The Rural Voice, 1999-05, Page 3R.V.
Editor: Keith Roulston
editorial advisory committee:
Bev Hill, farmer, Huron County
John Heard, soils and crop extension
and research, northwestern Ontario
Diane O'Shea, farmer, Middlesex Cty.
George Penfold, associate professor,
University of Guelph
Gerald Poechman, farmer, Bruce Cty.
contributing writers:
Gisele Ireland, Lisa Boonstoppel-
Pot, Bonnie Gropp,
Bob Reid, Mervyn Erb, Sandra
Orr, Carl L. Bedal, Janice Becker,
Andrew Grindlay
marketing & advertising sales manager:
Gerry Fortune
advertising representative:
Merle Gunby
production co-ordinator:
Joan Caldwell
advertising & editorial production:
Dianne Josling
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Behind the Scenes
Water, precious water
Perhaps last year's drought (or two
years' worth of it in some areas of
Bruce and Grey) has made us realize
just how precious water is. When
water falls from the sky on a regular
basis or when we can dig a hole and
get all the water we want for our
home or farm animals, we tend to
take water for granted. But when the
rain doesn't come and when wells go
dry and we have to drill deeper to get
enough water, we begin to remember
just how much we depend on this
thing we just expected would always
be there.
And so, whether on the surface in
ponds, streams and lakes or under-
ground in aquifers, we're taking more
notice of water and worrying about
it's quality and quantity.
This month we have two stories on
water. In Huron County there is an
ongoing study of the quality of
surface water, prompted by the
closure of Lake Huron beaches
because of bacterial contamination. Is
the bacteria coming from human
sources through damaged septic tanks
to inefficient sewage treatment
systems or is it coming from the huge
livestock population in the county?
So far there are more questions than
answers but the search for
information goes on.
In Grcy and Bruce Counties the
purity of the water deep in the earth
has brought interest from companies
that want to bottle the water and sell
it to a fast-growing market among
consumers concerned about the
quality of the water they drink. But
how much water can be pumped out
of the ground without affecting other
wells, including those of neighbours
who need water for their own homes
and livestock operations? We talked
to some of those concerned.
Rural life has changed in the last
40 years. Community groups like
Junior Farmers and Farm Radio
Forum brought neighbours together
regularly back then. Today except for
the coffcc shop, the auction sale or a
wedding or funeral, neighbours don't
often get together. So it's remarkable
the Sydenham and St. Vincent
Farmcrs' Club is still meeting 40
years after a group of over -aged
Junior Farmers decided they didn't
want to stop meeting. Many members
are retired now but they still meet
once a month to hear speakers and
enjoy each other's company. We
have a story on this remarkable
group.
Our Profi!$ section this month
looks at the dairy industry, including
the plight of those dairymcn still
struggling to maintain a cream
business.0
Update
Feedlot operators get attention
Last September we talked to Dave Gardner, president of the new Ontario Cattle
Feeders' Association (OCFA) created to give feedlot owners more say in the beef
industry. Gardner expressed the frustration of feedlot owners that their voice
didn't seem to be heard in the Ontario Cattlemen's Association.
Those concerns apparently have been noticed now. Recently OCA announced
it would hire a Feedlot Development Officer. "While the proposal may not be
exactly what they (OCFA) were looking for, I believe it would address feedlot
industry concerns and issues," said Bob Dobson, OCA president.
Dobson praised OCFA for bringing [`issues of mutual concern to our attention."
In other bridge -building moves, OCA proposes to pay per diems and expenses
to OCFA representatives attending OCA committee meetings (with voting
privileges) and working on behalf of OCA; to blend OCFA's suggestions and
priorities regarding market development with those of OCA's Market
Development Committee; to include OCFA representatives, when necessary, on
cross-border liaison with U.S. cattlemen; and to support and co-ordinate an
educational program to better understand consumer and packer needs by both
Ontario feedlot and cow/calf producers.0