The Rural Voice, 2004-02, Page 56GREY
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website: www.ofa.on.ca/grey 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Grey County by the GCFA
Looking back, looking forward
January has always been a time to
reflect on the past year and plan for the
new one. Between thawing frozen pipes
and repairing heated water bowls,
bringing wood into the house and
moving snow, there is time to read the
farm papers, catch the news, think and
talk to others at farm meetings.
Grey Bruce Farmers Week, was a
great success with attendance of 875.
Dairy Day had a large turnout, with an
interesting lineup of speakers. Bob
Friesen, president of the Canadian
Federation of Agriculture, did an
excellent job of providing some timely
information on Crop Day. Ironically,
the speaker for Sheep Day, President of
the American Sheep Association, Guy
Flora, was turned back at the American
border! Many beef farmers in attendance
have suffered drops of up to 75 per cent
in their income and yet were able to be
optimistic and hopeful. Hats off to the
organizers of this annual event.
One year ago, BSE was not a North
American problem, trade was booming
and Canadian beef was world-renowned.
Today, any beef animal over 30 months
might as well be destroyed for all it is
worth, there is no market for cull cows
and few can afford to treat a sick or
injured animal. No breeding animal can
leave Canada, laying waste to the
reputation built over the years. Dairy
farmers, those raising replacements,
cattle drovers and sheep and goat
producers have all been hit hard and
beef farmers may never recover.
Kudos and congratulations go to
those who have supported farmers.
Praise goes to the Canadian consumer
whose consumption of beef has actually
risen in the face of this crisis, to Gencor
Foods for resurrecting the defunct MGI
packing plant, to area service clubs for
hosting beef barbecues and to
agricultural businesses that offer
reduced prices. Thanks to those who
continue to work for an open border
with politicians and bureaucrats. It is
important to stand together as farmers,
regardless of farm organization. Support
each other and we may all come through
this, bruised but not broken.
It is difficult to understand why U.S.
beef is still coming into Canada. Our
sole case of BSE was caught before the
animal entered the food chain. The
world market closed to us as we had
closed our borders to other infected
52 THE RURAL VOICE
countries. Wjiether we agree with the
rules and regulations surrounding BSE
or not, if we impose them on others, so
must we abide by them. The U.S. case,
unfortunately, entered the food system.
before it was discovered. The animal in
question is said to have originated in
Canada. No one can say whether the
animal was positive for BSE at the time
of sale or if it contracted the disease in
its new home. It seems that the same
rules should apply and imports of U.S.
beef should have stopped on the day the
American BSE case was confirmed.
A cull or downed cow cannot be
made into pet food even though our beef
has been declared safe for human
consumption. Pressure from consumers
and those who sell specialty pet foods
has resulted in this U.S. product being
re -allowed into Canada. It is
heartbreaking to see an aging, yet
healthy cow going for waste while
importing dog and cat food. We must
surely be an affluent nation.
A recent paper had the first auction
listing for a farm being lost in
bankruptcy. Is this the first of many?
The number of farmers continues to
drop as farm registration numbers
reveal. Fewer farmers have to produce
more, for less money and with more
regulations and restrictions. With so
many great minds and imaginations in
farming, we should be able to create
some ways to attract and keep new
'farmers.
Nutrient Management is now being
implemented and the fallout remains to
be seen. Human waste from urban and
rural sources should be dealt with as
firmly as agriculture.
The frequent, and perfectly legal,
sewage bypasses that contaminate many
waterways will need sharper scrutiny to
protect our valuable water sources.
Farmers continue• to attend
Environmental Farm Plan Workshops
and benefit from the grant money
available.
One year ago, we had a Liberal
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 - 8:00 p.m.
Grey County Agricultural Services Centre
meeting room (Grey Gables)
206 Toronto Street South, Markdale
Members are welcome to attend
Federal Agriculture Minister and a
Conservative Provincial Agriculture
Minister, who frequently disagreed.
With both now on the same side,
perhaps we will see some positive
changes, support and even respect for
agriculture.
It is wonderful to see farmers think
outside the box. Many counties are
organizing to direct cull cows to food
banks. Butchers could help by cutting
costs on the processing, service clubs
may wish to direct funds or purchase
freezers. Still others could donate
transportation. What a wonderful
solution to a widespread problem! It
seems right and fitting that a group who
feeds the nation so well can also feed
the hungry.
Farmers, the eternal optimists, are
already planning the spring. In a year
filled with challenges and
disappointments, many have chosen to
focus on the positive; growth, rebirth
and a new beginning. Through all
adversity, there is no better life, no
better place to live and no better group
of people to count yourself part of.0
— Submitted by Anne Marie Watson
Grey County Fed. Of Agriculture
Grey County Federation of
Agriculture
59th Annual Public Speaking
Competition Schedule
NORTH-WEST and NORTH CENTRE SEMI-
FINALS
4Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Time: 7:30 pm.
Location: Keppel -Sarawak School,
R. R. # 2, Owen Sound
NORTH-EAST SEMI FINALS
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Time: 7:30 pm.
Location: Meaford Community School
SOUTH-WEST SEMI FINALS
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Time: 7:30 pm.
Location: Durham Community School
SOUTH-EAST SEMI FINALS
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Time: 7:30 pm.
Location: Highpoint Community School, Dundalk
FINALS
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Time: 7:30 pm.
Location: St. Peter and Paul's School, Durham