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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-07-08, Page 11FARM IIPT?ATI; Tlmes-Advocate, July 8, 1992 -Page 11 Supply management still an issue MISSISSAUGA - Representa- tives of supply management com- modities were able to glean some encouragement from a recent speech by GATT director-general Arthur Dunkel to the International Federation of Agricultural Produc- ers in Quebec City. A joint statement from national dairy, poultry and egg groups noted that Dunkel indicated supply man- agement was still an issue to be ad- dressed in world trade negotiations. "This should reinforce Canada's determination to strive for success- fully achieving a clarification of Article XI," said Louis Balcean, President of Dairy Farmers of Can- ada. However, Dunkel said that there should be no exemptions from his proposal that all import controls be converted to tariffs that would be reduced over time. Nevertheless, Ottawa steadfastly insists that a clarified Article XI, part of Cana- da's balanced position, should be included in a new agreement. Cattlemen's Tour CLINTON - Huron County Cattlemen will have an opportunity to visit the Bruce County Community Pasture on Thursday, July 16. This pasture tour will provide an excellent opportunity for everyone to see some of the things being done on the pasture farm. Besides the community pasture, visits have been arranged at Wayne Mewhinney's cow -calf farm, the Canadian Agra Alfalfa Plant and the feedlot of Elmer Sneltzer. Everyone is to start the tour at 10:00 a.m. at the Sneltzer farm. It is located 1 1/4 miles north of Amberley, turn left, cross the bridge and the fann is on the right. Lunch will be at the cafeteria of the Bruce Energy Centre. This annual car tour of local farms and businesses gives an indi- vidual a chance to learn some new ideas. All cattlemen and 4-H beef club members are welcome on the tour. Farmers to take tour of crops CLINTON - The Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association is hosting a crop twilight tour on Thursday, July 16. The tour will start at 7:00 p.m. at the Cook's Ele- vator wheat variety plot, located at the junction of County Road 12 and 25, just east of Walton. The wheat variety plot has six different varieties of winter wheat including hard and soft types. Also on the tour, growers will have the opportunity to see and discuss corn, soybeans and barley grown under no -till or chisel plow conditions. Guest speaker for the evening will be Russ Barker, Agronomist for Pioneer Hybrid Ltd. For further information contact the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food -officein Clinton. One Foot in the Furrow By Bob Trotter Fanners have been accused of do- ing all kinds of harm to the envi- ronment, everything from holes in the ozone to polluting streams. Cattle, for heaven's sake, are sup- posed to be giving off so much flat- ulence that the methane gas is poi- soning the rural air. But farmers are not tatting this without fighting back. They are de- termined to get a voluntary pro- gram in place to prove to the public and the emotional environmentlists that they can improve their track record. Instead of waiting for govern- ments to pass legislation forcing them to become better stewards of the land and the environment, farm- ers in Ontario are taking a leading role in making improvements. The plan, I'm happy to tell you, was developed by four farm organi- zations: the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers Federation, the Ontario Farm Ani- mal Council and the AgCare which is a coalition of farm organizations involved in crops rather than farm animals. The Farm Animal Council is probably one of the most active co- alition of farm organizations in the province at this time. It was forced to do battle with an- imal rights groups and has support from cattlemen and marketing boards of milk, eggs and chickens. Leaders in these groups called a press conference recently to let the media know that they have not for- gotten their commitment to a better environment. The province has kicked in some great support, they said. The Ontario Ministry of Agri- culture and Food has appointed a full-time co-ordinator to work with the farm leaders in implementing the plan and Agriculture Canada, the feds, by jingo, have committed funding to help the first 500 farm- ers to develop individual farm plans. The first 50 farm plans will Las Vegas trip winner p,.... •.-.. - ...,R...... .._•2r.J..rb..,....-- J be prepared this summer and wil be. audited in November so that the big program with another 500 farm- ers can:begin by January. All kinds of committees and sub- committees have been working to get things going. These committees have set up regulations and partici- pating farms will be asked to con- duct soil and manure nutrient tests, establish application rates for ma- nure and fertilizers, set up crop rota- tion plans, work out proper tillage systems, list pollution or contamina- tion concerns and so on. Livestock management practices will also be in the plan and produc- ers will report about concerns such as distances from wells. Livestock yards will be monitored for runoff and rain water, how the yard is cleaned and how many cattle or hogs or horses or chickens or tur- keys are involved in the entire oper- ation. The farm leaders are prepared to guarantee that the plans ,of the vari- ous committees will be applied property. The main benefit for the partici- pants will be a certificate of compli- ance which should hold considera- ble standing in any community, in any municipal dispute, with lending institutions, with senior levels of government and certainly in the courts. The entire idea is, of course, to prevent all kinds of accusations against agriculture and if these "pi- lot" projects work out well, there is absolutely no reason that all the conscientious farmers in Ontario can't become involved. I think it is long overdue. These lands should have been in operation a decade ago but those responsible should be congratulated. Farmers garnot be accused of ignoring the concerns of the public, the consu- mer. They are well aware that envi- ronmental issues are important. Usborne 4-H EXETER - For the sixth and final meeting of the Usborne II 4-H club "A Walk on the Wild Side", the -group went on a hike and a camping ; trip. They began at MacNaughton Park at 6:30 p.m. on June 30 and hiked from there to Windmill Park. When they got there they set up camp. While they enjoyed our snacks, some members put on skits, and lat- er sang some campfire songs. "A Walk on the Wild Side" has been a wonderful experience for all of the group. Leaders Rick and Kar- en Etherington and Melonie Miller helped all to learn about hiking and camping. The winner of the Stephen township Sesquicentennial trip to Las Vegas draw was John Morris- sey, a former reeve and warden. From the left are Sesquicentennial co-chairman Alan Walper, Morrissey, and Angela McLean representing Ellison Travel who provided the trip. 4-H judging competition results CLINTON - Approximately 120 4 -Hers from across Huron County participated in the 1992 Judging Competition. Members judged nine classes and participated in one quiz. Classes included market lambs, hiking boots, draft horses, strawber- ries, erosion control mats, milking cows, milking goats, market swine and breeding beef. The purpose of a judging competition is to enhance members' decision making and public speaking skills, as well as to increase agricultural knowledge. The top three placings in the Novice Division went to Richard Kinsman, Stuart Marshall and Katherine Larsen. In the Junior Di- vision first place went to Melissa Wallace followed by Susan Bic - man. Ryan Hallahan and Michael Kuntz tied for third place in the Junior category. Jamie Hallahan and Denise Black tied for the win- ning position in the Intermediate Division with Darlene Black and David McCowan following in the second and third place respectively. Debbie Rintoul captured the first .place title in the Senior Division. Bryan Ramsey and Steve Rintoul tied for second place with Lyndon Johnston following closely in third position. The senior placings also stood as the top overall standings. In the team competition, the win- ning team consisted of Richard Kinsman, Kris McNaughton, Lau- rie Rodges and Jane de Boer. Con- gratulations to all the participants. Special thanks goes out to the or- ganizing committee of Kelly Ryan Diane Johnston, Sherry Alton, Jim Storey, Tom Hern, Florence Pullen and to all the other volunteers. W I)ayllg ome And Me Walllla Co Shop! Start in the daylight, we're open at 10:00 a.m., but you can shop all day until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m. Make a day of it and enjoy lunch or dinner at Mario's & laggz or in Southwestern Ontario's largest Food Court. In between, take a break at Tempo VII. London's Westmount offers more than what you would expect from a Shopping Centre, plus with over 180 shops and services, many of them exclusives° Westmount. .you'll love the difference. W_TMOUNT SHOPPING CENTRE -LONDON On Wonderland Road South of Commissioners Shop 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Mon. to Sat., Sun. I2:00 pm to S:00 pin l - t �!1 s 4-H members to participate at Western Fair LONDON - For the first time in the history of Western Fair, 4-H members from eight surrounding counties will be competing for the prestigious "Western Fair 4-H Achiever of the Year" award. One outstanding 4-H representative will be selected and awarded with a 61,000.00 bursary to finance his or her post -secondary school educa- tion. The winner will excel in areas such as community leadership, aca- demic achievement and extra- curricular activities. These are characteristics of an individual who would best represent Western Fair and the 4-H program by closing the rural -urban gap in our ever- changing technological world. Applications are being accepted, up to Friday, July 14, from the counties 'of Elgin, Essex, Huron, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth. Candidates must be 16 to 21 years of age, currently en- rolled in the 4-H program as well as having been involved in the pro - grain for a minimum of three years. Two applicants will be - selected from each county. The final selec- tion will take place prior to the 1992 Western Fair. The selection process will not be an easy task for the Western Fair Association and the 4-H communi- ty. Finding a candidate that will promote a better understanding be- tween the rural and urban commu- nities will be difficult, considering the number of outstanding mem- bers enrolled in 4-H programs throughout the eight counties in- volved in "Western Fair 4-H Achiever of the Year" competiti- tion. �tmunnnnnnmlmminnmm�mnnnmmnnttmmmununnlmm�mnnnnunm►nnuunmmtnunnnnnnn hill BEAT THE HIGH COST OF WATER HEATING ELECTRICALLY! o I 30. GAL OIL produces 100 gal. hot water per hour 30 GAL GAS produces 3.0 gal. hot water per hour It takes a 68 GAL. ELECTRIC WATER HEATER to produce 45 gallons hot water per hour WATERILEMINUMEL COSTS PER YEAR BASED ON A FAMILY OF FOUR Electric $666.00 Propane $424.00 Oil $264.00 c<� *are comtrtffttt�tl g our crostotia t' ::: ... KEVI R llET OUR V ©"111:ATF.R PROG G DAVE MOORE FUELS LTD. 315 Main St. N. 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