The Rural Voice, 1978-02, Page 30HURON NEWSLETTER
CONTINUED FROM rAGE 32
HURON COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE MONTHLY
MEETING
O.M.A.F. BOARD ROOM
CLINTON
JANUARY 5, 1978
BY GERRY FORTUNE
Requests for an explanation of the Proposal for a Corn Marketing
Board led to John Oke's informative talk, while petitions requesting
a plebiscite on. this subject were signed by corn producers at the
meeting.
Members filled the O.M.A.F. Board Room to hear Jack Hagarty
from O.M.A.F. in Stratford speak on his agricultural extension work
in Ghana.
An independent country, Ghana is now ruled by military
dictatorship.
Ghana is the leading world exporter of cocoa.
Almost all farmers in Ghana live in villages and walk out to their
farms. Much of their land is cleared by burning. This is because they
only have knives for clearing. Fire is an easy way to clear and it gets
rid of snakes at the same time.
Mr. Hagarty pointed out that farmers in Ghana need teaching of
the basics - how to plant seeds the right way up and building chicken
coops. He stated that many tractors and other machinery lies idle
because when broken no one has parts or the know-how to fix them.
Ghana has 10 million people in 1975 and this is expected to double
in 20 years.
Mr. Hagarty remarked that three years away from home with only
a censured local press and no television caused several gaps.
Imagine coming home and not knowing who "The Fora" is.
The following resolution concerning pullet production carried:
Whereas some segments of the poultry industry are expanding
their present enterprises to include the production of pullets.
Therefore, be it resolved that the O.F.A. put some pressure on the
Farm Products Marketing Board to implement a policy to cease
expansion into pullets (egg type) by other segments of the poultry
industry.
Adrian Vos commented on Ontario Treasurer Darcy McKeough's
new taxation proposal.
Taxing farm residences and about one acre of land, with the
remainder of the farm assessed at market value, but not taxed is
proposed. The proposed tax system could affect Federation township
levies. The taxation proposal is being studied by a committee of
municipal officials who are to report back to the Ontario Treasurer in
March.
FEDERATION MEETING WITH
THE ONTARIO PETROLEUM INSTITUTE
On Dec. 20, Gerry Fortune and Merle Gunby, representing Huron
County Federation of Agriculture, along with Federation
representatives from Bruce, Middlesex and Perth counties, as well
as Al Kormos and Ken Thompson of OFA, met with representatives
of the Ontario Petroleum Institute at the Holiday Inn, London.
The Ontario Petroleum Institute is an association of about 300
geologists, drilling and oil companies, engaged in exploring for and
producing oil in Ontario.
The meeting was held to discuss mutual concerns between
farmers and the oil drilling industry. One of the main points
discussed were oil leases. It was suggested by OFA that a very
simple lease, that would be uniformly used across the province,
would be desirable.
However, Doug Fraser of O.P.I. pointed out that while a uniform
lease was desirable, he felt a simple one page lease would be
dangerous to both parties, especially the land owner, because it
would not spell out the conditions that the oil company would have to
abide by, when operating on a particular farm.
Royalties are generally paid at a rate of 12 per cent, however this
may decline to three percent as the well starts to run out. This makes
it economical for the oil companies to work the well longer.
The term "unitizing" means that when a well is producing, all
PG. 30. THE RURAL VOICE/FEBRUARY 1978.
landowners under whose land the oil formation is located, will be
paid on a porportional basis whether or not the actual well is on his
property.
It was suggested that landowners, before, signing an oil lease,
check for such things as fencing; timber cutting rights; that no
outside materials are to be stored on your property and you should
receive an interim lease at the time of signing.
If a landowner has questions or problems regarding oil leases he
should contact Ronald G. Bryant, Petroleum Resources Section,
Ministry of Natural Resources, London, Ontario.
OFA OFFICE
A new OFA area office has been set up in the Co-operators Insurance
Co. office at 31 West Street, Goderich. The telephone number is
524-4424 and will be answered during the hours of 8:45 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily and Saturday until noon.
Your Headquarters for ...
•Beatty • Butler
•Modern Mill
•Westeel Rosco Grain Bins
•Cardinal Bucket Elevators
•SupEr B Grain Dryers
•Mole Hill underground manure systems
•Danor Ventilation Fans
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Tel 595-8182