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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-05-21, Page 22Pogo 10A Times -Advocate, May 21, 1986 No one given chance to fail in work place NhhI�II seiys eoII.g. lace to ear to da by d.Ing Innes, Woodstock; Doreen Anen Van Whale, Alma and Kim Susanne Gallie, Sarnia. Learn to do by doing. That's the motto of 4-H clubs in Ontario and theme of the speech delivered by On- tario's Minister of Agriculture Jack Riddell to the 108 Centralia College of Agricultural Technology students graduating, Thursday. Riddell continued, "I think this would be a good slogan for Centralia and other agricultural colleges. That's what these colleges are all about. Not simply filling up students with theory and sending them out the door to fend for themselves. Here we have a combination of what's In the textbooks and what students can learn by trying things out for themselves." The Ag Minister added, "Learning by doing sometimes means making mistakes. It's better to make mistakes here within the confines of the college and get them out of your system. Today new people are ex- pected to succeed the first time out. No one's being given the chance to fail." • - Riddell went on to say, "You never know where life will lead. I think back to my own graduation at Ontario Agricultural College. In my wildest dreams it never occurred that I would someday be the minister of agriculture. And I bet Bill Stewart thought the same." "At the present titne, the province of Ontario invests about 133 million a year in agricultural research and studies have shown that on the average, every dollar invested in this research pays back 140. You will be the ones to benefit from this research. . AG MINISTER AT GRADUATION — Ontario's Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell was the guest speaker at Thursday's graduation ceremonies at Centralia College. From the left are Riddell, Deputy Minister Dr. Clare Rennie, CCAT principal Doug Jamieson and vice-principal Dr. V.E. Currie. It would be difficult, if not impossi- ble, to point the finger at one person or ogranization to give full credit but the fact remains: the plight of farmers finally seems to be in the public eye. Those who do not read many magazines or newspapers may not have noticed it. But reading is my hobby and in the past few months, I have noticed a definite trend in all reports which indicates a new understanding and sympathy for the agricultural, sector. The Ontario Institute of Agrologists, for instahce, has a task force out there studying the future of agriculture. The task force members have been hearing speeches and ac- cepting briefs from anyone and everyone. Many of those briefs are showing great compassion for the plight of farmers. "We want assistance. We need assistance," said Rev. Bob Rahn, a Presbyterian minister from poi ton, a farm community. His plea was echoed by Rev. Ed Den Haan, chaplain at the University of Guelph, who said most farmers are "so busy doing, that they have no time for be- ing," rural males in•particular. Back Pack Sprayer Special 4.0 U.S. Gallons'';' 5.3 U.S. Gallons/ / Above units specially contoured UV stabilized tank with wide neck and basket strainer for easy filling. Lever action diaphragm pump - pressure adjustment between 15 psi and 40 psi and maximum of .80 U.S. gpm. Quick fit harness - lightweight heavy duty lance -range of accessories. List price $9500 '142.-00 Hyde Bros. FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. 50 Years of Sales and Service Ask for Bob or Terry Hensall 262-2605 ALLIS1 Rahn had some great insights into the trouble on farms today and gave some heart -wrenching examples. Older farmers in financial trouble have deep-rooted antipathy to con- fiding in anyone. They seem to feel they have failed, not only their pre- sent family and friends, but their ancestors. Stories are also turning tip in metropolitan papers about farming. Sharon Rounds, president of the Ox- ford County Farm survival Associa- tion, spends many . hours as a counsellor of farmers in trouble. What bothers me so much is that right now, some of the better farmers in Canada are suffering. People with years of experience are finding things difficult, even some who have weathered 20 years of stormy prices, high input costs and low returns. And younger farmers who were just get- ting into the swing of it – the men and women who would have become the biggest and best producers in another generation -- have been forced out of business. I read some years ago that the material that goes into the package in which a shirt is wrapped gives more money to the packager than the farmer got for the cotton in the shirt. The Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board, in a brief prepared last year, says wheat is only 1.1 per- cent of the selling price of 400 grams of sweet cookies, only 2.7 percent of the cost of a 450 -gram bag of solid cookies and only 8.27 percent of the cost of a 450 -gram package of crackers. The wheat in a box of corn flakes costs about 4.9 percent of the retail selling price. Now, that says someting about the priorities of this nation, doesn't it? The primary producers get such a small amount for their products that it must be exruciating when they pay such a high price at the retail level. These disparities rfrust be changed or our nation will not have enough farmers left to feed everyone. It's for your futures and those of your children and their children. "You are the most important ingre- dient in your future success. You are unique. There's no one else in this world that has your combination of qualities and abilities and that's the key to your future achievements." In the graduation exercises con- ducted by principal Doug Jamieson, 108 students received diplomas in agricultural business management, animal health technology and food service management courses. Heather Cleghorn of Arise and Nan- cy Robb from Troy received awards from College Alumni Association president Gene Timpany as the best all round students iri the 1986 graduating class. Cleghorn also received a beautiful plaque made of wood from Ontario's official tree the white pine for excellence in leader- ship and academic ability. Huron Queen of the Furrow, Lori Consitt, presented the Huron Plowman's award to Henry Vander- Burgt of Dashwood for excellence academically and in extra curricular activities. Ainsley Marshall of the animal health technology staff presented awards in his department to Janet Lidstone of Huron Park and Lise Osside of Nepean. Cook's Division of Gerbro general manager Jack Uruquhart presented awards to- the best farm project groups. The winners were Ray Filson and Robert Thirlwass, Denfield; Terry Hodgins, Ailsa Craig and James Zaviti; Ilderton. They studied the Ed Robinson farm with- Jim O'Toole serving as tutor. The runnerups Steve Churchill, Douglas Klassen, Barry McNaughton, Richard Nauta and Nancy Robb studied on the Bob Simp- son farm with Don Orth as tutor. Robert Heyns of Owen Sound won six awards in agricultural business management. They were as top academic student, proficiency in bu,siness and financial management, proficiency in soils and crop fertility, farm analysis and farm safety. Karen Margaret Hastie 'of Elmwood took home four special awards in the food services program and Ross Peter Gerber of Millbank was a double winner in business management. Other award winners were Michell Ann Hergott, Waterloo; Nancy Ann Payments are coming Agriciulture Minister John Wise has announced interim payments for the 1985 grain corn and soybean crops. Producers are facing serious in- come losses due to falling prices caus- ed bya record corn crop in the United States and above-average crop yields in Canada. The price decline is also caused by a world surplus of coarse grains and the sharp reduction of USSR imports. "We know that a significant payout will be triggered under the Agricultural Stabilization Act and we want farmers to receive their payments as soon as possible to help with expenses of putting in this year's crop," Wise said. The interim payments will total bet- ween $17 and $20 million. Corn pro- ducers will receive 85 per tonne on sales to March 31, 1986. Soybean prp- ducers will receive $9 per tonne on sales up to March 31, 1986. Producers who receive the interim payment will have it deducted from their final payment. Virtually 100 percent of Canada's soybean production is in Ontario where the producer marketing system provides all the necessary data for issuing the interim payment. Ontario produces 70 percent of Canada's grain corn, followed by Quebec with 20 percent; Manitoba, Alberta and Nova Scotia produce the remainder. Ontario has a system for collecting corn marketing data and this will be the basis for making the payment to Ontario producers. Ankum, Arthur; Nancy We've got everything you need to get your crop into the ground . . . and get more money out of it Everyone is looking for better value these days, because value rarely comes looking for us. That's why, at Cook's, we go out of our way to bring you all the quality products you need to keep yields high and production costs low ... from fertilizer blending and custom application to seed varieties and pesticides. You get the convenience of one-stop shopping ... with a single standard of top quality. "Where you can trade with confidence" Division of Gerbro i[K. Hensoll Centralia 262-2410 ` 228-6661 Kirkton 229-8986 • Wokon 527-1540 887-9261 Cook's satellite dealers: • Topnotch Feeds, Milverton • Sutherland Elevator, R.R. 1, Beaton • Twin County Grain Elevator, R.R. 3, Brussels' one-stop shopping for crop inputs • Dublin Feed Mill, Dublin • Harold Schroeder Milling Co. Ltd., Dashwood • Glencoe Grain & Seed Co., Parkhillrechwood' *Div. of Parrish & Heimbeckl'r limited 4 Elaine HURON SOUTH AWARD — Huron South Women's,Institute presi- dent Shirley Cooper presents the General Proficiency in Consumerism and Food Service award at Thursday's Centralia College graduation to Karen Hastie of Elmwood. PLOWMAN'S AWARD AT CCAT — Huron Queen of the Furrow Lori Consitt presents the Huron Plowman's Association award at Thurs- day's Centralia College graduation to Henry VanderBurgt of Dashwood. T -A photo oreari TOP CCAT STUDENTS' — Gene Timpany of 'the' Centralia College Alumni presents awards to runnerup all round student Nancy Robb and best all round student Heather Cleghorn at Thursday's gradua- tion exercises. T -A photo When you buy a Yard -Man, Iput in the gas and oil When you take delivery of your Yard -Man tractor or riding mower, you get the first tank of gas on me. It's been filled with the proper type of oil, checked over and tested. Before you start it up, we'll point out the safety features and give you some advice about safe and economical operation. And because I'm a Yard Man authorized dealer, I have a fully equipped service department, a stock of factory parts and trained mechanics who know the equipment. We're here when you need us. You can count on itl FAVORITE BUY Model 698 is our best-selling lawn tractor for year- round mowfhg and blowing. Industrial/ commercial Briggs & ,Stratton 11 h.p. engine. 5 speed trans -axle drive. 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