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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-05-04, Page 39`ane f lurrow'.> in the I'm in the checkout Zine at the liquor store, just buying some cooking wine, you understand, when a farmer friend of mine speaks. "I read your stuff in the paper all the time. Sometimes it's pretty good but other times, you're crazy," he said. Standing in the line at the liquor store is no place to start an argument so I tell him to write me a letter and tell me about it. "Just put a few thoughts on paper, tear a strip off my hide if you like, but write a letter," I said. "I just might do that," he said. He never has. And I doubt if he ever will. Yet most newspapers carrying this column also include a return address. I have said it before but it needs repeating: Farmers must abandon their role as a silent minority if they wish to be heard in our society, especially if they wish to get any major legislative changes. Agricultural ministers have a tough time selling cabi- net colleagues on farm programs because politicians no• longer have to pay much attention to farmers. The so- called farm vote is a myth. ' Less than six per cent of the population is actively en- gaged in farming. No segment of the population votes en masse; national figures indicate that only about 50 per cent of the electorate cast ballots. If only 50 per cent of those eligible cast their vote, then the farm vote ends up being about three per cent of the population and few 'politicians are going to spend much time worrying about three per cent of the population which will not vote for one party anyway. Politicians cater to the urbanites. Of the 125 seats in the Legislature, less than a dozen are purely rural ridings. WATER WELL DRILLING "76 YEARS EXPERIENCE" • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FRESS ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT • 4 ROTARY & PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES LOWER COST WATER WELLS" DAVIDSON 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 357-1960 WELL DRILLING LIMITED WINGHAM Collect Calls Accepted "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900" Letters are appreuated by Bob Trotter Eldale Rd Elmira Ont N3B 2C7 To get back to the original idea, then, farmers must become more vocal. They must become letter writers. I never cease to be amazed at the lack of response from them to the ideas and opinions expressed in this column. Either they can't wtlite or they can't read. Orboth. Sure- ly, a great many disagree yet the telephone calls and the letters certainly don't surprise the mailman. This column appears in about 25 or 30 papers across Ontario from Dresden and Goderich in the west to Iroquois and Eganville in the east. It may be, of course, that it is so boring most farmers won't read it. I prefer to think they do read it but don't find the time to write. It is certainly time for most farmers to abandon the role of a silent minority because they have a lot of edu- cating to do. Most people in the cities have an idea of farming that is 50 or 60 years behind the times. They get a picture of a farmer from those stupid. television shows such as Funny Farm which picture farmers as imbeciles. Most ,city people know nothing of farm problems and don't care. They have the mistaken idea that farmers are highly subsidized by the government when the truth is that Canadian farmers receive less in subsidy money than any other free nation in the world. Less than two per cent of the federal budget goes to farmers. ' e't, big business continues to get monumental forgivable loans. It's a bad time to tell farmers to write more letters. In a week or two, they'll be on the land again and won't have time to 'write their bankers for more money but they must do more than bitch in private to their own people and within their own organizations. They must get dff the back .forty long enough to make their presence felt right to the top. 1. Enrol right away • The Ontario Beef -Calf Income •Stabilization Program support price has been set at 51.5 percent per pound for 1978. The enrolment fee is $8 per cow. Enrolment forms have been mailed to producers who have been in the program. Applications are to be completed and mailed by May'31, 1978. Any producer who did not receive his enrolment form, or has not .been in the program and wishes to participate may do so by picking up an enrolment form at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food Office in ('linto'n. Cow -calf men who have not participated in the program previously are asked to complete a contract as well and return both forms to the Ontario , Ministry of Agriculture and Food office by May 31. If the average market price of Ontario produced calves sold in September, October and November is less than the support price of 51.5 cents a payment will be made. The grant will be .85 'multiplied by 450 multiplied by (51.5 - market price), °being calculated • on arrmt average 450 pound calf and an 85. percent calf crop. • GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY-, MAY 4, 1978—PAGE 15A Tax-free transfers okay Effective immediately, incorporated family farms can be transferred to a son or daughter without payment of capital gains tax, the federal budget speech announced. Tax-free transfers have been allowed for unin- corporated family farms but incorporated farms were excluded. Many farmers have complained that this is not fair. A finance department spokesman said there are roughly 15,000 'incorporated farms in Canada, many of tl'fem family operations. Many farmers incorporated to take advantage of tax advantages given to small businesses. Without the special rule, a farmer taking over the family farm from his parents had to pay the gains tax. The rule does not free them -totally from this tax; they must pay if they ever sell it to someone else. The spokesman said having to pay thousands of dollars in taxes would be a great burden for a young person taking over a family farm. The exemption also applies to farm partnerships. To qualify, the 'corporation or partnership must be farming in Canada, sub- stantially all of its assets must be used in the business and at least one member of the farmer's family must be actively engaged in running the farm. Good year ahead The Bank of Montreal's farm newsletter forecasts that 1978 should be a good year for Canadian farmers. Several encouraging signs have appeared, according to the April issue of First Bank Farm Profit Management. "The biggest turnaround has• been in cattle prices with substantial gains over last year. Hog prices have held up well in the first quarter and world wheat stocks continue to move more in line with consumption," the newsletter states. Oilseed acreage boosts are likely in both Eastern and Western Canada. Hog -feed ratios have held at profitable levels • and increased production should . add to ,gross farm income as prices 'Match or exceed"Ias.t year's levels. Costs have been held to Agriculture is a "GROWING' Business modest gains and ., strong competition among suppliers has allowed many op- portunities to price capital purchases below 1977 levels. Land price gains have also moderated in most areas. The Canadian Wheat Board final payment was higher than expected and has added a note of optimism to the' Western economy. 41 "All things, considered, we expect 1978 to be a better year than anticipated - a major reason will be that many are expecting the cost -price squeeze to continue and have planned • accordingly. Most farmers have used several sharp pencils this winter in preparing their financial plans and when the books are balanced,next Degelnlaer,..,. they shold be pleasantly surprised," the newsletter concluded. FARM CLASSIFIED SECTION A. For sale SEED BARLEY, cleaned or from the bin. Phone 524-7351 or 524-4529.-16,17,18 H&N "NICK CHICK" leghorns, 20 weeks .old, available for spring or summer delivery; also Hubbard Golden Comets (brown egg layers) for early June delivery. Orders now accepted for heavy "roaster" cockerels day-old, for spring delivery. Call McKinley Farms & Hatchery Ltd., 262- 2837,-10-22ar SUPER SPRING DISCOUNTS on Shell motor oils and tractor fluids until April 30 at Edward Fuels, Goderich, 524-8386. Limited supply on quality hand calculators. $7.95 com- • plete.-15-18ar B. Custom work WILL custom spray corn, beans and grain. Will also plant corn or beans. Will._ supply fertilizer, auger, and wagon upon request. Phone 482-7192.--16,17,18 PIONEER SEED CORN Roy Brown 529-7260 Sharron Brindly 524-8114 B. Custom work BULLDOZING, Allis- Ct{almers No. 650, with six way hydraulic blade. Bill Robinson, RR 2, Auburn, 529- 785.7.-16tf C. Wanted PASTURE for 20 head of cattle. Phone 524-9086.-17,18 E. Farm services FOR RENT, for CASH CROP — 40 acres. Phone' 524- 7632.-18tf EDWARD FUELS, Goderich 524-8386 now booking orders for Bladex, new high quality Shell Atrazine, new Blazine and Birland for root worm control.-15-18ar PIONEER SEED CORN VARIETIES AVAILABLE 3990 (3W) 2600 H.U. 3977 (3W) 2650 H.U. 3965 (3W) 2750 H.U. 3975A (SC) 2700 H.U. 80 DAYS 82 DAYS 87 DAYS 82 DAYS Also other varieties available JACK MAYHEW RR 3 - CLINTON PHONE 482.3176 Your representative for Goderich Township and Clin- ton Area. *Any former customers of Mr. J. Fischer - please feel free to call me. AGRICULTURAL STEEL ROOFING AND SIDING • 10 Colours . • Custom Cut lengths; • Galvanized Buy Exact Length Required • 30 ga. - 28 ga. - 26 ga. • Complete Fascia 8. Soffit Systems • 3 Different Rib Profiles. • Best Possible Pricet • For That Complete Building Call JIM MARTIN CONSTRUCTION S 129 BRITANNIA RD. EAST, GODERICH 11111111 I 524-9042 =111111101111111 WM= WE AT M.J. SMITH ARE EVER EXPANDING TOO! KEEPING UP WITH PROGRESS IN THE FARMING INDUSTRY SO THAT WE MAY ALWAYS HELP YOU GROW YOUR BEST FOR LESS! NOW'S THE TIME TO GET YOUR QUALITY ANDERSON'S FERTILIZER FOR HUSKY RESULTS AND SAVINGS Again this year we have an excellent selection in both BAGS and BULK for all your Fertilizer needs. 6-24-24 8-32.16 18-46-0 16-16-16 45% UREA 33% AMMONIA -NITRATE WHATEVER YOUR NEEDS - "BUY WITH CONFIDENCE" WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD BULK FERTILIZER DELIVERY The Farming Season is upon us again. And again this year. We at M.J. SMITH are ready to assist you with all your farming requirements. Right now we're set with all your Spring Fertilizer and Chemical needs. And again this year we will supply you with only the highest quality good - At the lowest possible prices. That's part of our commitment to HELP YOU GROW YOUR BEST FOR LESS! And, plan smart business- because we want to see you again in our 65th year. IF YOU'VE GOT THE TIME, HAVE Coffee - on the house ;,• • ,or .a. "WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD" AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS Prompt Service when & where you need It! We make the Bulk deliveries right to your door - or, we can quickly service you right at our centre. ALSO SPREADERS AVAILABLE INOCULATIONS CORN • Atrazine 80W 90W • Liquid Atrazine • Lasso • Sutan "5" • Chlordane 250 • Corn Oil Concen- trate BEANS • Epson • Patoran • Cobex GRAIN • M.C.P.A. Spray • 24D Spray NOW IN OUR 64th YEAR OF SERVICE! p r, i�tili.. D.C. RED CLOVER Y.B. SWEET CLOVER CERTIFIED ALFALFAS RED CLOVER Y.B. CLOVER CERTIFIED ALFALFAS PLUS MANY OTHERS FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS "ALL OF OUR FACILITIES ARE TO SERVE YOU BETTER" . SMITH hd. IChathain Goderich) • SEED •GRAIN • BEANS HWY. NO. 21. JUSTNbRTIiCJSPORT ALBERT P1'