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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1976-03-03, Page 13WEEKLY SALE BRUSSELS STOCKYARDS LTD. EVERY FRIDAY At 12 Noon Phone 887-6461 — Brussels; Ont. THINK OF WHAT A POWER OUTAGE COULD COST YOU! PROTECT Your FARM - WITH A. .• ' '0, . Tractor Generator for Standby Power YOUR TRACTOR and a 74!iittcH...:a• .GENERATOR MAKE A TERRIFIC' POWER. TEAM, • contact GLEN SCHWARTZENTRUBER. Wing aril 3574608, 'THE. bliOSSELt 'POSTE MARCH 3; 197E Gordon Hill describes A typical day with the OFA Gordon Hill, President of the Ontario Federation of griculture Was the guest peaker at the annual dinner teeting of the Stephen Township Federation of Agriculture on riday. Over 180 farmers and heir wives gathered at the Crediton Community Flail to hear Mr. Hill describe a typical week's activities of the provincial executive of the O.F..A. He feels aht it is important for fanners to realize the work that is being done on their behalf by the Federation on a continuous basis throughout the year. On Monday, February 23, the 0,F.A. executive held one of their regular luncheons with represen- tatives from the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Hill said. Part of the discussion centered on the problems ' brought about by farmers who import chemicals such as weed killers, pesticides; orchard sprays, etc. from the United States. Another area of concern is the problem of control- ling blackbirds in corn fields. In some parts of the province, especially places close to marshy areas, flocks of blackbirds will descend on a corn field in the fall and cause damage to the crop that can amount to a loss to the farmer of up to 15 bushels per acre, There has been a chemical developed ,(Avatrol) for use in controlling these birds, but it is not licensed for use in Ontario. The O.F.A. is concerned that if this chemical is not licensed, then there should be some other means found to control blackbirds, so that farmers do not have this added pest to contend with. On Tuesday, February 24, the executive of the O.F.A. held a historic first meeting with the executive of the' Quebec general farm organization known as the United Producers of Agriculture (U.P.A.). The meeting was held at a hotel near the Toronto airport and arrangements had been made for simultaneous translation of the proceedings, .so that each person could speak in his ow,n language, but his message was instantly translated for the benefit of the listeners. The U.P.A. was established af ter a vote was held several y ears ago and under the legislation, every farmer in Quebec must pay an annual membership fee of $50. to the U.P.A., although he does not have to be a member of the organization unless he elects to do so. About 48,000 out of 52,000 farmers in Quebec are members. The U.P.A. executives explained a great deal about their income protection plan and confirmed that they have an agreement with the government of Quebec whereby farmers negotiate -with the Department of Agriculture through the U.P.A. The executives of the two farm organizations met for two days during which they exchanged information on their various activities, discussed mutual problems and possible solutions and decided that .co-operation between the two farm organizations will benefit farmers in both Ontario and Quebec. At noon on Tuesday, Gordon Hill drove into Toronto to the CBC radio station where he fielded questions, on a one-hour call-in program called Radio Noon. The subjects covered that day were food prices, consumers, marketing boards, etc. and Gordon felt that he had an excellent opportunity to get the farm message across to urban listeners. The last call 'on the program carrie' from Mrs. Ruth Jackson, President of the Ontario Section of the Canadian Associa- tion of Consumers. She stated that she did not agree with Mrs. Plumptre's report on marketing boards as the research had not gone deeply enough into the background as to why, marketing boards were necessary. Mrs. Jackson felt that the main justi- fication for marketing boards is that they give the small farmer a chance to have a say as 'to what the prices of his product should be when he is trying to sell it to one of the big processors. Mr. Hill was very pleased to hear Mrs. Jackson come out as strongly as she did on behalf of farmers. On Wednesday evening Gordon Hill flew to Ottawa where he appeared on a TV program called Platform. The panelists that evening were from a group A good supply of fat cattle at Brussels Stockyards Friday trad- ed under pressure. There were 1035 pigs on offer. Choice Steers 42.00 to 43.00 with sales to 43.40. Good Steers 40.00 to 42.00. Nineteen steers consigned by John Ferguson of Clifford averag- ing 1059 lbs. sold for 43.40 with his offering of 39 steers averaging 1032 lbs bringing 43.05. Three steers consigned by Gordon Roul- ston of Ripley averaging 1020 lbs. solf for 42.80.. Six steers consign- ed by Charles -Shobbrook of R.-R. 3, Walton, averaging 1100 lbs sold for 42.75. Thirteen steers consigned by Maple Emblem Farms of Dungannon averaging 1132 lbs sold • for 42.45. Seven Holstein' steers consigned by Albert Weber of R.R. 2, Mildmay averaging 1360 lbs sold for 39.50. Choice Heifers 38.00 to 39.00 with sales to 39.75. Good Heifers At a special directors meeting held in Clinton on February 25, the Huron County Federation of Agriculture voted to put all their resources behind the move to resist closing of the Clinton Hospital. The federation directors feel that the presence of a hospital in a rural town contributes much to its economic viability and to the well-being of its citizens - both urban and rural. The farm accident rate is one of the highest of any industry-and "Give Inflation the Fix in '76" is the challenging theme for the 1976 Farm Show, to be held at the Western Fair grounds March 2, 3, 4 and 5. Four special theatre programs highlight the four-day show, taking a serious look at the modern farmer' and his problems, opportunities and future. The latest in farm equipment arid machinery will be on display as Well as hundreds of home and farm equipment exhibits: Special' films, baking exhibits and OernOnStrations will also be featured. An ever-than peogratri of demonstrations and competitions will be presented for the ladies, On Tuesday a filni program will 'be offered In 'the second floor grandstand exhibit hall and Wednesday's program highlights a•derrienStration of fine cooking. On Thursday, a fashion show, "Fashion. Turnabout" will be known as the Women for the Survival of Agriculture. These are farm women, all members. of the Federation of Agriculture, who have gone out and tried to tell the people who live off the farm about the' problems of running a farm business. They started off the program and had their say and then there was_ a discussion with the' audience. Amongst 'the audience were Herb Gray, former Minister of Consumer Affairs, research assistants. for different cabinet ministers, people from farms and urban consumers. On Thursday ,morning, Febrtuary 26, still in Ottawa, Gordon Hill attended the egg price hearings held by the National Farm Products marketing Council. The Canadian 36.00 to 38.00. A heifer consigned by Robert Blake of Brussels weighing 1040 lbs sold for 39.75. A heifer consigned by George Pearson of Ethel, weighing 840 lbs. sold for 39.00 with his offering of 9 heifers averaging 912 lbs sold for 38.42. Fourteen heifers. consigned by George Blake of Brussels averaging 955 lbs sold for 38.85 with his offering of 29 heifers averaging 958 lbs. bringing 38.52. Eight heifers consigned by Allan Bridge of Wingham averaging 920 lbs. sold for 38.75. 30 to 40 lb pigs traded to a high of 49.00. 40 to 50 lb pigs to a high of 55.00.-50 to 60 lb pigs to a high of 61.75. 60 to 70 lb pigs to a high of 69.70. Sixty-six pigs consigned by Garry Haak of R.R. 2, Clinton, averaging 42 lbs sold for 1.17 per pound. the proximity of medical help can mean the difference between the loss or saving of an arm or a leg, said Adrian Vos, Federation President. With more than 2200 members in Huron County, the Federation represents a potential 10,000 hospital users. The subject of hospital closings will be further discussed at the March 4th meeting of the Feder- astion' to be held at Brookside School on the 9th' of Ashfield. All members are urged to attend. • presented,and a demonstration on "Growing House Plants in Your Home" is the topic of ,Friday's Ladies' theatre program. Beauty and charm take the spotlight on Tuesday evening when 26 attractive young ladies compete for the title of Farm Show Princess. Immediately following the crowning, the Junior Farinerarna, program will be staged. Farm Show '76' offers four exciting days for the entire family, March 2, 3, 4 arid 5 in the Progress Building and Grand- stand, Western Fair Grounds, London. The show opens at 10:30 a.m. daily And activities conclude at 1030 p.m. each night, except Friday, when doors close at 4;30 p.m. Adult admission price is $1.00 and children under 14 accompani- ed by an adult are admitted free. Association of Consumers was claiming that consumers were . being •charged an unnecessary $1-million a week because the price of eggs is being artificially inflated by the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency. After the C.A.C. had presented their brief and were being cross-examined by the counsel for the C.E.M.A., they had to back up a considerable 'amount on their feed conversion figures. They admitted that if they had had one of the reports on which C.E.M.A. bases its pricing formula, they would not have made the sugges- tion that a farmer should be able to produce a dozen eggs on 4 lbs. of feed. C.E.M.A. says that it takes 4.46 lbs. of feed to produce a dozen eggs. As feed comprises about 70% of the cost of a dozen eggs, a variable of half a pound in the cost formula would alter the final price by a considerable amount. Mr. Hill said that it was rather gratifying to the farmers in the audience to hear the C.A.C.'s arguments being demolished. When the C.A.C. brief was completed, the C.E.M.A. lawyer made the statement that had this been a court of law he would have asked for a dismissal at that time, based on the poor case that the C.A.C. had made. One of the points made in the Federation brief submitted by Mr. Hill, was that for a farmer with 10,000 layers, an extra cent a dozen would mean $1900 extra net income per year. But for the consumer, an extra cent a dozen would only cost a family of four an extra 74c per year. Back in Toronto on Friday, February 27, Gordon Hill, along with Vice-President Peter Hannam and General Manager Jack Flale had an opportunity to meet with the new leader of the Ontario Liberal 'Party - Stewart Smith, in order to acquaint him with the O.F.A. and its policies. Mr. Hill made it clear in his speech that it is the policy of the O.F.A.. not to support any political party. However, the O.F.A. executive meets periodically with all parties to discuss farm problems and to make sure the politicians understand that the Q.F.A. is ca rrying forward the concerns of farmers from all across Ontario. Mr. Hill closed by saying: "Even though the income squeeze is not as bad as it was a number of years ago, there are still things that farmers are concerned about and the O.F.A. wants to make sure that we do not go back to those bad old times. Unless farmers stick.together and work together, then we will go back to how things were a number of years ago. We see on the one hand well-organized labour, big business and big government. We must recognize that by pulling together and building structures such as the Federation of Agriculture and our marketing organizations, there is much we can do to help ourselves. ,But we have to stick together, because for farmers there isn't any power without, unity." Brussels Stockyard Report Huron F of A protests hospital closings Farm show fights inflation