The Rural Voice, 1989-02, Page 50RAINY 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.
Weather has become the dominant
subject in the Rainy River District. It's a
real old-fashioned winter, the old-timers
say. Perhaps the District has been spoiled
by the extremely mild winters of the past
few years.
Alice Radbourne of Emo records
weather data for the Ministry of the
Environment. On this page is her report.
Gerry Carey, OFA fieldman from
Cornwall, was in the District part of the
week beginning January 9. Despite the
weather, he managed to visit around the
District discussing beef marketing, bull
sales, government subsidies, and agricul-
ture in general. His enthusiasm and opti-
mism seemed to encourage farmers to
express their own views.
Accompanied by one or two directors,
Gerry visited with members and non-
members alike. It seems everyone is
concerned about the increase in annual
dues, but most realize that OFA operating
costs are rising along with everything else.
Most farmers we met during Gerry's
visit do not like subsidies. Many feel that
the OFA concentrates too much on them.
It is sometimes difficult to remember
these are actually subsidies for consumers
of food, as most farmers are producing
below the cost of production. Until the
rest of society is ready to wean off subsi-
dies, farmers will probably require govern-
ment assistance. Farmers should remem-
ber as they cash their rebate cheques that
when sidewalks are built in the towns,
sewers in the cities, and environmental
protection is built into industry, these are
all subsidized by government.
Perhaps it is not the best system.
Perhaps it is out of control. But until a
better system evolves, farmers will have to
bargain for their fair share.
Worldwide subsidies distort the free
market. And here in Canada, the subsidies
in Saskatchewan and Alberta are detrimen-
tal to the beef industry in Ontario.
That is why we need the OFA to speak
for farmers. The individual has neither the
time nor the expertise to deal with all the
problems concerning agriculture.
Several new members have joined the
RRFA, bringing the membership up to
about 150 for 1989. New members and
old should remember what Gerry Carey
often told farmers, that although the OFA
needs their money, it also needs the ideas
and concerns of the grassroot farmers.
The Rainy River District Soil and Crop
48 THE RURAL VOICE
Improvement Association held its first
meeting of 1989 on January 10.
Lyle Wheatly was elected president for
a second term. Bill Romyn was chosen to
serve as vice-chairman.
Rick Neilson agreed to serve on the
ARDA Pasture Committee.
Ken Vogan will serve a two-year term
on the Northern Development Committee,
joining Karl Van Heyst, who has one year
remaining of his two-year term.
Dean Hodgson will represent Soil and
Crop on the RRFA.
Don McCulloch will chair the
Machinery Committee, assisted by John
Vanden -Brand, Jr., Karl Van Heyst, and
Bill Romyn.
Bernie Zimmerman, Rick Neilson, and
Dean Hodgson will head the Seed Fair
Committee and be joined by two Seed
Growers Association representatives.
Larry Lamb, provincial director, gave a
short report on liability insurance, weed
problems, and the seed growers' seminars.
There was a long discussion on weed
problems and it was generally conceded
that the municipalities have been too lax
with weed inspections.
The Rainy River federation met Janu-
ary 9. Vice-president Paul Heyens chaired
the meeting, as president George Hyatt
was at another meeting and arrived late.
Also attending were secretary Jacquie
Hunsperger, treasurer Lisa Teeple, and
directors Kristine Carpenter, Linda
Armstrong, Bill McLean, Debbie Zimmer-
man, and Dean Hodgson. Guest was
Gerry Carey.
Gerry reported that OFA president
Brigid Pyke would be speaking at the
Thunder Bay District Seed fair in late
March. Directors felt the RRFA should
arrange a public meeting in our District
when she is in northwestern Ontario.
A letter was received from our
provincial director, Peter Van Ballgooie,
asking for input from the RRFA concern-
ing the OFA land use policy.
There was some discussion on land
severances and a committee was formed to
investigate municipal policy in the District.
Linda Armstrong announced that
arrangements are completed for the spring
dinner and dance on April 15.
George Hyatt reported that the welding
courses have been finalized for Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday nights begin-
ning on January 10.
A committee chaired by RRFA
member Loretta LaBlanc has completed
arrangements to conduct Agriculture in the
Classroom sessions in some District
schools. Congratulations to Loretta and
her committee, as this achievement is the
culmination of several years of effort.
OMAF's Pat Clysdale-Cornell has
assisted the group, which includes RRFA
directors Kristine Carpenter, Lisa Teeple,
and Debbie Zimmerman.
Thank you letters were sent to Marmus
Shell, Don Walton Surveying, and the
Barwick Recreation Committee for their
help with the Christmas Skating Party.
The Public Relations Committee is
arranging meetings with Howard Hamp-
ton, MLA, for February 9, and Bob Nault,
MP, for February 23. Anyone with
political concerns should contact a director
of the RRFA.O
Dean Hodgson
Month
of Dec.
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
Weatherwords by Alice Radbourne
Extreme
Max. Temp.
6.0
1.5
2.0
0.5
4.0
-6.5
9.0
0.5
2.5
Degrees C.
Extreme
Mln. Temp.
-43.0
-26.0
-34.5
-39.0
-41.5
-45.0
-30.5
-38.5
-36.5
Avg. monthly Temp.
-13.91
- 8.20
-11.10
-18.62
-16.07
-21.02
- 9.57
-18.50
-16.22
30 -year Records (1951-1980)
13.9 -47.2
Snowfall
(cm)
58.6
20.8
20.2
48.8
49.6
29.0
13.0
33.6
16.8
-13.5 31.0
According to the figures, 1988 was very ordinary, but we who experienced it know it was far from a monotonous
year, having extremes in both temperature and precipitation. We began with an average January, an Arctic February,
a snowy March, a dry April, a hot May, June and July with rainfall oftat ineffective because of the heat. August and
September brought more moisture and lush growth. October temperatures dropped and winter came suddenly on the
27th. November and December continued with more snowstorms leaving us with higher piles than any in recent years.