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The Rural Voice, 1986-09, Page 8r-- 8 It We 8/164. MACHINE REPAIR • Precision Machining & Milling • Custom Built Truck & Trailer Boxes • Combine & Tractor Overhauls • Machinery Replacement Parts — Custom Made Kippen 519-262-3020 BRANDY POINT FARMS • Our breeding stock pro- vides our buyers with proven genetics from the top 3% animals tested across Canada • Our program enables us to offer quality and health at a price that is hard to beat • We have an ongoing supply of A.I. sired Hamp/Duroc, York and Land - race boars & F1 York/Land- race gilts • All boars priced from $275 to $375 • F1 York Landrace gilts are priced $50 above market value hogs • Our closed herd is ranked "Good" by the OMAF stan- dards. Come and take a look at our stock anytime! Delivery Available KURT KELLER R.R. #1 Mitchell, Ontario 519-348-8043 8 THE RURAL VOICE RURAL STRUCTURE GETS MY VOTE There has been a long and con- tinuing debate on farm income in Ontario. A number of farmers and farm leaders have screamed loudly that, without government help, too many farmers will go bankrupt. Others have protested, if less loud, that farm income for them has been adequate and that those who can't stand the heat should get out of the kitchen. The big disagreement arises when it comes to discussing pro- grams to assist farmers. Some farm leaders in the OFA and all of the NFU, insist that ALL farmers should be assisted to re- main on the land. This position has received some support from the Agricultural Council of Ontario in its recent report on the Incomes of Farmers and Their Families. However, this support may not be what the ad- vocates of survival for all farmers want. The report proposes that only commercial farmers, those who sell $50,000 or more annual- ly, be the ones to receive assistance. The council rejects quotas as an alternative. Instead, it recom- mends better stabilization pro- grams, more accurately labeled as `income insurance' programs, where the insured farmer pays a premium. The council, in view of the world-wide over -production of virtually all food commodities, quite rightly believes that it is unreasonable to expect all farm income to come from the market. I know that some farmers will holler that they don't want welfare, e.g. payment from the consumer's tax dollars. But at the same time, they demand, from the same consumer, higher pay- ment for their product than sup- ply and demand warrants, lower property taxes than their neighbour pays and tax exemp- tions for everything used in the production of farm commodities. Consistent they ain't. I believe, with the council, that minimum income payments in some form, possibly through negative taxation, is fully justifiable. Then, when the time comes that the market recovers, as is the case presently with pork, it will be returned as income tax. Such assistance is not new, despite the indignation of some. Agriculture, as well as virtually all manufacturing industry, is subsidized in many different ways. It is time that farmers set aside their false pride and accept the same support as others in our society do. One glaring contradiction in the report recognizes worldwide over -production of food and ra- tionally recommends that marginal land be reforested or made into wetlands. But then it reverses itself and recommends more money for tile drainage which would turn marginal lands into crop lands. A strong case has been made, for at least fifteen years, to give incentives to small industry com- patible with rural living, to establish itself in rural areas so farmers can get off-season work. O'Brien's council repeats this de- mand to allow marginal farmers (hobbyists or those incapable to compete) to remain on the land and thus maintain the rural fabric. This hasn't worked for various reasons. One must note the different justification of organizations like the NFU and OFA activists, and the council. The first wants all farmers to make a living on the farms. The council wants them to make a living partly off the farm and partly from the farm. The difference is significant. The ac- tivists see farming itself as the main issue. The council sees the rural structure as the most impor- tant. I vote for the council's view. ❑ Adrian Vos, from Huron County, has contributed to the magazine since its inception in 1975.