The Rural Voice, 1996-06, Page 62RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
414 807-486-3622
AtimmilL,' The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
Things looking up in weather department
May 10, 1996
If things get better with age, then
we're approaching magnificent. The sun
is shining, hundreds of birds are singing,
the snow is almost gone, and the grass is
coming up green - who could ask for
anything more. It's amazing what one
month can do. Now are we ready for a
hot, dry summer that the old-timers are
predicting?
The May 6 RRFA meeting was held
at the OMAFRA meeting room. It's
sure good to have the strike over with
and we hope everyone is satisfied with
the outcome. Attending the meeting was
President Amos Brielman, Joyce
Witherspoon, Kim Desserrc, James
Gibson, Rick Neilson, Shirley Morrish,
Rudy Sinninghe, Stan Armstrong,
Tammy Hunsperger.
A survey is out and about,
concerning the high cost of private lines
in the area with Bell Canada. Joyce and
Rick are in charge of the letters that
individuals will be writing. Kim, in
charge of the "Bright Ideas" committee,
says that after another meeting, they will
have a better idea on the proposed tour
of the District in July, to coincide with
Rainy River Railroad Daze.
Amos reported that John Heard with
OMAFRA will be leaving his position as
of May 15 to become a soil -fertilizer
specialist for the Department of
Agriculture in Manitoba. Gary
Slyworsky has left his position at
OMAFRA as of May 4. The future of
the Research Station west of Emo is still
unknown.
A number of dairy farmers in the
District have sold their milk quotas.
We're all wondering where this will all
end up and how it will make a difference
to the farming industry in this area.
Rainy River District Cattlemen had a
meeting at the Salesyards at Stratton on
May 1. They toured the yards as a
group, noting the work that has to be
done to improve the facilities. It's been
some years since this has been done.
Darryl Wells, local Ag. Rep. spoke on
fly control, liver fluke and the new
products that are available to control the
problem.
Tammy, reporting for the Vet
committee, said that with the latest
subsidy, vets do not make money on the
large animals. Pets and smaller
creatures are their bread and butter, so to
speak.
The Community Pasture Committee
is to have a meeting on Friday, May 10
at 1:00 p.m. at Barwick, to decide on the
animals accepted to the pasture for this
season. To date, there are more than 300
listed. Kim reported that this is more
than manager Wade Desserre can
handle. She also stated that this would
probably be the last year that the pasture
would be under OMAFRA, and that it
would possibly come up for sale next
year. There is drilling activity going on
at this time, so mineral rights could be
another issue. Mark Husser is the
Chairman of the Pasture Committee, if
you can't get hold of Wade.
Remember Census Day on Tuesday,
May 14,1996.
Clover Valley Farmers' Market had
their opening day for the season on
Saturday, May 4. They will continue
every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00
p.m. until the end of October. This
coming Saturday features Maple Syrup;
bring your own containers.
Persons under the age of 18 years are
required by law to wear a safety helmet
while riding a bike on the roadway.
Parents and guardians are responsible
and can be charged for failing to ensure
that their children wear a helmet. It was
advised that grandmothers wear one
also.
A Family Safety Night will be held
Tuesday, June 11, at the Memorial
Arena in Fort Frances. There are 21
exhibitors booked so far.
Rainy River District 4-H Beef Clubs
are organizing now. Burns Meats of
Winnipeg will do the butchering at $20
per head. They will be held for 10 days
and shipped back. Hauling will be
another $25 - $30 per head. Leaders
have four months to plan six meetings
before fair time. The 4-H Steer Clubs
are still very much active despite the
rumours that said otherwise. We have
excellent leaders and they do not
discourage easily. "Learn to do by
doing."
Congratulations to Derek Emond on
his upcoming marriage. We all wish
you and your bride the very best.
Seed Growers will have their annual
meeting at the Devlin Hall on May 31 at
7:30 p.m. They do not wish to join
forces with Soil and Crop, so each group
will continue to do their own thing,
which in the end all seems to be the
same thing, to my thinking.
Ag. in the Classroom had a very busy
day at the opening of Clover Valley
Farmers Market. Pat Clysdale-Cornell
and Shirley Morrish had an Ag -Roulette
game going, with prizes, the popular
commeal sandbox, colouring for the kids
and lots of hand-outs. Over 100 children
received a prize for answering a skill -
testing agricultural question. Some of
the adults had fun with the game as well.
Our next Ag. in the Classroom meeting
will take place on Wednesday, May 15
at OMAFRA.
Mark and Marjorie Stintzi have
landed over 175 calves this spring and
Mark is kept busy these days doing
embryo transplants. They are one very
busy couple, raising three young sons
and building their new home in the
Bergland area.
Joanne High is the new
representative for the Northwestern
Region for OFA Member Services
Group. She was recently employed as
the co-ordinator for 10 Steps to
Community Action in Thunder Bay and
also senior account sales manager for
TCT Canada, a computer software firm
based in Cornwall. Joanne and her
family live near Kakabeka Falls. She
has been active in 4-H, as a leader and
member; she is an equine enthusiast,
enjoys gardening and participating in
rural activities. She may be reached at
807-577-6878.
John Deere is donating three gift
certificates - 51,000, $500 and 5250 - as
prizes for a farm safety contest. The
Canadian Federation of Agriculture is
sponsoring the contest, which asks farm
families for ideas about how to make a
farm safer. Entries will be judged on the
importance and effectiveness of the
safety ideas. Send entries to the
Canadian Federation of Agriculture by
June 20, Suite 1101, 75 Albert St.,
Ottawa K 1P 5E7.
"Broncos, Mustangs, Colts, Pintos
and even Cougars - 1 wonder when
they'll name a car after a COW".0
-Shirley Morrish
JUNE 1996 59