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The Rural Voice, 1992-05, Page 55RAINY RIVER Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1 E0 807-486-3622 • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy River Federation members by the RRFA. SPRING IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER Spring is here! Calving is well underway in the Rainy River District, while baby pigs and lambs are appearing on local farms. Chick orders are being processed, and for "the more back -to -nature types", clucking hens are setting on eggs, ready for the big Easter weekend hatch. The RRFA decided to cancel the April meeting, in favour of a Strategic Planning meeting on April 1, at the Emo Inn from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. OFA president, Roger George, was on a seven-day tour of Northwestern Ontario to update farmers on GATT negotiations, and other agricultural issues. While here, he attended the meeting. Participants were Rick Neilson, Stan Armstrong, Norma Elliot, Jack Elliot, Rick Boersma, Wayne Flatt, Elaine Advent, Mike Zimmerman, Gary Esselink, Shirley Morrish, Kim Hunsperger, Ralph Hunsperger, Carol Angus, Eleanor Weirsema, Archie Weirsema, Amos Brielmann, Joanne Neilson, Sue Boersma, Linda Armstrong, Ken McKinnon, Roger George, and Laurel Campbell. The facilitators of the meeting were Pat Clysdale-Cornell ROS with OMAF, and Dan Wright, Economic Development Officer for West Rainy River District. After introductions by Jack Elliot, Roger George stated that "there is challenge and opportunity here. What are we doing now and what should we be doing? Do more planning for future generations. There is always a crisis going on, and no matter what happens with GATT negotiations, life will still go on, on the farm. We must work on parallel tracks. The national food security is the big issue. In 10 to 20 years, do we want to see food grown here, or in other countries?" Dan Wright then commented on Roger's talk stating that we are all very independent people by nature, and that is why we are farmers. There are 206 farms in the Rainy River District, with 150 having gross revenues greater than $10,000. West Rainy River District has approximately 50,000 acres of developed property, and 100,000 acres of undeveloped property which is not being used. There are 20 different agricultural organizations in the Rainy River district, along with our RRFA that began 20 years ago. We were divided into groups to discuss the pros and cons, and then made presentations. Pat categorized, and listed the issues according to priority, after the brainstorming. We found the key words surrounding the discussion were Pride and Good Will. The Action Plan with the topic Marketing/Media and Communica- tion/Sales will happen at a meeting set up by Jack Elliott and RRFA president Linda Armstrong. Rainy River District Milk Producers — The annual meeting was March 23 in Barwick. There were 44 seated for the supper, with 22 representing area producers. Guests attending were C. and Eva Chartrand, Reg Hopkins, Ron Quindon, Allan Viss, Ron Hurtubese, and Bruce Ward, Ag. Rep. Gold seal certificates were presented to Michael Zimmerman, John and Shirley Vandenbrand, Jack Vandenbrand, Rock -A -Mier Farm (Meyers), and Day -Spring Dairy Farm (Peters). General certificates of merit to Rainy Acre Dairy Farm (Krahn), Heyens Bros. (George and Ted), Nicholas Veldhuisen, Guenther Rittau, and Leo and Betty VanderWekken. Awards for the highest herd average BCA went to LarKim farm, second to Mike Zimmerman, and third to Gary Esselink. Most improved herd was Willard Peters, highest plus deviation to Willard Peters, and shortest calving interval went to Walter Martin. The chairman announced that the Hunspergers sold their cows and quota as of December 1, 1991. The chairman for 1992 is Jack Vandenbrand, vice is Rudy Sinneghe, secretary/treasurer is Mike Zimmerman, and directors are Gary Esselink, Bill Romyn, Harry Romyn, and Jack Vandenbrand. The Rainy River District Seed and Forage Fair — The fair was held March 30 at the Barwick hall. Results were as follows: Grains Class 1 — oats, any variety, Rainy Crest Farms — 2nd prize Class 5 — flax, Rainy Crest Farms — lst prize Class 9 — winter wheat, Rainy Crest Farms — 1st prize Grasses Class 15 — alfalfa, any variety, Tom Anderson — 2nd prize Potatoes Class 16 — early, Tom Gemmell — lst, John Vandenbrand — 2nd Class 17 — med., Tom Gemmell — 1st, John Vandenbrand — 2nd Class 18 — late, Tom Gemmell — 1st, John Vandenbrand — 2nd Hay Class 19 — 1st cut over 70 per cent trefoil, Bernie Zimmerman — 1st, John Vandenbrand — 2nd Class 20 — 1st cut under 70 per cent trefoil, Bernie Zimmerman — Ist, Karl VanHeyst — 2nd Class 21 — Trefoil containing over 70 per cent legume, Karl VanHeyst — 1st Class 22 — 2nd cut over 70 per cent legume, Karl VanHeyst — 1st, Rick Boersma — 2nd, Bernie Zimmerman — 3rd Class 23 — 2nd cut mixed under 70 per cent legume, Bemie Zimmerman - 1st, Karl VanHeyst — 2nd, Rick Boersma — 3rd Class 24 — Green Cereal Hay, Karl VanHeyst — 1st Class 25 — Haylage, Bernie Zimmerman — 1st, Ralph Hunsperger — 2nd, Karl VanHcyst — 3rd Best Bale — CIBC award went to Karl VanHeyst Best Quality Haylage — Mangro Harvestor Trophy went to Bernie Zimmerman.° Shirley Morrish MAY 1992 51