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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-9-21, Page 24Page 24 Times -Advocate, September 21, 1994 FARM 1IPJJATF Corbett Feeds open house poultry producer update in Clinton One Foot in the Furrow By Bob Trotter Hungry people are desperate people It has been said before by better writers than I am but it needs to be re- peated ad infinitum, ad nauseum: Farming is the most important industry in the entire world. And this could be the most exciting decade in history in which to be a farmer. Why? Because food production will become more and more im- portant in the next 20 years if population predictions arc accurate. The conference in Cairo on family planning this month has focussed global attention on population even though the Vatican seemed to be do- ing as much as possible to scuttle it. If the experts are predicting accurate- ly, this already -threatened oblate spheroid called earth could be wrestling with a population of 10 billion people in 20 years. Do you realize what that means? It means that, right now, population in- creases by 90 million annually: That's 170 children born around the world EVERY MINUTE of every hour of every day. An overcrowded planet will certainly add to the enormous problems of pollution and put intolerable strains on natural resources. The terrible risk of conflict between nations will grow if food production diminishes due to soil erosion, air and water pollution, overgrazing and deforestation. This is already happening in many countries, especially in the Third World but also in more prosperous nations. What this means is more starvation, more dying people, more hungry people. Hungry people are desperate people and desrate people do des- perate things. A father watching his children die will do anything to save them. In 20 years, a billion people will die of starvation every year if nothing is done about the population explosion. Many, many more will be just on the edge of starvation which will promote economic and political instabil- ity. Who can save the world? Farmers, that's who. Not without mustering all the resources of all sec- tors of every economy, mind you. They cannot do it alone hut they will be in the forefront if the world is going to be saved from itself. More and more, agriculture is being asked to adopt and adapt to produc- ing enough to feed the world. I have heard experts agree that, right now, farmers can produce enough to feed the 5.7 billion people in the world. All that is needed is a proper distribution system and a payment system that gives farmers a reasonable return on their labour and investment. Also, of course, the cooperation of all nations is needed. It may take years of privation and starvation for that cooperation. But agriculture, right now, can produce what is needed. It remains for the politicians, the leaders, theinovers, the shakers, the generals, the dic- tators, the banana republics and the arriving nations to help agriculture save the world. The belief that if enough contraceptive pills and concerns were distrib- uted in the have-not nations, population growth would stop, is not cool any longer, not fashionable. More and better solutions must be found which is why 1 find it difficult to understand why anyone would not par- ticipate willingly in a conference to find better solutions. Farmers have always responded to crises and I have every confidence in them now that the world is facing such monumental problems. Farmers will grow the food needed to feed a hungry world although the other sec- tors of the economy will have to help solve the population explosion. Anne Reaburn and Eugene Hartman, country music award win- ners, were the entertain- ment at the open house held by Corbett Feeds Saturday afternoon. Tony and Nancy Michielsen bought the business 18 months ago, and decid- ed to relocate it to its new location at the reno- vated former abattoir on Highway 81. At left, Willy Knapp sits high above the crowd of visitors at the Corbett Feeds open house, to listen to the country music. CLINTON - A special meeting will be held for area poultry pro- ducers on Wednesday, September 28 at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 95 Kirk Street in Clinton. This one -day seminar which be- gins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 3:30 p.m. will include topics such as the future of regulated marketing in Canada, proper brooding man- agement, energy in poultry diets, the barn of the future and other sub- jects. The meeting is coordinated by the Poultry Industry Centre and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Advance registration is encouraged. Cheques are to be made payable to Poultry Industry Centre for $15.00. Late registration is $20.00 at the door. To register please call OMAFRA Clinton at 482-3428 or 1-800-265-5170. Starting immediately, White Powershift tractors are not only geared for quality. advantage of our G to 24 months. Or ch our While Pa now through September 30, 1994, you can take vings program with financing as low as 0% for up dozen other finance options to put you in one of fall. des models 6125, 6145. 6175 and 6195. best deal of the year on White Powershift tractors. • They're also Geared For Savings. WHITE Supply Sales & Service Phone(519)236-4934 Fax (519) 236-7330 22 Main Street, E., Zurich Subject to approsed credit. Financing offered by .AgncreJit Acceptance Company. a subsidiary of ACCO Corporation Rate of 09 is available for 24 months (minimum down payment may be required) Additional finance rates are mailable at 2.95E fur 42 months. 4.9% for 48 months and 5 9'b for 60 months. Rates are subject to change without notice. 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