The Rural Voice, 1978-08, Page 25Mailbox of the month !
In McKillop Twp., Huron Count}
Farm equipment
sales may be up
Conditions are improving so quickly
down on the farm that Canada's tractor and
combine assemblers now feel their pro-
duction this year will match or possibly
exceed 1977 levels.
This is a sharply different prospect than
what was supposed to be in store for the
$800 million industry in 1978 a decline of
3% in output to go H ith last years's 2%
cutback in sales.
Instead Canadian farmers could wind up
buying $1.25 billion worth of new
equipment and parts, only 3"/,_.Icss than
Canadian and foreign producers sold them
in 1976 and up slightly from the $1,237
billion in orders that they placed in 1977.
The shift is not apt to have any earth
shaking effect on the producer market for
thc moment. Somc jobs may be restored at
the Massey -Ferguson Ltd., Brantford. Ont.
combine plant.But analysts say more long
term improvement will be needed to
encourage investors.
Among the many reasons for the new
outlook three major oncs prevail: A large
reduction in United States grain acrcagc
this year; Revival of thc cattle -raising
industry on both sides of the border; The
lower value of the Canadian dollar.
Done More
Together they have done more for
Canada's farm economy since March than
Agricultural implement manufacturers ap-
parently dared to expect.
The Canadian Farni and Industrial
Equipment Institute surveyed its members
in April. just after first quarter farm cash
11011 TRACTOR PTO POWERED AC ALTERNATOR
LET YOUR TRACTOR BE YOUR
EMERGENCY POWER STATION
The n oney you can save durrny one crippling power loss
can boy your Doan alternator for you'
HAROLD WISE LTD.
Sales and Service...Installations
Electrical...Sheet Metal...Refrigeration
Domestic...Commercial...Industrial
262 Bayfield Road, Clinton, Ontario
Phone 482-7062
income figures had been published. The
income statistics revealed that farmers had
earned 3% Icss in the first three months of
this year than during the corresponding
period of 1977.
And based on that. the CFIEI's
respondents projected sales this year of
$I.2 pillion. almost precisely 3% fewer
than their 1977 deliveries of $1.237 billion.
But April figures released last week by
Statistics Canada showed that instead of
taking in 3% Icss money. farmers over the
first four months of this year had now
pocketed roughly 3% more.
CFIEI officers were hard put to explain
the turnaround at the organizations annual
spring marketing meeting in Toronto. But
they said that if matters get any better,
there is a chance that many of the
industry's 1,500 to 2,000 idle southern
Ontario employees could be called back to
work betorc the end of the summer.
Of all the explanations, being offered of
the turnaround. Washington's decision last
fall to discourage new grain acreage is
probably the most important.
Fearful
U.S. authorities were and may still be
fearful that increased grain production
FARMERS
New Universal Tractor
2 & 4 wheeldrive
from 45 to 80 h.p.
Also w/toaders
& cab - all diesels.
GOOD FINANCING AVAILABLE
I¥**4444**** ********
ACT NOW & TURN YOUR USED
MACHINERY IN FOR NEW
RIEGLING FARM EQUIP. LTD.
Belarus-, Universal and McKee Ebro Tractors
Lucknow Sales & Service 519-395-5107
THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1978 PG. 25