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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1976-03-18, Page 14BINGO! This week there were three lucky winners in the Lion's Club bingo who shared the $200 jackpot. Shown with Lion Harold Gunn are two of the fortunate people, Mrs. Elsie McDonald, Exeter, and Ted Baker, Grand Bend. (Mrs. McDonald's son is happy too.) The other winner was Anne Lawrence of Huron Park, T-A photo. Bill Stewart's down to ear„th 4.4,1, COMPLETE 4, 4pM COVERAGE FOR vire, 44r Home * Farm :4G 41) * Life * Commercial * Automobile * Registered Retirement Plans CONTACT Bev Morgan Insurance Agency Ltd. 238 Main St. Phone 235-2544 Exeter Across from Save way Lumber MODEL YOU CAN NOW SAVE MF 230 Tractor $500.00 MF 235 Tractor $400.00 MF 255 Tractor $400.00 MF 265 Tractor $400.00 MF 275 Tractor $400.00 MF 20 Backhoe Loader $900.00 MF 30 Backhoe Loader $900.00 MF 40 Backhoe Loader $900.00 MF 50A Backhoe Loader $900.00 MF 711B Skid Steer Loader $500,00 Limited to available inventories until April 30th 1976 We've got other brand-new bargains in stock at unbelievably low prices. 18 Wellington St. 235-0743 Exeter 410. MF SHERWOOD (Exeter) Ltd. Massey Ferguson Lions complete fourth successful bingo game Low beef prices By BILL STEWART Denfield The 1976 Annual Meeting of the Ontario Beef Improvement Association was held in Toronto on February 26 and 27. The low returns in the beef production aspect of the industry were reflected in the large attendance apd the discussion which emanated from the floor on com- mittee reports and county and district resolutions. The meeting was well handled by the elected officials of OBIA and their ap- pointed officers. The name of OBIA was changed by a majority vote of the delegates to Ontario Cattlemen's Association. Chief subject of concern seem- ed to focus on the plight of the beef cow-calf producer. The build-up in beef cow numbers which had occurred over the last few years up to 1975, led to enor- mous supplies of feeder calves and yearlings in both the U.S.A. and Canada. This increase in feeder calf production came as a result of calf prices in the 60c to 70c plus range, which were really incentives to greater production. However the huge purchases of grain and protein feeds by Russia and China in 1973 and 1974, coupled with the food aid programs to countries suffering from severe drought, drove grain prices to the highest levels in history. The result was feedlot operators both in the U.S.A. and Canada took terrible losses. Some bankruptcies occurred in the U.S.A., indeed many feedlots are still empty. Others, now operating on a much reduced scale, lost up to $200 per head. Many Canadian cattle feeders lost a lot of money, but because Eastern Canadian cattle feeders don't normally feed as much grain, — using more roughage, corn silage, haylage, etc. — they weren't hurt quite as badly as the U.S. cattle feeders. With high grain prices con- tinuing through 1974 and 1975 it became apparent that the only way a cattle feeder could hope to survive was to buy his feeder cattle at a price low enough to compensate for the higher feed prices and inflated costs of operation, etc. This he did, with the result feeder calf prices in 1974 took a severe drop and a much worse drop in 1975, with an average selling price in Ontario for feeder calves of just under 30c lb., which was less than the cost of production. Fortunately for Ontario's beef calf producers the Ontario Government introduced a Beef Calf Stabilization program. The farmer, if he wished to par- ticipate, agreed to enroll all his cows at a premium rate of $5 per head, with the option of deferring the payment of premium until he received his price stabilization cheque at the end of 1975. The Ontario Government, guaranteed to pay the difference between the average selling price of calves • sold at Northern cattle sales, Toronto Stockyards, and certain Eastern Ontario community sales yards, and 50t per lb, The Province paid out $22.6 million, a sizeable sum, but it helped many calf producers to stay solvent and should ensure the continued production of beef calves when the turn-around in feeder cattle prices comes, as come it will, In fact Canada's beef cow herd is reduced already by 4% from January 1, 1975 to January 1, 1976, and the U.S.A. beef cow herd is down by 4% as well. Beef replacement heifers ( for breeding) are down 17% in Canada and 19% in the U.S.A. With this kind of a reduction in the beef cow and breeding heifer herd already having taken place, coupled with the heavy slaughter of unfinished beef in both U.S. and Canada. it's little wonder that feeder cattle prices have already become much stronger. Probably when the above facts became known as a result of reports to the OBIA meeting a greater feeling of optimism cool- ed some of the expected charges against OBIA of neglecting the beef calf producers. As the former Minister of Agriculture and Food in Ontario, who in- itiated the beef calf support program on behalf of the Ontario Government with the assistance of M.P.P.'s from the beef calf producing areas of Ontario, and with the strong support and ad- vice of the OBIA Executive, I can assure beef calf producers the OBIA has been, and is, ex- tremely interested in their serious problem of trying to make ends meet during the past couple of years. Much credit for the action taken by the Govern- ment is due to Clarence Hardy, of Lucan, the 1975 President of OBIA. The OBIA had set up a com- mittee representing most areas of Ontario where beef calves are produced. An excellent report was submitted to, and approved by. the annual meeting, which upheld a resolution contained in the report supporting the development of a national beef cow-calf stabilization program based on the principles of the On- tario program of 1975. The fact that approximately 12,000 beef cow owners in Ontario enrolled a total of 312,000 beef cows in- dicates the popularity of the program in its first year of operation. One disappointing report was given by the Executive of OBIA in advising a 50% cut ($5000.) had been made in the Research grant to O.V.C. due to insufficient funds. At the same time the an- nual financial report indicated $13,100 had been paid to county and district Beef Improvement Associations. It's a well known fact that several counties have done a good job of self support in fund raising activities and therefore don't need their $300 grant. But continued research in disease control, the greatest scourge the cattle producer faces, is essential, However an amendment to a resolution was defeated to make the $300 grant available to those counties and districts where distance, lack of cattle producers, or other cir- cumstances necessitated the continuance of the grant from the central office, the OBIA Ex- ecutive could continue the grant on application from such coun- ties or districts rather than automatically, as is now the case. It would have made sound common sense to re-instate the research grant, or better in- crease it, than to be automatical- ly sending the $300 annual grant to each county or district whether it was actually needed or not. It was interesting to note the support from a majority of the delegates for a resolution in- creasing the current voluntary deduction on all calves and cattle marketed in Ontario of IOC and 15C respectively, to 154 and 250 respectively, The financial state- ment indicated license fees (cat- tle and calf deductions) in the amount of $217,389, with 3,5% be- ing refunded on request — $7,663 — leaving a net to OBIA of $209,- 726. Several counties and dis- tricts introduced resolutions re- questing the 66 2 .3% increase in fees from 15c per head to 25c per head. An amending resolution in- creasing the fee level by 33 1/3% or 50 per head from Middlesex County was defeated and the original resolution carried, even though no specific proposals were outlined for the use of the potential increase in revenue of approximately $145,000. With this enormous increase in revenue it is to be hoped the research grant will be re- instated and hopefully increased. The development of vaccine to control some of the really serious contagious diseases affecting cattle and calves is ab- solutely essential if the industry is to survive in today's high cost economy. No individual farmer, or county group, can afford to provide the necessary funds — it can only be done by the central organization or Government. With current provincial govern- ment budget constraints, it is time the industry was carrying a greater proportion of the costs of research. Much discussion centred on the wisdom, or otherwise, of beef price stabilization programs. The chief objection to such Government sponsored programs is that they lead in- evitably to supply management or production controls. There is no other logical conclusion. Strong producer prices lead to over-supply without supply management. All one has to do to realize this, is to look at flue- cured tobacco production in On- tario, with "growing rights" now going at $3000 an acre, not in- cluding the land. Fluid milk marketing and industrial milk marketing both are now on a supply management basis. Egg production control, with all its attendant problems, and broiler marketing controls all are in place. And there is no reason to believe there was much alter- native for these special com- modities. But beef production, involving as it does, up to 40% of its source from the dairy in- dustry of Canada, is an entirely different commodity. The very nature of beef production just doesn't lend itself to enforced supply management regulation if price stabilization levels become an incentive to production. The free market, now as' in the past, is proving to be the regulator of cattle numbers. The result to- day is comparatively cheap beef for consumers, many of whom must agree, since per capita con- sumption increased from 94 lbs., in 1974 to 110 lbs. in 1975. It may be that by this time next year, If you like bingo, and there are hundreds who do, Lions Club Bingo is for you. The fourth successful game was completed this week with three lucky area residents winning and sharing the Jackpot of $200, They were Ted Baker, Grand Bend; Mrs. Elsie Dear Editor: I should like to bring to the attention of you and your readers some details of Bill C-83 {Peace and Security), now before Parliament, which may be unknown to you and undoubtedly are unknown to most of your readers. This "package bill" cannot serve Canadians well — lumping as it does such divergent issues as electronic surveillance, gun control, crime inquiries, parole, etc, into one bill, to receive one vote for or against by an MP. I personally feel that the gun control section is unnecessary and will do nothing to reduce or prevent crime: Section 106.3(16) - places ar- bitrary and unrestricted powers in the hands of an appointed official, who can restrict and control in any manner he wishes, even •if not prescribed by regulations, how a person may use, carry, possess, handle or store any firearm or am- munition. Section 99,(2) - every one who stores any firearm or am- munition in a "careless manner" is guilty of an indictable offense and is liable to improsonment for 5 years. Section 100.1 - every person in a business concerning firearms or ammunition must keep a record of every transaction and a run- ning stock inventory. Every small country store will have to record the sale of even one box of ammunition. Section 88.(1) - an unlicensed person" possessing firearms or ammunition is guilty of an in- dictable offense and liable to imprisonment for 2 years. A "firearm" includes "any frame, barrel, receiver, breech block, firing pin or hammer". This means that your wife or a friend, unless licensed, could make no purchase or delivery on your behalf, deliver a part of a firearm to a gunsmith for repair, or even temporarily, store or transport a firearm for you in home, automobile, trailer or van. Section 95. (1) - same penalty as above, but covers "every one who barters, gives, lends, transfers or delivers any firearm or am- munition to an unlicensed per- son". What do "transfer" or "deliver" mean in actual practice? It is ominously vague. "Explanatory Notes", page 13 - "entire costs of this program" are to be borne by the gun owner. No fee is stated - will it rise an- nually to prohibitive levels? Section 106.8 - anything omitted, or more probably, felt to be a hindrance to passage of the bill, can be brought in later by Cabinet order overnight - no and even before, beef prices at the counter may be much stronger. If they are, consumers can be assured of a continuing supply of quality beef but not at distress prices to the producer, as has been the case these last few years. CLAY FARM EQUIPMENT New Ring Drive Silo Unloider Dual Auger Silo Unloaders Barn Cleaners Auger Feeders t Chain Feeders Shuttle Feeders Single Chain Conveyors Stabling Equipment etc. Order now for Spring and Summer installation Also complete line of BEATTY Farm Equipment BRINTNELL CONSTRUCTION LTD. Phone 229-8244 McDonald, Exeter, and Anne Lawrence, Huron Park, A new game starts Monday, and for six mornings, six num- bers will be called. Then, four numbers for four mornings, and finally two numbers each day until someone bingos for the jackpot. To find out the daily numbers, notification of Parliament - no debate - no vote. - 900 new "registrars" are to be hired. So much for holding down government expenditure. An informed public will, at least, be able to make a sensible decision about the merits of this bill, and I hope, make their feelings known to their MP, Yours very truly, T.F,B. Philips, M.D. By MRS. HAMILTON HODGINS Euchre A euchre party was held in the Community Centre Friday evening with Mr. & Mrs. MacLeod Mills as hosts. The winners were men's high, Earl French; ladies high, Margery Morley; lone hands, Barbara French; low score, David Scott; nine hearts, MacLeod Mills, The next euchre will be Friday, March 19. Personals Mr. & Mrs, Bill Morley baby- sat their grandson, Jeremy Brock last week when Mr. & Mrs. Bill Brock enjoyed a holiday in Florida. The)Morleys motored to Detroit, Satlirday, visited with Mr. & Mrs. Howard Morley and brought the Brocks home with them. Rob Morley returned home Saturday after spending a couple of weeks in Florida. Rob and some of his friends enjoyed the holiday, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Hem and boys had Sunday lunch with their grandmother Mrs. Muriel McLellan, Ilderton. Mr. & Mrs. Allan Skinner, Toronto, were visiting with Mrs. McLellan. Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Hern spent the weekend at their cottage at Nine Mile Lake with some other friends. Mr. & Mrs. Ken Zavitz, Thedford, spent four days last week with Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Ferguson. Mr, & Mrs, Bruce Wallis and family, Stratford, spent Sunday with Mr, & Mrs. Alton Wallis. Mrs. Margery Morley and Mrs. Alton Wallis visited Wednesday with Mr. Walter Gunning, Exeter, to celebrate his birthday. players phone 235-1211 and listen to a recording. Cards sell for $1.00. Harold Gunn who runs the bingo game for the Lions Club says many people play 10 to 25 cards at a time, and one man he knows has 50 on the go at once. Some card buyers strike it lucky right at the onset when they purchase a lucky card worth $5, $10 or $15, Sometimes, too many people get lucky. On one occasion, 15 winners had to share $25, But one player was fortunate enough to win a jackpot of $200 all, to her- self. Proceeds from the bingo go to pay off the debt on the tennis courts' built in Exeter last summer 'by the Club, It pays foltise oeleaPtiflOti)toil.p -F1,94tvltLAtit " bigneraal0leI, FO'ra artlatfy5b$0 tra016iltirci; it: front, liTs'ect id•ofta A ge and s let for more infei. AgoRtAltul'arC ustirigttkryMA To further raise money for this project, the Lions are holding a St. Patrick's Day dance at the Huron Park Rec. Centre Friday night with Joe Overholt and the Standbys, The lucky tickets for the M007 Oink draw will be drawn that night when two persons will win either a side of beef or a side of pork. MYWITgrmouc 41TIC 1Wm"TgT1g oc,./AV.SONACM Bring this ad in and check all the savings during our heav nd saf se Ft' rn. As on. F em icai hemical Check these savings on new MF farm tractors under 80 pto horsepower, plus industrial machines! SF71;11 SALE ‘cMWMsNi,_ 111111 1111111 eta 1 11 1111 1 1 diet 11 11t1tattlfetatIllt1110114111