The Rural Voice, 2002-12, Page 64GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website www ota on calgrey 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
' The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
Hydro is the hot topic of discussion
It seems that everybody is talking
about their latest hydro bill and how
the rates are going through the roof.
Well, they have gone up and might
even go up some more. Now if we
look closer. what controls the price we
'pay for hydro? Well it comes down to
supply and demand.
Who produces the majority of the
power that's used in Ontario? Now
most of the hydro is produced by
Ontario Power Generation. That's not
much competition. When you consider
that close to 99 per cent of the Ontario
population uses electricity of some
sort, we have become quite dependent
on hydro for our everyday needs.
With the breakup of Ontario
Hydro, profit is more of a priority
now. This makes some of the
extended shutdown of generators from
late summer and early fall, look a little
questionable. Was there really more
work needed, or did they plan on
causing a shortage of power? It does
not matter what they do, we will be
second-guessing every move they
make, whether it's better for business
or for profit.
There are two ways to keep a little
control of your hydro bill. First and
most popular is conservation: shutting
off lights and other electric devices as
soon as they are no longer needed, or
using an alternative source of power.
This is the most economical way to try
to reduce the amount of hydro used in
the home or farm.
Second would be to produce your
own hydro — then if you have a
surplus it could be sold back to Hydro
One. The capital cost becomes a
problem with most types of generators
large enough to operate the farm
equipment. Windmills, 'solar, and
possibly water turbines are types of
power production that are clean with
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
You need a NISA account to be able to
access government safety net dollars.
The deadline to sign up for NISA is
December 31, 2002. If you do not have a
NISA account, see your banker now!
60 THE RURAL VOICE
no price increases and no delivery
charges.
We have become quite dependent
on electrical power. It's hard to
imagine what it would be like without
hydro. Basically we have instant
power at a flip of a switch. Lights,
ventilation, manure handling, fencing,
water supply, feed preparation,
milking, heating, and even
entertainment, are just a few of the
areas that electricity is used around
our farm. J just cannot imagine doing
chores without electricity of some
sort.
The first machine for producing an
electrical charge was described in
1672. It wasn't until the early 1700s
that they realized there are two types
of electrical charge: positive and
negative. In around the 1820s the
electromagnet was first demonstrated,
which then became an important part
of electric motors and generators.
Around 1840. a number of
incandescent lamps were patented.
However, it wasn't until the 1940s to
'50s and even later before electrical
power was available or affordable out
in the countryside. Now we cannot
afford to be without it.
Since hydro has become available
to everybody, the amount of
development of appliances in the
home, industry, and even agriculture
GREY COUNTY FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
Thursday, December 12, 2002 — 8:00 p.m.
Grey County Agricultural Services Centre
Meeting Room (Grey Gables)
206 Toronto Street South, Markdale
Members are welcome to attend
is phenomenal. The work capacity of
one person has increased along with
the development. There's the
convenience of having an infinite
amount of power close at hand, just by
running a wire. Once you are hooked
up, there are no gas tanks to fill or
exhaust to worry about.
We have been spoiled the last
decade or so, with the seemingly
• endless supply of clean, cheap hydro.
We have had one of the cheapest
hydro rates in the world. Now with
privatization of hydro we. the
consumers, will be held more
responsible for the consumption
versus production via$$$$. Even
though the government has said we
are going to be getting a rebate
cheque, the cost will be paid as taxes.
Our only hope for lower rates is to
have more competition in hydro
production.0
- Submitted by Paul Sachs
OFA Regional Director Grey North
LIVESTOCK MEDICINE COURSE
Saturday, January 18, 2003
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Ravenna Hall
For more information contact
Jacquie Hendry 705-445-5418
Sponsored by
Collingwood Township Federation
IJOI I from the
--IFGrey County
Federation
of Agriculture to the farm
families in Grey County.
Grey Bruce Farmers' Week 2003
Friday, January 3, 2003 - Crops Day and Ecological Evening
Saturday, January 4, 2003 - Sheep Day
Sunday, Jdnuary 5, 2003 - Horse Day
Monday, January 6, 2003 - Dairy Day and Swine Evening
Tuesday, January 7, 2003 - Beef Day
Saturday, January 11, 2003 - Goat Day
All events are at the Elmwood Community Centre with the exception of
Goat Day, which is at Grey County Ag Services in Markdale
Please call 519-986-3756 for more information