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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1994-05-25, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate, May 25, 1994 FARMI1PDATE One Foot inthe Furrow By Bob Trotter Canadians are lovers, not fighters When you would rather be a lover, not a fighter, you wel- come news that suggests negoti- ation rather than confrontation. It is my firm belief that too many producer -directed market- ing boards in Canada have been too guilty about using confron- tation to get their own way in- stead of sitting down and talking things over with all concerned parties. Before the advent of market- ing boards, it was too much of a dog-eat-dog world in many commodities. Before marketing boards I remember the spine - chilling stories about how tobac- co companies and their buyers put tobacco fanners in untena- ble positions. I once heard the terrifying story about a buyer who offered a terrific price for a tobacco crop as long as the grower's daughter went with the sale. I do not vouch for the truthful- ness of that story but it could give younger people an indica- tion of how tough things were 20 or 30 years ago. Chicken, turkey and egg pro- ducers from 20 years ago can also tell some agonizing stories about surviving before market- ing boards. Dairy farmers can probably tell even more yarns about the days before the Onta- rio Milk Marketing Board and how buyers cut prices and how trucks criss-crossed paths pick- ing up milk and how the quality of milk fluctuated. When I read recently that the Ontario Turkey Producers Mar- keting Board had decided to ne- gotiate with the four processing companies in the province, I got a were thrill of delight because the producers and the processors have, in years past, been un- friendly, to put it mildly. The processing plants -- Cold Springs Farms Ltd., Maple Leaf Food Inc., P & H Foods and Cuddy Foods Ltd. -- are provid- ing information to the turkey board and tanners are providing cost -of -production information. This is a far cry from 1992 when three of the four process- ing companies fought pricing battles with the turkey hoard through the Ontario Farm Prod- ucts Appeal Tribunal. The deal- ings left many people on both sides of the fence with a bad taste until last spring when all the people involved decided to be a little more cooperative. The fourth processing compa- ny, Cold Springs Fauns Ltd., is a fully -integrated production and processing business. This company only processes birds; it produces them. 11 is 011 hath sides of the farm fence. 'I'o have a vertically -integrated company, participate in the marketing pro- cess could he of benefit to both sides. I have not heard much in re- cent weeks about how the nego- tiations are coating but 1 do hope the hot heads will calm down and allow saner heads to prevail. It has been my firm belief for a decade that many of these con- frontations, appeals and name- calling are wasted energy and the time and effort could be spent much more profitably for everyone by discussing market- ing strategies, promoting new products to increase sales and by joint promotions. One of the biggest complaints about marketing boards is that they stifle innovation and do not encourage the more efficient farmer. Some of this criticism is true, I'm sure, but by being more honest with each other, the protagonists could not only work together for the good of all concerned -- including consu- mers -- but even become friends into the bargain. Are not we, as Canadians, 1-' BORLAND FARMS 235-0567 Custom No Till Minimum Till Drilling CIBA Seeds Early & late Corn Varieties available Grower Premiums Paid on Secord Soybean Variety 660-9689 Custom Stone Picking, Windrowing & Hauling First Line Seeds Early & Late Soybean varieties available Also In stock • Ammonium Sulphate • Liquid Micro nutrients • Baler Twine 235 660- -0567 9689 known around the world as ne- gotiators? We are lovers, not fighters. The Canadian way -- if there is such a thing -- is to sit down and negotiate instead of going for the guns. Banners come down By Fred Groves WINGHAM - The banner on a wagon at Wilfred Haines' farm just south of Wingham came down Thursday morning. Members of the group Ontarians for Responsible Government, in- cluding executive director Thom Corbett, took down the banner which opposed the New Democrat- ic Party's plans to allow farm work- ers to unionize. I'he banner was put up last fall but a provincial law says it must come down. "They ' said it was a non- comrncrcial message," said Cor- bett. 'It's up to a $1,000 fine if you don't take it down." The group has taken a couple of major steps towards fighting the government on the ban. One being that they have decided to limit the message to premier Bob Rae which on some have compared him to a jackass, to commercial billboards. In doing that, the group has to put some sort of commercial impact into the banner and so, in the case of the one in Clinton across from Huron MPP Paul Klopp's office, will put a phone number where sup- porters can purchase T-shirts. "The loophole (in the law) says you have to be a commercial busi- ness, which we are not, or have a commercial product," said Corbett. On Thursday, Corbett announced the group would be taking the pro- vincial government to court to fight the law on the grounds it stifles free speech. "We think such a law infringes on every Canadian's constitutional- ly guaranteed right to free speech," said Corbett. Corbett says he only learned about the law when the government ordered his group's anti -NDP ban- ners and billboards taken down. One billboard company and sev- eral farmers who posted the ban- ners on their property were threat- ened with fines. "We were shocked when we dis- covered our banners and billboards were to he banned. After all this is supposed to be a democracy." Corbett said the O.R.G.'s case will be argued in the courts by a le- gal team headed by senior litigator Dennis O'Connor of Toronto. Time for a check up CLINTON - Have you been hap- py with cow performance this win- ter? For many dairy producers milk production, herd health, con- ception rate, and age of first calf heifers arc all good measures of herd performance, says Dennis Martin, the dairy advisor with Clinton's OMAF office. Top producers have the ability to combine feed availability, feed quality and feed management skills to achieve superior produc- tion. It is your challenge to balance the diet of a high -producing cow, he said. If peak production is less than optimal, you may want to review the following areas: I) Dry cow nutrition, 2_ Body condition at calving, 3) Dry matter intake, 4) Early location diseases, and 5) Ra- tion formulation. Remember, each additional one kilogram of milk in peak production means 220 kg's more for the cow's total lactation. Since "feed" can influence so much more than just production, it is important to fine tune the ration whenever there is a change in your feeding program. if cow or heifer performance is a concern to you, this would be an ideal time to check the ration. The OMAF office can evaluate or for- mulate dairy rations at no cost to you, said Martin. For more information on this service, contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Af- fairs office in Clinton. Wage assistance available for $3.00 per hour CLINTON - The Ministry of Ag- riculture, Food and Rural Affairs will be offering an enhanced Sum- mer Assistance Wage Assistance Program for youth between the ages of 15 and 24. Last year, the program was only a'ailahle to tobacco and edible hor- ticulture producers, this year it is open to all farm sectors. To be eligible for the 1994 pro- gram, the farmer must have had gross fans production of at least $7,0()0, in 1993. The program offers eligible pro- ducers a wage assistance of $3.(X0 per hour to create new jobs for south in agriculture. An eligible employer must em- ploy a youth for a minimum of six continuous weeks, with a minimum of 30 hours per week and a maxi- mum of 40 hours per week. The maximum period of employment cannot exceed eight weeks. Em- ployers must provide at least the Ontario minimum hourly wage which is $6.70 per hour for em- ployees over 18 years of age and $6.25 per hour for employees under the age of 18 years. Employers must pay all employ- ment costs and deductions includ- ing Workers' Compensation Board coverage, Employer Health Tax premiums, and liability insurance for not less than a $1 million on the summer employee. A youth being hired must he a resident of Ontario and must be eli- gible to work in Canada. He/she must be between the ages of 15 and 24 o„ the first day of the work term. The youth cannot he an im- mediate family member and cannot have been in your employ since March 31, 1994. Applicants must apply to the pro- gram through the Agricultural Em- ployment Services office. For Hu- ron County producers, the A.E.S. office is in Walkerton and the man- ager is Brian Damm. He can be reached at 881-3671 or 1-800-361- 0I15. Application forms and complete program details are available from the OMAFRA Field Office in Clin- ton. Our telephone numbers are 482-3428 and 1-800-265-5170. to all persons Township Ashfield Colbourne Goderich Grey Hay Howick Hullett McKillop Morris Stanley Stephen Tuckersmith Turnberry Usborne E. Wawanosh W. Wawanosh NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS DESTROY WEEDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in possession of lands in the Mu the County of Huron as follows: Clerk L. Andrew J. Stewart R. Thompson B. Knight J. Zimmerman R. Johnson Deputy Clerk-Treas. B. Shaddick M. McClure N. Michie A. Willert L. Brown J. McLachlan D. Kelly S. Strang W. Thompson J. Armstrong Town Clinton Exeter Goderich Seaforth Wingham Village Bayfield Blyth Brussels Hensall Zurich nicipalities in Clerk M. Jefferson E. Bell L. McCabe J. Crocker B. Adams Clerk P. Graham H. Grubb D. White L. Phair M. Simmons In accordance with the Weed Control Act, Statutes of Ontario, 1990, Chapter W5, Sections 3, 16 and 23, that unless noxious weeds growing on their lands are destroyed by JUNE 6, 1994 and throughout the Season, the Municipality may enter upon said lands and have the weeds destroyed, charging the costs against the land in taxes, as set out in the Act. Velvet Leaf is named as a noxious weed in most municipalities, and Giant Cow Parsnip (Hogweed) in all County municipalities. The co-operation of all citizens is solicited. JOE GIBSON Weed Inspector County of Huron s YOU'RE ON SOLID GROUND When you deal with the professionals at Thompson's DELIVERING OUR BEST TO YOU When you're looking for reliable expert services.... plan to grow with W.G. Thompson Every successful crop starts with quality seed. Thompson's selection of public and private varieties are choices you can depend on... Your choice of seed is one of the most important decisions you will make concerning your 1994 crop production. The Blue Tag assures you W.G. Thompson's certified quality seed. For all your fertilizer and chemical needs see our trained staff today. Do you have a problem with TWITCH GRASS PROSO MILLET In Corn? Check with us for further information on ULTIMO from Duoonti MOST VARIETIES OF WHITE BEAN SEED STILL AVAILABLE Safety First: Three quarters of all farm workplace fatalities in 1992 were linked to tractor use. Children are too often the victims. Have a safe and prosperous 1994 and maybe take an extra few minutes to review tractor safety with your family and employees. We are fully equipped to custom apply your fertilizer and chemicals ellJot '94 RoGator sprayer for post application of crop protection prods Quality service and quality seed - our commitment to you CaII your nearest branch of W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. THOMPS�ON �So BL1iMITEiD • Seeforth Hensel) Mitchell Ailsa Craig Granton Pt. Albert 345-2545 262-2527 348-8433 293-3223 225-2360 529-7901 1