The Rural Voice, 1983-01, Page 7nual meeting helps the organizers pick up
ideas for new programs.
Keeping all this material straight as
well as instigating new ideas, Bruce is
looking forward to another excellent year
with the HCSACIA.
Bessie Saunders is looking forward to
her third and final year as president of the
Grey Federation of Agriculture. With her
husband as reeve of their township and
Bessie deeply involved with the federa-
tion, she finds it very difficult for them to
get together on the same day, to get the
work done at home.
Bessie is the first woman to head the
agricultural group in the county and
regrets that there is no interested woman
following her. "But maybe in a few years
someone will show interest," said Bessie.
The Grey Federation is looking at get-
ting the dormant township federations ac-
tive again in order that they may work with
hydro on the corridor slated to run
through the county.
"We hope to avoid losing good farmland,"
said Bessie.
Another bone of contention the group is
tackling is the property tax program
"which is not favourable to Grey". Bessie
will have her hands full with the new year
and the projects already lined up.
In 1982 a new secretary was appointed
and Bessie says things are working out
just great. Their greatest achievement for
the year could be the success of their new
Fieldman who has been signing up new
ISMs.
People who work in the media covering
the farm news see some patterns forming
and also see a broader view of the pro-
blems facing farmers than the farmer
himself who deals specifically with his
own commodity.
Roy Maxwell of CBC's popular Radio
Noon program noted that the farm news
has been dominated over the past year
with overall financial news.
Roy sees a growing pressure on the On-
tario Federation of Agriculture from
within to take a stronger stand on finan-
cial issues. "Mind you, if the commodity
prices go up and interest rates down, the
pressure may not be there for the federa-
tion," said Roy. "But they may have to
make their points with more vim and vigor
if times continue. Farmers are becoming
less complacent."
Personally Roy is basically optimistic
about 1983 and doesn't see a rapid
change in either the farm situation or the
general economy. While the farm com-
munity is not all that great, the govern-
ment may see they have to help, con-
tinued Roy.
"It is just a question of plugging along
and tucking away what I can." In general
Roy sees 1983 as a year to be in a holding
pattern.
For the milk producers Ken McKinnon
of the Milk Marketing Board, notes their
year has not been as bad as compared to
the red meat industry or the cash crop in-
dustry.
"But the past year has still been tough
on many," said Ken. "In the last ten years
some have undergone major expenditures
or expansion and are still finding it dif-
ficult."
Ken is concerned if consumption is not
better, producers will see an overall
decline which will cause problems.
"I don't want to overreact, but I think we
should be aware of the situation," said
Ken. A major problem is exporting and in-
creased costs. While production is up,
consumption is down one per cent.
Although there is more to export, pro-
ducers will be exporting at higher costs or
losses.
Ken keeps a close eye on the interna-
C7,"
nterna-
p
tional market to keep astride on the ef-
fects foreign markets have on our dairy in-
dustry.
But Ken is optimistic. "We have come
through problems before and I am sure we
can even this out."
We couldn't forget the banking industry
and the Rural Voice asked George Arnold
of the Royal Bank in Toronto for a com-
ment on '82 and some of his ideas for
1983.
George deals with agricultural finances
and has seen some interesting things hap-
pen in the last year. "First with the im-
plementation of the Ontario Farm
Assistance Adjustment program, farmers,
bankers and the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture have been brought together in
an effective manner." said George.
"There has been a change in the at-
titude of a number of people," he said.
"Traditionally farmers were not thought of
as businessmen dealing with bookkeep-
ing, but now there is the realization that
farmers cannot ignore this part of their
business anymore."
This time last year we were facing prime
rates of 20 per cent and now they are
down to 13 per cent noted George and the
effect on mortgage rates has been a
significant reduction of, in some cases,
seven per cent.
George also commented on the inflated
real estate values. Over the past year
farmland has become priced according to
what it will produce. Before,no one really
thought about what, if anything, the land
would produce.
George gave some interesting personal
comments for 1983. "In my judgment, the
beef cycle has bottomed out and while the
agricultural economy is not any worse
than the general economy, it can't im-
prove much before the general economy
does. With reservations, George made the
Pte.
MMEN� Van Ankum Simmentals would like to thank all
who came to their sale on November 27th.
Special thanks to Or. Mel Poland of Paris, On-
tario who paid $1,750. for the top selling cow.
Also to Lorne Faust of Southampton and Bob
Tyson of Ravenna who each paid $1,425. for
the top purebred heifers.
High selling- bull, a 7/8 Simmental with a 121
R.O.P. Index, went to Stanley Conquergood of
Tiverton.
Volume buyers included Lorne Elliott of Staffa
Bert Hastings of Wingham, Harvey Walters of
Hanover and Stan Eby of Kincardine.
Van Ankum Simmental
R.R.2 Wroxeter
519-335.3011
THE RURAL VOICE, JANUARY 1983 PG. 7