The Rural Voice, 1989-08, Page 75I
1
RAINY 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.
Mid -July found most District farmers
still haying. Rainy weather through June had
soaked the fields and delayed the harvest.
Most of the cow -calf farmers are quite
pleased with the heavy hay crop, even
though it is quite mature. Many farmers
attempting to harvest high protein hay rutted
their fields quite badly. These farmers will
soon be starting their second cut, and should
put up some good quality hay yet.
Many spring grain crops, and most corn
fields, have drowned -out areas because of
too much water lying too long. Pastures and
cattle are thriving.
CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION
The Rainy River District Cattlemen's
Association is completing arrangements for
the annual Stratton Stocker Sale. The direc-
tors met on July 12 to complete many of the
terms of the sale, but final arrangements are
yet to be completed.
The Stratton Sale will he held Saturday,
October 21, 1989, beginning at 12:45 p.m.
Directors expect about 3,000 head consist-
ing of approximately 70 per cent calves.
This year the sale will go by satellite to
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan and the
Toronto Stock Yards, as well as to OLEX in
Kitchener. Gary Sliworski, the red meat
advisor from OMAF, will head the commit-
tee arranging the satellite. Agricultural rep-
resentative Bruce Ward will also assist this
committee when necessary. This will put
more control of the sale in local hands.
Arrangements are being made to send a
delegation to the Regina Stock Yards to
study methods and handling facilities. This
delegation will also be investigating satel-
lite, shrink, sorting, and auctioneers.
Bill Govier of Emo was hired as barn
manager and will be responsible for general
maintenance and repairs at the yard.
The hay committee accepted the tender
of Clarence Schruman of Stratton to deliver
10 tons of hay. The RRCA is still searching
for a sales manager who would join the dele-
gation travelling to Regina.
SOIL AND CROP
The Rainy River Soil and Crop Improve-
ment Association held a crop tour on July 19.
The tour began at the new Crop Check North
site at Emo and ended at the Gerber Farms,
Fort Frances. Highlights of the tour were
foliage control with Roundup, a new seed -
cleaning plant, U -pick strawberries, sod -
seeding, and good conservation farming
practices on the Gerber farm.
RRFA
The Rainy River District Federation of
Agriculture met at the OMAF office in Emo
on July 10. Attending were president
Weatherwords by Alice Radbourne
Month Extreme
of June Max. Temp.
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
30.0
34.5
33.0
30.5
25.5
27.5
31.0
25.0
26.0
32.0
Degrees C.
Extreme
Min. Temp.
-3.0
-1.0
0.0
-2.0
-2.0
2.0
-3.5
-3.0
0.0
-1.5
Average of
Avg. Temp.
for month
14.36
18.86
17.40
15.15
12.66
16.31
15.58
11.54
14.29
15.42
30 -year Records (1951-1980)
39.4 -5.6 15.80
Rainfall
(mm)
195.6
86.0
50.2
94.0
202.0
252.0
148.8
72.2"
139.6
67.2
94.1
June this year began chilly and damp and finished warm and damp. Lawns and hay crops
flourished and in spite of nearly eight inches of rain we really weren't overdosed because
of dry subsoil conditions from last year.
The average temperature for the month was considerably lower than last year but really
only 1.5C lower than the long-term normal.
And now as we enjoy using our barbecues and picnic tables we almost forget that only a
few months ago they were completely hidden under snow.
George Hyatt, secretary Jacquie Hun-
sperger, treasurer Lisa Teeple, directors Bob
Locking, Bill McLean, Debbie Zimmerman,
Kristine Carpenter, Paul Heyens, and Dean
Hodgson.
The main topic at the meeting was the
Liberal government's constant tinkering
with the farm property tax rebate.
The rebate originated in the early 1970s
to relieve the heavy burden of the education
tax on farm land. This provincial Liberal
government seems determined to turn this
unfair tax burden into a farmer subsidy.
Now full-time farmers will continue to
receive a 100 per cent rebate. This will
effectively split the rural community as well
as deny aid to many part-time farmers strug-
gling to save their farms by renting or work-
ing off the farm.
Do the provincial Liberals have a long-
term farm policy or will they continue
bouncing from one crisis to another?
The RRFA urges everyone to write let-
ters to Jack Riddell, Robert Nixon, and
David Peterson protesting these abrupt
changes and this type of short-range farm
planning. All the directors support Brigid
Pyke and the OFA in fighting these changes.
In other business, Andy Carpenter re-
ported that there are no cattle from Manitoba
at the ARDA pasture. There are 179 head on
the pasture under the care of new manager
Frank Schiebler.
The ARDA pasture committee decided
not to hold an open house again this year.
The pasture manager reported that there is a
beaver problem in pasture 8.
Kristine Carpenter reported that the hal-
ters have been purchased for the 4-H calf
club at a cost of $238. Each year the RRFA
splits the cost of the halters with the RRCA,
which also paid 5238 to support the 4-H calf
club.
The Farm Progress committee is plan-
ning an agricultural classroom during the
Emo Fair. Booths in the arena arc going
quickly, and anyone planning to attend
should call Kristine Carpenter soon. The
RRFA fair booth committee is Bob Locking,
Bill McLean, Paul Heyens, and Dean
Hodgson.
Ellard Teeple of Blackhawk was
awarded the RRFA bursary from the Fort
Frances High School for 1988-89. Elland
will be attending Fanshawe College in the
fall. There were no entries for the bursary
award from the Rainy River High School for
1988-89.
The RRFA has learned that funding for a
beaver control program in the Ottawa Va:ley
(cont'd on page 77)
AUGUST 1989 73