The Rural Voice, 2002-03, Page 39(I didn't dare tell him that about 50
other people also live at RR2,
Sticksville. He seemed confused
enough already.)
We plodded on as he asked, "What
kind of a farm is this'?" (He had
driven past 150 sheep on his way in.
What kind of a farm did he think it
was?
"A livestock farm," was my
response, straight from the Revenue
Canada handbook. (Well, actually a
dead stock one. That was why he was
here. I hoped he knew that.)
HIs next questions
unfortunately sent the
children, who were supposed
to be quietly playing with the
computer in the next room, into
barely suppressed fits of laughter.
"And how long have you been
sheeping'?" (Cowing? Pigging? And
how long have you been
investigating?)
"Does your veterinarian have a file
on each of your sheep?" (Of course.
She also has a file on each of my
neighbour's 5,000 hogs and on each
of the 120,000 turkeys in the barn
'Does your
veterinarian have a
file on each sheep?'
down the road.)
"No? Well, we must have a way to
verify your numbers. Can we go out
to the field and count them?"
(Certainly. I'II have them fall in
line and number off. Just let me find
my whistle. Thank God for 4H
training!)
"What numbering system do you
use?" (1,2,3,4...)
"Did you obtain any scientific
degree before being permitted to
farm?" (I didn't ask permission.)
"And what are the sheep for''
Meat, wool and breeding stock? And
you make money from this?" (No.
but we farmers never give up hope.)
"So this is a legitimate business
where you file income tax?" (Of
course I file income tax. What farmer
could afford not to? Since a farmer
pays retail for everything else, it'c
nice to get the taxes wholesale.)
"And you breed the sheep'?" (No,
you moron, the ram does. And no, he
has no special training or
qualifications for the job.)
On came the questions. "What do
THEY'LL REALLY MOVE YOU
The all-new MULETM 3000 Series
Specialized utility vehicles built extra tough
to take on your kind of world.
Kawasaki
IllriCKawasaki if•Avw
GEORGIAN POWER SPORTS (519) 369-3594
DURHAM, ONTARIO Hwy. 6, just south of Durham
R.R. 3, Walkerton, Ontario NOG 2V0
519-392-6929
Toll free 1-800-265-3080',)
Wised land r3 lue and greater crop yields"
Contact Brue Tile or YouitLocal Bruce Tile Drainage Contractor:
• Tait Brothers, Chatsworth • carry Weigel Drainage, Mildmay -
Schmidt• Drainage, Harristonr
' • K.M.M. Farm Dage; Walton
• ll Williams Drainage, Listowel • Bruce ratford
• TaieBrothers, Grand Valley •Harald !WOW, Newton=:;
MARCH 2002 35