The Rural Voice, 1982-06, Page 22McCann Redi-Mix Inc.
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PG. 22 THE RURAL VOICE/JUNE 1982
ilIMMANIMAL SCIENCE
Big business or a way of life
by Dr. Wm. Schilthuis
My name is Dr. William A. Schilthuis. I am a 35 year old
veterinarian practicing in the Goderich area since the hot
summer of 1973.
In 1971 1 graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College
in Guelph. For two years I had the privilege to practice
under the headship of Dr. Klaus Pauly in Milverton.
The Goderich Veterinary Clinic is a mixed practice; this
means that we provide professional services to all types of
animals. Our ratio of small to large animal work is presently
equal. At the present time we are excited about welcoming
Dr. Laurie Jeffrey to our professional staff, complementing
Dr. Des Leeper and myself.
In this feature article I would like to present some of my
personal philosophy about livestock production and the
producer.
I once heard this definition for a farmer.
"A businessman who, after winning a million dollars
from Wintario, continued to farm till it was all gone!"
"Businessman" you say?
Well, I do believe that farming is a business as well as a
way of life. In my opinion. the farm still provides the best
potential for a father to responsibly develop his family
physically, emotionally, socially. and. above all, spiritually.
To "till the earth" and care for its animals man is permitted
to develop a maturing relationship with creation, with its
creatures, and the Creator.
Now, many factors prevent the family members from
attaining their goals. be they physical financial or spiritual.
I feel that motivation is the principle factor which
potentiates progress. No matter how rich or poor an
agricultural producer is,no matter how large or small his
operation or sparse, whether he is sick or healthy. no matter
how low the interest rates, if a farmer's heart is not in his
work, progress is next to impossible.
The recent Pork Conference in Stratford focused on this
facet of human relationships: how can we motivate each
other and ourselves better, and more consistently? 1 firmly
feel this has to be a community effort: people united
together for a common goal. What goal? Simply to make
livestock and crop production an exciting. responsible. and
profitable way of life for the family as well as the corporate
farm.
Yes, the financial. veterinary. agricultural and tech-
nological institutions should pool their resources in order to
unitedly help producers realize their optimal potential.
How? The financial advisor (bankers, accountants, etc.)
must appreciate that each producer has special needs. A
personal relationship between the banker and producer is
paramount. The agricultural institutions such as OMAF
and University of Guelph have tremendous resource
personnel; I feel their gifts are used too infrequently. The
veterinary profession also has a major role to play so that
the farmer can be aptly aided in his walk through this
wilderness of life. By setting production goals, encouraging
up-to-date record keeping, and by providing professional
service on both an emergency and preventative basis, the
veterinarian will do his part to help the producer realize the
fruit of his labors.
Yes, that is the answer: preventive medicine! It is
preventive medicine that will lead the family farm to
develop into a flourishing business!