Loading...
The Brussels Post, 1980-04-16, Page 13rs PERTH -8ARLEY. Perth Barley- King Grain's exceptional six-row spring, barley has truly earned its repdtation as the all-weather barley for Eastern Canada. It is particu- larly well-suited to conditions in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces—especially in areas where lodging can be a problem: The variety, developed at the University of Guelph, is higher yield than Trent, Herta or Vanier and has spearheaded the resurgence of the profitable barley growing in the East. Why? For a number of reasons'.. . •High resistance to prevalent races of powdery mildew and loose smut *Resistance to stem rust *Strong straw and upright growth habit *Mid-size, plump, yellow, kernels *Extremely high-yielding *Mid-season maturity *Excellent standability •Good tolerance to Helminthosporum organisms •High bushel weight ALSO AVAILABLE IN ELGIN-PERTH. MIXED GRAIN Contact .A.B.M., Farmsit,i. Elmer S. .Mattiti. it IL 2, Bluevale . 887-9043 Flex-Heat' Radiant Ceiling thorn-K5f!im •eltlEATING SYSTEMS: titJA-hunt An alternative to rising gas prices and increasing oil shortages. The newest and most comfortable way to- heat—for industrial, commercial and residential use. For more, information about the Flex-Heat System contact: MEP LAWRENCE Electric Ltd. Auburn, Ontario 526-7505 THE BRUSSELS POST, APRIL 16, 1660 u— 13 , BY ALICE GIBE Huro Countyon farmers are going to Ottawa April 24 tO, join other farmers who are asking the federal government to hold farm credit rates and to provide emergency loans for fariners in financial difficulty., Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) president Ralph Barrie, speaking to Huron Federation of Agricultpre members at their monthly meeting in Ethel, said in this period of high interest rates, "I feel we (federation members) have to make our case strongly, even though there aren't' any easy answers." Mr. Barrie said both Eugene Whelan, minister of agriculture and Finance Minister Allan MacEachen have been invited to meet with farmers, ftom across the province. Mr.. Barrie said the. OFA is attempting to get two farmers :who have, experienced difficulties with the current high interest rates to tell their story to the media, and the public,„ "We hope to show the consuming public and society in general that what is happen- ing as a result of these policies is very detrimental to Canadian agrictilture," he told federation members". The OFA; president said the Ottawa trip was a chance for federation members to live up to their slogan of "farmers working for farmers." In his opening remarks, the OFA presi. dent, a dairy and beef farmers from Lanark County, said, "The. OFA has some. major achievefnents just behind them but some of the most , serious problems are facing us that we've ever Idoked at:" ' In addition to high interest rates, Mr. Barrie listed problems 'like energy prices, rural severances, foreign ownership and the- question , of disposing of industrial and nuclear wastes. Mr. Barrie told the audience prime lending rates have risen about 12 times' in the past two years. He said in 1970, -the average indebtedness was $11,100 and in 1979, it has risen to $40,100. He said the current economic situation is affecting farmers in three ways. : The high interest rates are robbing the ;Cash flow of younger farmers, so they have less per year to operate with. - Mr. Barrie said high interest rates have also resulted in dramatic increases in prices at the farm supply area, which is already leading .to Shortages. 'Finally; he said the most serious result of the .current economic situation is that "it's going to stop investment in agriculture." He said the question today is why Anyone would invest in agriculture with interest rates of from 14 to 10 per cent, -to get a six to 12 per cent return for their investment. The OFA president said another area of concern for farmers is property taxes. He. said assessments on farm taxes were frozen in the early 1970's, due to OFA lobbying, hut now. the , government is attempting to move to market value assessments. Mr. Barrie said when the OFA executive met with provincial treasurer, Frank Miller to ask for a.long range policy on taxes, Mr. Miller promised the policy would, be ready by July. Mr. Barrie said the OFA has learned since the policy won't be rea' dy by July and said heisuspects "we won't likely have a long range plan until we have majority government." In addressing, the meeting's theme- "together we stand"-Ralph Barrie said the OFA has had success, with a number of issues,;including the Petty Trespass - Act, amendments to the Envinahmental Protect- ion Act and farm income stabilization programs. But he warned farmerS are probably facing "more serious economic conditions than we have in some time." He `said this is why the OFA is lobbyIng for short term emergency loans for farmers. • The OFA president said some of , the other 'provinces already have some "pretty bloody significant interest assistance programs" for their" farmers, particularly in Quebec and British Columbia. He said for this reason, "part of our lobby must be directed to the provincial government" and told federation members the OFA executive will be meeting with the Ontario cabinet on April 23. In response -to Mr. 13arrie's speech, 'Gordon Hill, of Varna, past president of the OFA, said part of the problem facing the - farm community is "the rates charged' by banks and finance companies, to both fartnets and farni suppliers." Mr. Hill said, "it's the banks and finance companies that are going to cripple agricul- ture if allowed to continue (charging), these usurious rates... . ' a Bev Brown, federation director, told the audience she believes banks have behaved irresponsibly in loaning money to farmers they knew couldn't handle the debt. ,Now, he she said, the banks are foreclosing much too 'quickly on theSe farmers. • Bev Brown said when this period is over, "if you can get your money anywhere else, I don't think you should get it' at the, banks." Carl Hemmingway, a Brussels 'area hog farmer, said hOg producers should consider following the banks' lead and produce half the pigs and charge twice as much for them., Bev Brown said while high interest rates are hitting every sector of society, farmers, and •particularly hog producers , are "being asked to take a 10 to 40 per cent cut in, pay (income) and still meet their bank Pay-, She said, "I don't mind tightening my belt, but want everybody else across, the country to take a cut in pay Doug Cameron, an Ashfield Township farmer, said, hog producers had to accept, some of the blame for the current glut on the market "because we overproduced our market and have to live with it." Bev Brown said she disagreed, since banks and, finance companies flogged money to people "who wanted to build pig barns." She added if banks had had a district quota . on the money loaned 'for pigs, then "we wouldn't have the glut we have today." She said in 'one' year, 30, anew pig barns were constructed in one Huron. County township alOne. Following the discussion, Merle Gunby Said the Huron Federation executive had' prepared three policies to, bring to the federal government's attention at the April 24 meeting in Ottawa, ' -He said•for the short term, funds must; be made available for emergency refinancing; for farmers in financial difficulty. Over the longer term, the executive recommends that similiar interest rates be made available to Ontario farmers as are found in other provinces and that farmers be provided with fair returns for their commodities. Ralph Barrie told the' audience farmers find themselves in a more difficult situation than others because in, some areas, farmers just can't cut back. ' "You can't plant'half, as much crop this year," he said. Following the meeting, federation members made plans to fly to Ottawa for the 'April 24 meeting in the Chateau Laurier.' at Madill *weddings .. , rack, field 14( ";,i....... ---- ,...........i. ..... I .. popular ( WE CATER TO ' lamiftelft'.-S, - kt. . *hockey banquets' ----\ Madill turn to the events included in track, and field." Forget your' worries; When interviewing. Mr. catering to. Bill & Dee. Campbell, the coach said that the main fault so far was the lack of male 'participants. So come one, all you men, and show the rest of Huron- Perth on May 14. The coach also said that. F.E. 'Madill will be hosting a big meet on April 30, here. It will include relays and some field events and will show the fans some of our talent. • Mrs. Lisle added that the girls look very good and if even more want to partici- pate, they will be even stronger. —Anne Simpson •anniversarieS Well it's that time of year when the athletes of F.E. *staff parties OLYMPIA Restaurant- sill \mit, 887-6914. Brussels leave the a Advertising is a guide to fashion. The Loan Arranger Heil help you"Pronto " Your heroic Branch Manager is able to save you 'a 1 /2 % on Personal Loans over $2,500.00. Offer valid to April 19th. The Loan Arranger can help you look forward to that terrific trip, get behind the wheel of that new car, or take home that coloured T.V. 'And that's only the beginning ... VG VICTORIA AND GREY TRUST. Contact us in Listowel at: Main St E 291-1450 Qr.