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The Rural Voice, 1977-12, Page 16small commercial farms, however, were only about three-fourths of comparable nonfarm rates. By regions, farms in southern Ontario had the highest total returns ratios while farms in northern Ontario had the lowest total returns ratios. These differences reflect the comparative advantages of agricultural production in the various areas. Differences by year ranged from a low of 26 per cent in 1971 when farm incomes were low and land prices declining, to 147 percent in 1973, when both farm incomes and capital gains were increasing rapidly. In their conclusions, Prof. Brinkman and Mr. Gellner point out some of the implications tvse results have for agricultural programs and policies. Rather than implementing programs to boost overall farm returns, they suggest different policy approaches for different groups of farms with programs specifically geared to help the small farms. Because of the influence of capital gains, they suggest there may be a need for programs to help farmers transform their capital gains into more productive capital. Finally, the two University of Guelph researchers say that the relative rates of returns indicate a need for programs that will prevent wide fluctuations in rates of returns in agriculture to facilitate better long-term planning. Battle for retirement home won by Carrick man The Ontario Municipal Board last month backed a Carrick township farmer in his battle to build a retirement house on a severed lot on his farm. George Weber, who farmed Lot 17, Concession 10 of Carrick township for 31 years had had his request for the reverence turned down by the Bruce County land division committee and took his battle to the O.M.B. During the hearing, Malcolm Campbell, planning director for South Bruce pointed out that the draft official plan for the area aims at having farmers move to the already built-up areas rather than create more homes in rural areas. He said the land is first class farmland and there are no other non-farm dwellings in the area. In turn Mr. Weber argued that the property in question contains an old apple orchard that has not been used commercially. It has never been commerc- ial farmland, he said, and the reverence would not mean farmland would be taken out of production. In its decision the O.M.B. noted that the county's draft plan has yet to be approved so couldn't be given too much weight. Even considering the plan, the board said, moving farmers to build up areas "is an option open to a retiring farmer, and not one to be imposed on him against his will." Sheep Breeders celebrate 35th anniversary Zone 2 Sheep Breeders marked the 35th anniversary of their organization with a banquet and social evening in Elmwood, Oct. 20. On the menu was, (what else?) Iamb. Louis Emke read minutes of the first meeting held at Paisley some 35 years earlier at the home of Clare Fleming with such names as Bert Monk, Louis Emke, Wm. Pepper, Mel Hanna, Alec Fleming, George Bell, William Henry, George Gear and Tommy Cooper mentioned. It was in October of that year that the first sheep sale was held in Chesley. 1977, Mr. Emke said, was an important year in the zone because there were three sheep clubs in operation with achievement days held at Teeswater and Clinton fairs. A new breed of sheep to the area was being experimented with by Mr. and Mrs.. Fred Weller of Chesley who had eight woolless sheep in their flock. The sheep of the Katandin breed to not have to be sheared as they shed their wool each year. The Wellers invited those interested to drop by their farm and see the sheep. Among those speaking at the event was Mel Hanna, of Owen Sound, a charter member of the organization. 1977. Compromise arranged in Amish milk situation A solution in the dispute between the Ontario Amish communities and the Ontario Government was found in November when a compromise was worked ot;t. The compromise involves using gasoline engines to cool milk in bulk coolers on the farm. The dispute arose because of a new regulation which had called for discontinu- ance of milk shipment in cans on Oct. 31 with all shipments to be made in bulk. Such a system called for bulk coolers on all farms and the use of electricity to run the coolers but the Amish, due to their religious beliefs, will not use electricity. They did agree, however, to use the gasoline engines, or at least three of the provinces five Amish communities agreed. Those in Aylmer, Norwich and Lakeside agreed to the compromise at once. Those at Millbank and Milverton said they were not against the compromise solution, but they were not accepting it as a final solution either. In the meantime, the government after an appeal from the Amish, had postponed the deadline for conversion from Oct. 31 to Dec. 1, a decision that brought some problems to an industry that had been gearing up for months for the changeover. One plant had taken out all can facilities and some truckers no longer had their trucks to pick up canned milk in operation. Ian Hunter, a law professor at the University of Western Ontario, and one of two lawyers who led the Amish appeal, said he is highly pleased by the compromise. He said the solution guarantees the' Amish can use this system of dairying in perpetuity. However, he said. it will not apply to new Amish coming to Ontario. Hunter said another factor is that each dairy farmer can have a bulk tank on his farm or a group can go together with a common tank, or the whole community or communities can have a communal tank. In a back-up statement explaining the history of the bulk cooling regulation, Mr. Newman said it was found the quality of milk shipped in bulk was much higher than that shipped in cans. The major reasons for the industry's decision to set a deadline for conversion to bulk coolers were public health standards and cost, he said. "The day has arrived when can shipment has become impractical and uneconomical," he said. "Technology has overtaken the can shipper. Not only technology, but rising standards, too, have caught up with the can." All fluid milk has been shipped in bulk since 1968. All industrial milk, which is made into powdered milk and cheese, is affected by the new regulations, now effective Dec. 1. Huron landowners just want to be asked Most landowners in Huron, and Perth counties don't mind people using their land for recreation as long as people ask first, a survey conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources found. The information came from a survev of Huron, Penh and some townships of Bruce and Middlesex in which 2,234 survey forms were mailed to randomly chosen landown- ers. About 60 per cent of the forms"were returned. Greatest concern according to Roy Bellinger, conservation officer was over mechanical recreation vehicles and the damage they caused. The survey showed 38 per cent of those answering were against such vehicles as dune buggies, trail bikes and snowmobiles. The purpose of the survey, Mr. Bellinger said, was to determine if the province could offer landowners •any protection against people abusing privileges.