The Rural Voice, 1978-03, Page 14Rural news in brief
Van Klooster heads
Perth Federation
The presidency of the Perth County
Federation of Agriculture will stay in the
St. Pauls area for another term.
Tony Van Klooster, R.R.2, St Pauls was •
named to succeed Ken Green R.R.1, St.
Pauls when a new executive was named at
a meeting held at the Stratford Coliseum in
connection with the Perth Ag: Week. He
was acclaimed to the post.
Bob Yule of R.R.2, Atwood was
acclaimed to the position of vice-president.
Harry Greenwood of R.R.1, Mitchell
defeated Henry Klooster, R.R.2, Tavistock
for the other post on the executive.
About 100 attended the meeting and
Ken Green said that while he was happy to
see so many, he felt many of the farmers
who attend the beef, dairy and pork days,
don't feel they need to come to the
Federation day because they're not directly
involved. But the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture works for all farmers, he said
that more support needs to be shown.
A number of township directors were
elected during the meeting. Lloyd Karges
of Wallace Township, John Vander Eyk of
Elma Township, David Kropf and Joyce
Riddell of Mornington Township, John
Nader and Gordon Young of Logan
Township, David Smith, Norval Priestap
and Arnold Groenestege of Ellice
Township, Bill MacDougald, Roy McKay
and Keith McMahon of Fullarton Town-
ship, Ernie Vanderschot and Calvin
Strathdee of Downie Township, Floyd
Neeb of North Easthope Township, Wayne
Schneider and Henry Klooster of South
Easthope Township were elected to the
directors' posts.
There weren't any present from Hibbert
Township to elect directors, and the two
people from Blanshard Township at the
meeting didn't choose to elect directors.
Bruce Federation
discusses corn
marketing
Approximately 30 people were present at
the Bruce County Federation of Agricul-
ture membership information meeting at
Walkerton on Feb. 14.
Information on the Corn Marketing
Proposal was presented by Ed Thompson
of the Grains Committee of OFA. Most of
those present were grain corn producers
interested in learning what this proposal
involves. The following points were made
PG. 14. THE RURAL VOICE/MARCH 1978.
on the plan by Mr. Thompson.
1. The proposed plan is to be a
spokesman for corn growers, whereas the
Corn Council is more of a commission type
body.
2. A produce organization is needed to
negotiate and administer advance pay-
ments under the Federal Plan.
3. Negotiate a Stablization Plan on
behalf of growers which is acceptable to
growers.
4. Negotiate corn handling costs, drying
charges and other terms of sale.
5. Negotiate a payment for premium
grades of corn. Corn is sold by quantity
(Tonne) rather than quality now. Any
premium value for corn is now picked up
after the farm sale.
6. Supply marketing and trade informa-
tion to producers. No one now seems to
know how much corn is in storage.
7. Promote export ,opportunities. Last
year's small carryover may lower next
year's price.
When approximately 2000 signatures are
received, the petition and the proposal
would be presented to the Minister of
Agriculture who would look it over and if a
fair request, would appoint an interim
board who would work out a workable plan
and then an elected board would follow.
Fertilizer deliveries
slowed by winter
storms
Harsh winter storm conditions in the
United States may bring spring headaches
for Ontario farmers.
William Kilmer, executive vice-presid-
ent of the Fertilizer Institute of Ontario told
a recent meeting of the Ontario Grain Corn
Council in Stratford that the heavy storms
have held up shipment and deliveries of
fertilizer and may make it a scarce
commodity this spring.
"It looks like the Mississippi could be
plugged as spring comes on, as well," he
said. The river system is a main artery in
shipment of fertilizer north and south in
the U.S.
He said however that supplies • of all
fertilizers in North America are plentiful
and told farmers to order now and not wait
for the spring rush. Because of the
abundant supplies, prices should remain at
the 1977 level.
At the same meeting there was hope
expressed for a slight increase in the price
of corn. William Harvey, general manager
of the marketing division of United
Co-operatives of Ontario said he is one of
few people in the business who see such an
upswing because of increased use of corn.
He expects corn to replace wheat in
feeding to livestock due to higher wheat
prices. However there will be greater
competition from soybeans which are more
plentiful and at a lower price this year.
Mr. Harvey also • said that the
devalutation of the Canadian and American
dollars should lead to increased corn
exports which could reduce corn surplusses,
and bring prices up.
He said farmers should continue to send
corn to market on a regular basis and not
try to hold back to gain higher prices. If
corn is held back it will be replaced by
American corn and the markets will be lost,
he said.
Lucknow Co-op to build
new store
Plans are now being drawn up for a new
building to house the Lucknow District.
Co-operative, it was revealed at the annual
meeting of the Co-op held Jan. 24 is
Lucknow.
The new facility will be on the Huron
county road, south of Lucknow across from
Helm Welding Ltd at the outskirts of the
village. Originally the store would have
been built on a site east of the village
where United Co-operatives of Ontario had
planned to build a grain drying. feed mill
and elevator service. Later the plans were
dropped and UCO decided instead to build
in the Wingham area.
The board of directors for the coming
year include: Austin Martin, Bill Andrew,
Leo Murray, Doug Cameron, Merle
Gunby, Doug Martyn, Albert Taylor, Bob
Scott and Bob Irwin.
Prediction of good pork
prices offered
While many are predicting lower prices
for pork this year, a least one positive note
has been sounded by a speaker at the Pork
Day of the Perth Ag. Week in mid
February.
Don McLean of Quality Swine told about
400 farmers at the Stratford Coliseum that
"there's a dollar to be made in the swine
industry". He said he expected pork prices
to remain much the same as last year.
He warned, though, that the money to be
made in pork will be made by those who
stay in the business, not those who jump in
when they think the price is right and out
when it drops. He said he expected prices
not to fall below 50 cents a pound this year
starting at between 68 and 70 cents and
dropping to 60-68 cents per pound during
the second quarter, 55-60 cents in the third
quarter and down to 50-55 cents in the