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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1984-01-18, Page 15WIN CANNER: BONSPIEL — A rink skipped by Jim Richardson won the overall championship of Saturdays Canadian Canners mixed curling bonspiel. Above, Albert Van Dyken of the Exeter branch congratulates Jim Richardson, 10 Richardson, Don Nickle and Norma Nickle. T -A photo To get accolades from reporters on a big business newspaper where farm pro- blems are usually ignored is quite an accomplishment for an agricultural minister. But that is just what Dennis Timbrell did a couple of weeks ago. When he announc- ed his red -meat plan for the province at 'a press con- ference Jan. 6, Orland French, the Queen's Park reporter for the Globe and Mail, commented that Mr. Timbrell was sharp, crisp, knowledgeable and business- like. "The man," wrote Mr. French, "has been doing a lot more than whittlin' and whistlin'." Mr. Timbrell asked for the agminister's job two years ago. In this hustling, bustling, industrialized province of On- tario, the agriculture portfolio is as bad as being banished to Devil's Island. Less than five percent of the population is actively engaged in farming and that does not mean a lot of votes for a politician. But the portfolio is impor- tant to the government. Farm policies affect the well-being of the entire na- tion. When agriculture is healthy, 42 of every 100 jobs in the country are affected. w?armers re a liteer en tle lTi 11 took minist of agriculture and food. a is not a farmer. Before entering politics, he was a Don Mills school teacher, representing a suburban riding, whose con- stituents probably wouldn't know the difference between ne foot in th**row' l.ns.s ..t pp..o.Va os Bob from.. lkia.• him... O., 0.1315 2C1 a Hereford and a Holstein. But Mr. Timbrell learned quickly and quietly. He took . little action in the first year as agminister, content to learn about farmers and farm problems. Which, to a jaded old reporter like me, was a good idea. He did not play the part of the city boy who wanted to get a little manure on his boots. He played it straight and honest which may be a lost art for politicians. In his New Year's press conference, he gave answers to every question without be- ing evasive. He was even able to answer technical questions with knowledge and aplomb. He has obviously done a lot of homework. He has been listening to farmers. Whether his plan for beef and sheep will beaccepted by all farmers remains to be seen. In fact, it would be a miracle if he did please them all. His $62.5 -million -plan will not please those who want supply -management nor will it please the free enterprisers. He is following the successful Tory line of landing somewhere in the middle of both camps. The plan will re -structure the marketing of beef and sheep. It will not include uotas Aq.rarni writer . for 20 years, I can agree that beef farmers are, for the most part, fiercely independent and and want to stay that way, in spite of the fact they have taken a terrible beating for the last decade with declining prices and increas- Agriculture outlook farm show feature The Canada Farm Show and the Ontario Soil and Crop Association are once again sponsoring Ontario Agriculture Outlook '84 on January 31 and February 1. The meetings have been designed to focus on the future prospects of agriculture in Ontario. • A number of respected speakers have been selected to speak at the two-day event. Will discuss dairy genetics Dairy producers are en- couraged to attend a one day Genetic Workshop planned for Wednesday January 25 at the Walkerton and District Knights of Columbus Hall, starting sharp at 10 a.m. Research and extension personnel will join selected farmers in covering the following topics: understan- ding basic genetics; using site proof information wisely: understanding U.S. sire pro- ofs; indexes, what do they tell (is'. our genetics program (Glen`McNeil) from Heather Holme Holsteins, Goderich and Dave Loewith from Sum- mitholm Holsteins, will be discussing their breeding program) . Tickets should be requested in Advance through your local U.B.I. technician or the U.B.I }lead office. The tickets will cost 55.00 per person and will cover your meal at noon hour. Please acquire your tickets as soon as possible as meals must be ordered in advance. Plan to attend the Genetics Workshop! •Sponsored by United Breeders, Holstein Canada (Ontario Branch) and the On- tario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. -Dennis Martin Farm Management Specialist for Huron C ing production costs along with high interest rates. About all the new plan is designed to do is ensure com- petitive bidding for all cattle and sheep. "I realized that beef pro- ducers were in a difficult situation. I was determined to pursue a long-term approach rather than the quick -fix ban- dage approac which gives dollars regardless of need," he told the press. It remains to be seen whether the plan will even begin to address the hard- ships faced by the red -meat industry. If the first an- nouncement of action is any indication, it will, indeed, be a long-term approach. The committee appointed as an agency has a minimum of three months and a max- imum of six months in which to file a report on how to streamline the marketing of beef. By that time, a few hundred more -beef farmers may be forced out of business. Corn group plan sessions Times -Advocate, January 18, 1984 Page 15 Hensall District Co-operative Is pleased to announce the following appointments After graduating from Centralia College in 1970, Mery has spent 13 years working in various segments of the agricultural industry. For the past 5 years, he has been Farm Centre Manager for Agrico at Brucefield. Mery is experienced at all levels of agronomics and crop production and most recently completed a course in Integrated Pest Management at Michigan State University. Mery will be specializing in all areas of crop produc- tion service and sales. His knowledge and experience in agronomics will provide farmers the opportunity to in- crease crop yields and profitability. MERV ERB Crop Production Specialist The Ontario Corn Pro- - Association is begin-. Hing its second year with a series of grower meetings scheduled for January in most counties of Southern On- tario. The Association first formed in late December 1982, has nearly 2100 members currently and, as such, already ranks as the largest corn producer organization in North America. According to Doug Brunton of Campbelltord, president of the Association, 20 percent of the Ontario corn acreage is now represented by its members, and this percen- tage is expected to rise substantially by the spring of 1984. Present activities of the Association include its efforts on behalf of Ontario grain corn farmers to secure a federal deficiency payment for the 1982 crop. The Association is actively involved in attempting to secure compensation for the 85 corn farmers who stand to lose nearly $600,000 over the receivership of Niagara Grain and Feed Ltd. at Smithville. At the same time efforts are being made to develop an effective, but low- cost, mechanism for protec- ting Optario grain corn pro- ducers from future financial disasters of this type. The goal is legislation which. would provide protection at the lowest possible cost to pro- ducers while maintaining the competitiveness of small elevator operators and grain dealers in Ontario. Another current Associa- tion endeavour involves its representations to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to introduce a hybrid testing program for corn silage in Ontario. Producer meetings are be- ing held in most corn - producing counties across southern and eastern Ontario in mid or late January to discuss all of the above, and to solicit producers' opinions on other activities to be undertaken by the county chapters of the Ontario Corn Producers' Association. Details on these meetings will be publicized locally, and can be obtained also from county offices of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, or from the Association office in Guelph. They will share their views and forecasts for Ontario's agricultural industry in 1984. The Ontario Agriculture Outlook '84 programs will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and will include a question period at the end of each ses- sion. All farmers are invited to attend -the meetings in the special theatre area between the North and South extension buildings. Organizers predict that the participants will gain insights and information which will be useful when making spring decisions. Over 550 exhibitors invite you to attend the 1984 Canada Farm Show. More than 300,000 square feet of display space will be used to exhibit new equipment, supplies and services for every segment of agriculture. Also featured at the Show will be two cattle sales and a popular horse sale. The On- tario Belgian Horse Associa- tion's draft horse sale will take place on February 1. The Winter Classic Sale of the West Central Hereford Zone is -scheduled for February 2 at 12:30 p.m. followed by the Canada Farm Show Invita- tional Holstein Sale at 2:30 p.m. Country and Western enter- tainment featuring Jim and Diane Haggerty and "Southern Comfort" will be presented Wednesday, Thurs- day and Friday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m.in the West Annex. A new area at the 1984 Show will be the agri-computer sec- tion. The latest equipment and programs available for farm conputer systems will be displayed and short seminars will be conducted. Special ladies programs will he held daily throughout the Show. Exhibits are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily at the Coliseum, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Plan now to attend the 1984 Canada Farm Shwkv, January 31 to February KEVIN O'LEARY Retail Fieldman REINY FREITER Seaforth Co-op Manager Kevin graduated from Centralia College where he completed an Agri Business Management, course. He was retail fieldman with Seaforth Farmers Co-op and most recently with Hensall Co-op. Kevin will be specializing in feed service and sales and he looks forward to working with the many livestock producers in this area. Reiny attended Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and also completed a Retail Marketing program from Fanshawe College in 1974. Since then, he has had 9 years sales experience with U.C.O. and most recently with Hensall Co-op. Reiny is ex- perienced and knowledgeable in all .aspects of crop production; livestock feed and grain marketing. MERV REINY Employees Working Together Farmers Working Together In the office: "When I think of the work that'll pile up while I'm on vacation, I'm temptedloask for sick leave instead." Hensall 262-3002 Zurich 236-4393 S.aforth 517-0770