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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-04-05, Page 47Krugel elected N.F.U. District Director BY GRACE AUSTIN Lorne Luther resigned as Director of District 5 of the National Farmers Union after Whelan hints at bean aid Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan said in Kirkton Friday his ministry is seriously considering making the disastrous 1977 white bean crop eligible for stabilization assistance. He said because the 1977 crop was destroyed or damaged by heavy fall rains, the agricultural stabilization board must consider requests for stabilization cover- age "My officials soon will be in touch with the Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board to further discuss this request from bean growers," he told the annual meeting of the Perth County White Bean Association. Whelan urged producers not to depend too much on government to bail thein out on weather -based crop disasters, but rather to invest in government jrop insur- ance which is a joint farmer-gov- ernment program. He said that only a third of Ontario's white bean producers were insured last year, but for those producers. who .invested a total of $1,092,000 they received compensation of $9,447,000. In Perth County there were 636 claims with a total payout of $3,290,000. Perth County farmers paid $791,1)00. Statistics show the risk of losing crops is higher than the risk of losing buildings, but marry farmers do not take . out crop insurance, Whelan said. He said many • United States politicians and government offic- ials have told him Canada is the envy of many American farmers wh' do not have a crop insurance program .to turn to. - "Some of the horse racing people in Canada ask why I am against off-track betting and say that I represent the biggest gamblers of all in Canada, namely farmers," he joked. seven years of capable service in that position. A vote of tanks was given to Lorne by me bers attending the annual District Convention at Monkton on April 4. John Krugel of Monkton was elected as the new District Director; Marguerite Jansen was returned as Women's Director and Colin Domen was elected Junior Director. District 5 of the N.F.U. takes in roughly the Counties of Huron, Perth and Oxford and has five Locals. Members attending from Local 335 were Lorne and Maxine Luther, John and Grace Austin, Lorne McDonald and Leonard O'Loughlin. Three National officers were present:. Blake Sanford, Director; Marie Bright, Women's Vice President and Pauline Gould, Junior Vice President of the NFU. Pauline Gould said that the youth are interested in the NFU, but need direction and help from the older more experienced members. Marie Bright spoke of the International year of the Child in 1979. The NFU will be making proposals and recommendations for children's rights, and working with the youth. Reports from the Food production Food production is a source of wealth production whichcreates employment in other industries as well. Since 1969 we have been net importegs of beef. In 1976 our net beef deficit was equal to 189,050 slaughter cattle. In 1977 we were deficit in pork production by 102 million pounds. That is underdevelopment. By importing these products we pay for jobs in other countries while our unemployment levels rise. We waste foreign currency which weakens our whole economy. We: have the resources to be self sufficient in beef and pork. If farmers- could regain their costs of production and a reasonable return on investment and labour, which they seldom do, they could and would produce more. We should at least balance our trade deficits by exporting as much in the meat trade as we import. Amends Farm Credit Act The Minister of Agriculture, Eugene Whelan, recently tabled a Bill in the House of Commons to amend the Farm Credit Act. "Agriculture is changing at a fast pace and we must continually update legislation to ensure that the real credit needs of Canadian farmers are met," explained Mr. Whelan. The Bill provides for an increase in the • Farm • Credit Corporation's capital from $100 million to $150 million. This would increase the Corporation's borrowing capacity to $3.75 billion. The capital was last increased in 1975 from $66 million to $100 million. If passed, these amendments would raise the FCC lending limits to $200,000. for all borrow- ers. Loan limits are presently $150,- 000 for persons 35 years of age and $100,000 for borrowers over 35. The present loan limits apply to farming units, which means that partners or a father and son can only , qualify for one loan. The amendments provide for a new loan limit of $200,000 per operator up to a maximum of $400,000 for, 'a farm unit where there are two or more operators who are qualified applicants. Another amendment would change the way loan security is assessed.. Standard loans are presently secured, on an apprais- ed or productive value while loans to persons unders 35 years of age can be based on market value. It is proposed that all loans be based on market value. A number of more technical amendments would help stream- line the administrative operations of the FCC. The statutory $25 a year charge for supervision which is applied to loans exceeding 75 percent of the appraised value, would be dropped. Advisory services would be offered free of charge to borrowers who want and need them, Provision is ',made in the amendments to allow the Corpor- ation to provide for future losses on loans in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The penalty interest charge would be dropped in order for the Farm Credit Act to become more compatible with the spirit of the Interest Act which prohibits penalty interest except in specific Acts. To date, in 1977-78, the Farm Credit Corporation has approved $540 million for 6800 loans, NFU delegates who attended the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) conference is available from the National office in booklet form. This year the delegates visited Kenya, Tan- zania and • Mozambique. Blake Sanford reported that the National Convention will be held in Ottawa this year. Farm income has decreased by 11% Blake said, with the forecast to decrease further.. During the period of farm income decrease, corporate prof- its have risen. In 1974, 54% of the farmers income was derived from off farm sources. When.farmers are forced to compete for off farm employ- ment, an already serious employ- ment situation is aggravated. The N.F.U. policy is for the family farm to be the main producers of food. Government needs to recognize the full potential of food production as a source of job and income creation, both within the farm sector and in industries serving the farm sect- or. 150 Prizes MUST BE WON IN THE BIG "Spot the Merchants" Contest SEE NEXT WEEK'S LUCKNOW SENTINEL Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, .April 12, 1978—Page 15 CRAWFORD MOTORS CHRYSLER - DODGE - PLYMOUTH WINGHAM, ONTARIO PHONE 357-38.62 1977 TOYOTA, 4 cylinder, with radio 1974 CHEV, 4 door, V8 automatic, power steering and brakes 1976 CHRYSLER CORDOBA 2 - 1976 PLYMOUTH GRAND FURIES, 4 door sedans 1975 BUICK, estate wagon 1975 CHEVY NOVA SS 1975 DODGE ROYAL MONACO, 4 door sedan V8 automatic, power steering, power brakes and radio 1975 CHEV, 4 door 1975 OLDSMOBILE, 2 door 1975 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER 1974 PONTIAC, 4 door sedan 1974 ELCAMINO 1974 GRAND TORINO 1974 DODGE MONACO, 4 door sedan 1974 DODGE, 3/4 ton 1974 GMC, 3/4 ton 1973 PLYMOUTH, 2 door hardtop 1972 PLYMOUTH, 2 door 1970 OLDSMOBILE, 4 door hardtop' ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING of the HU'RON-BRUCE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION of Ontario Guest Speakers: DR. GARY GURBIN BRUCE -GREY P.C. CANDIDATE BOB McKINLEY M.P. for HURON MIDDLESEX AT RIPLEY COMMUNITY CENTRE ELECTION OF OFFICERS BUFFET DANCE Cost - $7.50 per person Tickets at door WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1978 at 7:30 p.m:.