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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-06-22, Page 18Page 18 Tinres-Advocate, June 22, 1994 FARM lIPDATF. Visitors face interest of 40-60% It's tough selling tractors in the former Soviet Union By Fred Groves T -A stag EXETER - Risks. That's what farming is all about, no matter in what country. Over the past couple of weeks, Huron Tractor in Exeter has been host- ing four agriculturists, two from Lithuania and two from Latvia and they have been learning how to sell farm equipment. While the farm equipment business is a tough one right now, it's even tougher in the Baltic states where, according to Gytis Slavinskas of Lith- uania, interest rates soar between,40 and 60 percent. So how do Slavinskas, Ugis Laimite, Antanas Juostas and Girts Aspers expect to make a go of selling equipment in their countries? The barter system comes into play in a big way as Slavinskas ex- plained that those who own dealerships will trade equipment for a per- centage of crops. "It's part of a leasing concept, we'll take grain or whatever the farmers' produce," he said. "It's a risk but if you want to farm in our country you have to take risks." That method is perhaps the only way in which farmers can manage to have a Canadian -made tractor which costs over $100,000. Farming in any country is a risk but when you are trying to produce food for a nation that is not receiving a lot of government assistance for agriculture, it's difficult. "The assistance is not that substantial, they have no finances," said Sla- vinskas. The four all attended university in their country and were selected to come to Canada when Canadian Agra went to their school and told their dean of the program. Canadian Agra is a private agricultural company based in Kincardine who sponsored the group for the four-week training program on how to market, merchandise and sell John Deere tractors. It began the training program in 1992 and has been preparing 52 Lat- vian and Lithuanian's to work on one of two joint venture "model farms" it operates in Eastern Europe. Herb Verbeek is the past president of Huron Tractor and he does con- sulting for the company. One of the organizations he deals with is Ca- nadian Agra. "As a large dealer we get calls from everyone. They (Canadian Agra) are John Deere distributors. These fellows are being trained to be man- agers." Verbeek said their technical knowledge is very good as they have been in college learning about agriculture. At Huron Tractor, he had the group learning everything from parts and service to sales. "They've got a technical over view of how we run our service de- partment. The second week here we're orking on a business plan and how the departments connect." And what about the future of farmin to Lithuania and Latvia? For Slavinskas, Laimite, .Brost nd Aspers they hope it changes and comes into the 20th centu "We hope that it will be�ietter than it is now," said Slavinskas. Herb Verbeek, past president neath the four agriculturists of Huron Tractor stands be - from Lithuania and Latvia. Alternative controls for white mould are found GUELPH - White mould, a dis- ease that affects more than 350 spe- cies of plants worldwide, including econorttically impOrtgtlt cash crops such of white bans, canola, soy"- beans, oy=beans, peas, tomatoes and carrots, can be reduced by rotating certain crops and leaving crop residue on soil surface. That's the finding of a scientist visiting the University of Guelph from Brazil's Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuaria dos Cerra - dos. White mould in Brazil is a seri- ous problem. A seed -borne fungus, it can cause sporadic losses of up to 30 percent of the country's impor- tant soybean crop. Researcher Luiz Nasser and University of Guelph environmental biologist John Sut- ton have found that the disease di- minishes in beans grown under zero tillage in areas previously sown to upland rice in the summer. The soil is covered by a three to five centimetre layer of rice resi- due, which effectively buries the fungus,, .: in *4h -room trial at the Uni- verrfl of tuteph. Nasser has re- created the Brazilian Cerrados to determine the most effective meth- od of controlling the fungus. The project includes treatments of crop residues on the soil surface and comparisons of soil moisture. By controlling factors such as tempera- ture, humidity. soil moisture and residue conditions, Nasser can oh - serve the onset of white mould un- der typical conditions that exist in the Cerrados. We are re-creating in the lab what we saw in the field," he said. Initial results indicate that survi- val of the fungus after 120 days was reduced by 64 percent when buried three centimetres and by 40 percent when placed ',in the soil sur- face. Reduced fungal survival was Easy Bolts' let you replace a broken knife in half the time — and you do it in the field, without removing the cutterbar. No more rivets! Easy Bolts produce 30% more clamp load than rivets. and stay tight — won't turn or loosen like rivets. See us today for Parts Mart value prices on Easy Bolts and all your cutting parts needs. LONDON FORD NEW HOLLAND HWY. #22 - WEST OF HYDE PARK ROAD HYDE PARK, ONTARIO NOM 1Z0 associated with higher and longer duration of soil moisture under wheat residue. . White mould was introduced in the 1980s in the Cerrados (savan- nah) soybean area; it is most severe in years of high rainfall with no dry spells in the summer season. With the introduction of overhead irriga- tion in the mid -80s - mainly through centre pivots - farmers were ahlc to extend their crop sea- son into the summer by cropping to soybeans. Different cropping regi- mens were adopted over the years, often geared to the most profitable crops. Extended cropping to soybeans caused problems. however. espe- cially when alternated with dry beans. peas or tomatoes. White mould increased, resulting in in- creased fungicide use. But inters - ; sive use of fungicides reduces their effectiveness and increases the risk of residues contaminating the food of both humans and animals, says Nasser. "By using crop rotation and resi- due techniques. fungicide costs could be substantially reduced. with potential savings to the farmer of $4,000 U.S. per centre pivot per 100 hectares of dry bean -growing period." he said. The growth -room trial is being extended to a four-year joint pro- ject between Canada and Brazil. Quality Core Dense Shell Make bales which resist moisture while soft core promotes curing. • Fixed chamber design creates a bale with a soft interior which promotes curing. Dense shell-like exterior helps hale resist moisture and keep its shape longer. • Big. open throat design lets you start hales easily without plugging. • Wide, endless belts handle material carefully. More nutrient -rich material makes it to the hale. • Three models available: Model BaleSize 4844 4' s 4' 4845 4'x5' 4865 6' x 5' Ai tiEw lost • Ask about competitive financing plans through Agricredit Acceptance Company. Sales* Service, Phots (519) 236-4934 that (�1s t 7330 2* moan shut, ■., Zurich Final acreage reports for crop insurance and market revenue due TORONTO - Producers who have insured their crops are re- quired to complete their final acreage report for the 1994 crop year and to send it to the Crop In- surance Commission no later than 10 days after they have finished planting their crops. Packages were mailed to farmers on June 7 and include simplified forms and detailed instructions. Premium cheques for crop insu- rance and/or market revenue must accompany the returned forms. Crop insurance premium cheques can he post-dated to July 1, 1994. Market Revenue premium cheques can he post-dated to November I. 1994. "We remind producers that com- pleting final acreage reports and collecting premiums by mail is a new procedure and they will not be contacted by crop insurance agents," said Greg Brown, general manager of the Crop Insurance Commission. "The producer will complete the forms and mail them back to the Commission's Toronto office. Should they have any con- cerns or questions after reading the instructions, district co-ordinators are available to provide any assis- tance they need." Producers must also report any crop damage or unseeded acreage to the district co-ordinator whose name appears on their personal- ized form. Producers who have not received their forms yet may contact the Crop Insurance Commission at (416) 326-3276 or their district co- ordinator. Free admission Canada Day at Agricultural Museum MILTON - You are invited to celebrate Canada's Birthday "country style" as the Ontario Ag- ricultural Museum offers free ad- mission on July 1. A fun -filled day of entertainment games, crafts and activities awaits visitors. Activities for all ages highlight these Canada Day celebrations. Children will enjoy taking part in games and crafts based on an Inuit theme. riding a pony or having their face painted. Vintage car fans will not want to miss our second annual Canada Day Antique Gu Show. Proud owners from across south central Ontario will have their vehicles on display. Spend some time explor- ing more than 30 historical build- ings and displays before enjoying a taste of fresh Ontario strawber- ries at the afternoon Strawberry Social. Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy a meal from our country -style res- taurant, but spend the whole day before you head out to a local fire- works show. The Ontario Agricultural Mu- seum is a living history site which depicts the evolution of Ontario agricultural and rural life. Cos- tumed interpreters, wagon rides. farm animals and colourful gar- dens all combine to make your day at the Museum a memorable one. The Museum, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September 25, is located five km west of Milton. From Highway 401, exit Guelph Line or Hwy. 25 north and follow the signs. For more information on Canada Day celebrations or other special events contact Public Rela- tions at (905) 878-8151. FIELD CROP COMPETITION Sponsored by the Kirkton Agricultural Society Anyone wishing to enter their Wheat, Corn, Soybeans, or White Beans Please contact Rob Morley 229-8868, Mike O'Shea 225-2600, Mervin Shute 229-6159, or Jim Nairn 229-6467 Samples must be shown on Kirkton Fair Day for wheat (1 gal.), corn (6 cobs), soybeans (6 plants with roots), white beans (no sample required), in order to collect prize money. ► 1% APR for 1 Year ► 2% APR for 2 Years 3% APR for 3 Years* Now's the time to buy new equipment from Ford New Holland because financing is as easy as 1-2-3! Choose 1% A.P. R. for 12 months. 2% A.P.R. for 24 months or 3% A.P. R. for 36 months. Be sure to stop in soon! Offer ends June 30, 1994. • Attractive 5 9". A P R available for 43 and 10 month Oiler available 10 qualified buyers through Ford New Holland Credit Reminder... Daily parts drop off in Exeter and area. After hours call Al, 235-3206 LOGAN FORD Tractor Sales Ltd. Hwy 1 a Hwy 19 284-1778 St. Marys 1 FORD 6T!»cuaro 4