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The Citizen, 1989-02-01, Page 16THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989. PAGE 17. Farm World on brink of food crisis Brian Oldridge [left] accepts the Norman Alexander Conservation Award from Rick Coghlin, chairman of the Huron Soil and Water Conservation district at the awards night of the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association Friday night. The award, for the conservation practices of Brian and Peter Oldridge of their Morris township farm, honours the memory of Londesboro conservationist Norman Alexander who died last year. The notion that there is a glut of food in the world is an illusion and the world is at the brink of a possible food crisis, Elbert van Donkersgoed, Reseach and Policy Director of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario told a group of farmers in Seaforth Friday night. Speaking to the annual awards banquet of the Huron County Soil and Crop Association, Mr. van Donkersgoed said that figures show that there is only enough food in the pipeline to feed the world for 54 days. The last time the world food supply was so short was in 1973-74, when the 57-day supply brought about a period of high demand and high prices for farm products. The drought of 1988 wiped out the cushion of surpluses that existed in the world’s food system, Mr. van Donkersgoed said. On top of that, he said, world food consumption sits at a record 1.6 billion metric tons and is climbing. We have no history of being able to produce that much food, he said. The world is on the brink. If there is good weather in the coming crop year “we can step back from the brink and rebuild a little of the cushion. But how much?” We have developed a very productive farming system, he said, but if we don’t have good weather it doesn’t work very well. In 1988, the United States became a net importer of grain, consuming five per cent more than it pro­ duced. In the last 35 years farmers around the world have done a good job, doubling the production per hectare of grain but, Mr. van Donkersgoed asked, can they do it again? Since 1984 production per hectare has levelled off. The amount of land in production has actually declined in the 1980’s after the high prices of the 1970’s put a lot of marginal land into production. The land in cultivation in South America and Africa has declined. In the USSR land has become so badly eroded it has had to be abandoned. In many places “one last crop” in the form of houses and factories is being planted on farmland. Of every 100 Brussels Livestock new houses erected in Ontario, 85 are on the 10 per cent of the province’s land that is good food­ growing land. The pressure being put on the environment is intense, he said. At current rates, by the year 2000 one half of all existing forests will have been cut down and one fifth of all plant and animal species will be extinct. “Man has become the biggest force for world change,” he said, wrecking more havoc than weather or other natural phenomena. It will be an enormous challenge for humans to “back off a bit” and stop pressuring the environment, he said. He praised the farmers present who are involved in con­ servation work. “What you are doing is important to society in the long run,” Mr. van Donkersgoed said. “In the long run it will be economic. It won’t be long before you’ll be paid better than you are.” Booster awards and the nominees for the Norman Alexander Award were presented with certificates from the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association at its awards banquet in Seaforth Friday night. Recipients include: Milton Dietz, booster award; Henry Hohnstein, nominee for the Alexander award; Rick Coghlin, chairman of the Huron Soil and Water District; Brian Oldridge, winner of the Alexander award and Keith Roulston, recipient of the booster award. Absent were Murray Adams, winner of the booster award and Laurence Taylor, winner of a project award. Heifers top at Friday’s The Friday market at Brussels Livestock met an active demand on all classes of slaughter cattle with choice steers and heifers selling $2. higher. There were 567 slaughter cattle, 152 Stockers and feeders, and 415 pigs on offer. Choice steersT>rought $91 to $95, with sales to $97.50; good steers sold at $86 to $90. Two heifers consigned by Ray Zettler of RR 2, Walkerton, averag­ ing 1065 lbs., sold for $103.50 with his consignment of six heifers, averaging 1178 lbs., selling for an average price of $100.37. Twenty-eight steers consigned $103 market by Maple Emblem Farms of RR 1, Dungannon, averaging 1318 lbs., sold for an average price of $90.95. Thirty-two steers consigned by George Adams of RR 2, Wroxeter, averaging 1258 lbs., sold for an average price of $89.70. Ten steers consigned by Bruce Bros, of RR 1, Belgrave, weighing 1173 lbs., sold for an average price of $89.32. One steer consigned by Bill McNevan of Harriston, weighing 1140 lbs., sold for $89. Three steers consigned by Joe Courtney of RR 1, Dungannon, averaging 1177 lbs., sold for $88.76. Continued on page 22 Division of Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited Dairy seminar in Woodstock February 16 Dr. Brian McBride, University of Guelph, Dairy Nutritionist will be the keynote speaker at the annual South Western Ontario Dairy Sym­ posium, Thursday, February 16 at the Oxford Auditorium, Wood- stock. Dr. McBride is well known for his research and teaching in the area of dairy cattle nutrition as well as his work with somatotropin research. Dr. McBride will address the topic “Meeting the Energy and Protein Needs of the Dairy Cow’’. Technology has advanced our understanding of the metabolism of energy and protein by the cow as well as how these needs can be met. Murray Blackie, Agriculture Of­ ficer, Ontario Ministry of The Environment, and Bob Milne, Agricultural Engineer, O.M.A.F. will discuss the handling of “Dairy Manure and Waste Water’’. The event opens its doors at 9:30 a.m. to provide opportunity to visit the exhibits of numerous agribusi­ ness firms. The speaking program takes place from 10:30 a.m. through 3:15 p.m. Registration is $5.00 and approximately 300 buffet meal tickets will be available at $5.00 each. For further information contact J. Richard Hendry, O.M.A.F., Woodstock 537-6621. PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS Colour Printing Posters Letterheads Envelopes Business Cards •Business Forms Brochures Flyers Carbonless Forms Labels ANNOUNCEMENT “THEBLYTH PRINT SHOP” We’re located Main St? Blyth Phone: 523-9211 Cook’s Division of Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of David Wheeler as the Atwood [Twin County] Branch Manager. A graduate of the Ridgetown College of Agricultural Technology in 1969, David has covered the Listowel, Atwood and Brussels area in various sales and service capacities and has a solid background in agriculture. Th is appointment reflects Cook’s continued commitment to serving the needs of agriculture in our trading area. Drop by our Atwood Branch to meet our new team member and discuss your farm inputs and marketing needs. ATWOOD BRANCH R.R.3, BRUSSELS, ONTARIO NOG 1H0 TEL: [519] 356-2292 “Where you can trade with confidence’’