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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1978-10-12, Page 14PAGE 14—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1978 Federation of Agriculture dis cuss egg quo!as by Rhea Hamilton Farmers in Ontario are running into problems that they would never have had to face ten years ago. Frank Wall, executive member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), told a Huron F of A members that the pressure to produce more for less is felt by all farmers. The comment came while a panel composed of representatives from the milk, turkey, broiler and egg industries discussed quota transfers at the Huron F of A meeting in Londesboro, Thursday night. The monthly F. of A. meeting was attended by over 50 people, and the panel members and audience discussed a number of questions concerning the issue of quota transfers. The O.F.A. is looking into formulating a policy on quota systems, and needs input - from • their members. "We (as a whole) are responsible for the quota system." said Mr. Wall. "We have to see that noone is hurt and not jeopardize our position as ' an agricultural group. We can't say 'leave the eggs to the egg producers or leave the milk producers to their problems.' We are in this together." Panel members were Bill Scott, Seaforth, representing the Egg Producers Marketing Board, Ken Crawford, Middlesex, Chairman for the National Turkey Producers Marketing Board Jim Drennan, Dungannon, member of the Ontario Milk Marketing Board and George Underwood, Wingham, member of the Broiler Marketing Board. Each gave a brief outline on their policies cdncerning quota tran- s*ers. The turkey board has the quota fixed to the property where the birds are grown. The limit is 2 million'pounds.ry • "We found that without a limit the incubators were gaining control of the industry" said Ken Crawford. "A general farmer could buy a turkey quota and affix it to a piece of property, with the boards consent with little problems." It is a problem with setting quota values which have gotten out of hand but none with transfers themselves." Mr. Crawford said. Broiler quotas are another matter. The quota prices have been allowed to float at their own price set by each . farmer. Transfer of quotas without buildings has been frozen since April 1976. The maximum pur- chase of quota only, has been set at 35,000 birds and for building and qugta the maximum is 75,000. Both were raised this year by an additional 5,000,birds. "We have contributed as' a group towards the study of quota transfers plus studying the situation ourselves" said George Underwood, of the broiler marketing board. "We haveagreed not to form a transfer policy yet until we know more." he said. Egg quotas The quota system was first introduced in 1973 to the egg producing in- dustry. "It is fairly restrictive" said Ken Scott, of the Egg Marketing Board. Egg quotas may be transferred only on sale of the farm. Quotas may not be moved to another piece of property for three years after the sale of the farm. Egg quotas may not be amalgamated together unless both were owned before September 1976. The maximum quota is 35,000 hens. "There is a leasing program for those wanting to get into the egg producing business" said Ken Scott. "The program is for one year and you can only lease one quota." There are temporary quotas for 30 months. After January 1, 1979 the temporary quota will be for only 15 months and after June, 1981 there will be no more tem- porary leasing. Jim Drennan, chair- man of the Huron County Milk producers outlined the dairy quota transfers -which he said offer a benefit to the family farm. Fluid milk tran- sfers are exchanged between producers if the farm is a family concern. The quota is transferred 100 per cent. In all other cases the producer sells the ' quota back to the 'board which takes 25'per cent off the quota. If a farmer becomes eligible to buy back a quota he buys only the 25 per cent which the board has collected from transfers. • Fluid milk quota costs $16 per pound and in- dustrial milk costs 4 cents per pound. As with fluid milk quotas, industrial transfers are 100 per cent retained by a family operation. The board will buy back 50 percent of a quota at 4 cents per pound and the rest at an agreed upon price. The limit set for milk producers is 9,999 pounds of milk. The value of quotas depends on the type of commodity. Turkey quotas are determined by supply and demand and broilers and egg quotas are built into the cost of the farm. "Egg quotas generally run $10 to $12 per hen and leasing quotas on a person to person basis is usually $2.50 per bird per year," said Mr. Scott. "Industrial milk has gone as high as $30 to $32 per pound and as low as $3," said Drennan. "The board has set the price at $16 per pound." Adrian Vos criticized the panel for allowing bigger farms to get bigger and keeping the little farmer out. "There are broiler operations for sale to anyone. The board will even help in the tran- sfer," replied George Underwood. Former OFA president Gordon Hill told the group that new producers are being left out in the cold. "When quotas are available it was said that a large percentage would be made available for new producers", he said. "But it didn't work out that way. Most of it went to the established far- mers." "There are farms available for those who want to get into egg producing business. At present we are, working on 61 per cent of our quota. We are nowhere near filling our barns", said Bill Scott. "Existing producers can afford to pay more than a new producer." "When you buy a dairy farm you buy into the system gradually", said Jim Drennan. "The board now offers an opportunity for new producers to buy in to the quota system". "You can . „ getfunds from any chartered bank in Canada to buy a quota with", said Ken Crawford. The one problem in common which some board members saw was with consumer groups::, There is a certain amount of misunderstanding which marketing boards are trying to clear up. "Our biggest problem is not the consumer" said Ken Crawford, "We have more problems in our own ranks. There are eight provinces under the National Canadian Turkey Marketing Board, and on every one of our sittings there is a con- sumer rep. there.- We have a good relationship with the consumers", he said. Bill Scott pointed out that "The minute you limit the product to make money the consumer yells and calls it inef- ficient." "The fact today in Howson Mills ELEVATOR DIVISION Receiving New Crop Corn • Fast Unloading • Probe System for Corn • Sell, Store or Contract your Corn. HOWSON & HOWSON LTD. !MYTH 523-4241 Elly ATOM 1 mil. oast of sryth off county Rd, 25 PHONE 513.904 chicken producing is that we can produce a 4% pound bird on .75 of a square foot. It used to be on one square foot" said George Underwood. "We are now able to put out more per square foot." "I think the consumer problem stems from fluctuating prices", said Mr. Scott. "Quotas have produced stable prices. In the US producers have free enterprise and are now sympathetic to us." "When we went over our economic formula the consumer representative noted our low increase which was below the AIB", said Jim Drennan. "We are efficient. We have 15,800 farmers producing 5.2 billion pounds of milk." "Take a look at turkey prices", said Ken Crawford, "in the early 60's the price was bet- ween 89 cents to $1.12. It's the same today." "I am a supporter of management, -quotas, and marketing boards and, think they are essential", said Mr. Hill. "I suspect that supply management will be used in future years. But I am concerned at the value of quotas. It could confirm suspicions that a large profit is made. I mean who would pay $2 per year just to keep a hen?" "Marketing boards have been negligent", Gordon Hill said. "Don't you guys go and bugger up the system so when the hog producers want to try quotas the public won't let them." It was agreed by the panel that by combining their efforts they will get a more reasonable system. "Despite the fact that we are trying to get more stability on the farm the quota system takes out the highs and lows in the market", summorized OFA executive member, Frank Wall. --- Hensall UCW meet By Bertha MacGregor ' The Chiselhurst UCW held their October meeting on Tuesday with the president Mrs. Jack Brintnell presiding and Mrs. Jack Upshall had the Worship on Thanks,giv.ing. Invitations were ac- cepted to Elimville on October 25 at 8 pm and the Arnold Circle Evening on November- 7 at 8_pm. The Regional meeting will be held at Chiselhurst United Church on October 17 at 9:30 am, and plans were made for the bazaar on November 1st at 3 pm. Mrs. Richard Taylor gave the study based on "Caribbean Theology" Mrs. Freda Boa gave a reading "Thanksgiving." The Hostesses were Mrs. Freda Boa and Mrs. Earl Kinsman. Rebekah Members installed The Noble Grand, Mrs. Maggie Campbell, presided for the meeting of Amber Rebekah Lodge on Wednesday Night assisted by the Vice Grand, Mrs. Pearl Eyre. Jr. Past Noble Grand Dorothy Parker presented the District Deputy President Sister Kathleen Cuthill of Huron District number 23. The Noble Grand welcomed the President and presented her with a corsage., The annual report was given by the Treasurer Mrs. Dorothy Corbett. An invitation was received and accepted from Pride of Huron Lodge, Exeter to attend a banquet and meeting following on October 18th at which time the Assembly Warden Sister Constance Humby of Thunder Bay will be present. The B.D.P's Commission was read by Mrs. Hazel McGonggle and the Installing Staff of Edelweiss Rebekah Lodge Seaforth installed the Officers of Amber Rebekah Lodge. Following is the of- ficers: Jr. Past Noble Grand , Mrs. Maggie Campbell, Noble Grand Mrs. Hazel Corbett; Vice - Grand, Mrs. Elizabeth Riley; recording secretary, Mrs. Leona Parke; Financial secretary, Mrs. Irene Blackwell; treasurer, Dorothy Corb tt;. . con- ductor, M°rs. 'Glady's Coleman; warden, Mrs. Margaret Consitt; chaplain, Mrs. Alice Ferg; inside guardian, Mrs. Isobel Rogerson; outside guardian, Mrs. Annie Reid; pianist Mrs. Evelyn McBeath; color bearer; Mrs. Vera Lemmon; R.S.N.G., Mrs. Dorothy -Parker; L.S.N.G., Mrs. Bertha MacGregor; R.S.Y.G., Mrs. Aldeen Volland; L.S.V.G., Mrs. Olga Chipchase. The Installing Staff chose the Colors of the Rainbow for their Turn to page 15 • WE'RE DEALING ON JOHN DEERE SLEDS! Although the area has received up to 254 mm (10 inches) of rain during the last six weeks, the har- vest situation is not as bad as last year's disastrous fall. The soggy fields have held up the silage corn and white bean harvest in a feW areas, and slowed down the seeding of winter wheat, but farmers are taking advantage of the nicer days to complete their fall plowing and the grain tori harvest, which will get into full swing in a week. (News -Record photo) Buy now on our finance plan.. . pay no finance charges till March. Between now and 30 November 1978, you can buy a new John Deere snowmobile the easy way. ..with the John Deere Finance Plan.. . and no finance chargeiwill be imposed until 1 March 1979. On 1 March 1979 you may elect to either pay the remaining principal balance owing, or continue the financing agreement with your John Deere defiler. A normal down- paym'ent is required; monthly installments begin on 1 January 1979. See us today for a good deal on a John Deere snowmobile. HUROM "(519 S-1115 news farm news Agricol A good name to grow by Tips for Fall Fertility 1. Fall P and K on corn, Soybeans and White Beans will not wash out, except K on very sandy soils. 2. Apply P and K effectively on slopes up to 8%, with ,good Surface residues. 3. Apply as much fertilizer as possible this fall, as you remember the wet conditions of this past spring. 4. Broadcast some N and all P and K ahead of drill for fall, wheat. 5. Topdress alfalfa' and forages enough to give the crop that special protection against winter stress. 6. Get soil tests in late summer in time to know need for fall fertility. 7. Move soils to high P and K tests when shooting for high yields . . . to make fullest use of N and other practices. Tips for Water management "1. Become a champion water manager. Start with fall fertilization. 2, Consider 5 bushels of corn per inch of water a conservative figure on water use efficiency. 3. Shobt foti4-50 bushels of corn in this 36 inch rainfall area. 4. Chisel or otherwise till soil or handle residues to absorb as much moisture as possible in .fall and spring for the dry spells that lie ahead. 5. Plow down fertilizer to get deeper roots than cultivated or disced-in fertilizer gives. 6. We usuallly receive 6 inches of rain or less in, July and August. Crops need 2 to 3 times this much. So roots must go deep to get enough water. A champion water manager insures right fertility and tillage for this need. 7. Maintain a heavy plant canopy and a soil receiptive to rain in summer. 8. Look for 5 or more bushels of corn per inch of water with top management including full line of N, P and K as well as minor elements. 9. Fall is a key time to apply these large amounts of fertilizer. FALL FERTILIZATION A CHOICE of NECESSITY AgricQMgo Dname gwby Mervyn Erb, Blender Manager Brucefield, Ont. 482-3948 • 1 • • .44 40-