The Rural Voice, 1988-06, Page 87RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Box 416, Emo, Ontario POW 1 E0
807-482-2051
• The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy River
Federation members by the RRFA.
Another warm dry spring has come
to the Rainy River District. Most farm-
ers had completed spring seeding by
early May, although many had waited
for rain. Some of the early birds, such as
John vandenBrand of Pinewood, had
finished seeding by mid-April.
Because of the dry spring, which
was preceded by last year's dry summer
and fall, most cattle producers in the
District have again purchased hay insur-
ance from the Crop Insurance Commis-
sion. Apparently the program has been
improved somewhat for 1988, although
not to the satisfaction of the RRFA.
The RRFA held its annual spring
dinner and dance in April. Roger
George, first vice-president of the OFA,
spoke on the provincial budget, which
raised the gas tax, sales tax, and will
raise the cost of living to all residents of
northern Ontario.
Roger said we should remind the
provincial Liberals that they had prom-
ised to equalize fuel prices in northern
Ontario if they were elected.
It would appear that the federal
Conservatives have virtually aban-
doned the FCC, but Roger expects little
help from the federal government. The
OFA believes the provincial Liberals
should provide accessible credit to their
farmers, as is done in other provinces.
Roger said he doesn't believe the
provincial government will approve the
compulsory check -off. All members
should urge neighbours to join the OFA.
MPP Howard Hampton spoke on
free trade, MNR policies, Workmen's
Compensation, the Liberal budget, the
price of fuel, and the provincial sales
tax. Our new MLA is already deeply
involved in the problems of residents.
On May 7, the Clover Valley Farm-
ers' Market opened its new season at the
Couchiching Complex. The Farmers'
Market is looking for more vendors
every Saturday. Rent is $12 per stall;
contact Art Pattison or Fred Burner for
confirmation of the market rules.
The Rainy River District Soil and
-rop Improvement Association is plan-
. • R a crop tour in mid-June. Visits will
lx. ►rade to Crop Check North and to
several projects throughout the District..
The group also plans on inspecting
88 THE RURAL VOICE
some soil -erosion problems in the area.
Many more farmers are becoming
aware of the erosion problems with our
fragile soils. Several farmers have
drawn a long-range soil conservation
plan for their farm and applied for assis-
tance from the District Land Steward-
ship Committee.
On April 21, the Rainy River
Cattlemen's Association met at the
OMAF office. President Barry Hartry
reported the results of the committee's
study of the sales manager's job. It was
decided to advertise for a new sales
manager as well as an assistant manager.
The directors once again decided to
continue with two satellite sales. The
first sale will be held September 19, and
the second on October 17. Hugh Filson
of Denfield will be asked to continue as
the sales auctioneer.
Keith Neilson, chairman of the
Building Committee, presented the di-
rectors with detailed plans of improve-
ments and repairs needed at the Stratton
Sales barn. The directors agreed the
committee should complete the repairs
within the 1988 budget restrictions.
The Hereford Association rented the
Stratton Sales Barn for its annual fall
sale to be held Saturday, October 1.
Because of the financial losses in-
curred in recent years, the RRCA hopes
to encourage more producers to market
locally. More than two-thirds of cattle
produced in the District are still mar-
keted elsewhere. But as Barry Hartry
pointed out, the number of buyers has
increased from 8 in 1984 to 37 in 1987.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Rainy River Federation of Agriculture
was held May 2. Attending were presi-
dent George Hyatt, secretary Norman
Cain, directors Ralph Hunsperger, Reu-
ben Korb, Linda Armstrong, Kristine
Carpenter, and Dean Hodgson, along
with guest Joe Van Pock.
Tim Taylor, Guy Winterton, and
Roy Brown from the MNR also attended
the meeting to address concerns about
predator damage. The MNR officials
first explained that tight budgets restrict
their activities. Next it was explained
that their policies are established in
Toronto, where the eradication of ani-
mals is not a top priority with the general
public — people lobbying the govern-
ment for animal rights far outnumber
farmers and trappers. If too much pub-
licity were aroused about trapping and
hunting, predator laws might become
even more difficult.
Because of these tight budgets and
other priorities, the MNR has found it
impossible to keep trappers and hunters
on staff. It is almost more economical to
pay producers for their losses. The best
policy may be for farmers to take control
of their own predator problems. The
MNR is willing to help, and the RRFA
will work with the District MNR to
establish training courses for trappers
next fall.
In other matters, the directors con-
sidered the problems with the ARDA
pasture. A resolution was sent to the
ARDA pasture committee recommend-
ing that they continue the present pro-
gram for another five years. Low cattle
numbers in the District mean a smaller
demand for pasture, and this is creating
a cost -price squeeze on the operating
budget. But the ARDA pasture was very
successful in the beginning, and with
cattlemen rebuilding their herds de-
mand for pasture could return.
Ralph Hunsperger reported the Vet-
erinary Services Committee is wrestling
with budget restraints too. If the tighten-
ing continues, the committee may need
to approach the Northern Ontario Policy
Committee for extra funding.
Kristine Carpenter reported on the
new Rural Dignity project, which is
headed by Carolyn Kreger in the Rainy
River District. Canada Post is progress-
ing with its plan to close about 5,000
rural post offices. Rural Dignity of
Canada hopes to rally rural residents to
oppose these plans before it is too late.
Ballots, which will be presented to
Prime Minister Mulroney, are being dis-
tributed to rural residents throughout
Canada to vote against these closings.
Carolyn Kreger, with the help of
everyone willing to volunteer, is distrib-
uting 2,000 of these ballots throughout
the District. The RRFA and, one hopes,
everyone in the District, strongly sup-
ports Carolyn Kreger for all her work on
behalf of rural residents.°
Dean Hodgson