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The Rural Voice, 1999-09, Page 71News PCFA researches value of farming to county's economy Dr. Harry Cummings, who earlier led teams looking into the value of agriculture to the economies of Huron, Simcoe, Prescott, Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties, will lead an investigation of the impact of agriculture in Perth County. While 1996 farm gate sales in Perth were $430 million, Cummings told a gathering at Luckhart Transport in Sebringville where the project was launched, the impact of agriculture goes much farther. For instance, he said, a truck driver for the company who spent most of his time transporting farm products would owe his job to agriculture, yet his job would be credited to the transportation sector in census data. Results of the other county studies show that one to three off -farm jobs are created for each job on the farm, depending on which county was being measured. In Huron County, for instance, about 20,000 jobs resulted from the 5,000 on-farm jobs, he said. "As an agricultural producer I buy inputs for my farm, which gives someone in my local economy a job," said Mary McIntosh, a dairy producer from Downie ward, who is co-chair of the steering committee for the impact study. "And that supplier has a job and employees who purchase local goods and service which supports further jobs and economic activity," added Dave Vandewall, a hog and cashcrop operator from Hibbert ward who is the other co-chair of the committee. The $30,000 study is being financed by the Perth Federation with a $25,000 grant from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). Dave Shearer, Perth County Warden said he thought it was overdue for someone to document the value of agriculture to the county. "We know we're number one (in the province) in hogs and dairy. I think it's time that agriculture in Perth BIG -BLOCK vs. SMALL -BLOCK Smart Money Engine Shootout Attention Chev/GMC Truck Owners! Got sorne heavy hauling to do? We build a specially modified engine for commercial Si farm use trucks The little engine in your truck just won't pull like you expected? Tired of Pony -power - Want some Clydesdale -type HP? Ironsmith has the solution! We build a specially built engine designed for towing and carrying. How does 390 FTLBS of torque, 301 HP, and improved fuel economy sound? Pipe dream? Maybe ... but only if you don't have the Ironsmith 5.4L.! It runs on premium pump gas, has power to spare and requires no special modifications to your truck. It even includes a brand new 3' pipe exhaust system with lifetime muffler! Want to power upgrade' Please, look at the bottom line • $/FTLB Replace your 30515 01 vnth OEM • GM replacement 305x5.01$2850 min 'Results • 160 HP/210 FTLBS = Same low power OEM . GM replacement 35015.71_13400 min 'Results . 210 HP270 FTLBS = 50 HP increase OEM - GM replacement = 4547 OL 58500 'Results 250 HP/340 FTLBS = not practical $ spent Ironsmith 5 4 L 5320050 'Results - 301 HP/390 FTLBS = only 201FT Direct replacement bolts ng111 in and uses all your factory service pans 141 HP more than stock and 162 FTLBS more useable torque! • Average fuel savings of 8.10 MPG Lower operating costs = S in your pocket Torque 3 604FTL fRODSO e1) MACT)11)F 519-363-9073 draulic 'ump Hoses Bearings Hydraulic Pumps Cylinders HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS REAR PORT ORIENTATION 12 Off The Shelf Custom Manufactured CROSS TUBE MARK ORIENTATION 0 110e • Any Bore • Any Length Welded Barrel Construction MALE TANG ORIENTATION 12 0 90e HOLE THROUGH ROD ORIENTATION 12 0 90e FEMALE CLEVIS ORIENTATION 0 roe Thickness 0 0.375 ❑ oso- ❑ OJT Hole Die. .1.01' BW BARFOOT'S 'C 0 N to 0 WELDING AND MACHINE INC. 517 Brown St., Wiarton (519) 534-1200 1.800-265-6224 SEPTEMBER 1999 67