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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-03-20, Page 54, •I OIrDA 4 TRACK 250 - 250 CC - Electric start - Reverse - Suspension Front & Back Different types of SEEDERS AVAILABLE for immediate delivery Lynn Hoy Enterprises Ltd ■ Hwy 86 just east of Hwy. 4 by Wingham 357-3435 Mon. to Fri. 8 - 5:30 Sat. 8 - 12 DENTURE THERAPY CLINIC Horst Feige CANADA ' 1-(519) 665-7818 RR 1, NEUSTADT Between Neustadt and Ayton By appointment only. (If busy phone 1-800-265-1415) toll free Did you know that it is important to have your dentures examined regularly? Your mouth is one of the most important areas of your body, but often the most neglected when.dentures are worn. Improperly fitting or neglected dentures can cause severe health The lack of public information regarding dentures ing and often leads fo.problems and unnecessary expense. Your focal denture therapist (denturist) is a professional specializing in the constructiorv, repair and modification, of dentures and provids this service directly to the public. If you have problems with your present dentures or think of getting new ones, see your local denture therapist, con- sulatioh is usually free. You wilt find denture therapists (denturists) listed in the yellow pa es. This information is supplied through the Denturist Association of Ontario and your Local Therapist. The 1A, tugnatn ALI%anep-'1'lrnes, Mar. 20, 1985—Page 5 Farm groups voice concerns during meeting with MP, MPPs By Anne Narejko CLINTON — Representa- tives, from various farm committees and organiza- tions voiced their concei ns to MP Murray Cardiff, MPPs Murray Elston and Jack Riddell and Huron County Warden Paul teckle during , the annual Members of Par- liament Dinner sponsored by the Huron County Federa- tion of Agriculture here March 9. Topics -ranged from the impact of ' hydro trans- mission corridors on farm land to the progress of Huron County 4-H clubs. , In his opening remarks Doug Garniss, county federation president, told the politicians that, "The farm community has watched in dismay as the recovery from recession over the past two -years has passed the agricultural community by. Our suppliers would be the first to'tell you that we have major problems." Tony McQuail, represent- ing the Foodland Hydro Committee, expressed con- cern over the impact of transmission corridors through southern Bruce, Hu- ron and Middlesex counties. He said he believes that once its research has been com- pleted, Ontario Hydro will discover the impact on agri- culture will be significant. "The planning process which Hydro has been trying follow to get more power of t of the Bruce Nuclear Po er Development is an improvement over earlier years. It has involved con- siderable consultation with the , potentially affected communities." However Mr. McQuail said the problem is whether a new hearing board will agree that preservation of agricul- tural land is a major con- cern. "We can expect a tough argument before the hearing board," he said. ENERGY COMMITTEE For a number of years residents of Huron. County have heard about plans to construct an energy park adjacent to the BNPD. Brian Jeffray off the Huron Federation of Agriculture's energy committee said the group is not opposed to making the most off energy generated at the BNPD, but wants to see the interests of the community put first. "We feel that if .ordinary Canadians, especially local residents, are to benefit from any project at the energy park, 'fit is important to develop the area with a cooperative or small- business approach as op- posed to allowing huge multinationals to prevail." Large, insensitive projects are not what the area needs or wants, Mr. Jeffray said, adding that to think a large company could even come close to replacing the 4,000 jobs which once existed at the BNPD is simply "wishful thinking" "If we were to talk strictly on the basis if job creation, the best thing the ' governgovern- ment could do is to encour- age a healthy agriculture in the area." 4-H CLUBS HEALTHY Approximately 1,200 young men and women .in the county are expected to take part in a large range of 4-H projects this year, Ken Ramsey of the Huron County 4-H Club Leaders' Associa- tion reported. He said the combining of the homemaking and agricultural programs has been challenging but rewarding to the 250 volunteer leaders. Events planned for this year include a judging competition, demonstration competition, Reach for the Top event and achievement day. PORK PRODUCERS "The biggest single issue facing pork producers at this moment is whether or not the United States government will put duties on pork going into the USA," said Ross Eedy of the Huron County Our Service Technicians Know.... Only Jahn Deere Builds A Max -Emerge Planter ANDREW HUMMEL Certified Service. Technician "1 am proud to field ready every John Deere Max_ „Emerge planter. You will be proud of the job it will do acre after acre. John Deere has built their reputation on it and so have we. Leta Huron Tractor Salesman explain to you... ....why a John Deere planter is your best buy EXETER STORE 235-1115 Simon van Dam, Res: 235-0351 John Snell. Res: 262-5728 Wayne Mayer, Res: 235-1410 BLYTH STORE 52? -4244 Gary Whytock, Res: 39Z,8158 Dave Thomas, Res: 482-9588 IA HUIPUN. TINI WE'RE VERY BIG ON SERVICE Exeter (519) 235-1,115 Blyth (519) 523-4244 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT DINNER—MP Murray 'Cardiff and MPPs Murray Elston and Jack Riddell met with farm organizations and producer groups during the Huron County Federation of Agriculture's annual Members of Parliament Dinner held at Clin- ton earlier this month. (Anne Narejko Photo) Pork Producers group. He said the subsidies received by pork producers last year barely helped to cover the cost of production, adding that producers in the US also have indirect sub- sidies to help them. He added the argument that large volumes of Ontario pork are hurting the US market is "far-fetched", since it ac - 'n counts for only about two per cent of the market. Another concern produc- ers have is to put producers in different provinces on an equally competitive footing, Mr. Eedy said. I "Notable support pro- grams in Quebec have had a tremendous impact on our industry, with Quebec doub- ling their production from 2.5 million to five million hogs over a relatively short time span. Under current condi- tions," he said, "a free-mar- ket system is a far cry from reality." A third concern he iden- tified is the family farm, saying that for it to survive requires a long-term financing • program at reasonable rates. High interest rates over the past five years have hurt farmers more than any other group, he said, since a farmer will often ---invest. $500,000 to generate $250,000 in sales while in other businesses gross income will be many times more than the original investment. Mr. Eedy pointed out that in the past 10 years the average price of pork has risen only to $72 per hun- dredweight from $66.98. To reach the same level of return producers had in 1975, the price should be $120 per hundredweight, he said. MILK COMMITTEE Jim Hunter of the Huron County Milk Committee presented four concerns: interest rates, false dairy products, milk plants run ning short in the fall and a price increase for No. 1 quota milk. Concerning the fall milk shortages, he reported that the Ontario Milk Marketing Board will try to increase production at that time, but said he feels this will be difficult since cows' milk production tapers off in the fall and the cost of in- creasing production is gr. Heeateexr. p rases concern over increasingquota prices, noting that price increases to the farmer affects the price. of milk for the consumer. "Will people be able to buy the milk?" Mr. Hunter said the long- term objective of the dairy industry is "to ensure the maintenance of the commit- ment of governments to the essentials of Canada's national dairy policy." EGG PRODUCERS Freeade and the dif- ference " n attitude toward supply management bet- ween the current federal government and its prede- cessor is a major concern of the Huron County Egg Pro- ducers, William Scott, coun- ty director on the Ontario Egg Producers' Marketing Board said. "The Canadian Egg Marketing Agency is probably one of the few commodity organizations that is not violently com- plaining about the imposition of inspection user fees by Agriculture Canada." Mr. Scott reported that the United States has had low egg prices for two of the past three years and the executive of the United Egg Producers has been invited to meet with CEMA to learn about Canada's egg plan. "It would be ironic if we dropped. supply manage- ment or made radical changes to it and the USA turned around and put a supply management system in place for eggs and then dumped , their surplus • eggs into Canada," he com- mented. "In these times of trim- ming the spending of tax, dollars, obviously supply management is a better program than any kind of stabilization program that depends on tax dollars and unrestricted production." FINANCE COMMITTEE Major concerns of the Huron federation's finance committee involve ages, averages and incomes, the meeting was told. "Qur research found that 10 per cent of all.fartmers are over 65 and about half of all farmers are over 50, Stephen Thompson, commit- tee chairman, reported. "Our concern is with the younger group. who will be expected to refinance the older group as olddage takes its .toll. "As time passes these low - equity young farmers will be a larger percentage 'and as the older, high -equity far- mers retire the average equity of farmers will decline." The recent White Paper indicates that farmers' in- comes are comparable to other. occupations, he said. However the committee believes that older farmers make more while younger farmers make less, because of their debt loads. Research has shown that off -farm earnings . made up about 30 per cent of net farm income in 1976, he added. "What we want to illustrate is that if off -farm income were subtracted, farm income by itself would not appear to provide far- mers with wage parity with non -farmers, especially for young farmers." ABSENTEE OWNERSHIP Ten per cent of the land in Morris Townshi can be classified as being under absentee foreign ownership, Bert Sanders of Morris told the meeting. He said this causes problems for the municipality because the tax base is reduced, buildings are torn down and the population is declining. "First and foremost, absentee foreign ownership threatens the, family farm: We cannot compete with owners who are willing to take a five per cent return on their investment when we are paying 12 to 15 per cent or more for mortgage money," he declared. He said the only response they have been getting from government is•thatit ddesn't want' to discourage foreign investment. They also are rn told that foreign absentee ownership causes no problems, but history states otherwise, Mr. Sanders said. "We need legislation to ensure that our land con- tinues to be ours — the people who produce the food," he concluded. SOIL CONSERVATION "The Huron. Soil and Crop Association is ahead of the government and should be financially assisted," commented Mr. Riddell after hearing from Gary Baker of the land use commi Mr. Ba er's main Oncerp was that farmers must be provided with the proper tools if they are, to practise conservation tillage. He also expressed concern about the engineering re- quirement for grants under. the Ontario Soil Conserva- tion and Environmental Pro- tection Assistance Program. He said an engineer should be required only for complex structures. All in all, agricultural concerns covered a wide range of topics at the session between„ elected represen- tatives and area farmers. "I hope today can be one of the first steps in which the various farm groups and government representatives can work together to in- tegrate these solutions and to ' set agriculture on a course to stability and prosperity for the future," Mr. Garniss concluded. Huron Iead�....s attend `kick-off' "The benefits of being a 4- H member are endless," says Elizabeth Stewart of Dublin. A member of the Clinforth 4-H calf club and other 4-11 clubs, she told 4-H leaders from across Huron County of the personal benefit 4-11 has been to her at the annual "kick-off" off the 4-H year March 13 in Holmesville. Leaders of agriculture and homemaking clubs gathered to find out details of the 1985 4-14 program for Huron and, to discover the needs of rural youth. The 4-H co-ordinator from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for Huron, Karen Rodman, outlined the year. Organizational meetings will be held over the next six weeks across the country. A crop club in the Lucknow area and a vet club in North Huron, are being started this year. A. leader is being sought for the central Huron crops club. Throughout the 4-H year there will be competitions such as judging, demonstra- tion, "Reach for the Top", as well as a quiz, membership contest gate sign and press reporting competitions. There are also exchanges to other provinces and the United States. Ms. Redman explained that 4-H leaders should re- member a 4-H member's needs include independence, trust, resources, role models and freedom to make decisions. As in past years, the 4-H year. will culminate in late November at the annual awards banquet held at Central Huron Secondary School. in Clinton. CFFO proposes farm debt set-aside A detailed proposal for a debt ,set-aside program has been adopted by the provin- cial board of the_ Christian Farmers Federation of On- tario. The .proposal calls for a formal process which would allow farmers to apply to a special .tribunal for debt relief. The tribunal would have the power togrant debt set -asides for three-year. periods, even if lending in- stitutions did not co-operate. The lenders would be offered federal -provincial guaran- tees for 50 per cent of the or- iginal debt. "We have concluded thata debt set-aside is the best targeted assistance for those .who need time to adjust to new economic realities," said Tom Oegema, 'CFFO president. He said the organization expects tha the worst of the economic ad> justment in agriculture is yet to come. The federation cautioned that its proposal could not help all those in difficulty. It assumes that current bank- ruptcy and farm failure rates will continue to the.end of the decade. If the analysis of a worsening' arm enonomy is inaccurate, the 'program may not be needed, he said. The CFFO proposal in- cludes the following criteria: — all mortgage debt be eligible to a maximum of 40 per cent of total debt; — maximum debt set-aside per farming enterprise of $200,000; — set -asides be for a three- year period with a possibility of a three -year -renewal; — farmers are eligible when equity levels are 25 per cent or less and the en- terprise is . experiencing operating losses. Mr. Oegema said the federation hopes the program would salvage those family farmers whose financial situation is wor- sening but whose equity has not yet completely eroded. COMMUNITY CALENDAR INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. insurance - All types. Home, business, auto, farm, life. WINGHAM 357-2636 GORRIE 335-3525 Thurs:, Mar. 21' to Wed. Mar. 27, 1985 Thurs. Mar. 21 Huron -Bruce Federal Liberal Meeting, Seaforth Public School, 8:30 p.m. La Leclte League, Leslie Martin's Home, 8:00 p.m. Community Dance, Wingham Armouries, 8:30 - 11:30 p.m. East Wawanosh Federation of Agriculture Annual Meeting, 12:00 Noon, Belgrave Hall. Stress Control Workshop, Huron County Health Unit and Heart & Stroke Founda- tion. For Information Phone 1-800-265-4252. , Foodland-Hydro Committee information Meeting, 8:30 p.m., Madill Sec: School. Wingham Midget Hockey Tournament, Sat. & Sun. Fri. Mar. 22 Sat. Mar. 23 Sun. Mat. 24 �- Mon. Mar. 25' Tues. Mar. 26 Eat Well -Live Well Discussion, Cafeteria of Wingham and Distnct Hospital, 7:30 p.m. Public C.P.R. Course Tonight and Tomor- row Night at Wingham and District Hospital. 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Wed. Mar. 27 Lucknow• & District Christian School Kindergarten Registration, 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. Women Today, Quarterly Meeting, Clinton Town Hall, Upstairs, 8;00 p.m. Expectant Parent Classes Start Today at Wingham and District Hospital, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m, Pre -Register Phone 357-2264. 1. ROXY HOME VIDEO (Treat Fao'lily Entertai'trment 241 losephmr St., Wingham Phnncll357•4,373