is a declining breed at the Chambers rural urban night last Thursday evening, Guest speaker Gordon Hill, past president of the Federation of Agriculture and Stanley township farmer in- formed the 35 members and guests at the meeting the number of Canadians who own their own businesses or farms is rapidly declining, Mr. Hill said only one-third, as Many people own their own business now compared with 1946. Part of the reason for this decline, says Mr. Hill is the lack of interest the government pays to the small businessman whether rural or urban. "All the advantages have gone to big operators, whether far- mers or businessmen," claims Mr. Hill, "and it is going to be increasing difficult for small businessmen to operate in the years ahead." Mr. Hill urged the farmers and businessmen to "recognize the interdependence of farmers and small businesses within a small community." "Nowadays a farmer Can't function without the banker, the farm supplier, the farm machinery dealer, it's not like it used to be," The farmer, says Mr. Hill, is equally important to the economy of the country. In 1975, says Mr. Hill, Canadian farmers spent $4.6 MONEY GROWS ON TREES — A recent draw at Victoria and Grey Trust in Exeter proved that money does grow on trees. The winner of $50 in the draw Allan Rundle, Exeter at the right accepts his winnings from V 8, G accountant Joyce Black and branch manager Dennis Smith. T-A photo Vegetable growers pact may change Recommend term contracting Both urban and rural Times-Advocate, April 14, 1977 Page H Hill says small businessmen a dying breed HI NEIGHBOR! - FOP ALL YOUR PROTEIN, SUPPLEMENT, MINERAL & VITAMIN SUPPLIES VISIT: Wayne Mellin, RR 3, Parkhill, NOM 21(0 294-6687 Terry McIntosh, RR 1, St. Marys, NOM 2V0 , 229-8210 Wilf Paton, AR 1, Kirktort, NOK 1K0 229.6253 Albert tuckwood, RR 2, Granton (home) 271.3962 (farm) 225-2237 Farm dealership enquiries invited for local arras not represented LIQUID FEEDS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 50 Crimea St., Guelph, Ont. $51ione 822-5550 - TOLL PR ES 1-900.295-8335 creased significantly in the past few years. A producer can no longer rely on a one year com- mitment if he is to make „im- provements and maintain ef- ficiency of production. The regulation evolved under the guidance of °the Farm Products Marketing Board and several meetings between of- ficials of the vegetable board and the executive of the Ontario Food Proce:Ssors Association. Board officials predict very few disruptions as a result of the new regulation, The regulation formalizes what ha's been the practice of most producers and processors in the past. Unlike quotas and job security provisions, there is no mometary cost to either the producer or the processor. The board views contract security as a progressive step for the industry that will enhance the future viability of vegetable processing in Ontario, The essential elements of the regulation are: 1, Three year term contracts signed each year unless the producer or processor wishes to terminate the contract. There is a two year commitment beyond the termination date. 2. Term contracts shall be for a pro rata share of a processors' .reggirexpents equal to a pro rata share of a processors' requirements in 1976. 3. The processor operated acreage is exempt. 4. Processors or producers may terminate contracts for a valid reason(s), 5. In the event of a dispute over, termination,there is provision for" negotiation and third party settlement, The vegetable board will be holding a series of producer and processor information meetings throughout the province. Computer may help in farm decisions A computer may be able to help you decide whether to buy, sell or keep your farm. At Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology, a new program called Land Pricing Analysis is offering farmers computer assistance to help make such critical decisions. R, W. Ross, an agricultural economist and head of the program, says the computer helps the farmer analyze all the variables before buying or selling, "There are two things the farmer wants to know," says Mr, Ross. "He wants to know whether the purchase is a good in- vestment 'and whether he can afford it." The computer is helpful because it highlights 11 points which should be considered. For example, it analyzes prices of recent sales, tax rates, net in- come, interest rates, land in- flation and mortgage costs. But before the computer can give an analysis, the farmer must provide it with accurate in- formation, If he does, the com- puter will tell the farmer what price he can afford to pay for the land. It will take about five minutes. "This program can be useful as an investment tool," says Mr. Ross, "However, it cannot make the final decision for the far- The program has been operating for three months and is available to any farmer seriously considering land purchase or sale. For more information contact R. W, Ross, Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology, Ridgetown, Ontario. THE EQUIPMENT PEOPLE HURON 'EXETER 519.235-1115 TRACTOR BLYTH 519-523-4244 Are you looking for a 5 ma H.P. TRACTOR LET US HELP YOU MAKE THE. RIGHT CHOICE SEE THE EQUIPMENT PEOPLE A These people will be happy to assist you with your equipment requirements. BACK Harry Winters, Jack Van Bussel FRONT Bill Shaddick, Harley Zeehuizen and Wayne O'Rourke 30 OR MORE UNITS TO CHOOSE FROM LET US HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE • 1630 - 50 PTO H.P. • 2130 - 67 PTO H.P. • 1830 - 60 PTO H.P. • 3130 - 80 PTO RP. ASK US FOR A DEMONSTRATION • We are too low in used inventory. Deal now and get top prices for your trade in. VERY DAY FARM SAFETY FILTER SPECIALS * Ford 300 Oil Filter BUY TWO AND RECEIVE FREE FILTER WRENCH * All Other Filters BUY THREE AND GET ONE FREE Save $$ Now On These APRIL SPECIALS 1 0% OFF * Batteries * Tune-Up Kits * Hydraulic Cylinders * All In-Stock Toys 5% OFF * All In-Stock Paint * All In-Stock Radios See Our Display At The Texaco FARM TRADE FAIR This Friday and Saturday - 227 Wellington St. We Have A Complete Line of Parts For Briggs & Stratton Engines Better Farming Starts At EXETER FORD Equipment-Soles Ltd EXETER 235-2200 ®DI-SYSTON systemic insecticide is still your best buy for corn rootworm control, • Economical low rate • Systemic action extends control throughout, active rootworm larvae season • Won't damage germinating corn seedlings 40 Won't wash away • Convenient formulations—liquid or free-flowing granular in 10- and 50-pound vapour-barrier bag 77302C Order now from: q`,1170K1?1n Re; *M cl El,,,Or Cooks Division of Gerbro Corp. locations at Kirkton, Centralia and Hensall Exeter District Co-op, qxeter .,w ,• The Ontario Vegetable Growers' Marketing Board has been advised that the Farm Products Marketing Board is prepared to amend the marketing regulations to provide for term contracting in 1977. Under the new regulation, Ontario vegetable producers will have a formalized system of contract security which is unique in North America, The need for, contract security arose from the fact that land and capital commitments of Ontario vegetable producers -' have in- billion on goods and services. Most of this money wound up as income to workers, in taxes, or in profits for many other businesses. In addition the far- mers paid $179 million in property taxes. "Farmers and businessmen Farm credit rate dropped Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan has announced a reduction in the interest rates charged by the Farm Credit Corporation. The interest rate for loans under the Farm Credit Act will be 91/4 per cent and 9 per cent under the Farm Syndicates Credit Act. "These rates are reviewed twice a year and changed on April 1 and October 1. The rates are based on the yields on government bonds and in- vestments," said Mr, Whalen. The rate for the period ending on March 31,1977 was 10 per cent. "We also foresee that the Corporation will have adequate funds to meet the projected demand for the coming fiscal year. Approximately $500 million will he available for FCC loans," said Mr. Whalen. He said that this represents a return to more normal times for the Corporation, In 1975-76, $641 . million was loaned as a result of the amendments to the Farm Credit Act and because of a general optimism in the agricultural sector. About $170 million of this total had to be paid with funds from the 1976-77 budget. This coupled with a lower demand for loans resulted in about $308 million in approved loans for 1976-77. are partners, one can't function without the other." says Mr. Hill. "It will be to our mutual ad- vantage to try and have a better understanding of the problems faced by each other." Mr, Hill went on to explain some of the problems faced by farmers as he sees them. Mr. Hill explained that with most products the supplier simply figures out how much the item costs to produce and then adds on a profit for himself and sells at that price. In the farm market this 'is only possible through control of the quantityof products produced which is the reason marketing boards with supply managementauthority or a quota system. "If we want to sell our goods at a certain price, then we must be Wet° controlthe supplyand have the selling done through One body only," he added. Mr. Hill went on to say, "To Ontario six companies handle 95 percent of the food business. This concentration of power is not good for the farmer or for the small businessman who is trying to compete." Marketing boards are the answer, says Mr; Hill, although there are still a lot ofproblemsto be worked out he added. For a marketing board to work it has to have a large percentage of support from the supplier of the commodity it is marketing, and farmers tend to be the last of the "rugged free enterprisers" particularly in the beef industry. CUSTOM CLEANING SEED GRAINS Vita Flow Seed Treatment Hard to Match Prices On: • Registered Herta Barley • Complete Line of Forage Seeds • Plow Down Mixtures ROBERT E. FORREST Ed-El-Fa Farms Ltd. Box 344 HENSALL, ONT. 262-2627 262-6048