The Rural Voice, 2003-12, Page 71Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Atimmt\ • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
November 18, 2003
We've had our cold spell and now
we're experiencing balmy temperatures.
It certainly gives one the time to catch
up on fall's list of "things to do". But it
sure doesn't help the cattle feeding
grounds. Mud and cows just don't mix.
So, it's move to higher ground and
often, these days, and everyone's
happier for it.
Our annual RRFA dinner and annual
meeting was an interesting and
informative evening. Guest speaker was
Bill Creech from Hill 70 Quantock
Ranch at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.
He keeps 400 cows that calve out in
mid-March and are mixed breeds. They
sell 350 bulls a year and use lots of
electric fencing. Two-year-old bulls are
gaining popularity and he keeps all
breeds together. The cattle are owned
co-operatively by friends and relatives,
and there are no large birthweights.
They are weaned October -November at
600 lbs. Creech says that BSE has
slowed things down. but it will get
better. His Barn Burnin' Bull Sale is
Saturday, February 7, 2004 at the ranch.
Call 1-800-665-7253 anytime for
information. He's a great guy to talk and
runs a huge operation, but when it
comes right down to it, he is just like the
rest of us, trying to make a living.
Our November RRFA meeting was
held at Morley with the new executive
in attendance. Bernie Zimmerman is
president and Linda Armstrong is
secretary. Betty Salchert is member
services representative and Angela
Halvorsen is the treasurer. New faces
are Marvin Smith and Clayton Teeple.
The old crew of Kristine Carpenter.
Kimio Bliss, Shirley Morrish, Susan
Boersma, Rudy Sinninghe and James
Gibson are all ready for the new season.
Betty will be making out a new
members list. There are 186 members in
the Rainy River District. Seventy-five
attended the annual meeting. If there is
something different, or if there is an idea
you have to make the attendance better,
give the president or a director a call.
Remember, the RRFA is "Farmers
Working for Farmers". Every member
has the right to make suggestions and
input. Let's work together.
This year marks the 65th anniversary
of Ducks Unlimited Canada.
Landowners are being recognized for
their contributions to the organization
such as setting up wetlands, keeping the
streams and rivers clean, and any way
that assists in preserving our Natural
Heritage.
Ontario Cattlemen's Association
have t -shirts available now that have the
same logo as the bumper stickers, which
say "I Support Canadian Beef'. They
come in S -M -L -XL -XXL for $10 plus
postage. Contact OCA at 130 Malcolm
Rd., Guelph, ON N I K 1B I.
In the October issue of Ontario Beef
you will find producer guidelines for
transporting compromised cattle, sheep
and goats (pages 28-29). For more
copies contact Ontario Farm Animal
Council 905-821-3880. Every producer
should ask themselves two questions,
"Would 1 eat meat from this animal?"
and "Would I like to be loaded on a
truck in this condition?" If the answer is
"no", you should not be sending the
non-ambulatory animal to slaughter.
Humane euthanasia is your only
alternative.
The Emo Research Station closes for
the winter season as of November 30
and will reopen April 1, 2004. Now
KimJo can get some farming done at
home.
In Calgary and some of the other
Alberta cities, dogs are no longer
allowed to ride in the back of a truck
without a short leash or inside a secured
kennel. Ontario has no such law.
Rainy River Rural Safety had a
meeting at President Rick Nelson's.
Bills got paid. We discussed the year's
events. exchanged newsy items, and
Linda served a great snack. You're
warned to be prepared for winter
emergencies. Don't forget the shovel i15
the car, extra warm mitts. coveralls, hat.
extra socks, a flashlight that works.
bathroom tissue and matches. They
don't take up that much room behind the
seat of the truck, or in the trunk of the
car. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Remember to check the batteries in your
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
in your home. Kimio, you're reminded
to wear a safe dust mask and slow down.
Singer Tom Jackson who stars in the
TV series, North of 60, has purchased
500 sides of beef from Cargill Foods for
$167,000. Consumers and donors can
buy the beef from Jackson, then the
money is donated to food banks across
Canada. Once Jackson has all the beef
sold and his expenses are covered he
will give the additional revenue to
Canadian Food Banks. Jackson has
always been a passionate supporter of
the food banks.
Research in the Netherlands has
shown that full -fat milk. consumed by
young children, may be responsible for
lower rates of asthma. Studies were
based on 3,000 two -year-olds.
And, in Germany. water in grocery
stores costs more than milk. Is this
telling us something? Some of us better
pay attention and fast.
Steinbach, Manitoba had a vote
recently and a slight majority of 50.9 per
cent voted for alcohol in restaurants
(just barely enough to pop some corks).
Their population is 9.000 with 6.300
eligible voters. This city is noted for its
low crime rates. but some believe that
this will all change with the new alcohol
sales.
Have you seen the latest new gadget
in the hardware stores? It's a Roomba
Intelligent Floor vac that can be turned
on and you sit and watch it clean your
floors and carpets. Next, there will be a
robot to do the cooking and laundry.
What I would really like is one that
would muck out the pens and push that
wheelbarrow to the pile out back. But
then. would we really be happy like the
Queen, or the President or Arnold
Schwarzenegger? I think I'll be me. and
push my own vacuum cleaner. right
Nanny?
The 4-H Leaders' Association had a
meeting at Barwick and set the annual
banquet date for January 30 at Stratton.
This is also the 4-H Awards evening.
The annual meeting is February 6 at
Stratton and this year it will be potluck
at 7:00 p.m.
A reminder. there will be a silent
auction at the Awards Banquet. so if you
want to donate something. bring it along
that evening.
BSE Recovery Program and Ontario
BSE Recovery Initiative (compensation
program information) have applications
and information at 1-877-838-5144.
CCA BSE Line 1-866-463-6222
BSE Helpline 1-888-292-5856
The Farm Line 1-888-451-2903
The Farm Consultation Service 1-866-
452-5558
"Happiness comes from the capacity
to feel deeply. enjoy simply. think
freely. and be needed."
Enjoy the sunrise, cherish the sunsets
and look forward to tomorrow.
Happy and safe holidays.0
- Submitted by Shirley Morrish
DECEMBER 2003 67