The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1994-01-12, Page 13Times Advocate, January 12, 1994 Passe 13 What do you think? What's the best way to enjoy all this snow lan Jean, Grand Bend "The best thing to do is go tobogganing." Shawn Lovell, Exeter "Go to Morrison Dam and ski." Joey Mead, Exeter "Buy a snowntobile and have some fun on it." One Foot in the Furrow By Bob Trotter Money raised for Mennonite Committee Hundreds of thousands of dol- lars have been raised by farmers in Ontario for the Mennonite • Central Committee, an organiza- tion that sees needs around the world and then, in a quiet and most efficient way, raises the money to meet those needs. The MCC is highly regarded around the world. Right now, the committee sponsors projects in more than 50 countries. These farmers are, if you can believe StatsCan, probably the lowest on the economic totem pble but their generosity is leg- end. I suggest they are low on the money pole because many of them are receiving about the same for their products as they did 30 years ago and I know of no one else making the same to- day as they did in the '60s. With the possible exception or some dairy farmers, most that I know have to work off the farm to keep afloat. Either that or the farm wife has to work off the farm as well as on the farm. All this preamble leads to the 13 annual heifers sale February 26 at Brubacher's Sales Arena north of Guelph. In its 12 years, the sale has raised more than $1.6 million. Farmers donate heifers, the auctioneers donate their time and talent and the sale barn donates facilities. Western Ontario Breeders Inc. and Unit- ed Breeder donate the sale catalogue and others provide trucking, hay and work. It's volunteer all the way and every penny goes to the MCC. In addition, the Canadian In- ternational Development Agen- cy has always matched the pro- ceeds from the heifer sales at, sometimes, more than two to one. "We always wonder whether we'll continue to get support every year," said a spokesman for the sales, "but we always have." They always get the livestock. One year, 157 head were donat- ed. Another year, the donations dropped to 96 but the figure has consistently been more than 100 and they are not culls. They have bloodlines as goo4 as any calves in the country. I have attended several of these sales during the years since they began and the atmos- phere is one of celebration and good will. Everyone wanders around with a big smite because they know the proceeds will be going to a great cause. It's a fun time for everyone. CC rporations connected with wiculture do their bit, too. Tey either donate a hei er or 'buy one and donate it bk into the sale. Some companies do both because they know what a wonderful job the MCC does around the world. In addition to heifers, some se- men and embryos have been do- nated. In fact, donations of hard currency sale come in. Contact people this year are Joe Snyder, John Brenneman and my old friend, Murray Ger- ber, the friendly auctioneer from Crosshill. I was asked a few weeks ago if 1 was of the Mennonite faith. "You must be because you al- ways give a great plug to that annual heifer sale," he said. I am not and probably neser will be Mennonite but I know a great deal about the Mennonite Central Committee and the mar- velous work being done in so many countries where the need is so -great -and than is why I think this sale deserves the wholehearted support of every farmer in the area. It is good old-fashioned, grassroots -fundraising at its best, involving people who are more generous than any other sector of the economy. Farmers are generous because most of 'em have been through some ter- ribly tough times over the years and they do not hesitate to help thos, who may be more in need than they are. Coverage chosen by producers TORONTO - As of 1994, chang- es to the crop insurance program will allow enroled producers to choose the coverage level that'best suits their needs, Bill Jongejan, chair of the Crop Insurance Com- mission of. Ontario, announced January 5. "This new approach to determin- ing coverage levels will benefit farmers who want different levels of crop insurance coverage for dif- ferent crops. For example, a pro- ducer might decide to choose one coverage levet for cern and an- other for soybeans," he said. "The Commission decided to make this change because it provides more flexibility for farmers as opposed to the previous staged coverage levels." The Crop Insurance Commission recommends that producers choose a coverage level based in the level of protection they require for their operation. "It's important to remember that higher coverage levels cost more but they also increase the farmers' level of protection in the event of crop loss. Lower coverage levels are available for farmers who want to pay less premium or feel they need disaster -type insurance only," said Jongejan. As a result of offering farmers coverag`'level- options rather than price options, all claims in 1994 will be paid at 100 percent of the. floating price. The 80 percent price option was eliminated from these plans. As well, the simplified enrol- ment procedures implemented in 1993 will continue in 1994. Pro- d„ ,:11 ti.. assigned the SO per cent level on each coverage that has the featwrorcoverage level options. This will be printed in their Renewal Notice. If they wish to choose this coverage level on all crops they insure, they do not have to return the form to the Commis- sion. However, if they wish to choose a coverage level other than 80 per- cent on any crop, they must indi- cate their choice no the Change Notice and return the form to the Commission. However, if they wish to choose coverage level other than 80 per - Dave Oke, Exeter "Go snowmobiling. " Chris Morgan, Exlit r "Go downhill skiing" Andrew Volk, Dashwood "Find a hill and go tobogganing." Make Ns a John Deere whiter and say goodbye to snow removal problems. TRS21 Walk -Behind Snow Thrower TRS21 Walk -Behind Snow Blower • 4 hp, 4 -cycle Tecumseh Snow King engine provides easy starts • 21 -inch, 2 -stege ribbon -a gie design at an economical price • 8 -speed transmission (R forward, 2 reverse) for good performance In all conditions • Remote control discharge chute rotates 200 degrees • 12.5 x 4 "Blizzard" tires for traction and maneuverability • Electric start available At\i4 CI.NOTH1NG RUNS 'LIKE A DEERE' Ask about John Deere financing Vr MORON rn23E5x-11Tuna5 & Lawn Equipment . 1 40°'6 �0 Blyth 5234244 cent on any crop, they must indi- cate their choice on the Change Notice and return it to the Commis- sion by May 1, 1994. Each f who was i ' red in 1993 wit receive 1994 enr ent information with detailed' instrtit:- tions in he mail in early March. Swine research update. HURON PARK - The 1994 Swine Research Update will be held in the Recreation Centre at Centralia College on Thursday, January 27 . This annual Update summarizes research and other topics of current interest to swine producers and industry personnel. Topics on this year's program in- clude "Sudden Death in Sows", "Impact of Ethanol Feed By - Products", "An Alternative Meth- od of Dead Stock Disposal for Swine", "A Comparison of Costs and Revenues - Ontario vs U.S. Corn Belt", "Feeding the Geneti- cally Improved Sow", "Electronic Temperature Logging in Swine Barns", "Feeding to Reduce the Impact of Manure on the Environ- ment", "Plugging Tile Drains to Control Pollution", "PPRS Up- date", plus several others. A special visitor to the College this year will be Dr. John Harding, Swine Herd Health Veterinarian with Animal Management Servic- es in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He will address two topics - "Accli- matization of Incoming Breeding Stock" and "Essential Elements of • Biosecurity for Intensive Swine Units". Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with the program running from 10 aim. to 3:30 p.m. The fee is $21.40/person, which includes cof- fee/juice, lunch, a copy of the pro- ceedings and GST. For more information or to regis- ter call Centralia College (519) 2,28-6691, Ext. 286 or your local Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food ofti e. Uni-Loader Skid Steers ope There's a power - packed Case skid steer to fit your biggest jobs and smallest spaces. Heavy-duty Compact Reliable Built to last Well balanced Versatile Easy to operate Easy to service Five quick -moving, tight -turning performers 1818,1825,1835C,1840,1845C 18 to 56 net hp, operating loads from 600 to 1700 Ib • clearance widths from just 35' to 62.5' Easy to use Hand controls wan optional foot controls for 1835C, 1840 & 1845C • low -maintenance hydrostatic drive • easy access to service points ( Productive Dual bucket cylinders for maximum breakout force • excellent balance for bucket penetration Versatile Conven ent coupler system for fast attachment of buckets. forks, augers and blades Sales & Service Photte;(519) 236-4934. Fax (519)239.7330 22 Main Street, E., Zurich pec gal Feature "Salute to family-owned businesses" will be published early February This is our most popular special edition ever The Times -Advocate is preparing our third annual salute to family-owned businesses who are an extremely important part of our local economy. We will be listing businesses showing when they were established and prominently displaying their name... for as little as $49.50 IF YOU WISH TO BE INCLU. PLEASE CALL BARB CONST THERESA REDMOND AT 235 NOTE: Deadline for this special feature is Fri. Jan. 28 `r mumiliew .t t