The Rural Voice, 2003-06, Page 66BRUCE
Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca
website: www.ofa.on.ca/bruce
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
• The Rural Voice is provided to Bruce
County Farmers by the BCFA.
AESI Bruce project may update
The first round of applications for
funding from the Agricultural
Environmental Stewardship Initiative
have been approved by the allocations
committee.
Fencing livestock out of water,
eavestroughs on buildings, alternative
water systems are examples of projects
initiated by Bruce County farmers with
financial assistance from the AESI
Bruce Water Quality Project.
Activities identified in completed
Environmental Farm Plans are eligible
for up to $5.000 per farm operator,
which will have a positive effect on the
water quality in the following
watersheds: Deer and Pearl Creek in
Brockton, Otter Creek in South Bruce,
and the Teeswater River and its
tributaries.
Other examples of suitable work
would include creation and planting of
buffers along waterways, planting of
trees on fragile or eroding lands. If you
have a great idea that will improve the
quality of surface and ground water,
and will reduce pathogen entry into
local waterways on your farm. we are
interested in partnering with you.
Join other pro -active area farmers
and landowners who are making a
difference in Bruce County. Full
program details are available from
Kathy Velocci, AESI Bruce Project Co-
ordinator at 353-4471 or e-mail
gnkfarrn@bmts.com
BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS' MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2003
8:00 P.M.
Sprucedale Agromart
R.R. #2, Walkerton
25th sideroad Brant (north off of
former Hwy.#4 - east of Walkerton)
MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND
The pros and cons of different farm structures
The issue of large, intensive livestock operations continues to be in the public discussion. As in all issues, there are pros
and cons to this trend. We will list some comparisons here for your consideration:
LARGE INTENSIVE FARM UNITS
PROS
There is a business structure to support investment/
expansion. (Partners, "loop" or contract)
Marketing advantages for high volume production.
A young farmer who is willing to get into a "loop" may
get started farming.
Large operations may be more cost efficient.
Large operations provide jobs.
Large operations may afford new technology for nutrient
and odour management.
"Loops" with common management can apply their
knowledge to each operation.
CONS
Problems of odour and manure management tend to
increase as size increases.
Amount of land required increases, and manure spreader
must travel further.
Barns at locations with no residence may not notice a
problem until it is out of hand.
Greater amounts of feed and water are needed, usually
feed is brought in from elsewhere.
Some of the profit leaves the community as it goes to
other partners or investors.
FAMILY FARMS
PROS
Smaller investment.
Family -sized units mean more farms and more farm
families for rural population.
Small operations do not have the problems of smell and
manure volume to deal with.
The family farm has the manager living on site all the
time — sees a problem before it gets out of hand.
More often feed is produced and fed on the same farm,
reducing transportation costs.
Profits stay in the community.
Vested interest in community and local environment.
CONS
Family -sized farms may not have economies of scale for
daily operation.
New technology and equipment may not be affordable.
High cost of borrowing for a young farmer to set up an
operation independently.
Without hired help it is more difficult for the farmer to
get a break.
May have poorer marketing returns as volume is not
competitive.
— Submitted by Lloyd Schnurr, Greenock Township Director
62 THE RURAL VOICE