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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1992-03-11, Page 10A*Icultur. minister speaks hrZurich ZIAtICH - The Ontario Minis- ter of Agriodture and Pood spoke with the Zurich Lions Club Mon- day evening, mad brought a mes- sage et tope for Ontario's farm- ers. Buchanan said his goverment is "looking at alternate structures" under which fanners an operate more profitably in coming years. He explained that the two char- acteristics of farmers, "fiercely in- Atitioride it mid optimistic" will al- low them to pull together with ocher agencies like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the supply management boards, and commodities brokers in order to present a more united voice for their industry "because they are small in numbers'. Buchanan said the recent GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs) protest in Ottawa was a good example of the two -percent of the population finding its voice. "That's an example of the kind of thing I'm...applauding," said Buchanan, summarizing his ad- dress to the Lions. The minister said farmers have to find ways of earning a higher percentage of the consumer dollar spent on food, likely by "shorten- ing up the food chain". Buchanan said he wasn't accus- ing food retailers of being the "bad guy", but said farmers can do more to "own the product long- er" as it passes down the line to retail. This, he conceded, is easier for fresh produce suppliers whose product requires less processing. The govannent, said Ruda - man, is "going to be doing s Wee encouraging co-operatives" in which farmers can invest more in the more prorit tele aspects of their production, rather than los- ing profits to the large commodity brokers. Buchanan said the government is considering long-term interest programs, and will get away from the "short ad hoc programs, a lit- tle money 'here and a little money there". Also planned is government support of loan pools" whereby farmers can band together to pe ti - den die banks for better interest fumes. Government support of such plans may cost about $2-3 million, estimated Buchanan, but could aid fanners to the tune of 520-30 million. •Unlike other government inter- est aid programs, this would not be putting money into the banks pookats, he said, but in those of the fanner. When asked what advice he would offer so the local cash crop farmer, Buchanan said he should "talk to neighbours in cities and towns" and to "speak with opti- mism". If people in small awns are optimistic they buy a new tor," said Buclm+an, adding that consu- mer speedup will aid die woes - non quicker than anything else, But do fanners have a reason for sudroptimism? 'I chink so...food is a pretty es- sential commodity," he said, pre- dicting Ontario fanners will con- tinue to have a firm grip on the domestic marke( t htttdr we -have to alt wort to- gether to share the mood...and farmers are optimistic." The Zurich Lions brought the minister of agriculture to their Monday evening dinner. From left are John Becker, Phil Regier, Kevin McKinnon, the honorable Elmer Buchanan, and Joe Kenda. Behind is Louis Willert. y}};v .`•iC� . '•':\ "•; ^: v Citi:?:. r ..: tea•. a. o ti . „s„›. ox '�ti.:::':.:::::;?:::::.>:; �;:::;;X,o11i:;::;'.\s:vt.;-�!, `tis..!`'; ;:O`•`:::; More than 25 years ago, this re- porter was covering the annual meeting of the Ontario Pork Pro- duces Association at a major hotel in Toronto. The producers came from all across Ontario although, as is the case today, most of them came from central western Ontario. What made this convention different were two people. They were both female and they owned one of the most successful hog farms in Onta- rio. .They were articulate and aurae - five, more than I can say for more than half of the rest of the delegates at that convention. All the rest of the delegates were men. The two women, unphased by the minority position they were in, were straightforward and far from shy. They were a credit to their sex and if that sounds chauvinistic, so be it. In those days, very few wom- en took over the reins in farming. Many who did take over farms in those days felt awkward about "in- vading" the male domain. Thank the stars that has changed. Farm women, in recent years are laking their rightful place in agri- cultural circles. One of the speakers at a recent Farm Business for Farm Women Day ip St. Agatha recently was an attractive woman called Linda Snider. I knew her when she was Linda Ritter, the daughter of a suc- cessful pork producer. She married soon after high school. With her new husband, she took over the family farm. i would see her off and on at farm meetings, some- times the only women there. In recent years, she has been joined by other successful farm women aid her voice is one to be recognized. With her husband, she is a full partner in a 500 -sow busi- ness near St. Jacobs, still on the family farm. A few years ago, while driving the highway near their farm, I no- ticed a beautiful star, high in the sky at Christmas time. I couldn't figure out how a man-made Christ- mas alar could be scan so high in the sky so I followed it until I could identify it. It was the old Ritter homeMead and the star was high atop their big concrete sib. She trucks her owt hogs to mar- ket and for years has had to ignore the flares of Aha men when they see this dim woman unload. Sone of Chem, I'm awe, me Ain in Minsk even though she baa been a premier fork producer for more fibra 20 ,years. "Any woman determined to farm can be just as successful as a man," she told the St. Agatha meeting. "It doesn't take physical strength. It takes good management." In my book, she is a classic exam- ple of the new type of farm woman, the kind that Canada needs. She was born on a farm, brought up on a farm, took over from her father when she was not much more than 18 or 19 and has continued to im- prove the home place while being a successful wife. Donna Hogg, another excellent speaker at the conference, exploded three myths about farming: that men know more about technology than women; that men work the farm 'alone" even if they hire some labor while women are not real farmers if they hire labor; and that men have more physical strength than women. The fact that she took over her fa- ther's dairy farm as a divorced mother of two sons is enough to blow those three myths into the ma- nure pile. Her father lives in Wood- stock and she does the day-to-day farming. She has taken .courses in farm management and artificial in- semination. Is she a good manager? Listen: "I don't have bank loans, we own the hay equipment and do our own planting and make three or four minor improvements a year," she said. "Farmers are survivors." This country needs more farmers like Donna Hogg, Linda Snider, Marie Trainer and Laurie Mitchell who were the other two speakers at the meeting. Exeter 11 4-H club meets EXETER - The Exeter II 4-H Club held its first meeting on March 5 at Norma Cockwill's house. The group started off with the 4- H pledge. Then they elected the of- ficers for the club: President Milin- Granton 4-H club holds meeting GRANTON - On Thursday, February 27 the Gracious Gran- ton Gals gathered at the Chinese and Canadian Food Restaurant in St. Marys to enjoy supper. The friendly waitress Moo Chang shared her stories of the different Chinese cultures, one of which is the New Year, when the parents give their children money in small decorative enve- lopes. Another tradition is giving out little candies every time guests arrive, and giving and receiving cards for the different years and different animals. This year is the Monkey year. The girls enjoyed little candies and were also given fortune cookies. The Gracious Granton Gals met at the home of Colleen Moore for their fourth meeting on Thursday. the president Mela- nie Beatson asked the girls what they would consider to be a good rule of courtesy when travelling. They also discussed proper eti- quette when travelling. Leader Deanna Beatson as- signed skits to Melanie, Jean Bryan and Paula Wallis. Groups were formed and the proper eti- queue of walking, riding the bus or in the car were acted out. An- gela Mcllhargey demonstrated packing a suitcase. The girls also tried out being visibly impaired, using crutches, and being hard of hearing. MARCH 9-14, 1992 da" Nethercott, Vice-president Kim Passmore, Secretary Jennifer Stasik and News reporter Amy Regier. This club session is on Maple Syrup. They also watched two vide- os; one called Frost and Fire and the other called Maple Syrup Pro- duction. Afterwards they made Maple Buuer and the meeting was over at _ 9:15. In the future the -club plans on visiting a sugar bush. CFFO insists that changes are necessary MILTON - Canada should not sign a multinational bade agree- ment during 1992 if significant modifications are not made in the tuiffcanon proposal tabled late last year by OAT chief, Arthur Durdtel, according to the Christian Farmers Pederadon of Ontario. At its regular January meeting in Milton, the CFR) Provincial Board, insisted that changes are neeessary in Dnnkei's proposals, es- pecially with regard to supply man- aged commodities. According to the Board's state- ment Dunkel's proposed tatit'fica- tion of all trade barriers offers very little opportunity for improvement for any part of Canadian agriculture while posing major risks for Onta- rio's many moderate-sized family farms. "Our Board re=affirmed its sup- port for the balanced position that the Canadian government has been promoting for reforming interna- tional trade in agriculture for the past three or four years," CFFO president, Henry Aukema, said af- ter the meeting. "We must not now sign such a lopsided deal. Dunkel's proposals are all pain and no gain." The Federation's statement criti- cizes proposed grain subsidy cuts. "Grain subsidy cutsat•e so modest that they will not significantly im- prove the world price of grain dur- ing this decade," the statement says. "It is as likely that farmers will respond to modest subsidy cuts by increasing productivity and working harder. The present Dun- kel proposal will not change the in- ternational price for grains signifi- cantly." "Without signifeauht benefits for Canada's grain sector, it would be foolish to consider Dunker: radical tariffication and undermine Our dairy and poultry sectors," Aukema said. "Low prices are caused by sur- pluses," van Donkeragoed said. "Surpluses are caused by an in- creasing productivity on prime farmland with more efficient ma- chinery, more know-how and many enterprising farmers in a stagnant market. Cutting subsidies a little will not lower these surpluses." Pasture Management and High Power Electric Fencing Seminar - increase production per acre using good pasture management techniques - lower production costs - double your land's carrying capacity - fence more effectively at half the cost David Picken, Gallagher Power Fencing March 17, 1:30 p.m. At the farm of Evert Van Sllgtenhorst 3 miles north of Zurich on the Goshen Line Coffee, door prizes gOLLgdtffP vc� rP o� r� Open House at Appaloosa Xing Stables Sunday, March 15, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. See our boarding facilities and indoor arena. Contracts on two Stallions available. Sign up for Western Riding Lessons. Show Saddle for sale and a Quarter Horse Cott. Concession 19, -McGillivray Township R.R. 18, Parkhill Call (519) 294-0494 for directions TOWN COUNTRy (� 1 TRADE SHOW March 12 & 13, 1992 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Centralia College Recreation Centre istrou0svi Mark it Oil your M Don't miss the first annual Town & Country Trade Show — one of the area's largest indoor exhibitions. See the latest in everything from farm products to fireplaces and building materials to barbecues! - Take advantage of dollars -off discounts and value -packed show specials including: 50% off replacement windows, pet food discounts free product draws,savings on building materials, $32 � -pack sprayers .. . juror to name a few! Win one of dozens of door prizes including a gas fireplace ($900 waters , _ _power tools, portable slereokeseelle, °erg -Wee, Echo gm - powered blower, Peter Snyder mint print and many, many more .. . 1 rlapfELS Ve'd ` 4115' sipprO% .801 1700 Wr t‘7, rflitiporSION ` Plan to hear our lineup of experts speak on these topics of interest. All speakers will be featured on both days at the times listed below. 1:00 p.m. FARM & HOME SAFETY. Steve Matisz Ontario Farm Safety Association 2:00 p.m. SAVING ENERGY, Peter Nicholas Energy Management Rep, Ontario Hydro 3:00 p.m. AGRICULTURE & THE ENVIRONMENT Tom Sawyer. Executive Vice President The FerWizer Institute of Ontario 4:00 p.m. COMMODITY OUTLOOK. Fred Evans Commodity Broker, Scotia McLeod 7:00 p.m. PET NUTRITION, Marianne Henderson Tornio/ Mgr., Shur -Gain Pet Products AebtMeeion i lipp,, aro bring a►. whole famllyl ,a navy (Monsanto). kw, -PowinoCancThe Toon Comity TradeMow gpomsvalgs +�