The Rural Voice, 1999-12, Page 541
RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
416 R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 100
807-486-3622
The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
R11\ 1 RI \ F R VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA
November 10, /999
Winter days have settled in, but we
sure can't complain. This fall has been
good to us weatherwise and given
everyone the chance to get those last
year's jobs caught up. The ground has
had enough moisture that fence posts
could be pushed straight in and the
cattle are enjoying the abundant hay
crop and going into winter fat and sassy.
We can't complain about the cattle
prices either, so let's hope that this is a
good sign for the new millennium.
The RRFA Annual Meeting was held
with a supper and dance at the Emo
Legion on Saturday, October 23. The
new Executive is headed by Linda
Armstrong as President; Secretary,
Dianne Vandenbrand: treasurer, Kim
Desserre: Kristine Carpenter, Reg Kaus,
Jason Teeple, Bernie Zimmerman. Ken
Fisher, KimJo Calder, Shirley Morrish
and Betty Salchert as member services
reps. Peter Canning, former member of
OFA executive, talked about past
projects and of the upcoming annual
November 22 in Toronto. Attending
from our district will be Linda
Armstrong, Ralph Hunsperger as
delegates. Stanley Armstrong is the
alternate delegate.
Jennifer Mercer made a terrific
presentation on the joint project between
Rainy River First Nations and the Rainy
River Watershed Program that covers 80
miles along the International Falls and
Rainy River, bordering Canada and
United States. The aim is to protect the
watershed, Lake Sturgeon, wildlife as
well as domestic animals. Fish and
cattle have equal rights, Jen stressed.
She was very proud to announce that
there are 16 breeding pairs of eagles
situated along the banks of the Rainy
River. Jen is co-ordinator of the Rainy
River First Nations Watershed Program.
Canadian Farm Women's Network
Conference takes place in Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, November 25 to 28.
Contact Lucille Richardson at 306-374-
8130 for further details.
The proposed bus trip to Regina's
Agribition is a go. It was hoped that at
least 44 travellers would be going, but
to date about 25 have registered. We're
all anxious to view the grain and forage
show, the fifth annual elk sale, the
stock -dog trials, the Canadian bison
show and sale, heavy horse pulls, 15
purebred beef shows, the nightly rodeo
and the over 600 displays featuring the
latest in agricultural equipment and
New Executive of Rainy River r ederation of Agriculture are from left to right: Rert%
Salchert, Linda Armstrong, Kristine Carpenter, Ken Fisher (behind). Kim Jo Calder.
Kim Desserre, Shirley Morrish, Reg Kaus. Absent: Dianne Vandeahrand.
technology. But, can we see all this in
two days? We'll let you know later. It'll
be a break from chores for four days and
a chance to meet new friends.
Desmond Plewman, head guy at
Winnipeg Livestock Sales is leaving to
buy a stake in the Gruntal Auction Mart.
He'll be manager/auctioneer and sharing
the workload with his partners, Henry
Penner and Robert Krentz.
OCA has a producer survey out in
the latest issue of Ontario Beef. Results
will form the basis for the development
of prudent -use guidelines to better use
antimicrobials on OCA farms. The
University of Guelph has three separate,
but related projects underway by their
researchers. It's to ensure the safety of
food produced in Ontario.
Prepare for winter travelling. Equip
your vehicle with a good snow shovel, a
bag of salt or sand. Extra winter
clothing, candles, matches and
bathroom tissue are a good idea, just in
case you're stranded. Be prepared.
John Deere will be holding special
clinics in the year 2000, 'by dealers to
teach owners of older John Deere
tractors on how to upgrade them for
safety, comfort and for sharper looking
machines. Financing will be available.
Contact your local J.D. dealer for
details.
Don't forget to change over to winter
diesel fuel.
In Rainy River Cattlemen's news,
their installation of the new ring scales
is underway. The work crew began
tearing out the old ring this week and
concrete is being poured for the base. A
whole new look will be completed
before the millennium's first sale
happens at the Stratton Salesyards in
2000. The committee has worked long
and hard on this project'and it is now a
reality.
"When life closes one door, fate
opens a window."
Rainy River District'4-1-1 will hold
their annual meeting on Friday evening.
December 3 at Emidio's Restaurant in
Fort Frances. Leaders. spouses and
potential new leaders are very welcome.
There were 13 new members in the 4-H
beef club'this year. They will be
recognized at the annual banquet and
skating party coming up in the new
year. It's to be announced as soon as ice
time is scheduled. 4-H calendars in
celebration of 4 -H's 50th anniversary
are available as a fundraiser for the year
2000. The millennium edition will pay
tribute to Canadian Agriculture and the
. many 4-H activities with photos of 4-H
members in action. Calendars will be $5
each.
Rainy River Valley Agricultural
Society (Fairboard) will hold their
annual meeting December 14 at the
Emo Legion. The year 2000 will be
their centennial celebration, so everyone
and anyone, interested in the fair. is
urged to attend with ideas and full
support.
Has anyone got a sure -cure for
raccoons? They're busy eating up eggs.
smaller animals, and messing up grain
bins. They seem to enjoy the kids' tree
.fort too. We don't grow field corn here
and they don't bother pumpkins at all
and yet there's so many this year.
Did you know that pumpkins were
once recommended for removing
freckles and curing snake bites'?
A humongous thanks to the
cattlemen who are giving their busy
time to get the new scales set in at the
Stratton Sales Yard. It will benefit so
very many.
"The highest reward for a man's toil
is npt what he gets for it, but what he
becomes by it." — John Ruskin (1819-
1900).0
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
DECEMBER 1999 51