The Rural Voice, 1981-04, Page 27RURAL NEWS IN BRIEF
Warley attacks quota values
The Task Force on Agriculture, charg-
ed with an investigation of all aspects of
agriculture and sponsored by the Econ-
omical Council of Canada, has not
brought out its report yet. But T.K.
(Sandy) Warley, professor of economics
at the University of Guelph, lifteld a
corner of the veil when ,he spoke at an
OFA marketing seminar recently.
He told farm leaders at the Holiday
Inn. Cambridge that the Task Force has a
number of proposals to lift the burden of
quota values from the backs of consumers
and young farmers.
The professor did not reveal any of the
proposals, but stressed the Task Force is
in favour of formula pricing.
"Agriculture," he stated, "Is the most
unstable industry we have in our
economy." He also found, though. that
there is no disproportionate share of
poverty among farmers.
On the positive side, Warley stressed
repeatedly the report is not against
supply management or formula pricing.
"In connection with red meats we favour
the strengthening of the stabilization
programs. Without any great enthusiasm
we endorse the meat import law for beef,
but you will find nothing in our report
which encourages those who wish to form
marketing boards for beef or to extend
supply management provisions for either
beef or for pork. We also stress that you
can't stabilize the meat sector without
stabilizing the grain sector."
The academics also endorse the need
for vegetable marketing boards in light of
the fact four tomato buyers purchase 70
per cent of the total output, and
asparagus growers sell to no more than
three processors.
The authors of the report will be
sympathetic to the national broiler and
egg boards, Warley said, but "we have
concluded that things got badly out of
hand". He could find no justification for a
total quota value of almost $.75 -million.
The excessive costs of transfer could put
all other marketing schemes in jeopardy,
he said.
The researchers found consumers have
to pay more for regulated products
because prices are forced up, which is
inflationary and regressive. Indignant
farmers at the meeting declared it was
bgical that prices increase, for marketing
boards were formed for the purpose of
giving the farmer a better return than he
had before the boards were established.
The professor went on to say the
benefits of quota fall mainly to the first
recipients. When these quotas change
hands, young people will buy them, and
the quotas will form part of the farmer's
capital.
"What is a benefit for the first
generation becomes a burden for the next
generation of farmers", Warley said.
He stated the Task Force has a variety
of proposals on how these "abuses" may
be prevented.
Under questioning Warley defended
the U.S. practice where broiler product-
ion is said to be in the hands of eight
integrators. "What is so special about
small farms?" he asked. "At least the
American consumer enjoys low priced
eggs and chickens."
Perth Ag Week has full attendance
Stormy weather plagued the annual
Perth County Ag. Week held at the
Stratford fairgrounds
Attendance during the first two days was
poor due to the weather.
On Tuesday, Bruce McCall, owner of
the Brussels Stockyards, told cattlemen
at the event the future of farming
depends on young farmers taking over
the business.
Dairymen also attended the opening
day to hear guest speaker
Ken McKinnon. chairman of the OMMB,
and a three-man panel of OMMB
representatives discuss the future of the
milk industry in Ontario and the success
of the quota system.
After the election of Perth County
Federation of Agriculture directors Wed-
nesday. 40 members listened to Dr. Les
Emery who spoke on the importance of
fuel and energy management for farmers
and on the future of fuel supplies.
A smaller group watched a colour video
presentation on the lambing process,
presented by Huron County ag rep. Don
Pullen, who is also a sheep farmer. The
"cooking with lamb" demonstration by
Jan e Lamb of the Embro area was
cancelled due to the inclement weather.
In the afternoon, Henry Stanley,
Halton County ag. rep., discussed some
of the marketing techniques available to
lamb producers. Lamb is a specialty meat
and the price isn't tied to other meat
prices such as beef and pork. The speaker
stressed good management as an asset
since lean, dry sheep bring more profit
than the wet dirty sheep when sent to
market.
The goat program, scheduled for Ag
Week, was postponed until sometime in
the spring. A new date will be announced
by the Stratford OMAF Office.
Thursday was Pork Day at the
fairgrounds, with 400 producers in
attendance. The Farm Safety Association
demonstrated manure and silo gas safety
equipment. Guest speakers also present-
ed producer profiles and tips on
improving the sow herd.
The final day of Ag Week was a corn
update and crops day. Guest speaker Pat
Lynch, soils and crops specialist with the
Stratford OMAF office, spoke on the
importance of breathing equipment and
gloves to protect the skin when handling
chemicals. About 300 farmers attended
Friday's session to hear about cropping
programs, corn pests and an increasing
weed problem in the county.
Beef producers closer
to marketing system
Rising production costs, attributed
mainly to high interest rates and feed
prices. mean many cattlemen are losing
money. a fact which has moved the group
closer to forming a marketing board.
Though a proposal that a plebiscite be
held on a marketing board was defeated
109-90 at the Cattlemen's Association
annual meeting in February. the group
did pass a resolution to study changes in
the marketing system. Those changes
could include a marketing board.
The resolution marks a major shift for
the cattlemen who in the past have
soundly voted down alai Keting board
proposals.
THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1981 PG. 25