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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1992-09-09, Page 11Speaking of Farming I F arm By Keith Roulston WiZZ farmers ever stop fighting farmers? Stable Funding is an issue it seems just won't go away? At least the question of how the government is implementing stable funding won’t go away. The battle against Stable Funding seems to take various forms with various people. There are those who claim they only want to have a free vote of all farmers as to whether they approve of the system. Supporters of Stable Funding, however, recall all too well what happened the last time there was a vote on a General Farm Organization. It took nearly a decade for the scars from the GFO vote in the 1960s to heal. In the end, instead of getting a more united farm community with one general farm organization, the farm community was more divided than ever. Stable Funding supporters perhaps are looking at something else that happened in the 1960's for the reason they’ve been trying to get Stable Funding through without a disruptive vote. Back in the mid-60s William Stewart rammed through supply man agement legislation, over the loud protests of a few individualists, so that dairy, egg and poultry farmers could get a better return from the market place by matching supply to demand. There were plenty who didn't want it (I remember thinking how undemocratic it was at the time) but now you could hold a meeting of those producers who don't support supply management in a very small township hall. While some proclaim they just want a vote, some opponents of Sta ble Funding are more vicious. "Why should I pay to OFA (or one of the other groups)," they say. "What have they ever done for me?" Perhaps the words of John F. Kennedy should be remembered when he spoke of not asking what you country can do for your but what you can do for your country. How many of these people have attended a GFO meeting? How many have done anything more than complain in the coffee shop or over the back fence? After all these years you'd think farmers would have learned they have to work together if they want to accomplish anything. So many are such determined individualists that they’d rather go broke proudly inde pendent than compromise and co-operate with their neighbours long enough to get something better. The government, and leaders of the Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers, if not the National Fanners Union, had hoped to avoid all this division by not holding a vote. They're getting it anyway. They probably should have known better by now. Nothing will ever get farmers all fighting on the same side. *** The deadline for the Commodity Loan Program has been extended to Sept. 15 to accommodate farmers who have not received their final crop insurance acreage reports. Even if they haven't received their final acreage reports producers are advised to get their applications in to Agricultural Commodity Corporation office in Guelph. Applications postmarked on or before Sept. 15 will be accepted. Application forms are available at all OMAF offices. *** The 16th annual Western Ontario 4-H Dairy Championship show will be held Sept. 26 at the Stratford Fairgrounds. The show is open to 4-H dairy members from Essex, Kent, Elgin, Lambton, Norfolk, Perth, Mid dlesex, Huron, Bruce and Oxford counties. Centre wants dialogue on ag. and food The George Morris Centre wants to provide quality dialogue on Canadian agricultural and food issues, Kathryn Cooper, executive director of the Centre told an invit ed audience in Brussels Aug. 25. The centre wants to encourage innovation and enhance excellence, helping agriculture in Canada be the best it can be. Agriculture and the food sector must work together, she said. The philosphy of the Centre is to surround itself with the best people it can and give answers to the peo ple in the agriculture and food sec tors who say "give us the whole picture and we'll make our deci sions." She said the Centre is inspired by people like George Morris who says "Don't tell me it can't be done." The think tank, attached to the University of Guelph, is funded by an endowment fund so it can be independent of political influence and look at the long term in the industry, not the kind of short term politicians must obey. The fund was started when Mr. Morris, a Kent County farmer, donated a vin tage Corvette to the University which was sold to raise the first money for the Centre. 14th Anniversary FOOD - REFRESHMENTS SEPT. 11 & 12 Plowing Match Specials all during September Stop in person or phone 519-524-5363 1-800-363-5363 BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.r ” 'UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 9 a.m.Finished Cattle& Cows 11:00 a.m. Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs 11:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs THURSDAYS FRIDAYS BRUSSELS 887-6461 Stable Funding motion tabled by County Council A motion of the Huron County Agriculture, Planning and Develop ment Committee that would have expressed the county's opposition to the method of imposing stable funding legislation was tabled by County Council Sept. 3. The motion at the Agriculture Committee was moved by Bob Hallam, reeve of West Wawanosh and seconded by Gordon Workman of Brussels. But when the motion came before the full council, Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham made a tabling motion, meaning the issue won't be dealt with by council unless a motion is made to bring it back before the council. Brian McBumey of Tumberry seconded the tabling motion. With the executive of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture sitting in the gallery, Reeve Cun ningham said he had been thinking about the motion from the Agricul ture Committee and "I felt it's not something that should be dealt with at County Council." He said it was n't fair for urban reeves to be asked to vote on such a farm-oriented issue. Stable Funding legislation would require all farmers earning over $7000 a year to register with a gov ernment agent and pay a $150 a year fee which would support a general farm organization, either the Federation of Agriculture, the National Farmers Union or the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario. The compulsory nature of the fee, and the fact it will be imposed without a vote of farmers, has been a hot issue in the farm community. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9,1992. PAGE 11. Club marks 16th annual show BY MEG PENSTONE This year marks the 16th Annual Western Ontario 4-H Dairy Championship Show. The purpose of the Show is to offer 4-H dairy members a higher level of competition challenging them to learn from others in the 4-H program. The show is open to 4-H dairy members from Essex, Kent, Elgin, Lambion, Norfolk, Perth, Middlesex, Huron, Bruce, and Oxford counties. Perth County will be hosting the show at the Stratford Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 26. Both conformation and showmanship classes are judged that day. For more information, contact your local OMAF office. Vincent's are pleased to welcome Ralph Havercamp to our sales team. Ralph, who has had years of experience in the agri business field and farms near Clinton, wishes to invite all his friends and farm business associates to call or visit him for all your equipment needs. SEAFORTH 527 0120 TRYING TO DEAL WITH MJ, hi FED UP WITH paRTicipacTinn Self-propelled irrigation unit... assures accurate application and low compaction. FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED SEAFORTH • AYR • CAMBRIDGE • WOODSTOCK LIQUID MANURE? CALL US! WE DO THE COMPLETE JOB Truck-mounted pump • versatile-fits most tank designs • self-powered • thorough agitation WELDING & INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES LTD. AFFORDABLE - CONVENIENT R & R MANURIGATING R.R.4 BRUSSELS 523-9362