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Clinton News Record, 1981-05-07, Page 12Tractors Equipment PAGE 12—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, THURSDAY, MAY 7 ,1981 Ag rep! says Farmers in trouble By Sharon Dietz Young farmers with heavy debt loads are continuing to experience financial dif- ficulties as the cost -price squeeze inten- sifies, Huron Agricultural Representative • Don Pullen says. "Many inputs have inflated by almost 20 percent over the last year," said Pullen, "and moreover, bank interest rates are close to 20 percent," "It's a. real problem for those affected, to service the annual interest on massive bank operating loans," observed Pullen when he made his annual report to Huron County Council at their April meeting last Th y. Pulleka pointed out that in his 1972-73 report he had noted a 100 acre farm with ordinary buildings had sold for $50,000. Within the last two months, this same type of farm has been selling for up to $250,000. Paradoxically, interest rates were 7 per- cent in 1972, compared to almost 20 percent now and prices for some farm products are now lower, remarked Pullen. Land rental is $40. to $125. per acre, depending on drainage, location in the county and the crop to be grown. There is a trend for young farmers to rent land, said Pullen. Bankers are telling Pullen that some pork and beef farmers may be forced out of business and a look at the local newspapers show auction sales have cer- tainly increased compared to last year. Considerable time has and will continue to be directed toward the objective of help- ing pork producers improve their farm management skills in an effort to maintain .profitability, said Pullen. Cost control measures are. being vigorously applied at ,every turn and the lid has been "ham- mered shut on most proposed expan- sions." The swine management section of the annual report shows numerous requests for advice through farm visits, office and telephone contacts. "Efforts will continue to provide credit counselling assistance to pork producers during this period of economic in- stability," commented Pullen. There was one bright spot in the report: farmers show plenty of enthusiasm in the lamb production business as market lamb and breeding stock prices are very good. The Huron County Ontario Ministry of -------_-A,gricult re and Foos-(OMA...F)_.perQonnel. have contributed considerable time to pro- vide information about production economics and flock management, in an effort to contribute to the increased pro- fitability of sheep operations in the county, said Pullen. The OMAF office has participated in several provincial and regional educa- tional sheep programs during the year, Pullen reported, and several more new flocks have been enrolled on the sheep ROP program this spring. Good crop year Last year turned out to be a better than average crop year, Pullen told members of County Council: Early spring inquiries concerning the growing of oil seed crops, flax, rape and soybeans, were numerous as growers at- tempted to switch from a depressed cereal crop market. Fortunately white mold failed to develop and damage white beans in late July and August and white bean harvest was generally excellent. Grain corn was affected by stalk breakage with' significant variety dif- ferences. As we enter the 1981 planting season, growers are making inquiries about alter- nate nate crops such as kidney beans, said Pullen. White bean growers are very op- timistic following two good harvest years and buoyant prices and the soybean crop will likely remain constant. As part of an on-going program, soil tests doubled compared with the previous fall. Farmers are concerned about rising costs and a soil test is the best way to max- imize fertilizer returns, noted Pullen. "We will encourage crop farmers to soil test in mid -summer when work load per- mits, so that their soil test program is not dependent on the occurrence of suitable weather in the fall," he added. Weed and pest control is a source of a large number of inquiries, usually urgent in nature, commented Pullen. In this con- nection Pat Lynch of the Huron OMAF of- fice has developed objectives on weed and pest control. Identification and counter staff training on weeds were conducted by Pat. and agribusiness personnel with' excellent at- tendance and participation. Problem weeds like Johnson grass, fall panicum, prosomillet and triazine resistant weeds are of real concern, noted Pullen. In concluding his report, Pullen told county council the OMAF office will con- tinue their objectives to provide farm. business management advice, including estate planning, farm transfers, tax im- plications, father -son working agreements and financial counselling. Ripley girl wins award `RIPLEY - Janice Needham, 15; of Ripley has been named the 1980 national winner of the junior judging com- petition to 4-H calf club members. Held in conjunction with the all -Canadian contest, the competition is sponsored by the Holstein -Friesian Association of Canada. Janice, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Neeham, accumulated a perfect score of 120 points to tie with only one other contestant with an accurate score. The tie was broken by a draw. Janice has been in the Ripley -Kincardine Dairy Calf Club for three years, She had the most overall Best Interest * 1 6% ONE, THREE AND FIVE YEAR ANNUAL We represent many Trust Companies. We ore often able to arrange for the highest interest being offered on Guaranteed Investment Certificates. *Subject to change EXETER 235-2420 Gaiser-Kneale Insurance Agency Inc. CLINTON 482-9747 ENTER THE CLINTON SPRING FAIR QUEEN OF THE FAIR CONTEST Contestants must be single between 18 and 23 at time of the C.N.E. in 1981 to be eligible. PRIZES AS FOLLOWS: Queen ................1100. 1st Runner Up., ..... .... $60 2ndRunner Up ,.<,....,, 140. All other contestants will receive "20.00. Judging to be held Friday, June 5, 1981. Con- testants from Huron County. Entrants must register with Mr. Elgin Thom- pson by May 23. Phone: 262-2633. points in 1978 and has been the club's top showman for the past three years. In addition to the calf club, Janice participates in a number of sports, is a member of her church choir, belongs to .4-H homemaking and vet clubs and is a meniber of Junior Farmers. After completing high school, she plans to study veterinary medicine. ship your libesteck with FRANK VOOGEL DASHWOOD Shipper To United Co-operatives Of Ontario Livestock Department, Toronto Monday is shipping day from Varna Stockyards CALL DASHWOOD 238-2707 OR BAYFIELD 565-2636 by 7:30 A.M. For Prompt Service Also Western Stockers & Feeders Available ‘111,11•1•5, ,M11111MMIMOO" Despite the cool conditions, the Clinton Calvinettes had a good time while they washed cars last Saturday, raising money for a number of projects. Included In the picture of JaneJackie Slotegraaf, Julie Hummel, Lori-Maaslk..ant and .ane Vanden Bann. (James Fitzgeraldphoto) Newly formed sheep club by David Townsend What in the world? Sheep in the OMAF office? That's right. The sheep club members are moving in, so look out! On Saturday, April 25, at approximately 10 a.m. I spotted this mysterious hap- pening. Realizing that this was not proper, I got my nerve up and went in to in- vestigate. In the office, while tumbling down the stairs, I took refuge behind a stack of papers which were. for Len MacGregor. Baa -a -a was the lamb's last words as five 4-H members watched Mrs. Florence Pullen skillfully needle'it with various drugs. Staggering under the attack, the lamb was then flipped up on his derriere and his toenails were cut in this posi- tion. This fully bewildered lamb then was emancipated into the truck. Deciding to stay, I .watched ,with undescribable curiousity. A leading sheep expert, Mrs. Florence Pullen then began firing questions to her attentive followers. The questions about raising and creep feeding a lamb were successfully answered. What is this? Nominations for a 1981 ex- ecutive followed and when the results were tabulated Darren Faber was elected president with David Pullen being his right hand man as vice-president. Secretary Julie Townsend felt that the news -reporter David Town- send should not have an ex- cuse for being late for the meetings with her name on the executive. This bumbling news -reporter also Buying a pig in a poke..... • from page 11 ni aih official capacity) made the motion for the `private' meeting 'and it was seconded by Frank McFadden. The , motion was carried without a protest. Barbara Sturgeon, an elected member of coun- cil, was then asked to leave the meeting under the pretense of, "There ate per- sonality conflicts involved :but .they hoped she understood that it was nothing personal." She then left the meeting. From this we find out that not only has the Arena Board the power to spend money Smile Kangaroo to psychiatrist: "I just don't feel jumpy anymore." +++ There isn't as much harm in things going in one ear and out the other as there is in things going in one ear, getting all mixed up, and cawing out the mouth. +++ faster than hot water runn- ingthrough a sieve, but they also have the right to bar elected officials from their meetings. A question that pops up in my mind is the one of, "Who is really runn- ing this village?" When contacted after her, departure, Councillor Sturgeon made the following statement. "I don't know Why I was asked to leave the meeting. I' hadn't said a word and was only taking notes for future reference. It is all village business and I have access to all the infor- mation anyway. I think a few people have learned a lesson from this kind of nonsense." This year's Ratepayers' meeting will be on Saturday, May 16 at 9:45_a.m. in the Bayfield Town Hall. A year ago at the opening meeting, Arena Board Chairman John Siertsema stated that the arena was paying its own way. I don't think I would have the face to make a statement like that. Is the ratepayers' executive ready to accept a similar state - Your Tom Duizer PLUMBING AND HEATING LONDESBORO Myers •Saves soap WATER SOFTENER Dealer *Cuts calcium buildup in toilets •Eliminates nasty rust marks on tubs, toilets and sinks •Helps faucets last longer FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING i HEATING NEEDS CALL: 523-4359 Don't Be Caught Short! ment again this year? By the sounds of their letter they are. If so they will only be another name on the long list of `puppet' administrations in the Village of Bayfield. As a final comment I must say that if the facts and figures are put on top of the table and there is an end to all the `wheeler -dealing' then maybe the building will be worthy oftotal support. Una :this is accomplished (and it will take sometime) they have no right to ask for anything from the ratepayers. volunteered to be on the Youth Council and a Junior Leader. As Junior Leader of the next meeting, David stated that it will take place at his father's farm, Alex Town- send's on May 23, with a grooming and showmanship workshop. This workshop will be open for visitors. Those willing to participate in the workshop please con- tact David Townsend (482- 3237). "I pledge my head...com- munity and country" was the old familiar pledge that the club adjourned to. Don't you think this excur- sion was amazing and ex- citing? I do and I, heard they're still looking for members too. If interested contact Len MacGregor, OMAF office. 482-3420. ASPARAGUS CUT TO ORDER SPRING GARDEN FARM CALL 8 P.M. -10 P M. 229-6795 ool collection depot established In response to the dramatic increase in wool rroductlon during 1980, the anadlan Co-operative Wool rowers has taken steps to ensure that wool continues to be handled as efficiently as possible. To this effect a depot for wool collection has been established in the Walton area where growers may br- ing their wool clips rather than to Toronto as has been the practise In past years. The depot will also serve as a location where growrs may pick up wool sacks and paper fleece twine. A limited line of sheep supplies will also be available such as sheep wormers and powders for ked control. The depot is located at the farm of Gavin and Marg Wright, RIM Walton and growers should phone before arriving. Phone number is (519) 527-1638. In order to accommodate the bulk of the growers in the area, the depot will be open weekday evenings and Saturdays from May 1 to Oc- tober 30. It is hoped that growers In Western Ontario will fully use this depot to ensure fre- quent truckloads leaving the depot. For more information please contact Manager, On- tario Field Operations, Canadian Co-operative Woollrg Growers Limited, P. 0. Box 9, Carleton Place, Ont. K7C 3P3. CLINTON FORD TRACTOR SALES/SERVICE *Ford Tractors and Farm Equipmont *Ford Lawn Equipment Riding Mowers, Tillers Snowblower; 'Arlens Lawn and Gar. den Equlment *Pressure Washers *Portable Heaters *Scorpion Snowmobiles HIGHWAY NO, $ WEST 482-3903 ..jRVICE FARM AND HOME REPAIRS *PAINTING *CARPENTRY *IMPROVEMENTS Before your small repairs become big ones... PHONE: 482.9365 CLINTON ONT. FARMERS IN HURON COUNTY "THINKING OF REAL ESTATE, THINK STEVE SUCHANAN" SPECIALIZING IN THE SALE OF FARMS FOR 26 THE SQUARE CALL 524-4700 EVENINGS 524-9097 OFFICE Would you like superior grass control along with higher corn yields? Then Lasso " herbicide plus atrazine is the smart choice. A tank mix of Lasso plus atrazine gives excellent control against weeds like crabgrass, fall panicum, barnyard - grass and foxtail. It also controls smarlweed, common rag'w'eed, lambsquarters, )mustard, pigweed and many other broadleaves All with reduced Carryover, too And Lasso gives you a choice of application methods for effective results You can go with either shallow incorporation or surface application You can shallow incorporate Lasso into the top five centimetres of soil, or you can surface apply Lasso within 5 days of your last tillage trip to get more dependable performance year in and year out Best of all, using Lasso plus atrazine helps you net a bigger yield, which adds up to a bigger, healthier profit And that is really smart! Lasso The Smart Choice OPEN DAILY STO5SAT. 8TO 12 xanAu DISTRICT CO-OP ZURlQ1 HFNSAL1 RRUCEPIEED 236=4393 262-3 482-9823 Monsanto en you choose Lassd pius Atrazine... a bigger yield is just a harvest ALWAYS PE/kr, ANT F I'AY THF. IAEWL F,:kEr ;r ,rt.'' Fr,rd l.tassn• a r r qi 1e,rArt'Nrrtrmrrrk rs Mr>r.^rsnfr r ,.rr,prsr.y Mnnsanto Crsr,rrrirr rnr rpgtsr rPrs usr Monaranto c_nrnpesny 1461 Mr,rsrrnan (rsr,rsrtrr Inc Wir,r3r0.0 MOnrrarsl Tnrnntn PetpneT Srsskrsfoon r'nlgnry cies re ,ver I.rrh 1R1 1 •