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Clinton News-Record, 1983-08-03, Page 1f BA Y A i.' :LD UGLE incorporating THE BLYTH STANDARD 50 cents— No. 31 Wednesday, August 3, 1983 118th year Much-nee,'ied rain gives relief to some farmers; crops survive By D. Kloeze In the agricultural business, it appears, no news is indeed good news. The only news this week for most farmers is that they do not have to worry any more about their crops, and with the rainfall this area has seen over the weekend, farmers can now turn their worries over to something different. Crop yields are expected to be down this year from last year's record, but there should be no major losses, according to John Heard, from the Ministry of Agriculture office in Clinton. Area crops seemed to have survived the hot dry weather we've had in southwestern Ontario, says Heard. Although the corn was especially showing symptoms of the unusually hot weather with little rain, it too should not fare badly. Signs of the hot weather were leaves rolling up and bur- ning around the edges. This is the most critical period for corn, because it is now coming out in tassel. So far, the plant development has been normal, says Heard, but the rain was really necessary for pollination. Rainfall, even in the past week, has been very sporadic in the Clinton area. Some areas are still very dry, while others are getting quite enough rain, almost too much. The rain, in some places, loosens up the soil, and the crops have a harder time withstanding the wind. Heard has seen corn in the outside rows of fields tilting after strong winds. Too much moisture can also promote mold in white bean crops. Farmers have already been warned that some bean crops can be in danger from the mold, if they have received much rain recently. The mold can be pretty devastating to the plants, but Heard says he would not be too worried unless the beans have had a couple of inches of rain. There are some areas in Huron County that have received that much rain. But the biggest crop in the area is corn. Heard estimates that the yield this year will be about 90 bushels to the acre, slightly lower • than average, and well International conference below last year's record of 115 bushels per acre. Wheat is being harvested now in Huron County. Heard says that in Kent and Essex counties, some farmers were finding that their wheat had dried up without fully ripening. Here, again, the reports have been variable. One farmer, east of town, claims the quality of his wheat has so far been excellent, and he's shipping the grain out from Goderich on the boats. Others have not been as enthusiastic about their crops' results. Heard says so far he has heard of very average yields for wheat : from 50 to 70 bushels per acre. The dry weather has caused other serious problems for wheat farmers - straw fires. Heard says, "It happens every dry year we've had." There have already been several started this year, usually by vehicles that are quite hot and come in contact with the straw in the field. The fires can be very thorough, destroying several acres in minutes. Barley and oats, like wheat, were also threatened with drying up before the seeds had a chance to fill out, but it not yet known if any real damage has been done. Canola, a new crop to the area, is not faring too well this year. Heard says there is -quite a bit of canola near Lucknow and Dungannon; this is really the first year it is being grown commercially. The canola seeds are crushed, and the oil used to make cooking oil. Canola is a cool weather crop, and does not grow well in the hot, dry weather. The rain received in the past week has been a big help to area crops. But not all areas have been relieved, and there are still quite a few farmers who are still looking for the rain to come. According to Heard, it will not be a record year this year; but then again farmers should not be expecting any major losses. He thinks that some of the crops in the area are doing really well, whereas others are obviously suffering from the weather. He says, "This is the kind of year when you can really judge the farmer's management by his crops." Farmers and fishermeninvestigate crisis Farmers and fishermen from North America, Europe and Asia met for four days in July to investigate the growing in- ternational crisis in agriculture and food production. Over 125 delegates mapped out global strategies for ongoing communica- tions and actions to address the problems identified. Cletus Dalton of Ashfield Township at- tended the International Farm Summit in Ottawa July 7 - 10 as a delegate for the Huron County Farm Survival Association. The theme of the summit was Forging the Links at Ottawa. "What we discovered," commented Allan Wilford, president of the Canadian Farmers Survival Association, "was that farmers everywhere face very similar conditions. Enforced low commodity prices and insufficient income are displac- ing farmers around the world. In addition, the seizure of prime farmland for urban sprawl and airport construction are another form of land expropriation threatening the survival of family farm- ing." The Survival Association, along with the U.S. Farmers Association and the North American Farm Alliance, were the main sponsors of this first ever international Farm Crisis Summit. Major items of discussion included an in- ternational approach to dairy production and marketing, effects of low grain price policies on both first and third world na- tions, and the principles of equitable inter- national trade. Throughout the slunmit, ef- forts were made to overcome the common perceptions that have worked to create conflicts between farmers in different countries. Several of the delegates from other countries toured the United States and Canada to investigate the farm situation in North America before the summit. One of these farmers, Thomas Moller, dairy farmer from Denmark, remarked he was shocked to find out that the farmers in the United States -and Canada face many of the same economic problems as they do in Europe. "We are told that the farmers in North America are all rich and drive big trac- tors, and that our problems in Denmark or Europe are somehow isolated. The truth is that we share the same problems and we must world together towards solutions," said Moller. The summit made plans for further in- ternational meetings, including a meeting thiswinter between representatives of farm organizations in the Northern Hemisphere with farmer and peasant organizations from the Third World. In addition, the summit set up an ongo- ing communications structure, made plans 'for visits and exchanges between countries, and adopted recommendations from the working committees. "This was a once in a life -time ex- perience," said Carol Hodne, midwest coordinator forth _ U.S. Farmers Associa- tion and the forth American Farm Alliance. "We have started a small flame, and now we must nourish it till it grows -in- to an international movement. The real test, however, will be in the future. As our farm economies continue to worsen, more attempts will be made to confuse farmers by trying to place the blame on other coun- tries. This summit will provide a forum for opposing these efforts to pit farmers against each other in the coming months." "In Europe," said Bruno Buffaria from the National Federation of Farmers Unions in France, "the newspapers and televisions only give us part of the picture of the problems of North American agriculture. What we found out in talking with American farmers was that their con- ditions were very similar to ours. We both have big problems, and we must work together to solve them." Junior Farmers go on tour By Stephanie Levesque Junior Farmers from across the province, toured farms in four counties this past week to gain insight to soil and crop management. The 48 Junior Farmers in- cluding some from as far away as Rainy River, were based out of Centralia Col- lege of Agricultural Technology July 25 to 29, and each day travelled through the counties of Perth, Huron, Oxford and Middlesex. Farm business advisor Herb Norry, of the London ministry of agriculture of- fice, 'said the young men have "either just started or are getting ready to farm". Each was chosen from their respective county organiza- tions. They toured about 20 farms in the four counties . Last week -the Clinton Legion donated $1,250 to the Clinton Hospital building fund. The Legion had previously donated $2,500 toward their goal of $5.000. Pictured, left to right : Legion President Steve Maguire presenting the cheque to fund-raising Chairman Steve Cooke, Legion first Vice-president George Lauzon and second Vice-president Gord Tait. (Rod Hilts photo) enabling the Junior Farmers to see a variety of farming methods. The tour is headed up by OMAF in co-operation with the Ontario Junior Farmers. Representatives from the agricultural extension of- fices in each of the four coun- ties assisted in selecting the farms to be toured. Farms were selected on the basis of "offering lessons to be learned" for the Junior Farmers said Mr. Norry. This annual tour has been taking place for about 20 years said the OMAF representative. A registra- tion fee of $100 is paid by the Junior Farmer or his club with the remainder of the ex- penses, including a bus for travelling, picked up by OMAF. Locally, Perth associate agriculture representative Art Lawson accompanied the farmers during their tour of Perth. From Huron Coun- ty, John Heard travelled with the farmers for the en- tire week acting as soils and crop specialist. On Wednesday, July 27, the group toured the farms of Ken Flanagan, Dublin; White Brothers, Seaforth; Don Henry, Bluevale; and Ray Hogan, Ashfield Township; all in Huron County. The following day they visited the farms of David Branch, Staffa; Don Hawkens, Fullerton; Players Brothers, Gadshill; Bernard Murray, Embro; John Alderman, Lakeside and Bob Debrabendere, Rannoch. At the Player Brothers swine operation near Gad - shill, the Junior Farmers heard the story of these two young brothers, John and Gord, and the progress of their operation since 1979. the pair stressed record keeping for all aspects of the farming operation including crops and the swine. "Interesting and easy" record recommended John. Turn to page 3 On July 30, Seamus Doherty of Clinton left for Columbus, Ohio to represent Ontario at the Knights of Columbus convention. Mr. Doherty has travelled around to various cities, villages and towns picking up pins, pamphlets and souvenirs to promote Ontario to countries from all over the world at the convention. (Rod Hilts photo) Town Hall - Library work progressing on schedule By Rod Hilts Tim Lassaline said it best when he said "there's been a lot done but there's still a long way to go" in describing the progress of the Clinton Town Hall -Library Renovation Project. Mr. Lassaline, who was hired by the Town of Clinton through the Experience '83 program, is the Clerk of the Works for the project. His job is to keep a daily diary of the progress on the site. "The project is going well," said Mr. Lassaline. "All the structural work has been completed and the tenders have been named for the interior and mechanical work at the library." Another part of Mr. Lassaline's job is to take photos of various stages of con- struction. He also takes pictures of the furniture that used to occupy the town hall, the library and the police station. He then presents the photos to council, the local police department and the engineer for their decisions concerning possible renovations. The renovation plans are then put to paper by Mr. Lassaline and Kevin Church, the assistant architect on the job. He also has to size material to scale and describe the materials and their location through detailed drawings. Mr. Lassaline stressed that none of his drawings are final. "The final drawings are left up the the architects. My drawings only give them some ideas to go on and assist," said Mr. Lassaline. A key part of Mr. Lassaline's job is to assist as the liason between council, the engineers and the workers. As well as his daily diary, he prepares weekly reports for council. Mr. Lassaline, a native of Goderich, has completed his first of three years' in the Architectual Techniques cour§e' at Fan shawe College in London. According to Mr. Lassaline, the engineers are concentrating on the library right now. The plumbing, drywall and studding will be the first areas of concern. On the exterior of the library workers have been patching, cleaning and repointing the brick. On the town hall, workers are un- derpinning the foundation. Mr. Lassaline says that the project has gone virtually problem free but as is the case with most century old buildings "there are a lot of hidden problems." He says workers ran into some problems with a rotten beam in the library which had to be replaced. For a future update on the progress of the Townhall-Library Restoration Project, Mr. Lassaline's progress reports are available at the Clerk's office for public viewing. Hullet township taxes increased 6.5 per cent By Rod Hilts In Hullett Township, taxpayers will face a 6.5 per cent increase in taxes, approved by the township council at their June 27 meeting. An average public school residential taxpayer, with an assessment of $5,000, will be paying $59.60 extra in taxes this year from $921 last year to a total bill pf $980.60. the total mill rate for that resident is 196.12, compared to 184.20 set in 1982. The seperate school supporter will see the mill rate go up from 185.91 to 198.80. With a $5,000 assessment this means a dollar figure of $994, up $65.55 from last year's $929.55 bill. The business and commercial rate for 1983 jumped from 216.70 mills to 230.73, an increase of $70.15. This year the taxpayers bill will be $1,153.65, up from $1,083.50 in 1982. While the general tax rate has increased this year, the rate has not jumped as much as it did in 1982 when residents were faced with a 12 per cent increase. Hullett Clerk Harry Lear explained that the rate was lower this year because last year the township had to pay $32,000 to cover the cost of a completed gravel pit. Mr. Lear said that this year the township is hoping to complete the township line between Hullett and McKillop township. Roads throughout Hullett Township are also to be improved through construction. According to Mr. Lear, an increase in residential and business and commercial construction has increased the assessed value. He said residential construction increased an estimated $45,000 while business and commercial increased $3,000 over 1982. This accounted for the $70.15 increase in the business and commercial taxpayer's bill for 196 In education levies, the public rate has gone up 12.3 per cent this year. The secondary school rate went up 5.06 per cent and the seperate figures have in- creased by 13.74 per cent. In Auburn, taxpayers will face an in- crease of six per cent in their taxes. The mill rate rose from 220.66 to 233.99, an increase of $66.65 over 1982. This figure includes the cost of re -paying the deben- tures on street lighting, which were in- stalled along village streets in 1979. Exhibit opened A front page photo in last week's News - Record contained false information in the cutline. Pauline McGibbon was not opening the Jack McLaren Art Gallery but rather the Jack McLaren exhibit. The Art Gallery is called the Blyth Summer Festival of the Arts. The News -Record apologizes for any inconvience this may have caused Weather 1983 198;[ HI 10 NI LO .JULY 26 29 7 26 16 27 31 8 21 15 28 30 15 22 12 29 26 20 24 9 30 28 18 27 10 31 26 16 21 12 AUG. 1 25 14 26 12 Rain 118mm Rain 76mrn