Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-12-06, Page 3232 Times -Advocate, Decernber 6, 1989 Plant closing causes shock -waves TORONTO - The announcement that Canada Packers would close its Burlington "Tenderlean" plant has sent a shock wave through the cat- tle industry. The name Canada Packers has been synonymous with meat packing and processing in On- tario through most of this century. Following the closing of four oth- er major processing facilities this year, the closing of the Burlington plant has shaken the confidence of cattlemen because of its long and close relationship to cattlemen and cattle feeding. Jim Magee, President of the On- tario Caulcmen's Association said "Cattlemen throughout the province are very disappointed not only about losing a processing plant with the capacity of the Tenderlean plant, but also about losing a firm with a long and well recognized reputation for financial stability, honesty and having a genuine inter- st in the welfare of the farming ommunity. The closing of the Awards - Glenn Jeffery, Exeter, (left) Tammy Sparling, Varna and Paul Robinson, St. Marys, were among plant, like four others earlier this the recipients of production awards handed out at the annual meeting of the Perth -Huron Jersey Club year, a symptom of a much deep held at the Foresters' Hall in Kinburn. er problem - industry competitive- ness. It is a -problem which our As- sociation has talked about in our 'Blueprint For the Future' and which we have recently discussed with the Hon. David Ramsay. We are in a highly competitive dynam- ic industry throughout North Amer- ica. Cattle feeders need meat pro- fessors and meat processors need cattle feeders. Here in Ontario, cat- tle feeding has been migrating to Alberta add Saskatchewan and part of the reason is government pro- grams which create a disincentive to feeding livestock in Ontario." The Ontario livestock feeding sector is land based, or in other words, the farming operation feeds the crops grown on its land base to livestock. Grains fed to livestock are not eligible to participate in fed- eral stabilization programs and grain silage crops have not been eli- gible for federal ad hoc payments under the Special Canadian Grains Program. David Whittington, OCA Vice President and a member of the OCA Blueprint Committee stated "Since the mid 1980's the Ontario other five years. "Ramsay said that his visit to Washington showed him that the U.S. "shares his view that there is a need for flexible and adaptive pro- grams for farmers...that farmers should not be forced to make deci- sions based on government pro= grams, but rather on market forc- es." Jersey breeders ho $ KINBURN - Bob Reid, rural re- porter with the Stratford Beacon Herald, gave a general overview of the future of farming when he spoke to the members of the Perth -Huron Jersey Association holding their annual meeting in the Foresters Hall, Kinburn. Reid warned his audience that newspapers are carrying less and less farm news because of a de- clining market. "The farmer's greatest task. is to let others know what he is doing. Most people would rather read about a two -headed calf than an increase in milk production," he remarked. Reid noted that farmers lost a strong supporter when the agricul- ture portfolio was taken from Jack Riddell. "I liked Jack," the former New Liskard area farnier and past OFA executive member said. "I think one reason he was let go was because he was too loud at Queen's Park. If there is to be less money for agriculture, they want someone who won't make too much racket." Reid said that is long as consu- mers have. available a cheap source of food, they don't care whereitcomes from. Protest ral- lies will not change that attitude. Farmers must tum around and play the game." "The Jersey Association has its niche. It makes one think of rich "More and more young couples arc coming into_'Jersey dairy farm- ing," Fletcher said. The Perth -Huron Jersey Club, one of the most active in Ontario, was first organized in 1934, and given its present name in 1950. cream. You have a god product. Spend more time promoting it - not in a technical but in an imagi- native way," was Reid's conclud- ing advice. Niagara area farmer Bill Fletch- er, president of the Ontario Jersey Club, spoke- during the pre -dinner business meeting. Fletcher said Jerseys are becom- ing more popular, even atnong Holstein breeders. Dairies want high-test milk, and the richer Jer- sey milk gives ice cream more fla- vour. Starting dairy farming, with Jer- seys is easier, as the fact that more butterfat is produced with less milk means a beginner doesn't have to buy as much quota. In ad- dition, the smaller Jerseys can fit into the stanchions in older barns outgrown by larger breeds. Fletcher claims Jerseys are the most efficient dairy breed at con- verting grain and feed to milk. Their smaller size also makes them easier to handle. A consignment sale is held annu- ally at the Clinton fairgrounds. This year the Club is co- sponsoring Dairy Day at the Gode- rich Township Hall on December 12.Among those receiving certifi- cates' at the annual meeting for highest Breed Class Average in their age group were Glenn Jeffery, Exeter, for both milk and fat in a mature cow; Paul Robinson, St. Marys, for milk, fat and ,protein Id annual Let Deutz -Allis eliminate 40% of your engine problems. . Eliminate costly engine downtime by making your move to a Deutz -Allis tractor or combine—with a world- famous Deutz air-cooled engine. You can forget about breakdowns due toradiators. water pumps. hoses. and coolant problems. And you'll have an engine that's so expertly engineered it doesn't even need a head gasket. Sounds incredible. but it's true. To date. over 3 million Deutz AirDiesels have_been put into service. making them the most sought-after air-cooled design'in the world. Find out more. Stop in soon and see these engines for yourself. Low Rate or T.P.O.• Financing available HYDE BROS HensaNStore (w) $1$ 2S2a2SO11 (app or Terry) DEUTZ ALLIS Rannoch Store (R) 619-2294700 (Mur►.►)' See what sets us apart. from a junior animal, and Jim and Tammy Sparling, Varna, for high- est protein count in a junior milker. Marketing boards TORONTO - Ontario and Cana- da's marketing board and supply management systems must not be lost due to inaction, Ontario Minis- ter of Agriculture and Food David Ramsay told delegates at the Onta- rio Federation of Agriculture annu- al convention. "Our system of marketing boards and supply management has worked, and for the future, we can meet the challenge of competitive- ness in the new trade environment within the framework of our exist- ing marketing board structure, said Ramsay. He said it was time to be "more aggressive in stating our case and in defending" supply -management, a system he said is envied by many countries. The minister was addressing the convention having just returned from a two-day visit to Washington D.C., where he met with senior U.S. federal government officials. the purpose of his visit, Ramsay said was to "make our American neighbors understand the effects of their aggressive farm policies on our legitimate and defensible farm policies." Ramsay was accompanied by representatives from the Ontario Milk Marketing Board, the Dairy Council, the Ontario Pork Produc- ers'. Marketing Board and the Cana- da Meat Council. In Washington, the minister met with Special Advisor on Agricul- ture to U.S. President George Bush, Cooper Evans, Secretary of Agri- culture Clayton Yeutter, and Depu- ty Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Jack Parnell. He also met with the head councils for the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. On the minister's agenda were talks on the 1990 Farm Bill, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations and the Free Trade Agreement. These included discussions on current Ontario -U.S. tensions over trade in dairy prod- ucts and processed pork. "It was obvious to me that despite their rhetoric, the U.S. government and U.S. Congress are not yet will- ing'to trade off their food proces- sors or their farmers. "Given such a strategy by our largest trading part- ner, I cannot accept policies that would place our farmers and food processors at adds with one an- other," Ramsay said. He vowed that he will continue to press Ontario's case to the Ameri- can farm policy leaders and to the federal government. "Canada must strongly declare its view that our current policies of supply manage- ment, income stabilization and crop insurance are all within the rules of GATT, and that they are acceptable and defensible." He told delegates about the new Farm Bill the American Congress is drafting. If the bill is passed ,Jtamsay said, Canadian and Ontario fanners will face increased compe- tition from the States. "Without effective rules on all farm policies, including the U.S. Farm Bill, the world agricultural trading environment could once again be on a roller coaster for an - B & K Seamless Eavestroughing Siding, Soffit & Fascia Free estimates Daytime call Tony at 236-4679 Evenings call Bill Glover, 235-1829 or Kris Bedard 228-6738 beef industry has been discriminat- ed against because 'of grains sup- port programs. We have seat prai- rie provincial governments bring in provincial programs to offset the negative impact of the federal transportation subsidy on grain at a time when grain prices are already at record lows. And after throe years of lobbying for equitable treatment of home grown grains fed to livestock here in Ontario, our provincial and federal governments have failed to act. No matter how competitive we are in the cattle pro- duction business here in .Ontario we cannot compete , with treasuries from other provinces. What we are seeing in Ontario with processing plant closures this year is the fruit of government inaction." Jun Magee concluded "The dis- tortions from grain support pro- grams have been with us for throe years. The closing of the Tended° - an plant tears away a highly visible part of the infrastructure to maintain a viable livestoc� ing sector and has created a crisis of confidence in the livestock feed- ing. industry. And what makes it even more ironic is that public at- tention and government priority to- day is being directed at 'sustainable agriculture' and the land based inte- grated cropping/livestock operation is the ultimate model of 'sustaina- bility' in agriculture. Yet, govern- ment programs are creating a disin- centive to this production model." - o „v;' .:• Trade now • �:. and put an end to spreader breakdowns Don't take a chance on your old worn out spreader breaking down. See us about trading for a New Holland Model 520 box spreader now. The "520" spreads an even ayer with single, double or widespread beaters. And optional hydraulic apron drive gives you an infinite choice of unloading speeds. So, don't delay. Stop in today and see how much your old spreader is worth on a new "520." Carter's Farm Equipment Sales & Service Limited 2 1/2 miles North of Exeter on Hwy. 4 263-3333 Year End Blow Out The Best Equipment Deals Have Just Got Better Compare - Finance options starting at 0% - Time proven quality - Sales backed by service you can count on - Equipment built to high standards and the latest technology AS • WHITE FARM EOUIPMENT See us today for your best deals C.G. Farm Supply Limited • Sales and Service - Repair Phone 236-4934 22 Main Street E., Zurich Ont.