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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1981-01-21, Page 10Sitting in the barber shop The negative game BY JACK HAGARTY, ARE COORDINATOR AND FARM MANAGE- MENT SPECIALIST A barber in a rural town must know all the reasons why it's impossible to start farming today. He must wonder about his own future. Maybe, he'll have to specialize in trims for balding heads. As I wait my turn in a barber shop in Mitchell I hear people playing the "ain't it awful game." It takes me back thirty-five years. As a kid I waited in Goldie's shop on the same street--two doors down sand heard the same comments almost word for word. "There's no way a young person can start farming today, they'll go broke trying, and their parents will end up in the poor house" are statements these armchair reporters play out--like trump cards in a euchre game. It's a good thing that generations of farm families have ignored this negative game., Young people start farming every year. It's not easy. It's hard work--but the facts are that farming in this area (maybe the best in the world) is our most -important industry. Young people will find ways to start farming. Don Risebrough of the Holstein Friesian Association visited New Zealand and came back impressed with the concept o f sharemilking agreements. They are very common in that country. In fact, it's an act of parliament. The terms and conditions are clearly spelled out. In return for milking the cows and work on the farm, the sharemilker receives an agreed percentage of the profits from the milk. The per- centage depends on the amount of work and responsibilities he has and whether he has some form of equity in the business. There are three types of agreements; the first two (29% and 39% share) require no capital input into the farm apart from paying some sundry costs such as fertilizer. They are normally stepping- stones towards the more common 50% agreement. Under this agreement the sharemilker owns the cows and the dairy tools except for the parlour. In return he receives 50% of the sales from the milk and the stock. This way owner still has an interest and a stake in the farm without the worries of its day-to-day running and milking. A newcomer has an opportunity to start farming and work his way up the ladder. The next time you get a hair cut-surprise your barber. Tell him a success story about farming. It'll make his day! And you'll feel good knowing he'll likely be there to cut your hair next month. Snowmobiling and sense When was the last time you hired a salesman who would work 7 days a week for one day's pay? Someone who was not only top notch in sales but also, attractive, interesting and entertaining. . A Salesman who could convey your message vividly in *black and white to . thousands of people in their own homes at their own leisure. Haven't hired such a person lately? We think you'll Brussels Post Call 887-6641 to place your advertisement or one of our professional ad staff will call on you. H & N DAIRY SYSTEMS LTD. Soles, Service a Installation of rem pipelines & MiZel milking parlours 887-6063 R.R.4 WALTON 10 THE BRUSSELS POST, JANUARY 21, 1981 Farm Business Bill to aid emergency Management Topics delivery to farmers The text of a bill aimed at ensuring special handling of emergency repair, parts for farm machinery has , been forwarded by its sponsor, Huron Bruce MP Murray Cardiff, to provincial agricul- ture ministers, ,and national farm organizations. Murray Cardiff first intro- duced the bill last May, but the item may not be debated. in parliament until its next session. Citing ,potential damage, to farming operations from slow delivery of replacement partsi Mr. Cardiff said the bill is meant to provide procedures to alleviate delays. , "The important thing is to come up with a delivery system that guarantees rapid parts delivery from anywhere in the world," said the M.P. A farmer, may have a $200,000 crop rotting in the field because his S80,000 machine is missing a part. When you are facing the ruin of your crop because that small part is sitting idle in, a storage bin at some airport or customs depot, it is, obvious that you need procedures which will get the part to you without such delays.", , Under the MP's proposal, airlines in Canada would be The annual meeting of the Ethel United Church was held at the home of Mae Godkin on Thursday evening The Ethel Women's Insti- tute meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Ethel news Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ken- nedy of Saltford and Mrs. Annie Bray visited with Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Bray on Sunday. home of Beth Earl. required to advertise a spe- cial tariff and observe special procedures for parts shipped under that category. Such packages would carry the lat)el "F.E.R.P.- Rush" to , notify handlers special procedures involving Farm Eqftipment Repair Parts is in force. Since parts may originate in several countries around the world, Mr. Cardiff stressed the need for well- drafted guidelines. There are a number of serious snowmobiling acci- dents each year. Many of these mishaps could have been avoided if operators had used common sense. Snowmobilers should use their machines the same as they would a car on a highway. Follow safe driving rules to avoid accidents with yoursnowmobile this winter. Every year a number of people experience serious mishaps as a result of operating snow mobiles in extreme cold. To avoid such incidents, dress adequately for cold temperatures. 1 c , sure you snowmobile is mechanically fit. Don't ven- ture too far from home or into unfamiliar territory, and al- ways carry spare parts for your machine. A healthy respect for mother nature is vital for safe snowmobiling during cold weather. Len. MacGregor, Extension Assistant THE ICE-FIGHTERS How do you fight ice? Ice can be a nuisance and even a hazard around the farm and home. There are three chem- icals which are commonly used to get rid of ice. These are salt, calcium chloride, and urea. They all work by forming a solution that has a lower freezing point than plain water. Common salt (sodium chloride) is the cheapest and easiest to get, Unrefined rock salt costs about 6 cents per pciund. It is only effective down to temperatures of about -12 C. Salt is very corrosive to metal. Also, in, strong concentrations, it kills grass and garden plants. For temperatures colder than -12 C. calcium chloride is the best chemical to use. It is effective to temperatures of around -22 C. It is just as corrosive to metals and as Huron farm news lethal to plants as salt. Sold in flakes, it costs about 40 cents per pound. Urea is actually a high nitrogen fertilizer, but it is very effective in your battle with ice. It actually helps plants grow if used in moderation. However, it is only good at dissolving ice for air temperatures down to -4 C. The cost of urea is about 25 cents per pound. Sometimes, mixtures of these chemicals are sold. Often these are effective for a wide temperature range. Another chemical used a- round livestock to improve traction on ice is lime. This does not melt the ice, how- ever, it only roughens the surface. Ice is a fact of life in this area. Where it may pose a hazard to people or animals, it may be wise to use one of the above listed chemicals to get rid of it, Ron Fleming, Agricultural Engineer PROPER POSITIONING OF RALGRO Recommendations for pos- itioning Ralgro implants in cattle has changed. Company personnel are now recom- mending the Ralgro implant be placed lower in the ear closer to the head than originally suggested. Ralgro impants are not a hormone, but are a mould derivative called zeranol. The zeronol appears to sti- mulate the animal to produce its own growth hormone. Implanted steers will gain about 10% faster on about 7% less feed. Heifer re- sponse is slightly less. Calves can be implanted from day old, and should be re-implanted after 100 days for best results. A with- drawal period of 65 days .prior to slaughter is manda- tory. Heifers retained .for breed- ing purposes may receive one implant as a young calf, but should not be re- implanted. The new recommendation for implant position applies to Ralgro only and not to Synovex. Any, doubts can be clari- fied through your supplier or by contacting your local Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture & Food office. Every week more and more people discover what mighty jobs are accomplished by low cost Post Want Ads. Dial Brussels 887-6641..