The Rural Voice, 2001-07, Page 55RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
41‘
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1'C0
807-486-3622
AmmAllb. -
RAINY RIv[R VALLEY The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
June /9. 2001
Rainy River District is living up to
its name again this spring. Some
farmers have not been able to plant as
yet, but are not giving up hope. Grain
has been seeded as late as July 10 and
still harvested out well. We'd love to
share our bountiful rainfall with Alberta
who is struggling with drought right
now. Army worms have invaded since
the first part of May and covering the
entire district. An old timer stated, "We
don't like 'em, that's for sure, but the
good Lord puts everything on this earth
for a reason, and there's a reason for
the army worms".•
The June 5 meeting of the RRFA
was held at Morley. We missed Angela,
but Linda Armstrong, Bernie Zimmer-
man, Betty Salchert, Ken Fisher, KimJo
Bliss/Calder, Reg Kaus, Kristine
Carpenter, Shirley Morrish, Rudy
Sinninghe, the newlyweds, Jason and
Kelly Teeple, and Cecil Westover, all
attended. Betty, reporting for Member
Services, said that nominations for
directors should be sent to Mary Myers
at OFA office 416-485-3333, ext. 236.
Betty will be ordering some of the
license plate frames for members to
purchase at the RRFA display booth at
the Emo Fair.
Cecil Westover attended the
meeting to report on the problems he is
having with the CN over the crossings
on his property. Member Services
personnel, Betty, will work with Mr.
Westover on the situation.
Linda mentioned that the fair board
plans on placing hand -washing
facilities outside each of the barns for
fair time. The containers will be tilled
with the new disinfecting, dissolving
lotion which needs no water or towels.
It's a start, but boots and coveralls
would be my concern.
Ken reported that Community
Pasture has three-quarters of the cattle
in and the remainder should be arriving
by the end of the week. There are 245
in total this season.
Bernie said that a hydraulic -type
hoof trimmer and an operator come to
the district on a regular basis to trim the
dairy cattle. If interested, call Bernie at
487-2392 for more information.
Kimio reporting for the vet
committee said that 1321 King's
Highway in Fort Frances will be the
home of the new building to house the
Nor -West' Animal Clinic. Small animal,
business is really booming in this area.
Another vet is greatly needed to cover
the rural areas. Distance is the major
factor. It takes one and a half hours to
drive from the clinic to the farms on the
west end of Rainy River. Cattle.
horses, sheep and pigs neser need
medical help on the same day. With all
the wonders of science, you'd think that
could be remedied.
A bacterial disease which is
antibiotic-resistant and can kill entire
bee colonies has been detected in B.C.
and Alberta. Manitoba is prohibiting
movement of bees and hive equipment
into their province. Beekeepers are also
fearing the African Small Hive Beetle,
which is damaging bee colonies in the
U.S. They could migrate north and
become a problem in Canada. The Ag
Awareness Committee will be
promoting bees and honey at the fall
fair in the Farm Progress Building with
the assistance of King -Bee, Rick
Neilson. Watch for all of us.
Rainy River Cattlemen will hold
their fall yearling sale on August 25
and the Fall Calf Sale on October 6.
More repairs will be completed before
that time. Call manager, Russ at 482-
2472 for sales information.
By the year 2003. all livestock
producers in the province of. Ontario
will be required to have a Livestock
Medicines Certificate to purchase over-
the-counter livestock medicines. For
further information call 1-877-480-
9992.
' Price of gasoline has gone up —
five cents or more and it could rise to
$1.00 a litre by next year. Have you
noticed that there are more two -
wheeled vehicles on the roads these
days.
Linda reported that to date there are
12 booths entered in the Farm Progress
Building for fair time. Give her a call as
soon as possible for a space at 807-852-
3645. She is an extra busy lady these
days since she and Stan have moved to
their home by the river.
The Rainy River 4-H Association
held their June meeting at Barwick last
evening. That time of year has arrived
again for our Bursary committee to
choose a recipient. This year the
graduates who will each receive $100
are Joey Sletmoen. son of Darryl and
Wilma and Candace Wiersema.
daughter of Archie and Eleanor. Joey
graduates from Fort Frances High
School. and Candace from Rainy Riser
High. We're sery proud of these two 4-
H members and their achievements.
The 4-H beef clubs had a get-
together at Ken Fisher's farm south of
Emo. It was a learning experience for a
number of the adults who attended. Ken
reported. He also mentioned that people
must remember to wear safety boots
while working with large animals. The
local Farm Safety promotion person
had a toe broken when working with a
horse while wearing running shoes.
Must be trying to follow in a
predecessor's footsteps who was
accident-prone.
A drama club, quilting club and two
horse clubs are underway in 4-1-1. A 4-
H Fun Day has been scheduled for
Sunday, July 29.
RRFA will not hold a meeting in
July, because everyone should be busy
in the hay fields. The next scheduled
meeting is August 7.
Each year the RRFA presents a
bursary of $100 to a student from each
of the three high schools. This year's
recipient from Fort Frances High is Jeff
Teeple. son of Gary and Lisa Teeple
who farm north of Emo. Recipient from
Rainy River is Candace Wiersema.
youngest daughter of Archie and
Eleanor Wiersema. This year there was
no candidate from the Christian School.
Congratulations to Candace and and
Jeff. Recipients must have parents who
are members of RRFA.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to
the family of Dale Berg who passed
away June 24 after a courageous tight
with cancer. Dale will be remembered
for his quick smile and a good story to
tell. His devoted love for his family and
friends will keep his memory alive. We
will miss him.
"Look not mournfully into the past,
it comes not back again. Wisely
improve the present. it is thine. Go forth
to meet the shadowy future without fear
and with a manly heart". – Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82).0
– Submitted by Shirley Morrish
JULY 2001 51