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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-12-08, Page 15• 0 • • Hannam gets standing ovation About 25 Huron County farmers heard the President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture tell the farmer's story to delegates from all over Ontario. Peter.Hannam, who was elected for a second term as President of Canada's most powerful farmers' organization, said that in the last year the O.F.A. has succeeded in getting important tax con- cessions, trespass legislation, import and tariff concessions and many others. "Farmers," he said, "represent only five percent of the population but if we present a solid front, we can still exert a strong pressure on our governments." Hannam went on to say that the farmers' interests will be traded off, for example in tariff concessions, if they don't stand united. He cited examples of joint presen- tations by O.F.A. and the marketing boards to the Federal Ministry of Con- sumer and Corporate Affairs concerning _the Competition Bill that set farmer against consumer. There were major concessions by the Minister because of this action. • Changes in the Ontario Traffic regulations regarding farm vehicles were also a direct result from discussion with Queen's Park. "If present trends continue, farm net income will be down abut ,$700 million or about 19 percent this year. And that's on top of a 13 percent drop last year. It hurts us farmers, but it also hurts the rest .of the economy," Hannam said. "For example, farm machinery sales were down over $84 million in the first nine months of this year. That's $84 million the machinery industry doesn't have to spend on steel and other supplies and wages. So it hurts other people just as it hurts the farmer," he ex- plained. The present level of the Canadian dollar at 90 cents U.S. is good for the Canadian economy because it is good for farming. It is rather tragic to con- sider the spectacle of others in the economy hollering because they have been kept to ten percent increases in wages, while farriers have to take a drop of 30 percent in income in the last two years, Hannam pointed out. Hannam said that the O.F.A. is in agreement with a national food policy, as long as it does not become a national "cheap" food policy. The concept of a food policy must start with the principle that price must cover cost of production, with enough left over for wages and return on investment. He also demanded that other sectors of the food in- dustry receive the same scrutiny that the agricultural marketing boards do. Efficiency must be everywhere, not just in agriculture. He received a .standing ovation after he closed his address with, "I challenge you. to grasp this opportunity to further the development of positive programs for Ontario agriculture." Huron farming conditions praised A large number of Huron County farmers learned recently in Seaforth that their farming conditions are much superior to some other countries. Those attending the annual N banquet of the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association heard about agricultural conditions in Australia and New Zealand from Dixie Cameron of Lucknow. Mrs. Cameron spent five months "down under" early in 1977 on an Ontario Junior Farmer exchange program. She said most productive acreage in the two countries was ;irrigated. Their rainfall • is short from 10 to 12 inches to be practicable for farming.– Both countries are livestock oriented but prices received by farmers for beef and lamb is much less than in Canada. The price for market lambs is about one-quarter of what it is in Canada. This makes the price of wool worth about one- half of , the `total sheep p'r-oduc o .. In Canada, sale of wool actually creates a loss. Associate Ag. Rep. for Huron, Mike Miller said, "After paying for clipping and 4 0 shipping, our farmers are behind as far as the wool is concerned." After watching and hearing about agriculture in New Zealand and Australia, Miller commented, "This makes farming in Huron County look pretty lush," Soils and crops specialist for Huron and Perth Pat Lynch gave a detailed report on a number of research projects held in the two counties during 1977. The bindweed control project on the Usborne township farm of Alvie Lovell was not as successful as first thought. Lynch commented, "Three treatments appeared to give good control by September, 1976, however, one year later it was obvious the chemicals only killed the tops the previous year and most of the bindweed regrew." On the .subject of these tests, Mike Miller said, "We report on what actually happens and not what we would like tohave happen." .z. A �,.ztumbr happen." u �:v;and Perth farrners co-operated with the University of Guelph in a 'bean insect and in- secticide survey under the direction of Dr. Cliff Ellis. The granular insecticides tested by Dr. Ellis in 1976 were effective for controlling bean insects, but only for the first 31 days after application, Since major insect in- festations occur a month after planting and granular insecticides are only effective in 'the plant for the first month, granular insecticides 'need not be applied at planting time. Foliar in- secticides can be effectively applied later in the season if problems result. A herbicide applicator `designed by Jim O'Toole and Fred Bowers of Centralia College . of Agricultural Technology was tested in bean fields for controlling milkweed. The applicator consisted of a felt roller mounted on bicycle wheels. The applicator was pushed through the white bean fields and herbicide was rolled off the felt roller onto any milk= weed plants that were higher than the beans. The chemical used was Roundup. Stan Mcllwain of Goderich township ,is 'president of the Huron, Soil and Crop Association. Don Rader, Hay township, is second vice- president. At Friday's annual meeting of the Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board, four directors were , named for Huron District 5. At the left, chief executive officer congratulates Joe Miller, Murray Cardiff, Bob Allan and Glenn Hayter who replaces the retiring Phil Durand. (T -A photo) CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1977 --PAGE 15 The 12 man Huron committee of the Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board was named Friday at the annual meeting at the Pineridge Chalet. Back, left, John Seagren, Glenn Miller, Victor Hartman, John Oke and Glen Rlbey. Front, Ken McCowan Jr., -John Paul Rau, Bev Hill and Nick Whyte. (T -A photo) news farm news OFA okays levyplan Delegates to the annual convention of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture approved in principle a proposed levy plan which would require all farmers in the Province to support the farm organization of their choice. This proposal, which would require an amendment to the Municipal Act, would have each municipality collect the levy, based on assessment value of the farm, when they collect the year's property tax. There would be a suggested minimum of $15.00 and a suggested 'maximum of $100, so that an undue burden would hot be put on anyone. As an example, if the levy were set at 1/2 mill, on a 100 acre farm with a $400. acre assessment, the amount raised would be $20. Mery Smith, a Huron County delegate, said that at present only one-third of Ontario farmers now belong to C.F.A. and each pays an annual membership fee of $35.00. Therefore, loss than half of Ontario farmers contribute to the support of any farm organization, yet everyone reaps the benefits. ' If all farmers in Ontario contribute to a farm organization of their choice, then agriculture would have a much stronger voice, Smith said. More effective lobbying could take place with the provincial and federal governments. Gerry Fortune, . ,Regional Director for N.E. Huron said that more money is needed for O.F.A. to do a good job for farmers, more than can be raised by yearly membership drives. The staff of C.F.A. could be better employed by working for farmers, than conducting membership drive. It is time for all Ontario farmers to get behind their farm organizations so that they can become a stronger voice representing the agricultural segment of society, the meeting agreed. Whelan still the farmers' choice in Canada Over 400 delegates at the annual convention of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture applauded Eugene Whelan, Federal Minister of Agriculture, when he said, "I want to ensure that Canadians' are getting the best value for their food dollar, but not at the expense of the farmer." Right now in Canadait is estimated that 13.8 per cent of every take-home dollar is being spent on meals taken in the home. This compares with 26.5 per cent in Italy, 21.5 per cent in the.U.K. and 15 per cent in the U.S. Whelan said that food did cost less 25 years ago, but it wasn't cheaper. Back in 1951 an average hour's pay bought 1.2 lb. of sirloin steak. In 1976, the same hour's pay bought 3.5 lbs. of sirloin. Whelan was angry about a recent Statistics Canada announcement that food and housing :dere theme., main `culprits in a one -per -cent jump in the Consumer Price Gay Lea sold but buyer mum Rumours that the Gay Lea egg grading station in Seaforth has been sold were confirmed last week by Bill Gray, head of L.H. Gray and Son Ltd., of Ridgetown. Tom Young, manager of the Seaforth Gay Lea operation,said he "would rather not say anything" about the sale, and suggested that questions could' be directed at Mr. Gray. But Mr. Gray refused to elaborate on the sale. He declined to answer questions about the com- pany's plans for the plant, possible operational changes, reasons for the sale, its effect on local employees and egg 'producers, or on any other matter relating to his com- pany's purchase of the plant. Mr. Gray gave no reason for his refusal to answer the questions. Keep warm values from the Hent all Co -Op 1, ,11 HENSALL CO-OP HAS THE NEW CONCEPT IN ENERGY SAVER'S WOODRURNING Index. He said that the C.P•I. is not a cost of living index, but only a single list of 325 consumer items that are compared monthly. "We live in a luxury - minded society today — expensive vacations, new cars, and two TVs are all looked on as necessities. And most peopleresent paying out for the real necessities — such as food," Whelan said. "I don't blame our Canadian farmers, or our processors, for thinking that we're getting the short end of ,the stick when it comes to seeing our markets weakened due to imported foodstuffs," he added. Whelan said it iS time that Canada becomes known as the, bad buy in trade negotiations. This country needs to compete as aggressively as, everybody else. ' "And the people who can give us the best input are the producers, the processors Turn to page 16 the - that will be remembered every week for 52 weeks..a Gift Subscription to the y.t.xs'u t'{' ,i1 rit otos JO t,i>)�l;?!ti Yi iti', %1n`ti'riit Tk�! oz.tctl!i�itf the otb gat 39 T t1/411.10c,1.1NT�� 1A'r 131 st Is SC.0 With 'Olt CAIRMOR DOWNDRAFT SPACE HEATERS Attractive Durable Efficient Safe Clean kg 26" FranklinP 99 Fireplace 169 ... Rugged cast-iron classic fireplace can be Used with doors open for cosy fireplace, or with doors • closed as an efficient rooth LOWEST PRICES AROUND heateropening in. Matteclblack finish. Approx. 26" . boot, damper, grate. Also 30" Models • 512-270 HENSALL 762-3002 INIENSALLOISTRICT CO-OP ZURICH X36-4393 BRU EFIELD 482-9823 An attractive gift certificate will go out to announce your gift.. $13 delivers 52 copies anywhere in Canada (just 24` a copy). Senior Citizens •11 a year Half-year gift subscriptions available ... At the News -Record office.