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Times Advocate, 1995-02-08, Page 11Equipment Display Day Becker Farm Equipment held an equipment display day on Thursday in Huron Park, and used the op- portunity to unveil an en- tirely new series of com- bine harvester, the Case 2100 series. At left, Dianne Hardy and Anne Reaburn provided lunchtime entertainment. Tines -Advocate, February 8, 1995 Page 11 Regional differences clear on Canadian farms GUELPH - Farmers across Cana- da all produce food...but from a business perspective, that's where the similarity ends. The results of a survey of 1,000 Canadian farmers by Tom Funk, a professor of agricultural economics and business at the University of Guelph, shows major differences among farmers in Canada's various regions. Although Canadian farm- ers as a whole are planning to ex- pand their operations in 1995, what drives farming throughout the country is as varied as the regions themselves. "Many of the differences result from the culture and the type of fanning in a particular area," says Funk. "There are very clear distinc- tions. In fact, there are more differ- ences among farmers in different regions of Canada than there are differences between farmers in Canada and the entire United States." Ur lue traits emerged in Funk's survey. For example, farmers in At- lantic Canada - more than any- where else - see farming as a busi- ness, rather than a way of life. Their business bent is reflected in tr,.rr main farm goal - to maximize production per unit of input. They place higher value on product per- formance than other farmers in Canada do. Funk says that anyone who wants to get through to these farmers should know that they want the facts - they have this country's most favorable attitude towards market research. They are also this country's most innovative farmers. Quebec farmers are the most tra- ditional in Canada. They're in love with farming - they call it "one of the hest jobs on Earth." They have the lowest level of off -farm in- come, meaning they spend more time working on their farms. But they and Maritime farmers have the lowest level of equity on their farms. They spend more time with - and are influenced more by - sales representatives, telemarketers, fi- nancial and environmental consul- tants and nutritionists than any oth- er farmers in Canada. Given their low equity levels, it's not surprising that minimum debt and maximum return on investment are their main goals, says Funk. The typical Ontario farmer's goal is to "become the best producer possible." Farmers here put great stock in advice from dealers and extension specialists and place a higher value on price and brand name than farmers in other parts of Canada. But they prefer the initia- tive to seek information be their own; they have the most negative attitude toward telemarketing among all farmers. They look be- yond their farm gate - they have the highest level of non-farm invest- ment income and the highest own- ership of satellite dishes for receiv- ing international commodity information. They're also among the most successful. Along with Western Canadian farmers, they have the highest equity level in their farms. Price has a higher value with farmers in the West than anywhere else, says Funk. They're the least likely to be influenced by anyone when making purchase decisions, although they seek information Swine reasearch shared at update Three site production and nutrition among update topics By Heather Vincent TA -staff • KIRKTON - Three site production and sow nutrition were among the topics discussed at the Centralia swine research update which was held at the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre last Wednesday. Mark Yungblut delivered some words of caution regarding three site production. Yungblut of Molesworth Farm Supply Ltd., said the oh- jective of minimizing risk should be kept in mind at all times. By lim- iting variation in health status and genetics as much as pos- sible, the potential for problems is reduced. Yungblut added that a key to a successful three site pro- duction program is centralized management especially at the sow end of the operation. Three site production is expensive especially for small producers; there is potential for excep- tional results or exceptional disaster. "It can be very lucrative if the discipline of the program is maintained," said Yung- blut. The integrity of the whole program, he explained, it de- pendant of the sow herd. By minimizing the activation of the immune system, the herd has a greater health level and produces a great- er return. Sharing information with the United States is beneficial to Ontario pork producers. Don Hilborn, a waste management engineer from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, discussed the liquid manure application systems conference he attended recently in Rochester, New York. Hilborn shared the American opinion that On- tario producers can expect increasing government regulation to protect water quality. Waste management practices of farms will likely receive more scrutiny than in the past. The focus on water quality is a result of recent contamination of water supplies in Ontario. Cryptosporidium is a pathogen in water supplies which is not killed by chlorine. In alpcent incident in Waterloo, On- tario, the supply was contaminated and some people with compromised immune systems suffered illness. The source of the pathogen is waste from young animals due to poor storage and management of manure. There are other sources of contamination including daycare centres. Most farmers who deal with manure on a regular basis have likely al- ready developed an immunity to the the pathogen. In response to closer attention to waste management, Hilborn said," Manure storages should be considered close to the field, not close to the barn." Accounting for the disease factor Hilborn recommended storing manure 1000 to 2000 feet away from the barn. Hilborn added that Ontario is becoming more com- petetive in rates for custom manure application. This is an alternative which some operations might want to consider. Recent developments in sow nutrition were discussed by Dr. Mike Tokach from Kansas State University. Tokach said that it is important that sows producing milk get enough protein in thgir diet. Sows require more energy for milk production and as a result, the mus- cle mass is reduced. A lactation diet for parity one sows should be formulated to, "max- imize nitrogen retention and subsequent litter size and minimize muscle loss," said Tockah. A second diet for older parities should be formulated because they do not require a high protein diet, only a diet which will maximize milk production. "It can be very lucrative if the discipline of the program is maintained." One Foot in the Furrow Farmers are the basis of an indus- try that is so important in Canada, it cannot be over -emphasized. If the senior governments want to kick-start the economy, they could start with a lot of help for farmers. I know. I know. Farmers have been receiving help since before the days of Sir John A. and some peo- ple arc sick, sore and tired of giving constant aid to this sector of the economy. But the agri-foal industry ac- counts for eight percent of the gross national product. Not only that but fanning and the food chain account for more than 15 percent of all johs in is country. in other words, every one pillion dollars in value-added investment in agriculture creates 15,000 jobs. The recently formed Joint House of Commons and Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri -Food has been hearing these words as its members listen to pres- entations. Jack Wilkinson, presi- dent of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, suggested to the com- mittee that the Canadian agri-food industry can help lead this country into economic growth but "we need the commitment and support of the federal government to make this By Bob Trotter happen." Whatever help has been and is being given to agriculture has been offset by the fact that agriculture stimulates so much else in the food chain and in the rest of the econo- my. An aspect of the whole picture of farming is disturbing to me. A recent government report on the state of Canadian agriculture suggests that off -faun income may be the only way for small farmers to survive. The study by Agricul- ture Canada found that 48 percent - - almost half -- of all income earned by farm families in 1993 came from work off the farm. in many cases, money from outside work exceeded farm income and small-scale farmers had to use their outside income to help pay their farm bills. "Small" farms were identified as those with sales of $25,000 a year or less. Large farms, the study suggested, are reducing expenses and getting better production figures than smaller farms. Per -acre income of small and medium sired farms with sales helow $100,000 a year was only one-third to one-half of larger farms. i do not like this. I don't like huge, "factory" farms. I do not like huge conglom- erates getting control of the food chain. I prefer small farms, family farms and I think governments should do everything possible to help. nurture and preserve family farms even if half of them must work off the farm to survive. Farmers, when it comes to part- time income, are no different from the rest of the work farce. A great many people are holding down part-time jobs to make ends meet these days. in fact, part-time work is fast becoming normal for half the work force simply because big business has found it cheaper to hire part-time people than full-time people. You do not have to pay all those burdensome benefits that un- ions demand when your labour load is made up of part-time workers. I suppose it all works out for the hcR in the long run. All those small-scale farmers who must find part-time work to exist, to keep the family farm running, find that work in big business in the citibs and towns. The Winchester newsletter of the Women for the Survival of Agricul- ture sparked this column with a quote from the Royal Bank Month- ly Newsletter from 1979 which said that 'food is so much a part of all existence that, unless they do not have enough of it, people pay little attention to what it is or where it comes from". Canadian farmers are so damned good that we pay too little attention to them. It's time we did. r C I S CIS ASSET MANAGEMENT CORPORATION Don Thompson, Flnancld Advisor 388 Mein Street, South Exeter 2364080, 1.800-3960487 Don Thompoon trltwioW Wow - RRSP9•i!o subleet to change from a variety of sources. They're the most likely to use marketing consultants, they have the most fa- vorable attitude towards direct mail and they're the most likely to ob- tain useful farm information from radio, TV, farm shows and videos. Maximum cash flow is their main farm goal. Funk found that as far as overall buying patterns go, there weren't glaring differences between Cana- dian and U.S. farmers, whom he surveyed a year earlier. They both use the same purchase criteria for capital items and expendables (price, performance, information, service, convenience and brand name), and they're influenced by the same individuals and groups (family, employees, dealers, sales reps, extension specialists and con- sultants). There are, however, some atti- tude differences between Canadian and U.S. farmers. In the States, "they're less positive about their profession and less optimistic about the future," says Funk. The survey was conducted in co- operation with the Canadian farm publications Country Guide, Farm & Country, Grainews and Le Bulle- tin. Seed funding was provided by Agriculture and Agri -Food Canada. FARM ESTATE PLANNING K.R. (Russ) Millard & Christine Schalk -Bridgman The Financial Centre (Stfd) - Sun Life of Canada invites you to attend A Free- No Obligation FARM ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR Mon., February 20 at 2:00 p.m. The Old Town Hall, 322 Main St. South Exeter SPEAKER: i Stewart J. MacDonald, B.A., LL.B. Call 1-800-463-4220 ••cif•"'�^`z E fi • N- I,�a( �atOYr'•: To reserve your seat. Limited Seating GENERATION TO GENERATION THE HURON -PERTH COUNTY ROMAN CATHOLIC SEPARATE SCHOOL BOARD KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION will be held for JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN & SENIOR KINDERGARTEN on Wed., February 15, 1995, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In order to register for Kindergarten, children must be four (4) years of age on or before December 31, 1995. Parents are required to bring the Baptismal Certificate, Birth Certificate and Immunization Record Card of the child you intend to reg- ister. Parents should contact the school in which you intend to register your child for an appointment prior to the registra- tion date to obtain registration information/material that should be completed at home and brought to the registration meeting. The location for Kindergarten classes will be as follows: St. Joseph's School (Kingsbridge) Mike Boniface, Principal RR 3 Goderich 529-7646 St. Columban School Ed Cappelli, Principal RR 2 Dublin 345-2086 Our Lady of Mount Carmel School David Sharpe, Principal RR 3 Dashwood 237-3337 St. Joseph's School Dennis Mackey, Principal 169 Beech Street Clinton 482-7035 Precious Blood School Sandy McQuillan, Principal Sanders Street, W., Exeter 235-1691 St. Mary's School Fran Craig, Principal 70 Bennett Street E., Goderich 524-9901 St. James School Jim McDade, Principal Chalk Street Seaforth 527-0321 Sacred Heart School Jim Steffler, Principal Comyn Street Wingham 357-1090 St. Boniface School Laurie Kraftcheck, Principal Mary Street, Zurich 236-4335 St. Mary's School (Hesson) Adrian Pontsioen, Principal RR 4 Listowel 595-8929 St. Ambrose Sehool Gary Birmingham, Principal 181 Louise Street Stratford 271-7544 St. Joseph's School Mike Dewan, Principal, 363 St. Vincent Street, Stratford 271-3574 St. Aloyslus School Mike Dewan, Principal 228 Avondale Ave. Stratford 271-3636 Holy Name of Mary School Joe MacDonald, Principal 161 Peel Street St. Marys 284-2170 St. Patrick's School, Kinkora Paul Nickel, Principal RR 1 Sebringville 393-5580 Jeanne Sauve Catholic School Don Farwell, Principal 8 Grange Street, Stratford 273-3396 Parents who expect that their child will enrol in the optional French Immersion Program In Grade 1, In future years, have the option of en- rolment for Junlor/Senior Kindergarten et either their local Catholic School or the French Immersion Centre (St. Mary's School, Goderich or Jeanne Sauve School, Stratford) at which they expect to enrol their child for a French Immersion program. L. Martin James S. Brown, M.A., Ed. D., Chairperson of the Board Director of Education