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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-09-02, Page 3Vanclief visits Hensall on his Huron tour He learns about Hensall Co-op's involvement in Ag -21 technology BY DAVE SCOTT Lakeshore Advance Editor Canada's Minister of Agriculture, Lyle Vanclief, visited Hensall as part of a day -long visit to Huron - Bruce on Thursday along with local MP Paul Steckle. This is the first time Vanclief has visited the area in a ministerial capacity. As part of his Hensall stop, the minister learned about Hensall Co-op's involvement in the Ag -21 technology, toured demonstration plots for soybeans, corn and grains and the co-op's bean processing plant. A few of the crops in the demonstration plots included specialty contract soybeans - like 'large black' soybeans which fetch $18 a bushel in Japan and yield 35 bushels to the acre here. 'Large yellow' soybeans are also a lucrative crop at $15 per bushel for the Japanese market. Vanclief took a few minutes out of his schedule to talk to the Lakeshore Advance. The minister still lives in the same place he was born, in Prince Edward County just south of Belleville. He ran a mixed fruit and vegetable farm, grew grains, oil seeds and had some livestock on 1,600 acres. His son now owns the business and grows corn, soybeans and wheat - but works full-time,otltside the farm too, to support his family. Farmers' biggest challenge The profitability of agriculture is the greatest challenge facing Canadian farmers right now, -said Vanclief. "The world is Very small. Prices of commodities are affected quicker than ever before." Using the example of grain prices, the minister said if they're low, it's impossible for Canadian farmers to get above average prices. "If we do, we sell on quality and service. Two for three years ago, everybody was smiling about grain prices - not now." He said the federal agriculture ministry will continue reviewing safety net systems for farmers between federal, provincial and local governments. (Top)From left to right: Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle, Federal Minister of Agriculture Lyle Vanclief and former Huron MP Jack Riddell took a wagon ride around Hensall Co-op's demonstration plots on Thursday as part of the minister's first Huron -Bruce ministerial visit to the area. SCOTT PHOTO (Right)Lyle Vanclief, the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri -food spoke to a group of local farmers and supply management people when he visited Alex Westerhout's poultry farm last Thursday. JACKSON PHOTO Supply Management Vanclief was adamant about the survival of marketing boards for the dairy, egg and poultry industry when NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) is fully enacted. "Yes, the r supply management system will be there for a long, long time." He said the systems is evolving and the government will negotiate with producers to develop the best possible scenario and "work within the parameters of the trading agreements." "We're looking at how to expand the industry in a profitable way," said Vanclief. He says' part of the reason for the resistance of the U.S. to Canadian marketing boards is a jealousy of our systert't. "It's not a system that affects them. Everybody's domestic Market is somebody else's export market. We have a good system. It's served the producer and consumer very well," says ,Vanclief. The minister added that savings have "always been Police, County contribute to Hullett tax increase BY SCOTT HLLGENDORFF Expositor Editor An increased requisition from Huron County and the addition of paying for policing have lead to an increase in taxes for Hullett Township residents. "This budget's a lot different than other years," said Reeve Bob Szusz. A residential property assessed at $100,000 will pay an overall increase of $55.73 compared to last year. Policing costs are more than $160,000 and requisition to Huron County has increased by $215,824 from last year. At the same time, the township is trying to provide the same level of services to its ratepayers. "We tried not to hit them hard," said Szusz. With the loss of the Farm Tax Rebate and a new system of tax classes, Szusz said all of this has made this budget the toughest he's seen in the about 10 years he has been on council. By making adjustments to departments throughout the budget, Szusz said council was able to lessen the impact. Otherwise, he said with the policing alone, residents could have had to pay a $100 increase. He said there are a few changes council is considering but for now, the municipality should operate the same. Because of the amount of changes throughout the system it's difficult to compare last year's taxes to 1998. There are now eight tax classes instead of three to be used for setting mill rates. Farm lands can expect taxes to be roughly equal to 1997. Commercial and industrial properties could see substantial increases. Another factor affecting the amount ratepayers will pay is their property assessments. Assessments are being based on 1996 market values and have the potential to greatly increase the tax bill outside amounts budgeted for by municipalities. Hullett's budget totals $949,291. Council had debated eliminating some money that is placed in reserves for the road department but decided to keep the reserves in place. Szusz said it would cover such items as equipment that might have to be replaced or other necessary projects that can't be accounted for. "It was a toughy," Szusz said.. passed on to the consumer." Alternative Crops Although the federal government philosophically supports the development of alternative crops like hemp, Vanclief insisted that no capital grants would be specially targeted to help the hemp industry get off the ground. There are programs that exist to assist with sectors of the industry like the "Canadian Adaptation & Rural Development (CARD) Fund through which Kenex Ltd. of Pain Court, Ontario recently received a $60,000 federal grant to start up a prpcessing line for the 1998 hemp crop, according to a recent press release from Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP Rose -Marie Ur. The processing it necessary so 400 tons of the 'product can be ready for sale in Canada and the U.S. Kenex plans to market the 400 tons of hemp fibre or matting by the end bf 1998 for various industrial applications, with a target of 1,500 tons in 1999, according to Ur's office. "From the beginning I've European view biggest challenge FROM Page 1 good for the industry." Vanclief said in his view his biggest challenge during this round of talks will be the European view. "I'm prepared to have discussions, but remember it's a two way street," he said. "The bottom line is that when push comes to shove they'll fight for their side and we'll fight for ours." ocooc000a0000000 v Huron County's E al 0 VEHICLE Elii E Elii RENTAL o v Headquarters E 0 i 1 Small & Mid-sized Cars E 111 o 17 O Passenger & Cargo 13 0 Vans, Pickup Trucks E 0 1Daily, Weekly, Monthly E 0 0 0 OInsurance Rentals & 13 ii More DI E 0 0 0 13 O 0 CAR & TRUCK RENTALS 17 Division of Suncoast Ford 1) 0 500 Huron Rd., Goderlch E al 131 0 1-888-344-4486 524-8347 eeeeeeeeeeeeee emphasized to producers be as positive as possible to have a market before you grow it (hemp)," said Vanclief. "We've put the legislation in place. It was controversial at the time." The minister said they are "prepared to work with organizations or individuals" in developing the hemp industry but stressed that didn't mean capital money. His reasoning was that it would create an unfait advantage over other crop producers. KerGA� Fr. Stephen 8ckert Council 5289 DRAW WINNERS Marlene Patterson $1 00 London Trevor Sutcliffe $200 Seaforth Mike Kelly $1000 Seaforth Thanks to all participants M LCCOLM GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS Allan Carter, Broker • Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800-265-0959 Strathroy THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEPTEMBER 2, 1995-3 SEAFORTH INSURANCE BROKER LTD. 527-1610 • Home - • Commercial • Auto • Farm • Life • Out of Province Travel Insurance Barb Watt Joanne Williamson. Lynn Hetsch. Ken Cardno 41 Maln St. S. Seaforth WEBER'S MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY SIGN UP FOR KARATE CLASSES SAT. SEPT. 5/98 FROM 1 P.M. TO ? MIDGET - 5-11 JUNIOR - 12-16 ADULT - 16-34 OVER 35 '30 MONTHLY GODERICH ST., W, SEAFORTH (OLD MEDICAL CLINIC) FOR EARLY REGISTRATION SEPT. 2 - 4 AT WONG'S GRILL OR MOM'S PIZZA. PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT BY-LAW TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the County of Perth will hold a public meeting on Septpmber 3, 1998 at 2:00 p.m. in the Court Room at the County Court House (1 Huron St., Stratford) to consider a proposed Nutrient Management By-law under Section 102 of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990. The proposed By-law is being considered by County Council to require certain new or expanding intensive livestock operations to submit a nutrient management plan prior to the issuance of a building permit by the local municipality. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed Nutrient Management By-law. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed Nutrient Management By-law is available for inspection during office hours at the County of Perth Planning Office located in the County Court House in Stratford, as well as local municipal offices in the Town of North Perth (Listowel), the Township of Perth East (Milverton), the Township of Perth South (St. Pauls), and the Township of West Perth (Mitchell). DATED AT THE CITY OF STRATFORD THIS 26TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1998 Mr. Dave Hanly, Planning Director County of Perth County Court House, 1 Huron St., Stratford; ON NSA 5S4 Telephone: (519) 273-3511 Fax: (519) 273-5967. N(FTY KORNERS 33 Main St., Seaforth 527-1680 ® RadioShack "Your Lottery Ticket Centro" 'tlli(U 527-0039 BAKED ALL -YOU -CAN -EAT HOT B Every Thursday & Friday! 5 - 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY IS SENIORS' DAY - 20% DISCOUNT