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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-08-02, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1989. Huron farmers demand changes from Cardiff Now that he is parliamentary assistant to Don Mazankowski, Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Prime Minister, Murray Cardiff should be working to make changes in agricultural programs, Mr. Car­ diff was told by farmers at the Huron County Federation of Agri­ culture’s monthly meeting in Clin­ ton Thursday. From crop insurances, to the Farm Credit Corporation the 40 farmers present pressed Mr. Car­ diff for changes to federal govern­ ment farm policy but the M.P. for Huron-Bruce refused to be trapped into taking a position on most of the subjects. The loan policies of the FCC brought the sharpest debate of the evening as the farmers pressed for the federal agency to become more aggressive in helping farmers with financing. Chris Palmer, president of the Federation, pointed out loans by FCC had dropped from $700 million in 1983 to $200 million in 1987 to only $100 million last year and wondered why the FCC is cutting back its activity. Mr. Cardiff replied that the loans of the early 1980’s were used mostly, not to get new farmers into the business, but refinance existing farms. The corporation is still trying to recover from the problems of that era of over-expansion, he said. He defended his own role in trying to help farmers get their problems with FCC settled, saying FCC officials have told him he has brought more cases to their atten­ tion than any other M.P. FCC’s money is going now to new entrants into the industry, he said, but how many new entrants are there? Mr. Palmer argued that FCC’s interest rates are too high and are discouraging people from trying to start farming. Doug Gamiss asked Mr. Cardiff if he felt it was acceptable for FCC to be loaning only $100 million a year. At such loan levels, the Brussels Livestock Report Choice cattle sell lower The market at Brussels Livestock Inc. met a selective demand on choice steers and heifers, selling $2 lower. There were 480 slaughter cattle, 287 pigs and 30 lambs on offer. Choice steers sold from $88 to $92. Good steers were $84 to $88. Ten steers consigned by Keith Johnston of RR 2, Bluevale, aver­ aging 1229 lbs., sold for an average price of $90.32. Three steers con­ signed by Jim and Les Stephenson, averaging 1117 lbs., sold for an average price of $90.27. Twenty-six steers consigned by Howard Mar­ tin of RR 3, Brussels, averaging 1250 lbs., sold for an average price of $89.04. Six steers consigned by Joe Courtney of RR 1, Dungannon, averaging 1098 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.96. . Five steers consigned by Paul Johnston of RR 2, Bluevale, aver­ aging 1228 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.95. Seven steers consigned by Glen Sellers of RR 2, Bluevale, averaging 1159 lbs., sold for an average of $88.47. Thirty steers consigned by G. A. Steawrt Farms of RR 2, Ripley, averaging 1176 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.70. Fourteen steers consign­ ed by Tim Prior of RR 3, Brussels, averaging 1109 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.61. Two steers consigned by Allan Thornton of RR 1, Gorrie averaging 995 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.54. One steer consigned by Kevin Johnston of RR 2, Bluevale, aver­ aging 1290 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.50. Two steers con­ signed by Art Anderson of RR 1, Seaforth, averaging 1355 lbs., sold corporation should be laying off staff and closing offices, he said. Mr. Cardiff said the message is there that FCC is not meeting the needs of farmers. The government has made a commitment to change, he said, and is looking at the situation. But Paul Klopp, past president the Federation (and a formerof Murray Cardiff NDP candidate) said that while the government claims it must take time to study FCC, it could make an overnight decision to bail out a western bank. “You’re in a posi­ tion to do something,” he chall­ enged Mr. Cardiff. “Treat us (farmers) like a bank out west.” He said the government could insist FCC have a good farm credit policy. It would show confidence to the young farmers who are getting out of the business now, he said. He complained about FCC’s policy of charging farmers a three- month interest penalty for paying off their mortgages early, just as banks do. It wasn’t helping farm­ ers, he said. Mr. Cardiff agreed on that point saying the interest penalty is “absolutely not fair.” Another farmer agreed with Mr. Klopp’s complaint about high in­ for an average price of $88. Eighteen steers consigned by George Adams of RR 2, Wroxeter, averaging 1101 lbs., sold for an average price of $87.97. Thirty­ seven steers consigned by Geo. Underwood Farms of RR 1, Wing­ ham, averaging 1324 lbs., sold for an average price of $87.93. Thir­ teen steers consigned by Fraser Farms of RR 1, Listowel, averaging 1121 lbs., sold for an average price of $86.78. Choice heifers sold from $87 to $91. Good Heifers were $84 to $87. Twenty heifers consigned by George Blake of RR 2, Brussels, averaging 1082 lbs., sold for an average price of $88.81. Eleven heifers consigned by Glen Sellers of RR 2, Bluevale, averaging 1094 lbs., sold for an average price of $87.24. Fourteen heifers consigned by G. A. Stewart Farms of RR 2, Ripley, averaging 1066 lbs., sold for an average price of $87.14. Thirteen heifers consigned by Gary McNichol of RR 4, Walton, aver­ aging 1039 lbs., sold for an average price of $87.28. DI and D2 cows sold from $54 to $57 with sales to $60; D3 and D4 cows, $52 to $56; canners and cutters, $47 to $52. Bologna Bulls, over 1600 lbs., were $77.50 to $82.00. Weaner pigs under 40 lbs., sold at $55; 41 - 50 lbs., $39.25 to $52.50 with an average of $49; 51 - 60 lbs., $44 to $51.50 with an average of $49; 61 - 70 lbs., $45.75 to $48.75 with an average of $47.50; 70 lbs. and over, $49.50. These prices are by the hundred weight rates. “You’ve got to act something,” he told Mr. insurance brought more terest rates. He said he had two sons who were farming but they couldn’t continue to farm with high interest and do Cardiff. Crop criticism. Bob Down of Hensall asked when and if crop insurance covering 90 per cent of loss was going to be brought in. Mr. Cardiff said his government would like to see a safety net program composed of crop insur­ ance and tri-partide stabilization in effect by the 1990 crop year but this will require participation by the provinces. The message has always been clear from farmers, he said: nobody said they wanted less cost for crop insurance but they wanted better coverage. He said he felt there was a good chance of a national framework for such a safety net program by next spring. “This bloody drought relief pro­ gram has given everybody across the country reason to get an agreement,” he said. But Gordon Hill, a member of the provincial crop insurance com­ mission challenged the federal government’s concern for long term programs for farmers. How do you put together the government’s desire for long term programs with Mr. Mazankowski’s “frantic efforts to cut federal funding” to crop insurance? he asked. Currently the program is paid for 50 per cent by the farmers and 50 per cent by the federal government Cook’s Crop Handling Team. Ufc’re ready when you are, at 6 locations. This fall, bring your crop to the experts at Cook’s. We can handle a broad range of vehicles at 6 convenient locations, making crop delivery fast and easy. In addition, we have 12 licensed white bean satellites. Our cleaning, drying and storage facilities are ready to serve you. We offer competitive prices, plus marketing expertise to help you get the most for your crop. You can count on the people at Cook’s for fair grading, honest weights and friendly, personal service. We’ve built our reputation on it. Part of the Cook’s Crop Input Team (from left to right): Tim Hiltz Atwood Plant Foreman 3 years with Cook's Brian “Buck" Glanville Hensall Assistant Branch V Manager 14 years with Cook’s JAL Jamie Hackett Sk Kirkton Branch Manager 1 year with Cook's Division of Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited Hensall (519) 262-2410 Centralia (519) 228-6661 Kirkton (519) 229-8986 Walton (519) 527-1540 Amberley (519) 395-3601 Atwood (519) 356-2292 Licensed White Bean Satellites: Beechwood; Glencoe Grain & Seed Company* Beeton: Simcoe District Co-Operative Bornholm. Fra-Laine Farms Ltd. j Burgessrille: Homeland Grain Inc. j Dashwood; Harold Schroeder 1 Milling Co. Ltd fl Dublin Dublin Feed Mill Ltd fl Kerwood: Glencoe Grain & Seed Company* ■ Maxrille: MacEwen Grain Inc V Milverton: Topnotch Feeds Ltd "* 1 Parkhill: Glencoe Grain & Seed 4 Company* Stouflrille St Lawrence Grains Limited Trenton Trenton Grain Elevator’ 'Division ol Parrish & Heimbecker. Limited ••Division of lames Richardson & Sons Ltd with the province picking up the expenses of administering the pro­ gram. But the federal government, Mr. Hill said, has been pushing for a system where the farmer would still pay 50 per cent and the federal and provincial governments would each pay 25 per cent. Mr. Hill said he didn’t think the provincial government would want to get involved only to see the federal government cut its contribution. The province would want to see its share go to improve the deal for farmers, he said. Mr. Cardiff argued that the new agreement would not be so unfair to the province because the cost of administering the program would be included in the total program. And, he said, lower costs for insurance might increase the over­ all costs of the program because more farmers would be included. Mr. Hill said that when a committee was set up to review the crop insurance program it recom­ mended that there would be more coverage (currently farmers can only recover 80 per cent of the value of the crop) and more public funding but the federal govern­ ment is going the other way, he said. “Let’s work out the plan we want and we’ll come up with the money,” Mr. Cardiff suggested. . “I’ve got the program. You give me the money,” Mr. Hill counter­ ed. We've got you '//, 5s f ..Covered '!• A Blyth 523-4792 “The People Paper” Brussels887-9114 • II ij x I I Ml itroiT ir8 STifeM