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Clinton News-Record, 1983-03-23, Page 3&'!J\ I't)N' N'E'VIS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY MAHCH _'3 198a OMMB tills Huron proiucers to hold back until quotas are better No over -quota payment was the word from Ken McKinnon ( left) chairman of the OMMB, when he spoke to the Huron County dairy producers at their annual meeting in Brussels. Bert Saunders of RR 4, Brussels, was one of the several producers who spoke with Mr. McKinnon following the meeting. t Ron Wassink photo) Local women air views Molly McGhee was back in familiar ter- ritory when she chaired an afternoon and evening meeting in the Clinton OMAF boardroom. The former assistant principal of Cen- . tralia College of Agricultural Technology t from 1967 to 1977) was recently appointed by the Ontario ministry of agriculture as a one -woman task force to investigate the pressures, problems and educational needs of rural women and report back on what the provincial government can do to more adequately serve this particular group of citizens. Clinton was the sixth stop on a two- month tour which will take Miss McGhee to 24 locations in all areas of Ontario. She has already visited Brampton, Ridgetown, London, Stratford and ; lanover, and her schedule includes a trek across northern Ontario with visits to Dryden, Rainy River and Kapuskasing as well. McGhee said the turnout, with the excep- tion off Brampton, had exceeded expecta- tions, and she had received many vl(ell thought out and well presented briefs from many groups. Each represented the opi- nions of a large number of people. Five written and one oral brief were presented at the afternoon session in Clin- ton, and two written briefs were given in the evening. The topics were as diverse as the many women who can be labeled "rural". The need for day care centres, financial management and other short courses for husband and wife and these held in various locations in a community rather than re- quiring attendance at a college such as Centralia, were mentioned more than once. Other suggestions were colored by their presenters' particular experiences. Isobel McDonald from Goderich outlined the history and goals of the home schedul- ed to co* •n in April as a haven for battered wives. Her admission to having been a bat- tered wife herself added a special poignan- cy to her plea for support. Usborne Township resident Gwen Dykeman, who works full time at CCAT besides being involved in her family's farm enterprise, spoke for the many women working not for luxuries but for heat, hydro and groceries. She said OMAF fails to meet the needs of working women with no time to take courses or attend workshops. These women need informa- tion that is irnmediate, precise and to the point, and she believes the print and radio media would best serve them. Pat Down, RR 1 Hensall, bemoaned what she sees as a watering down of the 4- H curricula, a move from specifics to generalities. She would like to see the social aspects downplayed, and learning emphasized once more. Rowena Wallace, Seaforth area, em- phasized the desire many women had for further training, and said many courses seemed aimed at men, i.e. herd worker, government retraining. She would like to see courses on stress, and farm manage- ment, offered to the farm couple, and others like banking and courses in self esteem offered solely to women to help them realize their potential. Kathy Workman, Brussels, spoke as a member of the Cranbrook Women's In- stitute. She mentioned the need for more day care, and courses in metrication, budgeting, financial planning for rural couples, and basics of computers. She was also concerned about the preservation of a sense of neighborhood in the many tiny rural localities that no longer even have, a generallstore. - Bev Brown;- co-owner of Rural Voice, said women are very much wanted and needed in Huron County farm organiza- tions, and not just to take notes and make coffee. Brown believes more parenting skills should be taught in the schools. In 4-H young people learn more about raising calves than raising children. In the evening Gerry Fortune, a director of the Huron Federation of Agriculture, reiterated the combined needs of day care centres to allow husband and wife to at- tend courses together. Valerie Bolton, Seaforth area, speaking for Women Today, detailed the loneliness and isolation of many rural women who cannot seek help by phone because of the lack of privacy on a party line. When Miss McGhee has completed her appointed rounds in early April, she will study and collate her findings. She expects to deliver her final report and recommen- dations in late 19or early 1985 to a senior policy committee composed of the deputy minister and three assistants. They will pass the recommendations on to Dennis Timbrell, minister of agriculture. Though McGhee assured those present the study was not a "sop or a make-work project", some afterward privately ex- pressed their concern that by the time the findings are collected and passed along, the needs of rural women will have chang- ed. Ifit's from Antett 's it says, 'you're special' JUST ARRIVED! SEE OUR NEW COLLECTION OF COSTUME JEWELLERY THE FINAL TOUCH FOR NEW SPRING AND SUMMER FASHION —WHILE IT LASTS— special Selection of COSTUME JEWELLERY ..1/2 PRICE ANSTETT JEW R Albert St., (linton 482 3901 Harron County milk producers have been told their chances of receiving over -quota payments are very remote. Producers, who have already received quota cut- '..:cks, were told at the annual Huron Coun- ty meeting held March 7 in Brussel,s, to either cull dairy herds extensively, cull some and buy some quota, or simply buy more quota. Ontario Milk Marketing Board 1 OMMl3 fieldman, Orville Shoefeld suggested cull- ing is the short terra answer. He noted that in one week, 18,500 dairy cows were sold as beef in the Toronto Stock Exchange. Mr. Shoefeld advised producers not to over- react when culling because a shortage of dairy cows could result next fall. "If you recall, this happened a few years ago." Before the meeting, Dennis Martin, dairy specialist of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, explained there are presently fewer than 500 producers in Huron County. But production on a per cow basis is higher." He felt the reason fur producer decline was the result of ex- tremely high quota prices. "Approximate- ly 12 county producers have sold their dairy herds. Many of these were producers thinking of retiring and just waiting for the right time." Although group one milk quota was sell- ing over $200 per litre several weeks ago, Mr. Martin speculated prices would decrease and level off. "There may be some pressure in the last few months of the dairy year and quota price may increase." Questioned concerning over -quota payouts, Mr. Martin explained that history has proven that producers were always paid a percentage of their over -quota. ..They have become a tattle relaxed know- ing there would be a payment. The chances of it happening this year are slim. " Noting that producers have received a two per cent cutback on their market shar- ing quota I MSQ) in January, Mr. Martin thought there would be no further cutbacks this dairy year. "If Ontario producers con- tinue to over -produce, there is always the chance of additional cutbacks. Two per- cent on a large volume of milk quota adds up to a lot of dollars." The cutbacks have caused a large in- terest in cream production to the point where it is almost impossible to enter this field of production, said Mr. Martin. "The producer may have to look at secondary alternatives such as purchasing quota, or culling herds. The ultimate effect of herd reduction is a lower income. If a farmer has financial obligations culling may not be the answer. But if he has to borrow money to purchase expensive quota, this also niay not be the solution. If Ontario made a strong effort to get back in line, then there may not be cut-backs next year." During the meeting, Mr. Shoefeld said he had predicted earlier that quota prices would decrease, "This has resulted in no calls from producers wishing to buy. Only producers wishing to sell have called. The seller has set the high price, resulting in no buyers. But now the price is coming down." .Stanley closes file on Shoreline Works By Shelley McPhee At their March 7 regular meeting, Stanley Township council agreed to close the file on the Lake Huron Shoreline Water Works project. Last summer council conducted a study on the construction of a new water system to serve the area between Highway 21 and Lake Huron in the township. The study showed that the project would cost $2 million and would take five to 10 years to complete. While many residents along the lake front were concerned about the quality of their drinking water, and more than 50 signed a petition asking for a water system feasibility study last summer, council agreed that the project is simply too ex- pensive and no government funding is available. Provincial funding assistance is only available for urban water systems, not those for seasonal or agricultural use. Nora Keys and Iifi llnam Caldwell have been hired by the township to issue dog tags. The door-to-door work will get under- way immediately. Last year 325 tags were sold and Clerk Graham noted, "Door-to-door is the only way to sell dog tags. Only honest people will come in to the township office to pur- chase them." This year's prices are, male: first, $4; second, $10; third, $30. Females: first, $10; second, $25; third, $30. Kennel fees are $25. In other business council agreed to pay the annual Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority levy of $7,444. Donations were given to the following: March of Dimes, $100; Huron Central Agriculture Society, $50; Seaforth Agricultural Society, $75; Huron Historical Society, $25; St. John Ambulance, $1 t1 Severance approval was given to Richard Koonstra on part lot 30, conces- sion 1. He plans to set up a corn drying operation. Neighboring Tuckersmith Township council has voiced some concern over potential dust problems that the operation could create. The tender application of Joe Durand was accepted to cover the landfill site once a week. The Durand tender, at $80, was the lowest of three studied by council. The highest tender price was $150. Council agreed to tender for 6,000 cubic yards of gravel for township roads. More than 100 Stanley Township tax- payers have given support to council to go ahead with plans to build a new municipal office. At a public meeting last week council presented their initial proposal to build a new municipal complex, costing an estimated $500,000. Rough plans call for a new municipal office, costing $150,041; a new workstied with several garage bays, costing $211,000 and a community hall, costing $150,000. At this point, costs are on- ly rough estimates. The Ministry of Transportation and Communication will cover 50 per cent of the costs to build the workshed. Grants, such as Wintario and the Community Cen- tres program, may cover some of the costs on the community hall. As well, council will look at a New Horizons grant, given to senior citizens projects. The municipal of- fice won't be eligible for grants. Council hopes that the building will be completed by 1985. It would re -locate the clerk's office and the Tuckersmith Telephone System offices that have been housed in Clerk Mel Graham's home since 1962. The project would also see a new community hall and council chambers, now located in the old Varna Hall. Clerk Graham noted that council has been meeting in the Varna hall for decades. He remembered back in 1960 when the hall was heated by an old box stove. Council decided to replace it with a new furnace after one unforgettable ex- perience, after as Clerk Graham recalled, "they couldn't see one another for the smoke." Council made their recommendation to construct a new township complex after touring many other municipal offices and talking with architects and engineers. Atfenti n Farmers: SPRAYER AND WEED CONTROL CLINIC FE TURING Weed Sprayer Clinic 10:00 a. m. to 12 Noon 'NEW SPRAYERS AND EQUIPMENT ON DISPLAY. Hot Dinner Provided Pat Lynch, O. M.A.F Soil & Crop Specialist for Huron & Perth Counties Bruce Lobb. Ministry of Environment Tuesday, March 29th Seaforth Community Centre Representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions on new and existing chemicals and application equipment Jim's Flying Service will be on hand to answer any questions concerning aerial application of pesticides and fertilizers In order to arrange the dinner, please reply by phoning Milton Dietz by Friday, March 25th at 527-0608. MILTON J. DIETZ Seaforth, Ontario Limited Phone 519-527-0608 An optimist., Kerr McKinnon, chairman of the OMMB3, said • -the dairy industry has not been opt/mastic this y ear But we ha \•e a lot of things to be thankful for A year ago, consumption declined and there was a rise in production." Noting this year may not be better, Mr. McKinnon explained ..There are signs of an upturn in the economy and dairy will be in a position to take an advantage of it." Reduction Explaining there was a 4.7 per cent reduction to quota, Mr McKinnon said there was only a three per cent reduction in consumption last year. The balance of the reduction is an attempt to meet world levels. It is impossible to know at the end of the dairy year what consurnption figures are. We don't know for three mon- ths. That was the case this year. Quota was reduced in August and had to be reduced again in January. Various factors are related to the cut- backs, explained Mr. McKinnon. The world level of skin caulk powder dropped 25 per cent in three months. "'This is due to stotkpiling in the U.S." In addition, there was a 1.7 per cent decline in fluid milk sales, Mr. McKinnon said. He noted that January' and February "seem to be equal to last year. in 1982, fluid inilk sales were down .6 per cent. It is possible there will be an increase in fluid milk sales in the next five to 10 years if Ke c'an hold cor6SLSuIlpL1u11 Orr an opturustic note, Mr McKinnon told producers the pressure is vft tur;ti Quota prices It buyers don 1 otter high prices, then the [)rice will curie (101411 You hat, to deternune whether you can afford 1‘, pay high quota prices Producers were told, this is not the time for expansion in the dairN rndustry The demand for quota wil continue int:: next year, but it doesn't seem to Lie longstanding 11 is also not the tune to make capital investments This has been a difficult year c'ompar'ed to the last eight y ears. " A producer asked the chairman, MIN, producers who have maintained quota pro- duction are penalized Quota reduction was a slap in the face... Mr. McKinnon replied it wouldn't Le fair to only reduce the quota of someone who ships over. liver -production does n t hurt anyone who stays within their quota Ile noted there is a $29 per hei •taIt re pet a I- ty fur over -production. The producer replied "last yea . payments on over -quota nulk was a bit treme. You have to nip this in the bud.' Mr. McKinnon informed producer, "nobody should be depending on over - quota rebates this year. We didn't say we would continue these payments and this year there will be no over -quota levy." On March 17 the Goderich Township Enterprising Seniors visited Schilbe's maple sugar bush near Bayfield. Albert Schilbe (0e61) explained bow the sap is produced into syrup. (Rod Hilts photo t lett SUNWORT HY YF 11111 CAN WAt l (,1IVF RIN(;' WHEN: WHERE: HOWTO HANG WALLCOVERIs CLINIC Fun -useful -and Free! Monday, April 4 Starting of 1 00 p m Norholme Decorating Centre Jus} across from Post ()Hire 54 ft,nq Si WHOGary Mair of Sunworthy Wallcover trigs 1 will conduct the clinic WHAT: Tips and techniques for you Tools and materials you'll need Free 20 -page "How -To -Hang" booklet Refreshments Because if you learn to hang from us, you'll always hang with us' SIGN UP HOWi WALLCOVERING CLINIC SIZE IS LIMITED -AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT COW IN, OR PHONE NOW, TO EGISTER WHY: Armstrong floor fashion o alb DECORATING CENTRE S4 Kling Strnit, Minton (Just oppofyti ,h11 Pest Office)