Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-05-03, Page 17Explaining the figures Provincial Agriculture Minister Elmer Buchanan, second from left, and Huron MPP Paul Klopp, far left, get a better understanding of the beef cattle prices during a visit to Brussels Livestock on April 25. Buchanan was in the area meeting farmers and discussing recent proposed changes to 4-H funding and support. Explaining the markets is Brussels Livestock owner Len Gamble, far right, while client Elmer Bruce looks on. 4-H leaders inform Ag. Minister " 7dt ea fat. a, o F wo o / 47,a, CRAIG HARDWOODS LTD. WOOD LOGS Or Delivered in HARDWOOD Truckloads immil7proximately 1/2 the price of Body Wood • AUBURN • SLABS BODY WOOD Made For You With Our Firewood Processor. Delivered In Truckloads. We deliver in 17 Cubic Yard Boxfuls eerie Ituce 9e2 Totocedeette 2)etiveiut / 519-526-7220 "Buchanan was surprised at the situation of 4-H programs in the region," says 4-H Leaders Associa- tion Director Barry Elliott after a conversation with Elmer Buchanan, provincial Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The minister met with local OFA members and 4-H leaders last Tuesday to determine the state of 4-H funding and support offered by OMAFRA. Huron County OFA (and Bruce Cty.) had recently passed resolutions requesting OMAFRA return to playing a stronger active staff role in the pre- sentation of the 4-H programs. Support levels under the Market Revenue Insurance Program have been determined for the 1995-96 crop year. The announcement was made April 12 by federal Agricul- ture and Agri-Food Minister Ralph Goodale and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Elmer Buchanan. "The change in this federal- provincial program for 1995-96 was implemented in response to requests from Ontario producers for a program that better meets their needs," Goodale said. "This shows both the flexibility in the program and the willingness to ensure the safety net programs remain responsive to producers' needs." "The Market Revenue program provides good protection against low market prices, and it makes Soil is the basis of most crop production. Soil Management, the latest release in the Best Management Practices series, lays out what farmers need to know about soil, and how to apply that knowledge to specific in-field problems. Farmers are increasingly aware that their soil deserves as much attention as the crops they grow in it. Healthy soils produce higher yields in the short- and long-term, and are more resistant to bad weather and many diseases. They are also less prone to compaction, erosion and runoff, and require fewer inputs. Relying heavily on colour photos and graphics, the first half of Soil He was also unaware that 4-H programs were being taught in two local Catholic school classrooms (not the mandate of the 4-H pro- gram) instead of as an outside activity, says Elliott. "School par- ticipation is just to be a promoter of the program." "The children are not happy with the way the programs are being offered." OFA Field Rep for Huron-Perth Paul Nairn says their organization would like to see OMAFRA recon- sider their policy towards 4-H pro- grams and to direct more support more sense than ever for farmers now that they don't have to pay premiums up front," said Buchanan. Under a new system announced in March, which is effective for the 1995-96 crop year, enrolled producers will not be required to pay premiums by November 1 each year. Instead, one-third of the payments made to producers under the program will be deducted to cover their share of the premium. The program provides support to farmers when the market price for eligible crops is lower than the support level calculated under the program. The premiums are funded 41.66 per cent by the federal government, and 25 per cent by the provincial government. The producers' share of the premiums Management reviews the founda- tion of a good soil management program — how soils formed and their physical, chemical and biological properties. The second half takes science to the farmer's field. Common pro- blems such as erosion, crusting, compaction, droughtiness, subsi- dence, and wet fields are addressed in detail. Best management prac- tices that address these problems complete the 68-page booklet. Best management practices are those that conserve or enhance soil and water, and are consistent with business and production goals. Initiated in 1990, the Best Management Practices program has produced eight booklets aimed at and co-operative assistance to the leaders, members and parents, at no cost to the participants. As 4-H enhances the personal development and leadership skills of young people, OFA resolved to lobby OMAFRA to return to their strong role, he says. Buchanan did not say if he would be looking into the reduced support for 4-H offered by OMAFRA, Elliott says, though OFA is happy he has been made aware of the problem and they will continue to have discussions with the agricul- ture minister. will be the deduction of one-third of the program payments when payments are made. The payment guidelines are established by the National Gross Revenue Insurance Plan (GRIP) Committee. Committee members include producers and federal and provincial officials whose mandate is to oversee the operation of GRIP. The 1995-96 market revenue support levels are as follows: gommsaly Support Support Level Level S per tonne S per bu (1b.1 Winter wheat 145.36 3.9560 (bu) Spring grains *118.88 0.0539 (Ib) Corn 123.26 3.1310 (bu) Soybeans 278.36 7.5757 (bu) White beans 501.08 0.2273 (Ib) Coloured beans 599.26 0.2718 (lb) Canola 280.87 0.1274 (Ib) Spring wheat 159.82 4.3496 (bu) helping farmers and rural landowners make sound planning decisions and implement appro- priate remedial measures. The materials support the Ontario Environmental Farm Plan project. To date, the booklets' highly visual and practical approach has been very well-received. One title, Water Management, was recently awarded a blue ribbon by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Part of the program's success lies in the innovative process of text development. Each booklet is the result of teamwork involving farmers, farm organizations, agribusiness, academics and a number of government agencies. There may soon be a Huron- Perth chapter of the Ontario Wood- lot and Sawmill Operator's Association (OWSOA) after about 80 woodlot owners and sawmill operators attended a meeting in Scaforth Thursday night. Victor Roland, chair of the steering committee which orga- nized the meeting, said the idea for the Huron-Perth chapter grew out of a meeting of woodlot owners -concerned about the declines in ser- vice from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) brought about by funding reductions. The group worked with Marvin Smith, forester with MNR's Wingham office to organize the meeting. Guest speaker was Bruce Edmunds from the Kawartha chap- ter of OWSOA, who recalled get- ting interested in the group after purchasing a wooded property with a lake on it, planning a country retreat in Kawartha. After building a cottage he turned to what to do with the woodlot and sought advice. He heard about the associa- tion and felt that a group dedicated to the interest of people involved in private land woodlot ownership was needed. One of the challenges of OWSOA is to increase public understanding of woodlots and log- ging. "I believe with all my heart when a tree is ready that it is right to cut it down," Mr. Edmunds said. But his grandson, who spent a good deal of time around his woodlot, told him, one day as he was ready- ing to cut a tree, "But Grandpa, it's wrong to cut a tree". Children are learning in school, he said, that it is wrong to cut a tree. People must be Gary Earl of Grey Twp. repre- sented Huron County well at the 2nd Annual Safe Truck Roadeo, on April 27, in London. Earl placed fifth out of 16 com- petitors in the roadeo which tests the driving skills required to maneuver a five ton truck through an obstacle course as well as safety Nursing Week, May 8-14 Across Canada and in your community, Canada's nurses will be celebrating National Nursing Week May 8-14. With health care cutbacks on everyone's mind, many wonder whether help will be there when they need it. Nurses are working to ensure that the health care system is accountable to the best interests of clients and families. Nurses continue to make the health of Canadian families their priority. helped to understand that cutting one tree helps others grow and that a healthy woodlot helps wildlife. One of the ways OWSOA can help woodlot owners, Mr. Edmunds said, is by helping them find good logging companies and stay away from those who cut immature trees and generally make a mess in the woodlot. The Kawartha chapter is putting togeth- er a list of good and bad operators. The association, said Mr. Edmunds, is also develpping a code of practice for woodlot owners "to let the public know what we stand for". OWSOA has joined the Outdoor Farm Show at Burford which will now include demonstrations on agro-forestry in an effort to teach more farmers the value of good forestry in their woodlots. One speaker from the floor said farmers need to know more about people like two landowners he knows who each year selectively harvest a few large trees from their land, earning $50 per acre per year. "How do we get the word across to people that they can get that kind of revenue?" Mr. Roland said the goals of the Huron-Perth chapter of OWSOA would be to assist woodlot owners with financial planning and assist plantation owners with marketing their thinnings. One speaker said he felt the $25 membership was a good investment for any woodlot owner for the information he would gain from the organization. At the end of the meeting many people seemed to agree, signing membership applica- tions and reaching for their wallets to pay their fees. awareness. The top finishers were: Alvin Miller, Gratton Twp., Renfrew Cty.; Kevin Englehart, Dunwich Twp., Elgin Cty.; Cory Rydall, Lindsay Twp., Bruce Cty. and Francis Kelly, Rideau Twp., East- ern Ont. Region. Ken Pennington's eie • Rada D.J. Service 'Music for aft occasions" Call (519) 887-6069 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1995. PAGE 17. 80 woodlot owners to form association Gov't announces crop support Organization releases soil info Local , 5th in roadeo