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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-10-28, Page 23A feedlot going out of business is not news these days. Farm bankruptcies are up, depending on who you listen to, by 50 percent or 60 per- cent or 70 percent. Getting the correct figures is dif- ficult but no one disputes the fact bank6uptcies are much higher this year than last year. Farm organizations are screaming. for some help. They are well aware that, whatever happens, whatever comes will be too little, too late. But much of the blame for money problems rests right in the lap of the farmers themselves. Don't misconstrue that statement. I'm well. aware some help for interest rates that border on usury should be sponsored by senior governments. We have to eat. It's a habit picked up many years ago which most of us find impossible to break. But many farmers facing financial difficulties could be helped if they weren't so stubbornly independent. Credit counselling is available from many sources but not enough farmers seek that advice. I have had reason to talk to a number of bankers recent- ly. They tell me quite frank- ly that too many farmers are poor bookkeepers. They do not keep records properly. They don't even know when they are making or losing money. They do not even know what aspect of their operation is draining away the cash. Those who do not keep adequate records are, un- derstandably, having a tough time pleading with their bankers. Farmers - not all of them , mind you, but too many of them - are taciturn and un- communicative when deal- ing •with their bankers. They treat bank personnel as enemies rather than helpers. Can you blame a banker who is treated like a mushroom - kept in the dark and covered with manure - for having little sympathy for a farmer who will not tell him what is necessary for good credit counselling? Too many farmers are afraid to reveal the facts. Bankers reluctantly extend credit until it boils down to over-extension and bankruptcy. Nobody enjoys foreclosure. In the end, almost everyone loses, even the bank. The major banks In Canada moved into agriculture in a big way in 1967 when the Bank Act was changed to make long-term leading to farmers attrac- tive. By 1970, banks had trained personnel, familiar with agriculture, to offer ad- vice to farmers. Most banks now have good advice to offer. Banks can be callous. Some have been callous and, no doubt, many more foreclosures will occur in Canada if some respite from interest rates is not forthcoming, if energy costs continue to escalate, if farmers continue in this fierce pride which prevents them from dealing openly and honestly with another businessman trying to help them. Not all bankruptcies in agriculture are caused by this reluctance to talk and from shoddy bookkeeping. Too many others are being recorded with the subse- quent shattered dreams, broken families and auction sales filling the pages of farm papers. But there are enough to in- dicate that some farmers should look within their own barnyard for reasons and excuses and not blame everybody else. The Consolidated Hearings Act, 1981 (S.O.1981, c.20) Notice of Public Meeting ONTARIO HYDRO—SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO TRANSMISSION SYSTEM EXPANSION PROGRAM IN THE MATTER OF sections 2 and 3 of The Consolidated Hearings Act, 1981, — and— IN THE MATTER OF sections 7(1), and 12(2) and (3) of the Environmental Assessment Act, (R.S.O. 1980, c.140), — and— IN THE MATTER OF sections 13,14,15,17, 29, 39 and 49 of the Planning Act, (R.S.0. 1980, c.379), — and— IN THE MATTER OF sections 6, 7 and 8 of the Expropriations Act, (R.S.0. 1980, c.148), — and — IN THE MATTER OF sections 10,11,12, 24, 25 and 26 of the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, (R.S.O. 1980, c.316), — and— IN THE MATTER Of section 2 of the Parkway Belt Planning and Development Act, (R.S.O. 1980, c.368), —and— IN THE MATTER OF an undertaking of Ontario Hydro consisting of the planning of, selection of locations for, acquisition of property rights for, and the design, construction, operation and maintenance of additional bulk electricity system facilities in Southwestern Ontario consisting of switching and transformer stations, communication and control facilities, transmission lines and related facilities. Notice Notice in writing dated the 18th day of September, 1981 was given to the Hearings Registrar by Ontario Hydro in accordance with sections 2 and 3(1) of The Consolidated Hearings Act. By order dated the 30th day of September, 1981, the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board and the Chairman of the Ontario Municipal Board established a joint board with respect to o hearing on the undertaking. Ontario Hydro has advised the Hearings Registrar that it will, by October 31, 1981, submit to the Minister of the Environment an environmental assessment of an electric transmission system expansion program for Southwestern Ontario and that copies of the environmental assessment may be obtained frac of charge after that date from: Mr. 1. E. Wilson Manager, Public Hearings Department, Ontario Hydro, 700 University Avenue, H19116 Toronto, Ontario MSG 1X6 (416) 592-3724 The Minister of the Environment is required, in accordance with section 7(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, to cause to be prepared a review of the assessment and to give notice of the receipt of the environmental assessment, completion of preparation of the review, and the place or places where the review may be inspected. The Ministry of the Environment has advised the joint board that this notice will be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the area which is or may be affected by the undertaking. The purpose of the hearing is to enable the joint board to make any decision and order regarding: (a) (i) the acceptance or amendment and acceptance of the environmental assessment; (ii) whether approval to proceed with the undertaking in respect of which the environmental assessment was submitted, should or should not be given; (iii) whether the approval mentioned in clause (ii) should be given subject to terms and conditions, and if so, the provisions of such terms and conditions; (b) (i) all official plan amendments and restricted area by-law amendments which may be necessary for this undertaking; (ii) all consents which may be required pursuant to section 29 of the Planning Act for the acquisition of property rights for this undertaking; and (iii) all minor variances which may be required pursuant to section 49 of the Planning Act for this undertaking; (c) whether the taking of lands is fair, sound and reasonably necessary in the achievement of the objectives of Ontario Hydro; (d) whether approval of such expropriations, with or without modifications, as may be required to carry out this undertaking should or should not be given; (e) (i) any amendments to the Niagara Escarpment Plan which may be necessary for this undertaking; and (ii) any development permits which may be required for this undertaking in accordance with the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act; and (1) any amendments to the Parkway Belt Plon which may be required for this undertaking. TAKE NOTICE THAT the joint board hereby appoints Wednesday, the 2nd day of December, 1981 ret 11:00 o'clock in the morning, loco) time, at the following location: Market Annex Building Stratford Fairgrounds 20 Glastonbury Drive Stratford, Ontario NSA 611 for a preliminary meeting in this matter. THE PURPOSE OF THE PRELIMINARY MEETING IS TO CONSIDER SUCH MATTERS AS BUT ,NOT NECESSARILY RESTRICTED TO, IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARTIES AND PARTICIPANTS, PROCEDURAL MATTERS, DETERMINATION OF ISSUES, AND SETTING AND ANNOUNCING THE DATE AND LOCATION(S) FOR THE HEARING. ANY PERSONS WISHING TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE JOINT BOARD REGARDING THESE MATTERS OR WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HEARING SHOULD ATTEND OR BE REPRESENTED AT THE PRELIMINARY MEETING, OR, IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND OR BE REPRESENTED, SHOULD MAKE SUCH REPRESENTATIONS IN WRITING TO BE RECEIVED BY THE HEARINGS REGISTRAR NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 27, 1981. NO REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE UNDERTAKING, OTHER THAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PRELIMINARY MEETING, WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE JOINT BOARD UNTIL THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE HEARING. FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT the joint board will give notice of its decision and reasons by placing them in the record of public hearing. If you do not attend at the preliminary meeting or make a written representation, the joint board may proceed with the hearing in your absence and you will not be entitled to any further notice in the proceedings. Hearing No. CH -81.04 T. M. Murphy, Hearings Registrar, Dated at Toronto this 1St. Clair Avenue West, 19th day of October, 1981 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4V1K7. (416) 965-2531. ELECT SHEEPMEN — The annual meeting of district one of the Ontario Sheep Council was held in Apoin, Friday, with representatives from the four counties of Middlesex, Lambton, Essex and Kent. John Fraser. seated left, was named secretory -treasurer and to the right are vice-chairman Gerold Wright, RR 3 Ailsa Craig, and president Terry Callaghan, RR 3 Oil Springs. Standing from the lett are: directors Malcolm Mclean, RR 6 Strathroy; Glen Thompson, RR 1 Forest; Michael Mueller, RR 4 Appin. Missing is Roy Buchanan, Thomesville. Staff photo Huron farm and home news Do chickens prefer Mozart? Are your livestock music lovers? Do your cattle milk out better to the sounds of Charlie Pride? As many peo- ple have known for a long time, animals are affected by music. Actually, you should be aware of how all types of sound affect livestock. The intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). The current allowable noise level in factories for 8 -hour exposure is 90 dB. The fre- quen•ey of sound has different effects on animals and humans. The human ear is most sensitive in the range of 1000 to 3000 Hz, while .cattle are most sen- sitive to sounds with a fre- quency of 8000 Hz. Sudden loud. "impact -type" sounds are very stressful and frightening to animals. Sheep were tested for growth rates in six different sound environments. Those exposed to instrumental music at 75 dB gained weight faster than all other groups, including the control group. Soft instrumental music is recommended for all types of livestock. It has a soothing effect on them. The heart beat is lowered, in- dicating they are not under stress. When handling livestock, avoid making sudden loud noises. A skilled, quiet handler making only a small "ssshh" noise can move more livestock per hour than a handler who yells. Knowing how different types of sounds affect livestock may help you to decide what to aim for or avoid in the animal's en- vironment. I'm not trying to get everyone to rush out and buy stereos and Mozart records like on the TV commercial. Just keep in mind that livestock have ears and they are affected by what they hear. Ron Fleming Agricultural Engineer Livestock management tour and inter -county livestock evaluation competition - 1981 The 1981 Livestock Management Tour will be held from November 8 to November 13. Huron County delegates are Bill Gibson, 19, RR 5. Clinton; Sherri Marshall. 19 RR 3 Blyth and Alan Walker. 25, RR 5 Wingham. Plans for the tour include an in-depth study of livestock management and livestock evaluation on a practical farm basis. Includ- ed in the management sec- tion will be a look at the marketing of livestock and livestock products. Livestock farms will be visited in the counties and regions of Ontario, Durham. Halton, Peel and York. There will he evening discus- sion sessions relating to each day's program. The delegates will par- ticipate in the Inter -County Livestock Evaluation Competition on November 12 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The Livestock Management Tour has developed into a worthwhile and informative program for Cecil R Squire Sales & Service Repair Shop Equipment 92 Waterloo St. Exeter 235-0465 the young men and women who have participated. D.S. Pullen, Agricultural Representative Government grant programs The following is a brief summary of some of the Government Grant Programs presently in effect: Farmers who marketed wheat. oats, barley and corn are eligible for grants as follows: Wheat - $5.78 per metric tonne - 16c a bushel; Oats - $4.86 per metric tonne - 71/2c a bushel: Barley - $5.5 per metric tonne - 11e a bushel; Corn - $5.51 per metric tonne - 14c a bushel; (Mixed grain - payment same as barley). This applies on grain marketed during the period from January 4 to July 31, 1980. It represents an amount calculated to repre- sent income loss available at the Agricultural Office and at local feed mills. Forms are available at the Agricultural Office for sub- sidies under two- beef programs. 1. 1980 beef cattle assistance program for slaughter animals - Farmers who marketed finished cat- tle during 1980 are eligible for a subsidy of $40.00 per head. 2. 1980 beef cattle assistance program for stocker animals - A $20.00 per head grant is available for stocker cattle bought by an Ontario resident as calves, fed in Ontario for at least 150 days, and sold for finishing purposes in 1980. The applicant must have sold at least 10 cattle to qualify for the grant and each stocker must weigh at least 600 lbs. live when sold. Applicationsfor both programs must be submitted before November 30, 1981. Ontario sow weanter plan - This is a five-year plan divided into ten, 6 -month periods. The number of sows must be registered for each period. The pay out will stabilize price at between 90-95`', of the average price for the past five years, with ad- justments for changes in cash costs. Participants pay one-third of the cost and the Ontario Government pays two-thirds. The plan is now in its third period. Establish- ed producers may still enrol, but would only be eligible for 90° of the Ontario Govern- ment portion of the payout. New Producers (farmers who did not have 4 or more eligible sows in any previous period) may enrol and be eligible for the entire Government portion. Forms are available at the Agricultural Office. Changes in this plan may occur in the near future. Federal market hog stabilization program - The Hog Stabilization Program will pay $8.96 per hog up to a maximum of 5.000 market hogs per producer. sold Unusual menu will feature open house The luncheon to be served during Centralia College's Open House on November 12. will include a moderate serving of beans with squash and corn. but no meat. That's not the usual fare at this Aricultural College, but it is typical of the main meal eaten by a farm family in Southern Latin America. According to Dennis McKnight. staff co-ordinator for the day. "The students have decided to serve an awareness meal, rather than their customary generous meals in order to tie in with the theme of this year's Open House. 'Feeding a Hungry World'." The College is adopting the slogan of World Food Day and is preparing exhibits in the areas of Animal Health Technology. Agricultural Business Management. and Home Economics which il- lustrate world wide agricultural problems. Also included will be student produce competitions, cook- ing demonstrations, films and tours of the College residences. classrooms and laboratories. High school students. parents. former Centralia College of Agricultural Technology graduates and members of the community are invited to visit, to talk wish the staff. and students. and to share the "Awareness Meal The Open House will take place on Thursday. November 12. between 10 a m. and 9 p.m. For more information con- tact Dennis McKnight at 1519) 228-6691. WINTER WHEAT INSURANCE Featuring: —Winterkill Benefits —Multi Peril Coverage —Buildup Equity during good years —Law Cost (Subsidized by Federal and Provincial Governments) For More Details Call: Donald Weigand RR 1 Dashwood, Ontario 237-3418 Oeadllne for Winter Wheat Insurance • Oct. 31st between April 1st, 1980 and March 31st, 1981. Applications have been mailed out to all producers by the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board. If you have not received an application, they are available at the Agricultural Office. Clinton. D.S. Pullen, Agricultural Representative Times -Advocate, October 28, 1981 Pose 3A WANTED Members for 1982 Exeter Fair Feeder Calf Club Calves will be ordered in Alberto soon Phone Bruce Shapton 235-1027 Howard Pym 229-6125 Phil Johns 229-6184 J McCANN CONST. LTD. REDI-MIX CONCRETE All Types of Concrete Work "!lki Precast Feed Bunks Precast Slats RR #3 Dashwood Phone 237-3647 Precast Concrete Steps Porches Ornamental Iron Railings Centralia College OPEN HOUSE '81 "Feeding A Hungry World" THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 10:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Starting At HURON HALL You are invited to attend this OPEN HOUSE as part of our recognition of World Food Day. Displays and demonstrations of our programs on the theme "Feeding A Hungry World" will be located throughout the campus. Campus tours and tours of College facilities will be provid- ed. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food CO.OP ntroducing... HI -BOY PUPPY FOOD A high -protein (27%) food formulated specifically for puppies up to one year of age. Our Reg. $ 10.85 5995 Introductory Offer for 10 kg. bag EXETER DISTRICT CO-OP Exeter 255-2081