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Times Advocate, 1993-02-17, Page 9Former ag minister optimistic about future of farm business EXETER - Can Canadian fanners compete? ThAt was the question asked by former Ontario Minister of Agricul- ture Jack Riddell at Huron Tractor's annual farm industry show Monday night. Riddell was emphatic in response to his own question saying, "You bet we can compete. It will take a little innovation, a lot of changes with the main emphasis on quality, and the willingness to adapt our- selves, our attitudes and our institu- tions to new conditions and technol- ogy. I believe that Canadian fanners in particular, with their history of innovation and diversification are well placed to take up the challenge. Remember, that if you develop a su- perior mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door." Riddell started out by saying that there have always been ups and downs in the business with many successes, but also with many fail- ures. This trend is expected to con- tinue in the agricultural sector in the 21st Century as the industry goes through many changes, but it will make its presence felt as a leading nation in the production and export of top quality food. He continued, " The industry will survive despite all .the obstacles: to its progress for we have the people who will make it survive and are prepared to take up the challenge. We can•no longer keep our heads buried in 'the sand. We must begin to Lace reality. One reality is that Canada is a full partner in ,the US/ Canada Free -Trade agreement much to the delight •of some and to the consternation of others. 'We are also a signator to NAFTA involving free trade over time with not only the U.S. but Mexico as well. The other reality is that our agri- culture and food industry will be more oriented to the Global econo- my than in the past, having relied previously on a more predominate basis to the North American econo- my. We will have to compete with the EEC as well as the Asian coun- tries which will now come into their own due to recent political changes." According to Riddell the Canadi- an and Ontario farm population will continue to decline faster in numbers than in political influence. The rural population will continue to grow in areas near urban centres, both in numbers and likely in oppo- sition to certain farming practices. Depopulation of these rural areas away from urban centres will make it more difficult for those who de- cide to stay on the farm. The overall output of agriculture will continue to climb, but its com- position will change gradually, away from basic commodities. Once the trade deals have been im- plemented, Canada will still be a major exporter of grains, oilseeds ,ltd livestock with increased shifts 'tip value added products. Depending on th GATT deal and the implementation of NAFTA, changes will occur in poultry,_ and horticulture. Canada's food pro- cessing industry has lost output and employment in many areas during the past three years. Although processing supply com- modities have been maintained, its future depends on the outcome of trade deals and international firms .will continue to play plants in dif- ferent pans of the world against each other for the right to process a line of products. Canada's ability to compete for such global mandates will depend on cost of raw materi- al, labour, land and costs of servic- es and government policies such as fiscal and environmental. Riddell challenged area farmers to be competitive. He continued, "Competitiveness is the sustained ability to profitably gain and main- tain;market share and being able to deliver the right product at the right time in the right quality to the right customer." The opts ttwt lead to compet- itiveness are being environmentally stable, create opportunities for eco- nomic rewards to all segments of the sector, Legitimate business prac- tices free of government interfer- ence in the market place and to rec- ognize that Canada competes against products from other coun- tries in either the domestic or ex- port market. "Quality is the important facor in all of this. When I was in Japan I saw where they have portion con- trol with all food packaged in the same size. We can certainly follow that practice and beat the U.S. hands down with products that the customer wants. We have quality control in chicken products and they don't have", said Riddell. "In the future we are not going to be talking about the American type, standardi7.ed commodities made in economies -of -scale sized plants, that are all the same. This will not be the Canadian experience, partly because the market is changing and partly because we don't have 260 million patriotic throats down which we can stuff it." In the future we're going to have different markets with segments based on convenience, service, quality, product differentiation and "service in part" because of our ag- ing population. We will use breeding,,biotechnol- ogy and management oto make cows, pigs, sheep, peas, core and • everything else to Jaye special characteristics for 'individual nich- es." A new method of corn breeding has resulted in a type that when fed recently to pigs has cut their choles- terol content in half. The former ag minister said with the hue and cry about environmen- tal pollution, ethanol fuel produc- tion will be an excellent use of corn. Ontario's former Minister of-Agdculture Jack Riddell was the guest speaker at Huron tor's annual farm industry show Monday night. Above, Riddell in the centre, discusses problems with Huron Tractor partners Frank Winters, left and Peter Hakvoort. Trac - farm Farmer lnformati�n Meeting WednesdayFebruary 24 Hensall Community Centre 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lunch provided Special speakers Call 262-2527 if you are planning to attend l Times -Advocate, February 17, 1993 Page 9 Lucan farmer Thys DeVries explores The Great Canadian Bean Co. Inc. booth at the Huron Tractor annual farm industry show on Monday afternoon. Exeter 11 4-H EXETER - Meeting two, of the so far nameless Exeter II Stichers, was held on February 8 in the Ne- thercou family room. Attendance was high with good success in the search for materials, these howev- er, were put aside and business was attended to. The opening pledge and recount- ing of the last meeting activities by Tracy Snell was followed by the roll call and the question, "which project has each member decided to make, and why?" The club is still without a name and title page representing them, but it was asked that ideas be brought to the next meeting on Feb- ruary 15. The remainder of this meeting was spent by beginning the first sewing project, with help from leader Chris Passmore, and junior leader Tracy Snell. Durii g the fol- lowing week these projects were to be completed and brought to meet- .:ulg three,, , . , . , .. A Snack, provided by two mem- beas, concluded the meeting which was adjourned at exactly nine o'clock. Usborne 4-H By Melissa Prout USBORNE - 4 -Hers in Usborne had their fust meeting on February 9 to "Explore 4-H". The meeting began with a game, demonstrating how important it is to give clear di- rections, and to listen carefully. Election of the executive was then held resulting in Dawn Morley as president; Kelly Stephens, vice president; Sarah Revington, secre- tary; Jackie VanEsbroeck, treasur- er; and Melissa Prout, Crystal Da- vis, Cecile Maes and Maria Harrigan as press reporters. Other members of the club are Brenda Miner, Barbara Harrigan, Laura Skinner, Rhonda Dougall, Alaina Hern, and Amy Hodgert. At the end of the meeting mem- ber's pamphlets were handed out, with a reminder to collect some sewing supplies for the next meet- ing. lw Have us Prepare Your 1992 Tax Return Accurately and Efficiently Starting at 119.00 - Receive your refund from Revenue Canada in as little as 2 weeks by filing electronically with us. Call 263-3039 for an appointment or visit our office in Hensall beside the P.U.C. office 15 years experience W.H. MACGREGOR Farm Accounting Service 114 King St., Hensall Ont. NOM 1X0 Team Players Here's a great performance package for corn growers in the 2800 to 2900 heat unit areas. These DeKalb corn hybrid numbers are well worth remembering DK421 and DK401. DK421 has 3 years of consistent performance under it's belt and DK401 is a new contender for 1993. They're both great team players. 66 So get over to your. DeKalb dealer and order this power pack" of outstandinghybrids today and put DK421 and DK401 on your. team. So call your DeKalb dealer today or call 1-800-567-8086: And don't forget, DeKalb Days March 22 to 26, 1993. DeKalb High Performance Hybrids"' I'ademark of Uel alb Canada Inc. 11 Division of Parrish & Heimbecker, Ltd. Producer Meeting &Crop' Planning Seminar Thursday, February 25, 1993 South Huron Recreation Centre, Exeter 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. This year's meeting will be shorter and more streamlined, with its focus on White Bean Production. ******************* Topics include: p White Bean Variety & Production Update OBPMP White Bean Market Outlook CZ1111) ertified Crop Care a Soils and Fertilizer Strategies p Goal Setting Strategies Please call your nearest Cook's Branch if you plan to attend, so that we can have an accurate number for lunch arrangements. Hansa!! Centralia Kirkton Walton Atal ed Amberiey Beechwood Parkhill 262-2410228-6661 2298986 527-1540 30042 A95-3601 232-4281 294-6256 887-9261 {♦il�(� < RO1' If 1