The Rural Voice, 1985-11, Page 96BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
446 10th Si. Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9 519-364-3050
Recently I had the pleasure of at-
tending the Huron County Federa-
tion of Agriculture's annual meeting.
The guest speaker, the Honourable
Jack Riddell, made some interesting
comments.
First were his comments on hog
and beef stabilization. It's not easy to
sort out, but it would seem the
federal government is stalling. This
can be expected, though, because the
provincial Tories stalled on bipartite
for nearly two years. However, that's
not really the crux of the matter.
When questioned about the im-
plementation of a bipartite plan now,
as was promised, Riddell said he was
and is willing but the provincial
associations (hog and beef) don't
want him to go ahead. Apparently
they say that since tripartite is so
close, let's keep working on it. Well,
maybe their pockets are well -lined
and they don't need a stabilization
payment, but the vast majority of
farmers in Bruce County would ac-
cept one and they wouldn't really care
who foots the bill.
Why, when we at last have a
government willing to give us some
assistance, which is what we have
been lobbying for, what we went to
Toronto in July for, would some
farmers "Just hold off a little
longer"? Idealism is fine if it is kept
in perspective, but when people are
going broke every day it should be
put on the back burner for a while,
unless this is what our top people
want in order to reduce the competi-
tion a little. While our association
leaders follow their idealistic ways,
Ontario producers can continue to
lose ground while our neighbours on
either side enjoy provincially initiated
stabilization programs.
Once again, the critics of
agriculture are right: farmers can't
help themselves even when the help is
there because they cannot agree on
how to do it.
Another comment by Riddell con-
centrated on the importance of the
family farm in agriculture. He said,
"The family farm is the basic
building block on which rests On-
tario's multi -billion dollar food and
agriculture industry. There is no On-
tario agriculture and food industry
without the family farm. The vast
majority of the good things that grow
in Ontario are grown on family
farms. That's the way it's always
been, is now, and the way it will be in
the future." To most people that
sounds like a good dose of
motherhood and applie pie. Hopeful-
ly Riddell's sincerity has a more
stable footing than that of John
Wise, who was quoted as saying,
"Family farms will continue. Large
corporations won't get into farming
because they just like profitable ven-
tures."
Our provincial government is anx-
ious to score points with everyone at
present because they know an election
would be just around the corner. If
David Peterson is willing to make
some money available to assist
agriculture through these tough
times, then we should be smart
enough to all say together "okay"
and "thank you" instead of "just
wait a little longer, there's no rush."
Submitted by Grant Collins
Van Ankum Simmentals & Guests
FOURTH ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE
NOVEMBER 30, 1985; 1:00 P.M.
at
CARSONS SALES ARENA
LISTOWEL, ONT.
82 Tots: bred cows and heifers, 3 bulls, some show calf pro-
spects and some show winners. This is our biggest and best
offering yet.
The sale includes consignments from some of Ontario's
leading Simmental breeders: Jack Dance, Ayr; Sam and
Marilyn Lemon (Shamrock), Markdale; Milliners (Waydamar),
Dundalk; Keith and Elsie Jackson (Saugeen Valley), Durham;
Butsons, Seaforth; Don and Marlene Campbell, Tiverton; K & M
Ranch (Armstrongs), Londesboro; Richard Graham, Durham;
Chapples, Chatham.
Our breeding program emphasizes beef conformation, high
performance and moderately sized productive females. An ad-
ded sale attraction are 14 Simmental heifers bred to a Red
Angus bull.
We are establishing a reputation for supplying top quality Sim -
mental breeding stock to commercial and purebred breeders.
For catalogues or more information please contact:
Hilbert Van Ankum
RR #2
Wroxeter, Ontario
NOG 2X0 Tel. 519-335-3011
TOBIAS HEIFER CALF MAY 1985
78 THE RURAL VOICE