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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-03-20, Page 494; f and len an effort to molt out a aatisfac . for both the farmer and the 41,4101;luade up of farmers and lenders, is fortaidite hear'eaeh, make recomniendatns on the future of the farniing operations. Yil.Paxlel varies AP: Cordiutte the typo,farming operation heti,* studied,' t • Gurbin said if the program is successful in' drum and Grey counties, it May be adapted for use on a national level^ said the Farm Assessment Review Board)* heard a large number of cases. The hoard 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 at he stage now where the propositions and proposals that have been prepared on number of cases are being brought forward for final consideration by the lending institution infrilved," 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 or thebanks," Gurbht , • The volwitary program, allows the fa .and tbe OP. - AO* ore'llIP board an 44 to, *Olt out thepr.bient without Ihaving te regettlfltmeottrta or other legat PrIceCh*ea The r,004*, exaktitia:0;40 boardarenbnbinding• The board ,assases each sltuathie after looking at the history of the farming operation, and considering "bow OOP 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 Omit of what I would hope it can accomplish in total." Red meat development program receives enthusiastic response By Bandy Tluendyle 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 of 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 same beef farmers and farm lobby groups. But the 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 estiniat- ed to 260- prodiicerS wdulti-be-interested— in the program. To date, ahnost 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 (Mei* because,detailt of the plan' ' .were.. not announced until last summer. Emke said a lot of the "Mole p1"-ogressive -- farmers" have signed up. "There's a lot of producers out there -who could sill benefit from the program. One ofthe main purposes of the policy is to help farmers get better information about hard management and improve herd health. Jul the cow calf program producerres!re 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 will then be made available M. farmers. 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 -regardiag-weightgainand weaning, dates of all the calves in the program. The information can also help farmers identify cows in their herd which may be below standard. turn to page 16 IT'S NICE T010044, THAT BOMBpig 18 THERE HE CAN COUNT ON AND BELIEVE IN THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN feed service DUNGANNON NOW HANDLING. 5294951 °