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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-03-05, Page 21Small loss incurred, but mainly due to stable fertilizer price tb K-W.Fanners' Clubrna.�cs'fair/y Despite. s,u g only the third loss n its history, the past year was "fair- ly successful" retiring president William Arthur told the arnual meeting of the Kirkton-Woodham Farmers' Club, Wednesday. Ile explained that the dividends en- joyed by members were comparable to past years and were down over 1984 primarily because the fall purchase of fertilizer was not as profitable as the year earlier. Secretary -treasurer Ron Grant added that the rebates were not as high because fertilizer prices stayed "flat" and so the savings by buying in the fall were not as great as in 1984. Going over theinancial statement. Grant noted that sales had increased from $1,867,553 in 1984 to $2.117.627 this past year. Net loss for the year was $4.217. compared to a profit of $3,955 the previous year. That brought the (Tub's surplus down slightly to $184,987 at the end of 1985. • the 30 members in attendance were told that the accounts receivable were comparable to previous years. but Grant said there may be a good sign. While there were more customers with accounts outstanding, the amounts were lower. Ile said the sales increase was due to an increase in volume, particular- ly fertilizer and chemicals. It was emphasized by both Grant and Arthur that there can be a dif- ference in price among the firms which have agreements with the club and that members should check with the secretary -treasurer• before they purchase goods to ensure they are getting the lowest price. However. Ar- thur also explained that at times, the location and service of the supplier ,could offset some of the savings and members had to weigh their own factors. -The suppliers want to be com- petitive," Grant added. It was announced that Stratford Co - Op, which recently purchased the On- tario Bean Growers Co -Operative at Bannock, would be able to supply members. "They want to do business with us," Grant said. Arthur said that club loyalty was important and is instrumental in .members getting discounts from the various suppliers. He said he hoped those in attendance would take that message home to their neighbors. In reviewing prospects for this year, Grant indicated grass seed prices are up, while grain seed is down somewhat. Ile told members that they should be cautious in buying double clover this year, as thegre are indications that a lot of clover h`as been imported from Europe, and while it is being sold as double -cut, may actually only be single cut. He stressed the impor- tance of dealing with reputable ne footlnthe furr.w'•> 4.*'w * !rR saris «t Qtr 44�r'�t ptp W In Canada. it is not consi ered the in -thing to criticize judges. Some reporters have been chastized Bever- ly for suggesting that a judge was out of his or her tree for making a bonehead decision. But that decision from the Court of Queen's Bench in New Brunswick has to be appealed. It came about when almost two dozen urbanites took a hog farmer to court. They had such a good story to tell that the judge reprimanded the hog farmer and then ordered the farmer to pay $33,875 as compensation! If that judgement and that fine sticks, it is a precedent that could cause trouble for thousands of farmers in this country. I do not know whether the farmer convicted needs money for the appeal but it would be a great idea if every hog farmer, cat- tle producer, chicken grower in the country helped him take his light to higher courts. I have written about this before and quoted Sir Gerald • Thesiger , a British judge, who declared in 1965 that people living near modern animal operations must put up with both the advantages and the disad- vantages of living in the country. And Sir Gerald got off his bench and took his flowing robes right to the farm in 'question. "The smell is not more thandhat4o which people living in a rural area must -- and do -- submit," he said. Right on, Sir Gerry! If that hog farmer was in the coun- try before the city folk came to the country. then those city folk shoLld have to live with the smells and the noise. Too many city people know nothirg about the country. They see a herd of cattle peacefully grazing in a field and that sight stirs something earthy in their loins. They hanker for a ho`hte in the country where men are men and so are women. But they do not see the hard work the toil, the sweat, the noise and the smells that go along with a modern farm. I laughed in great peals some years ago when one of my laziest students said he and two other couples were going to live on a farm -- rented -- and grow most of their own food. "Got a tractor''" I asked. "No. We don't intend to use any machinery. We're going to do it all by hand," he said in great innocence. And he could not understand why I laughed until the tears came. Months later. I learned all six of them were back in the city. They had dug a 40 -foot -square garden, planted vegetables. some of which came up and were soon choked by weeds. We have lived in the country for 20 years. We have two beef feedlots across the road. For years we had a chicken stable a few hundred feet down the road. ' We never complained once because we knew where we were building originally. In fact. except for a few 'hours now and again before manure is plowed under, we have no reason to complain. I forgot. We did complain once when a gaggle of guinea fowl from the chicken farm took up residence under our bedroom window. They were almost too noisy at six a.m. The. had escaped and were soon taken home. —BRANDY POINT-- FARMS OINT It may have been a decision popular with the city folk to hit on that New Brunswick hog farmer but every farmer within driving distance of a ci- ty or town should be incensed. The dealers in that regard. while some fertilizer prices are up about five percent, he said the low commodity prices farmers are receiving and the lower oil prices should keep fertilizer prices from ris- ing too much. Approval was given to a manage- ment committee recommendation to increase the secretary -treasurer's sti- pend from $10,000 to $13,500 per an- Tim.s-Advocate, March 5, 1986 successful' num and the assistant's was boosted $300 to $6,300. The recording secretary will receive $40 per meeting and members of the management committee will continue to be paid $35 for meetings. Another recommendation was salaried employees not have the right to vote at management meetings was also approved, clearing up what was termed a somewhat ambiguous situa- Page 21 ear tion at present. ' Also approved was a $500 grant to the Kirkton Agricultural Society. In his final remarks as president. Arthur thanked everyone for the assistance given him and noted they had a viable organization. Incoming president Burns Blackley said he hoped the Club could attract some new members this year. Please turn to page 22 • onto..Rpt N 1$ K) J Canadian Federation of Agriculture fight the case to the in the land. a right to farm. should highest Farmers help court dammit. have FARMERS' CLUB EXECUTIVE — Burns Blacker, seated left, was elected president of the Kirkton-Woodham Farmers' Club at the annual meeting, Wednesday. He succeeds William Arthur, right. Between the two is secretary -treasurer Ron Grant. 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