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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-05-21, Page 22• Jon Ginn of the Goderich Fire Department goes through a list of features on one of the department's trucks for a group of students from Colborne Central School. During Police Week, May 11 -17 the group toured, the fire and police station. (photo by Dave Sykes) ne:f furrow' • It's a hackneyed joke but still true: If you took all the economists in the world and strung them end-to- end, they still would not come to a conclusion. That's how I feel about the controversial report prepared for the Economic Council of Canada by Prof. R.M. Loyns of the University of Manitoba. Loyns says at one point in the report that farm in- comes in the last five years have been higher than in the non -farming sector and that, of course, is the point that most major media outlets have publicized. The report also notes that much of this income has come as capital such as the increased value of land. Now, you know and I know that land prices have skyrocketed but farmers cannot eat that "wealth". More likely they are being stifled by it because they cannot afford to buy more land. Why the price of land is included in income is another one of those mysteries that only economists can understand. It is such convoluted figuring that baffles lame - brains like me. Also included in the measure of farm incomes are quotas and the prices they are worth. Again, I'm baffled by how quotas add toe farmer's income. A value is surely placed on them but as long as the farmer remains in far -ming, he cannot use that value as income. It's like saying I'm worth $100,000 simply because I'vegot that insurance. But I won't collect it and it sure isn't income for me. It's death insurance, not life insurance. "There has been no persistent difference between incomes of farm and non-farm families over the total time period (1961 through 1974)," said Loyns, "and average (farm) income is obviously less stable from year to year than average non-farm income." Perhaps true but how many non-farm workers -- industrial workers, blue-collar workers, regular wage-earners -- have as high an investment as most farmers? To compare the two ,is not being fair to. farmers. - Lene,s a'e app,ec'ated by Bob T,ottef EidaIe Rd Eimiia Ont N38 2C 7 Farm assets, he notes, have increased sharply in the last five years and this could hardly have occurred in a poverty -ridden' industry. Who said agriculture is a poverty -ridden industry anyway? Farmers have worked like hell inthe last five years to get a decent break in the marketplace. They have worked for more than 25 years for their own marketing boards. Only in the last decade have they even approached equality with other sectors of the country. The report also says that the overall profit in processing and retailing is only 2.6 per cent of the prices consumers pay. The report admits that the research here is shallow and much more work is required. I suggest if this is true then the report should not have contained a • section dealing with that part of the industry. It in- dicates to me that farmers again get shafted. The report has plenty of facts and figures to nail farmers to the barn door but falls 'short in proof along the rest of the food chain. It's the same old story, I guess. Hit the guys who have •trouble fighting back. Shower them with in- nuendo. Baffle them with statistics but leave the big, multi -nationals alone. The money for more research and more jobs for economists comes from big business. If this processing and retailing is so lily-white, why did Ontario spend so much time and money on trying to find out about kickbacks and premiums paid by these firms? Why were those executives who were questioned at the hearing so evasive in -giving their answers? Ah, shucks. It's like trying to nail jelly to a wall. Farmers make up only six per cent of the population now. They don't have much clout any more so ,let's force another three or four per cent into bankruptcy and get rid of them. Then we can all starve. Ontario to subsidize farm loans Agriculture and Food Food Minister Lorne. C. Hen- derson has announced that the Ontario gover- nment will subsidize short-term working capital loans for farmers engaged in food production. The program will subsidize interest rates above 12 percent to a maximum of three percent for working capital loans of up to $50,000. The program will run for a period of nine months, beginn,j.ng retroactively on April I, 1980. Farmers will borrow from financial institutions in the usual ' way. When their short- term financial . dealings are complete, or when the nine-month period has, ended, they will send in applications, coun- tersigned by the lending institution, stating the interest rate,' the amount of capital borrowed, and _thejnterest paid. Eligibility criteria are being drawn up with the co-operation of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the financial institutions will be invited to participate •as well. An information FARM DRAINAGE By HODGINS & HAYTER LTD. Grand Bend 238-2313 PHONE COLLECT [We install clay, concrete 8. plastic drains .[Your choice of open trench or plow [Dozers for clearing leveling and backfilling [Crawler Backhoe for open ditch clean out [Licenced under Tile Drainage Installation Act FREE ESTIMATES COMPETITIVE PRIiCES WORK GUARANTEED pamphlet and application forms will be available in the near future from the agricultural represen- tatives' offices and from financial institutions. In making this an- nouncement, Mr. Hen- derson said, "I hope the federal government will respond positively to our program- .and render .similar assistance to farmers." CID GO No running No walking No exercise No effort Penalty --- a shorter life No argument Fitness is fun. Try some ®iltlti� � J• Pa177/C/PRCT/011 Tests' eondulled at the RidgetpwnCollege of Agricultural Technology .RCAT) Show that Controlling weeds in cereal crops can result in yield increases of up to 10 bushels per acre; "Over a five-year test period we:: found • that weed control ;is barley and wheat showed sub- stantial dividends," 'says Clarence Swanton, RCAT biology specialist. "However, to achieve the increase& yields, her- bicides must be applied at the correct titre." The research showed that recommended. herbicides such as 2,4-D, KIL-MOR or Banvel should be sprayed when the cereals are at the two - o five leaf—s•, a e t'o en- sure optimum yields of a quality grain crop. "These chemicals winter annuals inch as pberd's Purse, false 't1 peppergrass, and pennycress," says Mr. Swanton. "If winter annuals are 'the problem the should : be sprayed during the rosette stage, before they develop a seed head." Early application of the recommended herbicides provides control for common summer annual weeds, including wild buckwheat,. lady's thumb, mustard, ragweed, lamb's - quarters and pigweed. They also control such perennials as thistles and bindweed. "These herbicides should be used only at the recommended rates," says M—Swanton. • if thecereal crop . is u:nd.erseede with legumes, 2,4 --DB. (Exnbutox) should be used instead ` of 2,:4.1, IFIL MOR or Banvel. Where clever' IS un- derseeded, MCPS (Tropotox) may be used. "For maximum et- fectiveness, spray her- bicides when tem- peratures are above 15 degrees C (60 degrees F)" .suggests Mr. Swanton. ``Avoid spraying on windy days to prevent spray drift onto susceptible crops." Treatments for , weeds other than the common annual or winter annual broad-leaved weeds are listed in Ontario Ministry r: of Agriculture and Food publication 75, "Guide to Chemical Weed Control". Copies of this publication are available at local agriculturaloffices, or from the Information Branch, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Legislative Buildings, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A5. "Growers. should not spray 2,4-D or KOL-MOR on Mingo barley because crop injury can result." Off to UK The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food recently awarded travel scholarships to four Ontario Junior Farmers, including one from Huron County. The travel scholarships. are presented annually to four Junior Farmers selected by the Junior Farmers' Association of Ontario. The winners are chosen - for their knowledge of Ontario agriculture, their, in- volvement in Junior Farmers arid their com munication skills. This years scholarship winners are Debra Hill, RR2 Thorndale,. Mid-' dlesex County; Ron McRae, RR1 Denfield, Middlesex County; Dave Jenkins,, RRI Belmont, Elgin County; and -Bill. Armstrong, - RR4 Wingham, Huron County. These young people were selected from 15 can- didates. "The travel scholar-. • ship program provides an opportunity for Ontario Junior Farmers to learn about agriculture and rural life in the United Kingdom," says Amber Gibbons, assistant supervisor of youth ex- tension, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. "It also gives Junior Farmers a chance to see how other ruralyouth organizations are operated." During their eight- week stay, from May 13 to July 14, the Junior Farmer delegates will live and work on several typeeOf'farms. They will be hosted by Young Farmers, an organization for .rural..young people in the United Kingdom. "One of the highlights of this year's -trip is a visit to., the Royal Highland Show in Scotland," says Miss Gibbons. "The travelling Junior Far-; mers will also visit Northern . Ireland . and England." The Junior Farmer travel scholarships are part of an exchange program with United Kingdom 'Young Far- mers. Ten represen- tatives from the United Kingdom will be sent to visit Ontario from June .11 to August 27. The Young Farmers will be hosted by Ontario Junior Far- mers and their families. Vets get help Agriculture and Food Minister Lorne C. Hen- derson has announced that the annual payment to veterinarians in the designated 'areas established under Ontario's veterina-ry assistance policy has been increased from $8,000 to $10,000. 'Under the veterinary assistance policy, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food assists large animal veterinary practices in 18 designated areas of the province. The program assures livestock owners of veterinary service in areas of low livestock populations where it is not economically feasible for a veterinarian to -_...without assistance. It also en- sures that farmers receive veterinary' PROTECT YOUR BEACH Install Gabions for erosion control. Save your valuable lake lot and beach For free estimates, call' Joe Durand Construction 565-5022 service at about the same cost as producers in more populated areas. There are 14 designated areas in northern Ontario and four. in southern Ontario. The veterinary assistance policy was established in 1945 and also pays some of the travelling expenses in- curred by the 28 veterinarians in the program. Local veterinary service committees provide $1,000 of the total annual payment. BUTLER'. Ring Drive Silo Untaoders Big Jim Silo Unloaders Volume Belt Feeders Convey -n -Feed Cattle Feeders Single Chain, Conveyors Barn Cleaners Oswalt Ensilmixers FARMATIC- Blender Hammer Mills Blender Roller Mills Blender Mills for Ground HI -Moisture Corn Augers Leg Elevators ACORN - Cable Barn Cleaners Hydraulic Manure Pum- ps WESTEEL-ROSCO Grain Bins - 1,350 to 250,000 bu. Bulk Feed Tanks ACME - Fan -Jet Ventilation Systems ASTON - Ventilation Systems B B. - Complete Hog Con- finement Systems SLURRY -SLINGER Liquid Manure Spreaders CLAY - Parts and Service for Clay Equipment AERO -FLUSH Liquid Manure Pumps, Aerators, Separators. WE HANDLE EVERYTHING -ALMOST LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS R.R. 1, Kincardine, Ont. Phone 395-5286 SEED CORN M. W. DURST PHONE 482-7309 A. for salt EVANS certifie certified° ybean seed. Keith Lovrell, Kippen, Ont. Phone 262- 5618.-19-26-21 62-5618 19 20 21 "MEAT KING" Roaster Cockerels, day-ot l., available May and June. Call McKinley Hatchery 1-800-265-8536. Order today and put meat on .' your table this, fall.--20- 24AR. B. Custom work CUSTOM SHEEP SHEARING - competitive rates. Gavin Wright, Walton, 1-527-1638.-21-24 tkh tp.t.10,0ototk FOR SALE Service age. boars, Ramp, Yorki Hamp x Dame and. Ramp. x. York, . Also York 3,0 Landrace bred gilts, due 4• to "6 ,weeks. Bob' Robinsopl, RR4 Walton,. 345-2317,-19-21 BRED GILTS - York Landrace with closed` herd conditions.. Original;; herd constantly being R.O,P.tested by Quality Swine. Breeder Boa also available,. -LAURENCE VAN` DENHEUVEL . 524- 4350E-20-22ar CUSTOM planting, andtsso--w .spraying done. Phone 482- -fi192 =22 I WATER, WELL DRILLING "80 YEARS EXPERIENCE" • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FREE 'ESTIMATES ° GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT • 4 ROTARY 8, PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES LOWER COST WATER WELLS" DAVIDSON WELL DRILLING LIMITED 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 357.1960 WINGHAM Collect Calls Accepted "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900" ANNOUNCEMENT Dr. W.A. Schilthuls and Dr. D. Leeper are pleased to welcome DRe KAREN L. GALBRAITH as their new associate in their mixed animal practise Karen has recently graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. Past experience in Prince Edward Island, Saskatoon, and various clinics has made Karen very eager and suitably qualified for both large $ small animal professional services. Raised on a beef dairy farm, Karen is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Brad & Evelyn Galbraith of R.R. 3 Wingham. Wypoul...°declares war on wild oats ythou ve-ween waging e war on wild oats for years. But it -will take a powerful force to make a dent in the enemy's armour. This year Uniroyal Chemical has committed Wypout to the fight and this hard-hitting herbi- cide is going to make its presence felt very quickly. Wypout is among the most economical post - emergence wild oat " treatments available in Canada. It provides growers with-' effective control before there is a chance of yield loss. Wypout is effective on wheat, barley, lentils, rapeseed,' mustard, (ababeans, sugar beets. sunflowers. flax -and peas. Let Wypout become your formidable ally in the war on wild oats. UNIROYAL CHEMICAL Dib. of UNIROYAL Ltd. Elmira, Ontario "` � UNIROYAL Trfldf+mark t,l UN�RC"AL LtU Wypout is available from W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. Blenheim, Rodney, Granton, Mitchell, Kent Bridge, and Hensall.