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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-08-12, Page 14Page 14 Throes -Advocate, August 12, 1992 • ... One Foot in the Furro Every time 1 write about the necessity of nuclear power, the fecal matter hits the cooling device. I have received more letters calling me all kinds of names when 1 even suggest that nuclear power will soon be a necessity. Perhaps I should go back in the closet and shut up. In fact, I'm acre a few reader would -like me to do just that. But I think Canadians are hiding their heads in the sand if they do not encourage the peaceful use of atomic energy. Back when Ontario Hydro was spending zillions of dollars on nuclear energy, I supported the expenditures although sometimes I felt we were not getting proper value for our dollar. "Ontario's NDP government has suspended all new nuclear power pro- jects and I think it is a dreadful mistake. Some day, maybe in the not -to - distance future, this move by the province will be considered one of the most retro -active steps ever taken by a provincial government. The same thing has happened in Saskatchewan because the NDPers are so solidly against any more development of nuclear power. Too many people fear this kind of energy. Most of those who are so ve- hemently opposed seem .to me to be well-meaning people. Certainly, the people I have talked to over the years feel that opposition is just a matter of course. Because it is nuclear energ t ;should be opposed no matter what. They are just scared skinny of ... I believe these people are creating a terrible problem for generations to come. One day, this country is going to have to tackle the need for mare energy. Unfortunately, those who support nuclear energy have failed to get this across to the people of Canada. We have developed the safest reactor in the world. The Candu is not only the finest in the world, it is, as far as I am aware, the only reactor in the world that does nr>t have us roots in warfare. It was designed for peace- ful purposes, yet pe -vie still see nuclear power in connection with the atomic bomb. As well, so many people fear accidents such as that depicted in The Chi- na Syndrome movie or those that occurred at Chernobyl or Three Mile Is- land. These accidents could not happen with our Candu reactor. The record here is far superior lo any other in the world because utility companies are under government control here to a far greater degree than elsewhere. One of the biggest fears is what to do with spent fuel. But the entire stock of spent fuel in Canada would fit into a very small space. If sealed and stored properly and buried deep, it eventually becomes no more harm- ful than natural uranium. All the talk about harnessing the sun and the wind and the tides is just that talk. The amount of energy these sources can produce is limited and erratic. How many of the nuclear energy detractors have ever seen' the huge wind=energy projects in California? They take acres and acres of land which makes them difficult to place close to where the energy is needed. It just does not make sense to spend more zillions of taxpayers' dollars on other sources of power when we already have the Candu system to con- tinue to develop. I am convinced the Candu reactor can be developed to an even greater level of safety and that the system could be in the forefront of energy - making devices around the world. But until we have governments that have enough foresight and political stamina to create these opportunities, we will be left out in the back forty sucking on the hind teat for another generation or two. By that time, it may be too late to develop nuclear power here. First field crop scores EXETER - The Exeter Agricultural Society 1992 field crop competition is rapidly unfolding with the judging of the wheat and barley crops now complete. Fourteen wheat entries and five barley entries was judged by John Beardsley of Cook's with the following scores: Wheat - Tom Triebner 97, Lorne Passmore 94, Larry Lynn 93, Pete Tuckey 93, Allan Rundle 92, Cliff Hicks 92, Hern Farms 92, Alan Hern 91, Alan Powe 90, Don Glavin 88, Bob Down 87, Murray Dawson 86, Steve Die- trich 83 and Bruce Shapton 81. Barley - Pete Tuckey 95, Allan Rundle 94, Cliff Hicks 92, Alan Powe 91, Bob Down 89. The next crops to be judged will be white beans and soybeans. En- tries are being received by contacting Alan Powe, Roy Pepper or Piet- er Kleinschmidt. NISA information meetings for Huron producers Province cuts agriculture budget, critics quick to complain TORONTO - The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food has announced a throe percent cutback in its operating budget, but already the Ontario Federa- tion of Agriculture is calling the 516 million cuts proof of a lack of rural commitment from the NDP government. Thursday, agriculture minirter Elmer Buchanan announced that his ministry would be cueing back on internal operations, its Red Meat Program, the Land Stewardship Program, and on research fund- ing to the University &Guelph. "We were very formate that new funding for ag- riculture was part of this year's budget and that we were able.•w..purt 5120 million 5 -year Agricultural Investment Strategy and the$32irnillion iobaoco ad- justment in place. However, we have had to exam- ine areas where savings could be realized to manage the ministry's fiscal resources. In addition to con- straining our internal operating expenses by 59.5 million, we are reducing funding to. certain industry support programs," Buchanan explained at a press conference. Buchanan said all existing Land Stewardship funding arrangements would be honoured, but cut- backs to the program should save 51.3 million this year. The Red Meat II program, aimed at improving beef, lamb and goat meat technologies and proce- dures, has "largely fulfilled its mandate" and will be trimmed by about 53.7 million this year, and an ex- pected 52.5 more next year. Guelph agricultural research budgets will be trimmed by 51.5 million, bringing research subsi- dies down to 539.1 million. Roger George, president of the Ontario Federation Agriculture was quick to criticize the cutbacks, call- ing rural Ontario "the forgotten jewel in Ontario's tarnished economic crown." While the cutbacks amount to only three percent of OMAFs budget, George said "the bigger picture is that once again the provincial government has shown a lack of commitment to rural Ontario." "It'a.not just the red meat producers.and.farmers .enrolled in Land Stewardship' that will be affected. All of rural Ontario is suffering from the cumulative cuts from all ministries," said George. He charged that rural infrastructures, hospitals, policing, medical care and childcare facilities, are already in a fragile position. "OMAFs budget cuts have taken another strip of hide off already hurling rural communities," he said. "This government and this Minister of Agriculture have spoken loftily about rural economic develop- ment, yet all we've seen is a continual erosion of programs at a time when agriculture is undergoing major transitions and adjustments in the name of global competitiveness." Correction Crops Update on 19th HURON PARK - In last week's paper a missing digit changed the date of the annual Crops Update at the Centralia College of Agricultu- ral Technology. The annual event is scheduled for Wednesday August 19, not the 9th as reported last week. The Times Advocate regrets the error. The college his also announced that another guest speaker will join Rob Templeman's discussion on "tow widths and harvesting tech- niques". Steve Poindexter, an ex- tension agent in the white bean area of Michigan is the new addition. Agriculture Canada Slowing the growth of untested -fertilizers OTTAWA - Agriculture Canada is facing an ever-increasing prob- lem with companies that break fed- , eral regulations by selling unregis- tered and untested fertilizer products. Generally, these products prom- ise higher crop yields and substan- tial cost savings over traditional products. However, they May not work and may not have been prov- en to be safe to humans, animals and the environment. As part of the effort to curtail the sale of these products, farmers and other consumers are being urged by Huron County beef carcass competion BRUSSELS - With the changes to the Canadian Beef Grading Sys- tem being unpiemented this past April, beef grading and marketing is a popular topic. To pursue that topic and to build on the success of last year's competition, Huron County beef producers are invited to participate in the 1992 Huron County beef Carcass Competition. This educational competition is a joint effort of the Huron County Beef Herd Improvement Associa- tion, Seaforth Agricultural Society and the Ontario Ministry of Agri- culture and Food in Clinton. The objective is to provide a practical opportunity for Huron County beef producers to gain a betier under- standing of the beef grading sys- tem. Entries are due at the Clinton O.M.A.F. office by Friday, August 21. Beef producers are invited to enter either a market steer or heif- er. All animals are to be delivered to the Brussels Stockyards on Sep- tember 16. Each animal will have a live pic- ture taken plus a picture ails, car- cass rib eye. These pictures plus other information will be motet - ed on September 30 in Settllcrth. Agri -business sponsors will be on hand that everting. For more infatuation or entry forms, please conger Jobs _Ban- croft at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Paod notice in Malan at 482-3428 or 1900.265- 5170. BEAT THE HIGH COST OF WATER HEATING ELECTRICALLY! CLINTON - With the September 30 deadline fast approaching for the 1991 NISA Program, it is time to make sure you have completed and mailed in your application. Nu- merous questions will arise when completing the various required forms. In order to assist Huron County farmers, two information meetings have been set up. Pre -registration for these meet- ings is required by contacting the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food office in Clinton at 482-3428 or 1-800-265-5170. The first meet- ing is set for Monday, August 24 at 1 p.m. in the seminar room of the Clinton O.M.AF. office. An eve- ning meeting has also been ar- ranges; for Wednesday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the seminar room of the Clinton O.M.AF. office_ Meeting participants are to bring their package of forms and ques- tions to the meeting. These meet- ings are designed to answer qures- -tions and review the required forms. Application forms and answers to questions are available by contact- ing NISA at 1-800-665-6472 or the local Ontario Minister of Agricul- ture and Food office in Clinton the federal ministry to make wise purchases, by sticking to tested and approved products. FUEL COSTS AT -A -GLANCE Fuel & efficiency " Cost Natural gas @ .214/cu.M incl. 10% service fee: 95% efficiency: .63 80% efficiency: .75 60% rfficiency: 1.00 Fueloil@ .305/litre 95% efficiency: .88 80% efficiency: 1.04 60% efficiency: 1.39 Electricity @ .067/kwh: Ground ht. pump 03.4: .91 Air heat pump @1.8: 1.72 Furnace or b/b 01.0: 3.09 " Cost is per therm, 100,000 BTU's, about enough to heat a modern well-built home for three hours on a cold day. GST & bafflegab extra. BAILEY'S OF HENSALL LTD. FURNACES - HEAT PUMPS CENTRAL AIR CONDTPIONING Highway #4 North 262-2020 Hensall 262-2626 yOUT giCMIC Comfort Pro* WE WON'T HANDYOU THE SHINE OLD LINE. Introducing The New White Mid -Size 6000 Series. 63 To 106 HP. 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