The Citizen, 2000-09-13, Page 14Young tractor pullers get a chance to show their stuff during the kid pull held at the Thresher
Reunion. (Vicky Bremnerphoto)
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2000. PAGE 13.
An eye on his work
The skill and speed with which operators of the shingle mills
work continues to enthrall patrons of the Thresher Reunion.
NMPs could cost county $500,000
If- the province gives the job of
enforcing nutrient management
plans to the counties, as suggested in
the “Report on Intensive Livestock
Operations in Ontario”, it could cost
Huron County $500,000 a year.
That's the estimate Gary
Davidson, director of planning and
development gave county council
lors Thursday when they discussed
the county's response to the July 10
report of the committee headed by
MPPs Dr. Doug Galt and Toby
Barrett.
It might result, Davidson said, in
the county having to charge user fees
to those farmers who needed to have
nutrient management plans (NMPs).
Policing the plans would be a much
costlier project than simply requiring
people to file an NMP before getting-
a building permit, as most townships
now do, said Davidson. It requires
constant year-round monitoring of
the management process.
With the provincial committee
accepting responses to their report
until mid-September and with legis
lation expected later this fall, now is
the time to tell the province about
such concerns, said Robin Dunbar,
reeve of Grey Twp. “Policing is the
key issue,” he said. The county does
n't have inspectors in place to be
able to take on that role.
Laurie Cox, reeve of Goderich
Twp. agreed the cost implications
’should be made plain to provincial
officials. It wouldn’t be fair for the
cost of policing to be put onto non
farming taxpayers but many farmers
would be hard pressed to pay user
fees, he said. Enforcement should be
taken on by the province because
everyone benefits from clean water,
he said. “It should be emphasized to
the province that they should build
on what they already have,” he said
of the enforcement process. That
viewpoint will be included in the
county’s written response which will
be forwarded within the week.
Other councillors were concerned
with a proposal that a farmer must
own enough land to allow for safe
spreading of manure under an NMP.
Brian McBurney, reeve of Turnberry
Twp. felt this might actually be detri
mental to the environment, if a
farmer must own 500 acres to meet
the requirements of the NMP, that’s
all he’ll own, McBurney suggested.
If he can spread manure on the fields
of neighbouring cashcrop farmers
through use agreements, it might
mean the same amount of manure
was spread on 1,500 acres, he said.
Mason Bailey, reeve of Blyth said
a 100 per cent ownership require
ment “would be a very big mistake."
Already, he said, the price of farm
land has been inflated quite dramati
cally in Huron by farmers who are
worried such a requirement might be
around the corner and want to be
prepared, if’ it is. by buying more
land.
Bill Siemon, reeve of McKillop
Twp. said the requirement to own all
land would put small family farms at
a disadvantage to large corporate
farms which can afford to buy more
land.
Jack Coleman, reeve of Stanley
Twp. wondered if there couldn’t be a
legislated requirement for annual
soil tests to protect from overloading
nutrients on soil.
“It’s one of the things that’s being
discussed by the province,” said
Wayne Caldwell, senior planner who
has been working with the Galt com
mittee.
Doug Miller, reeve of West
Wawanosh said the rate of liquid
manure applications allowed under
current NMPs would saturate the
land within 20 years. “Perhaps
NMPs should be based on sustain
able levels,” he said.
Davidson said others shared his
concern over the cumulative effect
of manure application.
Another concern expressed by
those commenting on the report was
the impact on small operators,
Davidson said. “Increasing regula
tions tend to favour large operators,”
Davidson said. “They can afford the
extra costs associated with meeting
the standards. Small operators may
go out of business.”
SEAFORTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S
2000 FALL FAIR
Thurs., Sept. 14 Sat, Sept 16
* Please note our new
Wedding^dnnouncement
Gagne - Montgomery
Karen Elizabeth Montgomery and A. Daniel Gagne were married
May 27, 2000 at the Wingham Pentecostal Church, with Rev.
Douglas Whitelaw and Rev. Timothy Bjorkman officiating. The
bride is the daughter of Arlyn and Glenn Montgomery, R.R. #1
Belgrave, and the groom is the son of May and Roger Gagne,
Peterborough. The bride and her father travelled to the church in
a 1956 Ford Victoria. Bridal attendants were Suzanne Reid
(Zottola) of North York, friend of the bride; Renee Heiser-Lanthier
of Rochester NY, cousin of the bride; Christine Coverdale of
Woodstock, friend of the bride, and Jane Reedie of Toronto,
friend of the bride. Kyra Graham, daughter of the best man was
flowergirl. The groom was attended by Ken Graham of Port Perry,
friend of the groom; Pierre Gagne of Peterborough, brother of
the groom; and Mike Feurer of Ottawa, future brother-in-law.
Gloria Whitelaw provided musical accompaniment. Soloist was
Lynda Kirby. The wedding reception was he'd in the Coach
House at Hessenland Country Inn, St. Joseph. After a short visit
in Ontario, the couple ventured on a scenic western route to their
home in Wichita Falls, Texas. The bride and groom would like to
extend their thanks to family and friends, many of whom
travelled from various parts of Ontario, Pennsylvania, New York,
and South Carolina to help celebrate their wedding weekend.
■ Old McDonald’s Farm
■ New Midway
EVERY DAY
■ Commercial Exhibits ■ Livestock
■ Homecraft Exhibits
■ School Exhibits
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
9:00 • 12:00 Noon - Exhibits Registration,
Homecraft, School, Grain & Field Crop
12:00 Noon- Judging
12:00 Noon - Judging Huron-Perth Parish Jersey Show
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
10:30 a.m.
12:00 noon
12:30
1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
8:30 p.m.
Parade & Opening
Limousin & Blonde D'Aquataine Show
Paul Benke, Children's Entertainment
Sheep Judging
Pedal Pull Registration
Pedal Pull
Paul Benke, Children's Entertainment
Ambassador & Entertainment
Pork Carcass Auction
Crowning of Ambassador
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
1:00
1:30
2:00
3:00
4:00
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
- Pet Show/Dickie Bird
- Judging of Charolais, Simmentals
& Herefords
- Judging of Light
& Heavy Horses
- Pedal Pull Registration
- Pedal Pull
- Baby Show
- Dickie Bird
- Bike Draw
- Penny Sale
** Please note':
All entertainment events are
held in the Agriplex
Mark December 2nd, & 3rd on your calendar
\ Plan to attend Seaforth's 14th Annual
FARM TOY, SPORT CARD,
EDDY BEAR, DOLL, GIFT & CRAFT
Show & Sale
, 519-527-1321 www.c4thagsociety.on.ca