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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-11-15, Page 28PAGE 12A--GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1979 �I$ t`e ...... . ...... 511174.0, ne f� furrow' bY Abysmal is the best way to describe the ignorance with which agriculture is met by most city -bred people. Right now, d bit off a controversy is raging in our area because a retired clergyman -- and a former mayor of the county seat -- mentioned in a letter to the editor that he deplored the way farm marketing boards control all prices and all production of all farm products. The letter brought a lot of support out of the woodwork and even out of the back forty. It prompted a few city people to read a few facts about farmers and farming because letters to the editor are well read. Even the.local agricultural representative got into the act to refute what the clergyman's letter had said. It is just another example of the misunderstandings about farming that most people have today. Fifty or 60 years ago, almost everyone had some connection with agriculture. Farming was considered a respected and honorable occupation by the majority of Canadians. It's different today. Not only do people consider farming a second-class occupation but few even at- tempt to understand it. I. should qualify that' statement: Not all citizens of this country outside of agriculture consider it second class but the vast majority have little respect for it. And it is uninformed people who make. it even more difficult. AGRICULTURE MAILBOX Drawn from letters to Agriculture Canada and Agriculture Minister John Wise Dear Minister: I am attempting to de- termine the relative merits of hydroponics and conventional growing methods on a com- mercial scale. Growing plants without soil is a relatively -new idea and I would appre- ciate any information you could supply. R.P., Prince Rupert, B. C. diseases as chickens and turkeys. All birds entering this country must be disease free to protect poultryy pro- ducers from serious economic losses. Dear Mr. Wise: Dear R.P.: I feel that the use of hydroponics is justified only if there is no goodsoil readily available. For example, many greenhouse vegetable operators on Vancouver Island use a form of hydroponics because of soil problems. Under most Canadian con- ditions, the additional costs of setting up a commercial hydroponic system is not economical. Also, claims of disease and insect -free soil- less crops have not been borne out by research. Dear Mr. Wise: I operate a small game - bird farm consisting of orna- mental quail and pheasants. To keep our stock up, we need to import birds from the United States. Because of strict regulations and border inspections, it is difficult to bring these game birds into Canada. These import res- trictions for ornamental birds should be lifted. Ontario bird importer Dear Sir: I appreciate your con- cern. However, the regula- tions under the Animal Disease and Protection Act, as they pertain to importing birds from the U.S., are needed to prevent the intro- duction of poultry diseases into Canada. Pheasants and quail come under the same rules as poultry because .they are susceptible to the same 1 CLAY - Silo Urrloadors Feeders Cleaners Stabling Log Elevators Liquid Manure Equipment Hog Equipment !MILER — Silo Unloaders Feeders Conveyors FARMATIC — MIHi Augers, etc. ACORN — Cleaners Hearted Waterers WESTEEL-ROSCO Granaried li L • Hog Panelling LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS RR 1, Kincardine, Ont. Phone 345.5286 I have just tceard about a new early potato -Variety called Jemseg that was developed at your research station in Fredericton. • Could you give me more inform - ,tion on it and tell me when it will be available? • New Brunswick potato farmer Dear Sir: Jemseg has been tested in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario and performed well.. Scientists at .the Frederic- ton research station feel that it could become the major early potato variety in New Brunswick and southern Ontario. In the trials in the Atlantic provinces, it outyielded the common early variety, Warba, by 10 per cent. In southern Ontario, it produced 50 per cent more than Superior, the most common early variety grown there. This past year, some Jemseg seed was released, mostly to seed growers to ensure stocks of seed for commercial growers in 1980. It should be available through normal commercial. channels next spring. lenea a,e appec gird Dv Bob Tone Ad EOpt N3B 2C 7 Farmers have enough problems dealing with weather, crop problems, disease among herds and flocks and all the other vicissitudes of a modern farm without battling blabbermouths who wouldn't know 'a Holstein from a Hereford. Or trying to undo the in- nuendoes spread in national magazines such as the Reader's Digest. (See the lead story in the October issue). As far as I know, only half a dozen farm products are on the quota system, yet every product gets tarred with that brush by people, who should know better. It is time the people of this country realized the value of agriculture. When you consider that 43 cents of the gross national product is generated by agriculture, you can get an idea of how precious this industry is. Many people think that farmers spend half their time walking to the mailbox to pick up subsidy cheques yet this country spends less money on agricultural subsidies and agricultural research than any others in the free world. Farmers have been forced into organizing their own marketing boards just to remain in business, to bring some order into the marketplace. You'll find that most of them would abolish marketing boards if they could get the same deal without them.. • No other sector of the economic world is more fiercely independent than farmers. They would gladly go it alone if they could. They have had to organize because a single farmer trying to market his products is at the whim of the multi -national companies who don't really give a hoot if agriculture is kept on a sound marketing basis. All they are interested in is a good profit picture and a pay-off to their shareholders. Yet farmers get accused of crying wolf. They get accused of living off the public puree through grants and subsidies. They get accused of being nothing but cry babies. But no other sector of the economy produces more. Annual increases in agricultural production are far ahead of any other industry. N -o industry contributes more to the gross national product and the balance of payments than farming. For the most part, though, farmers are considered by the city -bred citizens of this country as bumpkins who don't know their elbows from an elephant. Agriculture can't afford' high-priced public relations people to rebuildtheir image. So farmers will continue to .produce food and contribute to the national economy as unsung heroes in this technically -oriented nation. Seems a shame, doesn't it? 1 GUARANTEED INVI'IMENT CERTIFICATES 1/2 % BRUCE ERSKINE 86 North 524-9555 SAVE ENERGY and. Insulate U.F. Foam & Fiber Insulation Serving Huron County 15 years COMPARE...CONTACT STEWART'S ALUMINIUM & INSULATION 207 Huron Rd. Goderich 524-8821 DAVE HAYLOW ELECTRICAL Serving Industrial, Commercial, Residential Needs 524-6038 Paul Pavkeje named. outstanding member Paul Pavkeje, 20, of RR2 Centralia was named Huron County's outstanding 4-14 member at achievement night Friday. He was awarded the Robert McKinley citizenship trophy for 4-H home and community projects. Paul, who farms with his father, Joseph, on a swine and cash crop farm, has completed 24 projects, such as swine, grain crops, tractor, veterinary science, snowmobile and farm safety. He is an active member of the Huron County. 4-H youth council, president of South Huron Junior Farmers and vice- president of the Huron, CountyJunior Farmers. Last year he attended a provincial 4-H leadership conference where he was chosen to attend, as Ontario representative, an inter -provincial 4-14 exchange with New Brunswick this year. Calvin Willard of RR1 Centralia, was awarded the trophy for the highest score in the county, 983 points out of a possible 1,000, and the Vincent Farm Equipment trophy for being top tractor club member. The Huron County Warden's award for the highest first-year member score went to Mary Gibson, RR5 Clinton, who also won the highest beef club score for a first-year member. Len.; MacGregor, ex- tension assistant for Huron County, ministry of agriculture and food, reported the members of the county's thirty 4-H clubs received $1,250 in prize money, certificates, pins, and plaques at Friday's achievement PX 47 4 New early hybrid with out- standing potential for high yields. PX 414 is a three-way cross. Excellent seedling vigor. PX 414 is well adapted for early maturing areas. Full dent variety with fast dry down. 2500 Heat Units. Limited supply— order now. Call ..'. NATIONAL -NK SEEDS LTD. Box 1207 Cambridge', Ontario Edmonton • Winnipeg HYBRID CORN • FORAGES • SOYBEANS Area National -NK Dealers are: Gerry Greydanus Bayfield • 482-3347 Gerald Regier Zurich . 236-4843 Roy Robinson Beigrave 357-2269 Bill Stickle Bayfield 565-5377 Don cN@it. Odder ch 524-80 8 • Financial assistance • Management counselling (CASE) • Management training • Information on government programs for business Can we help you? See our Representative BOB FURTNEY at: The Bedford Hotel Goderich, Ontario EVERY TUESDAY on. (Next visit: Tuesday, Nov. 20) AirFEDERAL [BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK For prior information call 27T-5650 (collect) or write 1036 Ontario Street, Stratford, Ontario. night. He said `350 members took part in 542 projects with 93.3 percent completion. - Mr. MacGregor commented that with the training the young people get in 4-1-1, it leads them to take leadership roles in their community and helps to maintain the rural atmosphere in Huron. Other prize winners: Debbie Flynn, RR4 Clinton, highest beef club score; Chris Meier, RR4 Brussels, highest dairy clubs score; Brian McGavin, RR4 Walton, highest swine clubs score; Carolyn Din- smore, RR1 Fordwich, highest horse clubs score; Barry Turner, RR4 Seaforth, highest rabbit. clubs score. For first year mem- bers: highest dairy clubs score, Cathy McGavin, RR4 Walton, who also had the ' champion Holstein calf; highest swine clubs score, Paul Dodds, RRI, Seaforth, who also had the champion gilt; and was champion swine showman. Susan Pullman, Seaforth, champion all- round showman, also champion horse showman; Les Falconer, RR5 Clinton, champion beef showman; Dianne Oldfield, champion dairy showman. Melanie Scott, RR1 Belgrave, had the champion Hereford calf; Sandra Shelley, RR2 Gorrie, champion shorthorn heifer; Sharon Alton, RR7 Lucknow, champion Shorthorn steer. Carol Dougall, RR3 Exeter, . received the award far highest score in plowmen's clubs; Jane Allan, RR1 Brucefield, top snowmobile member in knowledge and safe operation of vehicle; SCDY Broadfoot, RR1 Brucefield, highest snowmobile club score; Elaine Pym, RR1 Centralia, highest score farm safety club; Donna Stewart, RR1 Hensall, highest socre sweet corn club of Exeter; Allan Powe, RR2 Centralia, top in field crop clubs; Brian McGavin, RR1 Walton, top in press reporting; Bill Kinsman, RR2 Kippen, championship gate sign exhibit. Jennifer Johns, RR2 Auburn, was top horse showman in North Huron Trailblazers; Mike Franken, RR2 Auburn was the top pony showman; and David Marshall, RR3 Blyth, top colt showman. The judging awards were won by: Cathy McGavin, high novice judge; Alan Powe, highest score; Ron Godkin, Walton, high swine judge; Larry Henry, RR6 Goderich, high dairy judge; Oscar Meier, RRI Brussels, high sheep judge; Brian McGavin, high beef judge and Jennifer Johns, RR2 Auburn, high horse judge. 4-H club leaders were honored with cer- tificates: Don Dodds, RR1 Seaforth and Allan Haugh, RRI Brucefield - 20 years of voluntary service;- Bob Hern, RR1 Woodharn and Harry Winkel, RR1 Fordwich - 15 years voluntary ser- vice; Glen McNeil, Goderich, Beth Cooper, Kippen, Ken Mewhinney, Lucknow; Ron Shelley, Gorrie and Stephen Thompson, Clinton - five years voluntary service. T FARM CLASSIFIED SECTION A. For sale TALK CORN: Talk to your P.A.G. seed dealer about this year's results from test plots in "operation Side by Side". Call M. W. Durst 482- 7309.-43-46 B. Custom work CUSTOM combining, corn, narrow rows, reasonable rates, Goderich, Clinton and Zurich area. Phone 262- 5341.-46-47 CUSTOM COMBINING with 6600 John Deere combine wide row, wagons and auger sup- plied. Phone 523- 4260.-42-47 C. Wanted PLASTIC Fertilizer Bags, paying $2.00 per hundred. Phone 529- 7998.-46SD C. Wanted WANTED - cattle. We pay good prices for reasonably injured or unthrifty cattle. Easy loading trailer with winch. Call collect 238- 2796, John Ansens, Grand Bend. -44-50 WANTED TO RENT: Crop land in Colborne, Goderich and Ashfield Townships. Top dollar paid for top land. Call Steve Buchanan, Goderich 524- 4700.-38tfnc D. Livestock FOR SALE: Bred gilts, due 2 to 4 weeks, good selection of Hamp, York, Hamp X York, York X Landrace boars. Bob Robinson, RR4 Walton 345-2317.--45,46 ON ARCO" EMY TIME WATER WELL DRILLING "79 YEARS EXPERIENCE" • FARM • SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FREE ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT • 4 ROTARY 8. PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES LOWER COST WATER WELLS" DAVIDSON WELL DRILLING LIMITED 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 357.1960 WINGHAM Collect Calls Accepted "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 1900" BRING US YOUR NEW ROP SERVING THE FARMER FOR 65 YEARS SMIT GODERICH 11:11 \"I II tlil 1:141i'1'h.l) • SEED • GRAIN • BEANS HWY. NO. 21 JUSTNORTHOFPORT ALBERT PHONE 529-7135 *ALL OF OUR FACILITIES ARE TO SERVE YOU BETTER! -5.p&•m4.44,.yriMvrnn^,-t«'4T.ft•-`^'m_:v`en`r, 74414.m,,r:,0mv. mr rvlr.,c,44,,,4""M•e41,:, ,7 } ,H�+'.-^.'+v+evnu<«n.,vsesM•.a.*.u. �:r!!,!,n ��tve,�.ninn>..,-....,....yy;,x,..; �,;.,,.... m.T.-..,..,..vs�ew<. .,wc•