The Rural Voice, 2001-03, Page 58BRUCE
Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca
website: www.ofa.on.ca/bruce
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
County•Federation o A lNEWSLETTER The is
provided to Bruce
f 9ricutureCRuralCountmyy F Farmers by the BCFA.
Looking at alternative strategies
That the agriculture and agri-food
system is changing is hardly news to
anyone. But just what is happening?
Where do I fit in and what can I do? It's
a question being asked by many farmers.
not just in Bruce County, but also
around the globe.
Is it time to look at new ways?
Perhaps a broader strategy for farmers is
needed. One that offers a more
diversified income base that softens the
impact of commodity cycles in our
producers.
All of us hear about the decreasing
share of the consumer's dollar received
by farmers. Consider that in 1950 the
average North American home spent
two and a half hours a day preparing
food compared to just 15 minutes in
1999. That is projected to be down to
eight minutes in 10 years. With such
dramatic shifts in consumer preferences,
is it any wonder our share continues to
decline. What strategy do we need to
turn this reality to an advantage for
farmers?
Canadian farm production is worth
about $28 billion employing some
350.000 Canadians. Once it leaves the
farm, processors of all sorts, generating
about $56 billion and employing a
further 260,000 add value. Then onto
grocery stores, restaurants and the
distribution system, with Canadians
spending approximately $100 billion,
with another $22 billion in exports.
About one million people are employed
at this end
The interesting point is that in each
Zink of the chain the value is roughly
doubling. As consumers' demands
increase, the first link in the chain
receives les'i of the final dollar spent.
In looking at a broader strategy for
farmers, is it time we begin to discuss
and understand what our business really
is? Many will make a compelling
argument that farmers are food
producers. Should the discussion take a
different approach and look at ourselves
as providers of convenience? After all
with such a short amount of time being
spent each day in food preparation, is
that not what consumers are demanding?
Canada is a trading nation.
International productivity and
international competition are keeping
margins on commodities low. Producers
find it increasingly difficult to earn a
54 THE RURAL VOICE
living solely from the food chain. We
need to foster development in rural
Canada, but that doesn't necessarily
mean off -farm employment as we know
it.
We have seen the agrarian
revolution, the industrial revolution. Are
we seeking the next big revolution
emerging — that of "life sciences"?
There is a lot of talk about the
"knowledge" economy, or the "tech"
economy and we hear so much about the
dot-com companies and the difficulties
that have befallen many of them.
Whatever the economy, one thing
appears certain, farmers need to
understand what is happening, and then
look at strategies to benefit from the
opportunities that abound.
The opportunity to participate is
March 3, 2001 at the Formosa
Community Centre. The Bruce County
Federation of Agriculture together with
Agriculture and AgriFood Canada and
OATI are sponsors of a day -long
seminar/workshop to discuss, and look
at opportunities through co-operative
development. Featuring speakers from
the USA and Canada, this informative
day will provide an opportunity for
participants to learn and discuss how
farmers can increase returns in their
business.
What are new generation co-ops? Is
value-added an option; how can I do it?
These and other questions will be part of
the discussions.
In the March -April 2000 edition of
the Harvard Business Review a key
message came through as it relates to the
revolution that is emerging.
"The boundaries between many once
distinct businesses from agriculture and
BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2001 - 8:00 P.M.
Sprucedale Agromart
R.R. 42, Walkerton - 25th Sideroad Brent (North off
o1 former Hwy. 44 • east of Walkerton)
Members ere welcome to attend
TOMMY COOPER AWARD AND
MEET THE MEMBERS MEETING
Friday, April 6
Royal Canadian Legion, Walkerton
Social: 6:30 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p m.
CFOS Radio Station, Owen Sound is
mailing nomination forms for the
Tommy Cooper Award to farm groups and
organizations in Bruce and Grey Counties.
chemicals, to health care and
pharmaceuticals, to energy and
computing will blur, and out of their
convergence will emerge what promises
to be the largest industry in the world:
the life science industry."
Whether this new bio -economy lives
up to its billing remains to be seen, what
is certain is that we are already on our
way. The new economy of bio -fuels,
bio -medical, bio -health and bio -
materials is a reality. Ethanol, wallboard
from straw, plastics from corn, bio -
diesel from soybeans and canola are just
some of the products we are now using.
It is a renewable economy and at the
centre of it all is the agriculture and agri-
food industry.
Consumers will continue their
demands for wholesome, good tasting,
nutritional and convenient foods, from a
range of production processes. Farmers
have an opportunity to come together
and discuss ways to profit the changes
taking place.
See you on March 3. Call the BCFA
1-800-275-9551 to pre -register. Seating
is�lirt:ited.0
- Submitted by Tony Morris
"TAKING BACK YOUR
LIVELIHOOD"
"Opportunities through
Co-operative Development"
March 3, 2001 - 9:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Formosa Community Centre
• Changes continue at break neck speed in
agriculture and our rural communities. Take
charge. Determine what are these changes and
what they mean to producers and agribusiness.
• Attend and participate first hand in
discussions reviewing opportunities and what
others are doing.
• What are new generation co-ops?
• Is value-added an option; how can I do it?
• How can I increase returns in my business?
This informative day will feature the
following speakers:
• Jim LeCureux, Michigan State University
• Dr. Gord Surgeoner, University of Guelph
• George Akalay, Northfield Ventures Inc.
• Kevin Stewart, AgVision
Cost: $25 per person in advance or $30 at the
door (includes hot lunch and written material)
payable to Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture. To find out more call 519-364-3050
or 1-800-275-9551.
The organizing committee welcomes support
provided by the Bruce Federation of Agriculture,
OATI and Agriculture and Agri -Food Canada.
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