Times-Advocate, 1986-04-16, Page 304
Par, 14A
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Times -Advocate, April MOM
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The foresight -of Valentine Becker He continued, `"The gai s'in produc- families applied to this program and
over 50 years ago was highlighted at Uvity in agriculture especially in the this far NO of these applications have
the official opening Friday of the new post war era have come about impart been processed representing payment
Exeter location of Becker Farm through the close working relation- of $2.8 million." •
Equipment. ship between dealer and customer About other farm programs, Rid -
With more than 500 area farmers in and the quality of products and ser- dell said, "We've made the long talk -
attendance, Ontario's Agriculture vices available at the local equipment ed about national stabilization pro -
Minister Jack Riddell paid tribute to dealer." grain a reality for red meat pro.
Mr. Becker in starting an Interna "The customers of companies such ducers and for them we have also set
tional Harvester farm machinery as Becker Farm Equipment are the up a fund of over $30 million to cover
dealership in Dashwood in 1934. heart of this industry, the people who retroactive payments for 1985.
Since that time sons Bill and Bob grow the good things Ontario is In conclusion he said, "To the
have taken over the company and famous for. Beckbr brothers and their families 1
recently purchased the N. T. Monteith Riddell went on to say, "In the nine know I don't have to sell you on the
facility in Exeter. • and a half months since our new merits of Ontario's farm people. They
In his opening remarks Riddell government took office, we have tried are your customers. You have made
said, "I would like to salute the entire to set agriculture on a new course in your reputation by providing good
Becker family who founded this com- this province and naturally what we products and good services in
pany and carried on the business in have done is aimed at improving the Dashwood and now I'm sure you will
Dashwood for more than 50 years. It economic prospects for our food uphold that proud tradition in your
shows the confidence the Becker's producers." new location in Exeter."
have in the agricultural industry. A The Agriculture Minister pointed to JI Case general manager Brian
farm equipment dealer is more than the new Ontario Family Farm In- Kirkpatrick was one of several of -
a business. It's an important resource terest Rate Reduction Program say- ficials from the company in atten-
for the farming community." ing, "Here in Huron nearly 800 dance. He said, "We are proud to
Beckers open Exeter facility
of veteran deaI.r
haveeffir Becker's as our
r �Uvas.,•
patridc and Riddell assisted
Bob and Bill Becker and their parents
Valentine and Verna Becker in cut-
ting the ribbon to officially open the
new Exeter facility.
Also on the platform were Huron- .
Bruce MP Murray Cardiff, Exeter
maorruce Shaw and
Mickle BTI latter alson brouBill
ghtt
greetings from the County of Huron
oo behalf of warden Leona
Other uests included area reeves,
Lionel Wilder from Hay; Tan Tomes
of Stephen and Gerald Prout from
Usborne.
• Best Intertest
• au.ra..d
93,; to tntment
Certificates
* subject to change
OalsoraKmndN
Insurance Brokers Inc.
Exeter Arend lend
233.2420 2384484
Clinton Hormel' Ooderich
482-9747 262.2110 324-2118
CAI$ADA•ONTARIO
Crop Insurance
GUESTS AT BECKER OPENING — Politicians and officials from Case IH were on the platform Friday
as the Becker Farm Equipment facility' in Exeter was officolly opened.
T -A photo
OF THE SAME ERA — Tom Consitt and Hubert Miller check over a McCormick -Deering W30 tractor at
the official opening of Becker's Farm Equipment in Exeter. T -A photo
T.1
•
9
1
•
1f 1 were in charge of the major
farm organizations in this country, 1
would hire the loudest public relations
firm I could find.
The firm needs to be loud. It needs
to be shouting in arothe right places
to make the voice of farmers effective
in a country that 'eems not' just
apathetic but anxious to lose its rural
roots.
Recent presidents of the (Mario
Federation of Agriculture have
stressed the need for constant lobby-
ing by farmers. Some members of
that organization have suggested that
their officials have put too much
stress on lobbying. I'm with the
presidents.
There are fewer farmers getting
Usborne &
Hibbert Mutual
Fire Insurance
Company
Exeter, Ontario NOM 150
(Established in 1876)
Provides Full In-
surance Coverage
for Town Dwellings
as well as Farm
Properties
DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS
Jock Harrigan RR 3 futon
Robert Gordner RR 2 Staff()
Lloyd Morrison RR 1 St Marys
Lorne Feeney RR 2 Dublin
Jack Hodgert RR 1 Kirkton
Robert Chaffe RR 5 Mitchell
2274305
3452139
2298177
3452543
2296152
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AGENTS
Ross Hodgert Woodhom 2296643
John Moore Dublin 345.2512
Joseph Unioc Mitchell 3489012
A refund from surplus was
declared for all policyholders
who qualify, ore on record and
in good standing os at December
31, 1985.
f
elected as members of either parlia-
ment or the legislatures. Fifty years
ago, almost every person had some
contact with agriculture but it just is
not true today. As recent as 1948 -
that's recent?- a farmer, Tom Ken-
nedy formed a government in On-
tario. There has not been a farmer as
premier in Ontario since that time.
I can remember when'the sittings
of the legislature were .rul&1 by
farmers. The members went home
for seeding and harvesting.
jet does not work that way now
because the number of rural seats has
steadily declined, inevitably, with
continuous urbanization. Of the 125
seats in the Ontario legislature, only
about a dozen can be classed as
strictly rural.. Hill Davis, in fact, had
to appoint a non -farmer as agminister
when Dennis Timbrell took the •
position.
In Premier David Peterson's
cabinet, only Bob Nixon and Jack
Riddell call themselves farmers and
both were teachers at one time.
It is clear that farmers, once the
strongest group in government; no
longer have any clout. I recall reading
accounts of the legislature from the
1940s and early 1950s When every
other question would he about
agriculture. Today, I would have
grave doubts if more than 20
members of the legislature know the
first thing about milk quotas, egg
marketing or Holsteins. And I doubt
if more than 50 or 60 it the House of
Commons at Ottawa are conversant
with the mammoth problems facing
most farmers across Canada today.
The sad part of it all is this: the
MPs and the MPPs do not know the
difference between a hereford or a
Holstein and they do not even care.
They are indifferent to the problems
of farmers and consider them as just
one more squeaking wheel searching
for government grease.
That is the terrible truth. But they
will continue to ignore agriculture at
their peril.
At no other time in the history of
farming has the whole of agriculture
been so muted and so ignored. Would
governments in other decades have
allowed so many farmers to go.
'broke? I do not think so.
The western world prospered only
when land ownership was made easy
after the Crusades. Initiative was
created. It is no accident that coun-
tries rich in material blessings are the
same countries where governments
have encouraged a prosperous and
respected agricultural sector. It is
surely no accident that private
garden plots in Russia produce five
times the amount per acre that the
collectives produce.
Where governments ignore and ex-
ploit agriculture is where poor health
and`'hunger walk hand in hand. Where
starvation has become a way of life
is where farmers are considered
second-class citizens.
When agriculture is healthy, the
rest of the economy is healthy.
And that is why farmers should be
shouting their message loud and
clear, on the mountains, over the hills
and everywhere. And if they can't
shout for themselves, then hire the
best damned public relations firm in
the world to do their shouting for
them.
PLAQUE FROM CASE — Bill and Bob Becker of Becker Farm Equip-
ment receive a plaque from Brian Kirkpatrick, general manager of
JI Case at Friday's official opening of the Becker facility in Exeter.
To crown king, queen
Spring is on its way, and yes, the
Huron County Junior Farmers are
preparing for their King and Queen
contest. Each April a new King and
Queen is selected to represent this
organization at many of the year's
events.
The selection process consists of an
interview, speech and the display of
a talent. Many capable delegates will
be competing for the crowns. (Two
delegates from each of the five Huron
County clubs - one guy and one gal.)
This contest will take place on Mon-
day, April 21 at the Clinton Public
School. All spectators are welcome!
The crowning will take place on
April 26 at the Clinton Legion at the
"Spring Fling". Everyone is invited
to participate in the dancing and the
celebration of our new King and
Queen. For more information about
either of these events contact your
local Junior Former president or
call: Dianne Oldfield 527-1436 or Steve
Webster 523-4304.
Seek Agricrew workers
Agricrew i a great summer work
experience. The program is for young
people between 15 and 24 years of age,
who have unlimited energy, and are
willing to work and learn. It gives
students a challenging job with plen-
ty of variety and the chance to work
with other people. Some farm work
experience is required.
Agricrew is a great opportunity to
learn new agricultural skills. The*
are foreman and crew members posi-
tions available. Applications may be
obtained from the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food- Office in
Clinton.
Crop club underway
The South Huron 4-H Crop Club held
their first meeting April 10. The
places for holding meetings were set
and project books handed out.
The leaders are Alan Powe and
Cliff Hicks. President Jamie Oke,
Farmers
Book Now
to have your spring seed
grain custom cleaned on
your own farm. Oats,
Barley, Rye, Wheat,Mix-
ed grains, Soya and
White Beans.
Coll
Jim McLachlan
519-232-4454
Your area contractor
for
CANADIAN MOBILE
SEED CLEANING LTD.
Vibe president Gary Wilson,
secretary Robbie Hern and Press
reporter Michael Jeffery.
The next meeing is at Jamie Oke's
May 14 and the subject is soil struc-
ture and, tillage. •••
PRODUCTION
ARE
IINNIERTNANEVERBEIFORE
You stand to foss more than you might think
from unexpected hW, frost, drought, flood,
wind, insect damage and diose.
Crop Insurance makes better sense every year.
Agent
Donald Weigand
RR 1 Dashwood, Ont.
4 v NOM 1 NO
D.adlIn. May 1st .
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