The Rural Voice, 1989-03, Page 58RAINY 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.
by Dean Hodgson
If you don't like the weather this winter
in the Rainy River District, just wait until the
next day. Changeable, that's the weather the
past month or so. Cow -calf producers are
hoping for normal weather as many animals
starting calving in February.
The Rainy River District Cattlemen's
Association held its annual meeting January
25. The main business was the adoption of
the new constitution.
Constitution committee chairman Tom
Morrish explained the various changes.
(Only43 people attended the RRCA annual.)
Now 11 directors from 4 zones will serve 2 -
year terms, with one year off after 2 consecu-
tive terms. The OCA director will also be a
member of the RRCA board of directors.
Participating members must pay an annual
membership fee. After lengthy discussion,
explanation, and two small changes, the con-
stitution was accepted almost unanimously.
The future of satellite sales is in doubt,
but recommendations were made that the
new directors study the situation carefully.
We should remember that the Alberta and
Saskatchewan markets are distorted by pro-
vincial subsidies, which may end any time.
With the advent of free trade, the long-range
market for Rainy River should be south.
Hugh Sharpe, past -president of the On-
tario Cattlemen' Association, was guest
speaker for the evening.
He assured producers that good farmers
can still make money in the cattle business.
Last fall, because he happened to sell at the
same time the government announced a
$100 per head stabilization payment, he re-
ceived top dollar for his calves.
He criticized the OFA and Brigid Pyke
for raising the OCA membership from $820
to $26,000 annually. He does not understand
what the OFA does with all the money, but
admitted some producers do believe the
OFA serves a useful function.
Mr. Sharpe did not disclose how much
the OCA budget had increased with the non-
refundable checkoff.
He assured District producers there will
be no marketing vote. The Beef Task Force
Study was a waste of money, he said. The
Red Meat Program, although useful, is not
likely to be continued.
Ken McKinnon and his committee were
shocked to hear Mr. Sharpe give the OCA
credit for opening the border crossing to
Manitoba.
Agriculture Representative Bruce Ward
conducted the election of directors.
56 THE RURAL VOICE
Elected for zone A were Ken McKinnon,
George Hyatt, and Tom Morrish. Represent-
ing zone B are Barry Hartry, Doug Carlson,
and Carl Cates. In zone C directors are Andy
Carpenter, Mike Neilson, and Kenneth Lar-
son. Zone D will be represented by Bob
Locking and Stan Armstrong. Peter Spuzak
was returned as provincial director to the
OCA. Tom Morrish is alternate.
The RRFA recently had a meeting with
our MLA Howard Hampton. Some of the
subjects were Workmen's Compensation for
bush workers, the Red Meat Program, the
Agri -North program, hunters, trespassing,
and Bill 129.
Howard Hampton assured those present
that the NDP -sponsored Bill 129 will in no
way affect farmers or 4-H animals. This
private member's bill was introduced into
the legislature by a former OFA field repre-
sentative. There should be no concern.
We feel at this time that we must trust our
MLA to protect the rights of farmers, coun-
try fairs, and 4-H animals. In the meantime
the RRFA must continue to pressure for
more control over hunters and trespassers.
The MNR seems far removed from farm-
ers' concerns, whether dealing with preda-
tors, hunting, or even wood -cutting rights.
The Rainy River District Federation of
Agriculture held its regular directors meet-
ing February 6. Vice-president Paul Heyens
chaired the meeting attended by Kristine
Carpenter, Jack VandenBrand, Reuben
Korb, Jim Belluz, Bill McLean, Jacquie
Hunsperger, and Dean Hodgson. President
George Hyatt arrived later.
Kristine Carpenter reported that the
Agriculture in the Classroom committee had
participated in a career opportunity day at
Robert Moore School in Fort Frances. Using
material from New Liskeard and Centralia
agriculture colleges, the committee pre-
sented an interesting program for students.
Kristine said she thinks this program will
be continued, and said Loretta LeBlanc and
Pat Clysdale-Cornell are providing excellent
leadership. Volunteers to participate in fu-
ture programs will be welcomed.
There was a positive discussion on the
agricultural coverage of the Fort Frances
Times, and especially the effort of Farm and
Country page editor Darene Yavorsky.
Keep up the good work.
Although the final tabulations were not
available because of the absence of Lisa
Teeple, the directors who participated in the
recent membership drive felt it had been
generally positive.
Kristine Carpenter felt the associate
members of the RRFA should be recognized
for their support. During the spring dinner
and dance April 15, District businesses sup-
porting the RRFA will be acknowledged.0
RRFA SURVEY ON FARM ISSUES
In September of 1988, the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture conducted a survey of
its members and asked other organizations to put these same questions to their members.
Results from the telephone survey conducted by the RRFA in December were recently
released by the survey co-ordinator, Lisa Teeple.
1. Many fanners are facing financial hardship due to factors beyond their control.
AGREE RRFA 75% BRUCE 90%
2. Government should give farmers more subsidies.
AGREE RRFA 41% BRUCE 21%
3. Debt review boards should have the power to write down farm debts.
DISAGREE RRFA 62% BRUCE 33%
4. Agriculture needs production controls to be financially secure.
AGREE RRFA 72%
5. OFA should stay out of marketing debates.
DISAGREE RRFA 50%
6. All farmers should pay for lobbying of farm organizations.
AGREE RRFA 73%
7. OFA should be more aggressive in dealing with government.
AGREE RRFA 80%
8. Try to stop trend toward larger but fewer farms.
AGREE RRFA 77%
9. OFA policy will have little effect on the future of farming.
DISAGREE RRFA 50%
10. Farmers should not have to work off the farm to survive.
AGREE RRFA 88%
BRUCE 72%
BRUCE 54%
BRUCE 71%
BRUCE 79%
BRUCE 71%
BRUCE 52%
BRUCE 95%