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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1977-07-27, Page 10farm operation than traditional forms since it is essentially Developments Limited 4 IN, DIAMETER UP " OUR EXPERIENCE WILL ALL WORK r3UARANTEED . SAVE YOU MONEY DEPENDABLE WILLIAMS WELL DRILLING FREE ESTIMATES R.R.1 LISTOWEL, ONT. Phone 291-3457 Collect Evenings • we will be able to handle your wheat this harvest KEN R. CAMPBELL FARMS Ltd. Ed's Siding 8t Roofing Vinyl & Aluminum Siding Aluminum Windows & Doors Aluminum seamless evestrough. For your Free estimate call Wroxeter 335-6341 Be an early bird! Then you will enjoy the beauty of a lovely home all summer OINNINIINNOw ONW -•••••••••-- WEEKLY SALE BRUSSELS STOCKYARDS LTD. EVERY FRIDAY At 12 Noon Phone 887-6461 — Brussels, Ont. 3 10.. THE BRUSSELS- PM., JtX.Y 27 1077 Plan, agrominium north of Toront (By John Miner) A large Toronto development company claims a new form of farm ownership will both perpe- tuate land in agricultural production and, stimulate housing. Devon Downs Developments is promoting what it calls the "agrominium concept." At present the company is attempting to make the idea a reality in West Gwillumberry township, thirty miles north of Toronto. An agrominium, according to a Devon Downs brief, would occup about 600 acres of land with 150 housing units. The owners of the houses would be part owners of the farming operation. The housing units would be grouped on less than seven percent of the land, away from the agricultural components. Farm Staff The owners of the residential units would not actually take a direct part in the farm work. This would be done by a farm staff of people with agricultural experience. In charge of the staff would be a farm management company consisting of at least one person Brussels Stockyard Keport The market at Brussels Stock- yards traded actively on all classes of fat cattle. Choice Steers - 44.00 to 45.00 with sales to 45.60. Good Steers - 42.00 to 44.00. Six steers consigned by, Henry Farms of Blyth averaging 1168 lbs. sold for 45,60 with their offering of 77 steers averaging 1100 lb's. selling for an overall price of .45.35. Eleven steers consigned by Hugh Osborne of R.R. 2, Monkton averaging 1192 lbs. sold for 45.20. Five steers consigned by Harold Beisel of R.R. 3, Moore- field averaging 1232 lbs. sold for 45.15. - Nine steers consigned by Hilray Farms of Holyrood averag- ing 1181 lbs. sold for 45.00. Twenty-nine steers consigned by George Underwood of Wing- ham averaging 1238 lbs. sold for 44.90. Twenty-six steers consigned by Maple Emblem Farms of Dungannon averaging 1156 lbs.. I sold for 44.75. Thirteen steers consigned by. Merlin Bender of R.R. 2, Hensall I averaging near 1300 lbs. sold for 44.50. Three steers consigned by Dr. Howard Kidinan of Wroxeter averaging 1027 lbs. sold for 45.30. Choice Heifers - 42.00 to 44.00 with sales to 45.00. Good Heifers - 40.00 to 42.00. A heifer consigned by Russell Kelly of Brussels weighing 1130 lbs. sold for 45.00 with his 21 heifers averaging 955 lbs. selling for an overall price of 43.15. Five heifers consigned by Hilray Farms of Holyrood averag- ing 1100 lbs. sold for 43.90. Five heifers consigned by Wm. Rintoul of R.R. 3, Wingham averaging 1026 lbs. sold for 42.65. Choice Cows - 28.00 to 30.00 with sales to 31.506 Good Cows - 26.00 to 28.00. 30 to 40 lb. pigs traded to a high of 35.25. 40 to 50 lb. pigs to a high of 44.25. 50 to 60 lb. pigs to a high of 49.00. with extensive farm experience or other educational qualifications related to farming that would qualify him as a professional farmer. The farm would be run on a five year program under the direction of a "farm committee" of three owners appointed by the Board of Directors of Devon Downs Farms. The committee members would be responsible for inspecting the farm activities, but would not be allowed to interfere with the supervision or management of the agrominium staff, who at all times are to be under the sole direction of the management company. On a model agrominium, the agricultural operation will include 390 acres cash crop; a horse barn for 25 animals; a piggery housing approximately 40 pigs; a beef feed lot maintaining about 20 steers; a chicken roost stocked with 600 capons; a fishpond stocked with fish; a fully equipped green house; and various recreational areas for picnics and horse riding. Profitable Agrominium owners are not advised to depend entirely on the agrominium for an income, but the operation should be profitable, Devon Downs feels. "Whereas the prospects of an individual owner of the agrominium becoming wealthy in ".very good" years (although not impossible) is improbable,, it is not unlikely that a modest income may be derived," Devon Downs brief to the Ontario Government states. The company stresses, however, than an agrominium operation has a much greater ability, to take a loss. It cites the example of a $75,000 loss in a single year which would be "almost certain to result in ruin" for an individual farmer. However, with 150 owners, the loss would only, cost the agrciminium owners $500 a piece. 'More Stable "The agrominium concept of farming ensures a more stable unaffected by losses," the brief says. Devon Downs says there are other advantages to the, concept as well. "In keeping with the intent of governmental policies, the agrominium concept will put idle, land with an agricultural potential] into production, retain land that is presently in agriculture in production, create a harmonious blend of the talents of full-time farmers (farm management specialists) and the part-time farmers (agrominium owners) with result that it will provide an exciting family farm alternative for anyone wishing to invest in a farm or country estate. A Replacement "Furthermore, because the agrominium concept embraces the principles and spirit of the family farm - it offers a replace- ment for the traditional farm for families." Agrominiums have not been met with an open arms atmosphere, however. The township of West Gwillumberry rejected the idea of'having a test model set up within the munici- pality. Now Devon Downs Developments is in the process of appealing to the Ontario Municipal Board to have the township decision overturned. Workable "We still think we have a very workable concept," Jethro Crang, president of Devon Downs told the EgpOsitor, Depending on the success of the pilot project, they will attempt to establish the concept in other areas, he said. However, some people involved in the agricultural industry don't think the concept is workable. Bev Brown of , the Huron Federation of Agriculture who has studied the problem for the Federation is one of them. "It would create immense problems for the agricultural community it was set up in," she said. The number of children alone from 150 new housing units would be a major burden to the local school system. The influx of urban people and white collar workers would have a 'definite impact on the value system of the rural community, she said. Couldn't Produce Food "If such a concept spread we would have to buy more and more food outside of Canada. Agro- miniums could not produce it," she said. Liberal agriculture critic and Huron-Middlesex MPP, Jack Riddell is also sceptical of the idea. "I'm not too sure their Interest is in agriculture. I t they are more interested building homes," he said, The residences on agrominium would sell for n than $100,000. Mr. Riddell suggested agiominium concept may be attempt to avoid the restrict' on building houses in an agri, ture area. The company owns land and this is one way developing it. How Long? "My concern is how long they going to keep most of land in agriculture. I tend to th it would only be a matter of ti before they turn the whole th into a residential area," he sa Agrominiums from a holm point of view could be advan geous, as they stop strip devel, ments along highways, he sai The agriculture critic thinks t idea might easily spread to oth areas. "I think if they get t thing going other companies w try to get their land developed the same way," he said, "I still think the only peop who can keep a viable 'fa operation going are those wh have: a sincere interest in th farming operation and not onl want to live in an agricultur area,' but want to work," ATTENTION WHEAT PRODUCERS Save Time and Transportation Costs Bring your 1977 Wheat Crop to J. Ditsch Farms (Appointed Agent of the Ontario Wheat Marketing Board) For further information contact: Joe Ditsch RR 3 Brussels Phone: Bus 356-2292 , Res. 887-6824