The Rural Voice, 1988-09, Page 141RAINY 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.
Showers became more frequent in
the District in the latter part of July and
in early August. Although it is still very
dry, it is hoped that the recent rains will
prolong the grazing season and preserve
winter feed. Although moisture is wel-
come, it has caused harvest problems.
Most farmers were completing their
second -cut hay harvest in late July,
while Jurgen Schmutz had started com-
bining his 1,000 acres of winter wheat.
Larry Lamb and Cornie Fehr, among
others, were combining trefoil seed with
yields from 50 to 350 pounds per acre.
News has been released that the
Agri -North Committee has approved
the grant application of Larry Lamb to
construct a forage seed -cleaning plant
near Emo. The plant should be in opera-
tion for the 1988 forage seed harvest.
The District Seed Growers Associa-
tion has worked with Larry Lamb to get
the assistance to build this new facility.
The growers were assisted greatly by
Patricia Neilson of the Rainy River
Business Development Corporation and
agricultural representative Bruce Ward.
The District Seed Growers Associa-
tion expects that this plant will allow
District farmers more diversification
when planning their crop rotation as
well as another source of income.
The Rainy River Soil and Crop
Improvement Association met August 2
at the farm of Rick Boersma.
On a motion by Andy Carpenter, the
directors agreed to assist the RRFA in
sponsoring Agri -Food Week at the Emo
Fair. The directors also arranged a
schedule for manning the booth, which
will feature information on various field
trials throughout the District.
Information will be available on the
Land Stewardship Program and OSCE -
PAP II, both conceming soil erosion.
Directors will be on hand to discuss the
machinery -rental program. Any ideas
or suggestions will be welcomed.
During the meeting, the machinery
committee reported on progress to date.
This year District farmers have been
making good use of all the rentals.
The machinery committee sug-
gested, and the directors approved, re-
locating the John Deere scraper at the
64 THE RURAL VOICE
Arnold Kaemingh farm near Devlin.
This will make the ditch scraper more
available to farmers in the east end of the
District. If this experiment proves suc-
cessful, other machinery could be lo-
cated here in the future.
The directors appreciated Susan
Boersma's serving coffee and cake dur-
ing the meeting. '
Two new OMAF drainage engineers
visited the District on August 3 and 4.
David Steele, the new drainage co-ordi-
nator, was checking problems on peti-
tion drains. Michael Toombs, the new
OMAF engineer for northwestern On-
tario, was investigating problems on
District farms.
An information meeting on petition -
drain maintenance, the responsibilities
of municipalities and property owners,
and the uses of OSCEPAP II was held on
August 3 at the Stratton Hall.
There was a good turnout of 14
councillors, two clerks, one road super -
intendant, but only two interested farm-
ers for a good question and answer ses-
sion. The meeting was co-ordinated by
Bruce Ward, with questions handled by
David Steele assisted by Mike Toombs.
Plans were discussed for a two-day
drainage seminar in the District some-
time next winter.
Rainy River District cattlemen
should be able to start trucking cattle
through the Baudette border crossing on
September 12, 1988.
At a meeting on August 8, it was
disclosed that all but the final signatures
were in place to allow sealed vehicles to
transport cattle through Minnesota to
Manitoba and return.
This has been a long and, at times,
discouraging struggle, but it does show
that persistence can achieve results.
Many people, in and out of government,
have assisted this committee over the
past few years. We cannot possibly ac-
knowledge everyone who has contrib-
uted to the success of the committee.
However, some people should be
recognized. Committee chairman Ken
McKinnon has persevered despite many
roadblocks. Dr. Wayne Cross supplied
countless hours of research. MP John
Parry must not be forgotten for his ef-
forts over the past four years. It is hoped
that District farmers will appreciate the
efforts of everyone involved and not
abuse this trial system.
On August 8 the RRFA directors
met at the OMAF office in Emo. Vice-
president Paul Heyenschaired the meet-
ing, as president George Hyatt was
needed at the border crossing meeting.
Also attending were Norman Cain,
Lisa Teeple, Kristine Carpenter, Ralph
Hunsperger, Bill McLean, Bob Lock-
ing, Allen Teeple, Jim Belluz, Linda
Armstrong, Debbie Zimmerman, and
guest MLA Howard Hampton.
There was a long discussion about
membership and what should be done.
Directors decided to request a fieldman
to organize a membership drive.
There was another lengthy discus-
sion about bank charges. It was felt that
all bank charges should be investigated
and the information made public.
A banking seminar will be arranged
to educate the public about bank serv-
ices and charges.
The directors discussed many local
issues with MLA Howard Hampton.
Why are urban dwellers allowed to
bring unlimited amounts of groceries
from the U.S. at the border crossing at
Rainy River and Fort Frances? Why
does the MTC no longer maintain the
picnic areas at Sleeman and Pinewood?
Howard Hampton wondered how farm-
ers' purchases from the U.S. affect other
Canadian businesses.
Rural mail was once again the sub-
ject of a lively discussion. Evidence
indicates that if present plans are al-
lowed to continue, rural mail service
will deteriorate steadily.
Canada Post appears to be following
the American system: if it does not pay,
shut it down. But if a huge country like
Canada had only provided services
where local populations could pay all
costs, many rural areas would still have
no roads, schools, or medical facilities.
The rural people must convince
Canada Post to change this degrading
plan. The OFA should become more
involved with the rural mail problem
before it is too late.0
Dean Hodgson