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Times-Advocate, 1982-04-28, Page 16r Page 4A April 211, 1942 Must be priority Marie Bright, Regional Co- ordinator for the National Farmers Union in Ontario called on the Honorable Den- nis Trimbrell, the new provin- cial Minister of Agriculture and Foods for positive sup- port of Agriculture in Ontario. "Agriculture in Ontario must be a priority of the provincial government if we mean to• have a sound economic base in Canada", Bright said. In a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Foods, the National Fanners Union cited as such, positive action support for a National Meat Authority for all red meats based on the principles of supply management, na- tional scope, control of im- ports and co-operation of pro- vincial governments. Bright says farmers in On- tario take exception to • Whelan's agri-food strategy because it is nothing more than a further attempt to in- dustrialize the total food pro- duction and processing in- dustry in Canada at the ex- pense of the farming sector. Examples cited at federal moves to implement Bill C-32 (Plant Breeders Rights,) Bill C-46 (Beef Imports), as well as federal actions to break the Crows Nest Pass Agreement. The National Farmers Union in their presentation calls upon the Ontario govern- ment to accept their respon- sibility to act immediately to preserve not only the agricultual community of On- tario, but the agricultural community of Canada as a whole by actively resisting the negative federal measures proposed by Whelan's agri-food strategy. "Ontario farmers are severely crippled by high in- terest rates and one really must wonder how effective the Farm Emergency Assistance Program is or will • be", Bright said. It would ap- pear, according to Bright, that the means test set up by the ministry of Agriculture and Foods disallows more farmers in critical financial straits that it allows. People who can obtain funding elsewhere may be eligible for funding whereas the people the plan was designed to assist may be disallowed assistance. Bright concluded the: presentation by remin- ' ;' g the Minister that provin- vernements' do ha* • the :political clout to imple- ment positive changes for farmers if governments have the political will to do so. HONDA Engines Quiet it Reliable 3-5-5-7-1 OHP Sold & Serviced by Cecil R. Squire Sales & Service Repair Shop Equipment 92 Waterloo St. Exeter 235-0465 • PLANTING TIME — The Bells, RR 2 Kippen, took advantage of the fine weather on the weekend to start planting spring grain. Marlene did the cultivating while Bob pulled the seed drill. 0 lette•f,. a pp•e' •leu 0, Bob 7,ot!e f Oa• Mu f.m.,, Ont 430 7C 7 Wouldn't it be' fine if all those people and those organizations taking potshots at farm marketing boards would cease and desist and starta justifiable public outcry against the awesome centralization of power in the rest of the food industry? First it was the consumers association a few years back.Successive presidents kept carping at marketing boards saying they con- tributed to the increase in food costs. Then came the economic council and a speeial com- mittee demanding less con- trol in the Canadian marketplace. This prestigious body, with some of the great economic brains of the country behind them, suggested farmers had so much control through marketing boards that prices could be manipulated. Recently, it was the presi- dent of the grocery manufac- turers association saying much the same things. The president called a truce not long ago, though. He said marketing boards were es- tablished and perhaps it would be better if they were accepted and worked with, instead -of agalflstA, - But what ver 'power farmers haven able to achieve, through legislation and marketing boards, can- not be equalled by the tremendous power now be- ing amassed by the four or five major food chains in Canada. Jack Riddell, Liberal agriculture critic in Ontario, said this reduction in competition can only lead to higher food prices and a reduction in food suppliers. If you supply food to one of these huge groups, you will supply exactly what they want when they want it. Not only that. but you will supply it at their price, not yours. If you don't, they will simply go some place else to get it and the volume will be so great that, without that ac- count. you will be out of business. McCann Redi-Mix Inc. DASHWOOD, ONTARIO ALL TYPES OF CONCRETE WORK REDI-MIX CONCRETE & FORMWORK PRECAST PRODUCTS DEALER MANGERS SLATS STEPS CURBS Phone Office 237-3647 Lloyd 236-4819 .Cmp Insurance 140=2-, fq weK• t.eer•.a.••r•q-- TIMES HAVE CHANGED Only one thing hasn't and that's the risk of losing your crop. With the size of today's farm investment, your risk is even higher. GET PROTECTION ! Call: Donald Weigand R:R. 1, Dashwood, Ont. 237-3418 After May 1st You're On Your Own What the food chains are doing is not illegal. Nothing in any legislation says they cannot get together for buy- ing purposes. It is not their fault. It is the fault of weak, stupid, toothless laws. Can you blame these hard-headed businessmen? They are simply doing their job to get bigger returns for their shareholders. The province of Ontario has asked the federal Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs to in- vestigate these new alliances in the food -buying - and -selling industry. While civil servants are searching to see if there is a breach of the Combines Investigation Act, the big corporations continue to concentrate their buying power. The House fiddles while consumers burn and farmers continue to defend their marketing boards. Buying groups have been a trend in the food chain for years. They are all jockey- ing to get the biggest clout. Supermarket chains now have more than 60 percent of the Canadian food market. They are most heavily con- centrated in Ontario where they'control 75 percent of the market. Nobody' can stand up against that kind of power in the hands of only a few peo- ple, not even farm marketing boards. I know of no other way farmers can even attempt to compete. They are being forced into the formation of more and more supply - management situations. Right now, the feathers in- dustry - eggs, chickens, turkeys - milk and tobacco have gone to supply manage- ment and quota systems. They set their price on a cost -of -production formula which is constantly being tested and revised. These formulae have been questioned. sometimes found wanting. and usually changed when the checks and balances have been applied. These checks and balances have been imposed by legislation. Farmers, to my knowledge are not rip- ping off the consumers. Or, if they were, they have been forced into changing. But little or no legislation exists to prevent the concen- tration of buying power be- ing amassed at the other end of the food chain. What legislation there is, is useless. It's time to do something about it by putting some teeth, some guts, into the laws which are supposed to be regulating large cor- porations. Federation alarmed over Volume One The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is alarm- ed at the decision taken by Dominion and Steinberg to pool their purchases through one buying group, called Volume One. "The purpose of these huge buying groups is to get bigger volume discounts," OFA's president, Ralph Barrie said. "but these discounts bear no Learn about farm survival The monthly meeting of the Huron Count: Federation of Agriculture will be held flay 6 at the Holmesville Public School at 8:30 p.m. The guest speaker for this evening is Bill Wolfe talking on the Canadian Farm SurVival Association. This is a new organization formed to assist farmers having economic problems. Bill Wolfe has vast farm ex- perience. He farmed himself. for 12 years in the Dobbinton area and was formerly an ex- ecutive director of OFA. Mr. Wolfe was involved in the beginning of OBEX and has now become 'one of the organizers of the Canadian Farm Survival Association. The Canadian Farm Sur- vival Association has members in both Quebec and Ontario. Their goals are to help farmers ir, this time of farm bankruptcies and limited credit. For more in- formation' and a better outlook of farm problems please come and join us Everyone welcome. f Maybe it's time Ino jumped more demanding than a car pool. relation to any cost savings to the supplier." He said volume buying will force suppliers to raise prices to their other customers: the smaller, independent grocers. "This is bound to tighten the noose around their necks," Barrie said. Large buying groups also place enormous pressure on smaller processors and sup- pliers, and may even put them out of business, Barrie said. "This reduces marketing opportunities for farmers." More of these "quasi - mergers" are inevitable if they're not checked im- mediately Barrie said. "OFA called for strong. corrective measures to restore some sanity to the food market two years ago." Barrie said. OFA was large- ly responsible for pressuring the province to form a royal commission on discounts and allowances in the food industry. "The commission brushed aside the issue, saying dis- counts and allowances weren't a problem," Barrie said. "OFA still maintains that they upset the normal order in the market place." "Things were bad enough when the chain stores were buying on their own. But the little guys will stand less of a chance against a bigger buy- ing power like Volume One." Huron farm and home news Homemakers will display bread talents What other aroma can arouse your taste buds more than the . smell of freshly baked bread? Different recipes of cheese breads, whole grain breads, coffee breads and braids all per- meate your house to bring more people into your kit- chen than you knew were around the house! The 4-11 Homemaking members have been making bread this spring during their "Bread Winners" project and now will be showing their talents at the 4-H Achievement programs. An open invitation is ex- tended to everyone. Find out what they have been doing. See their skits, demon- strations and exhibits. Find out about the next project "Move Outdoor Living." All programs begin at 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 3 - Stephen Central Public School, Crediton; Thursday, May 6 - Huron Centennial Public School, Brucefield; Monday, May 10 - Exeter Public School, Exeter; Thursday, May 13 - Seaforth Public School, Seaforth; Monday, May 17 - Auburn Hall, Auburn; Thursday, May 20 - Brookside Public School, Brookside; Tuesday, May 25 - Howick Public School, Gorrie; Thursday, May 27 - Grey Central Public School, Ethel. Join us, bring your friends - dough it now! Jane Muegge Home Economist Production of milling oats The Quaker Oats Company of Canada has contacted the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and is looking for growers who would produce milling oats for the 1982 season. If you are interested, and wish to receive more details, please contact: Mr. S.M. Lockington, Vice President, Purchasing, The Quaker Oats Company of Canada Ltd., Quaker Park, Peter- borough, Ontario K9J 7B2. Telephone:• (705) 743-6330. D. S. Pullen, Agricultural Rep. 4- H veterinary club The organizational meeting of the Huron County 4-H Veterinary Club has been set for Monday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Office, Clinton. All young people between the ages of 15 and 19 as of January lst, 1982, are welcome to join this club. Meetings will include a tour of the Seaforth Veterinary Clinic, a visit to a dairy farm, as well as lessons on parturition and preventative medicine. This fun and informative club will be led by Dr. Marina Brash from the Seaforth Veterinary Clinic and Joan Efsenbach, Goderich Veterinary Clinic. Parents are invited to attend the meetings - "4-11 is a family affair." Queen's Guineas competition The annual Queen's Guineas Competition will take place on November 19 at the Royal Agricultural Say farmers have lung disease risk "Canadian farmers have a high incidence of respiratory diseases related to the handling of hay, silage and grains as well as animal husbandry '' stated Dr. Peter Warren of Winnipeg. Warren pointed to recent surveys from Manitoba which indicate 40 percent of farmers experience some degree of respiratory problems. The symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulties breathing when working with grain, coughing and flu-like symptoms. Warren said surveys show farmers have more respiratory problems than non -farmers living in the same area and the figures are as high as workers in chemical -related industries. Warren said classic cases of "farmer's lung" are associated with wet hay when because of dampness heats up and breeds moulds, fungi and bacteria wreak havoc on the respiratory, system when inhaled. The problem of moulding hay is less a problem on the Prairies because of the dryer climate, but preventive measures should be taken by all farmers, Warren said. He also said farmers working with chemicals should wear• full protective clothing to prevent skin absorption of the chemicals. Skin absorption and not inhalation of synthetic or natural chemicals is a problem, he said. The Annual Christmas Seal Campaign has funded much of the research in lung and respiratory diseases in this area. For more information, contact the Huron -Perth Lung Association, Stratford by dialing 271-7500. WINS SOIL AND CROP AWARD — Lyle Holbrook, a junior student in the Agriculture Business Management course at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology has won the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Associa- tion trophy for winning the produce competition in the agronomy division. Making the presentation at the right is Gerrit Van Keulen, a Soil and Crop director. Photo by Norm Hyde TOPS THE CLASS - tea. JL --7 CLIFF GINGERICH AWARDED CASE SERVICE DIPLOMA Racine, Wisconsin, March 14, 1982... Cliff Gingerich of C.G. Farm Supply ltd., Zurich, Ont., Canada completed technical training courses here last week at J I Case Company's Technical Ex- perience Center (TEC). Gingerich, who lives at Zurich, Ont., Canada, Dealer specialized in servicing hydraulic systems of Case Looder/Backhoes. The training sessions are conducted by profes- sional instructors of the Case Construction Equip- ment Division. Students representating Case dealerships throughout North America, receive actual experience in various component trouble- shooting, use of modern tools, diagnosis test equipment and preventive maintenance. J I Case Company.is an international manufacturer and marketer of construction and agricultural tractors and related equipment. NOW New Universal Life Insurance Ask to see a personalized computer proposal. • A nnu t ties • Iwc.rw. RNA'$ Pions *Orem, I"suran0e *Deterred Annuities - excell.wt Rots •Ner.swsehors rots on Me leaorume• *START A MOMT1,r-IAYMINT R.11.1.1. NOW! CONTACT BOB McKINLEY (Telephone Hensall 262.5462) Dominion Life DDE OOMMf OO''E tE ASSUfiNi E COMPANY Doug Lightfoot R.R. 1, Crediton, Ont. 236287. Winter Fair in Toronto. The guidelines on this Competition have been sent out to Huron County Beef Calf Club leaders. Any 4-H members interested in en- tering this Competition may check with their local club leader for information. The official weighing -on of the steers will take place in two central points in Huron. These are at the .Hensall Stockyards on May 10 at 10:00 a.m. and at the Brussels Stockyards on May 12 at 10:00 a.m. To be eligible for entry, the steer must weigh no more than 750 pounds at weigh-in. Any 4-H *embers par- ticipating in the 1962 Queen's Guineas Competition must contact the Agricultural Office at 482.34211 or Zenith 7' 3040 (for long distance) by April 30. Don Pullen Agricultural Rep. Two young men were being interviewed for the Navy. They were asked, "Do you know how to swim?" Both looked puzzled, and one replied, "What's the matter? Aren't there enough ships?" If other lenders are giving you the run-around, come straight to us. See us at The Devon Buildii g, Exeter, Ontario REPRESENTATIVE: Rob Swim ON: The 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each Month (Next Visit Date): May 4 We're FBDB, and our mandate is to support and encourage businesses in expansion and development. We offer financing, counselling, management training, plus information on government assistance programs for business. So come see us. FEDERAL BUSINESS BANQUE FEDERALE DEVELOPMENT BANK DE DEVELOPPEMENT Your success is our only business. for an appointment for further infor- mation on the Bank's services call 271- 5650 (collect) or write 1036 Ontario St., tratford, Ontario - ei arai ■ riens ORANGE TAG SPECIAL SAVE $30000 SAVE $300 ON AN ARIENS RIDING MOWER! 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