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The Rural Voice, 1980-08, Page 47PERTH COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS' NEWS Stabilization questions and answers BY HANS FELDMANN Payments are supposed to be made approximately three weeks after the applications have been received. The grading slips however will be returned much later. OPPMB says for technical reasons they cannot issue duplicates for lost or missing grading slips. One of the difficulties is, that their year goes from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, and the stabilization program from Apr. 1 to Mar. 31. So much for computers. Anybody with missing grading slips should not throw in the towel yet, but get in touch with the Federal Stabilization Board and explain the situation. Apparently they may accept other forms of proof of sale. PROVINCIAL STABILIZATION PLAN At the time of writing there are more questions than answers yet and some of the answers are somewhat confusing. I found out the following: The plan is voluntary and retroactive to April 1, /80. Producers sign up for 5 years and pay V3 of the cost of the plan with the province contributing the other %. If there is no pay out, the money is returned with interest. One cannot lose; however, the interest may be less than bank interest. I have not found out what happens if a producer quits the business before the 5 years are up. The plan is to be related to the federal plan and is to provide an additional 5 per cent that is to raise the stabilization level from 90 per cent of the previous 5 years average (plus cost of production factor) to 95 per cent. This extra 5 per cent however is to the weaner producer. The calculation is based on 16 pigs per sow per year times 1.2 (to account for culls, open gilts etc.) times 1.7 to get the assumed hundred weights (cwt) to relate back to the federal plan which is based on weight. Producers can register up to 100 sows, _ partnerships up to 200 and corporations, depending on size, may go up to 300 sows. The plan is to pay out after 6 months. At that time however the federal stabilization level has not been calculated yet. I have not found out how a figure will be arrived at. Apparently there is no agreement yet, whether to pay out the full amount now and collect contributions after prices have returned to profitable levels ,or whether contributions are deducted from the pay out. The OPPMB wants to point out that this plan is not what they had suggested and that the plan has been devised by the province alone. IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY As the result of its constant efforts to improve all aspects of the services that it offers, Ontario Swine A.I. Association has modified its fresh semen extender and shown appreciable improvement in the success achieved with artificial insemin- ation. The modified extender requires a warmer storage temperature. Semen must be maintained at 55° - 60°F (12° - 15 15°C). This cannot be accomplished in most refrigerators, unless the butter keeper is monitored for temperature before use. Many producers are finding that the basement, fruit cellar, cistern area, etc. nin a constant temperature very close to 55° - 60°F and are storing the semen in the styrofoam shipping box in that location until insemination time. This improvement has made it possible for many who have tried A.I. before to successfully bring new genetic material into their herds in the safest possible way. The modified extender or any future improvements that can be made techno- logically, still require that the sow be bred when she is in heat, approximately 18-24 hours after the onset of standing heat and again 12-18 hours later -- and that proper sexual stimulation be applied during the insemination. Any producers who have used A.I. and wish assistance in getting started again or are not achieving the results that they feel they should have, are reminded that a field service is provided without charge and they are urged to contact the office at (519) 539-5636 for assistance. For those who haven't used A.I., please call the office for further information as to dates of training courses, mailing list, boars available, etc. • • We are now ready to receive your •Wheat •Oats *Barley *Mixed Grain WE WILL ALSO BE TAKING IN FLAX. Extended hours for receiving grain will be In effect when harvest starts. OPNOTCH TOPNOTCH FEEDS LIMITED Seaforth 527-1910 • � t THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1980 PG. 45