The Rural Voice, 1987-10, Page 74RAINY RIVER Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
The good weather continued
through September in the Rainy River
District as many farmers harvested their
third cut of hay.
The grain harvest is completed, fall
tillage is progressing full tilt, cattle
prices look good, and although pasture
may be getting a bit short, most District
farmers are pleased with the summer of
1987.
The provincial election is over, and
Howard Hampton, representing the
NDP, is the new MLA for the Rainy
River District.
Liberal Dan Pierroz finished second
in the voting, with incumbent PC Jack
Pierce third. More than 70 per cent of
the eligible voters turned out.
Directors of the Rainy River Federa-
tion of Agriculture hope to meet with the
new MLA in the near future to discuss
local agricultural concerns.
Agricultural problems did not re-
ceive much attention from the District
candidates during the recent campaign.
However, the A11 -Candidates Meet-
ing organized by the Rainy River Fed-
eration of Agriculture was attended by
more than 100 District residents.
The directors of the Federation of
Agriculture thank Don McCulloch for
chairing the meeting, and Jacquie Hun-
sperger, who acted as his secretary.
Andy Carpenter set up the audio
facilities for the speakers, and Kristine
Carpenter organized lunch and coffee.
All three candidates were very co-op-
erative with the organizing committee.
Cattlemen's Association
The Rainy River Cattlemen's Asso-
ciation met at the Stratton Sales Yard on
September 7 to finalize details of the
satellite sale scheduled for September
21 at 11 a.m.
President Gerald Gouliquer chaired
the meeting with secretary Beatrice
Meyers, directors Doug Carlson, Barry
Hartry, George Hyatt, Ken McKinnon,
Peter Spuzak, Keith Neilson, Tom
Anderson, Carson McQuahar, Andy
Carpenter, John Owen, Tony Weir,
Raynard Croswell, and Bob Kreger in
attendance. Sales manager Bob Le-
Blanc, agricultural representative Bruce
Ward, and Dean Hodgson also attended.
Final entries for the September 21
sale were down to just under 1,000 head,
but this was expected because of a gen-
eral shortage of market cattle.
72 THE RURAL VOICE
Box 416, Emo, Ontario
Directors were disappointed that
they had received no entries from Dry-
den or Thunder Bay, as hoped.
However, reports from the first
Northern Stocker Sale of the year at
Wiarton showed high prices and raised
producers' hopes for prices well over
the one dollar a pound mark. Some year-
ling steers brought $1.25 at Wiarton.
Agricultural representative Bruce
Ward reported that the Northern Feeder
Sales Association has a new price infor-
mation telephone number available to
District producers. Rainy River District
cattlemen can receive up to date market
price information free by dialing 1-800-
461-9622. This number is being made
available to District producers, free, on
a one-year trial basis.
Dial the number! Check the prices!
Producers should take advantage of
every bit of market information avail-
able. If this toll-free number proves to
be beneficial, inform the Cattlemen's
Association directors so the association
can plan accordingly for next year.
Sales manager Bob LeBlanc re-
ported that everything was falling into
place for the 28th annual Stratton Sale.
Maintenance and improvement work
was nearly completed thanks to several
volunteers and some hired help.
Charlie Morhen demonstrated one
of his machines, cleaning some of the
pens. John Mason of Rainy River
Drainage donated the use of his dozer to
level fill spread in low areas to provide
more parking on sale day.
Once again there was a long discus-
sion on one -owner lots. President Ger-
ald Gouliquer pointed out that one -
owner lots are sold in the owner's name
by the Cattlemen's Association. Pro-
ducers must sort their one -owner lots
carefully. Your income and reputation
depend on what appears in the sales ring.
If a buyer has problems with pur-
chased cattle, he may contact the seller
directly. Some buyers pay more for one -
owner lots because they feel the pro-
ducer will stand behind the cattle.
At the second satellite sale of the
year, featuring mostly calves, about
2,000 head are expected. It will be held
Monday, October 19 at 11 a.m. Satellite
sales are beamed to OLEX in Kitchener.
Federation Meeting
The Rainy River Federation of Agri-
culture held its monthly directors' meet -
POW 1E0 807-482-2051
ing at the OMAF office in Emo on
September 14.
The entertainment committee of
Linda Armstrong, Allan Teeple, and
George Hyatt is completing final ar-
rangements for the annual fall dinner
and dance.
The annual meeting will be held on
Saturday, October 24 at the Emo Arena.
The election of new directors will fol-
low the dinner.
A nomination committee of Kristine
Carpenter, Linda Armstrong, Allan
Teeple, George Hyatt, and Dean
Hodgson will be searching for members
willing to serve on the Board of Direc-
tors for 1988.
Five directors are needed to serve a
two-year term. Directors with one year
remaining are Linda Armstrong,
Kristine Carpenter, and Allan Teeple.
It is hoped that our entire executive
will carry on for another term.
This year, members attending the
dinner will also select representatives to
the Ontario Federation of Agriculture
annual convention. This is part of anew
OFA policy for our area. The provincial
director and three delegates are to be
chosen. They will be eligible to attend
the OFA convention in November and
represent the Rainy River District. The
travel expenses are paid for these four
representatives.
Everyone who has attended the OFA
convention from the District has been
impressed by the provincial organiza-
tion. The convention is an excellent
opportunity to meet other farmers and
OFA members.
If any District member is interested
in attending the convention, please sub-
mit your name to the nominating com-
mittee. Also, anyone interested in be-
coming involved with the District Fed-
eration of Agriculture will be welcomed
by the nominating committee.
It appears that people are becoming
so concerned with their own problems
that they can no longer donate time to
community projects.
With more people working off the
farm, it is becoming more difficult tc
interest new people in directing any of
the farm organizations.
Unless more farmers are willing to
do their fair share, the load may become
too much for the few still struggling to
hold our farm organizations together.0
Dean Hodgson