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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-10-28, Page 13Times -Advocate, October 28, 1987 Page 13 Over 60,00Q licences issued tohunt antlerless deer A dramatic increase in the number of deer in Ontario allowed the Ministry of Natural Resources to issue validation tags to 61,548 hunters to hunt antlerlessdeer this year. That represents an increase of more than 10,000 over last year. The names were selected in a ran- dom draw from more than 83,000 applicants. The number of applications for.1987 tags increased by 10 percent over 1986, and 74 percent of all hunters ap- plying for the tags were successful in the draw. A record 36,357 deer were harvested last year, and MNR biologists predict that more than 40,000 will be taken in 1987. Almost one third of the 121,345 hunters last year were successful in harvesting a deer and the rate is ex- pected to rise this year. "The provincial deer population has doubled in size, to more than 200,000 animals, since the antlerless deer validation tag program was introduc- ed in 1980 to help reduce the harvest of antlerless animals", Natural Resources Minister Vincent Kerrio said. "Relatively mild winters have also contributed to the increased deer population". At the same time, the number of validation tags available has more than quadrupled, from 16,723 in 1980 to more than 71,000 this year. Not all the available 1987 tags were issued this year because there was not enough demand for them in some areas, particularly in wildlife management units designated for ar- chery hunting. BACK FROM THE PUMPKIN PATCH a pumpkin patch last week. Shown Ann -Marie Parsons, Jaqueline Van ...1�< a "-At. a Zc t L SNP ; i«t a n. . Sr ti ...:. li • ,a Kindergarten and grade one students from Precious Blood visited with their pumpkins are (left) Casey O'Brien, Kathy Van Bergen, Esbroeck, Robert Acton and Scott Gilfillan. 1 • Kc Bob 'Trotter • Every year, Canadians. contribute billions of dollars to agriculture. Every year, hundreds of farmers go out of -business anyway: In my collection of big band jazz from the thirties, forties and fifties is a poignant blues number sung by Joe 'I'urner called How Long Blues? The question could still be asked: How long will Canadians continue to sup- port agriculture with huge subsidies while many farmers are still going broke. 4-H club meets in Crediton uctober 14 the members of Crediton ('tub No. 4 held their fourth meeting at the home of June Glavin. At the beginning of the meeting we had some visitors from the other Crediton Club to watch a movie called "Garbage in your gut". Our leader then served fruit sparkle on ice cream. Afterour, visitors left we voted on a name for our club which turned out to be the "Fertile Fannies". During the rest of the meeting we discussed how to pur- chase good fresh produce. We next discussed how to properly write our advertisements which is an- ly half of our horne activities, The other half is to prepare one of the recipes. . Fertile Fannies Meet The fifth meeting of the Fertile Fannies was held October 19 at the home of June Glavin. We opened the meeting with the 411 pledge. - During the meeting we discussed fruits and vegetables in salads. Our leader had made each of us a small jellied salad in a mold in which we sere- to practice taking the jellied salad out. We next discussed ways to fancy up garnishes. Our leaders then handed out white beans. so that each of us could grow our own sprouts al home. Our home activities included the sprouts, making a jellied salad. and making a creative salad. We next discussed what each of us would bring to the party. The meeting was then adjourned. • letters are apps crated Oy Bob Trotter WV* Rd . Eknu,.Orn The ancient law of supply and de- mand seems to be continually telling us that there are too many farms in Canada. Evidence is all around us. We have mountains of grain in surplus and the piles keep getting higher. We have supply management marketing boards -- milk, tobacco, chickens, eggs and turkeys -- which have been formed by farmers; are run by farmers but whose menibers are in trouble. Succeeding governments, both pro- vincial and federal and of Liberal, Conservative and New Democrat per- suasion. continue. to bail out agriculture. Yet, agriculture is still in trouble. Beef farmers and hog farmers, who do not have supply management, are in and out of trouble; they have been for 100 years.. They gather to shout down the forced auction of their neighbors' farms. The evidence is in the grim, tense faces in the livingrooms and kitchens and stables and driving sheds across the nation where too many farmers are teetering on the brink of failure, caught in a credit crunch and the crunch of low commodity prices for beef, hdgs and almost all of the cash crops as well. They, these farmers, are fearful that they will have to sell out at distress prices. The nation-wide cam- paign, although unwritten. to "save the family farm" is still not working because farmers•keep failing. Much of the rcasonstems from the fact that Canadian farmers are just too good at what they do. They have taken the technology bull by the horns and wrestled it to great heights of success. Improvements in machinery. the introduction of computer controlled animal feeding, healthier and hardier crop varieties,.bigger and better trac- tors, hybridization, fertilization and all the other advances in technology mean fewer farmers are needed to produce food, And those few farmers can produce far more than their fathers of yesteryear. For instance, the average dairy cow produced 617 gallons of milk in 1950; in 1984, it produced 1,453 gallons, an increase of 135.5 per cent. In 1950, the average farmer produced 16 bushels of wheat per acre; in 1984, that figure jumped to 38.8 bushels an • NEW Deluxe J•M Grain Buggy • 450 bu. capacity, single stage unloading auger, 23.1 x 26 - 8 ply flotation tires, graphite coated interior, adjustable wheel base, clean out door, all hydraulic equipment included. 8,95O Now only IOn display at our Exeter store 1 EflaNra FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. Exeter 235-2121 "Serving You For 55 Years" C:II11 ■ 1 0 D Dashwood 237-3242 �>r N3Y 2C)_ i acre, an increase of 135 per cent. As for corn, a major crop in Ontario; the average number of bushels an acre in 1950 was 38.2; in 1984, it had jumped to more than 100 bushels an acre, a 170 -per -cent increase. Canadian farmers have become too good, too productive andlhey are suf- fering for it. Coming from a farm background, I can weep with my friends on the land and agree that governments should give Canadian farmers as much support as the budget will stand. I love farmers. They are wonderful people engaged in a way of life that is beautiful and perhaps too visible. But I talk to many urban people who really do not care a fiddler's fan- ' ny what happens to half the farmers in Canada. It is getting increasingly difficult to argue with them. Or maybe I'm just getting old and tired and jaded. So, the question still begs an answer: How long, how long? MNft wants to hold deer population densities at a level just below the capacity of the range. This will sus- tain the health of the animals and -avoid the dramatic changes in deer numbers often associated with overpopulation. Deer hunting seasons open in many areas in the province on November 2. Most archery seasons begin October 15. Hunters should check the Sum- mary of Hunting Regulations, 1987-88, for specific dates. WINTER CLOTHE M =. Super Buys on Insulated Coveralls and Parkas Also Bird Feeds and Sunflower Seeds in Stock EXETER DISTRICT CO-OP Exeter 235-2081 4 blocks west of the Fire Hall MARKET YOUR CORN &;SOYBEANS THROUGH US • Up to the minute prices • Fast, efficient and friendly service • Extended hours to receive your grain • Accurate weights and grades • Cheques issued at local branch • Competitive prices -4 SEEP WHEAT Augusta, Houser, Fredrick Contact us for your fall requirements on fertilizer. Custom application, spreader rentals available DEAL where your business is wanted and appreciated 6 Branches to serve you Hensall 262-2527 Mitchell 348-8433 Granton 225-2360 Seaforth 345-2545 Ailsa Craig 293-3223 Pt. Albert 529.7901 it ►