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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-03-22, Page 6PAGE 6 —GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1979 • Previous low beef prices • dict.atetoday's high costs BY G. AUSTIN, N.F.U. Consumers and the federal government are currently preoccupied with the high cost of beef. In 1978 the retail price of beef rose by 46 per cent. Part of the answer lies in the weakness of the Canadian dollar which is reflected in high domestic market prices because of the high costs of imported beef and the current levels of U.S. prices. The real truth of the matter is that the largest contributing factor to current high beef prices are the low prices ex- perienced by_ producers in 1975, 1976 and 1977. None of the current concern would be necessary if an orderly marketing system- for beef, together with a pricing mechanism had been in place when most needed. Canada has peen a net importer of 6eef since 1969. If the government had acted decisively in • 1975 and 1976 to save the cattle industry, thk. massive liquidation o ' herds would have been avoided. Prices would have been more stable and the main influencing factor on domestic beef prices would have been the upward pressure of our lower dollar value as compared to the U.S. dollar. More importantly, we might be in a position of beingt able to export larger quantities of beef t'b earn a trade surplus. Instead we must look forward to rising im- ports. There has been a deliberate policy of un- derdevelopment in beef production. `ane foot:in furrow' bi All I know is just what I read in the papers, said the famous Will Rogers, one of the great American humorists of the 1920's and early '30's. And that's all I know about Dr. George Brinkman, an agricultural economist at the University of Guelph. He told members of the Canadian Meat Packers. Council that the alleged poverty of farmers is a huge myth. There are, he said, undoubtedly some poor farmers but generally, they are reasonably well off. He added that the poverty myth was being exploited to extract subsidies from the government, a policy which will harm the agricultural sector in the long run. I readily agree that the more subsidies farmers get, the more consumers will get their backs up. And it is true that most farmers are making a living. But Dr. Brinkman's statistics are 'ttr(eresting. The majority of commercial farmers were in the $10,000 to $25,000 bracket_ in_ :.gloss__.a.nnual-._..sales -.-M.ar.k--that,- friends: Gross sales. Their average net income was $3",190 from farm sales. Their off -farm income was $5,625. Can't dispute his figures. But that adds up to about $9,000 and most of those farmers had an investment of more than $100,000 in land, buildings, stock and e4i mjnt. Dr. Brinkman added a sneaky one, though, vZen he told the meat packers that the average capital appreciation on land and buildings was $12,378. This sum, according to Brinkman, must be included because it was money which would eventually be realized when the property was sold. Sure, Doc, you add it to the income but farmers can't eat it. They can't take sabbaticals every six or seven years on it. They can't pay their way to the Barbados or Europe or the Seychelle Islands on.it. Farmers live poor and die rich. "If farmers are so poor, why ,is it that for every' person who gets out of agriculture, there are two people who want to get in?" Dr. Brinkman is quotecLas 'saying in the Canadian Press release: He must have meant that as a facetious remark. The " farm population is dwindling so fast that they make up less than six percent of the total. Fifty years ago, they made up 45 percent. If so many farmers have disappeared, I dont know where Dr.. Brinkman got his figures. I know some young people who would like to get into farming but they just haven't got the money to do it. The investment is too high. As mentioned, I have never met Dr. Brinkman. I do know, though, that some beef men in this province would dearly like to prove to him that farmingwas a poor business to be engaged in up until a few months ago. It's 'great to hear economists preach. They have some marvellous theories, graphs, figures, surveys and statistics to back them up.. -F++ .. Cocktail party: where old friends gather to make new enemies. + + + Our friend ' says he'd stop using the word 'viable' . if he could just find a viable alternative. + ++ Mummies are Egyp- tians that were pressed for time. ` AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS COMPETITIVE PRICES!. PHONE 529-7135 M.J. SMITH CHATHAM. GODERICH LTD. HWY. NO. 21 Port Albert WATER WELL DRILLING "79 YEARS EXPERIENCE" • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FREE ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT • 4 IIOTORY & PERCUSSION DRILLS "oUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES LOWER COST WATER wan" DAVIDSON WELL DRILLING LIMITED, 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 057.1960 WINGHAM . . Collett Calls Accepted "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900" Letters are appreoated by Bob Trottel Eidale Rd EIre,a Ont N3B 2C7 But at a Rural Learning Association seminar a few weeks ago, I listened to a couple of farmers talking about economists. They chuckled to themselves. "It's a great theory," said one farmer. "Sounds good on paper. But I wonder how many cows that bugger has milked? I wonder if he has ever had manure on his boots? I'd like to•take him out to my farrowing barn some night in the cold of, winter and see how many hours he wogld last. Farmers don't get paid for that kind of overtime or the risks they have to take." "You're right, Bernie," said the other: "I'd like to see him manhandling a big_ tractor through the mud and snow to pull out the milk truck.,Or worrying about meeting quota When mastitis hits a herd. He can take his theories and shove them -- away, 'way up. I'll Huron Holstein Club Bit of a dilemma , BY RHEA HAMILTON The Huron County Holstein club seems to -be in a bit of a dilemma concerning their annual sale of stock, members discussed Monday in Clinton. Some members have suggested that the annual sale be held in con- junction with Perth county, but Perth members have not been receptive to the idea, reported Dave Marshall, director for the Huron club in South Huron. Mr. Marshall had talked with some of the Perth members about the idea of a combined sale. 1 "I got the impression that they did not think it was a• good idea," said Mr. Marshall. Wilbert Freeman, director from North east Huron reported that at a meeting of the Walkerton' Little Fair, county reps there had been given the suggestion of having a Tri county sale with Bruce, Grey and Huron. "The idea was brought up at the end of the meeting and I told them that Huron would have to know by the fall just what they were proposing for a sale in 1980," Mr. Freeman said. The club members decided to take the advice of their sales agent and have their own sale sometime in the first week Tf August. A selection dommittee was organized a'hd will meet later this month to set up regulations concerning the selection of,stock for the sate. Committee • members are Bob Vodden com- mittee head, Dave Marshall, Jim McKague, Joe Van Oschand Wiibert Freeman. Members discussed the possibility of having a produce my milk the best way I know how." dispersal sale im- -.._ Tbesa..men__were_no.t_..talkin.g .bout...D.r..--Br.inkman_i_mediatel-y--after.their own agree that rural poverty is'a myth. I also know that sale and the com farmers get less of a return on their labor and in agreed to look into vestment than any other sector of the economy. matter. m ittee. the Robert McNeil and. Dave Marshall reported back to the Huron club the activities at the National Holstein Fresian Association meeting in Toronto when Huron presented " a resolution to the national board asking that all past presidents of the national association be named honory life member to the National Holstein Fresian Associption. The board turned down the resolution. The Huron club has decided to bring the matter to other counties in the area to solicit their support. If it is favourable then the Huron group will bring the resolution up at the fall meeting of the national association in October. The two represen- tatives suggested that the Huron club rent a room at the meetings to give local club members a place to hang their coats and meet others from their area. "It is important for members to know that they have a delegation down at the meetings," said Mr. McNeil. The club members agreed and a suite will be rented' for the next meeting in 1980. Other highlights from the Toronto meeting included thecutting back of directors from the Huron area to three from four. "With an election coming up soon, we need another director from this area and so I ask' everyone to support a-' local representative like ANDERSONS FERTILIZER ORDER YOURS TODAY! PHONE 529-7135- M.J. SMITH •__._.CHATHAM--.—._ . GQDERICH LTD. HWY. NO. 21 Port Albert r ACHINERY PURCHASED! DEALER PAID FARMPLAN EQUIPME'IVT LOANS MANE FARM PRODUCTION SENSE • Up to.100% financing. • Available for new or used equipment. • Repayment scheduled to suit your cash flow. • Can be used to re -finance existing loans or finance contracts. FIRST, make your loan arrangements at. your Royal Bank branch. THEN... wheel down to your supplier and deal... with cash! In Godorlth call Don Bedore, manager 524-2626 In CIInton: call Iner Smith, manager 482-34X7 ROYAL CSANK - serving Agriculture Jim Needham," Mr. Marshall said. The question of upgrading was left with the committee to do more • investigating.."As far as nip cattle are concerned the committee didn't know what genetic potential the nipped cattle would have compared to the purebred, said Mr. McNeil. More specific information is needed. Asa result of the annual meeting, the OMMB is Turn to page 7 • WANTED DRY CORN TOP PRICE!. PHONE 529-7135 M.J. SMITH CHATHAM - GODERICH LTD. Hwy. No. 21 Port Albert CLAY — Silo Unloaders Feeders Cleaners Stabling Leg Elevators Liquid Manure Equipment Hog Equipment BUTLER — ' Silo Unloaders Feeders Conveyol(s FARMATIC — Mills Augers, etc. ACORN — 'Cleaners Heated Waterers WESTEEL-ROSCO Granaries B & L - Hog Panelling LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS RR'T; Kincardine, Ont. Phone 395-5286 FARM CLASSIFIED SECTION A. For sale PUREBRED YOR-KSHIRE boars, purebred Hampshire boars and crossbred boars, ROP tested, service age. Bob Robinson, RR4 Walton 345-2317.-11,12 C. Wanted MANURE WANTED. Will pay top price. Phone 482-7625.-11,12 /l�oraaer SAT/SAY YOUR NEEDS' MARCH MADNESS STRIKES! ...JOIN OUR GIGANTIC SPRING CAR CLEARANCE 1979 FORD RANCHERO GT SERIAL NO. 9H48F131014 LIST PRICE •7939.10 ROAR AWAY WITH IT FOR... $6666. PLUS TAX & LICENCE GREEN & PARENT FORD MERCURY SALES LTD. 263 HURON RD. GODERICH 524-2665 • NES5N \Ill • It Ctif 1 \0A0A) CO.OP Give them a good start with CO-OP Milk Replacer or Calf Formula • Economical to feed •Efficient to use CO-OP Calf Formula A more economical product which derives 90% of its protein from milk sources. It contains 10% fat and a very low fibre level. Calf Formula is medicated with Terramycin- to aid in pre- venting bacterial scours. anig CO-OP Milk Replacer. A premium product which de- rives 100% of its protein from milk sources. It has a very Low fibre level and 20% fat in a highly digestible form to help rapid, efficient growth of the young calf. Milk Replacer or Calf Formula Discount Coupon • This coupon is redeemable at any CO-OP retail outlet in Ontario.. a Maximum 1 bag of each product per coupon. • Coupon must be redeemed before March 30, 1979. $2. Value 2g bag I Elam nolo Product may mot be ie OW, al am 0„11019 and may nave t0 be ordered ao repumB� tark LUCKNOW DISTRICT COO 1,2 mile south of Lucknovki on Huron Co Anty Road til. PHONE $29-7953