Loading...
Times-Advocate, 1983-02-09, Page 21AREA DAIRY DAY — A large number of area farmers attended Wednesday's Dairy, Day at Centralia College. From the left are Byron Clarke, Crediton; Dennis McKnight of the College staff, Ontario Milk Producers specialist Bob Stiles and Doug Lightfoot, Crediton. , T -A photo "Our ,crisis is not oil, it's -food." So says Ken Durhamwhose family has farmed in the Niagara region for five generations. He is quoted in a lengthy article in the February Reader's Digest. Now, doesn't it make you feel great that the mighty Digest has finally come up with a story that echoes, fac- tually, what hundreds of farmers have been saying across this nation for 20 years? The article relates what is being done to preserve farmland in Canada and sug- gests that net enough is being done. In Ontario, the preservation •of farmland is being left to local politicians and the On- tario Municipal Board. You and everybody else but developers and the Legislature know this is not good enough. When development rears its ugly head, it is tax revenue that municipalities need and to hell with farmland. Can you blame the mayors, the reeves, -the deputy reeves, the councillors for this attitude? Municipal governments get their money from two major areas: property taxes and government. The province with its whopping deficit can- not provide -much more: The money must come from somewhere. Municipal governments have been ac- -cused, justifiably in the last Iwo decades. of being nothing but tools for developers. They spend the great bulk of their deliberations on development. A rural townshil5 in this region recently took a survey. • It was found that the township simply was no longer rural. More than three-quarters of the residents were in no way related to agriculture. Not one members of the township council was a full-time farmer yet it had been con- sidered "rural" since the ear- ly 1800s. The same thing is happen- ing all across Canada: In the highway corridors especially, "rural" townships just do not exist. Unfortunately, it is along these corridors of transportation where the finest farmland is located. It was these routes that established agriculture in Canada. We are victims of our own history. I remember years ago when Paul Hellyer, who was in the federal Cabinet at the time, suggested new cities should be built farther, north. He had plans for rapid tran- sit tathe key industrial areas and suggested incentives to force development in nor- thern . Ontario and freeze development in the south. The ideas at the time were laughed at. He- was pooh- poohed • as a senseless dreamer. Maybe he was far ahead of his time. "If nothing is done (to preserve prime farmland), future generations will right- ly condemn our generation for selfishmisuse of Canada's most important resource," the article in the Reader's Digest concludes. As Edmon- ton's Florence Romanchuk, president of the-Council.of Women in that city, says: "I don't want our children to look at us and ask, "Why did you give your country away?" That makes a lot of sense but let me hasten to add, the farmers of this country have a great responsibility here as well. The preservation of farmland is a joint respon- sibility. Farmers, too, must fish or cut bait. They must be farmers first and last. They cannot be speculators and decide to sell their land to the highest bidder (developer). And they must also become IT'S TIME TO TALK BUSINESS! Visit us at: ,The Devon Building on the Tst & 3rd Tuesday of each month (Next Visit Date: February 16th re the Federal Business Develop- ment Bank, and we can he one of your most • important resource centres. We can lend you money, provide loan guarantees or finance an increase in your business equity. Presently, you may qualify for a Small Business Investment Grant and thus be entitled to up to a 4'4 rebate on specified loan interest • We offer a brain bank of experienced people, too. •Come talk business with us. We'll tell you about financing, counselling, management training and government assistance programs One phone call can bring it all to you. For an appointment call F.B.D.B. Stratford and ask for John MacKenzie at 271-5650 (Collect) Federal Business Banque federale Development Bank de dbveloppement Your success is our only business Canad1 stewards of the land. The idea that land is simply there to be mined by huge machines is a sad mistake. Farmers must apply fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides with care and caution. They must no longer cultivate too close to streams and ditches. They must be aware that con- tinuous corn cropping with topsoil loss can be a devil in disguise. In short, if we are going to continue to eat and be the happiest people in the world, farmers must accept the stewardship that will help them keep the land the way the Lord gave it to them. Urquhart retires after 28 years at Canners Remembers hand corn A 28 year career at the eter plant of Canadian Can- ners came to a conclusion in December of 1982 when manager Jack Urquhart retired. Urquhart who was plant manager for the past 19 years was honoured by fellow employees, area can crop growers and company of- ficials at a recent banquet at the South Huron Rec Centre. The.yretired manager in reminiscing recalls the method of harvesting' peas and corn of those days "and says "we have, come a long way since 1955.'. He first joined Canadian Qanners as a fieldman at the insistence of Scotty Easton Sr. and was head fieldman for four years before being ap- pointed plant manager. Harry Penhale was plant manager in 1955. Canadian Canners was sold -- to belmonte Corporation in 1958 and the company was, taken over by R.J. Reynolds two years ago. Delmonte and Aylmer labels continue to appear on cans processed at the local plant which is still known as Canadian Canners. • Urquhart says Iielmonte labels are used for most fan- cy brands and Aylmer on choice produce. When he started in 1955, Ur-` quhart says it took 650 employees to run a 24 hour shift r ocessing compared to 250 torn and 175 for peas at the p sent time. In the early days of Ur- quhart's career at the Can- ners, peas, corn and string beans were the main crops processed in Exeter and all. were grown locally. • He continued "Peas have Dairymen at session been grown on our own fami- ly farm for at least 50 years." • Before combines were used for harvesting peas, horse drawn mowers with a window attachment were used and a man walked behind with a oitch fork to keen the oeas flowing over the cutter bar. On this subject Urquhart says, "Many a pitch fork tine was shortened considerably as they became caught in the mower. More than. 100 area farmers attended Wednesday's regional dairy day held at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology. Similar events will be held Wednesday, February 16 at the Legion Hall in Clinton and the following day at the Col- liseum in Hanover. Robert Stiles of the Ontario Milk Marketing Board presented an udder health management pro_ram update. • He said, "The purpose of the OMMB's Udder Health Management Program is to reduce the amount of mastitis in Ontario dairy herds and to achieve this, three mastitis technicians were " hired in January 1982: They are now in their second six months of visits. To achieve effective mastitis control or any other management objective on a dairy farm, the producer needs to be motivated and want to make improvements.. However, motivation can on- ly be achieved if you k kaw that the end results are wor- thwhile and that by controll- ing mastitis you can achieve' both financial and non- financial gains." Fewer clinical cases of mastitis results in increased -income as a result of less discarded milk, fewer drug costs, and veterinary bills and less cows culled from mastitis. In tests by technicians, the standard routine of the, dairyman or his milking pro- cedures are asses3ed as it is not easy for an individual to assess his own routine. The technician records stimulation time, time from onset of stimulation to at- taching milkers, milking time of cows, using individual towels for washing and drying of udders, teatcup crawl, removal of teat cups and teat dipping. As well, during milk- ing measurements are made for treatment voltage. Stiles said, "Iq regard to milking procedures we are looking at conditions which will promote fast and efficient milking." He added, "We also discuss the dry cow treatment and the environment and leave a recommendation form with the producer." Victor Wagemans of Mutual Products in Mor- risburg talked about the economics of grain veal pro- duction and housing of grain veal calves. He said housing must create an environment in which the calves will perform at the highest possible level including low death losses, minimum health problems and greatest possitileproduc- tion at the least possible feed intake and create a pleasant and efficient work situation for the calf producer. Calf hutches as an example create a pretty decent en- vironment for calf perfor- mance. For large scale, calf raising they sorely lack in comfort and efficiency. For some time pea viper stations were located at Dashwood, Kirkton and the Hicks farm in Usborne township. Farmers were re- quired to pitch the peas into the viner. Pea combines were (int us- ed in 1966 with the local plant using 10. That number has now grown to 14. The next harvesting concept to be in- itiated shortly will be self pro- pelling combines. When vining stations were being used to thrash the peas, fI Ontario Ministry bf Agriculture and Food the straw was drawn back by the farmers far use as feed in the winter time. Back 28 years ago, sweet corn was picked by hand with usually four or five persons working from each side of a wagon. Urquhart adds, "These corn picking bees turned into real big get- togethers including the old fashioned threshing type meals." Over the years, the quality and quantity of canning crops kilas increased considerably. huron-farm and home news Dairy Summary Again this year we are planning to do a Financial Dairy Summary for Huron County based on 1982 records. Thirteen 'farmers • par- ticipated last year, and each of these farmers received a summary of their own business along with a County summary. This report provid- ed a breakdown, of farm in- come, farm expenses, pro- duction .levels, feed costs, debt load/cow, along with much more farm manage- ment information. If you would like to participate, please contact our O.M.A..F. office, Clinton. dlt - Dennis Martin Huron County Milk Pro- ducers are invited to attend our upcoming Dairy Seminars on February 16 and February 22. Men's . Dairy Day, Wed., February 16, Clinton Legion Hall. Program 10:00: Udder Health Manage- ment Program Update - Bob Stiles, O.M.M.B. 10:45 Minerals andVitamins for Dairy Cattle - Steve Dolson, Diary Specialist, U. of G. • 11:30 - Grain Veal Production SEEING WHAT'S NEW -'— Michael O'Shea (right) RR 3 Granton, Bob Baker, Lambeth and little Jamie O'Shea Zook over a four -furrow plow on display during the two- day Farm Industry Show at Huron Tractor. Using Holstein Bull Calves Victor Wageman, President Mutual Products. 12:30 - Lunch - Bring your own - Coffee and donuts provided. 1:15 - Debt Management - John Core, Wyoming Dairy Farmer • • 2:00 - Silo Management; a) Structure Management - Hank Bellman, Ag. Engineer, Walkerton b) Silo Feed ' Management - Jack Roden - burg, Dairy Specialist, Woodstock 3:00 - Program Evaluation and Adjournment Ladies Dairy Day, Tues. February 22, Clinton Legion Hall. Program 10:00 - Stress as it relates to Farm Safety.- Steve Matisz - Farm Safety Association] 10:45 - Celf and Heifer'- Managem t - Dennis Mar- tin, O.M.A.F. Clinton 11:30 - Farmstead Planning - Bob Milne, Ag. Engineer, Woodstock 12:15 - Lunch - Bring your own - Coffee and donuj}s supplied 1:15 - Understanding the New Milk Cheque Stub - Orville Shewfelt, • O.M.M.B. Fieldman 2:15 - Making Good Useof Farm Records - Mary Lynn Elder,Ag.Agr.Royal Bank 3:00 - Program Evaluation . and Adjournment Please register early for these programs at O.M.A.F. office, Cflrit6h, 482-3428- or Zenith 7-3040. - Dennis Martin, Associate Agricultural Representative picking Urquhart adds, "In my first years at the plant, four tons of corn would be considered a good crop, now nine tons is a top yield and peas have in- creased by 70 percent. Quality has improved tremendously over the years due to the ability to harvesting and processing. Acpot'ding to Urquhart in the early days the elapsed time for peas from the thresher to the can was five to six hours, now it's about two hours assuring a much fresher quality of produce. Urquhart continued, "We are sitting in the best pea and corn growing area in North America. I have been for- tunate to,,,work in an agricultural area like this. As long as I live I will be a booster of Canadian Canners, the area in general and Ex- eter. in particular. About Canadian Canners the - retired manager said, "The company has treated me royally and to employees , and growers, you produce, supply and work for a top notch company." He received a watch from Canadian Canners. From the .employees and growers he received an elaborate barometer, a set of golf clubs; a sum of money, a lawn chair and a figurine for his wife. The lawn chair is to be us- ed to watch his wife Ethel use a gold plated garden hoe which she also received. In his reminiscing remarks atthe banquet Urquhart touched on a number of amus- ing incidents over his 28 years span with the company. These included, the day the viner station labour of 25 took off for the beach in the mid- dle of the afternoon, the day an office supervisor rushed to work early one morning in January to find it was Sunday and the plant superintendent who neglected to put the plug in the amphibious vehicle before crossing a lagoon. Urquhart's retirement which officially took place December 31 really starts this morning when he and his wife leave for Florida. He added "after the holi- day, I'll be back doing something likely in a part- time capacity." The new manager at the Exeter plant of Canadian Canners is Stan Luscombe. He was manager of a plant in Penticton, British Columbia for many years. You don't have to he Top 500" to get the same kind of health coverage. A Blue C.H.I.PPackage is for groups of 3 or more. Write la a brochure or call direct Lori Senay 120 York Street London, Ontario NSA 1A9 ''(519) 434.0136 ONTAPi0 BLUE CROSS Times-Advocat• Februa 9, 1983 Pack 21 OLD AND NEW AT 'tA ADIAN ANNERS _ Jock Urquhart an employee of the Exeter plant of Canadian Canners for 28 years and manager for 19 recently 'retired. Above, Urquhart at the left welcomes newly appointed manager Stan Luscombe. He moves to. Ex- eter from Penticton, British Columbia. T -A Photo. CBUTLER, • Frank Thuss Farm Systems SALES &SERVICE EXETER, ONTARIO Daytime 235-0492 Evenings 294-6132 Jim Snyder Farm & Auto Repairs Operated by Ed Snyder Formally of Grand send Servke Centre 237.3736 N BARN EQUIPMENT CLAY _ Stable cleaner replacement chain for all makes.- Silo unloaders, ring drive and dual augers, feeders, stable cleaners, liquid manure pumps, electric feed carts. RALCO Stable cleaners, conveyors, transfer pumps, bedding choppers. BERG Stable cleaners, transfer pumps, cow stalls, etc. BEATTY Replacement parts for silo unloaders, stable cleaners and stalls. WESTEEL ROSCO Grain bins, aeration systems, hopper bins. We also pour the foundations and erect bins. For Further information Contact Brintnell Construction Ltd. Kirkton 229-8244 Service Sales Installation SOCIALIZING — Stan Paquette from the Clinton OMAF office and Dave Gatdner, RR 1 Kirkton talk about far- ming at the two-dey Form Industry Show at Huron Tractor.. WOOD STOVES Talk to us about the high technology stoves by: Lakewood; RSF Energy; SFB 3 Boilers; Heritage; Better 'N Ben's -- REDUCE CREOSOTE - in any airtight stove with the CATALYTIC DAMPER Results will amaze you Available at THE COLLECTOR'S SHOP Kirkton 229-896 The energy saving products store Exeter Distrkt Co.Op 235-2081 1