The Rural Voice, 1983-07, Page 21restrictions, in his own opinion.
"Is the government of Ontario genuine-
ly interested?" Harry Thede asked, in his
address on behalf of the Bruce County
Cattlemen's Association. "We are losing
the beef industry," he said. "Look around
and see the number of packing plants
that are going broke or closing down."
Thede also said in the brief that banks
have no trust in farmers and many lines
of credit will not be renewed this fall.
Harold Poechman and John MacAuley.
both representing the Bruce County
Federation of Agriculture, outlined the
importance of the family farm in the
presentation of their brief. They would
like to see production control, preferring
payment from the marketplace, but agree
there is no easy workable solution.
"Farmers are faced with spiralling costs
and are not receiving enough for farm
commodities," Poechman said. Both
were in agreement that a supply manage-
ment system works as were a large
majority in attendance when a straw vote
was taken on the floor. However, support
of supply management in western Ontar-
io does not mean introduction of such a
system throughout the province. Doyle
pointed out that there is not enough
support throughout the rest of Ontario. A
recent extensive survey conducted in
May 1983 of 607 beef producers in
Ontario showed that seven out of ten
producers see at least some advantages
in a beef marketing board while nine out
often also see disadvantages.
A quota system was not felt to be
acceptable, according to the survey
because it would limit the possibility of
expansion plans and restrict the entry of
young farmers into the industry. Fees to
support such a system would be high and
there was concern for the survival of the
smaller producer. Cow -calf herds of
between 11 and 21 head made up almost
IN THE NEWS
half of the beef enterprises polled, with
the average farmer having over ten years
experience.
The age of farmers may steadily
increase if land prices do not go down so
that young farmers can enter the busi-
ness, explained Bob Millen, a chartered
accountant with Ward Mallette. Millen
also would like to see significant
changes in the existing system in order
to make farming viable.
No matter what the changes may be
Doyle believes it is very important for
producers to be as well informed as
possible. "There is no perfect system, or
we would all be following it. he said.
Soviet officials
view agri-industries
Agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan
announced that Mikhail Gorbachev, a
Soviet Politburo member, has concluded
his visit to Canada.
Gorbachev, who has agricultural mat-
ters among his many responsibilities
within the Soviet Politburo, was in
Canada at the invitation of House of
Commons Speaker Mrs. Jeanne Sauve.
He led a delegation of Soviet government
officials interested in gaining a better
understanding of Canada and the Cana-
dian agri-food industry.
In Ottawa, Gorbachev met with Prime
Minister Pierre Trudeau, the Minister of
State (External relations), Charles La-
pointe, Agriculture Minister Eugene
Whelan, and Senator Hazen Argue,
Minister of State responsible for the
Canadian Wheat Board. He also met the
members of the Senate and House of
Commons Committees on External Af-
fairs and National Defence, and members
of the Agriculture Committees.
Eugene Whelan went to the Soviet
Union in 1981 for a 10 -day visit and the
signing of an agreement on agricultural
co-operation between the two countries.
He met with Gorbachev to whom he
extended an invitation to come to
Canada.
Whelan accompanied Gorbachev to
show him the many facets of the
Canadian agri-food industry. They visited
several farming facilities as well as food
processing plants and farm machinery
manufacturing plants in Ontario and
Alberta.
Funk Seed
$500 Award
Funk Seed announces a $500. Scholar-
ship Award open to all Ontario 4-H Club
members.
The following requirements must be
met:
1. Is entering the first year of the
Agricultural Degree Program at the
University of Guelph,
2. Is a member of an Ontario 4-H Club,
3. Has achieved a minimum of66% in
Grade XIII studies.
Applicants will be judged on their
leadership qualities, as demonstrated by
their participation in 4-H, Junior Farmer
and community activities.
Ontario 4-H Club Members may obtain
applications from the office of their
County or District Agricultural Represen-
tative. Applications are also available
from Funk Seeds, Division of CIBA-
GEIGY SEEDS, Box 40. Ailsa Craig,
Ontario, NOM 1A0.
To be considered, applications must
be received by September 2, 1983.
FREE ESTIMATES
Energy efficient,
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All kinds of motors in stock
Pulleys, fan blades
71 hp Farmatic Mill Motor
in stock for loan purposes
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THE RURAL VOICE, JULY 1983 PG 19