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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-12-17, Page 291 :612 - Page 8A v ,1., / • . r ri IPA Times -Advocate, December 17, 198(0+''�?, • Cr- •,14 ,Vg7714"111 111. '-1111411r7117111"1111r"14-17—rm t. r • • • Soybean farmers `cry foul over subsidyplan Ontario's 18,000 soybean -fanners have been shortchanged to the tune of $20 million in the $1 -billion subsidy payout announced by Agriculture Minister John Wise Tuesday, an angry chairman of the Ontario Soya - Bean Gro*4ers', Marketing Board said Thursday. "It's not a matter of crying wolf," Maurice Waddick of RR 6 Chatham said from Ottawa where he and other board directors have been knocking on political and bureaucratic doors since Tuesday to get an adjustment. Ontario's soybean farmers should have received a $27 -million slice of the $1 -billion pie for Canadian grain and oilseed farmers, Waddick said, but due to a flawed formula they were apportioned only 17 million. "The one billion dollars was split up fairly by region and except for soy- beans, it was split up fairly on a com- modity basis," Waddick said. "We don't want more than our fair share. We want what is our slice." The =1 -billion payout was designed to cushibn the impact of the subsidy war between the United States and European Economic Conununity on Canadian grain and oilseed farmers, The subsidy war has lowered world prices and thus cut Canadian farmers' revenues by an estimated $4 billion. The formula is flawed, Waddick said, because grain farmers have underother income stabilization pro- this shortfall in subsidies should have received much Heavier, subsidies 'grams than have soybean farmers, so been taken into account. EVERY TUESDAY AT DENFIELD LIVESTOCK SALES Compare Our Rates & Commissions COWS - $8.00; FATS $7.00 Immediate Payment 1■ POPCORN MAKERS AT USBORNE -- Stringing up popcorn for Christmas decorations at Usborne Cen- fral School are Joanne Kerslake, Tara Honking, Trevor Taylor and Paul Mizzi. T -A photo Waddick said the formula involved the seeded acreage, the production Value of the crop and the degree of in- jury due to the trade war. 'Prior to the $1 -billion subsidy pro- gram, corn and wheat farmers had already recovered more of their losses through stabilization subsidies than had sgybean.farmers, Waddick said. In a model 300 -acre, mixed -crop Kent County farm drawn up by the federal government to explain the $1 -billion payout program. Waddick said the breakout shows the inequity. Based on differing yields per com- modity, the level of subsidy for winter wheat is assessed at 48 cents per bushel or 132.20 per acre, corn at 34 cents per bushel or 143.53 per acre, and soybeans at 19 cents per bushel or only $7.80 per acre. "It varies from county to county as well, based on regional yield dif- ferences," Waddick said. "Across the province, we feel we've been depriv- ed of $20 million." Gay Lea financial picture brighter At a directors meeting following the annual meeting of Gay Lea Foods Co- operative Limited held in Guelph on December 4, John Campbell, RR 3 Bayfield, was re-elected chairman of the board. Campbell was first elected a direc- tor of the Co-operative in 1974 and has been very active in farm organiza- tions for many years. Fred Meier, Brussels, was elected first vice- chairman and George Pinkney, Listowel, was elected second vice- chairman. Russell McCutcheon, Owen Sound, director and former chairman of the board's term,.had expired and Tom McGee of Ftesherton, was elected to succeed him. The remaining directors are: Robert Turner, Owen Sound, Jack Stafford, Wroxeter; Howard Wilson, Owen Sound; Edwin Miller, Exeter; and Don Ahrens, Elmwood. Campbell addressed the meeting indicating that 1986 results were somewhat lower than expected and that reductions in milk supply con- tinue to affect plant efficiency. The Co-operative's cheese business is in the process of consolidation reducing locations from three to two which will assist in improving suture operations. Member shareholders increased this year by 55 members over last year's total. 3,636 hold membership in the Co-operative and over one-third are active producers of milk and/or 'cream. Peter McLinden, president, discussed the sale of the edible oil operations and a meat business in the year and the impact on operations. Earnings of $2,148,000 included some gain on the sale of these assets anctin comparative sense, excluding these gains, earnings were very similar to last year's. The Co-operative's finan- cial position has improved significantly over last year with debt dropping and members' equity in- creasing. Total assets were up slight- ly over last year. A patronage and common share dividend was declared and announc- ed returning $601,000 from earnings to member shareholders. Gay Lea Foods has paid a dividend on common shares every year since incorporation and a patronage divi- dend has been paid to producer member shareholders eight of the last nine years. ViikarairsOaksiblissatisSolkstbliss-BliaBlialislissalissateMinalks-011~XiallkaroiltatbistalinAWIlks,biksilaistfolitsntink Phone EFIFIELD SALES. COLLECT Monday or Tuesday 666-1140 LESS SHRINK - LESS TRUCKING - LESS COMMISSION WHERE BUYERS AND SELLERS MEET EVERY TUESDAY 'Best;S�t6S Dashing through the snow to wish one and all a joy -filled holiday. Thank you for your patronage Centralia Farmers Supply Ltd. Open Mon. -.Fri. 8 - 6 Sat. e - Noon Centralia 228-6638 11 Home Hardware 11 ilclin Stipp! ir• 4 4 In this season of happy thoughts and warm hearts, we extend a special "Thank you" to all our good friends and patrons for your confidence, - loyalty and support ... a Merry Christmas to all! 0 cAMP°�� la "'AtKfsS Hensoll 2622527 Mitchell 3488433 Seoforth 3452545 Pt. Albert 529.7901 A;Ito Craig 293.3223 flEANS 0 0 0 o 1° 0 GRAINS .11110S ON r sties fERTIl12ERS Granton 2252360 eA