The Rural Voice, 2002-04, Page 63RAINY RIVER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Federation o Agriculture NEWSLETTER'The Federationi Voice is providedbio Rainy
f � RAINY RIVER VALLEY River members by the RRFA.
March 12, 2002
It was great to see the snow over the
weekend, but the winds that followed were
something else! We need moisture just like
the West does and we're sure it will come as
it always does here in the valley. Someone
from the Eastern portion of Ontario called
and asked if we're called the Rainy River
Valley. how come we don't get flooded out
like Manitoba does? Well, all rivers, creeks
and tributaries flow into the Rainy River
which separates as the border line for
Ontario and Minnesota. That is why our
district is so aware of the environment. But,
if the trees keep disappearing like they are.
things may change drastically and not for
the Netter.
The March RRFA meeting was held at
Morley with Bernie Zimmerman, Kelly
Teeple, Angela Halvorsen, Ken Fisher,
Kimco Calder, Clayton Teeple, Jason
Teeple, Rudy Sinninghe, James Gibson,
Shirley Morrish, Betty Salchert, Kristine
Carpenter and Susan Boersma attending.
Betty reported for member services. She
stated that the contracts have been finalized
and the applicants are now being paid.
Farmers' Market will be opened for the
Thursday and Saturday before Easter. Betty
is very tanned from her winter in the south
and missing all our balmy weather.
Provincial director Bernie attended the
meeting and gave an interesting report. He
mentioned the property tax and the
improvements to the risk management
programs available to farmers. Good
policies must be set from the government to
hack farmers who are prepared to invest in
their business.
Rudy says what we really need is one
good highway right across Canada.
MP Robert Nault was in Fort Frances
March 6 with representatives from Industry
Canada, Canada Customs and Revenue. and
Canada Public Works and Government
Services. Tom Morrish attended on behalf
of the RRCA. Needless to say. he was the
only agricultural representative and literally
cornered Nault, to be heard. It can be very
frustrating. Yes Bernie, Tom did approach
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency —
three years ago. Let's hope that good things
do come to those who wait.
Kristine reported for OAFE and
promised that our Ag Awareness display
would be at the spring opening of the Clover
Valley Farmers' Market in May. It's another
busy season coming up, with school
students and Farm Tours beginning in April.
KimJo and Kristine both live in
"unorganized" areas, so do not have 911
Emergency Services. They have no numbers
posted and are being ignored. Any literature
received by them is usually 10 years old.
Their land tax is based differently than the
"organized" areas. Maybe in the long run
they are better off than we are and don't
realize it yet. They still feel left out.
The annual Ag Days is coming up
quickly. April 12.13 at the Barwick Hall
with a Trade Show from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. and Friday evening after the RRFA
annual dinner. Call Kink) at 482-2863 if
you'd like to rent a space. Confirmed
speakers are Mike McMorris. OCA; Tom
Droppo, Dairy Specialist; Dr. Harlan
Hughes, Professor North Dakota State
University; Don Green, Forage Specialist;
Gordon Scheifele, Crop Research; Fred
Taite, woodlot operator; and Dr. Harlan
Hughes will also be the featured speaker at
the RRFA dinner on Friday evening, April
12.
Jason, reporting for the Ag Society, said
that there is a new class added to the prize
list for the Emo Fair. Miniature horses can
now be an entry. The prize hooks are being
printed and will be available soon to
members. Plans are underway for the
entertainment for this year's fair. There will
be a "Quest for the Best", along with other
new ideas from the new board of directors.
Sunday was the scene of the annual
potluck lunch and skating party. This year 4-
H and the RRFA joined forces and set up a
delicious variety of foods. Deb Zimmerman
cooked the provided beef and everyone
enjoyed the skating afterwards. A penny
table of donated items made a hit with the
crowd. Mary Fisher donated some beautiful
knitting that many were trying to win. Mary
is in her 80s and does fantastic work. Carol
Angus was the top winner of the day. There
were a few pounds of the tender roast beef
left, so Ken Fisher auctioned it off to the
crowd. rounding off an interesting day.
Rainy River Rural Safety held their
annual meeting in February. The new
executive is President. Rick Neilson; Vice,
Carol Angus; Secretary. Shirley Teeple;
Treasurer. Alwine Teeple; Promotion.
Shirley Morrish. We'II be setting up a
display during Ag Days, April 12-13 at
Barwick Hall. Thanks to Bob Angus who
photocopied "Tips for Safe Livestock
Handling." We used them as placemats at
the 4-H Banquet. Canadian Agricultural
Safety Week is March 13-20.2002.
A reminder from Farm Safety — Don't
forget to use your SMV (Slow Moving
Sign). It is the law. This year's theme is
"Livestock Handling Safety: Put Your Best
Foot Forward".
Report from the Annual Cattlemen's
meeting in Toronto — Mike Buis is the new
OCA President. They've decided to leave
the zones as they are, so no new
restructuring will take place as yet. The
resolution taken there on the Wildlife
Damage Compensation was passed by the
board and now goes on to the Provincial
•
Government.
Amos Brielmann attended his first BIO
meeting along with Kim Cornell who Amos
is now replacing. Kim was the last of the
original board of directors.
Cattle producers are still being warned
against removing ID tags. Starting July 1.
offenders will be fined 5500 for each
infraction. The ID Program came into effect
July 1. 2001. CFIA, so far, are only warning
cattlemen for not tagging with the 29
different approved tags with eight colour
choices. The fining has not begun. but
removing the tags before slaughter cuts the
link with the original herd. The purpose of
the tags is to trace animals back to herds of
origin in case of disease.
The recent Livestock Medicines Course
that the local dairy and beef producers took
in February was a big disappointment to
many. It cost S50 to learn how to read
labels, and a day of chores for someone else
to do. The instructor was only doing what
she was instructed to do. The manual was a
wasted expense as well and it only goes to
show that it's only a small part of other
unnecessary costs set out by our
government.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture
declared February 7 as Food Freedom Day.
It was celebrated with a free chicken 3 la
king lunch on Parliament Hill. Calculations
made stated that in a restaurant. chicken,
milk. bread and vegetables used would cost
59.20 tax included, and the farmers return
would be 50 cents. S. W. Sask. Canadian
Alliance MP, David Anderson said, "We
should never, ever. cuss a farmer with our
mouths full."
There's a bounty on gophers in
Saskatchewan from April 1 to June 23. and
anyone turning in the most gopher tails will
receive cash prizes. The tails must he frozen
and submitted in bundles of 10. Entrants pay
520 for an entry fee. Half the money raised
goes for the prizes. the other half goes to a
trust fund to sustain Wildlife Habitat. They
expected 2.000 entries. printed 10.000 entry
forms. and have found they have to print
more. They don't want to wipe out the
gopher population; just get the numbers
down. Gophers are necessary in the Food
Chain.
Freedom Foods is one of the new
"branded products". It is already popular in
England and on its way to B.C. Food from
these animals are certified to have the
following five freedoms:
• freedom from fear and stress
• freedom from pain, injury and disease
• freedom from hunger and thirst
• freedom from discomfort
• freedom to express normal behaviour
This is called the humane treatment
labelling program.
Thanks to Ralph and Jacquie Hunsperger
for bringing the "I'm Proud to be a Farmer"
buttons to the skating party and potluck
lunch on Sunday. They were snatched up
right away. We can always use those
positive boosts.
"If you live according to nature. you will
never be poor; if according to the opinions
of the world. thou wilt never he rich." —
Lucius Seneca (c.4B.C.-A.D.65).0
— Submitted by Shirley Morrn4
APRIL 2002 59
L