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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-12-02, Page 13THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 2, 1098-13 `We're going to have to eat our way out of this one FROM Page I have our share of the market," he said. "So we did - we did too well." Then the Asian Flu hit causing Asian markets to crash leaving no money for North American pork. "But the pork is still there," said Love. "We can't turn off the tap." "We could live with the prices in the teens for a while," said Richards, "but this has taken everybody by surprise. "The question now is how long this will last and how deep will it go," he said. While Richards said he hoped farmers would see some signs of strengthening in the new year, he said prices have a long way to come back up. "The farm industry is used to taking its licks, hut we never thought it could get like this." "When you take away two-thirds of our wages that's pretty serious," said Love. But the lowered prices for farmers are not being reflected in the supermarkets, said Richards. For example, 20 pounds of pork at $3.99 per pound works out to almost $80 worth of pork. That's worth more than the whole pig shipped from the farm, he said. Farmers are only getting about $55 per pig. "Farrn, r, arc losing about $45 tc c(iO per pig," said Richard,. This adds up to about 56 million lost each week across Ontario alone. "And this is hard money...out of their operating accounts." - The hog producer must pay hydro. taxes, feed and vet hills. "All related industries arc being affected as well," he said. "Right from thc hank down. Thcrc is no simple hand -aid." Ray Hurd, manager of Zehrs, said he "can't put a finger on" where it is happening. He said they arc doing what they can. but the reality he works with is the 'laid -in' prices of the goods that come into the store. He said somewhere between the producer and the market, the price is being inflated. He doesn't know why. all he is certain of is the price on the meat when it arrives at his store. He said the prices have increased a hit to cover some local operational costs, but for the most part. he said they don't play games with prices. He said the customers' approval means more to them than gauging here and slicing there. "We're not interested in doing that to the customer," he said. "We have no direct control Over the cost of these goods," said Hurd. Three or four pork producers have visited Zehrs to ask Hurd why his prices are so vastly different than the prices farmers are paid at the farm gate, but Hurd said he has no answer for them. "1 can't give them an answer," he said. He added there have been several dramatic reductions recently, but he does not know if the prices are more in line with what they should be from a producers perspective. "I feel sorry for them, I really do." Last winter's ice storm in eastern Ontario and Quebec caused a terrible crisis, said Richards, adding though that thc minute the power was hack on, the people affected were over the hump. "This is going to linger with us," he said. "This will not take months but years to come hack. There is no quick fix." "If a farmer loses his livelihood, what programs arc there for rural residents of Ontario," said Richards. He added that if a person loses his or her job at a General Motors plant they can collect unemployment and move on to other things, hut farmers do not qualify for unemployment insurance. When General Motors has too many cars, they shut down for a few weeks, said Richards. Pigs can't be stored live. They could be stored frozen, but there is only so much freezer space, he said. "We're going to have to eat our way out of this one," said Richards. Love said that some producers have begun euthanising two-week old piglets to avoid the cost of caring For them. Over 300 pigs wcrc found starved to death on a Stratford -area farm where the producer walked away from his livestock. "This was an isolated incident," said Richards. "No producer wants o harm their animals...That's their livelihood." But, he said, sometimes they don't realize what their doing when they can't pay the creditors and still have to put food on the table. "They don't know where to turn," said Richards. "If you have a problem talk to us.' "There is help out there," said Down. "If you can't feed your animal call the Humane Society and ask them to take them." She said that what happened in Perth County was sad and added she hopes such incidents don't happen again. "I'm sure that farmer felt at his wits end," she said. "Nobody does that to an animal." "We've had blips in the market before, but never this low." said Love. "This is a crunch. How many people Maplewood Manor residents busy preparing for Christmas season November was a very husy month at Maplewood Manor as residents were preparing for the holiday season. Everyone greatly appreciated the Remembrance Day Service with members from the Seaforth Legion. It was fun watching the different combinations of clothing put together by Grace Dungcy during her Weekender presentation. Residents remembered the good old days whcn Randy and Friends performed at Maplewood. The ventriloquist act included dolls that have been seen on thc Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope and other shows. Frances Mclady, Tom Mclady and Jim Delany entertained residents with some good old-tymc music. Marjory Maloney was thrilled to have Jim Delaney play a fcw tunes on the violin that belonged to her father. 1 Maplewood Manor Residents enjoyed another delicious meal when they attended the Northside Luncheon. Church services for the month wcrc led by Rev. Hiscox, Rcv. Hauser, Rev. Kcupfcr and Rcv. Springett. The Santa Claus Parade was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Somc of our residents participated in the parade while others watched. Residents invited family and friends to the Maplewood Christmas dinner. Following the meal, everyone enjoyed the Christmas music played by Carol Cartcr and the solo sung by Casey Van Salmi. Hope you can come to our Christmas Bazaar and Tha to be held Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. won't survive? 1 have no idea." Some producers are already using up their savings so they can stay in the business and some are dipping into their NISA accounts, he said. NISA accounts are set up for crises like this. Producers can set aside some of their taxable income into this account and it will be matched by the government to be used when times get tough. Love said many young farmers just starting out usually have most of their income going back into paying off loans. "They have no income to set aside to be matched," he said. "But everybody is hurting by this. It is costing everybody equally to send their hogs to themarket now." Last Saturday, Love said a group of producers met with Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle to discuss a federal program to help the producers. Steckle told the group there would be a bankable solution by Christmas when they can go to their lending institution to borrow money. Love said that further details of the program were "sketchy". But he added that they expect to receive about 70 per cent of their taxable income. At a meeting with the Goderich Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, Huron MPP Helen Johns addressed the crisis. "Many families that you and I know are in severe financial turmoil," she said. "We're really fighting with this whole issue...Families arc suffering in our community. We have to come up with some solution or plan to help them." The province is considering an aid program in conjunction with the federal government and it has 'been reported thatthcy are talking to financial institutions to provide short- term loans to help the producers cover costs. Pork producers from across the province rallied at Queen's Park yesterday for government disaster relief. Farm leaders throughout Canada have been working on a disaster program for over a year -and -a -half, said Down. "We never thought we would need it so soon, said Down. When talking of such safety nets, Down referred to the film Saving Private Ryan where a number of soldiers in the movie were killed by bullets through their helmets. "Safety nets are like those helmets," she said. "They protect to certain degrees of disaster but they are not meant for this kind of magnitude." "I don't think anything has happened to this extent before," said Down. "There are always cycles in the hog industry. But you stayed in and averaged out your losses. This is going to take a long time to make up." You can't point your finger at somebody and say It's your fault, come on and fix it,' " said Richards. "It would he the greatest thing if everybody would cat pork," said Richards. "I hope there are a lot of hams on the table this Christmas." Residents give tribute to Italy Seaforth Manor Nursing Home "Fantastico", "benissimo" and "motto hene" were just some of the adjectives used to describe our many activities held in honour of our "Tribute to Italy." Residents at our Baking Club got into the spirit by making pizzas which were later enjoyed following a program by Paul the Fiddler. Two very interesting travelogue films of Venice and Florence were followed by some special Italian snacks and wine. Everyone tried their best to pronounce some popular words and phrases at our. "Learn to Speak Italian" class. Pam Stanley, the Pampered Chef returned to prepare some delicious Italian dishes which everyone could hardly wait to taste. Gladys Van Egmond and her Merrymakers arrived in costumes, especially made for this event to play wonderful Italian music for our festival. Red, green and white streamers. the colours of the flag of Italy, covered the ceiling and thc walls displayed many posters of this beautiful country. Our staff got into thc spirit by participating in our "Guess the Pasta" contest. Also during November, we were pleased to have the members of .Legion Branch #156 come to put on their Remembrance Day program and visit with our veterans. Our "Pub and Pizza" night, featuring Dr. Woldnik as entertainment, was also a hit. Les Hart put on• a very interesting demonstration of his hobby of wood carving. Dr. Mark Woldnik performed country music and old favourites for residents at Seaforth Manor at a recent "pub night." HILGENDORFF PHOTO Sing-alongs by Carol Carter. Bill Gibson and Marian Rose wcrc all enjoyed. As well several residents went out to view the Santa Claus parade. Once again, the Seaforth Nursery School children visited to entertain all our residents. Coming Events; Wed. Dec. 2nd, 6.:31).p.m. Lioness Bus Tour of Lights, Thurs. Dec. 3rd. 7 p.m: Pub Night with "Audibly Awesome" barbershop quartet. 't ,tt\G 060% SEAFORTH 527-0980 FRI. NITE ROY'S GARAGE SAT. NITE MELADY MELODY & THE ROAD DOGS FRI. DEC. 11 NO FENCES TRIBUTE TO GARTH BROOKS Tix -- `7.00 um is —m-ummW11111111=111ft Pc5rtt it,%"41rni i I J --r. NNW -MIND Help make our Christmas Edition Memorable We are looking for a story of your .most mem- orable Christmas. In 250 words or less please describe for us when, where and why that Christmas was so special to you. Deadline for submissions is Friday Dec. 11, 1998: SHARE YOUR BEST MEMORY WITH US! SEND TO... 111P "ql Your Community Newspaper 100 Main St. P.O. Box 69 Seaforth On. NOK I WO