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Exeter Times -Advocate
Wednesday, October 20, 1999
Farm news
Co-operation is key to agriculture's future
By )im Brown
SPECIAL'PO THE
TIMIN-ADVOC i1
BRUSSELS - According
to members of agricultur-
al commodity groups, the
industry has a strong
future.
However, there will
have to be some changes
and the various groups
will have to cooperate
with one another for the
betterment of agriculture.
A panel discussion on
the future of agri-busi-
ness was the highlight of
the annual meeting of the
Huron County Federation.
of Agriculture held Oct. 7
in_Brusse_)s.
The topic for the panel
was Charting a Course for
Agriculture, Vision for
2000.
John Core of the dairy
industry said education
and communication are
the key to the future of
agriculture.
He said not enough peo-
aos.,. ple are being encouraged
to' go into agriculture.
Even now. people going
into agriculture are not
taking the typical agricul-
tural courses at colleges
or the University of
Guelph.
He said in the future the
dairy industry will be
dependent on trade nego-
tiations.
According to Core, all
sectors of agriculture will
require strong, leadership
in order to influence poli-
tics in regards to interna-
tional agricultural negoti-
ations
John Maaskant of the
poultry industry said pre-
dicting the future of the
industry is a difficult
issue. However, he said
he feels the future of agri-
culture will be full of
change and instability.
Because the industry in
the United States and in
Europe is heavily subsi-
dized, it is getting more
difficult for the family
producer in Canada to
"' survive.
While the U.S. poultry
industry may be efficient,
Masskant said, this effi-
ciency means the
exploitation of the farmer.
He noted the industry in
Canada has been finan-
ciaiy profitable until now. ent times. But the pork
There is an increasing industry is poorly suited
need for the producer to to that, he said, because
know the trade issues, but there is nothing like
stated the major players McDonald's in pork.
in the industry are the U.S Nap said pork is still
and Europe. family -meal based. He
Strong organizations added there is no free
are needed and these trade when it comes to
have to be supported and agriculture due to the
well-run. contravening duties.
Maaskant hopes the However he sees a time
organizations in Canada when agricultural prod -
can communicate with ucts will flow across the
organizations in other border.
countries. Anna Bragg of the corn
He encouraged the producers said farming
Ontario producer t as been carried on in
remain independent an ario for over 1,000
a viable farm sector. ars
Stan Eby said the beef While there are no bar -
industry is financially riers in the international
sound at all levels and marketplace, the real
produces a superior prod- price of corn is down.
uct. According to Bragg
The industry has grown Ontario producers can
in size provincially which remain competitive
gives it a competitive through bio -technology
advantage. and through specialty
There is a large con- corn products.
sumer base for the indus- Through research, a
try and with bio -technolo-
gy becoming a large part
of the sector, producers
are going to have to
ensure # safe and quality
product.`
To this extent, Eby said
when a product is sold,
they can trace it back to
the producer through the
Internet.
He said Canada has a
good system, but indicat-
ed Ontario is capable of
supplying 500,000 head
of cattle to the market.
Eby noted the regula-
tions help to make a safe
and healthy product a pri-
ority.
Will Nap of the pork
industry. said predicting
the future will be quite a
challenge.
He said it's important
to keep the family farm in
business. He noted the
industry is changing
rapidly and is consumer
driven.
Many of the baby
boomers are becoming
more selective in their
foods as they want a
healthier lifestyle.
Other sectors of agricul-
ture have adapted to the
demands of the consumer
by providing convenient
foods for people on the
go, single families and
families who eat at differ -
Farm Drainage Workshop
for rural landowners
Are You Concerned About Fish in Agricultural Drains,
Drain Maintenance Costs, or Water Quality in Drains?
This Workshop will be of interest to you.
Learn about a variety of drainage issues and alterna-
tives for construction and maintenance that have been
implemented successfully.
Date:
Location:
Time:
October 28, 1999
Seaforth Agricultural Society Hall
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lunch will be provided. There is no cost to participants.
To register call Steve Bowers or Ken Maronets at
519-482-3428.
Deadline to register - Monday, October 25, 1999.
cold resistant corn could
be developed.
Ontario Federation of
Agriculture President Ed
Segsworth said trade in
Canada is based on an
east -to -west flow.
However, free trade has
made it north and south.
He feels the beef and
pork industries will move
west, with Ontario and
Quebec being the hub of
the poultry industry.
However, Segsworth
stressed the producers
will have to listen to the
consumer.
The buzzword these
days is world trade.
However, the industry
still has to make money.
"If we can't make
money we won't be trad-
ing on the world market,"
he said.
With a decreasing num-
ber of farms, there will be
an increasing need for
farm organizations in the
future.
Henry Boot of the Huron ounty Federation of
Agriculture presents the Huron County award to for-
mer OMAFRA agricultural representative Bob •
Humphries at the Oct 7 annual meeting in Brussels.
AVO11 DISTRICSCHOOL
T
BOARD
Maitland
Learning for a Lifetime
Regional Information Meetings
will provide communities with information from a
district perspective on budget and accommodation
review and offer feedback to audience questions.
All meetings will have similar basic content. Please
attend the one most convenient for you.
Central school region (Mitchell/Seaforth)
October 14th, 1999 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
at Seaforth District High School gymnasium
South school region (Exeter/St. Marys)
October 18th, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
at St. Marys District Collegiate and
Vocational Institute cafeteria
North school region (Listowel/Wingham)
October 21st, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
at F.E. Madill Secondary School library
East school region (Stratford & area)
October 27th, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
at Stratford Northwestern Secondary School
Gymnasium (includes Stratford Schools
Accommodation. Review Committee presentation)
West school region (Clinton/Goderich)
November lst, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
at Central Huron Secondary School cafeteria
Lorne Rachlis Wendy Anderson
Director of Education Chair
3 Things
All Firearm Owners
Need to Know
about
the firearms Act
1 A licence for you
(a hunting licence won't do)
You need a Firearms Act licence or valid
FAC to possess and register your firearms.
A registration certificate
for your firearm
3 Remember to safely
store your firearm.
For more information, application forms
and assistance filling them out, call
1 800 731-4000
or visit our Web site at www.cfc-c4aLgc.ca
Firearm safety
is everyone's concern.
Canada