The Rural Voice, 1983-10, Page 31FARM NEWS
Farm groups lobby together
One hundred and twenty represen-
tatives from seven major farm
organizations met in Ottawa to lobby
the federal government for immediate
action on the passage of Bill C653,
the Farmers' and Creditors Arrange-
ment Act.
The purpose of Bill C653 is to pro-
vide a foundation for the revitaliza-
tion of farm operations affected by
economic conditions at the present
time.
The second phase of the lobby ef-
fort was to reinforce the need for long
term, low interest financing for
agriculture through such vehicles as
OFA's proposed Agribond proposal
which would allow retiring farmers
and agri-business to re -invest in
agriculture using tax concessions to
the lender as compensation for lower
returns.
Lastly an effort was made to make
government ministers aware of the
need for farmers, like everyone else,
to make a profit.
An informal group of concerned
farmers gathered on Parliament Hill
to talk to their M.P.'s individually
about problems on financing in the
agricultural industry.
The organizations represented were
Ontario Federation of Agriculture,
Concerned Farm Women, Catholic
Rural Life, Women for Survival in
Agriculture, Christian Farmerc'
Federation, National Farmers
Union and the Canadian Farm Sur-
vival Organization.
This informal alliance is a clear in-
dication of the seriousness of the
financial difficulties facing farmers
and the agriculture service com-
munities and also indicate a deter-
mination to take some positive action
to help correct the situation before it
is too late.
Jim Boak, Jr.
Lucknow
Total Loans
Agriculture Minister Eugene
Whelan announced that loans totall-
ing $43,718,241 were made under the
Farm Improvement Loans Act during
the period January 1, 1983 to April
30, 1983. This compares with
$35,452,733 made in the same period
in 1982.
Under the Act, the government
guarantees loans by chartered banks
and other designated lenders to
farmers for a wide range of purposes.
The maximum that a borrower may
have outstanding under the program
is $100,000.
Loans must be secured and may be
repayable over a period up to 15 years
for land purchases and for up to 10
years for all other purposes.
The maximum rate of interest on
loans made under the program is
equal to the prime lending rate of the
chartered banks plus one per cent; the
maximum therefore varies with the
prime rate.
The Farm Improvement Loans Act
was introduced in 1945. Since then,
loans totalling $4.8 billion have been
made. ❑
Checking Out New Farm Equipment
Many serious farm accidents hap-
pen with new machinery. Many
farmers are unfamiliar with a new
piece of equipment. For this reason,
it is a good idea to read all the
literature that came with the machine.
Top Quality Bred Gilts
Large selection of York/Landrace bred gilts with accurate breeding dates. All gilts
guaranteed bred and reasonably priced. Closed herd with mother herd being
R.U.P. tested. Herd has a reputation for sound legs and excellent mother ability.
Open gilts ready to service also available. All gilts vaccinated.
New Addition
Gilts bred to Purebred and R.O.P. approved boars designed to be herd improvers
for the commercial producer, now available.
References and herd health information available on request.
•
Lawrence Vanden Heuvel
R.R. #2 Goderich, Ont. 519-524-4350
Fuel
for thought.
Diesel.
AUTO RUND
Box 160 Main SI S
Exeter. Ont
Phone 235-1100
Toll Free 1.800.265.7031
DAVIDSON
WELL DRILLING LTD.
83 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Member of Canadian and Ontario
Water Well Associations
• Farm
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FREE ESTIMATES
GUARANTEED WELLS
FAST MODERN EQUIPMENT
" Our experience
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357-1960
P.tt. BON 486
475 Josephine
'SERVIN(, ONTARIO SINCE 1900"
THE RURAL VOICE, OCTOBER 1983 PG. 29