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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1973-06-07, Page 18ME! —Crossroads—June 7, 1973— \\, IN THIS CORNER • SHORTAGE MAY BE MECHANICS AND REPAIRMEN In recent weeks much has been written and said about the tre- mendous shortage of farm equip- ment, particularly new and used tractors. There has been much banter about the lack of replace- mentparts for farm machinery as well. I spend the better part of every week travelling throughout the CROSSROADS circulation area talking to many orthe farm ma- chinery dealers. I also spend a lot of time on the telephone talking with those people I can't get to in person and* has become quite clear that part Of the shortage is mechanics and repairmen -l -not • used tractors and impleMents. New are Rare There is no question, about the acute lack of new equipment. Many dealers and district repre- sentatives for several of the lead- ing farm equipment manufactur- ers readily agree, they -are being short shipped and in some cases—they aren't receiving any equipment at all. Furthermore, we are told, the situation is only going to get worse. Hal Wright, secretary -man- ager of the Forth \ Machinery Board, tells us sales of farm ma- chinery were up 20 to 25 per cent last year and stocks at dealer- ships and distribution centres were cleared, in many cases. "The situation is expected to continue through 1973, particular- ly since the release of more than 4,000,000 acres of land for agri- cultural \production in the United States, an area about equal to the total cropland of Ontario,". adds Mr. Wright. Tractors Silty in U.S. This new farmland in •the United States is quite obviously the Prime market for production from nutnufacturers, many of WhOM are located south of the .border. Our good friends at Statistics Canada in Ottawa support Mr. Wright, with respect to tremen- dous Sales \increases in the last ear or set. ' - release from ,the Ottawa- ureau,lisued late In1972illtild bs sales in the first ten months of the year for farm machines, garden tractors and attachments rose 24.5 per cent from the corres- ponding period the previous year. The JanuarvOctober sales in -1972' totalled $456,477,000, com- pared to onli$366,660,000 in 1971. Ontario maintained its position , as, the biggest market for farm equipment sales (in the •first .10 'Months of 1972) totalling $118,- 951000, an increase of 22 per cent • over the period year. Strikes have been a problem for Many, , Manufacturers, not only for the final product, but for • suppliers' tires, hydraulic equip- ment and electrical supplies for .the machinery, says Mr. Wright. Added to this situation are rumors of energY shortages at prodUction plants and a lack of steel alienable to produce the equipment. Dealers in Midwestern Ontario report low stocks and question- able ability to deliver tractors already sold in a specified time period. — NOT TRACTORS Dealer to Dealer In instances like this, it is ob- vious the dealers are dealing with other dealers in order to fill the requirements el customers at each end. Another dealer in our area, Gordon Neable at Gorrie, has brought in equipment from East- ern Ontario to satisfy his cus- tomers. The most common comment is: "If I could get it, it's sold." There are some dealers in the area who are fortunate to have a good seleetiOn of used equipment and we are pleased to have some of them on the pages of this issue. Like Mr. Wright says, farmers should understand the current situation is not a temporary problem, and' should, whenever possible, take steps to prevent breakdowns that Could leave them stranded. Leasing or short-term rentals may be the answer for some farmers. I,arge farms who lease, reduce their machinery inven- tory, reduce overall maintenance costs and free up more working capitaL Rental arrangements should be made early. Area Dealers Report • A Wallterten dealer says one big, problem is getting good mechanies; and repairmen to re- condition lusext equipment in order to sell it; He has about six , tractoritorn down right now and they are all sold as soon as he can make them run. Another dealer in Milverton feels he's just about past the re- pair stage. "Smile farmers take • them lag is, before we can do any work on them." Distance doesn't seem to be any problem for some farmers and many are travelling con- siderable distances from our area to get both tractors and equipment. Dealers in Wallen - stein, Stratford, Cambridge , (Galt), Brantford, London, Chat- ham and other distant points are selling„ equipment to fariners in this area., • • Some farmers from our area have even gone to the US. andzi, mbetightz what flityli@eiklf,iii per son and broughrit honfe '• On the other hand, tractor - trailer loads of used equipment ' have arrived in our area and4he same trucks are returning to , their home areas with—loads of used equipment. EXPECTANT FATHER—A lone Canada goose guards his mate and family -to -be, as she sits on her eggs, waiting for them to hatch. He looks too nervous to have remembered the cigars, but nobody can blame him for that. He is lust one ofthe many proud fathers on the goose preserve at Luther Marsh. • (Staff Photo) • Your buffet for special occasions This time of the year brings many special occasions— graduations, showers, receptions and family reunions—when you may want ,to entertain a larger group of people than you can seat comfortably in your dining area. One simple solution is to serve a meal buffet-stYle where your guests serve themselves from a table on which an array of food is placed. Good food, an attractive table and congenial company can combine to give a buffet which has all the graciousness of a meal that you would serve formally. Fix me, I may be your onlychoice!, unique marsh named "Luther" Situated on the Headwaters of Black Creek, Luther Marsh is a man-made reservoir, built in 1952 for flood control purposes. It also provides sewage abatement for the Grand River watershed. Located at the north •.end of Wellington County, 20 miles northwest of Orangeville, Luther Marsh has come to be much more than its initial role of a flood con- e of natural surroundings, andlie' pro- viding a close-up view of nature for the many guests who visit it. Luther Marsh boasts a rich assortment of wildlife not com- monly seen anywhere else in Ontario. Ruffed grouse and woodcock are native to the locality, but other less common inhabitants are widgeons, scaups, teal, pintails, gadwall, mallards, black ducks and wood ducks. There are also cottontail rabbits, snowshoe rabbits and European hares and whitetail deer living hi the marsh. The pre- sence of these animals alone makes Luther Marsh unique, but the largest attraction is an enclo- sure full of giant Canada geese. The geese nest and their young fly free. The young then return to the marsh each spring to nest and rear their young. This giant Canada goose program has been carried out by the two agencies and the Niska Waterfowl Re- search Foundation. Making their comfortable abode in Luther Marsh as well are red squirrels, red fox, raie- coons, weasels, porcupines and the greatly respected skunk. Another amazing feature of the marsh is the colony of great blue herons, black -crowned herons, black -crowned night herons and green herons. This heronry is • used by about 150 pairs of adult birds. Birds found nowheri else in Ontario inhabit the marsh, such as the clay coloured sparrow, in whichhaseavib,are:on,dinegnIgrovunt,tirdr the bog area of the southiportion.'„ r; t rug. 7'Alice, ituelflaiidleys le) sparrow colony, '!„This is a very( rare species of bird, and we try to, protect it as much as we can from, the services of hikers or bird, • watchers or hunters or whoever it mals and waterfowl in the' area, therefore making it imperative that every visitor exercise ex- treme caution and at the same •time enjoy nature's beauty. Development of Luther' 'Marsh • Wildlife Area continues to in- crease the wildlife population. For the benefit of waterfowl addi- tional flowages are being plan- ned. Campgrounds are also being ,,h11),CA'Olt fht tbe„cyjmn44ten fefees (int% tels frPnV. T rot peolke. ' campgrotm be kept priniitive for the people who want to experience the great outdoors and not have all the modern conveniences. may be within the area. . . We have the osprey, the only nest in Southwestern Ontario., . . This is '3why.we have these areas marked: as permanent sanctuaries, allow.; ingnobody in." . Marsh OWnership . • The bulk of the property be- longs 'to the Grand River Conser- vation Authority. The Cambridge District Conservation Authority 'owns some of the property, with • an agreement 'drawn up between - the two authorities. Both autho- rities have staff houses at the marsh. They also both have maintenance buildings and staff at the location. Naturally, everyone from sportsmen to hikers are attracted to the Luther Marsh area. Visi- tors are urged to use good judg- ment when in the plush wildlife zone of the marsh. The respect of closed areas and baited area signs is greatly urged. Littering and neglect .with fire is a hazard to the welfare of the many ani. Seed potato certification coursi '73 Agriculture Canada's plant protection division is sponsoring its second annual seed potato certification course at the Ridge town College of Agricultural Technology. The one-week course \ will be held at the end opune, but • the exact date will depend on the growth of the potatoes, already planted. About 45 federal and provincial potato specialists, including in- spectors and technicians, will at- tend lectures, laboratory sessions and field workshops. This year the emphasis will be on field workshops. Potatoes can be planted in this part of Southern Ontario before any other place in Canada, so the inspectors will have a chance to See the growing foliage before in- specting crops throughout the rest of the 'Country. • .j Whit Is an. Ultri*Onle Wive". „2 Whet was the highest tem- Pernbire ever recorded In the U. S." * 30 What *Pt Ilenttrilly **now, Wiwi to be th. ton most Intel. .t aohnfillit 4. Whst Is the largeiginleid hay In the MS.? Whatia the ttealfielt element found In nature? 6. Whit Is Canada's oldest 7. WPalt)tn1414MP0401(? 11phY$10.1111 veloped the „preCeite of -vs* Welsennhilit:ipilLar400ilinlittoniticoellmhtato during World War I? 9. What is the only beverage 10. Wttitlhahtikaliftt lbSecilluiVocitriledoPr-7::::40111: thought of onivfor it* moUn- tains, contain* .more than • 1,500 good-slzed lakes? 11. Who, in the ' Bible, was stricken blind on the road to Damascus? 12. What are the three largest cities in Hawaii? ANSWERS 1. A sound of suah a high frequency that a personcen- • not hear IL 2. A temperature of 134 de- grees Fahrenheit, in Death Valley, Calif., on July 10. „ 1913. 3. In order, the chimpanzee, or- angutan, gorilla, monkey, dog, cat, raccoon, elephant, pig, and horse. 4. Chesapeake Bay, with an area of 3,237 square miles. 5. Uranium. 6. Banff National Park, in Alberta; opened in 1'885. • 7, Edward Jenner, in 1796, to combat smallpox. 8. France, in 1914. 9. Wine. • 10. Switzerland. 11.. Saul, later known as Paul. • 12. Honolulu, Hilo, and Wahiawa. .4.1F 165 Diesel ,*..44F 165 GU Demonstrator *–Ford' 6000 -,--1111F 35 !$,Cylinder MOO --MF 35 +Cylinder pies., 2 :M14F35-351),C ytiltistier 1110$44 wlth FiVernalt 1411C411 and ,Hydroulle Bucket. —MF 50 with Wader and Back Hoe —.MF 30 Industrial with 'Aida ....r"—FoorilmOssoNn TEA -And,we have, conibines and swathers. s COMBINES —John Nora 42 Pull.Typo with Pickup Tablet —MF 410 with Pickup Table and Air Cond. Cab —MF 36 S.P.-36 Swother with conditioner —MF 34 .10.Foot Swather with bat reel RON SCHMALZ MOTORS LTD. MILDMAY • 367,2648 Massey lawn and garden tractor We'vegot your kind of Massey Ferouson lawn and garden equipMeni...Ad ft comes with your kind of price! ' MF lawn and garden tractors, riding tractors, attachments—a complete range to make your outdoor chores fast and easy. Quick starts, rugged and reliable performance'. Easylo operate, easy to change attachments. All backed by our name and dependable service And now at new low prices. • COnsider the world's largest maker of tractors first MP MOINNIVFertlimen Starting as low as 450" 'fake advantage of low sale, prices now at: • RON SCHMALZ MOTORS.LTD., miL DMAY — 367-2648 GILMORE FARM SUPPLY HARRISTON — 338-3640 Regular Amines trystahre, htniting penstratron. Crossroa s Ennui*. stays liquid lorigi+, MON? effect,. penorratton. Published every Wednesday as the big, action cross-countryection in The Listowel Banner,' The Wingham Advance -Times and The Mount Forest Confederate. Wenger Bros. Limited, publishers, Box 390, Wingham. Barry Wenger, Pres. ‘' Robert 0. Wenger, Sec.-Treas. Dick Eskerod, Editor. Display and Classified ad deadline— Tuesday, week prior to publication date. • REPRESENTATIVES Canadian Community Ontario Weekly Newspapers Association, Newspaper Assoc., Suite 51, 127 George St., 2 Bloor St., West, Oakville 884-0184 Toronto 8624000 CAMERA SHY—A pair of geese get camera shy and decide to head out for the opposite shore of one of the four ponds the geese call home. The sanctuary is off limits to visitors, in- side of the Confines of the electric fence, but the entire goose preserve is visible from various observation points at Luther Marsh. • (Staff Photo) LLOYD'S SMALL ENGINES RR 1, ATWOOD — 356-2639 BOYD SALES & SERVICE MON.KTON — 347-2932 ESTEIVIINE Not a wonder herbicide. Just a super amine. Stays liquid longer for maximum penetration. The problem with regular amines is crystal clear. They form bead-like droplets which crystalize on leaves before the chem- ical has time to penetrate satisfactorily. Estemine is a non-volatile weed killer with all the safety features of regular amines but none of their problems. It spreads instead of beading. And because it spreads, it covers a greater surface of the leaf, so more of it penetrates the weed where it can do most harm, and your crop the most good. It will cost y.eu a few pennies more per acre for weed control that's proven better than any 2,4-D or MCPA Amine weed killer you've ever used before. W. G. THOMPSON & SONS LTD. R.R. 3, MITCHELL 3484433 MASTER FEEDS MILLBANK - 595-8835 et* vim ft 73-10 • 4 0