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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-12-15, Page 354 ne .foot in the furrow' •• 2.4 it Is not much -fun being a farmer at the -best of tines Interesting, challenging, different, precarious. fulfilling perhaps. but not much fun anymore. And if we can believe the guessperts, some of the tun that is left is soon going to be wiped out. Three -top agricultural men spoke at the annual meeting of the .Eastern Canadian Farm Writers' Association last month. They feel the future is pretty grim for farmers. Dr. Gordon MacEachern of Ottawa. president of the Agri- cultural Economics Council of Canada. told the farm writ- ers that farm prices and profits are declining -- now, that's not news. for farmers. is it' — world markets are becoming more competitive, the domestic market is being eroded by imports, energy costs are rising, government budgets are showing increasing deficits. unemployment is high and in- flation is too high. None of this is news to farmers. Underlying everything, he said, like the submerged part -of an iceberg. is the rising cost of producing food in Canada and this is pushing the industry out of world competition. Gaetan l.usster of Ottawa._ deputy minister of agriculture for Canada, said farming will remain competitive only in some commodities. W Which ch means others wilt be sacrificed. lie did not suggest which commodities would bcsacrificed.- Canadian agriculture: he said, will require more efficiency and improved.productivity. access to more markets through trade, agreemehts and policies, a land -use policy to pre- serve the best farm land, adoption of new technology and a farm -level economy that will offer "stability and security for farmers so they can plan ahead. - Bill Doyle. one of the most influential figures in agricul- ture in Ontario — he has Bill Newman's ear. i hear -- made a lot of sense. He%is executive director of the marketing division in the On ario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. learn e,r spas, gird Dr But, ,„iWigle Ru fit","a 61,i NIB 24.1 He said Canada must keep production costs in line and should look for sales where high quality at a high price can be developed '['hat makes a good deal of sense to Inc. ()manor's produce the best pork in the world and Ontario farmers should get a good price for a superior product on world markets 'Mr. Doyle maintained that C=anadian agriculture must drop- the- attitude that we can sell anything anywhere: Zero in on certain commodities and markets where success is likely. Good satesnren, I guess, can spot a market and tap that Market. Canadians „joust become good salesmen in world markets l)iiyle also suggested that Canadians may he wise to pro- tect markets for certain domestically -produced foods even if lower-priced supplies are available on world markets. This. of course, hearts protective tariffs, a route which has been taken by many European countries. especially those within the European Common Market. It is. tine for Mr. Doyle to make such statements and [ heartily agree with hint. 1 think Canadian farmers should be protected by tariff restrictions. But Mr. Doyle is with the provincial. gov'rnment and the province has little or no clout in establishing tariffs. This Phis I the tE'Ecr<tI' ' li\c c •' rnmenf's g responsibility. Bill Newman has been Lighting ever -since he was appointed minister of agriculture. for better protec- tion for farmers,. He has not been able to make much head- way. It seems quite clear to this observer that Canadian farm- ers do face some tough times and one of the biggest threats to stabilizing the industry is in costs of production. Farmers are forced into it. E.vervthing they buy is costing more and there is nothing they can do to prevent it. Biggest increase is in energy costs. They must pay.more for fuel and this alone could force thein out of world mar- kets. GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15,1977.MA.G Lea. -Fonds Co-op re-elects president At a directors' meeting following the annual meeting of Gay Lea Foods Co- operative Ltd., held in Guelph on December 6, Walter Hamel of Elmwood, Ontario was re-elected president. Mr. Hamel owns and •operates a dairy farm in Bruce County and has been active .in farm and co- operative organizations for some years. He has been a delegate in the co-operative since the early 1960s and was elected a director in 1968. in 1974 he became a ;fiirector of the Dairy Farmers of Canada and in 1976 he was elected president of Gay Lea Foods Co-operative. Russell McCutcheon . of Owen Sound was re-elecred as a director and as first vice- president. Robert Turner of Owen Sound was re-elected as` a director and as second vice- president. Elected to the board in December were Edwin Miller of Exeter and John Stafford of Wroxeter. The remaining directors are: Howard Wilson Sound; John Campbell of Bayfield; David Ireland of Teeswater and Mel Proud of Tara. At the annual meeting which preceded the election, President Walter Hamel said that the year under review had its problems, its challenges and its successes. Sharply reduced milk. volume necessitated cure tailment of operations in the milk plants. However, net earnings permitted payment of a cash patronage dividend of 10 cents per hundredweight on 93,6 per cent of members' rifalk �'xrrd•-three cents per pound butterfat on members' farm -separated cream. Mr. Hamel said it was impossible for the co- operative to generate ear- nipgs in the egg grading business and that the e f production topic at Jan. 5 conference fspecialists will discuss to efficient beef ction, January 5, as part of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) Agricultural Conference at the University of Guelph. T.D. Burgess, morning chairman of the beef o extra help here Carlo Agriculture r William Newman there is "no fication" for the nment to provide onal assistance, other crop insurance, to the ince's white bean far - man said in a brief release last week he has dered the situation of year's white bean crop sustained considerable from wet weather ge fall. The minister said about 100,000 acres, or two-thirds of., the white bean acreage, are coyered by crop insurance. He said that as of Dec. 1, $7.5 million had been paid in claims and the total is ex- pected to rise to $9 million. "On the basis of facts known to me and on the basis of representation made to me by the bean producers' marketing board, I am df the opinion athat there is no justification for the gover- nment to provide assistance other than crop insurance," he said. Bean producers in Huron, Perth and Middlesex counties are expected to claim nearly $12 million in insurance to compensate for the loss _of almost 80 percent of this year's crop. Until the wet weather hit in the fall, bean producers had predicted a record crop. The bean marketing board's statistics show this year's crop to be the worst in 55 years. program,says the day -long session will prove in- formative to producers and others interested in the beef industry. The session, which will be held in the University Centre, is expected to draw more than 150 people. The morning session will cover growth promotants, their economics, frequency of use, profits and problems, as well• as a discussion of the recently licensed feed ad- ditive, Rumensin. During - the afternoon session of the beef program, researchers and represen- tative,s of breeding associations will discuss new breeding research and -goals of breed associations. There is nofegistration fee for the beef program, one of nine ' separate programs offered during the OAC ome course for pork producers from Guelph k production is mins more specialized producers are deman- or sale Pat manure handling m, swing type, in ex- t condition, paint still ft. of chain, 3 years old, chute. Phone 524-4350. Iyestock SALE purebred pshire boars, ser- ble age, ROP tested, crossbred boars. Bob on, RR 4, Walton, 345- -50,51,52 y NEW HOME NIARRANTY PROGRAM ding highly trained speople to operate their farms. To meet the need for' this type of training, the Ontario ministry of agriculture and food sponsors a homestudy course called Pork Production. The course, written by swine specialists under the direction of Doug Jamieson of Centralia College . of Agricultural Technology, is popular among producers who want to keep abreast of changes in the industry, says Gary Hutchison, of the University of Guelph Office of Continuing Eucation. Ag. conference Jan. 3 - 5 at Guelph Nine programs covering a variety of agricultural topics will be featured at the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) Agricultural Conference January 3, 4 and 5 at the University of Guelph. The Conference, called "If It Concerns Agriculture", It Concerns All of Us," is sponsored jointly by OAC and the Ontario ministry of agriculture and food. W.S. Young, coordinator of agricultural extension at OAC says thousands of people including producers, con- sumers, and agribusiness 5 YEAR WARRANTY ON NEW HOMES INCLUDING CONDOMINIUMS! Purchasers should buy ONLY from a Registered Builder and be assured of: 1 Deposit and downpayment protection. 2. Correction of defects and deficiencies during first year.- 3. ear_3. Protection against -major structural defects for 5 years. 4. Mediation in disputes. "tckw'thyour builder, solicitor of real estate broker, or contact HUDAC NEW HOME WARRANTY PROGRAM rip 8toor Si West. Toronto. Ont M5S 2V6 • (4161 922.3005 administering ONTARIO NEW HOME WARRANTIES PLAN ACT representatives are expected to attend. Programs on the first day, of the Conference, January 3, include "machinery on.the farm" "trimming corn production colts", and "alternate cash crops for central Ontario". The "poultry industry school", will he held January 3 at the Arboretum Centre. Programs scheduled for January 5, the final day of the Conference, include "aids to efficient beef production," and "erosion - one of Ontario's agricultural challenges." There is no registration fee for the Conference. However, there is a $2 charge for the Ontario Food Processors' Fieldmen's Conference. All program sessions, unless otherwise noted, will be held at the University Centre. For more information contact Dr. W.S. Young, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W1. • WATER WELL DRILLING "76 YEARS EXPERIENCE” Agricultural Conference January 3 to 5. The con- ference is sponsored jointly by OAC and the Ontario ministry of agriculture and food. For more information about the conference contact W.S. Young, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, WALTER HAMEL (Photo by Bob Cunningham) directors had decided to accept an offer to purchase the egg grading stations at Seaforth and Strathroy. He said that this was a very difficult decision for the directors to make but vertical integration in the egg in- dustry ruled, out successful operations in only grading and packing. He also stated that the par value of common shares had been increased from $10 to $15 and that this change had necessitated transferring $893,000 from the general reserve and contributed surplus accounts to the share account. Mr. T. E. Brady, executive vice-president„„and general manager, dtgriounced a decrease in sales of 3 per cent to $89,882,043, due to the decrease in milk receipts from a year ago but net earnings at $1,053,000 were slightly ahead of last year. He said that the financial position of the co-oper ve continued to improve, havin reached a current ratio of 1.6 to one for the first time and that members' equity had increased to 31.4 per cent of total assets. .Outf earnings arnings the Board of Directors had declared a divident of $1.20 per common share, which is an increase of 50 per cent over a year ago. Mr. Brady said that the dividend on shares, plus the patronage dividend on milk and cream, toula return half a -million dollars in cash to the member shareholders. Wanted RABBITS Top market prices paid for fryers- 4-6 lbs. Heavy - 7 lbs. and up. Shipping dates every second Monday Com- mencing Monday, December 19/77. For more information contact Huronview Commercial Rabbitry Phone: 519-7795 Dungannon, Ontario CLAY — Silo Unloaders Feeders Cleaners Stabling Leg Elevators Liquid Manure Equip Hag Equipment BUTLER ,Silo Unloaders Feeders Conveyors FARMATIC — Mills Augers, etc. ACORN — Cleaners Heated Waterers WESTEEL- ROSCO Granaries 8 & L - Hog Panelling LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS RR 1, Kincardine, Ontario Phone 395-5286 t LARGEST STOCK IN THE COUNTY WORK BOOTS —Industrial — Farm — Factory Plain or safety toe PUNCTURE PROOF SOLES ROSS SHOE SHOP 142 The Square God'nch, Ont. etting along together is important. This is what Ontario is doing to help develop understanding between people. • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FRESS ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT • 4 ROTARY & PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES LOWER COST WATER WELLS" DAVIDSON WELL DRILLING LIMITED 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 357-1960 WINGHAT Collect Calls Accepted "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900" As our ,hilt\ ,rt,w, mitre flavine, C(,llllllllllltl' trn,tttn, may dr) C trt1111 time rc, time. Our rc,ptln,lhlllty i 11' hell, intlivitltctls,groups and con mouth, rr,c,lvc an\ lthtulnc, that nl,1 tit t IIT. ,inti reduce tension ,r, th,lt ere. err iiiicrst,intling ,Intl reset t re;ichctl, The (lnt,init I handl) Rl,ht. ( t1t1i I, designeki tci ,i',urc the rlt;ht, ,Intl cli,nit\ of ,ill rcrson, without resiled 1 1 r,It c. t rcetl, t t,lt)ur, n,int1n,111ty, ancestry, I11.h e t 1t ,instil, slit' (40-65), ,ex Iril1/41 In ,It1,1iti 1n to invr,tt,,ltinL ,old ulrtll,itnl ' t,,nll'1.11MS tit(1l,crimin,rtltin 111 ,tit h ,Ire r .1` cmrlt,yll)cnt, hcai ,ill,,, 1'ullht •er\ Its ,nl.l tilt [Ilia 's, loll l\ crtl`rnlcnr' ,nitl the rta,tulg fit satins alit nittk t s. rbc Or)t.irltl { Ionian Right, ( '1)nun1„W!) tvt,rlk` t,'r healthier relations 1,cmccti Lin Lip ,0 the ctinlnlunity level. ( k'im 1nIiiIty tl!Un't'llittg i, tine tit the !moor miles tit \ttur l)nt,lrltt Ff1ltlLtll Rt,ht` l t,illllll„It+II. "•e entic,i\'fair tit hri',11tit,\\'ll tt,0111)11nfi,it lin harrier, 1111t,t1,,rt,11r' }`\ l\,tr{ Irl' 102etiler \\ Iril ,l,f'iltle`: In>titutit,ii• and rile ,tllUllunit\ lr`clt. h\ t'\1`laitiin, l`t'rh the ,inti re`i`,,n`Il`Illtrc, of ,ill rt'>I;lcnt's I1) till, 1'r,,\Illi c`, \\ f' }`t'lle\'C tll,it tilt ,nnm Inti the t'hlt't tl\ rs t it the l't Je tint he tt hlc\ ctl. I �It \frit t\,,llltl like inor' Inttirm,lrlt,n or I tl�r,lilie, ttlllt,ttr the l)ilt,lr,t, 1 Rashes(.ttnllllNsIt,n tithl.t' ne,ire"t \i,11:. HAMILTON 1 West Avenue South Postal Zone L8N 2R9 Telephone 527.2951 KENORA 808 Robertson Street Po,tat Zone P9N 1X9 Telephone 468-3128 KITCHENER 824 King St'eet West Postai Zone N2G 1G1 re'ephonp 744-7308 LONDON 560 Wellington SI Postal Zone N6A 3R4 . Telephone 438 7291 OTTAWA 2197 Riverside Drive Postal Zone K1H7X3 Telephone 731 2415 PETERBOROUGH 267 Stewart St Postal Zone K9J 3M8 Telephone 743 0361 ,SLt:Me BrockTSTE Street Postal Zone P6A 366 Telephone 9493331 SUDBURY 1538 LaSalle Boulevard Postal Zone P3A 1 Z7 Telephone 566 3071 THY 41-3/-15U 35 JamesUNDER StBAS Postal Zone P7E 6E3 Telephone 475 1693 TORONTO 400 University' Avenue Postal Zone M7A 177 Telephone 9656841 WINDSOR 500 Ouellette .Avenue Postal Zone N9A 1 B3 Telephone 256 3611 Ontario Human Rights Commission Bette Stephenson, M.D., Minister of Labour William Davis, Premier Province of Ontario