The Rural Voice, 1993-10, Page 55RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
September 7, 1993
"And the rain fell upon the earth 40
days and 40 nights." Our district is situ-
ated in the centre of Canada, separated
from the United States by the scenic
Rainy River. Fertile farmlands rest next
to vast tracts of untamed wilderness.
There are countless lakes and rivers that
have always sustained the lives of man
and beast since the beginning of time.
We are still hopeful, despite the seem-
ingly endless rainfall. Farming is a set
of skills, a sense of community, a dream
of a way of life; we will not lose that
perspective.
The RRFA held their September 2
meeting at the Morley Municipal Board-
room at Stratton. Attending were: Presi-
dent Rick Boersma, Linda Armstrong,
Sue Boersma, Kim Desserre, Amos
Brielman, Tammy Hunsperger, Jack
Vandenbrand, Wayne Flatt, Gary Esse-
link and Shirley Morrish. Linda reported
on the success of the Farm Progress
Building at the Emo Fair. There were 44
exhibitors with first prize going to the
MNR for having the most attractive
booth on display. They graciously
presented the prize money back to the
RRFA to help next year's improvements.
Second prize went to Rainy River
Preserves (Colin and Trish Neilson) and
third prize to Seven Bends Honey Farm
(Rick and Linda Neilson). Second and
third winners receive ribbons for their
attractive booth displays.
Agriculture in the Classroom
committee would like to hear from
sponsors to provide Educational Kits for
Grade 4 classrooms in the district. $25
will put your farm name or place of
business on each kit to be recognized.
Amos gave the latest report on the
happenings with Crop Insurance and
they are not pleased with some of the
recent changes. Amos also reported for
Soil and Crop stating that projects are
still going on with variety trials. He also
mentioned the Weigh -wagon for grains
and to call Tom Morrish at 486-3622
when you're ready to weigh. Weather is
still the biggest factor in everything we
do these days.
Linda reported for the RR Cattlemen.
The first sale of the season at Stratton
was on September 4 and results were as
good as the market prices in Manitoba.
Only 272 head were offered so the
buyers were disappointed in the small
number. The next sale on October 2 will
feature feeder cattle and manager Wade
Desserre is hoping for over 1500 head.
All sales begin at 10:00 a.m. Linda and
her crew would like to thank everyone
who turned out to help set up the
partitions in the Farm Progress Building
before the Fair. Thanks to Bruce Ward
from the Ag office for pitching in when
a bike ride would have been more fun.
Happy 60th Stan Armstrong!
Deadline for the Agricultural
Newsletter is October 1.
Our local newspaper reporter, Kerry
French, will be leaving her job
September 15 to join her husband Todd
in Thunder Bay where he is employed.
Kerry has done a terrific job here of
keeping tabs on all aspects of
agricultural life in the Rainy River
District. We will certainly miss her
stories and photos. It seems that she will
not be replaced.
The Emo Fall Fair has come and
gone for another year and despite the
Fort Frances International Airshow and
Big Island's Annual Traditional Pow-
wow, the attendance was excellent. The
1993 Fair Queen is Jennifer Carlson with
Jenny Vargas and Laureen Bliss as
runners-up. Corrie Angus won first
place with her unique prehistoric float.
The 4-H Grand Champion Steer was
raised by Aaron Calder of Fort Frances.
The 1180 pound steer recorded an AA
marbling level but an A-1 grade. It was
purchased by Fairway Store for $2.70 a
pound.
The Reserve Champion Market Steer
was raised by Clayton Teeple who
received $2.30 a pound. There were 33
steers auctioned with the lowest price of
$1.00 a pound, just over market price. A
tremendous amount of work goes into
the raising of these animals so it does
cause some disappointment with the
young 4-1-I members.
Ken McKinnon, President of the
Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society
was happy with the three days of
sunshine and the best weather we have
experienced all summer. It certainly was
a positive factor for the success of all
events.
The Rainy River Hereford
Association held a contest, guessing the
weight of a calf. It was weighed by local
weighman, Tom Morrish, at 463 lbs.
Four people guessed the exact weight
and shared the $100 cash prize. Winners
of $25 each were Marie Miller, Charlotte
Hyatt, Bob Bird, and Bob Angus. Lucky
winner of the calf was Kathy McNabb of
Stratton. The calf and his mom were on
display all during the Fair and came
from the farm of George Robinson of
Fort Frances.
There was an excellent response to
the honey sale at the Clover Valley
Farmers Market in Fort Frances on
Saturday September 4. Seven Bends
Honey Farm was having a "bring your
own pails and get them filled" sale; the
line-up of buyers went half way around
the building. Everyone had a good
selection of other bargains that day. Deb
Cornell -Darby is doing an excellent job
as Market Manager.
The RRFA entertainment committee
is preparing for the upcoming annual
Fall Dinner and Dance. It will be in the
Stratton Hall on Saturday, October 9 and
the theme will once again be Country
Western because it was so popular last
year. Tickets are available from any
Federation member. The nomination
committee has been set up and the
evening promises to be fun for everyone.
"Medical science may add years to
your life, but it's up to you to add life to
your years."
Delivery date for bulls to the Rainy
River Bull Test Station is October 6.
There will be a general meeting for bull
owners on Wednesday, November 17,
7:30 p.m. at the Ag office. Open house
at the Test Station is March 12, 1994 and
the annual bull sale will be at the
Stratton Sales Barn April 2, 1994. It's
important to be familiar with all
mandatory requirements in the bull
evaluation program.
"The first cows stood six to seven
feet tall. Today's average cow is five
feet tall, nine and a half fect long, three
feet wide, and has 207 bones in its
body."
. Congratulations to RRFA members
Mike and Betty Zimmerman, who will
be celebrating their 40th year of
marriage in October. Many more years
of happiness are wished for you both.
Happy travelling to everyone who
signed up for the bus trip to the Brandon
area September 20-22. It promises to be
the best one ever for the beef farmers in
the district. Thanks to Mike Neilson for
co-ordinating and organizing the agenda.
The next meeting of the RRFA is
October 7 at the Ag office in Emo.O
Shirley Morrish
OCTOBER 1993 51