Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-03-22, Page 27 out of the red By Paul Steckle MP Huron-Bruce Well, the Minister of Finance still has his hand on the tiller of good ship Canada's economy. It would seem that the course that was charted last year continues to take us out of financial stormy waters and towards a calmer sea. In fact, the recent budget has addressed the deficit in such a convincing way that not only have the concerns of the global financial community been, to a large degree, laid to rest but, just as importantly, here at home a post budget poll had an impressive 60 per cent plus approval rating from concerned Canadians. That's not to say that what lies ahead will be easy. Far from it. But what it will do is to put in place the systems that will allow our country to play an effective part on the stage of a rapidly changing world. The Canada that our children and theirs will inherit will be a nation family set free from the shackles of debt. This year's budget builds on last year's success. The '94/95 report card is in, and it's good. We have the fastest real output growth of any of our G7 fellow "club" members. Unemployment has fallen by 1.7 per cent and 433,000 new, full-time jobs have been created. Manufacturing output is up over nine per cent and our improved cost-performance has led to record breaking exports, a growing trade surplus, and a dramatic improvement in the current account. But none of this has come easily, and tough times still lie ahead. We must respond to the challenge of a change and this never comes easily. Mr. Martin said, "There are times in the progress of a people when fundamental challenges must be faced, fundamental choices made - a new course charted, and we're now committed to a course that requires each of us not just to do business well, but do it better, and more prudently, than ever before. I know that the complications of federal/provincial duplication, and even duplication within the federal level has been a subject of on-going worry. One of the common threads that ran through the farm and industry sectoral meetings we held last year through my riding which looked at the future challenges for Canadian agriculture emphasized the need for elimination of duplication of services, inefficient programming, and impractical regulatory bodies. What came out from everybody involved in those meetings was that those are things that create complications and cost money. Nobody can afford either. Ralph Goodale has been hearing the views of farmers and agri-food industry workers all last year. He has emphasized the need for a return to the old values of self-reliance and a greater freedom from government intervention in the running and direction of their businesses. The package of budgetary changes he has introduced are driven by the need to realize the government's vision for agriculture and agri-food within the context of fiscal restraint. Among others these include the reform of the western grain transportation system which includes the elimination of the annual railway subsidy (this will be cushioned by a multi-level series of compensatory payouts and credit guarantees); a 30 per cent reduction in the dairy subsidy over the next two years; the elimination of the Feed Freight Assistance subsidy this year; and a reduction in annual federal farm safety net spending from $850 million to $600 million over the next three years. Coupled with these dollar cuts is the new direction that federal agriculture is moving in with a series of trade and market development programs to support exporters through the creation of a new Agri- Food Trade Service. Research streamlining has allowed for the establishment of a Matching Investment Initiative fund that will provide $70 million per year by the end of the decade for industry-led research. There's another $60 million being made available to help the sector come to terms with the environment of new market opportunities and fewer subsidies. Programs are even now being put in place to support better access to capital, new management skills and better industry-infrastructure including improved access to information and technology. Canadian agriculture and agri-food is going to have to move onto the global stage to survive and grow. more and more, as we saw with the recent introduction of new guidelines for the administration of a supplementary import permit policy for beef and veal, the spotlight is on Canadian agricultural industries to adopt a united team approach if they are to succeed. One part of an industry cannot be allowed to profit at the expense of another. More and More it will be up to those industries, to their organizers, their members, their leaders, to become better informed, to work with their members, and their associate industries as well as the government, so they can take full advantage of the opportunities of our changing trade world. For example, the guidelines that were recently announced for the administration of the beef import policy were developed to assist and protect an industry that had failed to achieve any consensus among its various ranks. This is something that needs to be addressed by organizations. We just can't afford to lose opportunities because there is greater interest in sectoral protection than industry opportunity. I am certain that we can put our own house in order and move confidently into a future of new trade agreements, new markets and new technologies to our ultimate benefit. The spirit of endurance, determination and adaption which stood our first Canadian farmers in good stead will not desert us now as our industry moves into a world of fading frontiers and new trade partnerships. *ith LEGUMES/GRASSES LIVESTOCK'S #1 FORAGE CHOICE Hay, Pasture, Plowdown Mixes plus many more CORLAND SEEDS LTD. TIM PRIOR Brussels, Ontario 887-9648 HURON FEEDING SYSTEMS Brussels, Ontario NOG 1H0 SEMINAR on GRAIN STORAGE & STIR DRYING April 4, 1995 at our shop in Brussels 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Company reps from DMC Manufacturing & Westeel bins are our guests for the day to discuss proper grain storage, the techniques in aeration and stir drying management. Equipment will be on display all day. New and previous customers are welcome to come and join us for the day and enjoy lunch on us. Bring a friend/wife/co-worker with you. The experts and lots of literature should be able to answer all of your concerns about maintaining the quality of grain you planted and expect to sell/feed. You planted the best so let's look after it. Please give Debbie a quick call anytime to ensure we have enough lunch for everyone. "GRAIN SPECIALISTS FOR OVER 15 YEARS" JOSEPH SEILI Bus. (519) 887-6289 Fax (519) 887-9500 Agricultural Products CV SK ..(K CP-rti 0•41,5TH1( THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1995. PAGE A7. + +-++ + + + + + + + + + + A GRICULTURE f 95 Square field gets more even grazing Continued from A6 also be considered. A square field is grazed more evenly, says Mr. Piccons. With design considerations dis- cussed, Graham Smith, a proponent of power fencing from New Zealand, spoke of the types of fenc- ing available for a controlled graz- ing system and the advantages over conventional immobile systems. "There are two reasons farmers fence their property," says Mr. Smith. One is for control: to keep domestic animals in and wild ones out, to allow the growth of the pas- ture, improve production through fertilizer deposits and protect ani- mals from eroded or dangerous areas. The other reason is for profit: to get more production for less cost. Power fencing systems, operated by hydro, batteries or solar energy, can be installed for about 1/3 the cost of standard fencing, he says. "The easily-constructed fences are light-weight, easily maintained and long-lasting." Because of the power running through the lines, the animals will not lean on the fence as they would a conventional one, he says. "The shock is painful, but not harmful. It is a memorable experi- ence and acts as a psychological fence for the herd." It is recommended by suppliers of power fencing to start small, beginning with all portable power fencing to allow maximum flexibil- ity. Controlled grazing and improvements to the pasture can begin immediately. Gradually install permanent power fencing around the perimeter of the farm and the paddocks while using the portable fencing for the subdivisions. Eventually, all the fencing would be replaced with permanent fences, though the portable equipment would be retained to meet special needs as well as extra subdivisions required for the spring and fall. The replacement of the portable fencing will result in less labour and maintenance and has a lower purchase cost. When purchasing power fencing, there are four steps to consider says Tim Prior of Brussels, a long-time user and advocate of the product. The first is to buy the best charg- er you can afford. It is the most important part of the system and the higher price will generally more effectively control livestock. The next step is to install a good ground system as this results in 95 per cent of all power fencing prob- lems. For best results, Mr. Prior says to use three six-foot galvanized ground rods, spaced 10 feet apart. Drier soil requires more rods. The use of the correct materials assures optimum control. Using garden hose insulators and house- hold insulated cable will cost you more in lost time and livestock. Finally, Mr. Prior says to service the fence regularly. A reliable fence voltage indicator should be used to ensure the fence is operating prop- erly.