The Rural Voice, 1998-03, Page 53prices in most commodities. The
USDA had just reported that day that
corn stocks were up over its estimate
of a month earlier.
"It's a great day for livestock
feeders and not a great day for
cashcroppers," Reesor said.
Loss of exports due to the Asian
crisis hurt usage, he said. In Korea
the currency devaluation meant, in
some cases, that the price doubled.
Corn prices will probably be
stable until early March when
planting intention survey results are
announced in the U.S., Reesor said.
If the ratio of corn to soybean acres is
lopsided it will begin a process of
"buying acres" by increasing the
price of one crop or the other to
encourage farmers to plant more.
There has already been USDA
information that a lot less acreage
was planted to wheat than expected
last fall. That acreage will now go
either to soybeans or corn. Fanners
who have friends in the U.S. may
want to call them to do a little
research as to what's going on there,
Reesor said.
Reesor predicted corn acreage
might increase this year after yielding
first place as the most important crop
to soybeans in 1993. A lot of farmers
have had beans too long on their
fields and need to go to corn in a
rotation, he reasoned.
The price of stored soybeans may
vary according to the combination of
a large Brazilian crop coming to
market this spring, along with
potential weather problems in the
U.S. caused by El Nino, he said.
Deciding how long to hold stored
beans is a gamble, he said. The weak
Canadian dollar, however, is leading
to a strong basis price.
While lower crop prices might
help beef and pork farmers, the low
prices for their animals are hitting
producers hard, he said. The Asian
crisis has hurt the cattle market.
"Cattle on feed right now have a
tough row to hoe," he said. However
the picture looks better for cow -calf
operators producing replacement
cattle. "It's a long cycle in cattle and
you have to hang in for the long run,"
he said.
Meanwhile he described pork
prices as "gruesome".
News
In general, he predicted a volatile
year in commodity pricing with
much depending on weather
problems in the U.S.O
Foodlinks meeting
tries to build food
alliances in Huron
An initial attempt to forge links
between Huron County's primary
food producers, small processors and
retailers and restaurants drew a
capacity audience at the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs boardroom in Clinton,
January 21.
The group, representing everyone
from a producer of raspberry leaf tea
to the executive chef of the Benmiller
Inn, had a chance to introduce
themselves to each other, hear a
panel discussing formation of
�PPJ\N L. S,
OIANO s°-'
Marvin L. Smith
B.Sc.F. (Forestry), R.P.F.
Farm Woodland Specialist
765 John St. West
Listowel, Ontario N4W 1B6
Telephone: (519) 291-2236
Providing advice and assistance with:
• impartial adviceiassistance in selling timber,
including selection of trees and marking
• reforestation of erodible or idle land
• follow-up tending of young plantations
• windbreak planning and establishment
• woodlot management planning
• diagnosis of insect and disease problems
• conducting educational programs in woodlot
management
• any other woodland or tree concerns
PACKERS: WE BUILD
ORDER NOW
FOR SPRING
Also lawn, estate & sod farm
rollers custom manufactured
RUBBER
TIRE
PACKER
SPECIALISTS
HAROLD JONES
ENTERPRISES
RR# 2, Arthur, Ont. (519) 848-2799
INDUSTRIAL & FARM SUPPLY
• Nuts & Bolts (all grades)
• Hydraulic hose & fittings
• Belts • Bearings
• Grade 70 Transport Chain
• Roller Chain
• Tools
Brian Gibson
R.R. 4, Tara 519-376-0283
8 mi. W. of Owen Sound off Hwy. 21
Tractor fts Combine Parts
Huge Inventory of Late Model Tractor & Combine Parts
NEW, USED & REMANUFACTURED water pumps,
pressure plates, clutches, turbos, TA's, hyd. pumps
call the 800-372-7149 PH same day
experts 800-372-7150 FAX shipping
Fawcett Tractor Supply Ltd., St. Marys, Ont.
MARCH 1998 49