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The Rural Voice, 1987-08, Page 58RAINY RIVER Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER Box 416, Emo, Ontario POW 1E0 807-4822051 NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT Dry weather throughout the month of June and most of July has encouraged an early hay harvest. Even though this has been one of the driest summers on record, hay crops are reported to be average or better. The quality should be good as there was very little rain damage. The dry weather is also quickly ripening the grain crops, pointing to an early harvest there as well. Although the dry spring weather, combined with some heavy rains in late May, stressed most grain fields, many crops now look good to excellent. Ed Fisher has a heavy stand of oats south of Emo. Bob Radboume's 150 -acre field of canoie looks impressive north of Emo. North of Barwick, Com ie Fehr has a bumper stand of spring wheat along with some other outstanding crops. In general it looks like a good harvest is in store. The early hay harvest and good weather have combined to keep farmers home on the land. As a result there has not been much activity by District agricultural groups. On July 9, there was a crop specialist on hand at the Crop Check North experimental plots discussing crop diseases. This meeting was attended by about 25 interested farmers. The Rainy River District Charolais Association held its third annual beef barbe- cue at the Barwick hall on June 20. A crowd of close to 200 attended to enjoy the pit - barbecued beef served up by the expert Charolais chefs, Doug Carlson and Arden Goodmurphy. The Soil and Crop Association will be presenting several twilight meetings in late July: a forage seed meeting at the Larry Lamb farm, a pasture meeting at the Com- munity Pasture, and on July 30 a combine clinic at Crop Check North. On June 29, the provincial government passed legislation allowing the Ontario Cattlemen's Association to collect the non- refundable check -off. This will move the OCA executive even further from the con- cerns of the grass-roots producers. It is hoped that OFA members will con- tinue to support their executive so that such a compulsory check -off is not necessary for the farmers working for farmers. The dry weather also seems to be dis- couraging further drainage projects in the Rainy River District. This is common, as most people soon forget all the problems caused by too much water as soon as the excess water is gone. Some local drainage contractors, however, think that some municipalities are 56 THE RURAL VOICE deliberately discouraging further drainage projects because of past difficulties. If this is true, municipal councils should study the situation more closely and attempt to correct the problems rather than halt fur- ther development. Municipalities should realize that there is another side to the peti- tion drain issue which is seldom discussed. Since 1980 there have been more than 60 new petition drains installed in the Rainy River District. This averages about 10 a year at an average cost of perhaps $150,000 each. Since a two-thirds grant of the farmer's cost is paid by OMAF, this means that approxi- mately $1 million of extra money has been coming into the District annually since 1980. This money became part of the District's economy and was used by the contractors to pay employees and to purchase parts, fuel, and many other items from District mer- chants. In other words, the benefits have been spread throughout the District and have also improved the farm land. Perhaps this slowdown in construction is the result of supply and demand. Perhaps District farmers do not feel the need for improved drainage because of the small re- turns from the marketplace. But there is a misconception in the Dis- trict that these drains are costing the munici- palities too much money. Although the municipality does pay all the costs during construction, these funds are returned through OMAF and MTC grants, which cover the majority of the costs. The balance, usually one-third of the total cost, is assessed against property owners in the drainage area and not against everyone in the municipality. There are people who have suffered fi- nancially because of their location on a peti- tion drain. Often some of these assessments seem unfair. Groups such as the OFA and the Soil and Crop Association should be work- ing to improve the assessment methods and other problems with the Drainage Act. The Drainage Act is the result of more than 100 years of trial and error to improve drainage in Ontario. It may not be perfect, but instead of discouraging drainage proj- ects, municipal councils should join with the federation and the Soil and Crop Association to attempt to improve the present methods. Where can costs be cut? Should engi- neers design smaller, lower cost drains? Should municipalities tender for the supply of culverts, erosion material, and other items to save costs by bulk purchasing? Drive around the District and look at the improvements on farms where some of these drains have been installed — Rainycrest Farms, Walter Martin, Corrie Fehr, Peter Van Heyst, the Gibson brothers, Theo Gouliquer, Fred Nighswander, Rick Boersma, and Ed Fisher, to name a few. Drainage is probably one of the most important factors for a successful farmer, especially here in the Rainy River District where the weather is so dominant. Agricultural representative Bruce Ward and rural co-ordinator Pat Clysdalc-Cornell attended the July 20 meeting of the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture. Bruce Ward explained the various forms of assistance available from OMAF for dis- plays and presentations during Agri -Food Week. They included financial assistance, brochures, videos, buttons, balloons, etc. Pat Clysdale-Cornell gave the directors a wealth of ideas which could be used to promote agriculture and the farm commu- nity during Agri -Food Week. Many of these ideas, such as a District map on milk cartons, grocery bags, restaurant placemats, etc., could be used 52 weeks of the year. It was generally agreed that Agri -Food Week should be held in the Rainy River Dis- trict during the week of the Emo Fair. OMAF will be responsible for the advertis- ing promoting the week. Since the Farm Progress Building is administered by the District Federation of Agriculture, the committee chaired by Kristine Carpenter is dedicated to promoting Agri -Food Week and the theme, Eat the Food Your Neighbour Grows. However, the directors feel that the fed- eration is not equipped to handle the total organization of such a program while al- ready stretching their volunteer force to the limit. Each District commodity group must organize its own display. Directors are to report to their own commodity group and each group should explain their plans for Agri -Food Week to Bruce Ward at the OMAF office before July 30. Most directors are involved with other groups also presenting displays at the fair. The committee decided that they need more help just to promote and man the federation booth. The call is going out to all District members that more help is needed. It is hoped that everyone will get in- volved to make the Farm Progress Building and Agri -Food Week a tremendous success. The next meeting is scheduled for Au- gust 10, and many volunteers will be needed at the Emo arena on Tuesday, August 11. Bring a friend and a hammer.0 Dean Hodgson