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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Agriculture 2000, 2000-03-15, Page 33THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2000. PAGE A-9. Family faces new challenges in farming Back on the farm After college and time in the city, Steve Bachert soon realized that the farm, the life he had known since childhood was what he wanted. He and his wife, Valerie, who is expecting the couple’s second child have farmed by his father, Dale. By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Son following father into the fam­ ily business is nothing new. In the agricultural sector for many years it returned to the farm once owned was practically a way of life. Now with government continuing to legislate aspects of the industry added to the modem rationale of big­ ger being best, many of today's gen­ eration are questioning the future of by Steve’s grandfather and now farming and their role in it. Yet, there are still those for whom the love of the rural way of life makes it worth the challenges. Steve Bachert grew up on the RR2, Blyth farm which his father Dale bought from his own father in 1971. As a teenager he remembers seeing his life on a dairy farm as a bit restrictive. “All my friends were going to the beach and I had to stay home to milk cows.” Thus at the age of 15 he decided to combine his legacy of working the land with his desire for more free­ dom. After high school he went to Humber College to study landscap­ ing. "I learned some valuable things, so I’m glad I made that choice, but I didn't like the city life.” Last year, the now married Steve came to the realization he missed farming and wanted to come back and work with his father. Wife Valerie was totally supportive. "Though I was raised in Welland, I like the country. I told him if that’s what he wanted I’d be behind him all the way. I know farming is what he enjoys and that's what's impor­ tant.” Bachert agrees noting the impor­ tance of choosing a career that makes you happy. "I think to be a farmer, you do have to like it. No doubt there’s more work on a farm, but the rewards are there.” The decision was also welcomed by his father. “Dad was interested in keeping the family farm in the fami­ ly name. My grandfather (Bert) was pleased too that I was going to move back and help Dad. He said it would make him and Grandma really happy to think there was going to be a third generation on the farm.” The change has not come without its frustrations, however. Bachert has concerns about the drive to eliminate quota for dairy farmers saying it’s "ruining a good system.” If quota were to be removed, dairy farmers would be forced to increase their herd, something not viable for many operators, says Bachert, who milks 40 cows. “In order to survive it’s going to mean big numbers. They’re getting away from supply and demand.” Right now in the United States where quota doesn't exist, it takes 500-700 cows to make the same liv­ ing as a relatively small dairy opera­ tion in Ontario. “Quota puts money into the farm­ ers’ pocket rather than the proces­ sors.” The need to increase herd size to stay competitive if quota disappears is a price many farmers can’t pay, Bachert feels. He thinks it is things like this that are deterring many young people from staying in the industry. “The average age of the Canadian farmer is 55. Who is going to take over the production of food when these peo­ ple retire.” Even cash cropping has high start­ up costs that are out of reach for the income generated, he says. Yet, despite the down side, Bachert remains optimistic. “We all have to eat to stay alive and I'm hop­ ing the day will come when a farmer states his own price. Then there will be no industry like it.” Also, as a way of life, farming is an enticing industry. “Having your kids grow up on a farm, seeing the crop you plant grow with good yields is rewarding. I’m proud to be feeding people and working with my hands.” Farmer ponders cost of competitiveness By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Growing up on the family farm outside Belgrave Greg Cook never thought agriculture wasn’t in his future. Now, however, he finds him­ self pondering exactly what that future might be. Lore Ido Farms has been in the family for close to 50 years, when Eldon Cook’s father purchased the RR1, Belgrave property. They ran a successful dairy operation, their Brown Swiss capturing many prizes at 4-H events and Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair. Until the 1960s they also had some beef cattle. As one of four Cook children raised in the country, Greg says there was never any question that he was going to farm. “Farming is a draw. Supposedly you’re your own boss,” he says. However, three years ago the Cooks were faced with a big deci­ sion and the idea of the family farm was challenged. Cook, whose offi­ cial title in the incorporated business is manager, said it was about this time that his father began to talk about retirement. “Added to that was the fact that everything on the farm was getting completely worn out and it was going to be too expensive to replace it.” Looking at the tremendous outlay of cash it would take to make the necessary repairs, buy more cattle and quota, while considering his father’s decision to take it easier, forced the Cooks to reconsider their way of life and look at options. After careful thought, the family, which includes the still not retired Dad, sold their dairy herd and now raise heifers. It was a deciding factor typical of many made on farms these days. Agreeing that the family farm is being threatened, Cook says, “Either you get bigger or you’re done.” Though he has always supple­ mented his income with off-farm employment, Cook isn’t planning a move to the city just yet, however, “Hopefully we won’t have to get out Changing ways When change became inevitable, the high costs to upgrade caused Greg Cook and his father to rethink the type of farm­ ing they did. of farming. You just have to try fo figure out what you need to do to keep going.” With 450 acres, the possibility of renting more land has been dis­ cussed, but this too has become more challenging. “It’s hard to get away from the big cash croppers.” Cook notes that while in his father’s day farming could supply the necessary income it is not uncommon for those in the agricul­ tural industry to work off-farm. “There aren’t too many full-time farmers,” he says. “Even some of the bigger guys work at other things, like being seed com operators.” Despite the challenges, however, the pull to the agricultural life is strong. Two of his three daughters says Cook would like to farm when they’re older. “My youngest was upset when we sold the cows. We have inspired the next generation,” he admits. KMM F A R M D R A I N A G E Walton TILE DRAINAGE PAYS! Let a good drainage system work for you to help improve: Soil erosion • Aeration Crop yields Crop rotation Land values Plant growth Cook stills attends the Royal Winter Fair and 4-H shows and roots for his nephew. “The heifers we keep here are usually Brown Swiss, so there are often three or four kids around here with calves.” While the present operation came about less from choice than necessi­ ty it has not been totally unwelcome. “I’m definitely less tied down now. It’s kind of nice to be off a schedule. Now I guess I am my own boss,” says Cook. • Soil warm up • Harvest length • Soil conditions • Fertilizer efficiency CALL THE EXPERTS! Shop 887-6428 Ron McCallum 887-6428 Paul McCallum 527-1633 "We install drainage tubing."