The Rural Voice, 1985-11, Page 59FARM NEWS
1986 hydro rates increases
Ontario Hydro will increase elec- Hydro more quickly toward its finan-
tricity rates an average 4 per cent, ef- cial targets. However, Hydro believes
fective January 1, 1986. Rate in- that its 1986 revenues will be ade-
creases to municipal utilities will be quate to meet the interest charges on
the lowest in 20 years, while increases its debt and to meet its debt repay -
to direct industrial customers will be ment plans. The increase will also
at the lowest level in 14 years. reduce the proportion of Hydro's
The new rate increase is lower than assets that are debt financed, continu-
4.9 per cent recently recommended by ing a trend that has been underway
the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), but since 1982.
higher than Hydro's original 3.6 per Hydro's 800,000 rural retail
cent proposal announced in March of customers will receive increases
this year. averaging 3.8 per cent, which includes
In arriving at its recommendation, the effect of rural rate assistance. The
the OEB emphasized the need for a increase will also vary from customer
higher level of net income which to customer depending on classifica-
would have the effect of moving tion and use. ❑
Laughs for a good cause
Everyone who has read the col-
umns of Gisele Ireland and has
chuckled can take advantage of the
opportunity to meet her in person at
"Harvest Humour" Night in
Chesley.
Harvest Humour is an evening
dedicated to fun, fashions, and good
food. The money raised at the event is
being donated to the Women's Crisis
Centres of Owen Sound and Kincar-
dine. Directors from both centres will
be available for comment and infor-
mation.
The Planning Committee for Rural
Women is hosting this event at the
Chesley Community Centre,
November 4 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets
($10) and additional information are
available through OMAF in Walker-
ton at 1-800-265-3023.0
Bird seed a problem
Some of the weeds that are becom-
ing real problems in Huron County,
including proso millet, started with
bird seed. At its October meeting,
Huron County Council passed a
resolution requesting that the federal
Minister of Agriculture establish con-
trols over the purity and sterilization
of bird seed.
At another meeting last month,
Norman Alexander of the Huron
Federation of Agriculture noted that
the Federal Seed Act has not been
revised since 1960, and at least 23
noxious weeds have become a pro-
blem in the past 25 years. Alexander
put forward a resolution at the Huron
Federation of Agriculture's annual
meeting, pointing out that there is no
control of weed seeds in the packag-
ing of bird seed. The reduction of
crop yields and herbicide expenses to
control weeds costs Huron farmers
$22 million annually. The federation
also voted to pressure the federal
government to update the Seed Act.
Moratorium not legal
Bruce Federation of Agriculture
had no legal authority to declare a
moratorium on all farm foreclosures
in that county, according to Jack
Stafford, Howick Township reeve.
Stafford was responding to a re-
quest received by Huron County
Council to support the Bruce federa-
tion's resolution. Council, in agree-
ment with Stafford, voted to receive
and file the document.
Despite the reaction of County
Council, on the same day the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture, at
its annual meeting, voted in favour of
imposing a moratorium until "fair
and equitable legislation is in place."
Classifier in Perth
This month the Holstein Classifier
will be in Perth County. Breeders
wishing to have animals classified
should contact Paul Myers, Holstein
fieldman for Western Ontario at
1-644-0893. A.I. units have special
premiums on daughters being
classified from certain bulls. Contact
Paul or your A.I. unit for more
details.
CORN & SOYBEANS
Phone us for
Direct Chicago Market
Information & Prices
Forward Contracting Available
Licensed under the Grain Financial Protection Program
529-7951
Mill Elevator Gary
529-7040 395-5617
YOUR AUTHORIZED
DEALER
Hodges
Milling Ltd.
Dungannon
NOVEMBER 1985 41