Times-Advocate, 1988-01-27, Page 20Page 4A
Times Advocate, January 27, 1988
Get heifers off to good start
A well managed heifer rearing
program will promote maximum
growth and hopefully result in
-heifers entering the milking string
by 24-26 months. However, heif-
ers can often be "overlooked" be -
Campbell gets
tar -award
Philip P. Campbell of Exeter,
district deputy for the Knights of
Columbus, has been named a "Star
District Award" winner for the
1986-87 fraternal year.
The announcement was made by
the organization's international
headquarters in New Haven, Ct.
Philip J. Zakoor, Ontario State
Deputy, presented the award to dig -
WIN BiG V BONSPIEL - A rink from the Ivanhoe club in London won the first draw of Saturday's men's curling
bonspiel at the Exeter curling club sponsored by Big V Pharmacies. Above, bonspiel co-ordinator Gerald McBride
congratulates Tim Tait, Jack Dixon, Evan Hetherington and Tim Dixon.
Here name is Jacqueline Connolly
and she lives at RR 5, Mitchell.
"To ignore the farm crisis is to
disregard the very life of our descen-
dants. Farmers do not faun for the
money they make. They are called
to a ministry so basic that the world
lives or dies on the outcome.
"Farming is - and always has been
- an honourable profession. We pro-
duce food so humanity might sur-
vive. It is so close to the soul of
humanity that it cannot be allowed
to become just another industry".
This is one of a handful of letters
received in the past couple of
months in response to some of my
literary meandcrings. 1 also received
a letter from a citydwcllcr suggest-
ing that the song I've been singing
about the plight of fan tors in Cana-
da is boring him.
"1 like it when you- write about
something else besides farming.
You have some interesting opinions
but I'm tired of reading your dia-
tribes about agriculture".
Well, I'rn sorry, old chap, but I
cannot help myself. 1 keep harping
on the plight of farmers because I
am deeply concerned.
If it bores you, t can only suggest
that you try to understand because it
is important to the entire world that
agriculture remains viable. •
CHAPARAL FENCING
R.R. 1, Lucan
Ontario NOM 2J0
ALL TYPES
FREE ESTIMATES
industrial Fences
Chain Link & Patio
Farm Fences
Phone Bob Hardy 227-4160
ne foot in the
lurrow' b7aRd
p
t•na,s a,a appr•c.ate0 by Bb Nolte, EEtdowd' Elm"• Ord N3B 2C) J
Those who are much closer to the
barnyard, such as Jacqueline Con-
nolly, can express it better than i
can. If we continue to ignore agri-
culture, we will all regret it, If we
treat farmers_ as just another sector
of the economy, we may live to rue
the day or our grandchildren will die
of starvation.
1 do not think farmers need to
apologize to anyone about the help
they are getting in these stressful
times from provincial and federal
treasuries. If help can go to build
arenas, sewage disposal plants, mu-
nicipal centres, libraries, industries, -
azul almost anything else, agricul'
ore docs not have to feel beholden.
Senior governments lend money
to other countries so those countries,
can buy Canadian products. Bom-
bardier is a classic example. Farm-
ers, then, do not have to feel as
though they must pull their fore-
locks because they are getting help
from Ottawa.
Farmers have bccn accused of hav-
ing the most- successful lobby in
-Canada and have had their hands too
deep in the public pocket for too
long. 1 do not buy that suggestion.
"There are lust as many other sectors
of the economy getting as much per
capita as fanners.:
And farmers, its suggested by
Mrs. Connolly, are different. They
arc close to the soul of humanity
and -should not be treated as just an -
SEEDS
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seed and forage Mixtures.
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OAC Seaforth white beans.
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229-6461
More muscle
for your money
in these times you need to make every
dollar of investment work and work hard!
That's why Zetor invites you to compare
model for model. feature for feature before
you buy!
Zetor tractors are available in two or four
wheel drive from 50 to 160 horsepower •
CHECK OUR PRICES
Model 7211
In the 65 H.P. class
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y,.
C.G. Farm Supply Ltd
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. 236-4934
other industry.
"To give you an idea of what is
happening, let me quote from a
newspaper report. :\ group called
the Queen's Bush Rural Ministry
was formed some time ago to help
farmers in distress. It is located in
Grey -Bruce Counties and is spon-
sored by the United Church.
The Farm Credit Corporation is• a
Crown corporation set up to help
fanners who were unable to get
loans from regular sources. Some of
those farmers had to default on their
payments in late 1987.
And that sante FCC was so
thoughtless, so callous, that to is-
sued foreclosure- notices to some
farmers one week before Christmas.
Now ain't that a great Christmas
present? Don't you think those pa-
per -pushing bureaucrats could have
waited until after C'hristinas:'
Is that any we ay to treat anybody''
A lesson in lousy public relations
and a dreadful way to treat another
human being.
trier deputy Campbell at a special
ceremony held in Toronto in De-
cember.
The award was presented to dis-
trict deputy Phil for piloting the
five councils in his district in an
outstanding membership recruit-
ment and retention campaign.
Out of 9,000 councils in 2,100
districts worldwide, District deputy
Campbell is one of the 350 district
deputies honoured with the "Star
District Award" this year.
cause they arc not directly contrib-
uting to the income.
Early calving heifers arc more
profitable; in fact heifers not fre-
shening by 26 months can cost as
much as $3 a day until calving!
This accounts for the extra milk
produced in a lifetime, calves born
and genetic gain, along with lower
t . four, eean fixed
overhead.
Perhaps the real dollar advantage
for early calving heifers is the re-
duction of heifer numbers on the
faun, allowing more space per ani:
mal which will result in improved
growth of all heifers. A good
benchmark to aim for is a one to
one ratio of cows to heifers.
Under poor management, calves
die and cows drop in production,
but heifers just "rough it". Since
skeletal growth comes to a virtual
stop at 24 months of age, just
roughing it can lead to smaller
heifers, health problems, and disap-
pointing performances as cows.
A Huron County heifer study in-
dicated it can cost as much as
.Si, XX) -to -raise a heifer -from -birth
to 24 months of age. Feed is the
major expense, however there are
other costs such as labour, hous-
ing, bedding, veterinary flare, medi-
cine, machinery, electricity and in-
terest. All these items have a dollar
value and should be considered
when calculating your cost of pro-
duction.
Dennis Martin
Farm Management Specialist
for Huron County
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- For the Business of Fanning -
Centralia College of Agricultural Technology
SWINE RESEARCH UPDATE
Huron Hall Lounge, Centralia College
Wednesday, February 3, 9:30-4 p.m.
815.00/person or 825 couple
A series of speakers review current research findings on topics
of interest to swine farmers. Dr. Barbara Straw, Cornell University,
speaks on the problem of respiratory disease in the finishing pig.
BEEF FEEDLOT DAYS
Agricultural Society Building, Barrie
February 9, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - $12/person
Huron Hall Lounge, Centralia College
February 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
8 15.00/person or 825/couple
Chesley Community Centre
February 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. S 15/person
Available in three locations, the beef day program addresses issues
regarding the business of cattle raising. In his presentation, "Making
the Best of a Risky Situation" Bryan Boyle, ag. Rep. Lambton County
discusses the economics and strategies necessary to succeed in
beef farming today. University of Guelph researchers and experts add
to the program information on: factors affecting tenderness, research
on by-pass protein, carcass weight and financial accounting systems.
This is an excellent chance to remain current in the latest production
techniques.
Ministry of
Agriculture
and Food
ONTARIO
Jack Rliddeil. Minster
To register for more i nformaticn contact
Continuing Education:
Centralia College of
Agricultural Technology,
Huron Park, Ontario NOM 1110
A Message to
Grain Farmers
Special Canadian Grains Program -1987 Extension.
Tthc• federal government has announced
he 1')87 extension of the Special
Canadian Grains Program
. The subsidy t ar between the i.'nited
States and the European Economic Community
is continuing to financially affect Canadian
farmers. This program will help offset the low
world prices of 1987 grain. oilseed and special
crops caused by this subsidy war. .
For crops produccd in 1987. this special
assistance has been increased -to S1. I Killion.
Also increased is the number of eligible crops.
The grain. oilseed and special cropk. included
in the program are listed below.
1i/Farmers who applied for a paYment
under the Special Canadian Grains • .
Program last Year have been mailed application
forms this year. Other farmers can obtain ..
forms by calling the toll -tree number. or by
contacting.
• Agriculture Canada regional offices
• Farm Credit Corporation Offices
• Offices of Members of Parliament
• Elevator agents
• Producer associations
• Provincial extension offices.
A separate application form will he
distributed to honey producers in
mid-February.
A first installment payment covering
about three-quarters of each farmer's
total entitlement win'be made before March 31.
1988. Final payments will he made by the end
•ot lune. •
Farmers who do not receive a first install-
ment payment *will receive their total p,lvment
in June.
The application deadline is
March loth, 1988. .
To he eligible for the assistance ail farmers
moist suhmtt an application toren. They must
he postmarked no later than Ntarch 16. 1988.
if you need nuore information, call toll -tree
between 7 a m and 7 p.m . EST
1.800-267.6343
wheat parley oats rye mixed grains corn soybeans canola flax
sunflower k'eeds dry peas mustard lentils canaryseed
safflower buckwheat field peas faha beans honey alfalfa for processing
pedigreed seed popcorn triticale farm fed grain.
' �' Agriculture
Canada
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