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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-08-25, Page 34rt -S' ASR, " ItSIMY', �►► if Xr y�. 1Gi:s ` ,19.7 iy 5. r•r 4'7 i4g lurrow'. b_c�Md�1 Letters are apprecated by Bob Trotter. Eidate Rd Elmrra Ont N38 2C7 A couple of weeks ago this corner suggested that -no othe occupation depends to such a great degree on the weathe as farming, Right after that epistle was penned the July heat wave hit and thousands of dollars were lost by poultry farmer-' 'when stock suffocated in the heat. Around our neck of the woods, loses were estimated at 50,000: about 38,000 chick- ens and 12,000 turkeys. A week" later, a heavy wind -and -rain -storm hit the coun- ty. IIt was enough to make grown men weep to drive past the grain fields: three of 10 acres lodged; 30 of 50 acres driven to the ground; which makes it almost impossible, to harvest no Matter how good modern combines are. Figure it out: if those chickens were worth approximately a dollar a head, farmers in the area will lose $38,000. With the concentration in farming today, that could add up to a lot of money for individual farmers. While city vacationers were lolling on the beaches, ex- tolling the hot weather, others were taking huge losses. No insurance is available for these losses and farmers have no way of offsetting them because prices for poultry are set by marketing boards according to cost -of -production formulas. Is it any wonder that -the farming population of this coun- try is much closer to the Almighty than urbanites? When a farmer listens to a weather report, he isn't listening because he is worried about the annual company golf tournament or the annual family reunion or any such mundane thing as that.. He is concerned about whether or not he will be able to make it through another year. He may have staked his entire farm and future on a certain crop this year. If that crop is wiped out - or if he suffers great losses -he'll either hang up the for sale sign or go back to his banker, hat in hand, for an extension of his loan. ' You.doubt that farmers are close to God? I do not. I have been in close .contact with the rural popu- lation in many parts of this province for 30 years and I hon - ✓ estty•believe that they are in cl$ser touch with the Almighty ✓ than most of the rest of the population. I can remember covering rural township council meet- ings for many years. I started my newspaper; career on a 5 ` small-town newspaper and then moved to a larger city be- fore returning to a small town where I was assigned to the rural beat. It was enlightening. 1t was not unusual for many of these farming reeves toe/ start each meeting with a prayer. The late Clarence Dia- mond, a former reeve of Wilmot Township and a former warden of Waterloo County. made it a habit to start coun- cil meetings with a prayer. How many city councils - or even town councils - today start meetings in that manner? I sometimes wonder if many municipal politicians even know how to pray to themselves, let alone in public. Not long ago, I listened to Clare Hoy, the acid -tongued Queen's Park reporter for the Toronto Sun. -Hoy maintains that all politicians are liars.r "They have to tell lies or they couldn't be successful in politics," he told a class of student reporters, "Maybe` there are one or two exceptions - perhaps,' Frank Miller in On- tario - but 1 hive been covering politics for 20 years and I do not know more than a handful of honest politicians." 1 hope he is wrong: I have been involved in politics for many years as a reporter, -observer and his statement has a ring of truth' in it. But 1 hope I'm not as cynical as he. I've found a few more than a handful and I'm optimistic enough to think there are a great many more waiting to serve. ' In any event, politicians and anyone else in this old prov- ince of ours could take a few lessons in honesty and integ- rity from the farmers of Ontario. They, I am convinced, are closer to .the Presence than most of us because they have learned to walk with God on His_good earth. Navy bean crop co set new record in 1977 The 1977 navy bean crop potential is excellent with Ontario expected to, produce in excess of two million cwt. this year. Although weather and white mold could take their toll before harvest, no major problems in weather to date or disease have shown up. • About 10 percent of the acreage has been reported as sprayed for white mold. A crop in excess of two million cwt. (could range as -high as 2,250,000 cwt.) would be a record crop. The current estimate of acreage would be closer tb 160,000 acres vs. 155,000 based on intentions. The Mighigan crop potential is expected to range between 5.2 million cwt. and 5.7 million cwt. No significant growing problems have occurred there, other than potential problems that might occur if timely rains do. not continue, since sub -soil moisture is minimal. " A crop of Michigan size would mean yields over 1,200 lbs. per acre, and would be a third larger crop than marketed from 1976. Thus total North American supply may approximate an average of 7.5 million cwt. with total North American demand of only 1/2 a million cwt. in Canada and 3.2 million cwt, in the U.S. (including seed). This total demand of 3.7 million cwt. would leave Michigan alone with two million or more cwt. to sell overseas in competition with ourselves as well as Chile, Argentina and Ethiopia. Quality navy beans demand in Europe and the U.K. only totalled 2.5 to 2.7 million cwt. in 1976, so competition can be expected to be fierce with every prospect pointing to a bear market with possibly lower selling values and larger carry-over. Theonly positive demand variables continue to the buoyant U.K. demand and the possibility of North America navy beans supplanting Ethiopia bean supplies due to political and military dif- ficulties in that country. Michigan producer prices are $13.50 per cwt. with selling 'values at $16.25 for immediate delivery. (August, September) and $16.50 for October, November delivery. Ontario's price is $18.00 for October shipment export (and $19.00 domestic) Sales to date advance 1977 crop total 600,000 cwt. in Michigan most of which is normal year to year contract business by large U.S. canners. This 600,000 was sold at close to $21.00 early in April -May of 1977. No significant sales to export customers from Michigan of advance crop have been made as yet. Ontario's advance ' sales are: export 122,000 cwt. totalling 59 percent; domestic 84,700 cwt. totalling 41 per- cent. total 207,500 cwt. This would represent 10 percent of the expected crop. Since the normal sales profile is closer to 80 percent export, it is readily'' apparent that export customers have been cautious about buying new crop, not wishing to commit themselves until they feel the market bottoms out. Successive changes to Michigan producer prices Ontario dairyfarmer's are to receive a prce increase of just over three per cent o>R 42 cents per hundredweight for the milk they produce for table use, effective, ' Sep- tember 16. rM. 4,1 lmsingr.'tIle in sae, the -Chairman of the Ontari• o Milk Marketing,_ Board, Kenneth G. McKinnon, stated that for several years the Board has determined the price to its producers for raw milk by ,using an economic formula as a guide, "Recent . available in- formation," he said, "in- dicates that milk producers' incomes are lagging and they require an immediate but modest -increase to help offset their cost increases." Mr. McKinnon noted certain increases in the cost of producing milk since the 1;a ,t increase to dairy farmers •on'Atiril l of this•year. "Sipce, April, he " said '`significant increases have .occurred in the cost of eleotsricity and fuel, both commodities used ex- addtxivn, equipment. and repairs, labor, .feed .costs and property taxes have been lncrehsing''; The increase in the Producer guide is in com- pliance with the Anti Ialflation Board guidelines. MrMcKhinnon also pointed out that the Board is always concerned with the main- tenance of an adequate supply of milk. for the con- suming public "The'n.ew price levels," he said, "should guarantee consumers adequate milk supplies for the months ahead and the low level of the in - Exchange crease was only possible crop ideas eas Farmers, researchers, and agri-businessmen can exchange crop production ideas and information at the Corn and Soybean Update '77 field meetin S b g, eptern er I at the Elora Research Station near Guelph. "This is the second time the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food have sponsored this particular program, says Dr. W.S. Young, coordinator of agricultural extension at OAC, University of Guelph. Soybean `information has been added to last year's corn -only program. "We're including soybeans` because interest and in- �� formation about them- is growing. A field meeting is the best place to see practical p applications of . crop meets at production idea's;" says Dr. Young. dairy farm Three different hour-long wagon tours of corn and soybean field sites are scheduled hourly from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.in., says Dr. a ';.Young.• • i There will be planned - exhibits of tillage and -planting equipment. Data comparing production methods and machinery will also be available. One tour focuses on effects of water, 'temperature, fer- tilizer, tillage -and com- paction on corn production per acre. The second corn tour spotlights the influence of seedbed preparation, planter performance, weed control, hybrid maturation and plant numbers on yields. Highlights of the soybean - because of the good job that producers are - doing managing their farms." As there is no government regulation controlling the level of the consumer price for milk, the amount of the increase at retail outlets is dependent on the forces of competition. "For this reason," Mr. McKinnon concluded, "wedo not know what thefinal consumer price will be." The 42 cents increase per hundredweight (there are 38.7 quarts of milk perhun- • dredweight) raises the farm price for raw ' milk in Southern .Ontario from $12.61 per hundredweight to $13.03 per hundredweight and in Northern Ontario from $13.18 to $13.60 per hundredweight. calf club. (moved from $15.00 per cwt. in mid July to $13.50) tend to destabilize the market and re- inforce buyer apprehensions. Prospects of -long supplies and a continually falling Canadian dollar and rising British pound (due to net improvements in Britain's capital reserves) make the situation murkier than usual. (Canada's $18.00 export price is equal to $16.75 in U.S, currency). Take time to prevent accidents A complete maintenance check of harvesting equip- ment now can help prevent farm injuries at harvest time, says Larry Swinn, of the Farm Safety Association of Ontario. Swinn, Senior--- safety 'con- sultant, says many injuries occur when operators tinker with harvesting equipment while it is still running. Injuries resulting from harvesting equipment , ac- counted for the majority of the 388 dost -time injuries atrributable to farm machinery last year. "Of the 2000 lost -time in- juries last year the most severe accidents resulted froth harvesting equipment," he said. A complete maintenance 4 FRESH DAILY MOUTH WATERING GOOD - AND GOOD FOR YOUI APPLES AND PEACHES Lassaline Orchards 2yz, MILES FROM NO. Si HIGHWAY ON DRiVE IN ROAD SOUTH Or GODERICH 524.7772 check can not only reduce injuries but will also prevent equipment breakdowns during the critical harvest period. Swinn suggests all belts and chains be checked to ensure proper tension followed by a field test now to ' spot problems in time to order replacement- parts, if necessary. "During the field test be alert to unusual noises, in- creased vibration or power Turn to page 13A • CLAY - Silo Unloaders Feeders Cleaners Stabling a Leg Elevators Liquid Manure Equipment Hog Equipment BUTLER - Silo Unloaders Feeders Conveyors FARMATIC - Mills Augers, etc. ACORN - Cleaners Heated Waterers ZERO - Bulk Tanks Pipeline & Parlour Equipment WESTEEL-ROSCO Granaries 8 & L - Hog Panelling LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS :RR .1, Kincardine, Ontario Phone 395.32$6 ' BY LN The AugustCOImeetingSNYDER of the Dungannon 4-H calf club was held on the farm of Donald Sowerby, The meeting opened with the 4-H pledge. The secretary then gave the roll call and read the minutes for the July 'meeting. The business discussed was the club banquet to be held on October 22 and a ball game for the members Wednesday August 24. Mr. Sowerby then ' ex- plained his dairy operation. The host had some heifers for the club to judge and Glen McNeil gave the official placing. The club then eparated into groups of beef, Sr. dairy and Jr. dairy to take up the month's quizzes, All the members enjoyed a nack. of chocolate milk and oughnuts - to complete the ast meeting of the year. tour include results of s granular inoculation techniques on nitrogen production, a floating, s flexible combine • cutterbar d display, and weed control 1 experiences. Great strength! Great beauty! Great colours! stein siding in fact, a great package! Improve your home the smart way, Manufactured from Itra ,-slteil1Iout. Call now for a free estimate from: Discount Dave's Home Centres (A Division of Conklin l.. umber Company Limited) Goderich Exeter Grand Bend 524-8321 235-1422 238-2374 • Y� Far Sal SOD - 30 004, per, yard at the PUR.EB farm, 40 cents,'. per yard BOARS"?),„, delivered. Landscaping York Lan` service. Phone' 1l,237-3202 or 1- tested, algei 235-2478. -tf days, b,f ventory of. HAMPSHIRE and Duroc Robinson, RR` Boars and gilts, registered, .2317.-33 34 35 R.O.P. tested, low back fat. Paul McNally, 519.357- �'i3i TWO YEAR OLD _standard bred filly by Sudden Yankee. 2 to 7 year old riding horses, and ponies. Arabian stallion services. Phone 1-519-236- 4278.-33,34 • GRADE Nubian Billy, 3 mos. old, $45. Phone 524-7697.--34 " C. Wanted WANTED 1000 bales of 2nd cut hay. Phone 524- 6658.-34,35 24- 6658.-34,35 STRAW wanted., Phone 529- 8735.-34 13. Custom work CUSTOM Grain drying, barley, mixed grain etc, Robertson's 524-6658.-39,35 E. Farm services G.W.' 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Silazyme treated high moisture corn has shown an increase in crude protein. 11 CALL JIM BOAK 1 Ft. 1 Dungannon 529-7833 DON BOA R. 1 Dunganna! 529-7336 mai..i+•nune Br PRODUCTS COMM$Y P.o. rpx 7» a N WATERLOO, DNT. CANADA N2 ire 6194$44006 bet a ns fu is] ek, ay] 1 rlit d� sole an( spy s as ant eep aid nt •n1 e 12i pts, spec teat som inn put r, st hyd shut efore is to e in equi nn ociat Str EST E CI O ndustr Farm Factor, safety LIRE SOLE, 2The; erich,