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The Huron Expositor, 1980-12-18, Page 27Snovvmobiles are becorn, ing more popular- in Ontario for farming:as well as rec,' teation. Some farmers use snowmobiles to check fences and livestock, and some even he. cattle with them. But whether used for work or pleasure, snowmobiles must be operated with skill and Me same attention tC0 safety as other vehicles, says Larry Svvinn of the Farm Safety Association of OntariO, Most snownitibile accid- ents involve collisions with 'other traffic. In 1978-79, 38 people were killed and 589 injured in collisions on and off highways. The other ma- jor cause pf ancidPnts, is travelling on thin ice, "Snowmobile clubs and conservation authorities have t.educed accidents by establishing groomed trails for snowmobile enthusiasts," says Mr. Swinn. "These trails are well maintained and supervised to prevent 9. ui accidents." Individuals can do a lot to reduce accidents, Mr. Swittu advises bemg prepared for the worst that cOuld happen. Before an excursion, check local weather forecasts. Tell sOmeone where you are go- , ing and when you expect to return. Thronghtly check your - machine to make sure it is in good working condition. ,Check your fuel, spark plugs, battery fluid levels, steering, lights, brakes and drive belt. Take an extra -ignition key, first aid kit, tool .kit, spare spark plugs and drive belt. It's also a good idea to take a hunting knife, hatchet, flashlight, emergency blank- et, compass and matches in a watertight container. "One of the best ways to prevent accidents is to use the buddy „system." says Mr. swinn, "Travel in pairs or groups in familiar areas. Meld operating snowmo- biles on ice, particularly at night, during snowstorms and in unfatniliar areas. I f you must cross ice, ask local authorities or residents about ice conditions, currents and other possible hazards." For more tips about snow- mobile safety, contact your Ministry of Transportation and Communications motor vehicle licensing office. Ask for the Snowmobiler's Hand- book. Every week more and wore people discover what mighty jobs are accom- plished by low cost Huron Expositor Want Ads. Dial 527-0240. THE HURON EXPO$TQR, DECEM�ER 16. 18O in Rob Tontei,Eida1efid.EIM4t1 001. N38 2C7 It is not my policy to ackoowledge every letter that is sent to me, Too many letters can become boring. However, one arrived not long ago that should be given some publicity. "We have two farms. One is set up with a farrow -to -finish operation and the other is •a cow -calf operation which we have tried to build up slowly over a few years. A year ago, we purchased the second farm when the animals became too many to house in one barn. As you .1t-ri-OW:Ta-Stivititer interest rates and-expelfSe-S- started -to- - rise and our income dropped drastically. "In thd spring when our agriculture minister said no farmer will be refused money to plant a crop, our bank manager said, No, when we asked for money for seed and fertilizer; no crops. When I asked if it would be any use to go to another bank for money, I was told no! "We did, in fact, try another bank to borrow money against our cattle which we had built up, one by one, with any spare money we had along the way. JELLIED OR WHOLE E.D. SMITH CRANBERRIES GARDEN 28 FJLAIZ OCEAN COMITKL±, SPRAY 14 FTLI.NOZ. CORN IfiBLETS GREEN GIANT FANCY GRADE 12 FL. OZ. TINS MARTINS APPLE JUICE CHOICE °MAUI Y 48 FL. OZ. TIN 750 ml. BOTTLES CANADA DRY CLUB SODA, ONIC WATER OR GINGERALE 9 VEGETABLES GREEN GIANT CREAM STYLE CORN, GIANT PEAS, SUMMER SWEET PEAS, KITCHEN SLICED GREEN 011 WAX BEANS SWEET GHERKINS PLUS DEPOSIT INIalinlei010=••~0.0•MMINNINO.MO~NOINIM.• SMIfifigiLCHAKLES ASSORTED FLAVOURS JELLO POWDERS MILK CHOCOLATE 14 oz PKG 3 02 PKGS FOR 14 oz. TNS FOR BICKS PICKLES 1 375 ml JAR CRANBERRY COCKTAIL OCEAN SPRAY $t49 40 F L -02 ROTTLE BROWN & SERVE DINNER ROLLS WESIONS PKGS OF 12 FROZENNIAGARA ORANGE JUICE 12 5 FL 02 TINS PC Orn...mommemo.moormarmormonosormo. MAPLE LANE DELICIOUS EGG NOG FAST FROZEN PARISIENNE OR FLORENTINE VEGETABLES 1%4cCAINS. 9 2 L8 BAG 1 LITRE CARTON T 0 D ;iris E R S PAMWESTONS DELICIOUS ENGLISH MUF PACKAGE OF 8 WESTON'S SOFT N' SWEET MIXED OR YUM YUM - ' CRUSTY ROLLS Do 69BICKS PICKLES 39 HI H LINE FROZEN 16 oz. PKG. PARTY SNACKS $238 HIGH LINER FROZEN COOKED SHRIMP 8 02 PKO $2.99 COOKED IN BRINE HIGH LINER WHOLE FROZEN LOBSTER 200g 2.f9 HIGH LINER PEELED AND CLEANED SHRIMP 7 92_ .171SG $3.39 ZEHFIS AIL BUTTER SHORTBREAD COOKIES COUNTRY OVEN SPECIALS ONE LITRE HOSTESS FRESH POTATO CHIPS REGULAR OR DIP STYLE JAR 200g MOTHER PARKERS F011 WRAP 48.s 45 CM WM BAG COFFEE 1.18 1.99 ALKA SELTZER_ 1.99 ALCAN FOIL ZREI 99 FRICO IMPORTED 400 G EAGLE BRAND CONDENSED 6CUMT MOTHER FARMS ORANGE PEKOE EDAM CHEESE 129 BORDENS MILK $2. 99 TEA BAGS 755 169 0F48 7 A. MOTHER PARKERS INSTANT COFFEE PACKAGE 10 oz JAR ftEISCHMANM CORN OK MARGARINE MT 129 990 sVr CHOCOLATE raEiiriTS2ozcHst Wo FRESH BROWN ROLLS. CRUSTY WHITE ROLLS DOZEN CAKE STYLE - 3 VARIETIES $‘ ,9 DONUTS _ _ _12's L PAX° SAGE AND ONION STUFFING „ EVEREADY D C -AA Om u vOLT- ENERGIZERScAnpst 99 DES LE DUALITY SOUR CREAM _24_ 55# PiElLSONS DEVON ICE CREAM SPUMONI swim .169 MR. CLOWN LIQUID BUBBLE BATH 650 rn, 99' HOSTESS CHEESE OR TACO TORTILLAS 150 9 79' CLUB HOUSE MANZANILLA OLIVES LOToPzACJI(A*4129 ORANGE OR GRAPEFRUIT JUICES TREESWEET 149 WONG WING DRIENTAt SHRIMP - EGG ROLLS I? 109 NEILSONS 500 ml „ WHIPPING CREAM_ 1.ilY VITAMINS PLUS IRON ONE"A'DAY;18_;.8:_.4 99 WEIGHT WATCHERS COCKTAI[ AIL TOMATO CLAM°89 DESSERT TOPPING DREAM WHIP 01.79#' CANADA NO. I GRADE PRODUCE OF US PRODUCE OF U.S.. RED GRAPES RED EMPEROR FRESH CALIFORNIA BROCCOLI LB ektia01414 ‘764.1e/t4 POINSETTIAS 10014 GOOD EATING . BUNCH BEAUTIFUL 1014 $ HOME OR OFFICE • s 5- POT . VIBRANT POINSETTIAS 99 POT 199 POTTED WITH POINSETTIA a MIXED PAN 6 POT $ety WE RESERVE THE 1110111 TO LIMIT PURCHASES TO REASONABLE WEEKLY • FAMILY REQUIREMENTS FROO OF USA CAN NO 1 SWEET YAMS 18 45 BUD OF 'CALIF NO I .GRADE HEAD LETTUCE EA Or PROD OF CAN NO 1 GRADE „, RUTABAGAS 18 MY PRODUCE Of MEXICO TANGERINES DOZEN 911# C. EXTRA FANCY RED OR 6010 DELICIOUS APPLES LB Sar CANADA FANCY ANJOU PEARS L8 68 MO. Of CALIFORNIA NAVEL ORANGES _ DOZ 119 WV Witt SE PLE ASO TOURVE You tti: HWY. NO. 8 ditlitVAh-A6E1 t -S: RAY HURD A GODERICH HURON RD. oPEN WED., T URS., FRI., EitENINO .1,1019=6.111195.1.12...41.1.1 Thinking of retiring? Here are some points to consider BY ART LAWSON ASSOC. AG. REP. For the people not needing borrowed money, the current monetary situation is very good. The problem is for those who need quantities of borrowed money. And for people trying to save and invest for retirement. Money put into savings or other interest investments is eroded by the 12% inflation rate. By the time income taxes are deducted from interest income, the net re- turns fail to keep pace with inflation. property. The only people that have really gained is the oval estate agent and poss- ibly the government in taxes. Maybe you should just keep your farm and rent out 'the land and buildings. Rent- al rates will follow inflation and could even be ticd to inflation. The capital gain is onlv half taxable and then only on the sale of the land with reserves for mortgages held If you want to reJire OT at least slow down at 5.5. you can do so without being completely uprooted and moved to new surroundings. The land rental market has rre er been stronger. You can operation profitability When considering further investment in an operation. a look at uninflated equity can he quite revealing. "We were again refused because these cattleeven though we had never borrowed money to buy the herd, would come under a Section 88 at the bank. Our bank then sent us a leiter asking us to "Wind clion—i-our operation, - "We have fed out feed now that was planted last year and are buying feed to feed out the remainder of the pigs. Now, we have land and machinery so why could we not have been helped to put in our crops? Since May, the bank has. received -all - our money -from -pip- as -it-now-goes---- directly for the hog producers (association). -- "You can see the position it leaves us in. "We live in an area where foreign investors are buying land and taking down the barns and houses." "It hurts us to see this, especially when the world food council says there will be a serious food shortage next year. Why not help us keep farming? "I've held down a full-time job for 12 years, raised three children anct, worked on the farms Sunday nights and holidays. Now, as you see by the bank letter (which is enclosed), they recommend my husband do the same. We already work many 18 -hour days and, to tell you the truth, I'm getting very tired. "I think the trouble with the government Is they think you can run farms on hindsight and they are in for a sh&K. "Our bank manager's idea. is, if you're not making money on something, you stop producing and start again when demand is greater. Things are going to have to change.Aith ough this letter is depressing, I will close by saying you may count us down but don't count us out." Such are the sentiments of one farm wife. I 'have received maybe a dozen such letters in the past few months and just could not ignore them any. longer. • The husband -and -wile team in the above letter obviously bit off a huge chunk in purchasing a second farm but all they wanted to do was expand their operation to he Ip feed a hungry world. • Too many depressing situations. such as this have happened in this country recently. I am not an economist and lam not a politician. I do not know the answers for the many people who have written to me nor for the many thousands who have not. 1 know of a couple of hog producers last year who went to the bank, couldn't get any more backing and simply dropped the keys to the barn on the bank manager's desk and walked out saying: "Okay. hub. you run the farm." Why these situations have to occur in a so-called developed country such as Canada is, to say the least, depressing. To say more would be enough to get MC sadudtig ledwuietshsthett libeliscuict. Br s peaks for itself. Politidans make promises they cannot or will not keep. Inflation can cloud true farm income Fcrr many farmers. equity growth has conic as a result of inflation rather than real operating profits. Part of the blame for this must lie with those advisers who en- courage borrowers to look only at "present market values" rattler than 'book. values" The view of equity growth. when the inflation factor is removed. gives a more accurate perspective on RHOSP Tax Free Down Payment on the Future Ceadi',”"e fCr CIntrctutiOns December 31 VICFORIA AND GREY TRUST Since 1844 Stratford: 1 Ontario St. 271-2050 171 C.H.Meter Blvd. 271-5011 Godertch: 100 Kirigston St.. 524-7381 t•i• aaz Member Canada Deposit insurance Corporation probably even work part- time for the active operators around the neighbourhood or maybe on your own farm. In the short term. the retirement income witi not be as high as if the farm were sold but the future is secured against inflation. WHAT ABOUT THE EXIST- ING OPERATORS WHO WISH TO CONTINUE FARMING OR EXPAND? With interest rates chang- ing weekly. it is hard to make long term plans. It would probably be best to tie down interest rates where possi- ble. as opposed to letting them flaat Many hog and beef farm- ers can testify to the pain of interest rates that floated up with the prime rate this pdAl spring. The hog and beef markets were both getting a "wringing out" in the mark- et place. when interest rates added further squeee • this added squeeze proved to be the last straw for many producers. Operating credit OT section 88 loans always are at a floating rate. The problem then is to keep demand type loans to a reasonable level and roll operating looses and capital borrowings back into fixed rate loans. where poss- ible. Keep an eye on asset to liability ratios to properly structure your credit picture. Mem,' Chrisimo