Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-02-07, Page 23Managing Family Life... Launching in 2001, a new interactive parent and child education program.Today many of us have 101 tasks on the go and sometimes feel Oat we are running backwards Instead of forwards. This program will help ease the stress of daily routines, enhance your current parenting skills and help develop a bond with your child through physical and verbal connections. This program will offer 4 weeks of Mother Goose style programming (rhymes, songs and stories) with 4 weeks of reflection and discussion for the support of the parents. Topics to be discussed: routines, behaviour guidance, self esteem and stress. A playgroup will be provided for your children to enjoy while you are learning. When: Wednesdays, Jan. 31 - March 21 Time: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Where: East Wawanosh P.S., Belgrave Cost: FREE!! For those with children ages 0-6 years. For more information or to register, pleas call us at: Rural Response for Healthy Children 13 Rattenbury Street, Clinton, ON. NOM 1H0 Phone: 1-800-479-0716 or 482-8777 Email: rrhcOodyssey.on.ca Website: www.rrhc.on.ca -4.-4i0"" 7- • Coldur Printing • Posters • Letterheads • Envelopes • Business Cards • Business Forms • Brochures • Flyers • Carbonless BLYTH 523-9211 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2001. PAGE 23. Oxford Packers considers Mitchell site With just 75 people attending the Oxford Packers public information session in West Perth last week, councillors were unable to obtain a clear, decisive opinion on the proposed project. After a rejection of the hog slaughtering plan by North Perth, owners Miriam Terpstra of RR3, Brussels and Larry and Glenn Tulpin of St. Williams refocused their sights on land next to Mitchell's wastewater treatment plant. Having a minimum pricing strategy before you plant is essential for survival, Bob Huckle of Smart Marketing Services told farmers attending the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association annual meeting in Blyth, Jan. 30. Huckle, who also cash crops near Newbury, said the only time there's a good price for a product is before it is produced. "Historically, the best price opportunities are ahead of harvest 75 per cent of the time. You have to watch out for the other 25 per cent." There are now fewer and shorter opportunities to contract to get good prices, Huckle said and the trend will likely continue because of U.S. farm policies. And, he said, because of improving technologies, traders seem to think there will be a crop no matter what happens. In addition, Huckle said, the federal and provincial governments don't seem to have the will to The Huron-Perth Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association, the Huron Stewardship Council and the Perth Stewardship Network are hosting speakers on woodlot management and Forest Certification on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m., upstairs in the Seaforth Arena. Admission is free. The speakers will be of interest to woodlot owners or managers, those who harvest or process woodlot products, as well as anyone with a general interest in our local woodlands. Speakers will include: * Scot Davis, from the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, will speak about a pilot project currently underway in Lanark County to attain Forest Certification for private HCSCIA backs nutrient plan resolution It was a step towards equal treatment when the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association considered a nutrient management plan resolution for non- rural nutrient applications. Guided by provincial representatives, the resolution stated that nutrient management planning apply to all urban situations where nutrients are used or created. The resolution stated examples such as sewage and golf course or lawn care. With the resolution passed, it was noted the intent of the motion was to make people aware that when dumping occurs or waste material run in waterways, farmers are not the only operators who might have contributed. West Perth Mayor John Van Bakel said council was seeking input from all residents of the area, whether publicly at the meeting, through phone calls, letters or chance meetings with council members. "If the answer is no, I hope council has the fortitude to say no," he added. "If yes, hopefully council will be sensitive enough to the issue and work it out in agreements (with Oxford Packers)." Terpstra said she was pleased with stand up and support primary agriculture. "We have to put our minds to looking after ourselves because nobody else will do it for us," he said. t A grower who purchases a floater clause on his crop insurance can afford to contract to the limit of his crop, insurance, Huckle said. "Three out of four years you'll win," he said of tying up the contract early. "One in four years you won't be able to get more though the contract." Huckle showed that aggressive marketing would have yielded $56 an acre more in 1999 than if the crop was sold on a cash basis. On 500 acres that would work out to an additional $28,000, he said. Using "put" options that same year, he said, the increased income would have been $78 per acre over cash, or $39,000 more on 500 acres. On old crop sales, use the cash basis, Huckle advised but for new woodlands in their area. A number of retailers in North America and elsewhere in the world are moving towards use of certified forest products. Forest Certification ensures that forests where the products came from were managed and harvested in a sustainable fashion. The Lanark project is working with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international, independent, non-profit, non-government organization that promotes management of forests around the world in a manner that is environmentally, socially and ecologically sound. The FSC has defined internationally accepted principles and criteria that forest managers must comply with for products from their woodlands to be certified. Consumers and retailers are showing increased interest in certified forest the meeting as the company representatives were able to answer questions. "If there were a lot more negative comments, we would have heard people more forthright." However, there were objections from Bob Havens, a neighbour of the proposed site. Having contacted residents who live in communities which turned down similar requests, Havens said "environmental issues" were the biggest concern. When pressed for more detail as to crops, develop a minimum price strategy. If the basis is strong, he suggested forward contracting 20-25 per cent of the planned crop. Use "put" options on 75 to 85 per cent of the crop, he said. "When you know you have a minimum price strategy you can relax," Huckle said. Options allow a farmer to take advantage of a higher price if it comes along by cancelling the option and paying the fee. If prices are very uncertain, forward contract 50 per cent of your estimated production and purchase "call" options to give you the opportunity to capture price increases, Huckle advised. Purchase "put" options on 50 per cent of your estimated production. "The day of (just) producing is long gone," Huckle said. "Thinking ahead and minimum-pricing will be absolutely necessary now and in the future." products and forest certification may be one way of ensuring or enhancing future markets for forest products, as well as ensuring that forests are managed in a sustainable fashion. * Terry Schwan, forester for the Ministry of Natural Resources, will present some interesting information on logging activity and forest health in Huron and Perth Counties. Schwan has been collecting data on these topics in Huron and Perth Counties as part of the Maitland Watershed Partnerships Project. His findings may stimulate some interesting thoughts and discussion on sustainable management of our local forests. It is expected the session will end at approximately 3 p.m. For more information please contact Steve Bowers at 519-482-3661 (steve.bowers@mnr.gov.on.ca ) or Ken Maronets at 519-482-3589 (ken.maronets@mnr.gov.on.ca ) Carnmunlly Action Prognm lot Chosen what type of environmental concerns, Havens said, "Walkerton is still fresh in everybody's mind." Doug Wolfe expressed concern on behalf of the Mitchell Minor Sports Association as recreational fields are next to the site. When the presenters were asked if another location could be found, county planner Mark Swallow said the current site was ideal because the farther it moves from Mitchell the greater the impact on agricultural land. Proximity to the wastewater plant would also help with quick removal of waste for the slaughter house. If an agreement is signed, provisions could be made for pre- treatment at the plant prior to release to the wastewater plant. Those in attendance were also told that the technology of the plant would require less water for the operation than other slaughter houses. The company also quelled concerns about the cost for the Well-known feedlot operator, Ron Bennett from Gorrie, was recently elected president of the Ontario Cattle Feeders Association. He succeeds Dave Gardiner of Kirkton who has served for the past two years. Bennett and his family have been in the cattle feeding business for generations. They own and operate Wm. Bennett and Sons Farms Ltd. He acknowledges that negotiations with the Ontario Cattlemen's Association regarding the transfer of some responsibilities and funding to the OCFA will be high on the agenda for the directors of the OCFA in the coming months. According to Bennett the OCFA has made significant progress with several projects including the increased sewage going into the plant, noting water and sewage are both user-pay and they expect to pay their share. Council has been told the six-year- old wastewater facility is able to handle the increase effluent for the slaughterhouse. The $6 million, 30,000 square foot processing facility would be state-of- the- art, using the latest technology, thereby reducing fears for noise or odour pollution, said Dave Frank, a representative for Oxford Packers. At start-up, it is expected the plant would operate one shift, process 1,000 hogs and employee 50 people. The production level would increase to two shifts and 100 people over three years. In one shift, a truck would bring in hogs every two hours and another would leave with finished product. Tillsonburg and North Perth have already turned down proposals from Oxford Packers. A decision is expected from council at the Feb. 5 meeting. Ontario Corn Fed Beef Project which is quickly gaining support from retailers, packers and producers and has been a big hit with consumer focus groups. Bennett says OCFA represents new ideas and new energy to work towards improving the Ontario beef industry. The 2001 OCFA board of directors is as follows: Ron Bennett, Gorrie, president; Bob Brander, Cheltenham; Doug Calhoun, Dobbinton, second vice-president; Brent Cavell, Harriston; Jim Cooke, Walkerton; Paul Coultes, Brussels; Dave Gardiner, Kirkton, past pres'clent; Doug Gear, Orton; Doug Kaufman, Woodstock; Murray Legge, Chesley; Dale Pallister, Dundalk; Barry Pletch, Rockwood, first vice president. Soil and crop speaker promotes pre-planting pricing strategy Woodlot management seminars set okess.onse for Heait h.fr Chu„, VI ° et'i.ar4." wee", (-V-Sfilt71%40 Ron Bennett to head Cattle Feeders Assoc.