The Rural Voice, 1981-10, Page 9farm community. "Farmers have a way of letting you know what is
concerning them." he says.
Right now, DePutter believes there are four main concerns in
the farming community. One of these is erosion. Many of the top
farmers are telling DePutter that the erosion issue must be
confronted. If farmers don't do it themselves, then the
government may be forced to provide mandatory measure.
Another serious concern is the use of agricultural chemicals on
farms. DePutter is wondering just how many farmers are taking
all necessary precautions when using farm chemicals. And what
about the potential damage to consumers from residues? Canada
may have the best monitoring system in the world but does that
mean it cannot be any better? DePutter believes that farmers have
become very dependent on the use of insecticides, herbicides and
hormones and are overly defensive about their use. Maybe
farmers should be willing to promote inquiries into the uses of
chemicals and go after more funding for research into chemicals
and their alternatives.
Another big issue is economic. The bottom line is making a
living and right now, in some sectors of agriculture, that's not
possible according to DePutter. He believes one way for a farmer
to survive economically is to hedge on his crops and livestock. To
this end, he tries to provide the farmer with as much information
as possible about trends which might affect his management
decisions.
DePutter feels that farmers should be concerned about the
decrease in dollars being put into agricultural research. At
present, no new pesticides are being developed and the insects
are becoming immune to the current chemicals. Perhaps farmers
should also demand that more research be done on organic
farming.
In his years with the Federation of Agriculture and now with
CFPL radio, DePutter has found many intelligent and gifted
people in the farming community. That makes him confident
agriculture has a sound and promising future. He hopes one day
to become a full-time farmer, but in the meantime his job as
CFPL-radio farm editor is an incredibly good experience.
ONTARIO STATION TESTED
BOAR SALE
Thursday, Oct. 22
7:30 p.m.
at the R.O.P. Test Station. New Dundee
For catalogue or further information contact:
ONTARIO SWINE
BREEDERS' ASSOC.
Phone 519/655-2463 or
655-2018
BRUSSELS Il
STOCKYARDS LTD. 111
Where buyers and sellers meet
every Friday at 12:30
Stockers and Feeders arriving regularly
FOR COMPETITIVE MARKETING
PHONE 887-6461 BRUSSELS
IIs�'1
IIIIIIII ■■■■
'toiictolill
AGRI-SERVICES
Agricultural Ft Residential
Building Design and Layout
• COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION PLANS
DRAWN
• CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATES
• PROJECT SUPERVISION
• BUILDING CONSULTATIONS AND
IDEAS.
KARL DOUGLAS
430 ELGIN ST. E.
519-284-2306
ST. MARYS
Corn Harvest
is just around
the corner!
FOR ALL YOUR PROPANE
NEEDS DURING CORN
DRYING SEASON, PLEASE
CALL US FIRST
r
5p10k'gT
HWY. 4 SOUTH, BLYTH, ONT. [519] 523-4256
S
THE RURAL VOICE/OCTOBER 1981 PG. 7