The Huron Expositor, 1976-08-26, Page 14
ne foot in
furrow"
Lettors ari.tropticrated by Bob Trotter. Erdal, Rd EOM!i, Ont N3B 2C7
Quick now, without thinking too long on the question, what
is vertical integration?
Perhaps one in a dozen consumers could answer that
.question without giving it some thought. But I suggest to
everybody who shops at a supermarket — and 90 per cent
of consumers do — that it is a term you should know about
and a' trend of which you should be a ware.
Much concern in farm circles is being expressed about
the big names in the supermarket chains getting into verti-
cal integration. Beef producers are especially aware, Others
quite concerned about the trend are meat processors and
meat packers.
What does it mean?
It is a trend whereby one company or a group of related
. companies. control a product from production to the dining
table. Many' people are aware of the food chain in meat. The
farmer produces it. He sells it through a marketing board
or a commodity board or a sale barn. The meat processor
bilYs it, sometimes on the hoof. He processes it and usu-
ally packages it although sometimes he packages it with
someone else's brand name on it. •
Then, a wholesaler buys it and sells it to the supermarket.,
Then, and r only then, it reaches you. the consumer, Verti-
cal integration could eliminate almost everyone along the
line, The huge food chains — and there are only about five
or six in this country — could set up their own feedlots. pro-
cess their own meats and put those meats into their own
stores with their own brand' name on them, thus virtually
eliminatingev.eryone else, even the farmer.
So what, you say? Just this: Competition is eliminated,'
too. Without competition, a producer-packager-retailer
could set whatever price he wants to set. You have to pay
that price.
It is happening right now. Some food chains are quietly
integrating such iterfis as wieners and sausages, They could
easily take a loss, too, on such items, just to get You into the
store, and set a whale of a mark-up on their coffee after you
are in that store. 'Rob Peter to pay Paul. How can indepen-
dent processors compete when the „market place becomes
distorted by such shenanigans?
Not only ,that but these huge multi-national ,conglomer-
Y
o
ates' are quite able to sit baCk and take huge losses on their
meat packing plants while virtually starving all competitors
out of business. Then, of course, they are free to set what-
e
c
m
a
s
m
ver price they please.
Display, as any retailer will tell you, means a lot. Food
pains would naturally display their own products better and
ore lavishly so that even if competitive products' were
available in that store, they could be with the health foods
omewhere, almost out of sight like the truss advertise-
ents and the personals in a newspaper,
Other things enter the picture, of course. Nothing is, com-
T
g
letely black-and-white these days, Retailer would like
o buy meat cut. and packaged to the consumers' satis-
action but meat packers in Canada do not do it that way,
hey sell the carcass.
Meat packers and prbcessors should be encouraged to
et into this type of production and a recent beef commis-
ion report suggested that government grants in aid of pack-
rs and processors should be encouraged. Restaurants and
otels, in particular', would prefer to buy special cuts in
his manner, At present few, if any, meat packing plants are
quipFd-to provide this service which is., why so much im-
ported beef, already cut, and packaged, is being bought in
Canada.
What can you, asconsumer, do to prevent this trend?
Write in support of your ,consumers association, Write to
l
P
a
o
n
P
a
t
i
g
our local member of parliament and your member of the
egislatnre. You can boycott such products already on dis-
lay in your favOrite food store if you feel strongly enough
bout the trend.
I've been called all kinds of names for constantly harping
n the power available to multi-national conglomerates,.
-ames such as radical, socialist, even communist. It is quite
ossible that this power may never be used but having it
vailable could be disastrous to the farmer, the consumer, •
he meat packets and everyone else contlected with produc-
ng food.
When you remember that more than 40 per cent of . the
toss national product in this country is generated through'
agriculture.. it iS a'great deal of power indeed.
What is vertical integration?
p
C
f
Kilbarchan Notes
527-0467
523.4257
345.2172
IN Power is the name of the
game for these three!
iii SEAFORTR 527-0120
........
Fecuci.iLeo
FARM EQUIPMENT LTD.
IM SEAFORTH - AYR - CAMBRIDGE
Internatioimi •
4-WD Tractors
To 300 HP
NAME THE DATE
WE'LL DEMONSTRATE
New and
Used Tractors
INTEREST FREE
until December Ist 1976
11
stenst 11],
• stp.
I lit rifAlla
7,7414",9;11
1111 )
111211k
*Air edge.
Check your pulse.
If it's over75 per minute
your heart needs your help,
, int/Pat/Hi/I'
tntiCaitadlan-irtavernent for pettlonal fitness.
Fitness* In your heart you know k's right.
48/-3409 Clinton'-
rt".
t401\1 BEAN
EQU1PMEN
Now in Stock
Front Mounted 4 row bean pullers
4 row hydraulic driven bean windrowers
From GEORGE WHITE Co.
Drop in and see these new products
• FL.Lobb &$9ps Ltd..
YOUR
ONE-STOP SHOPPING°
CENTRE FOR ALL YOUR
FARM SUPPLIES I-
Order Your
Seed Wheat
Nowt!
Bagged Fertilizer
Prices are low, and well guarantee them
September 4th
until
SEAFORTH FARMERS CO-OP
Phone 527-0770.. Seaforth
INTEREST FREE !
DEAL ON SPERRY NEW HOLLAND
HAY TOOLS!
:Buy your New or Used.
Hay Equipment NOW and
pay no interest until March 1 st, )977
Sed the full NEW 1-10I4ANg Line at
McGAV1N'S FARM EQUIPMENT LTD.
Seaforth 5270245
ANALTON Brume's 887-6365
e HUM* EXPOSITOR, AUGUST 26, 1976
FULL COVERAGE
Farm and Urban Properties
Fire, Windstorm, Liability, Theft
Various Floater Coverages -
Homeowner's , Tenant's Packago,Composite Dwelling
Directors and Adjusters
Robt.Archlbald,R.R.4, Seaforth
Ken Carnochan, R.R.4, Seaforth
Lavern Godkin, R.R.#1, Walton
Ross Leonhardt, R.R.1, Bornholm
John MeEwing, R.R.1, Blyth
Stanley Mellwain; R.R.2, Goderich
Donald McKereher, R.R.1, Dublin
Wm. Pepper, Brucefield
J.N.Trewartha,Box 661, Clinton
AGENTS
Seafort h
James Keys, LE .1,
Wm. Leiper, H.R.', Londesboru
Steve .1. Murray, R.E-5, Seaforth
.1876 197E1 1
McKILLOP MUTUAL
FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
414
MEAD OFFICE: 10 MAIN ST.; SEAFORTH, ONT
Mrs. Margaret Sharp, Sec. Treas., Ph, 527-0400.
527.1817
527-1545
527.1877
345.2234
523.9390
524.7051
5271837
482.7534
482.7593
Then i there was the long-
awaited play "Anne of Green
Gables - always spelled with an
'c' which depicted the story of a
young girl who had come to live
with a_ bachelor and his sister.
They had requested a boy and
when a girl came the bachelor,
warmed•by her personality, want-
ed to keep her but his sister would
have none of it which led to much
amusement and made the play.
Anne Shirley was a very
spirited young lady who was able
in her, own way 'to meet all
situations. This has been a busy
week for me and rather tiring 'in
the heat.
Who- says nothing goes on in
Seaforth? At first I decided to
organize a family party but the
youlig folk didn't want to leave
the lake so our numbers were
whittled down to Marilyn Hillis,
'Ted and Liz Clegg and 'myself.
Another former pupil heard
from Westcott who nevor
Are you fit? You'll be able to
find out at 'this year's Western
Fair.
The fitness and Amateur Sport
Branch of Health and Welfare
Canada is issuing an invitation to
all fair-goers to test their skill in a
variety of activities.
There are ball-throwing
machines for baseball, tennis' and
table-tennis; there's a , weight-
training 'unit and even a p lastic
ice-skating surface! In fact, you
can try just about any sport from
archery to volleyball, and the
Sports Demonstration Program
involves the whole family.
The Canada Fitness Awards
Program lets anyone from 7 to 17
try to earn a bronze, silver or gold
crest by running through a series
of events, while a qualified
instrudtor at the Adult Fitness
Testing Station conducts a
personalized evaluation ofMom
and Dad's fitness level.
The exhibition involves People
forgets. He was spending holiday
at Von Trapp family lodge at
Stowe, Vermont. He also sent me
,a book 'written by Maria. Von
Trapp of "Soda of Music" fame
of her life story which is very
colourful and.interesting.
Mr. John Regier had three
great grandchildren visit him this
week from the West. Mr. John
Dow. Cromarty is our most recent
resident.
Marilyn Ted and Liz took me to
"Anne of Green Gables" .in the
car. They intended to wheel, me
over but I said not One trip Of that
method was, sufficient. We were
able to find' a good. seat as we
went early. With me I took my
trusty fan which helped the heat
The play livened up when a
class of pupils attended a picnic
and Anne was given her first
ice-cream gone.'
The picnic was very gay and
some amusing incidents happen-
ed. Proud Marilla, the sister
directly in participation sports
and physical recreation. It
promotes and it teaches. Skilled
help is available to teach the
basics of swinging a golf club or a
tennis racquet. Demonstrations of
tumbling, ska ting and- the
martial arts may make up the
show.
The Sports Demonstra tion
Pr ram is free to all visitors to
the 976 Western Fair, Sept. 1.0 to
19.
For those who prefer their
entertainment "sit-down. style
the Canadian Armed Forces
Mobile Cinema will present an
action,-packed multi-image film,
"The New Reserves".
The film incorporates the work
of the land, sea and air ReserVes,
paying tribute to those who serve
their country as weekend
soldiers, sailors and airmen, and
help support regular services
personnel for longer periods
WINS JUNIOR'SHOWMANSHIP Patti Meugge of
Seaforth did well at , the Brussels rodeo on Sunday
winning the junior showmanship trophy and coming
fourth in the English Pleasure Class on her horse
Kizell's Princess. (Staff Photo)
MINOR SOCCER SCOREBOARD
'Squirt: Seaforth (4) at Exeter (o);
-'.Goderich (3) at Seaforth (7);
Clinton (1) at Seaforth (o).
Atom:Seaferth (1) at Goderich
B (11); Exeter Sptifires (1) 'at
Seaforth (4)
Mosquito: Seaforth (5) at
Goderich (0); Exeter (o) at
Seaforth,-.(5)
Pee Wee: Gland Bend (0) at
Seaforth (4); Seaforth (3) at
Exeter (0)
Bantam: Goderich (2) at
SeafOrth (10)'
The Seaforth Squirts are
finished their soccer season now
and are Champions in the Huron
Minor Soccer league. Huron
Minor is organizing a soccer fun
day when the squirts will be
presented with their
championship trophies.
mellowed considerably and made
Anne A new "bottle" green dress
which she didn't favour.
Toward the end, of ,the play
Matthew,. the brother, died
peacefully in his chair of a chronic
heart ailment and Anne who had
won a scholarship to continue.
her education decided to stay with
Marina.
Some of the school boys took a
few slanting looks at 'Anne, most
of which she ignored. And so the
play ended. It played here to two
full houses. It was good .to be
there,„ and see so many old
friends.
Mrs. Olive Muir also attended
the play when mernt-ers of the
staff, Anne Downey and Mrs.
Betty Hulley,' dro ve her over.
The Grade XIII girls who took
us to. the Flower show by wheel
chair were Linda Smith and
Brenda Savauge. Linda is just
entering Grade X111 and Brenda
will attend Western this fall.
when needed.
The presentation captures the
Air and Naval Reserves .in
dramatic rescue scenes and
members of the Militia are seen
in the important peace-keeping
role they serve in the Middle
East.
The air-climatized mobile
cinema is equipped with simul-
taneous, English/French sound
tracks, so visitors can enjoy the
film in the language of their
choice.
The Canadian Armed Pones
cinema presentation and 4he
Sports Demonstration Program
are free to an fairgoers during the
1976 Western Fir, Sept. 10 to 19,
(By Mabel Turnbull)
Judge H.Glenn Hays,
Goderich,' visited the Horne last
week and chatted with his cousin
Mr. Russ Hays and Miss,
Turnbull.. Glenn is a 'Seaforth old
boy who "was born in '
His parents with their family
Howard, Dr. Archie (deceased),
Bill (deceased) and Glenn moved-
to Seaforth and took up residence
on Goderich St. West. The boys
were educated .at Seaforth Col-
legiate . Institute.
I knew the family ivell so we
fontid a lot to chat about, Mr.
Doug Stewart PHD another form-
er pupil visited me this week with'
daughter Susanne who won hon-
ours for hei Highland Dancing at '
Tergus recently.:
Two High School Girls and
three girls on the staff wheeled
Mrs. Olive Muir and myself over
to the Flower show. It is tike
visiting Fairyland to visit that
yearly treat.
'4 The Hortieulture • Committee
with Mrs. Isabel Scott as Pres-
' ident give such a friendly; atmos-
phere throughout. It was worth
the rugged ride in a wheel-chair
which was quite difficult owing to
the recent sewer project, •
We were quite ready for t'he
delicious cup of tea and snack
when we arrived. It revived us
greatly . • .
This event is usually well
attended by the townfolk. We in
Kilbarchan were given beautiful
bowl of flowers to brin home by
Mrs. Scott which are still with
People are so kind and gener-
ous with their flowers, They are
always a joy and brighten am
room.
flower show,..by wheelchair
Find out if you're fit gat Western Fair
et