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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-02-15, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, February 15, 1989 Signs in at Huron Tractor - Donald Scott of RR 3, Ailsa Craig was one of the more than 500 sons in attendance at Saturday's Open House at Huron Tractor in Exeter. Above, Scott signs in Brenda Jones and Linda Stephens. per - with Visitor from Manitoba - Winnipeg area farmer Albert Manning attended Saturday night's Open House at Huron Tractor in Exeter. From the left, Manning chats with Lloyd Cooper, Kippen; Bob Coates of Exeter and Harry Winters of Huron Tractor. • bne foot in the ,,...„ J___...__.. urrow ��•vaa� utteyti ere appreaatea by eo0 crone, Ewe* Ra Elmore Ont N34 1C 7 i Iby aisiot Inane, head -in -the -sand, stupid drivel, ludicrous, inept. Those were just a few of the re- ' marks in letters received comment- ing on a recent column about ani- mal rights. I candidly admitted in the column that I had not read legislation being proposed which would regulate ani- mals being kept. for exhibition. I also suggested that farmers should be wary about the legislation be- cause it could cause trouble for ex- hibitors and even 4-11 clubbers. The letters came from Stratford, Exeter, Wellesley, Moffat, Brigh- ton, Fergus and Drayton.- Some were vitriolic. One or two suggest- ed I alight be right. 1 could be crazy in my concern. Admittedly, I should have read the legislation and studied it before writing against it. I do have a copy of the Cruelty to Animals Act and I quoted it. I thought that might bc enough. - vinced, . dear readers, that .a big battle is looming in Ontario and the rest of Canada, too, for that matter, be- tween farmers and animal rights ac ovists. All we have to do is look to Eu- rope. Activists have convinced gov- ernments there to outlaw battery cages for poultry in Denmark, to ban slatted pig stalls in West Ger-' many, to require Swedish pork pro- ducers to give pigs separate rooms for eating, sleeping and defecating, ab ban the British veal industry. LEARN TO: INSEMINATE YOUR OWN COWS WE TEACH: ON FARM Ito> TOMORROWS GENETICS DAWMNG TODAY For More Information On: A-1 Courses Semen Prices & Supplies. CONTACT: Paul Waters •-2 2-4 I am not suggesting that all these practices in Canada are squeaky clean. I am suggesting, though, that farmers in this country should be ready to do battle and to stop any legislation until it has been thor- oughly studied and thrashed out for the good of all concerned, including the animals involved. And ycs, I know, these poor beasts cannot speak for themselves. I am also aware that some terrible cases of neglect and abuse have been reported and convictions regis- tered. It is also true that the health of Canadian farm animals is second to none in the world. It is in a farmer's best interests to keep his/her live- stock clean, health and happy. Well -cared -for animals arc what keeps farmers solvent. At a recent meeting of pork pro- ducers in this arca, Tai Jensen, a di- rector of the Ontario Pork Producers Marketing Board and also a member of rhe marketing board's three- member animal care committee, said some farmcrs.need to clean up their act before someone else does it for them. - He also said farmers arc animal wclfarists. They want their animals to live in relatively stress -free situ- ations and to be kept warm, dry and well fed. But farmers and animal welfare activists usually part company on the question of animals -for - slaughter. The welfarists -- at least, most of the vocal ones -- arc vege- tarians and simply do not believe any animals should bc raised for slaughter. Farmers raise cattle, hogs, poul- try, even rabbits for nothing else.. Until society outlaws meat in our diets, this battle between animal rights activists and farmers will continue. It is, therefore, up to farmers to examine conditions in their own barns and make improvements where necessary, said Jensen. "The first thing we have to do is clean up our own act... If most of us tend to do anything wrong, it is in the realm of crowding," he said. He also suggested farmers should work with truckers and drovers so that wcancr pigs, for irlstance,.arc not shipped in open trucks and hogs not loafed with feet or legs sticking out the side of.trucks. Jensen is quite right, of course, and any farmer guilty of such prac- tices should heed the warning. 1 am still not convinced, though, that any major changes arc needed in present legislation concerning animals. News from Ridgetown RIDGETOWN - An Organic Farming (A Way to Go?) Course is being offered by OMAF through the Ridgetown Agricultural Col- lege. 1t is being held in the Embro- West Zorra Community Centre, on County Road #6 just west of Woodstock. The morning session is devoted to discussions on the various organ- ic associations and the certification process along with on-farm experi- ence and an industrial look at a cleaner environment. The aftemoon will feature vegetable and crop pro- duction and the processing and marketing of "organic" products. Discussions on soil health and some do's and don't's of converting to this method of farming will complete the program. Registration and coffee is at 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Registration at the door is $25. whereas pre- registration is only $20.00 per per- son. For regi?;tration and/or details, please contact Continuing Educa- tion, R.C.A.T., Ridgetown, Onta- rio, NOP 2CO3 or telephone 519- 674-5456. RIDGETOWN - A special "Special" Crops Day is being of- fered by OMAF through the Ridge - town Agricultural College. The lo- cation is the quality Inn at the Junction of Hwys. #401 and #59 at Woodstock. Presentations and dis- cussions will be made on 15 differ- ent crops. In the morning session nut production, oriental vegetables, berry crops, herbs, spices and land- scaping materials will be dis- cussed. The afternoon will feature pea- nuts, asparagus and sweet potatoes along with beans, lupines and for-. ages for seed and export. Registration and coffee begins at 8:40 a.m. and the first speaker is slated for 9:40 o'clock. Registra- tion at the door is $40.00 and pre- registration is only $30.00 per per- son. For registration and/or details please contact Continuing Educa- tion, R.C.A.T. Ridgetown, NOP 2CO3 or telephone 519-674-5456. Aw Gaiser-Kneale Insurance • Exeter 235-2420 Grand Bend 238-8484 Clinton 482-9747 Hensa11262-2119 GIC RATES 1 YR. 11% 5 YRS. CALL TODAY FOR THE HIGHEST RATE AVAILABLE Rates subject to verification G.I.C.'s may be registered as R.R.S.P.'s' _ ANNOUNCEMENT HAROLD FOSTER D•, ISIOPI (1? P.t••ish R Hetmbe•( i.,,r I muted Centralia, Ontario (519) 228-6661 Cook's Division of Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited is pleased to announce the ap- pointment of Harold Foster to the position of Agri -Sales Representative at the Central- ia Branch, effective February 6, 1989. Harold is a graduate of the O:A.C. in Guelph and has worked with the Cook's organ- ization for more than 14 years, providing a solid background in fertilizer, seed, chemicals, feed and other farm supplies. This appointment reflects a continuation of Cook's desire to promote from within the Company, while at the same time, meeting the ,needs of our customers and si pplying up-to-date, useful crop input information. Drop by our Centralia .office and discuss your agricultural needs with Harold. "Where you can trade with confidence" Division of Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited PRODUCER MEETING & CROP PLANNING SEMINAR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1989 11 A.M. SOUTH HURON RECREATION CENTRE, EXETER * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 1989 11 A.M. BRUSSELS COMMUNITY CENTRE, BRUSSELS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1989 11 A.M. ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION - BRANCH 309 - LUCKNOW ************************ In order to properly arrange for lunch accommodation, please contact your nearest Cook's Branch to advise which meeting you plan to attend. Confirma- tion would be appreciated by February 20th - Exeter; February 21st - Brussels and February 22nd - Lucknow. = ..4_. , - Nensall 262-2410 Centralia 228-6661 Where you can trade with confidence"„.....--_. 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