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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1993-02-10, Page 20Page 20 1 s -Advocate, February 10, 1993 michi attempts to pass bill Dr. Gaylen Josephson speaks at Centralia College's annu- al Beef Feedlot day held last Wednesday in Huron Hall. About 70 attended the day -long seminar, which featured six guest speakers giving updates on the cattle industry. Josephson told the audience that there are few overall health problems with cattle these days, although he warned to watch out for shipping fever syndrome, and oth- er viruses that do cause occasional problems. New export to Japan OTTAWA - The Canadian live- stock industry will be the first to export bovine embryos to Japan. The Honourable Michael Wil- son, Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade Canada .and Agriculture Minister Charles May- er, announced February 2 Canada and Japan have signed the first ever quality .certification protocol granting Damadiarn bovine embryos access .to ithe profitable Japanese market. Estimated sales of Canadian bo- vine embryos to Japan could sur- pass $1 million in 1993. Total bo- vine embryo export sales for 1991 were S2.6.million. "This decision follows careful negotiations with both the industry and the Japanese government," Wilson said. "The Japanese market offers excellent trade opportunities for .our agri-food industry. Last year's agri-food sales are estimated .at $1.5 billion, accounting for 20 percent of Canada's exports to Ja- pan. We look forward to further trade initiatives in the future." The Canadian Embryo Exporters Association has been designated and approved by the Japanese gov- ernment as the agency for ensuring the embryos meet genetic quality standards. Agriculture Canada is responsible for ensuring the em- bryos comply with the health con- ditions prescribed by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture., Forestry and Fisheries. Commentator: Jack Riddell DiIRECT FARM VALUE ADDED MARKETING PRODUCTS Beat tough times through change and innovation. This day is intended to "sow a few seeds" and to provide farm families with new IDEAS and DIRECTIONS including: MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES February 19,1993.9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Goderich Township Hall, Holmesville fogewrier Professor Chutkitemmon direct Farm Marketing Pat Carsons.4 11. s nvironmental Issues Panel Discussionelth eucoessful new enterprises COST: $7.00/person or $10.00/couple including lunch Please pre -register by February 16 by contacting: Bonnie Johnson @ 482-9311 RURAL CO NECTIONS-PROGRAM MACi4I " RY RING ONA0 MACHINERY RING CO-OPERATIVE CORPORATION "To try when there is little hope is to risk failure. Not to try at all is to guarantee it." Want to feel the temperature rise? Want to make things happen? r RCome to our "First Ever HISTORY MAKING" Annual Meeting. -You and your VALENTINE SWEETHEART will be treated to then TIME OF YOUR LIFE I Where? Centralia College Reereati¢n Centre s When? February 11 \ Time? Registration 2:00 p.m. _ w w Early -bird door prize -1/2 H.P. Bench Grinder Last day for tickets Feb-. 10 228-6904 or 1.800.668.0399 Ontario Machinery Ring Annual Meeting agenda Registration and Early -bird Draw 2 p.m. Moderator - Murray Gaunt CFPL TV Opening address - Jack Riddell Panel Discussion "Agriculture and theprNario Farmer' Panel Moderator Murray Gaunt Panel Members Jack Riddell -Public Affairs Consultant. eon/ Martens -President Ontario farm Women, Jack Wilkinson - V.P. Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Beverly Hill -Hill and Hill Farms, VP. Ont. M chin- ery Ring. "Custom Rates Calculated" Dr. Gary Hutchinson U. of Guelph Banquet entered by Friars II Paul Brothers r Group Rosalie I Speaker - Dave Dalzell Jack Jansen Area Manager General Manager Oise Foot in the Furro Agminister Elmer Buchanan -- who once said he got the portfolio only because his name was Elmer -- is determined to get legislation in place which would assess every farmer in the province $150 a year to fund farm organizations. And I hope he is successful. Last fall, he attempted to get the bill passed with several provisions that were too controversial. The bill would not allow for refunds and farmers who refused to pay the annual fee could be fined un- der the provincial offences system. He has come back with a revised bill which does net include these two provisions and maybe this time he'll get it passed. The money would be collected through municipal taxes and thence, to the province. The prov- ince, in turn, would hand it over to the three general fame organiza- tions in Ontario: the federation of agriculture, the largest which would get the lion's share; the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario 'and the Ontario branch of the farmers union. After deducting a collecting fee, all the money would go toward. these farm organizations. Finally, they would have stable funding, enough money to do the work that will certainly be necessary for farmers for the foreseeable future, something all three fame groups have been struggling to get for many years. It will be similar to an automatic union checkoff. You pay union dues whether you are a member. or not because you benefit from what the union does. You pay to `be a fanner because you get benefits from what your farm organizations do for you. Many thousands of farmers have reaped the benefits of lobbying and never supported the OFA, the CFFO or the NFU. They have, literally, rode along on the backs of those who supported these organizations. Workshop to prepare farmers for season The original bill, the Farm Or- ganizations Funding Act, was with- drawn primarily because too many farmers and politicians objected to the aforementioned articles in the bill. A vocal group In Nutt County even formed the silent 1t11► jority to prevent the hill from com- ing to a vote. They have deMitei a province -wide vote on mafilbtty membership fees. But Buchanan is adamant; no "vote, now or later. He wants the shill passed this spring with the Amendments so that stable funding 'will be available to the three main `htmt organizations. No one knows the membership of all the organizations but it has been estimated the federation of agriculture can legitimately claim between 22,000 and 24,000 mem- bers. The CFFO has less than a thousand and the farmers union, which never discloses membership arld may now be forced to do so, has perhaps 400 in Ontario. There are, perhaps, 60,000 farm- ers in the province so we arc not talking peanuts here. We are talk- ing about 89 million. The stakes are not small. The OFA could get seven or $8 million a year to fight for farmers. That is a lot of money for even the big corporations which HURON PARK - Have you ever wondered why 'it's raining at yoitc house and the sun is shining in the neighbouring township? The earth's climate is changing, and knowing how it's changing and some of the rea- sons why, can help farmers and others who rely on good weather, make decisions. Southwestern Ontario has had its share of unusual weather this year, but learning to make the best of it requires some skill. Jay Campbell, the meteorologist with CFPL and CKNX TV,is conduct- ing a workshop called "What's Wrong -with our Weather" an Friday, Feb- ruary 19 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Centralia College. The cost is $21.40 and that inalrutes lunch and GST. The workshop will cover what has changed during the past few years and how that affects the weather of Southwestern Ontario; what is hap- pening now which will affect our weather during the nest -few years; weather systems and interpreting lbe V:weather forecast for your area; an outlook for the growing seamen of 1993; and sources of up-to-date weather information. Join in on this informative and practical workshop. Bring - your clues- • tionsd come prepared:to.a fezuyq .the,discussigigUZWsegister for the u woricsttop, please phone.the Consinuiiig"Edrication depatrtinent at Centralia College, 228-6691 ext. 285. Lucan 4-H club meets LUCAN - The 4-11 club Lucan #3 held their organizational meet- ing for the club Financial Fitness on January 14 at the home of Phyl- lis O'Neil. Financial Fitness is planned to help the members become familiar with many aspects of personal fi- nancial management. Club mem- bers will be learning how to make the best financial decisions. They will learn to keep track of their spending habits, Eim how to write cheques, talk about what is neoes- Exeter 11 4-H EXETER - The first meeting of the [miter II 4-14 club went off without a stitch. Through irtntroduc- tions of leaders and members, it was found Agit ripe were some new ved in our current Sti 111114.0. Of the 16 mem- bers, only four hold executive posi- tions and these representatives were elected during this meeting. The first to be elected was leader Melin- da Nethercott. The other three posi- nons of vice, secretary, aitd press reporter are now held by Jayden Russell, Tracy Snell, and Kim Pass- more, a atgacIiitely. To she tttaseefipg's roll call: Have you • ever done may witchery?" a unanimous "yes" was answered with all sorts of stitchery used as examples. As agroup, their undertaking will be a small sampler, which hopeful- ly will be completed without too much trouble for leaders Norma Coclrwill and Lynda Russell. So ataatil the completion of the six holdgI the sewed of .which was 1 8, slake sure to watch out for busy 4 -Hers. rimming to and fro in a aearch, for 14 -count aids cloth. sary after you find a place to live, learn about planning for the future. The Club members are: Pre ideat Kristen Hodgins, Vice-ptrasidmat Jennifer Haskett, secretary Petra Biondi, treasurer Phyllis O'Neil, Press reporter Christa Hardy, Patty Dunnell, Ansel) Reith, Katherine Saunders. - Thc leaders arc Christine Geert- sen Anderson and Phyllis O'Neil. These members arc looking for- ward to this club and hope to learn how to take care of their money. agriculture may have to fight. No one disputes the fact that the money is needed. It is the method bf getting it than galls a few farm- ers. They have every right to make 'themselves heard. in ftict, their vo- 'tel atagonism has brought about a •couple of major changes in the bill. Democracy has again. A provision in the new bill to al- low farmers to request refunds on the levy could decrease the amount of money collected by many thou- sands, perhaps even millions. But the consensus is that most farmers will not apply for the refund and a great deal more cash will be availa- ble for helping agriculture. Klrkton-Woodham Farmers Club ANNUAL MEETING Thurs. Feb. 25 1:30 p.m. Klrkton-Woodham Community Centre All members welcome. Bring your neighbour along. Refreshments provided. Pia Here's a groat performance package for corn growers in the 2800 1o_2900 heat unit areas. These DeKalb corn .hybridnumbers are well worth remembering - DK421 and DK401. DK421 has 3 years of consistent performance under id's belt -arid DK401 is a new contender for 1993. They're both great .team players. ,SP get over to your DoKaIaler and order this power pack" of outstandi brills today and put DK421 and DK401 on your team. • So call your DeKalb dealer today or call 1-800-567-8086. And don't forget Dekalb Days March 22 to 26. 1993. DeKalb High Performance HybridsR' 1rade"wrl, 1)1 Ik#alb Canada 1n( LtaA, on _r4 Farna Wednesday Februaly 24 Hensall 'N Community Centre 1.1. a.m. - 3 p.m Lunch provided Special. speakers call 262-2527 if you are planning to attend