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The Citizen, 1992-10-07, Page 17PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7,1992. Speaking of Farming By Keith Roulston A sign of the times The cost of the 1980's farm crisis has been paid, not only in fewer farms left in business, but in fewer people who can, or will, spend time working for their fellow farmers. That was evident again Friday night at the annual meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture when not only was there a thin turnout (that could partly be explained by the first good harvesting weather in a month) but in the scarcity of people accepting offices with the county's largest farm organization. It's small wonder that so few people can get involved anymore. Peo­ ple are stretched just to keep their farms going, without having spare time to give to important, but more remote, concerns and interests. All organizations, urban and rural, are finding it hard to find volunteers these days with both heads of families working outside the home, but the farm community has become even more short on time since, not only are many farm wives working off farm to bring in extra money, but many farm men are also holding down full or part time off-farm jobs while they farm in their "spare" time. Then too there’s the mystery of where all the farm leaders from the past have gone. I've always admired the long list of intelligent, hard working leaders the Federation has had since I started covering the organization in 1970. At that time Huron's Gordon Hill was president of the Ontario Federation, piloting it through the chaos that followed the disastrous GFO vote to becoming an effective, grassroots, direct-mem­ bership organization. At the county level people like Jack Stafford, Mason Bailey, Adrian Vos, Allan Walper, Doug and Gerry Fortune, and Merle Gunby took their turns leading the organization. Every time a good leader would step down, there were others waiting in the wings to take over. Like a hockey team that has good front-line players but lacks depth, the Federation still has top executive members but lacks the backup sup­ port to keep the group dynamic. Fifteen years ago there were many strong members who never scaled the heights of the executive but did all kinds of work in the background. Today too often leaders look over their shoulders only to find there’s no one back there to lead. Member­ ship is still strong (in Huron-Perth they sold more than 300 new mem­ berships this spring) but people just aren't as involved. It isn't that way everywhere in the province. In Grey County, for instance, the township Federations are still very strong, holding several meetings a year with interesting speakers, or holding workshops to help educate their members. That interest generated at the local level helps create more leaders at the county level and a strong representation at the provincial level. Perhaps that is the secret of why the Federation used to have so many dynamic leaders. More than a decade ago the township Federations were much more active than today, holding regular meetings instead of just yearly banquets. The thought of getting involved in a township fed­ eration may not be as intimidating as getting involved in a county-wide group. People short on time may be more willing to turn out at meeting in their own township to hear a good speaker. They may be willing to take on a few lighter tasks for the local federation. Eventually they might get enough confidence to rise to the county level. There's a big challenge for someone to get renewed interest in help­ ing out with political action on behalf of farmers. As the farm voice gets smaller, in terms of the number of singers, the song must get louder from those who are left if government and the public is to hear the farmer's song at all. Huron, as the biggest farming county in Ontario must regain its strong voice. Brussels Livestock sells 231 veal Continued from page 17 There were 241 cows on offer selling from $50 to $62 to the high of $73. One cow consigned by Gerald Theodorf, Listowel weighing 1000 lbs. sold for $73. Nine cows consigned by Jerry Teraa, Ripley averaging 1373 lbs. sold for an average of $62.31 with sales to $66. Two cows consigned by Vern Steinacker, Stratford averaging 1015 lbs. sold for an average of $64.36 with sales to $68.50. There were 231 veal on offer selling from $65 to $93 to the high of $106.50. Nine veal consigned by Henry Tenhove, Monkton averaging 524 lbs. sold for an average of $95.34 with sales to $106.50. Ten veal consigned by Joe Vermont, Zurich averaging 573 lbs. sold for an average of $87.08 with sales to $100.50. Six veal consigned by Bill DeVos Jr., Bluevale averaging 540 lbs. sold for an average of $98.39 with sales to $105.00. Lambs: Under 50 lbs., $107; 50 - 80 lbs., $63 - $70. There were 1525 stocker son offer. Steers: 400-600 lb., $105 - $120; 600 - 800 lb., $90 - $110; over 800 lb., $80 to $95. Heifers: 400 - 600 lb., $100 - $110; 600 - 800 lb., $90 - $105; over 800 lb., $80 - $92. —II . .Lta. ■ — BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS THURSDAYS 9 a.m.Finished Cattle& Cows Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs 10:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs 11:00 a.m. Beans coming off in good numbers says farm specialist With agriculture being the num­ ber one industry in the county any negative impacts on it will adverse­ ly affect the rest of us. Though the season has not been promising for farmers, the recent spell of good weather has made things look bet­ ter. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Farm Management Spe­ cialist Brian Hall said the past week's weather has helped consid­ erably as fields have had an oppor­ tunity to dry and crops have ripened. Some farmers have been busy getting winter wheat crops planted. The white beans have matured, he said, and though some areas of the county have had frost, the beans are coming off in good numbers, though the yield is vari­ able with anywhere from five bags an acre to 17 bags. "We have been fortunate to have had less frost than some of the counties to the east," he said, adding, "but it's certainly not the crop we had last year." Mr. Hall noted as well that it especially hurts with the initial payment for white beans down from $12.70 per bag last year to $10.50 per bag. As yet, Mr. Hall said he hasn't heard the yields on soy beans or com. "It looks like most farmers will be able to harvest soy beans this week, which is a little later than normal but not too far." There are still many waiting for com silage, he said, particularly in the northern part of the county. "Com is at just about every stage of growth right now. There is a great range even within a field, which means growers will have to decide what fields will be used for what There will be many decisions to be made regarding com." The worst case scenario, Mr. Hall said, is in the areas where com still needs three weeks maturation, should there be a killing frost. The impact of this would mean that for some corn and soy bean growers their crop could only be used for silage so they would be looking at buying field require­ ment. "There may be quite an impact on people using feeding com as they will be in the position that they are going to have to buy more." Another problem, he said, is that fields are beginning to shut down so that even though the com may be maturing it is not filling out which will mean lower yields and quality. "One way we have been lucky is that there has not been a lot of mold. Other areas have had trou­ ble," said Mr. Hall. "There have been some disap- pointments this season, but things are looking up," said Mr. Hall. "Although the crops are not where they were last years things are get­ ting better." Huron Cty. girl takes top prize at Western Fair A Huron County girl took first place in her division at the 4H regional judging competition on Sunday, Sept. 20 at Western Fair, London. Janet VandenHoven was the first place winner in the Intermediate Division for youths 12-14 years of age. Second was Michael Green of Oxford County while Brad Miller of Middlesex took third. 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