The Rural Voice, 1997-01, Page 56GREY
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
44610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
• The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
Remembering a frustrating year
We came through the winter of
1995-96 wondering if in fact the
winter would ever end — more snow
and far longer than most could
remember. Then we entered into a
slow, cold, wet spring that left many
wondering if they would ever finish
seeding. If you farmed north of
Highway 89, which all of us in Grey
County do, it was bad enough, but
south of that line seems to have been
even more trying. By the time we had
finished seeding and emergence was
in progress, our friends south of 89
were still waiting for things to dry up
enough to start seeding.
Well we all thought that maybe
hay time would be better, but not so.
Getting hay dry was a challenge. If
you didn't cut the day before it
rained, or even the day before that,
sure enough it rained before the hay
was dry enough to bale. This
frustration led to more and more hay
being put up as baleage. We see
more white sausages by the side of
fields than ever before, particularly
the second cut.
So, we thought, maybe just
maybe, when the combines start
rolling, the weather will take a turn
for the better. Keep dreaming. The
fact was, that if you managed to work
one day, you then waited two for it to
dry up again. Swathed grain was
sprouting and canola lying for weeks
to dry.
Ah well, fall ploughing might be
better. But no, the rain and the snow
left the land just wet enough to rut the
soil by the spreaders and to leave
acres here and there not ploughed.
So now if, and only if, the snow
keeps coming and going, as it has
done for the past month, until about
April 1, and then warms up, maybe
then we could look forward to a
different crop year in 1997. That's
farming!
Frustrations sometimes carry over
into the Grey County Federation of
Agriculture. There are times when
we, your County directors, don't
52 THE RURAL VOICE
know just what it is you, the grass-
roots farmers of Grey, are thinking.
How do you feel about the issues we
are working on?
How do you think the Land -use
Policy should proceed?
What do you feel about the
Municipal restructuring issue?
Are you happy with the OFA's
progress with regards to the Property
Tax Reform?
How about the Farm Practises
Protection Act? Do you feel it goes
far enough?
Water taking — should there be
royalties attached to pay for roads,
etc. etc.?
The line fence act: are you happy
with the way things are or would you
like like to see some changes? We
need to know.
Predator control: are you happy
with things the way they are? Give us
a call.
Would you like to see more
strength added to any tenancy
agreements that you might have?
Give ME a call. We need to know
what you are thinking.
Pearl Bumstead — Grey North;
Brian Milne — Grey South and myself
are your regional directors to the
OFA board which meets once a
month in Toronto. This is where your
concerns can and DO get dealt with.
So give us a call. Let us know where
you stand on any issue that concerns
you.
By the time you read this,
Christmas will be over and the New
Year will be knocking on the door. I
would like to wish all fellow farmers
a happy and prosperous 1997.0
Bob Brassington
519-986-2162
Regional Director
GREY COUNTY
FEDERATION OF
AGRICULTURE
DIRECTORS'
MEETING
Thursday,
January 23, 1997
1:00 p.m.
OMAFRA Boardroom, Markdale
Members are welcome to attend
GREY COUNTY
FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
CURLING BONSPIEL
Markdale Curling Club
February 8, 1997
Draws at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
We would like a team entered from each Township Federation!
Entry Fee $80 per team 2 eight end games
Delicious Dinner
Everyone takes home a prize!
Contact: Albert McLean 519-376-0648 or
Hanover Office 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551