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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-01-31, Page 16Page 16 Times-Advocate, January 31, 1979 Stating the farmers' case Every time we read about an increase in the cost of liv­ ing there seems to be ac­ companied with that report the allegation that food prices has been the major contributing factor. Unfor­ tunately consumers often look upon the farmers and marketing boards as being to blame for the food cost spiral. Perhaps I can attempt to put the farmer’s case in some perspective, and in this connection I have been very interested in a series of articles that has been written by an agriculture reporter for one of the daily papers. There was a time in this country when farmers en­ couraged their sons to farm and when the sons responded positively to such en­ couragement. Unfortunately things have changed. Canadian agriculture is almost unrecognizable to­ day. Gone are the small self- sufficient farms relying on natural horsepower to get the work done with a few chickens and a cow to help keep the family fed. The typical Canadian farmer is not an unsophisticated hayseed - certainly many of them never were. There is no room in agriculture for a farmer who can’t cut the mustard. Today’s farmer must be a combination land baron, speculator, bookeeper, mechanic, electrician, carpenter, and still manage to grow crops and livestock. He has to keep detailed records of money for chemicals, gasoline, machinery, taxes, and in­ terest payments. He has to watch the newspaper to see how grain prices in Win­ nipeg and Chicago commodi­ ty exchanges are acting. Every cent of profit is carefully weighed. Should it be used to buy a new $78,000 »< combine or that 100 acre parcel down the roadI The average Canadian farmer bears little resemblance to his . forefathers. He can’t be satisfied merely with a day’s work and the knowledge that he is his own boss. He is his own boss all right - with a $200,000 capital investment to protect. He is a self-employed capitalist, in debt to his ears, with production costs constantly threatening net income. He produces much of the food eaten around the world vet his fellow countrymen are eating more and more imported food which com­ petes directly with domestic food. On paper he and his colleagues are worth more than ever, yet more and more of them are forced to hold outside jobs. He drives a tractor that costs more than a small house and is slowly being forced to accept more mechanization because Canada, a country beset with high unemployment, can’t supply him with enough seasonal farm labour to get crucial harvest work completed. Caught in the so-called cost-price squeeze, the Canadian farmer has managed to snare much of the blame for the rising cost of food in this country. The facts show otherwise. According to Statistics Canada, the price of the tools, supplies and land needed to produce food in Canada rose by a whopping 201 per cent between 1951 and 1977. During that period, the retail price of food as measured by the consumer price index went up by 151 per cent. Farmers in that time received only 89 per cent more for their products. All is not bad, however, for the man on the land. The federal and provincial governments contribute to crop stabilization programs, which ensure farmers break-even prices when commodity returns drop below a pre-determined level. Farmers contribute to these programs. There is a crop insurance program - unique in the world - which compensates farmers for crop loss due to bad weather. Farmers con­ tribute to this as well as Parkhill By MRS. HARRY SHEPPARD Miss Violet Sharpe celebrated her 80th birthday last week. She is a resident of Chateau Gardens. Mr. & Mrs. George Charlton spent a few days visiting friends and relatives in Detroit, Mr. & Mrs.David Holland, St. Marys, Mr. & Mrs. Dune McNaughton, Woodham, Mr, & Mrs. Art Thompson en­ joyed an oyster supper at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Harry Sheppard, recently. Instead of bewailing the fact that we can’t have all that we want, many of us should be thankful we don’t get all we deserve. HURON SANITATION Owned by John J. Hotson CAN OFFER YOU COMPLETE 24 HR. SANITATION SERVICE PHONE JOHN HOTSON AT 238-2140 If no answer call 238-8240 for prompt reply. POWER SEWER LINE CLEANING • from 1 ’/a" to 5" pipe • save unnecessary lawn damage • cut down labour costs • for farm, commercial and residential PORTABLE TOILET SERVICE Portable Toilets are available 7 days a week with Maintenance and Delivery included. Custom Backhoeing at reasonable rates. Call us anytime 238-2140 R.R. 1, GRAND BEND governments. And dairy farmers receive subsidies each year for milk used in the production of items such as cheese, ice cream, skim milk powder and yogurt to the tune of some $300 million. Still, the rate of all these subsidies in total and on a per-capita basis, is among the lowest in the Western world. The federal Ministry of Agriculture estimates total federal and provincial contributions to farmers to be about $500 million each year. In comparison, United States subsidies this year will total some $22 billion. The bottom line is that to be successful today, the farmer must be a shrewd, hard-headed jack-of-all- trades. He must be willing and able to work in the fields and in the barns, repair equipment, mend fences, plan and carry out expansion programs, juggle finances to maximize profits and minimize taxes, know what commodity to produce from year to year as prices fluc­ tuate. and somehow survive the inflation all Canadians are familiar with. Net farm income dropped for two years in a row, but 1978 was the beginning of a turnaround. Contrary to earlier expectations, income across Canada rose by 30 per cent last year. This was due mainly to higher prices for livestock such as cattle and hogs, as well as better grain prices on world markets. Actually, world prices are still low, but the devaluation of North American curren­ cies means Canadian farmers are getting higher prices for exports in terms of the Canadian dollar. The smaller dollar is a two- edged sword, however, because most farm supplies are imported from the United States and other countries whose currencies have not dropped as much, so farmers are paying higher prices. Our farmers supply, along with those in the United States, Argentina and Australia, most of the wheat sold to other countries lack­ ing great agricultural resources. The Canadian government has guaranteed a price for wheat sold domestically, but since most wheat is exported, farmers are at the mercy of world price conditions. The pegged price limits what millers and other grain processors pay for Canadian wheat to between $4 and $5 per bushel - an increase from $3.25 a bushel. While this new price recognizes in­ creased production costs of farmers, it will also help push retail bread and pastry costs up this year. Besides grain, cattle and hog production are major agriculture activities in Canada, and have a com­ plicated relationship with grain, since much of the grain crop is used to feed livestock. Thus when grain prices are high, beef and pork prices are likely to go up because of the higher cost of feeding the animals. However, the major factor in livestock prices from farm gate to supermarket is supply. The greater the numbers, the lower the price. This year’s rapidly es­ calating beef prices provid­ ed a perfect example of that basic supply and demand law. For several years high cattle numbers in Canada and the United States kept the price low, often below cost of production, and con­ sumers had relatively cheap beef. Cattlemen voluntarily began reducing the breeding herds by sending more female cattle to slaughter, herd numbers declined, and Canadian consumers saw sharp beef price increases this spring. Farmers claim­ ed it was price recovery, noting that they had lost $400 million because of the lower prices in recent years. Besides the Prairie provinces. Ontario is a ma­ jor agricultural province producing a wide variety of grain, vegetable and fruit crops as well as containing a thriving livestock and dairy industry. For Ontario farmers a key problem is import competition. Growers can be hit hard by United States and Mexican imports, even during the Canadian growing season, Greenhouse vegetable growers centred mainly around Leamington grew $18 million worth of cucumbers and tomatoes last, year. When those products hit store shelves in spring and summer months, they had to compete with cheaper produce from southern regions, which although ex­ pensive to transport here, still can be sold relatively cheaply because of much lower production costs in their country of origin. They are grown outside under the sun and picked by low-paid laborers. Canadian growers must spend millions on heating greenhouses while crops are growing during the winter, and labor costs here are high. Farm work is hard and tedious, and unemployed Canadians would rather wait for better-paying industrial jobs or collect unemploy­ ment than take on seasonal- farm work. The same situation applies to peach, apple and other fruit crops grown in Southern Ontario, which boasts some of the best farmland in Canada. Quebec is different. Dairy production is the main agricultural industry there and it is a highly subsidized type of farming. Milk prices are set by the federal government and provincial marketing boards in Canada, and although the work is hard - dairymen must work 365 days a year - the reward is a stable in­ dustry with guaranteed returns. Yet farmers and their commodity marketing boards have come under in­ creasing attack by some groups which claim they are making too much money. According to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, farmers’ net incomes have not grown proportionately to either cash receipts or cost of production. In 1951, Statistics Canada reports, the total net income of Cana- dian farmers was $1.9 billion. During that year, cash receipts were $2,7 billion. In 1977, cash receipts had risen to $10.1 billion, but net income was only $3.6 billion. According to a recent CFA brief, total net farm income represented 59 per cent of total expenditures on food consumed at home in 1951, and was of the order of 17 per cent to 20 per cent since 1961. Despite the billions of dollars flowing into farms every year, farmers have had to abandon the in­ dependence they cherish and take outside jobs, the CFA notes. In 1951, Canadian farm cash receipts from the sale of agriculture products on the domestic market - that is, Canadian grown food purchased by Canadians - were $1.7 billion, while con­ sumers spent a total of $3.1 billion on all food and non­ alcoholic beverages at home. By 1977, the cash receipts from domestic sales were $5.4 billion, and consumer spending had jumped to $18.2 billion on food and non­ alcoholic beverages at home. In percentage terms, that means that 54 per cent of our food dollar went to Canadian farmers in 1951, and in 1977 the percentage had dropped to 30. Next week I will discuss Marketing Boards as they have more emphatically come under the gun on pric­ ing. GREASE IS THE WORD — Kathy Speziale as Olivia Newton- John, and Tracy MacDonald as John Travolta jived to the sounds of "You're the one that I want" at Exeter Public School's Gong Show.T-A photo Dashwood seniors receive Hay grant By MRS. IRVIN RADER Dashwood Seniors held their meeting Monday with 29 present. During the day the ladies quilted. They finished it on Thursday having also quilted Tuesday and Wednesday. Following a pot luck supper the business was dealt with by the president Chas Martene. A minute’s silence was held in memory of Mrs. Moulton. A grant was received from Hay Town­ ship. Any member who has paid their dues and is unable to attend any more will have their name entered in the In Memoriam book. Shuf­ fleboard and cards were played. Attend prayer school Ten people from Zion Lutheran Church attended the Prayer school Friday and Saturday at Hope Lutheran Church, Kitchener. Persona Is Mrs. Ernest Koehler ac­ companied Mrs. Ward Kraft of Exeter to London, Friday where they visited with Mr. and Mrs. Bill Feast retur­ ning home Saturday af­ ternoon. Flowers in both the United and Lutheran Churches were placed by the family of the late Daniel Vincent. Miss Alice Brown R.N., Dallas, Texas, spent a few days visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Penhale, Gary and Susanne Smith. Personals, Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Rader were supper guests last Monday with Mr. & Mrs. Paul Rader, London. Mrs. Olive Gabel has returned home from Victoria Hospital following a cataract operation, Mrs. Ray Van Dorsselaer has also returned home. Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Rader and family Dorchester, were Saturday visitors with Mrs. Hilda Rader. By MRS. RENA CAl'DWELL St. Andrews Church, Kippen held their annual meeting, January 21, follow­ ing a pot luck dinner. Michael McGregor, son of Mr. and Mrs, James McGregor has been' a patient in University Hospital, London. Mrs. Frank Wright has returned from London where she was hospitalized. Crediton Institute host euchre party - Owners of smaller businesses The Federal Business Development Bank can provide you with: See our Representatives RANDY BROWN AND OR BILL SCHUTZ The Devon Building 476 Main Street, Exeter on: EVERY TUESDAY Staffa ladies study China hold contest about spices By MRS. J. TEMPLEMAN The January meeting of the Marion Ritchie Evening Auxiliary was held at the hbme of Mrs. John Templeman, Tuesday even­ ing. The president Mrs. Dun­ can Scott presided and open­ ed with a poem and Hymn 404, followed by prayer. Mrs. John Templeman had fhe devotions “What will the new year bring” us­ ing Mathew Chapter 4, verses 18-22 for the scrip­ ture. Mrs. Carter Kerslake chose as her topic a paper on “About Those Resolutions”. Minutes of the December meeting were read and ap­ proved and the treasurers report given. Eight members answered the roll call with a verse on Hope and the payment of fees. Cards and visits were recorded and plans discuss­ ed for a quilting to be held in the Family Life Center, . Tuesday. Mrs. Norman Harburn conducted a contest on spices as her special number. Mrs. Bob Laing in­ troduced the study book for this year on china. She out­ lined the background of the country afterwhich a skit was given by several of the members. Personals Exams are underway at Mitchell District High School. GaryNorris and Danny Collins, Brampton visited recently with Mrs. Sam Norris and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Norris and family. Misses Darlene Templeman, Exeter, Ruth . Templeman, Dublin, Mary Jane Templeman, Stratford, Mrs. Dale Martyn and girls, Russeldale and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Neilson Stratford visited at the J. Templeman home on the weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Har- burn are holidaying in the southern states. Mr. and Mrs. John Burleigh and Joan, Goderich f and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Skinner, Mitchell visited Saturday with Mrs. Sam Norris and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Norris and family. Mr. and Mrs. Rob Templeman and Carrah visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Bill Worden. The annual meeting of the Cromarty Presbyterian church was held Sunday afternoon in the church school room Rev. Kenneth Knight chaired the meeting with Mrs. Robert Laing recor­ ding secretary. Trust Company Certificate Rates 1 O’/2% Annual Interest 1 O’/4% Ellen Bean 344 Andrew St., S. Exeter, Ontario 235-2140 VANASTRA FACTORY OUTLET "The Store That Saves You Mere” in our Sew'n Save Fabric Department CURTAIN ENDS Choose from our remaining stock of curtain ends by the pound. 1/2 PRICE I \ A \ ML; Si i i OwSsk FABRIC CLEARANCE Choose from 2 bunks of assorted clearance material. Buy now while selection is at Its best. • Financial assistance • Management counselling (CASE) • Management training • Information on government programs for business FEDERAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK (Branch Office Address) For prior information call 271-5650 or write 1036 Ontario Street, Straf­ ford. By MRS. PETER MARTIN The Crediton Womens Institute held their first euchre for the winter season with 10 tables in play Monday evening. The final results were: Ladies high, Annie Fink- beiner; ladies lone hands, Mrs. Ken Glavin; ladies low, Mrs. Hess; mens high, Jack Dickens; mens lone hands, Ward Neeb; mens low, Cliff Kenney. The next euchre is February 6 at 8:15. Wednesday evening the Womens Institute met for their January meeting. Mrs. Jane Dearing welcomed everyone and opened the business with the Ode and collect. Ninteen ladies an­ swered the roll call with a shopping hint. The minues were approved as read by Lois Hodgins. Correspondence and bills were read and acknowledged. Treasurer, Alma Davey, gave her report. Business was discussed. The following motions were passed: To cater to the Fire Department, March 31,1979, and the Haugh-Menard wedding August 4, 1979. Irene Finkbeiner’s group will look after the fair exhibit. Next meeting is 4-H night, February 21, at 7:00. Mrs. Dearing turned the program over to Mrs. Bruce Shapton who read the motto: A given emotion is a choice, rather than a condition of life. The topic was on Mr. & Mrs. Consumer. Mrs. Peter Martin sang two numbers accompanied by Lois Hodgins. Gladys Wein reported on what to look for in cans which was good or bad. Thelma Finkbeinet reported on sugar content in cereal food additives and the new coding system. Dolores Shapton reported on meats, potatoes and law as it affects women. Lois Hodgins reported on the weights and measures act, labelling, entertainment and fabric and textiles. Gloria Martin reported on laundry detergents and spices. Lunch was served by Irene Haugh, Vi Andrews, and Alma Morlock. Mary Kenney thanked the programme committee and the lunch committee. Different draws were made for some of the mer­ chandise on display. Winners were Anne Cottell, Vi Andrews, Jane Dearing, Louise Wein, Alma Davey, Cora Wein, Gladys Wein and Mary Kenney. Personals John Muller is home from hospital. Mrs. Allan Finkbeiner received word that her brother-in-law James Cairnes, Kelwood, Manitoba had passed away unex­ pectedly. Birthday celebrations for Fay and Ken Dedman, Mary Ellen and Irene Schlenker were held Sunday at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Armin Schlenker and Mary Ellen. Mr. & Mrs. Max Howard, Mr. & Mrs. Ken Dedman, Mr. & Mrs. Carmen Schlenker and families were all present for Sunday dinner and family fellowship. ••••••• BE A BLOOD J DONOR ••••••« $1OO I • YD.$AOO AND Jfe « yd. T-SHIRTING Over 40 different stripes and colours. 60" wide, washable. Reg. ’2.99 yd. $199 SALE | • BY THE YARD Choose from an excellent selection of colours. Approx. 60" wide. Ideal for throws, cushions, etc. SPECIAL / Choose from Paton's Canadian Sayelle or.Chaff yarn. Rain- bow of colours! REG. 99' BALL (2 oz. or 50 g.) NOW $1OO I • o PER YARD REMNANT BORG PIECES CHARGEX r nr k A raster charg nr iBHntM <1*0 It «'l«IMOU 1 Choose from our remaining stock of pre-priced Borg Pieces. Assorted sizes to choose from. % REMAINING STOCK Mg VANASTRA E A FT ADV F ...................... ■ . ...............— “The Store thot Saves You More'^B MINI ROYS IAOIIS GIRLS A YARD GOODS SIWING MACHINIS FOUNO GOODS GROCIRIISrAVl VK ■ OUTLET Highwo.y 4 - South of Clinton < r ...... ~ ' ............” j NEW STORE HOURS: M Monday . Friday 10 a.m. ■ 1 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. . 6 p,m, Sunday 12 noon - 6 p.m.