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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-02-04, Page 22PAGE 6A —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 198i ne f in_ funs°, Lerle' a.e a •. , ,e AA F '1.r P 38 1C 1 UV'ei tec7 o pp I�c�tte E �,7d Dairy farmers in Ontario are going to get a herd -testing program shoved down their throats whether they like it or not., But, you say, dairy herds have been under ROP testing — record of production — for years. Some have. And what about the well-planned and popular DHIA — the provincial dairy herd improvement association — which a number of forme are using? Yes, That, too. Dairy "farmers have been given plenty of opportunity o participate in testing and performance records. Other incen- tives are available. Both the senior levels of government, the province and Ottawa, have provided plenty of encourage- ment in:the forfn of grants.and subsidies.. . . • But production in Ontario has dropped in the last fewyears andthe Ontario Milk Marketing Board wants to know why. That is precisely why the OMMB is going to impose a testing program on dairy farmers, a program which will eventually force every dairyman in Ontario to keep responsible records. It is the only way production standards can be raised. It is a mystery to me why so many dairy farmers have refused to adopt some kind of performance records. How in the name of heaven can they expect to keep track of the best producers in their herd? How can they be sure their best cows are producing to their capacity? A couple of decades. ago, most dairy farmers milked maybe a dozen cows, 20 at the most. But the average dairy herd has doubled, even tripled in size and even a budding Einstein cannot keep the records of that many cows in his Back in -the old days, a good dairyman knew exactly, almost to -the pound - pardon?'kme, the litre — how each was producing. But that sort of envelope -record-keeping simply Won't wash any more. Under present regulations, each province is given a market share quota. Those quotas are then allotted, sometimes sold, to provincial producers. Ontario has a hefty share of that national quota but Ontario producers, after fighting to get their share of the quota, have been unable to meet that quota. Every producer was coaxed, cajolled and even pleaded with by the Ontario milk board to keep accurate records so that every cow in the herd could be proven a wor- thwhile producer. No other method has been devised to increase herd produc- tion. Artificial insemination units across the provinee'have pro- ven sires and the semen is used by thousands of dairymen. yet it is not enough if producers do not keep accurate records. If some dairy farmers get a little testy because another system may be, imposed on them, they have only themselves to Izlarne.. Always,,it.is a few rotten apples.that spoil the barrel. Because some producers refuse to keep pro- per records, a fee- for the milk board's system will be impos- ed on all dairymen. The milk marketing board is spending more than $6 million on promotions which are designed solely to 'increase con- sumption of milk. The advertising and promotion campaigns are working. Even with the increase in the price of milk, cin sumption has been maintained and butter consumption con- tinues to increase. Yet, all this money could be spent in vain if producers can- not fill the market share quota already allotted to this pro= vince. The best way to increase production is to know thetoppro- ducers in a dairy herd and the only way to find out is to keep accurate records of production. It seems a shame that so many producers are already keeping — and paying for — accurate records but yet another system may be imposed. a Nowhere in farming is good management more important than dairying. If the milk board feels it necessary to help farmers in becoming better managers, I guess this is the best way to do it. But it seems a'shame that all have to suffer for the neglect ofafew. , enderson to address plowme Ontario. Agriculture and Food Minister- Lorne C. Henderson will address more than 800 delegates and visitors at the Ontario Plowmen's Association an- nual convention February 17. "One of the main purposes' of the two-day convention, beginning February.16, is to select the host county for the 1986 International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show," - says Art Peppin, secretaey-manager of the Ontario Plowmen's Associa- tion. "This year, four coun- ties — Grey, Hastings, Lamb - ton and Perth - arc vying for the 1986 match." Host counties or regions are selected five years in ad- vance to allow the necessary time to organize the massive event. This organization in- volves a local chairman and 22 -committees. The OPA ex- ecutive works closely with the county association. • "Selecting a host region begins at the. local county plowmen's association level -'a' Mays Peppin. "The local group expresses its desire to host the match in writing prior to the conven- tion. Local organizations and councils may also write in to support the bid." The highlight of the cam- paign to host the match takes place on the conven- tion floor. Each county bid- ding to host the match presents a delegation _ to make its pitch for the match. OPA directors vote, and the announcement 'is made at the convention luncheon on February 17. The Ontario Plowmen's Association has sponsored plowing matches in Ontario since 1913, but there are records of plowing matches in the province dating back to 1846. New programs increase productivity in province The Government of On- tario has announced a series of new agricultural in- itiatives designed to in- crease productivity, ac- celerate import replacement 'and expand food processing in the province. The programs are part of a $1.5 billion five-year strategic program aimed at creating jobs, reducing infla- tion, increasing trade and improving productivity. An- nounced by.Premier William - Davis, theprogramswill be carried out through the Board of Industrial Leader- ship and Development (BILD). Through land clearing ef- forts, selective drainage and farmstead improvement, the government intends to assist in upgrading one million acres of farmland in eastern and northern Ontario._ An acreage improvement fund will be established to provide financing at favorable rates so that farmers in these. areas may expand produc- tion of high value crops. To replace a significant proportion of imports of perishable fruits and vegetables, the government will introduce a special capital incentive for building new storage facilities and replacing old ones. Incen- tives will also be provided to individual farmers, co- operatives and small pro- cessors to ro- cessors_to assist in expan- ding crop production. To expand production of such items as canned peach- ed, tomato paste, specialty meat products and other im- ports, the government will - co -invest in new enterprises. This program will be aimed especially at the Niagara fruit belt, as well 'as other fruit producing areas of the province. The government will also TAX TIME PIJT YOU IN A BIND? If income tax time puts you in a bind, remember, at HMR Block we are trained to cut through the confusion and explore every, possi- ble deduction and credit. So we can save you as much money as legally possible. -And you can feel free to relax, knowing you're paying only the absolute minimum tax. This year be sure. THE INCOME TAX SPECIALISTS " .41611111 HSR BLOCK Pensioners: Ask about special rates. GOrERICH 19 VICT RIA STREET NORTH 524=8658. OPEN DAILY - 04 PM SAT. 9-4 PM 1. IL II 1__.e001111 discuss with the farm com- munity, the packing industry and other interested groups long-range plans for the Toronto stockyard. The programs were outlin- ed in a booklet entitled "Building Ontario in the 1980s". The Board of Industrial Leadership and Develop- ment is a committee of the provincial cabinet and- has broad responsibilities of a strategic nature aimed at consolidating" and co- ordinating the government's total economic development. "The OPA is dedicated to the advancement of the art of plowing," . says Peppin. The association believes that :good. --plowing is an essential part of good fann- ing." • The 1981 International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show is being held in Simeoe County at the farm of Gordon Atkinson, near Barrie, September 29 to October 3. Future matches' are scheduled in Middlesex, 1982; Ottawa -Carleton, 1983; Wellington, 1984; and Elgin, 1985. The Ontario Plowmen's Association is the parent organization of more than 50 county organizations with a total membership of more • than 2,000. Huron hornefarm and news' BY LEN MacGREGOR, EXTENSION ASSIST. SHEEP PRODUCERS WORKSHOP In an attempt 1.9. keep sheep producers Up;to-date on recent technology, the On- tario Ministry of Agriculture and Food is sponsoring a workshop on diseases and health on February 10 at 1:30 p.in. in the board room of the Agric tural Office in Clin- ton. Dr.. Arthur King, veterinarian with the Health of Animals Division of Agriculture Canada in Wiar- ton, will be on hand to discuss various health related . problems in the sheepflock. The workshop is one in a series of meetings that have been set up for sheep pro- ducers in Huron County. During the months of March and April, we plan to discuss such topics as the marketing of wool and lambs, breeds and breeding and heat syn.. chronization. All sheep producers Huron County are welcome to attend. For further infor- mation,. please contact the O:M.A.F. Office ill Clinton. BY RON FLEMING, • AG. ENGINEER ALTERNATE ENERGY Could your farm support its -own energy-needs?--Would- you ever want to do that? What alternate energy sources would be most prac-. tical for you? It seems a lot of farmers are interested in the answers to these questions. Iii the last few years several farmers have experimented . with solar • heating - and wind power. Recent interest has been strong in the areas of alcohol production and methane generation. terested is welcome to at- tend. BY STAN PAQUETTE, ASSOC. AG. REP. A LIVE VIGOROUS CALF How do you get it? If your beef cows calve in March and April, ° you already should have: 1: had your herd pregnan- cy checked 2. culled the herd 3. selected replacement heifers - 4. injected A.D.E. 5. used a louse control 6. vaccinated for scours Warm barn conditions con- .. tribute . to lice population. • Check for lice by patting the hair over the tail head, along the back between the shoulders and around the neck and ears. If present, treat. Scour vaccines are available for bacterial scours e.g. E. Coli and viral scours, e.g. Rota virus Vicogen is recommended for E. Coli (i.e.) bacterial scours. E. - Coli usually causes severe watery scours in calves under four to five days of age. Calfguard is recommended for viral scours; which usually occur in calves over a week old. Your veterinary can assist in supplying the vaccine and identifying type of scour. Scour vaccines should be administered to the cow six weeks and three weeks prior to calving, ,The antibodies will be passed •oar to the -calf, in the cows first milker col- ostrum. - Your cows and bred heifers should be on a balanced feed program sup- plying a proper level of pro- tein, energy, minerals and vitamins. Hav,pg done all this, a healthy calf should be on the way. Make sure the calving pen is clean ands ready. . Once born, the calf should nurse to receive colostrwn within the first few hours. The sooner the better. The colostrum will supply an- tibodies to help the calf ward off infection. Treat or clip the navel with Hibitane teat dip. Tag the calf and record pertinent in- formation. Inject A.D.E, and selenium. Once the calf is able to 'Move about' vigorously and. nurse, the cow 'and calf should be moved to a clean calved area. Good luck, and on to the next one. Convention to be held • More than 1500 delegates from across the province are expected to 'attend .the On- tario Association of Agricultural Societies con- vention .-in Toronto; February 18 and 19. The delegates represent the 231 agricultural societies which present spring, sum- . mer and fall fairs and exhibi- tions throughout the pro- vince. ..:'`-The -purpose of the an- nual convention is to give society representatives an opportunity to ,mee. and discuss problems they've faced putting on . their agricultural fairs," says Art Peppin, director of the agricultural and hor- • ticultural societies branch of the: Ontario Ministry of. Agriculture and Food. The program includes ses On Thursday, February 12, a meeting called ''Alter- nate Energy Update" will be held in the O.M.A.F. office in Clinton. The guest speakers will cover a wide range of topics related to energy. These include methane pro- duction, wind energy, wood burning, solar energy, alcohol production, heat pumps, oil seeds, heat ex- changers. The meeting will start at 10 a.m. sharp 'and . • finish at 3':30.p.m. Anydne' in - WATER WELL DRILLING "80 YEARS EXPERIENt °" ° t W • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL - • FREE ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT • 4 ROTARY 8, PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES LOWER COST WATER WELLS" DAVIDSON 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 357-1960 WINGHAM Collect Cans Accept d "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900" WELL DRILLING LIMITED ASPEN INSULATION •LTD. 524-4460 WILL INSULATE YOUR ATTIC FOR As ,LOW AS $30.00 We use only Fiberglas Canada products If your home was built prior to 1961, is your principal residence, and k three st or less, you're eligible for a tastable grant of 100% of your insulation mo,eria to a maxium of'350.00'and 1/4 of your labour costs up to '130.00. oreys is - up EXAMPLE - 1000 sq. ft. Bungalow Total Material Cost Paid by Gov't Grant Total Labour Cost '45,00 Portion to be paid by Gov't - ' i 5.00 Total Customers Portion to be , .. Aspen will wait for the government cheque $30a°° is all you pay!! *Aspen will handle all paper work *Call for free 54 Victoria Street, Goderich, 524-4460 Member of Sarnia & District Chamber of Comm estimate arca sions on finances, provincial and federal grant programs, insurance, and educational displays. A special ladies' program features informa- tion ° about various „har dicrafts and junior pro- grams. "One of the most popular features of the „convention is the publicity display com- petition," says. Peppin, "which each •society may enter. They displays ate . set'. up on the convention floor so all the delegates can see what each fair offers." The quilt competition is another highlight of the con- vention. The societies are divided into 15 districts for the competition. The winn- ing entry is selected from the top 15, awarded a prize of $600 and a place in the Canada Packers quilt collec- tion. Delegates to the conven- tion also have the opportuni- ty to meet the 1980 fair queens who compete in the provincial contest at the Canadian , National Exhibi- tion in mid-August, where Miss CNE, Queen of the. Fair, will be chosen. J B UTLER Ring nriwte Silo l9nl®oaiCrs�3 Sig Jim Silo Unlos3.rs Volume Belo Foodarse Convey -n -Feed Cottle Singl Chain Conveyors B arn Cleaners Oswalt Ensilmist.rs FARMATI.C- B lender Hammer Mills B lender Roller Mills Blender MIAs for Ground HI -Moisture Corn Augers Leg Elevators ACORN - Cable Born Cleaners Hydraulic Manure Pum- ps WESTEEL-ROSCO Grain Blg�s - 1380 to 330,000 bu. Bulk Feed Tanks ACME - Fan -Jet VontllatIen Systems ASTON- V.nfilatlon Systems.. Ba- ConepLlete Hog Con- finement Syst.ms< SLURRY -SLINGER Liquid System: allure Spreaders CLAY - Ftkini Clay Equipment AERO -FLUSH Liquid Manure Pumps, Aerators, Separators. 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