Times Advocate, 1991-04-10, Page 24Page 24
Times -Advocate, April 10, 1991
PARM 1JPDATF
Census required by law
TORONTO - 1f you're a farmer,
Statistics Canada wants to know all
about you. June 4 is the day of
reckoning for the Census of Agri-
culture; data from which will help
the government and other agencies
plot the course of Canadian agricul-
ture into the 21st century.
The census, conducted every five
years, comprises a questionnaire,
which must be filled out by all peo-
ple in agriculture across Canada. It
coincides with the national Census
of Population.
Past agricultural census have
shown that Canada's farm popula-
tion has decreased from 31.7 per -
Egg prices decline
OTTAWA - Anticipated low
post -Easter demand for eggs has
prompted a decline in the price per
dozen paid to Canadian egg produc-
ers for Grade A eggs, the Canadian
Egg Marketing Agency (CEMA)
announced recently.
Farmgate prices in Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Prince Edward
Island have decreased four cents ter
dozen, while in Newfoundland,
they have declined five cents per
dozen. In all other provinces, the
producer price is down six cents.
A seasonal pricing adjustment of
six cents per dozen, reflecting low
post -Easter demand was the pri-
mary reason for the decrease. For
the average producers, this adjust-
ment places the price at two cents
below their cost of production. In
addition, producer prices are adjust-
ed to reflect cost differences in each
province.
The Seasonal Pricing Program
was introduced by CEMA in 1989
in an effort to become more market
responsive. Prices are adjusted to
suit the demand for eggs on a sea-
sonal basis. The Agency encourag-
es the retail sector to reflect these
changes in their consumer prices.
CEMA's pricing policy is based
on a cost of production formula ap-
proved by the National Farm Prod-
ucts Marketing Council a federal
body that oversees supply manage-
ment agencies.
cent in 1931 to 3.7 percent in 1986.
Over the same period, the average
size of the Canadian farm has in-
creased from 223 acres to 571
acres. In 1901, the average farm
was only 124 acres.
The last census in 1986 revealed
that 44 percent of the farm popula-
tion have at least a secondary
school diploma; up drastically from
only 14 percent in 1971.
Data about such questions and
more will be on the census form.
Statistics Canada will be compiling
data on crops, fruits and vegetables,
size and ownership of land, green-
house products, seed, honey, poul-
try and livestock, farm machinery
used, revenue and operating ex-
penses, labour and more.
All details provided for the cen-
sus will remain confidential.
The slogan which one can expect
to become a familiar refrain over
the next few months is "June 4,
Count yourself in".
Farm interest rate relief
program details announced
1990; multiply by 25 percent. will receive a maximum of
For example, a farm that $12,000.
claimed a 1990 interest expense Application forms will be
of $30,000 and total expenses of available in local Ministry of Ag -
$50,000 would receive up to riculture and Food offices by late
$6,250. May.
[le ($30,000 - S5,000) x .25 = ricu�lturentario has already tiannounceof d
56,250.]
Each individual's share of the its pleasure with the new interest
fann business rebate will be re- subsidy.
duced by 50¢ for every dollar of "We see this as a sign that the
total net inc )me over $40,000. New Democratic Party is serious
Total incomt includes all net in- about its commitment to working
come from both on-farm and off- with farmers to develop meaning -
farm sources. Farm and other in- ful long term credit policies,"
come losses cannot be used to re- read a release from the office of
duce off -farm income. OFA president Roger George.
A maximum grant of $8,000 The OFA say that farm finance
will be provided for farm busi- problems have worsened due to
nesses owned by one person; current low commodity prices
farms with more than one owner and last year's high interest rates.
TORONTO - Queens' Park
have released details of how its
new Farm Interest Assistance
Program will directly benefit
farmers.
The program, announced last
week by minister of agriculture
Elmer Buchanan, is aimed at pro-
viding short-term relief from the
high interest rates of last year.
The Farm Interest Assistance
Program is targeted at farms in
need of financial assistance.
Farm businesses which apply
must have a minimum gross in-
come of $15,000.
The inter rebate will be cal-
cula in the following way:
Subtract 10 percent of total ex-
penses (to a maximum of $5,000)
from the total interest paid in
Although a few people out there
may be fighting the battle of the
bones, most of us are fighting that
battle of the bulge.
Our bodies are growing and build-
ing their own O'Keefe centres.
That's why it is refreshing to see
my old friend, the Ontario Milk
Marketing Board, selling milk as
energy plus with 15 essential nutri-
ents. Some of the older milk com-
mercials on television did not make
much sense to me. Seeing ethereal
figures floating through the air on a
magic carpet "because" did not have
me rushing to the refrigerator for
more moo juice.
The new enticements talk to me
about energy and nutrients and,
most important, how to avoid run-
ning into fat.
I lived most of my adult life not
worrying much about my weight.
In the last five years, I'm singing a
different tune. I've got a bundle of
ugly fat sitting at my belt line that
will not go away.
It has been said that you know
when you have reached middle age
when your wife tells you to pull in
your stomach and you already have.
You know when you have reached
senior citizenship when you can no
longer pull in your stomach. That's
where I'm at. It won't budge. It sits
there, bulging and solid as the wall
of China, unmoving.
A hundred years ago when I got
married, I weighed 132 pounds. I
now weight 142 pounds and that
extra 10 pounds -- oops, pardon me,
4.5 kilograms (?) -- is all in that
immovable lump at my belt.
Which is why one percent and
two percent milk have been so pop-
ular in our house. Skim milk? It
looks too much like what we used
to use to paint the hen stable with.
Health -conscious oldsters need the
nutrients in milk. So do the young-
sters who be -bop around the block
and the barn. If the new ads increase
consumption of milk by young
adults, the campaign will be well
worthwhile.
It seems to me beef cattle pro-
ducers had beuer get on the band-
wagon, too, because the top grade
of beef is saturated with fat. Peo-
ple are more fat -conscious these
days than at any time in recent his-
tol is, as most of you know,
called marbling and marbling
scores are needed to make the best
grade in Canada and the United
States. This means that top grades
must have more fat in the cuts
than the B grades.
It follows, then, that if you want
less fat and meat that is healthier
for you, you should ask for grade
B1. It may be less juicy and per-
haps not quite as tender but it is
better for you. Or so the fat doc-
tors tell you.
You may have to get tough with
your butcher to get B1 beef be-
cause many stores advertise that
they do not sell anything else but
grade A beef.
Consumer preference for leaner
meat is well documented although
that touch of interstitial fat certain-
ly adds to the taste. But why are
producers resisting a move to
change the grading system? Since
they are well aware of consumer
preference why do they stick to the
old-fashioned system?
It is tough to battle tradition.
The old system has been used and
maybe even abused for so long
that it would be tough to change
some of the older producers and the
last survey I saw revealed that the
average age of the Canadian farm-
ers was 52.
As I said, since I have passed the
big Six -Oh, I'm much more
health -conscious than I once was.
If farmers want to please the sen-
iors -- and we are the only segment
of the population that is growing -
- they better sell us some lean
meat.
GIIdesTIThrOUJh
es ue
Canola gets support
OTTAWA - Eastern canola pro-
ducers will receive $511,000 under
the Agricultural Stabilization Act
for crops marketed in the 1988-89
and 1989-90 crop years.
Support prices have been set at
90 percent of the previous five-year
average market prices, adjusted for
changes in cash costs of produc-
tion.
Payments are made when the.
market price for a commodity falls..
below the support price.
Average market returns for cano-
la were $306.16 per tonne for
1988-89, $14.28 per tonne short of
the support price of $320.44. The
average market returns for the
1989-90 canola were $270.48 per
tonne, $12.39 short of the support
price of $282.87, resulting in a total
stabilization payment of approxi-
Hurondale 4-H
mately $511,000.
Eastern canola producers are not
eligible for support under the West-
ern Grain Stabilization Act
(WGSA).
FARM AND
MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE
co.o
P
J
•
Clay and plastic tile
installation
- Backhoe Service
EXETER - The meeting began
at 7 p.m. The group did the 4-H
ledge and roll call was answered
pledge
three plants that would
-be nice for a garden.
After roll call, the group talked
about achievement night. Later the
club held a game. They had to
name 12 different seeds and then
held a mini game of play -golf.
They broke up soil and viewed
it. The club then divided into threk
groups; group one judged apples. ,;;
The next group started sprouts
and the , last group transplanted
flowers. Melanie Miller assisted
Judith Parker in leading the meet-
ing.
The press reporter was Derek
Etherington.
The Big '0' Drain Tile
Company Limited
CaII Wayne Cook
Zurich
519 - 236-7390
Hensall
Co-op
Anhydrous
Ammonia
Safety
Meeting
Specifically designed to promote safe handling of
anhydrous ammonia.
A "hands on" refresher course for experienced
users and essential for new users.
Exeter Legion Hall
Wednesday April 17
PARKER &
PARKER LTD.
Quality Service
Competitive Rates
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch provided
Hensall District Co-op
Hensall . 262-3002
Save Time
Maximize the hours in your day this spring with
Thompson's total supply of farm needs_
Fertilizer
eve s
• Standard or custom blended dry fertilizer
• • 28% liquid nitrogen • Bulk liquid blends
• Liquid starter fertilizer & impregnated fertilizer
ket - ‘04,
The New 230 field Cultivator performs exceptionally
well on conservation or conventional tillage acres.
Hyland Brand Certified Seed
Custom Application
• Tru -spread, air flow, liquid sprayers
Our weed and feed program is available for pre -
plant or post plant application. Have your herbi-
cides and nitrogen applied in one trip over the
field.
• Corn, soybeans, white beans, wheat, barley,
oats, forages
Hyland Brand Certified seed has been tested throughout
North America and Europe to ensure h igh yields,
standabillty, proper maturity and reliable grain quality.
• This is your ideal tillage tool
because it does an excellent job
on seedbed prep and preplant
chemical incorporation. In many
cases, it'll be your one -pass
tillage tool, too.
• New 5 -bar frame is constructed
out of large 4"x4" tubing for
extra strength.
■ "S" tines or "C" shanks are
spaced farther apart for more
residue clearance and less
plugging.
Agronomic'Marketing Service
• Helping you reach your objectives
■ Arrangement of shanks elimi-
nates chemical stripping around
tires. A
• Self -leveling hitch with me-
chanical wing control keeps
cultivator level front -to -rear and
side-to-side.
• Convenient hand -crank depth
control adjusts in 1/8"
increments
■ Choose 14'7" to 41'5"...rigid, flat
or tent fold models.
• Ask about competitive financing
plans.
Herbicides/Pesticides
Rental Equipment
• 5 and 8 tonne dry spreaders
• Split applicators • Delivery Equipment
Micro -Nutrients
Everything you need to run a fast and efficient operation this spring is waiting for you at your
nearest W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. branch
Call for a free color brochure
1400-767-3221
or visit your White dealer today.
Buten g Service 3` `
Phone (510) 236-4934
Not (514) 236.7330
22 Main Striae 41[l if
t•
Seaforth Hensall Mitchell Ansa Craig Granton Pt. Albert
345-2545 282-2527 348-8433 293-3223 225-2360 529-7901
BY WHITE-WE"tr FA ?AMI