The Rural Voice, 1983-07, Page 9thorn in the side of Western farmers and
Weatherall feels it will certainly effect
Ontario farmers as well. "You will see
more cattle being fed in the Western
Provinces in future years and more
imports of finished cattle from the
U.S.A." he says. Cow -calf operators will
become more evident in Ontario with the
Crow's Nest increase in the West causing
increased freight costs up to 30 per cent
Weatherall added. Such a large freight
increase would not make the transporta-
tion of Western cattle feasible by rail to
Ontario. Weatherall feels very strongly
that "the railroads could do a much better
job with the resources that they have."
Involved In Salety
Weatherall's involvement in the Farm
Safety Association began as a represen-
tative of the Ontario Cattlemen's Asso-
ciation. He sat on the board of directors
for seven years before becoming presi-
dent in 1982. Weatherall is instrumental
in organizing programs to educate the
farming community on farm safety. "The
Farm Safety Association is here to help
the farmer," he says. He blames a lack of
safety training for many farm fatalities.
"Economic pressures has forced far-
mers to cut back on labour," says
Weatherall and they "send unqualified
people out on machinery. Today's farm
machinery is very technical and training
for proper operation and maintenance is
essential."
A r.ew program on farm safety has just
started. The Farm Machinery Mainte-
nance Training Program has been organ-
ized by a group of manufacturers, farm
machinery dealers, several farm em-
ployers and the Farm Safety Association
(F.S.A.). A trial program (eight evenings,
a total of twenty hours) this spring at the
University of Guelph, involved 25 partici-
pants over 16 years of age.
Ten programs will be introduced
throughout Ontario in 1984 stressing the
daily maintenance and safe operation of
farm machinery. Weatherall personally
worked on the program for 21 years and
is very happy with it.
Of the 317 farm fatalities reported in
Ontario between 1975 and 1981, 162 were
tractor/pto related accidents. While the
F.S.A. provides safety literature and
displays for the public, Weatherall feels
the problem of farm injuries must be
eliminated at a grassroots level. Seven
F.S.A. consultants are constantly on the
road making farm visits, promoting
safety to farmers whether they are
covered by Workmen's Compensation or
not. Any agricultural employer who pays
assessment to the Workmen's Compen-
sation Board is automatically a member
of the Farm Safety Association. At
present, there are approximately 25,000
farmers who are members, an increase of
Grp.. ;�i • r.y �i
Maple Valley Farms (top photo) in Grey county is Weatherall's home base. In the past
he has marketed 4,000 bee/ cattle annually but has cut back to 2,000.
Weatherall's
Weatherall's involvement with the Farm Salety Association began as a represen-
tative of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association. He sat on the board of directors for
seven years before becoming president in 1982.
Weatherall's operation includes a secretary (shown here with one of the truckers)
and several fulltime workers. They are required to wear protective gear from steel
toed boots to ear muffs to counteract excessive noise levels.
THE RURAL VOICE, JULY 1983 PG. 7