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The Brussels Post, 1975-01-22, Page 11DRY CLEANING SPECIAL SWEATERS 794 each Jumbo. Style Extra Offer Good Until. February 1st- LISTOWEL DRY CLEANERS. Free Pickup and Delivery Brussels Agent Jacob's Saddlery Shop Sanitane Prices to stay high Agriculture .Conadtpredich outlook for 1975 Canada's agriculture industry is in a pretty healthy state and the outlook for 1975 is for continued growth -- higher production, expanded trade and improved gross but lower net farm income.. The sensitive spot is the livestock industry where producers, caught by high input costs,' will experience' difficulty until a rationalization of feed prices and livestock populations takes place on a worldwide basis. The present situation and the outlook for 1975, by commodities, has been considered by Agriculture Canada economists and their summaries follow. Gross farm income in 1974, according to .Statistics Canada's preliminary figures, was $9.2 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion over 1973. Operating expenses, however, went up by more than a billion dollars and, taking into account depreciation charges and the value of inventory changes, the net farm income for 1974 was $3.39 billion, up just slightly from $3.34 billion in 1973. The outlook for 1975 is for a slight increase in gross income but another substantial increase in operating expenses leaving the farmer with a lower net income than in 1974. Wheat, Feed Grains, Oilseeds Prices for 'wheat, feed grains and oilseeds are expected to remain strong throughout 1975 although some weakening is possible in the late months of the year if there is evidence of increased production. Economists at Agriculture Canada foresee a further reduction of world wheat stocks. World trade in feed grains will decline due partly to a reduction in livestock population and partly to a change in feeding patterns as a result of high prices of feed. Wheat World requirements for wheat increase at a rate of about 3.6 per cent a year calling for an increase of some six million tons of production. Failure of 1974-75 supplies to measure up to expectations in spite of efforts by many countries for increases means that' world stocks will be reduced to 46.5 million metric tons from the 57.5 million metric tons on hand at the end of the 1973-74 crop year. In Canada, the acreage increase expected in 1974 may occur in 1975, Plantings of 27 - 28 million acres would be in keeping with production needed to replenish stocks and meet export commitments. This will require a reduction in the summerfallow from last year's almost 27 million acres. World stocks will have to be rebuilt substantially before any significant price declines occur. Feed Grains Prices remain., high and world trade in feed grains is expected to decline by more than 20 per cent in 1974-75 with Europe, Japan and the Soviet Union importing substantially less. World prices are not likely to move much lower until there is some assurance of sharply increased export supplies. That will depend to a large extent on the size of the -United States corn crop. In Canada, the current high prices should result in some expansion of seeded acreage, To service OverseaS barley markets and Maintain adequate domestie stocks, there is a need for 13 million acres of barley, an increase of 13 per cent Over 1974. ' Oats are in tight Supply and to meet prospective demand there is need for an acreage increase to / Million. Rye acreage of 843,006 was adequate last year and need not be increased. But an increase in corn acreage above last year's 1,46 million acres is desirable. Oilseeds World oilseed supplies suffered from .a 20 per cent decrease in production by soybeans in the 17:S. in 1974, but oilseed, edible oil and oilsedd meal supplies from other parts of the world are increasing. Brazil is increasing soybean productidn, the USSR had a record vegetable oil output. the West African peanut crop improved aiid palm oil production in Malaysia is up 22 per cent. Vegetable oil supplies, however, remain tight and market prices are not expected to decline by much. But the price squeeze in the livestock industry ;las reduced the demand for protein meal. LIVESTOCK Whether or not Canadian livestock producers make money this year will depend on feed grain prices and price levels on the Canadian and U.S. Meat markets. 1974 was a year of uncertainty and adjustment for both cattle and hog producers and this adjustment will continue, particularly in the cattle industry, in 1975. There will be more beef on the market this year, Agriculture Canada's economists predict, and, a larger portion of it will come from cows, calves, lighter steers and forage and grass-fed animals compared with previous years. Lower supplies of pork and lamb are expected at steady or higher prices. Beef Prospects for the beef market are hard to call this year. The past year has been an abnormal one for the cattle markets. What further market adjustments producers will make in 1975 is still not clear. Supplies and prices of feed, meat trade quotas with the United States and the general state of the rest of the economy will all have an impact on beef prices in the coming year. However, some market factors can be predicted. Agriculture Canada economists expect beef output to be up again in 1975. Cattle numbers in Canada have been steadily increasing since 1970. Although beef breeders are now putting on the brakes, 1975 will still see increased numbers of cattle on the market. This will be particularly true for calves, cows, heifers and light steers, as farmers reduce herd sizes and ship lighter animals than usual because of high feed costs through the winter months. Although the number of cattle marketed could be up by six to eight percent, the large portion of light animals will mean a somewhat smaller increase in the total beef output in pounds. Prices for Al and A2 steers at Toronto could average in the $50 to $55 a hundredweight range for the first half of 1975, as compared with the $48 per hundredweight average for those grades in the first half of 1974. Wide price spreads between the higher and lower grades of slang hter cattle will likely continue in 1975. The profit potential may lie improved by cattle feeders this year, largely as a result of lower priced feeder cattle. However, profits will still be greatly influenced by feed costs. Hogs Farmers' will be paid more for their hogs in 1075, Agriculture Canada economists predict. Whether their overall profit picture will improve depends on what happens to feed grain prices and the costs of their other inputs. Canadian hog producers have reduced hog numbers by three per cent since 1973 and reduced breeding stock by five per cent. Thus. hog marketings will be lower in 1975. The hog slaughter for the first half of 1975 is expected to be down by six to seven per cent. This should strengthen prices on the Canadian market and hog prices at Toronto for the first quarter of 1975 are expected to average above the 1974, January- March average of $51. Normally, the market is lower in the spring, but this year, hog prices at Toronto could remain firm through to the summer, averaging well above the $42.25 per hundredweight figure recorded for the second quarter of 1974. In the last half of the year, prices should be at least equal to the $54.40 per hundredweight average for the latter part of 1974. Sheep and Lambs Agriculture Canada economists expect lamb prices to remain high in 1975. Last year, lamb prices hit record highs at Toronto and other Canadian markets in response to steady consumer demand. There were fewer sheep and lambs marketed in 1974 following a six per cent decline in ,the number of sheep on Canadian farms. The sheep and lamb population will probably continue to drop again in 1975, though not as much as in 1974. Therefore, sheep and lamb slaughter will be down. The East Wawanosh Township Council held it's inaugural meeting at 11 a.m. on January 7t h, 1975, with Reeve Simon Hallahan presiding and all members, Gerald McDowell, Robert Charter, John A. Currie and Neil G. Vincent present. The members of Council signed the "Declaration of Elected Office and Oath of Allegiance for the 1975-76 term. Rev. John Roberts addressed Council. The members of Council, Rev. Roberts and officials of the Township were entertained to dinner by the Reeve. By-Law No. 1, 1975, a by-law .to authorize the borrowing of $150,000.00 to meet, until the taxes are collected, the current expenditures of the Municipality for the year, was given the necessary readings and passed. The following' memberships were paid. "Ont. Good Roads Assoc." - $25.00. Ontario Farm Drainage Assoc. $15.00. A Building Permit was approved and issued to Dale Hussey. A sign is to be erected at the Landfill Site requesting "No Dumping of Wire or Appliances". A petition re the Deacon- Thompson Municipal Drain was accepted and a letter forwarded to E.W.Shifflett of Gamsby and Mannerow Ltd., re instructions to proceed with a report. Recommendations received front the Federation of Agriculture that Ontario Hydro Power establish in More remote areas were endorsed. The annual levy of $950,60 will be paid to the Myth District Fire Area. Local share of levy, 18% for new Tank. Truck for Wingham Dist. Fire Area amounts to $3,419.64. EGGS AND POULTRY Egg production during the first half of 1975 will remain above domestic table demand. Pullet replacements have been slower since mid 1974. Agriculture Canada economists foresee egg prices steady to higher during 1975 with a higher return to producers due partly to the influence 'of higher prices in The following are the appointments for the year 1975. Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, - Ross Taylor; Wingham Hospital Rep.,, Howard Walker; East Wawanosh Recreation, Parks - Community Centre Board, Robert Charter, Gerald McDowell, Leonard Robinson, Tom Black, Robert Marshall, Wm. Stevenson, Sam Pletch and one rep. from Women's Institute to be appointed. Auburn hall Board: Gerald McDowell; Wingham & Dist. Fire Comm.; John Currie, and Neil Vincent; Blyth & Dist. Fire Comm.; Simon Hallahan, Robt. Charter; Blyth Union Cemetery: Robert Charter; Fence-Viewers: Geo. McGee, John Jamieson, Phil Dawson, John Lockhart, John Armstrong and John Hallahan; Pound-Keepers: Robt. Carter, Athol Bruce, Chas. Smith, John A. Currie. Blyth Municipal Recreation Comm: Robt. Marshall. Livestock Valuers: Ernest Snell, Keith Weber. the United States and to the pricing policies of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency. During the year,supply must 'be brought • more closely in line with demand. It is estimated that 1974 egg production in Canada exceeded 500 million dozen from a laying flock that grew to about 27.5 million birds. The flock is expected to be down to 25.7 the year. That should produce about 482 million dozen eggs in 1975. Part of the heavy egg production of 1974 is attributed to changed marketing patterns brought about by the non- regulated egg producers. Most provinces allow non-regulated producers to have up to 500 laying hens. Due to the high costs of poultry meat, production has been decreasing. However, the carry, over of poultry meat in storage is large so the decrease will not be reflected by the marketings through thk.: first part of the year. Broiler chick replacements have averaged sevent o eight per cent below year-earlier levels which should do much to correct . the stock position. Roaster chicken production is expected to remain about normal with some producers holding broilers to roasting chicken weight. Prices are expected to remain at relatively high levels, partly due to reduced pork supplies. The Road Superintendent's salary increased $75.00 per month. The wages for the 1st Road Grader Operator increased $1.20 per hour to $4.50 per hour. 2nd. Road Grader Operator increased $1.20 to $4.30 per hour. Labourer increased .50 per hour td $3.00 per hour. Landfill Supervisor increased $1.20 per hour to $3.50 per , hour. The 1 salary of the clerk increased I $50.00 per month.The Treasurer had an increase of $35.00 per; month.The fee for Reeve was set' at $700.00 per annum and for I councillor at $500.00 per annum. All convention expenses were set at $70.00 per day plus registration. An increase of $150'.00 to $400.00 annually will be charged toVillage of Auburn for use of the East Wawanosh Landfill site. Road Accounts of: $1,329.29 and the General Accounts of $5,848.12 as presented were passed and paid. Council will meet again on February 4th, at 1 p.m. Prices for good, lambs should be the same or higher than the 1974 average of $52,25 per hundredweight (Toronto market). Wool prices, on the other hand, are expected to drop.. Dairy Canadian milk production is expected to increase in 1975 to 16.9 billion pounds, up by, about 200 million pounds from 1974. Although there is potential for a million by June 1975 and larger increase in milk output, the / hopefully 25 million for the rest of industry will be influenced by high feed and other input costs. Butter production is not likely to increase from 1974's level of 231 million pounds. Butter imports in 1975 are expected to be close to 1974 levels of about 50 million pounds. Total farm cash receipts from the sale of milk and cream will likely hit record levels again in 1975, up from 1974's 51.1 billion. Milk cows on farms numbered about 2.08 million in June, 1974, a decline of 72,000 or three per cent from 1973. Dairy heifers numbered 550,600, up two per cent from 1973. E. Wawanosh ups salaries, makes appointments tHe BRUSSELS •ItoOtt , JANUARY 2 f 1375-11. F. •