HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-03-22, Page 29Don't Be Changing
In Times of Trouble!
Don't Wait Till It's Too Late!
You can't afford a lot of downtime when
you need tractor or implement tire service.
We carry these brands for your tractor, combine
and farm implements.
GENERAL GOODYEAR
FIRESTONE
ARMSTRONG & OTHER BRANDS
WE SPECIALIZE IN
Eon the farm
aMon-
74'm
(We also handle most brands of
passenger and truck tires
WILLITS TIRE SERVICE
456 Ross Street Lucknow 528-2103
TIR
SIERVI
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1995. PAGE A9.
The face of farming undergoing many changes
By Janice Becker
As the 21st century approaches,
the issues faced by the farm family
have done anything but decline.
Though the advent of technology
incorporated into farm operations
may have allowed farmers easier
and faster access to information as
well as improved monitoring of
feed, milk or yield numbers, the
common worries of finances, mar-
keting problems and pricing, farm
safety and animal or crop health are
just a few of the challenges.
Financial constraints and con-
cerns are near the top of the list
with farm families, as with many
urban dwellers, says Agriculture
Representative Bob Humphries
from OMAFRA in Clinton.
"It is sad when the majority of
farm operations are dependent on
non-farm salaries and wages to
maintain the business."
Either one or both partners in the
farm couple may need to seek
employment off the farm to help
sustain the family.
It is unfortunate when an industry
is unable to be viable on its own, he
says.
"I'm afraid the pressure of work-
ing a second job may lead to stress-
related health problems later on."
Transferring the farm
The concern for many older
farmers is the difficulty in transfer-
ring the farm to a family member,
while maintaining a retirement
income.
High mortgage rates (10 to 11
per cent expected for the spring of
1995) may make the financial bur-
den very heavy for the children of
farmers, Mr. Humphries says.
"OMAFRA has offered two sem-
inars on the issues to be considered
when farmers retire and wish to
transfer holdings, but the partici-
pants have found that there arc
many questions that arc not easily
answered."
"The parcnts must know what
they want from retirement: do they
wish to travel, what income do they
expect and would they like a new
home, arc just a few on a long list."
Some are finding it may take sev-
eral years to develop a plan for
retirement. It is best to plan ahead
so families are not caught when the
unexpected happens, he says.
Market prices
With the turmoil which has
occurred in recent years in interna-
tional marketing, the global econo-
my, decreased subsidies, cut tariffs
and NAFTA, Canadian farmers are
unsure where to look for protection
of their industry.
There is a constant threat from
the American producers, says Mr.
Humphries. "In the poultry sector
alone, their surplus could easily
feed the Canadian market."
"There is one operation in
Arkansas which processes as many
chickens in one week as occurs in
all of Ontario."
The Canadian government needs
to develop a plan for the future of
agriculture, to find a balance
between protecting our ability to
feed ourselves and yet compete in
the global market, he says.
"Canadian farmers are among the
most efficient yet unpromoted pro-
ducers in the world."
We have all benefitted from the
good food prices and constant
availability of items in our markets.
Most of us haven't had to face
shortages or rations.
Fair market prices for the regular
supply of goods goes back to the
issue of farmers being able to sup-
port their families on the farm
income alone, he says.
Animal and crop issues
Beyond the fundamental con-
cerns dealing with finances, the
farmer's livelihood relies on the
productivity of an animal or crop
which is affected by environmental
changes not under the producer's
control.
The challenges of improved
biotechnology, in both areas, have
forced farmers to become more
knowledgeable of the changing sci-
ences involved.
In dairy herds, the genetics of the
potential sire are carefully
screened, milk production from
other offspring calculated and the
quality of the cow looked at, before
breeding ever occurs.
Crop yields are tested and retest-
ed to pinpoint areas of the field
which do not meet the farm aver-
age, resulting in calculations of
nutrient requirements.
Management practices
Increasing environmental aware-
ness has brought management prac-
tices into focus.
Farmers are becoming more
aware of protecting the land which
is their livelihood, the water which
runs through it, benefitting them
selves and their neighbours as well
as the concerns of other community
members, both farmers and non-
farmers who may be affected by
farming practices.
Liquid manure storage may be
one of the most controversial as
pollution concerns arise as well as
the more aesthetic values of sight
and smell.
The influx of non-farming resi-
dents to rural communities has
brought new issues for the farmers
to struggle with, says Mr.
Humphries.
"These people, though highly-
educated and well-informed, are
often unaware of regular events
which occur on a farm."
Municipal government must then
deal with urban expectations placed
on a rural industry.
"Understanding can be a difficult
process," says Mr. Humphries.
Family stresses
Living the farm lifestyle brings
with it concerns that rarely affect
non-agricultural families, says Mr.
Humphries.
"It is one of the few businesses
which are located next to the home,
where the entire family may be
involved and children are regularly
exposed to dangerous equipment."
Farm safety is a constant concern
as the industry has one of the high-
est rates of injury and death, partic-
ularly for children, he says.
In an effort to keep farm children
away from dangerous situations,
families look for rural day care ser-
vices which may be difficult to find
in some areas.
Day care is also needed when
Continued on Al2
COOK'S - Everything
Northrup King Forages
The ONLY Affalfas that are WES-GRO®
processed and NOCULIZED®. Ready to Plant
from the bag!! We also offer NOCUIJXRD®
clovers, and a wide choice of grasses, straight
or available in custom forage mixtures to meet
your specific needs.
you need for Spring
Northrup King Seed Corn
Check out some of
Ontario's Top Hybrids in the
2600 - 2700 H.U. area.
N2555
N2409
The results speak for themselves NORTHRUP KING
Complete Line
Of:
White Beans
Soy Beans
Canola
Spring Grains
..-
,, _
,,
, 1
service
Hi-Boy
Spreaders
Fertilizer
of Chemicals
Recommendations
• ,
, ,, ,if 1
.
_ ...,..
, ;.,
A- .. , ' .:‘,'
Delivery
at competitive prices
,, ,
- _ , , •
_ - c4
• John Deere
• Dry Fertilizer
• Dry & Liquid
• Full Range •• Competent
• Excellent
Our Terro-Gator can
apply liquid or dry
fertilizers with
chemicals in
one pass.
Excellent for P.P.I.
Chemicals or
applying herbicides
with late nitrogen
applications
on wheat
_ --... ,..
•*„,,,,,,,..:.-„.-- ,_ • ,, , • _ , ,, --,---- :,-- __ 4_, -- __ - _-- -,
-,-7•-•.,,7".- z..-7-,- *-- — - -7-...-Z, - - - • - -5- :,,- ,_ , IIi.i -., ,
- ---0*100101010* ' ' -.--..&.,„ . -1. . -,, ....„,r,
- - -7,!**' • ' - *-;—, ..., 4 r.s#' .. '
t'•,..ti-akte-%'r.:.-....7-'...- :• .; - - " -,..-; --- - • ,_
•
,
,
.
• '
0-
CO-1-
6964/ at 887-9261 or 1 `800-786-1 476