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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-07-17, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate, July 17, 1991 FARM UPDATF TEST DRIVE A ZITOR Find Out How Much Tractor You Really Can Afford. iSO:{h+'!•. �..r4 •iiCfrt :}v fri m 'i':!y ; Sri • ` i til Obtaining statistics to prove a point, especially when those figures come from other counties, is diffi- cult. I started this column several times in an effort to inform the world that Canadians, whether we know it or not, are fortunate when it comes to buying food. All this talk and the screaming headlines about going across the border for cheaper goods prompted the column idea. But it is difficult. For instance, how much do Cana- dians spend on food? Well, the lat- est figures I was able to find come from Agriculture Canada's Food Market Commentary. Canadians, says this article, spend 15.5 percent of their disposable income on food. That is, after shelter and other debts are paid, 15.5 percent of what is left is went on food. In the Excited States, the latest figures I can find are from 1988 You are invited to... A Twilight Tour of the Variety Plots at ROSEBANK SEED FARMS LTD. LORNE FELL R.R. #2 Staffa 345-2697 (2 miles west of Staffa on Perth County Road 16) Thursday, July 18, 1991 7:00 p.m. Speakers: Gail Pierunek, SeCan Association, Ottawa What is SeCan? Rob Templeman, O.M.A.F., Soils and Crops Specialist, Stratford Discussion on Barley, Oat and Soybean Varieties Mervyn Erb, Crop Consultant, Brucetield Does your Crop Production Recipe Still Make Sense? Tours of the plots begin at 7:00 p.m. Guests speakers and discussion on the varieties to follow Refreshments will be served. Please come and bring a friend! foot in the MOW' byaia tattoos also appaaalad by Sob T,ouat. EWaM Rd. (Immo On, N3. ?CT Americans spent 12.7 percent of their disposable income on food. I cannot find stats that are current for most of the rest of the world but I would be willing to bet that Canadi- ans spend less money on food than any. other nation in the world ex- cept the Americans. We are, in other words, one of the most fortunate when it comes to buying food. Few people will agree, though. They come out of the supermarkets, arms piled high with grocery bags, shaking their heads in wonder be- cause they just blew $98 of a $100 bill. But they do not take time to count the other items, the toilet paper, the sanitary napkins, ' the hardware, the soaps, toothpaste, the deodorant, the razor blades, the magazines, the candy, the soda pop, the softener salt, the kitty lit - tier, the thousands of non-food items that add dollars to their so- called "grocery -shopping" trip. A decade ago, Canadians spent 17.5 percent of their disposable in- come on food. Americans spent 15 percent. - As mentioned, it is difficult to get stats for other countries that are up-to-date but I have found some figures for 1985 and Canadi- ans look good in comparison. In the United Kingdom, people spent 27.5 percent of their disposable in- come on food. In Ireland, they spent 30.6 percent. In Austria, 27.6 percent. In Sweden, X5.7 per- cent and in France, 22.4 percent. In the U.S.S.R., estimates are as high as 50 percent, even more if you are buying on the black mar- ket as many are forced to do in Russia because food shortages arc Heat stress in dairy cattle By Dennis Martin Farm Management Specialist CLINTON - Hot, humid weather conditions can add to the stress of a high -producing cow. One_ofthe first effects of heat stress is reduced feed intake which has a direct impact on lowering production and reproductive performance, wams the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The table below indicates the effect of ambient temperatures on feed in- take. Breed Holstein Jersey Brown Swiss Holstein Holstein The normal comfort zone of a dairy cow lies in the range of 7 degrees to 18 degrees C. Exposure to direct sunlight or lack of shade is a major cause of heat stress. Four to five square metres of shade should be provided per cow. 1t is important that the shaded area is 'open sided and not muddy to allow any wind or breeze to continually exhange the air under the shade. In ad- dition, lactating cows should always have feed and cool, clean water available in the shade. Since feed intake is reduced during the hot weather, increase the con- centration of the ration to ensure adequate nutrient intake. Feeding fat will also increase the energy concentration of the ration without the detrimen- tal effects of excess grain levels. The primary objectives of a good summer feeding program are: 1) Maintain adequate nutrient intake 2) Maintain "effective" fibre intake 3) Feed to keep reumen functioning well 4) Reduce feed heat increment to the cow 5) Maintain milk and butterfat production Temp. C. Feed Intake 21 Starts declining 24 Starts declining 27 Starts declining 32 20% down 40 No intake * Fast Unloading * Accurate Grades * Competitive Prices * Quick Settlements AOR YOUR '91 WHEAT CROP This year deliver your crop to the W.G. Thompson & Sons(Elevator nearest you! "The Home of Augusta, Rebecca and Karena Seed Wheat" chronic. In some parts of India and Pakistan, the figure jumps to 60 percent. And in many counties in North Africa, it is 100 percent: In fact, we all know that in Chad and Ethiopia, for instance, there is no food to be bought. So, we complain and bitch about food prices but, at the same time, remember that this is one of the most fortunate countries in the world. Because we have conscientious farmers and good marketing boards and a distribution system that is one of the best in the world, we all eat and just about every one of us can afford to eat well. Speaking of distribution and marketing, remember, too, that it is not the farmer who gets most of your food store dollars. The same source -- Agriculture Canada-- says that only about one-third of your food dollar goes to the primary pro- ducer. All the rest goes to market- ing, packaging and retailing. In some instances, it is a helluva lot less than a third. I read once not long ago that the farmer gets about 10 cents for the grain that goes into a loaf of bread. All the rest goes to someone else. The rip-offs in the food chain -- if there are any -- are not being pocketed by farmers. Bob Becker and the entire staff of BECKER FARM EQUIP- MENT LTD., Exeter, Ontario, would like to take this opportuni- ty to thank STUART McLELLAN for his many years of service and to congratulate Stuart and Lil on their retirement. Stuart has spent over 25 years in the Farm Equipment Business and will be missed by the farming community in the Exeter area and by his friends at Becker Farm Equipment. "Congratulations Stuart and Lil and many happy years of retirement" New for 199?. Series 2 Combine Features: • The New ComforTech Cab • Longer, Wider, Higher • Wider Door Opening • Panoramic View, No Corner Posts • New Sun and Heat Resistant Blue Solar Glass • 9 Fully Enclosed Halogen Lights • Air Ride Seat Simply one of the best cabs in the industry Call for a demo today HYDE BROS Farm Equipment Ltd. Hensatl 262-2605 Ask for Terry, Joe or Bob We're your low overhead - fair priced dealer, with a genuine commitment to fulfill your exact equipment (AQC0 DEEUTZ ALLIS a ob Salmi Res. 233-3372