The Rural Voice, 2005-07, Page 42News in Agriculture
Designed -by -farmers program announced
The Ontario Grain & Oilseed
Safety Net Committee held meetings
with Agriculture Minister Steve
Peters in mid-June to present its
proposed Risk Management Program
(RMP), a Market Revenue Insurance
replacement program.
The premium -based program —
created by a panel of Ontario grain
and oilseed farmers and endorsed by
Ontario's seven grain and oilseed
commodity organizations — will
provide farmers with support to
remain competitive on the world
stage.
"We're very excited about this
proposed plan because this price
support program will provide timely
payments, and enable producers to
protect their individual cost of
production," says Peter Tuinema,
Chair of the Ontario Grain and
Oilseed Safety Net Committee. "This
program is a new way of doing
business, designed with grassroots
input by a group of diverse and
dynamic individuals, many who were
from outside of our grain and oilseed
organizations."
Here are some of the proposed
program's highlights:
• Growers will receive timely
payments, twice per year if triggered.
• Growers can choose their level of
price support to protect their
individual cost of production.
• The program includes farm -fed
grains, similar to MRI.
• The program is based on individual
long-term average yield and
individual acreage.
• It is linked to CAIS, with payments
counting as CAIS advance payments.
"The Provincial government's
2006 budget has been announced and
our requested $300 million to fund an
MRI replacement program was not in
it," says Walt Charbonneau, Chair of
Seed Corn Growers of Ontario. "For
this year's crop there is no market
protection for Ontario's growers.
CAIS as it exists, does not meet the
needs of grain and oilseed producers.
This program shares the
responsibility for risk management
between the government and the
producer. It has been designed as an
integral part of the CAIS and safety
net envelope."
The Group will explain the
proposed program in detail through
grower information sessions
including Orangeville, July 11, and
Seaforth, July 12. The G&O
organizations are calling for full
grassroots support in their efforts to
attain government buy -in to fund this
program.0
Bruce IPM 2008 seeks volunteers
In September 2008 Bruce County
will host the annual International
Plowing Match and Rural Expo north
of Teeswater on the farm of Wayne
and Wendy McKague. Known for
outstanding agriculture exhibits and
plowing competitions, the Bruce
County event will also feature local
entertainment, demonstrations, an
education program and much, much
more!
Since being awarded the
opportunity to host the event this past
February, a team of volunteers and
committees are being formed to plan
all aspects of the 2008 event. To
become successful, hundreds of
volunteers are required to assist with
planning activities, set-up and
greeting guests during the I.P.M.
I.P.M. Chairperson Jack Riley
says "Whether you can attend
committee meetings, help for a few
hours at special events or wish to be
part of our team of volunteers
assisting the week of the match —
we need your help! With
approximately 30 committees already
in place, there is something to meet
anyone's interest and time
GB
GREY -BRUCE CONSTRUCTION LTD.
R.R. 5 MILDMAY, ONTARIO
Circular Tanks • Sandwich Walls •
• Concrete Foundations •
• Bunker Silos •
• Crane Rental •
• Excavation •
• Concrete Pumping •
• Royal Vinyl Walls •
Fax (519) 367-2172
Phone (519) 367-2372
38 THE RURAL VOICE
commitment."
While many Committee Chairs
are already in place, leadership
opportunities still exist for Antique
Plowing, Banquets, Billeting, Family
Lifestyles, Gates and Tickets, Health
and Sanitation, Publicity, Queen of
the Furrow, Rural and Urban
Beautification, Special Events,
Wagon Tours, Safety, and Machines
in Motion groups.
The 2008 I.P.M. is also the ideal
platform for Bruce County
businesses and organizations to
showcase their products and services
through exhibit and sponsorship
opportunities. When Bruce County
last hosted the 1.P.M. in 1993 an
outstanding contribution was made to
the community funding in part the
CT Scanner at the South Bruce Grey
Health Centre, Walkerton site and
911 Fire Emergency education
program.
Anyone seeking more information
or wanting to assist with the I.P.M.
contact Chairperson Jack Riley 353-
5356 or Secretary Liz Stobo 392-