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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-12-28, Page 32Wednesday,December 28, 2005 Exeter Times–Advocate 31 Some forage growers to get boost TORONTO - An additional $4.3 million is going to be paid to Ontario farmers enrolled in the Forage Rainfall Plan, boosting total payments for 2005 to $8.5 million. It took two meetings between pro- gram partners and participants to achieve the adjustment. A majority of the 1,649 producers in the plan found the program did- n't respond adequately to their needs for the 2005 growing season. Some got a small claim from the plan, but others received no claim and still had to buy replacement hay to feed their animals. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) pulled together a working group of ruminant live- stock groups - Dairy Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Cattlemen's Association, and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency - the Ontario Forage Council, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Agricorp to review the situation and come up with recommenda- tions for the 2006 program. It was determined that many of the producers didn't understand they could choose from a list of rain measurement stations within their area. Many could have realized an increase in their claim by choosing a different station location. In the end, Agricorp, administra- tor of the plan, has decided to reas- sign nearly 1,3400 of the 1,6409 forage customers to different sta- tion locations. This will mean nearly 90 per cent of the customers will benefit from increased claims - up from 62 per cent. "We're pleased to have participat- ed in this process," says Ron bon - nett, OFA President. "In the past, many Ontario farms have com- plained about the inadequacies of the forage insurance program". Some of the students taking part in the Huron Centennial Christmas concert Dec.20 were (above) Basil Cantelon, Madison Harnett,Abby Mellor and Hailey McIntyre while (below) Jamie Brown appeared as Charlie Brown. (photos/Pat Bolen) Christmas came early for 92 clients at Community Living South Huron in Dashwood.After the turkey dinner for all clients and staff, provided by the Community Living Auxiliary, each client received $100 cash.The money came from proceeds from the thrift shop Arc Angels in Dashwood.The shop is run solely with volunteer help from the Community Living Auxiliary and depends on the community for all donations.The shop's mandate states that profits go back into the hands of Community Living South Huron clients.You can visit the thrift shop Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Above from left are Ann Klungel, Eloise Klungel, Judy Hansen and Helen Coates. (photo/submitted) Pond hockey championships DEERHURST — It's holiday sea- son and with it comes the exodus to the outdoors to play Canada's national game. Hundreds of teams are making final preparations for their journey to Ontario's north for the first ever Source For Sports Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships. Tournament officials and volun- teers will soon be out in full force to prepare the six -acre outdoor sur- face required to host the estimated 600 games. The event, to take place at Deerhurst Resort Jan. 27-29, has hit a cord that resonates with players from all across Canada and abroad, according to Neil Lumdsen, the championship's executive director. Ultimately one women's and men's team will be proclaimed Canada's first ever national pond hockey champions. All of the participating teams are featured on the official champi- onship web site www.canadapond- hockey.ca Creating the surface at Deerhurst Resort on Lake Sunset Bay will require a large crew of volunteers and weeks of preparation to support an event on the scale of the pond hockey championships. Transportation Technology students at South Huron District High School will have the opportunity to learn about new automo- bile technology after the donation of a 2003 Toyota Echo to the school from Toyota University.Transportation of the vehicle from Toronto to Exeter was paid for by Exeter Toyota.Transportation Technology teacher Rob Peat said students will use the car to learn about things such as automobile electronics, ignitions and charging systems. From left are SHDHS principal Jeff Reaburn, Peat, Exeter Toyota parts and service manager Bruce Hodge, Grade 12 Co-op student Mitch Harris (in the car),Toyota parts and service consultant John Zhang,Toyota district sales manager Mike Marshall and Exeter Toyota owner Rick Frayne. Hodge said the value of the car is about $ 18,000. Peat thanked Toyota for its support of the school and said students still work on a 1996 Corolla Exeter Toyota earlier donated, which has been "taken apart hundreds of times" Frayne said he was thrilled to help SHDHS and provide students the ability to learn about current technology. (photo/Scott Nixon)