The Rural Voice, 1996-10, Page 47RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 100
4„* 807-486-3622
AlLimm • The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
Villeneuve visits Rainy River farms
September 16, 1996
Harvesting is well underway and fall
ploughing has begun in the Rainy River
District. As always, the weather is the
controlling factor in everything we do.
Crops are good and there's lots of hay
around this year. Now, if the cattle prices
would improve, pushing that old
wheelbarrow would be worth the extra
load.
Somehow, my last report gave the
impression that I'm American. Sorry. I'm
pure Canadian, with a grand mixture of
cultures that can be proudly traced back to
the 1800s. Hope this clears up the phone
calls that have come my way.
Saturday morning, we had a surprise
visit from Dean and John Hodgson, who
travelled up from Oil Springs, Ontario.
Dean farmed east of Emo, some years
back, and visits when the weather hinders
his work back home. The East has
experienced more rain than we have
lately. Dean came to visit old friends and
we appreciate his timely updates. We all
must remember to take those precious
moments in our daily life to stop, and take
time for family and friends. Time moves
on too swiftly.
The RRFA held their September 9
meeting at OMAFRA boardroom, with
Amos Brielman arriving late from the
grain fields. Tammy Hunsperger chaired,
until Amos flew in by car and burst
through the door. Also in attendance was
Stan Armstrong, James Gibson, Shirley
Morrish, Gary Sliworsky, Rural
Community Advisor, and Mark "Oreo"
Elliott from the Fort Frances Times.
Gary briefed us on the housekeeping
changes that must be made to the RRFA
Constitution. Every new member should
have a copy of the Constitution. Gary has
moved from full-time to half-time RCA at
Emo. His work will continue to be
leadership and organization development.
The mission of OMAFRA is to "foster an
economically viable, environmentally
sustainable agriculture and food system
where the participants co-operate to meet
the needs of the people of Ontario and to
compete in global markets". Gary will be
available at OMAFRA in Emo, Thursday,
Friday, and every second Wednesday.
Rick reported on Agriculture Minister
Noble Villeneuve's visit in the district at
the end of August. The minister visited
the Emo Research Station, Rainy Crest
Farms, Seven Bend's Honey Farm, and
Northend Bison Farm near Rainy River.
Each stop lasted about one hour and the
agenda was entirely up to the host.
Villeneuve was here to promote the
importance of the agricultural industry
and rural economic development to
Ontario's prosperity. He also hopes to
have the goals of AgriCorp up and
running by the end of this year.
Amos said that the visit was a chance
for the minister to see how valuable
government funding for agricultural
programs really is, such as used by Rainy
Crest Farms to improve pasture conditions
and upgrade cattle watering facilities.
Amos felt he could not have done the
improvements without NORfront.
Amos reported that Cornie Fehr was
combining his canola plots. He has five to
seven varieties and has to weigh each plot
after cutting. They are good crops
yielding 28 instead of the usual 30 bushels
per acre. Cornie has worked long,
demanding hours at harvesting, as many
other farmers in the District are doing at
this time. Oldtimers are predicting another
long, cold winter with lots of snowfall.
If you have 'still not received your
OFA 1996 Membership packages contact
Joanne High. Previous problems have
now been solved. Thunder Bay farmers
are inviting everyone to their "Get Out Of
Town" Farm Drive Tour, October 5,
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. They'll visit six
different types of farms in the Slate River
area. Passports for $5 are available from
the parked farm tractor at the K -Mart
parking lot on Friday, October 4, 3:00 -
8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 5, 10:00
- 12:00 noon. For more information, call
475-5173.
Have your calendars marked for the
RRFA Annual Dinner and Dance. It will
be held Saturday, October 19 at the Emo
Legion Auditorium with live music by
"Milestone". Get your tickets early from
any director and save money. The theme
is country.
Congratulations to a sister and brother
team on their great 4-1-1 work with their
market steers. Aaron Calder received
$2.90 per Ib. for his Grand Champion
1,285 Ib. steer sold to Rob Monte.
Courtney Calder sold her 1,290 lb. steer to
Safeways for $2.05 per Ib. A lot of credit
goes to their parents, Stan and Vicky
Calder who support their kids and 4-H in
a big way.
Perth County has unveiled a billboard
that states "If you ate today . . . Thank a
Farmer". I congratulate you on this
project and as part of the Ag Awareness
group, we hope to match this idea. We
have to work together to let everyone
know that agriculture is a business and
full-time job.
Clover Valley Farmers' Market will
close for the season the last Saturday of
October. This has been their 12th season.
The market is run by a board of directors
elected by the shareholders. President is
Trish Neilson, vice-president is Blair
Lowey, treasurer is Betty Salchert,
secretary is Deb Cornell -Darby, directors
are Rick Neilson and Cory McLeod.
Manager is Linda Bcadow. Fred Brett
looks after the coffee cart and sale of
lunches. He's one heck of a cook and a
great musician too!
Don't forget to keep your receipts for
building materials purchased between
May 8, 1996 and March 31, 1997 and
used to construct or modernize a
qualifying building or structures. The
receipts can be used to apply for a rebate
on the eight per cent retail sales tax.
Saturday, September 7 was the first of
two sales held at the Stratton Sales Barn.
Some 587 head of cattle were sold with
the largest single lot of 128 yearlings from
the Brian McCoy farm, bringing top price
for yearlings. Gerald Bullied's calves
brought the top price at the sale. They
sold to a Saskatchewan buyer at 95.50
cents a pound. Manager, Russell Richards
Jr. did an excellent job of running this sale
and it is hoped that the next one Saturday,
October 5 turns out even Netter. This calf
sale will begin at 9:(90 a.m. Contact J.R. at
807-487-2472 for information.
Did you know that lettuce consists of
about 95 per cent water? You can cat a
whole head and only consume 60 calories!
Good records arc necessary to rnake
good decisions. In today's economy,
culling cows not paying their way will go
a .long way towards improving your
consistency. If you are serious about
cutting costs and keeping the right cows,
thcn RIO's herd records will help you
reach those goals. To ensure genetics from
birth to bccf, call Gary Brown at 1-80(1
373-2253 or Brian Pogue at 1-800-821-
2333.
-800-821-2333. BIO is the Beef Incentive Program.
You can receive vouchers for free semen
when you submit records to RIO, on
calves sired by Canadian Beef Sires.
"Count no day lost in which you
waited your turn, took only your share,
and .sought advantage over no one."0
— .Shirley Morrish
OCTOBER 1996 43