The Rural Voice, 2001-08, Page 62i
RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
416
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
RAINY RIVER VALLEYANNEAL - The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
July 11 2001
The weather is perfect for drying hay
and everyone is very busy here in the
Rainy River Valley. Our neighbours to
the west had too much moisture this
spring and some crops are late. We seem
to be able to adjust our day-to-day
schedules despite weather conditions. but
that's the good part of living in the Rainy
River District. We never seem to get too
much of a good thing.
At a recent meeting of The Ontario
Rural Dialogue held at the Emo Legion.
dignitaries and contributors met to
identify the key assets and how to develop
key solutions to rural sustainability. At
the end of the day, everything we talked
about was something that we already
knew. Now someone will make up
another one of those big thick reports on
how the day was spent while being
compensated and the rest of us wondering
if we should have stayed in the hayfield
because just maybe, this was another one
of those wild goosechases. 1 hope not!
One government official had the nerve
to say. "Farming seems to be a lonely
life". If he only knew what a sociable life
it is: but how could he? He was from
Toronto! There wasn't time to explain all
the qualities of rural life here and how it
really is. Life is what you make it, no
matter where one lives. Now that I've got
that off my chest. I feel better.
There as no July meeting with the
RRFA for this month, so all reports will
be coming from meetings attended.
"To own a bit of ground, to scratch it
with a hoe, to plant seeds. and watch the
renewal of life — this is the commonest
delight of the race, the most satisfactory
thing a man can do." — Charles Dudley
Warner — My Summer in a Garden (1870).
The annual Manitoba Stampede and
Exhibition at Morris. Manitoba will take
place July 19-22. A bus load of Rainy
River District 4-H people will be
attending for 4-H day, leaving in the early
morning and arriving home the same day.
Canadian Western Agribition has
shortened their eight-day schedule to six
days, running from November 19-24 this
year. They claim that Sundays had fewer
people attending and therefore have been
eliminated, making for a tighter and
busier schedule. There has been some
rescheduling of events. but some will
keep their traditional days. The Trade
Show will be open for the six days and
the rodeo will have five performances.
The draft horse events will be held on the
first two days and the Stock Dog
Competition will run for one day only
with the finals during the November 21
rodeo. There's something for everyone.
As of July 23 BIO (Beef Improvement
Ontario) will be moved to a new address
at 660 Speedvale Ave. West. Suite #102.
Guelph, ON NI K 1E5. Phone toll free I-
800-373-2253.
As of July 1. all cattle shipped to
packers and feedlots will expect to be
tagged with the individual ID numbers
under the Canadian Cattle Identification
Program. Penalties for non-compliance
begin July 1. 2002.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency is
planning to change the beef grading
regulations so that they may eventually
introduce the automated grading similar
to the hog carcass grading. where a
computer-linked system takes
measurements of carcasses when they are
hot and again after cooled. It's called the
Computer Vision System.
They also plan to drop roller branding
for the top four grades — Canada Prime,
Canada AAA. AA and A. They are
addressing concerns by buyers who don't
like losing the fat trimmed to get rid of
the red ink that shows up in ground beef.
The U.S. is also planning to adopt this
system. There will continue to be 13
grades. The others are B. four D grades
for culled cows and an E grade. primarily
used for bulls.
From very wet to very dry is what's
happening out west now. With the
extreme, arid weather. there is now the
dread of grasshoppers. One thing leads to
another.
Here in•the Rainy River District. one
can step outside in the early morning and
take a deep breath without the worry of
smog. The air is soft on the face and the
smell of new mown hay. the flowers and
the sound of birds singing joyfully all
greet us with the beauty of a summer
morning.
We just had a surprise visit from old
friend and Emo resident. Dean Hodgson.
He lives near Sarnia and is one of those
nine -to -five guys (he goes to bed at nine
and is up at five). Dean always has great
stories to tell of his tile -work in the
eastern fields of Ontario and he recalls the
wonderful farming days he once had here
in the Rainy River District. He says the
Lakes are so beautiful. the fishing is great
and he loves to visit with his old friends
each time he returns. It's always good to
see him and hear about the eastern part of
Ontario.
Since July 1 is the only National
holiday, there may be one planned for the
middle of February. It's still in the
planning stages.
Watch for the big display at the west
entrance of the Farm Progress Building
during the Emo Fall Fair, August 16-17-
18. Each year our committee promotes a
locally -grown agricultural product. This
season. we are telling all about bees and
honey. Ag Awareness gets the message
across in a simple yet educational way for
students and adults alike to understand.
We make it fun while you learn. One of
our logos says "If you ate today. thank a
farmer" and another is "If you don't
support agriculture. quit eating". It's food
for thought.
Watch for the 4-H kids with their
market steers and heifers. New 4-H
leader. Ken Fisher will he right there
helping the other leaders. They're a great
hunch of volunteers and homemade fries
and burgers up at the food booth are the
best on the fairgrounds. 4-H is more than
you ever imagined.
Rainy River Rural Safety will also
have a booth set up during the fair in the
Farm Progress Building. Safety signs will
be available as well as information. Our
local group stresses safety at all times. in
every facet of living. while at work and
while at play. "Stay alert — don't get
hurt".
What next! There's a plan underway
and being tested right now in Oklahoma.
USA. to put peanut Nutter in a slice like
the cheese wrapped in pl4stic. Now. how
do we put a slice of peanut putter on a
spoon? Life will never he the same.
The roadsides in Manitoba and
Saskatchewan are cut and cleared so
neatly. leaving about 200 feet of clear
vision to the bushline or fence. If a wild
animal happens along. one can see it
before it reaches the roadway with less
chance of an accident. Why can't Ontario
have the same program? I'm sure there
must be some savings set aside after
closing rest stops all winter. Then. there's
the bumpy. loose gravel and crater -size
holes on many of the secondary highways
like Hwy. 600 and 613. The complaints
have gone in to Ministry personnel. but
nothing has changed.
With the Emo Fair coming up. volun-
teer help is needed to make the events
successful. Clean-up day for the grounds
is Monday, August 13 at 10:00 a.m. On
Wednesday. August 15, 4-H displays will
he set up in the 4-H Exhibition Hall and
also the setting up of the barn stalls. Each
4-H club is to take a turn in the food
booth. Contact Simone LeBlanc for the
time you are scheduled. Monday. August
20 everyone returns to the grounds by
6:00 p.m. and helps with the clean-up
again. Make this year's fair one to
remember.
"Success is a journey. not a
destination."0
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
AUGUST 2001 59