The Rural Voice, 2006-10, Page 31(in the days before petroleum) may
return, but technologically
improved," he says.
The basis of our economy is still
dependent on forestry and
agriculture, he says, and the
challenge will be to find enough
energy to keep these industries going.
This latest change of direction
by Nott is not the first for the
adaptable entrepreneur. From
1979 to 1985 he and his brother Glen
operated a seed cleaning business but
it became obvious it wasn't working
out and his brother left the business.
One of the customers was a U.S.
buyer who wanted oats cleaned for
the horse market. Intrigued, Nott
hooked up with Martin Vanderloo.
then with London Agricultural
Commodities, and asked about
markets to sell oats. The business
took off and later the two became
The challenge in the future
will be to find enough
energy to keep farming
and forestry going
partners in Huron Commodities,
based in Clinton.
Customers are offered triple
cleaned, clipped and polished oats, as
well as steam crimped oats, where
the oats are heated to 210 degrees F
and then crimped to improve their
digestibility.
The cleaning process (the steam -
crimped oats are cleaned twice,
before and after crimping) produced
large amounts of fines and Nott
decided something had to be done to
make use of them. The idea of
making pellets was born.
Until Samson called, the pellets
had been uses for horses, beef and
dairy cattle and hogs. They provided
a high -fibre, low -protein food to help
reduce digestive problems.
But in a society that favours fuel
more than food, there's a new rival
for the products of the soil. If Nott is
right and food has to compete for
acres with fuel production, perhaps
food production itself will be
revalued upward.
As it is, "food is cheap," he says.
"Grocery stores are throwing food
out every day. We don't value food
and we don't value farmers."0
JOHN WILKINSON
MPP
Perth -Middlesex
55 Lorne Ave. E.,
Stratford, ON N5A 6S4
We're all ready to receive your 2006
CORN
• Fertilizer • Seed Wheat
• Trucking Available
Come in and see us or give us a call and let us help you
look after your crops.
GRAIN ROASTING AVAILABLE
Custom application and Glyphosate
HOWSON & HOWSON LTD.
Flour & Feed Millers,
Grain Elevators, Fertilizers & Chemicals
Blyth, Ontario
Blyth 523-9624 OR 1-800-663-3653
Elevators 1 1/4 miles east of Blyth on County Rd. 25, then 1/2 mile north
OCTOBER 2006 27