The Rural Voice, 1983-01, Page 30FARM NEWS
AT THE FEDERATION'S CONVENTION
By Adrian Vos.
The typical optimistic spirit of farmers
was no longer present at the recent On-
tario Federation of Agriculture Conven-
tion. Not once was there speculation
"next year will be better". The fact that
prices will be low, or even lower, was
generally accepted.
President Ralph Barrie expressed his
frustration with the lack of progress in
agricultural income by quoting from a
book written in the depression of the thir-
ties, which could be applied verbatim to
today's farm industry.
He said only once in history farmers' in-
come came close to industrial income.
That was in 1974. But industrial wages
have increased since then, Ontario
farmers' incomes decreased by 58 per-
cent. Recently Agriculture Canada
predicted a further decrease of 23 percent
this year alone.
He complained about the ignorance of
non -farmers about the agricultural in-
dustry. He predicted urbanites won't want
to see the problems of farmers until there
is a food shortage.
Delegate Brian Ireland, of Bruce Coun-
ty, complained it was nigh impossible to
get enrolled in the Ontario Farm Adjust-
ment Assistance Program (OFAAP), but
Barrie revealed some 3,000 farmers had
already benefited by the program.
One resolution asked OFAAP be perma-
nent, which prompted Ireland to ask if the
convention expected the present
emergency situation to last forever.
After much discussion, a resolution
asking for a one-year moratorium on
foreclosures was referred to the OFA ex-
ecutive for further study. Bruce's Wayne
Robertson was afraid ail farm credit
would dry up and good farmers would also
be denied operating credit.
The new member of the executive,
Brigid Pyke. said bank foreclosures were
not the main worry, it was the precipitous
foreclosures which didn't permit farmers
in temporary trouble to find a solution that
bothered most.
While many resolutions dealt with sub-
jects unresolved in previous years, one of
the newer ideas of the last year was the
proposal for an Agricultural Development
and Protection Act. The OFA was in-
structed to renew efforts in that direction.
Such an act would make an area or
municipality which wants it, an area
where agriculture will have absolute
priority.
Considerable discussion was held on
quota transfer in the dairy industry. It
turned out the request to change dairy
quota policy had not been submitted to a
milk committee or to the OMMB. The
meeting finally decided that delegates
didn't know enough details to pass the
resolution.
Delegates from Bruce
OFA strongly supports Canagrex, the
food export plan promoted by Federal
Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan.
which originated with the OFA many
years ago.
Barrie said it was significant that most
opposition to Canagrex comes from the
West. He questioned their reasons
because they have a highly successful ex-
port crown agency in the form of the
Canadian Wheat Board.
Our Apologies
To anyone who showed up at Thames
Bend Farms on Dec. 20th for the 15th
Production Sale which is actually on Dec.
30 at 1 p.m.
The publishers of The Rual Voice sin-
cerely apologize for the error in the sale
date in the Thames Bend ad in our
December issue.
August 25, 1982 - 12th Production Sale Top Selling York
Boar $1,700 to Murray Junker of Tavistock
AIMINNEMINNI
15th PRODUCTION SALE
Dec. 30, 1 p.m.
90 open gilts, 60 boars, 25 bred gilts
Sale held at the farm of Warren Stein located 1 mile south and 2
miles west of Tavistock. We offer you one of Ontario's largest
selection of R.O.P. tested and veterinary approved stock. Our herd
is maintained as a closed minimal disease operation.
A good selection of boars and gilts available for sale at all times
at the farm of Richard Stein located south of Tavistock on High-
way 59.
R.R.#6, Woodstock, Ontario N4S 7W1
519-655-2942 or 462-2704
RICHARD AND WARREN STEIN
YORKSHIRE DUROC HAMPSHIRE IANDRACE E, HYBRIDS
PG. 30 THE RURAL VOICE, JANUARY 1983