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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-3-20, Page 43Flexibility may solve problems By Randy Ttu eadyle Flexibility by the Farm Credit Corpora- tion (FCC) and other lending institutions may be the key to solving some farm financial problems. A pilot program, started it Grey and Bruce Counties earlier this year, may be one of the ways that farmers and lenders can achieve that flexibility. The three month program was initiated by the Federal Minister of Agriculture John Wise, and Gary Gurbin, Bruce -Grey MP. The program is designed to bring farmers and lenders together on an informal basis in an effort to work out a satisfactory solution for both the farmer and the lender. A panel, made up of farmers and lenders, is formed to hear each individual case and make recommendations on the future of the farming operations. The Panel varies ac- cording to the type farming operation being studied. Gurbin said if the program is successful in Bruce and Grey counties, it may be adapted for use on a national level. He said the Farm Assessment Review Board has heard a large number of cases. The board has met almost every day during its three month mandate to discuss and consider individual cases. The program is -ow nearing the end of its mandate. "It is a he stage now where the propositions and proposals that have been prepared on L number of cases are being brought forward for final consideration by the lending institution involved," said Gur- bin. FCC is one of the largest farm lenders in the country and Gurbin said he has been working toward getting the "flexibility the FCC will need to respond to some of the farm financial problems. Some "creative solu- tions" will be needed, he said. "The key to the problem ... is whether we get that flexibility." He said the review board has received excellent co-operation from farm organizations and other partici- pants in the program. Proposals put forward by board have, not been limited to suggesting that only lenders make concessions. "There's a whole range of things that are possible, from suggesting someone actually leave farming, to suggesting ... rearrange- ments at the FCC or the banks," Gurbin said. The voluntary program, allows the farmer ,and the lender to appear before the board in an effort to work out the problem without having to resort to the courts or other legal procedures. The recommendations of the board are non-binding. The board assesses each situation after looking at the history of the farming operation, and considering "how things have gone over the years." Once that assessment has been made the board suggests what it believes is "the most reasonable solution." If solutions to some of the problems suggested by the board prove successful, Gurbin said there may be a chance the program can be extended across the coun- try. The program has been working as well, if not better than expected. But Gurbin cau- tioned, "if we aren't able to achieve that flexibility with Farm Credit it's going to fall short of what I would hope it can accomplish in total." Red meat development program receives enthusiastic response By Randy Threndyle Bruce County Farmers are signing up in record numbers for the provincially spon- sored Red Meat Development Program. The program was announced last year by former Minister of Agriculture Dennis Timbrell as part of a $62 million program aimed at helping the province's beef indus- try. Part off the program, which suggested the formation of a beef marketing agency, was scrapped by the government earlier this year after it met with opposition from some beef farmers and farm lobby groups. But tare development program appears to have been well received by farmers in Bruce County. Murray Emke, the Bruce County Red Meat Advisor, described the program as a "self help plan for farmers. "The proposals are designed to help producers increase efficiency in their cattle and sheep herds. The plan is split into three areas—cow-calf development, stocker and slaughter cattle development and sheep development. Various grants are being offered to farm- ers who sign up for the program. So far, the response had been better than expected in Bruce County. Originally, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF') , who administer the Red Meat Plan estimat- ed 175 to 200 producers would be interested in the program. To date, almost 350 producers have enrolled. "The response is greater than we figured. But we haven't got them (producers) all yet," said Emke. He estimated about half the producers in the county are registered. The latest figures released indicate pro- ducers have registered over 13,000 cows in the cow -calf program and over 42,000 calves in the stocker program. Slightly more than 4,000 sheep have been registered by 40 producers in the county. The response surprised Emke and other OMAF officials because details of the plan were not announced until last summer. Emke said a lot of the "more progressive farmers" have signed up. "There's a lot of producers out there who could sill benefit from the program. One of the main purposes of the policy is to help farmers get better information about hard management and improve herd health. Ili the cow calf program producers are being offered incentives of $20 and $25 for each calf. To qualify, producers must record birthdates and rate of weight gain for their calves which are registered. The records from all the herds in the provinces will be analysed and compiled by OMAF. The results v011 then be made available to farmers. 1 Emke said the purpose of compiling the records is to help producers get information to compare with their own herds. The farmers will be provided with information regarding weight gain and weaning dates of all the calves in the program. 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