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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-04-07, Page 30Y PAGE IQA—tiODERIC H SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1977 IncOloot in the lurrow' byZ7 It is probably too early to start the grave -digging but reports indicate that the National Farmers Union is all but dead. 1, fur one. think it is a shame Blake Sanford of Kingsville. a regional co-ordinator for the NFU. sounded the warning at the recent district con• vehUon in Walkerton. "The union faces a dilemma. he told the membership "It can close up the national offices and go bankrupt or a can cut its services to the bone. The other answer is to pump more money into It through memberships.- Therein emberships.-Therein is the problem. Although the union has tor many years refused to reveal to the press as actual membership, it was learned' at the convention that the union now represents, country -wide. about. 8.200 farm families Which is a far cry from the rival organization the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. The OFA boil y,;d an individual membership last year of more than 25.000 in Ontario alone. - Without active members. any organization will die Back in the 1960s. the old Ontario Farmers Union was a power to be reckoned with in Ontario agricultural cir- cles When Mel Tebbut of Markdale and John Dolmer of Corbetton- and Walter Miller of Tara were • presidents, . people listened to them. In 1966, the union boasted 360 locals in 35 counties of Ontario although individual membership was not reveal- ed 1 was fortunate enough to attend a few provincial con- ventions of the OFT in those days and I never mel a friendlier. more concerned group of people fighting for q farmers. Another personal note. The mistake was made at the provincial convention in the 1960s when the OFA' mem- bership decided to go national... that ts, amalgamate with the sister organizations in other provinces and dis- pense with the title Ontario Farmers Union and become the National Farmers Union. - From that time until today, the union slowly lost credi- bility Walter Miller, although he ran strong campaigns. ended up second fiddle to Hoy Atkinson of the Prairies and the union voice in Ontario became a stifled whimper Letters are apprei,ated br Bon Trotter Eidaie Rd Eimna Om N38 2C $ when he was defeated last year inan attempt to retain his vice-presidency Probably the greatest single difference between the union and the lederation of agriculture is in the attitude ut militancy The union has always taken the position that farm policy should he decided by dues -paying members, Until Gordon Hill. a Inrnrer president of the union - 1957 to 1960 -- took aver as president of the federation. the OFA was considered a sort of toothless organization Ile. learn- ed his lesson about membership while in the union and changed the structure oI the federation so that individual service members paid dues to the UFA It was in 1965 that 2.0110 farmers union delegates march- ed on the Parliament Buildings denlanding better farm prices In :April of the following year.' 1501) members par• aded from the auditorium of Ryerson t'olytechmcal Insti- tute to Queen's Park In June and July of that same year. union members organized tractor parades to the legisla- tive buildings to protest farm prices Probably the biggest single mass march was in 1967 when the union organized a mammoth tractor parade from all across the province to march on Ottawa in anger and frustration W'hat the union lacked in diplomacy was counterbalanced by aggressiveness I was out there on the highways covering those tractor parades and was amazed at the spirit and drive shown by the farmers union in those dans. Men like :Sam Bow- man of Elora. Frank Gamble of Chatsworth. Ed :Morden of h;lrnir'a, Walter Nliller.uf Tara. Mel Tebbut of Markdale and John Dolmer of ('or•hetlon were young and eager to see justice dome for larmer•s If the union in Ontario does die for lack of membership. it will be a tearful funeral. I was not always In complete agreement with union policies. :1t the same time. I have been disgusted now and again at the wish -washy attitude of the federation It seems a shame that the zest and the enthusiasm en- gendered in the early days cannot he re -kindled, Farmers need every voice they can get to tell their storvr and the National Farmers Union was always a strident voice for farmers until re('ently Farm owners urged to improve landscape A competition to encourage farm and home owners to improve the look tt, their property is being spRnsored by the committee planning the 1978 International Plowing Match. Called a Farmstead and Home Improvement Com- petition, the committee will offer prizes in three categories: most improved farmstead and entrance; most improved rural dwelling and grounds; and most im- proved urban hbme and grounds. Organizer of the plowing match, which is slated for September 1978 in Morris Township, want people to beautify their homes and farms in anticipation of the thousands of visitors who are expected to attend the Match. The contest is open to all residents of Huron County. The closing date for entries in the three categories is June Ist, 1977. Judging will take place ufter August 1, 1978. An entry fee of 85. must be submitted with the ap- plication to the secretary, .Aim Murlock, RR 2, Crediton. Information and application forms may be obtained by contacting one of the com- mittee representatives listed below; or theOntario Agriculture and Food office in Clinton. Committee representatives are: Officers - chairman - Glen and Sharon Miller: RR 3, Parkhill. 238-8259. Vice -Chairmen; Doug Drop in wheat price reflects in earnin The world price for wheat has dropped about 82 per bushel since 1974 and this decrease will be reflected in the price Ontario farmers receive for their 1976 wheat crop according to Chairman of the Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board, Irving Kleiman. Mr.' Kleiman made his remarks to a large number of area farmers attending an agricultural day at Pineridge Chalet recently sponsored by Cook's. The total price to Ontario producers for the 1974, crop was 84.26 per bushel; for 1974 84.35 per bushel and for 1975 83.63 I/7 per bushel. Mr. Kleiman informed those present - the situation has deteriorated even further for the current crop year. In explaining just how the farmers were paid for 1976 wheat crops, Mr. Kleiman said the initial price paid to producers during the 1976 crop was a basic 82 per bushel paid by the agent to the producer when wheat was delivered. The board . then reimburses the agent for the money paid to the producer plus the agent handling charge. The wheat is then the property of the board which is responsible for the purchase and sale of all wheat in the province. The remainder of the price per bushel is paid by interim payments to the producer as the wheat is sold. Mr. Kleiman - said producers have sold a little more than 22.1 million bushels of the 1976 crop to date and that volume is an all time high since the board was established in 1958. Out of this 22.1 million bushels, about 7.5 million bushels has been 'sold for domestic human con- sumption a record 720,000 bushels for seed and about 11 million bushels has been sold for export leaving just under 3 million bushels unsold at the Spread money around Acting on a` recom- mendation of their Development Committee, Huron County Council authorized a letter be for- warded to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Drainage Section, suggesting that any money not required by municipalities in Huron County be allocated to other municipalities in Huron which could use the funds. The recorrimendation was the result of a meeting bet- ween the committee and Don Pullen, Agriculture Representative for Huron, at which Mr. Pullen presented a report which 'set out the methods used by the Province in allocating funds and amounts allocated to municipalities in Huron and the surrounding counties. McKillop Township Reeve Allan Campbell asked just how the funds could be redistributed when each township did not know until November at least how much money they had used. Morris Township Reeve Bill Elston explained that it would in fact be funds from the previous year which would be redistributed to cover the cost of projects in other area. Council also approved a budget of 86,850 for the County Exhibit at the 1978 International Plowing Match. Another council en- dorsement went to a recommendation for the continuation of the ARDA program, on the same basis as in the past, and that the Ministers responsible for a new agreement, and Federal and Provincial Members of Parliament be advised, WATER WELL DRILLING "76 YEAFiS..EXPERIENCE" • • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FREE ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT '• 4 flOTARY & PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES,-, .LOWER COST WATER WELLS" iamb. DAVIDSON 4 Rotary and 1Percusslon Drills PHONE 357-1960 WELL DRILLING LIMITED WING -HAM Coliect Calls Accepted - "OPITARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900f" present tiThe. Mr. Kleiman says the board recognizes the fact the export Market accounts for the largest portion of the crop, and efforts are being made to generate continued or new interests overseas. The estimates on seeded acreage of wheat in Ontario last fall show an increase of about. 20, percent over the previous year for a total of about 620,000 acres, with a potential for a 29 to 30 million bushel crop -this year. Mr. Kleinman informed the meeting the board has em- barked on a new export sales promotion brochure and is looking at possible ways to increase domestic human consumption,as well. Mr. Kleiman added the Ontario board works closely with the Canadian Wheat Board, but the Canadian board does not contract ex- port sales of Ontario wheat and recent sales that have been announced by the Canadian Wheat Board for sale to China do not include any Ontario wheat. Mr. Kleiman was not the only speaker on the agenda S for the meeting at Pineridge. Dr. Ernie Rinebergs of the University of Guelph spoke to the farmers present con- cerning malting barley and Allan Magrath, Market Analyst of the Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board discussed the• white bean market. Following lunch, Sean Usher of 'Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology discussed the -corn crop and representatives from several fertilizer companies discussed what's new in chemicals. Bw 10 gallons 'u�a' ofiCaco'srnlbr and you'll save 20C a gailon. Now is the time to save on this special offer. You'll save as much as 20C a gallon on current farm prices. You know the high quality and performance you can expect from our big names... Havoline, Ursa, Rando and Texaco TDH and now you know you can buy - them at the best possible price. r• (/140/0 ii Free Farrri Services Write for our tree brochure "Your Guide 10 the Care and Maintenance of Farm Equipment" to (f)ealers name and NAME ADDRESS_ ' 1 Offer oxplreiJuly 311, 1077 VIC WALDEN FUELS LIMITED 141 MAITLAND RD. S. GODERICH, ONTARIO 524-u12 and Gerry Fortune, RR 2, Wingham, 335-3801; secretary -treasurer - Jim and Nancy Morlock, RR 2, Crediton, 234-6297; publicity, Muriel Coultes, RR 5, Brussels, 357-1908. Directors - Ashfield -Phillip and Dianne Foster, RR 6, Goderich, 529-7851; Ralph Foster, RR 6, Goderich, 529-,. 7202; Colborne, Dennis and Connie Connely, RR 3, Goderich, 524-6084; Goderich, Larry Sturdy, RR 2, Goderich, 524-8045; Grey, Bill and Mary Beth Mann, RR 1, Monkton, 887-6717; Hay Glenn and Lois Hayter, RR 1, Zurich, 236-4171 ; Howick, John and Betty Stafford: RR I, Wroxeter, 335-3604; Hullett, John and >nalda Flyn, RR I,Clinton, 4M-3318; McKillop, Stanley and . Jessie Hillen, Box 1015, Seaforth, 527-0077; Morris, Bill and Muriel Coultes, RR 5, Brussels, 357- )908; Stanley, Paul and Kathy Steckle, RR 2, Zurich, 565- 2197; Stephen, Jim and Nancy Morlock, RR 2, Crediton, 234- 6297; Tuckersmith, Elgin and Grace Thompson, RR 3, Kippen, 262-2633; Turnberryy, Doug and Gerry Fortune, RR I, Wingham, 335-3801; Usborne, Bob and Pat Down, Hensall, 235-2557; E. Wawanosh, Karl and Lin Linda Lentz, RR 5, Wingham, 357-1087; W. Wawanosh, Cecil and Marybelle Cranston, RR 2, Auburn, 529-7691. Towns: Clinton, Harold and Caroline Lobb', Clinton, 482- 7009; Exeter, George an,d Lee Dobbs, 39 Riverside Drive, 235-1130; Goderich, Bill and Myra Henry, 166 Sunset Drive, 529-2082; Seaforth, Mrs. Brenda McIntosh, RR 3, Seaforth, 527-0358;J, Mrs. Isabel Scott, Brucefield, 482- '7135; 82- 7135; Wingham, Miss Gwen Norris, 103 Patrick East 357- 2055. Villages: Blyth, Mrs. Viola Haines, 523-9240; Brussels, Jack and Esther McCut- cheon, 887-6862; Hensall, Doug and Kaen Shirray, 88 King, 262- 2422; Zurich, Ron and Marilyn Heimrich, Zurich, 236-4941. Prizes and awards will be given at the conclusion of the Competition. A County Champion and Reserve Champion will be selected in each claw, A. For sale BARLEY grown from Cer- tified Laurier, either cleaned and treated or from the bin, Contact George Wraith, 524- 7351 or 524- 7002.-10,11,12,13,14,15ar SERVICEABLE AGE Hampshire boars. ROP tested and commercial. Also York boars. Bob Robinson, RR 4, Walton 345-2317. —14,15 ONE tractor International D- 414 diesel. Front hydraulic loader, 3 point hitch and live power takeoff. Good tires. Phone 524-7632.-13tf GOOD quality conditioned hay. Phone 524-6371.-13,14 For details Corn, Spring, Grain, Beans, Hay 8, Pasture call: GEORGE TURTON 319 HURON, ROAD GODERICH 524-7411 PM1st s dansline fory aPPI Ittlkeela 1 • lug � C. Wanted WANTED.. to Rent. land, for ten to In cattle from 300 tod Apply in writing tor Clinton News,Record, CLAY — Silo Unloaders Feeders Cleaners .Stabling Leg Elevators Liquid Manure E Hog Equipment BUTLER — Silo Unloaders Feeders Conveyors FARMATIC — Mills Augers, etc, ACORN — Cleaners Heated Waterers ZERO — Bulk Tanks Pipeline & Equipment W ESTEEL-ROS( Granaries B & L - Hog Panelling LOWRY FARM SVS' RR 1, Kincardine, Phone 395.5111 Il Adolescence: the age child tries to bring parents. L WlarrH' -7O0L KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON! . .PM Repres • Save MONEY and get RESULTS. Use the Your Di Acremeter to apply your crop inputs exactly, gales and • Make ONE unit do4he work of THREE. Use the low cost transfer kit to easily move it from your tractor to swather to combine. • Continuous readout in acres (to 1-100 acre) RDS agrican Ltd. Box 367, Goderich, Ontario, NAM kir 519-524.7441 ATTE1 TION FARMERS FLAX WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLAX AS A CASH CROP 1N'1977 1. Flax Futures for 1977 continue at an attractive level. 2. Flax Plantings in our area have continued to grow. 3. Input Cost for seed, fertilizer and spray less than $20.00 per acre as of March 31, 1977. 4. A market is available immediately for all Ontario grown flax. 5. Quick unload as compared with other cash crops. 6. Forward selling available (ask Manager for • details) 7. Storage available (ask Manager for details) 8. Contracts available (ask Manager for details) 9, Crop insurance for flax is available in 1977 (See your Agent for details) Don't delay because interest in this seed `is hi To avoid disappointment call today. For 16 'Wrier' TOPNOTCH FEEDS LIMITED FEEDS LIMITED Milverton,, Ontario phone '595-4941, seed pleae)e contact: or ANDERSON FLAX PROD Lucknow, Ontario phone 528-21126 142 Gc