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Huron Expositor, 2007-12-19, Page 5Opinion .�. ?T3A:s- The Huron Expositor • December 19, 2007 Page 5 Farmers deserve thanks as Ontarians sit down with family to their Christmas feasts To the Editor, With the holiday season upon us, many Ontarians find time to enjoy the time-honoured tradition of sitting down to feasts with family and friends. As you embrace the joy the season brings, why not take a moment to give a special thanks to one of Ontario's hardest working groups: the farmer. In what is often a round the clock job, Ontario farmers have long dedicated their lives and livelihoods to producing safe, healthy food. And, they have done it with a passion and commit- ment that is rare in many industries today. With the province's increasing population, Ontario's agriculture industry has proven it is more than able to keep pace. Farming is the second largest industry in Ontario and is an important part of our heritage and of our future. The last 50 years are a testament to the dra- matic changes in the way Ontario farmers farm.- On average, the per hectare production of major crops today has doubled while the pro- ductivity (per ton) of feed for dairy cattle, hogs and poultry has tripled. What this means is that Ontario farmers are now producing six times as much food per hectare as previous generations. Good news for a province whose population makes up almost 40 per cent of Canada's total. The tremendous increase in agricultural pro- ductivity has occurred thanks to innovation and modern technology adaptations like mechaniza- tion, electrification, breeding and genetics, nutrition, computers and biotechnology. Did you know that through advances in genetics and nutrition, an average dairy cow can produce about 27 litres of milk every day? Did you know that robotic milkers take milk- ing machines to a new level by actually hooking up, activating and then releasing the cow from the milking machine? Did you know that global positioning systems (GPS) are used to help determine fertilization and seed placement requirements in the field? Did you know that biotechnology is responsi- ble for engineering stronger, disease -resistant and higher -yielding grain and oilseed crops? And, did you know that electricity supports advancements in barn technology but beyond that, farmers are implementing energy generat- ing systems such as biofuels, wind farms and solar energy in order to add to the energy grid? In 2001, Ontario farmers required 42 per cent less farmland to produce food than in 1951. This has resulted in more efficient use of the land and highly productive farms. If not for this increase in productivity, urban development, parks and recreation would not have had the available land. What's more, there would have been even greater pressure to drain wetlands and cut down forests to free up addi- tional farmland. And, the idea of using crops for green energy would have simply been unthink- able even a few decades ago. Farmers' ability to increase production on less farmland is also helping to not only feed Ontario citizens, but also conserve land, provide habitat for endangered specie and it is leading to the development of more sound environmen- tal practises. So, as you sit down to savour the edible gifts of the season, why not give a thought for food and say a special thank you to farmers. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture Guelph, Ont. 1111111101111111111111 Hotels, stores and business places more than thronged with customers in 1907 December 15, 1882 The Seaforth Flax Mill is again in full operation. The crop this year has been large and as the propri- etors of the mill had a very consid- erable breadth under cultivation this year besides what they pur- chased, the mill will be kept steadi- ly employed during the season. The lamp in the large heater used for warming water in the bar of Dennie Brothers' hotel in Seaforth exploded. Fortunately the fire was extinguished before any serious damage was done. John Middleton is said to be the largest taxpayer in Goderich town- ship. His taxes this year will amount to over $100. John Wallace, living near Bushfield (Blyth) sustained a seri- ous loss in the destruction of a valuable team. He was on his way to Blyth, when nearing a railway crossing, he looked cautiously along the track, as far as the banks of snow would permit. No sooner had the horses stepped upon the cross- ing than the past -due train from the north, came upon them like a thunderbolt. The horses were instantly killed. Mr. Wallace and passenger Joseph Dwyer, barely escaped with their lives. December 27, 1907 John O'Keefe, a cattle buyer of Seaforth, brought action against John Ransford of Clinton, claiming damages for not delivering certain fat cattle that O'Keefe bought from Ransford. Judge gold has given judgement in favour of Mr. O'Keefe, ordering Mr. Ransford to pay dam- ages and costs. Christmas passed off very quietly in Seaforth. The weather, although blustery, was pleasant and sleigh- ing was good. Citizens spent the day in social enjoyment and in curl- ing and skating at the rink. Saturday last was a busy day in town. The hotels, stores and other business places were more than thronged. The well known firm of Stewart Bros., clothiers, say they did the largest business in the his- tory of their house. Miss M.J. Baird, B.A., of Toronto Junction, has been engaged by the Seaforth Collegiate Institute Board, as teacher of modern lan- guages and history. She is the suc- cessor to Miss Steele, at a salary of $800. December 23, 1932 Jerry Doyle, St. Columban hockey player, was injured at the Palace Rink during a practice game. Knocked down when he skated into another player, Doyle was rendered unconscious. Dr. W.C. Sproat was called and had the player removed to Scott Memorial Hospital, where it was found he was suffering from cuts and a slight concussion. A real motion at County Council -- moved moved by Beavers and seconded by Campbell. A committee be appoint- ed to make enquiries and report if Bill Stewart heard W. Haacke tell S. McNabb that Jim Leiper told J.J. Moser that Peter Scott could prove that A.J. Goldthorpe suspect- ed that Fred Tayler could bet money that Bob Bowman did not know about J.S. Wallace hearing Jack Gamble telling J.W. Craigie that Mr. Sweitzer was trying to find out whether Owen Geiger and W.J. Douglas had an idea that S. Ballantyne and S. McQuarrie knew anything about whether J.W McKibbon told L.E. Cardiff that Murdie Matheson was pretty sure that B.M. Francis had found out that George Elliott was the best auctioneer in Huron. Carried with applause. Members of Seaforth Lions Club paid tribute to Lion R.M. Jones. December 22, 1982 Huron County council can either get out of the museum business or face costs if it renovates or relo- cates the present museum, the 1983 warden said at the inaugural meeting on Dec. 7. Seaforth honoured three out- standing citizens and five teams who won Western Ontario athletic awards at a presentation at the new arena Thursday night. The awards, given by the town's recreation committee, on the nomi- nations of local groups, went to Bob Beuttenmiller for service to sports in the community, to Marlen Vincent for civic service and to A.Y McLean for humanitarian service. Christmas 70 years ago was not nearly as elaborate as it is now. But that reflected the values of those times. "If we didn't grow it, we didn't have it," in Effie Stephenson's words. Her stocking would be hung up near the stove in her home in Morris township. Christmas morn- ing it would contain an orange, "wonderful, we never got oranges any other time", some nuts and candy - "we didn't get those things usually" - and maybe a doll.