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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-08-26, Page 29Chain stores in this country carry so much clout that few independent food stores can compete with any degree of sues cess. • • It seems a shame that so many small stores have been and are being forced out of business. The so-called convenience stores such as Mac's, Becker's, Short Stop and Kwikie Minit Markets are part of chain stare competition. The big brothers off the food business have invaded every sector. Dominion Stores has a chain of convenience stores and a chain of Thrift stores- Soon, there will not be a store type or even a decent location that does not have some type of chain connection. Which is not to say that what is happening is illegal or even a plot toback the consumer into a corner from which she or he Must buy from a chain. It is pure and simple: it is competition. Steinberg's ( Miracle Food Mart), the Oshawa Group (ILIA, Food City, Towers, Dutch Boy), Provigo (M Loeb Ltd., IGA ), or Dominion Stores, I I-li-Way Market I or Loblaws (7ehrs ) are in business to make money. By opening thrift stores, con- venience stores or super -sized supermarkets, they are trying to provide the buying public with all the variety that con- sumers constantly demand. • What I can see happening in the next decade is big battles either between or among the chain stores: They have already exhausted their growth possibilities by forcing .the small stores out. Eventually, they are going to clash head-on with each other. Loblaws and Dominion are already slashing at each.other's markets, with stores in many cities and towns positioned for battle. Rumors abound throughout the food chain and one big rumor is that Argus Corporation, or whatever they call themselves now, would like to sell Dominion but nobody has the necessary bucks to swing such a massive deal. At least, no one already in the food business. A & P, once a power .throughout some parts of Canada, is owned by a German supemarket company and seems to have•lost ground in re- cent years or is certainly not expanding visibly. Canada Safeway, with such a stranglehold on the Prairie Provinces, is U.S. owned and would have trouble expanding because of the Foreign Investment Review Agency. • Perhaps the Weston empire, owners of Loblaws, could sw- Simcoe County hosts 1981 IPM What started in Ontario's earlier days as a regional plowing match is now. one of .the )argest outdoor farm machinery shows in North "America. The International Plowing • Match and Farm Machinery Show (IPM) attracts more - than . 175,000 visitors to. its tented city each year: The site of the ,plowing match and farm machinery show moves to a different part of the province each year. Simcoe County is host for the 1981 IPM September 29 to October 3. "The -400 ha (1000 -ac) site is .located 7 km northeast of Barrie on the Gordon 'Atkin- son and neighboring farms," says Bob McMahon, 'secretary -treasurer of the Ontario Plowmen's Associa- tion, official sponsor of the event. "The tented city features more than 600 ex- hibitors on a seven -street layout." Exhibitors in the tented ci- ty range from farm equip- ment dealers; feed suppliers and other farm suppliers to • banks, . automobile and recreational vehicle. manufacturers and home ap- pliance dealers. "The IPM offers farmers an opportunity to discuss an" aspects of farm equipment and other inputs, with bankers, dealers and di'stributors,'' says Lots at CNE • "There's something for everyone at this year's agricultural fair," says Ross Farr, agriculture manager at the CNE. Whether you are a farmer or plain city dweller, child or adult, pet enthusiast or admirer • of arts, there will be something to interest you in the agricultural complex down at the CNE. Daily events this year in- clude the horse show, hor- ticultural displays, Farm Prod'Ex '81, a petting zoo, the international wood carv- ing show, dairy lane display and tropical fish show. Special events include the livestock show which runs from Friday, August 2$ to Wednesday, September 2; rabbit and cavy show, Sgptember 5-7; Ontario dairy princess compefition, August 26-29 and August 3'1 - September 2; and agriculture-hoOidfilture day which this year is being held Wednesday, September 2. McMahon. "Many farmers .. set the week aside to tour the exhibits and renew old ac- quaintances." • Although the rural popula- tion makes up a great 'percentage •of..the match at- tendance, there are also many attractions for the ur- ban rban visitors. "Many of the events. organized by the .Simcoe County planning committee, such as the square dance competition and mayors' plowing competition,. ' are geared toward the urban au= ' dience," says McMahon. "Also, many of the exhibits, particularly the antique and historical exhibits, are popular with the urban visitors." Admission to the. Interna- tional Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show is $3 for adults, $1 for children. Parking is $2. The , site is located between Highway 93 and Highway 400; just north of Barrie. For more informa- tion contact the Ontario Ministry. of Agriculture and Food's agricultural and hor- ticultural societies branch at )416 )965-1091 or contact your Local agrictultural office; .e+,e•a a+e oppre, anew by Bob 7.o,ve. E,oete Fid tavv+.+® on, Nae 2C t ing the deal but as mentioned, they have too many stores in direct competition with Dominion to make the purchase seem viable in the long haul. Of course, the Thomson money = Simpsons, the Bay, Zellers, about 50 newspapers, a travel agency, , a trucking firm, North Sea oil interest and so on - could possit4y swing it. But such concentration of economic power would, I think, be impossible atthis time. The possibilities are not endless but simply taking an out- sider's -look indicates that the chain stores have considerable power in this country and could have more. Until such time as effective competition laws are enacted in Canada, the concentration of power, especially in the food business, will continue. Yet governments hold expensive, exhaustive hearings such as the recent judicial -inquiry into food industry rebates, dis- counts and allowances. Such as the recent series of reports by the Economic Council of Canada on regulations in the Canadian economy: I think those economic eggheads galloped off in the wrong direction. Instead of taking pot shots at farm marketing boards, the ECC should have done a complete and com- prehensive study on competition laws in Canada instead of trying to curb marketing boards. Competition is still the life blood of trade. I'm convinced that if competition can be preserved and even encouraged right across the whole Canadian economy, then farmers would be the first people to return to a free market system. They could -thrive without the protection now afforded by marketing boards. Until such time as that happens, they need these boards. They have fought long and hard to get them. B UTLER - Ring Drive Silo Unloaders Big Jim Silo Unloaders Volume Belt Feeders Convey -n -Feed Cattle Feeders Single Chain Conveyors B arn Cleaners Oswalt Ensllmixers FARMATIC- Blender Hammer Mills Blender Roller Mills B lender Mills for Ground HI -Moisture Corn Augers Leg Elevators ACORN - Cable Barn Cleaners . Hydraulic Manure Pumps WESTEEL-ROSCO Grain Bins - 1,350 to 250,000 bu. Bulk Feed Tanks ACME - fan -Jet Ventilation Systems ASTON Ventilation Systems ▪ it, L- . Complete Hog Confine- ment Systems SLURRY -SLINGER Liquid Manure Spreaders CLAY - Parts and Service fors Clay Equipment AERO -FLUSH Liquid Manure Pumps, Aerators, Separators WE HANDLE EVERYTHING -ALMOST LOWRY FARM SYSTEMS, RR 1, Kincardine, Ont. Phone 395-5286 Remember the saying "You don't have anything if you don't have your health". It's true. C' DO YOUR AUTO INSURARICE RATES MAKE VOL RISE? EXAMPLE: LIABILITY 4500,0'00 STANDARD MEDICAL BENEFITS 1250. DEDUCTIBLE COLLISION 125. DEDUCTIBLE COMPREHENSIVE 6 MONTHS ONLY 162,00 612,50 46." 628,°0 6149,10 Further discounts available for 2 or more cars. If vehicle is driven to work more than 3 miles one way slightly higher. • BASED ON MOST 1980-1981 CHEVS, BUICK S, FORD 5, PONTIACS. For mare information car -deaf: GODERIQ3 SIGNAL .STAR, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, PAGE, 13A Huron horne and farm new§ Grain harvest is upon us! It seems that little time has passed since spring planting, yet most wheat has been harvested and the harvest of the other cereal crops is just around the corner. Howwell have you, prepared for the busy harvest period. ahead? Hopefully, by now, equip- ment will have been put in top operating condition with all protective devices in ee Your most . important assets in the season are the people who work with you. A seasoned combine operator, a family member or a novice employee - everyone in the harvest crew -should be fully aware of their obligations and responsibilities in the Bays ahead. A sit-down meeting with family members ` and employees before the start of the harvest would be very much to the point. Start out by outlining the sequence of crops and fields to be harvested. Explain how each crop is to be handled in terms of transfer to on-farm storage or local elevator. People develop a greater in- terest in their work when they have some understanding of the total process. Thorough briefing of new employees on the safe, effi- cient use of equipment is essential- This would also be a good time to review safe operating procedures with more seasoned help. Each individual should be made responsible for daily maintenance (lubrication, etc.) of the machine(s) they will be running: Owners' manuals should be with all pieces of equipment. En- courage operators to use the manuals to familiarize themselves with machines and to be able to deal with minor problems before they lead to a costly breakdown. Does everyone know what to do in the event of an acci- dent? Is there someone in the family or on staff who has a basic .knowledge of first aid procedures? Are fire extinguishers and first aid materials located for quick access? Now is the time to ask yourself these questions, and take necessary action to correct the "no" answers. Time spent .planning harvest time and training employees will reduce the down time during this crucial period. It will also set the odds against a major ac- cident. Len MacGregor, Ext. Assist. No Subsidies for feeding granary weevil Are you yoli doing an adequate job of storing your grain, or are you fattening up grain in- sects? It's hard enough to protect your growing crop from in- sects, so make sure your storage losses are miniYniz-. ed. Granary insects cause damage by lowering seed weight, reducing food value, lowering seed germination, contributing to heating and spoilage, contamination, and reduction in market value. - Sanitation is the most im- portant management prac- tice. Store 'grain in clean bins. Thoroughly clean out the bin, and never add new grain on the top of old grain. Grain storage bins should be separate from feed storage and livestock housing This is td reduce migration of in- sects, and prevent heating.of the grain by outside sources. Maintain storage facilities in grain tight conditions. Before adding new grain to clean bins, Malathion in- secticide can be sprayed on floor and walls to kill insects that remain in or migrate to empty bins. You should spray at least two weeks prior to storage for best con- trol. The grain itself can make a difference. Storing clean, dry and cool grain (11 percent moisture) inhibits insect activity. If granary in- sects do become problems in your stored grain, control measures are available. Insects are inactive at temperatures below 40 degrees F. In winter, moving the ' grain, perhaps -several times, can louver the grain temperature to safe levees. Properly applied fumigants to stored grain may also give satisfactory control, but for best results, clean out the grain bin thoroughly prior to storage of new grain. There's no market for fat granary weevils - so don't feed them. John Heard, Assist. Ag. Rep. WATER WELL DRILLING • FARM a SUBURBAN • INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • • FREE ESTIMATES • GUARANTEED WELLS • FAST MODERN EOUIPMENT • 4 ROTARY & PERCUSSION DRILLS "OUR EXPERIENCE ASSURES - LOWER COST WATER WELLS" DAVIDSON WELL DRILLING LIMITED 4 Rotary and Percussion Drills PHONE 35)+.1960 WINGIIAM Collect Calls Accepted "ONTARIO'S FINEST WATER WELLS SINCE 100" Prices in • - this ad • valid till Aug. 29. / 1981 Simply fill out a charge card application a1 your • nearest Conklin Home Centre & we'll credit your new account $10 ' towards future purchases.' Offer expires Aug. 29181; new accounts only. 'not redeemable for cash ROUGH PINE xi 0 CHAIN LINK FENCING Build your own. chain link fences in full galvanized or vinyl coat. Both are 48" and come in 50' rolls. Do-it- ypursel.f—it's a cinch with this easy to, install fencing. Sd ft. Roll Weldwood`Vinylsiding Is a durable. maintenance free exterior cladding made from. polymerized vinyl com- pounds and stabilizers. It won't absorb moisture so it won't warp. split or rot. ,48" VINYL COAT- ED 2" MESH OR 48" GALVANIZED DELUXE MESH PER 96 SO. FT. CARTON WHITE ONLY FIBERBOARD SHEATHING Build additions, sheds, garages etc. Panels measure 4 x 8 x 7/16" and are asphalt coated on two sides. 30" INTERIOR DOOR Select varnish mahogany grade, 30'"•'x 80" x 1-3/8" 41 Conklin usual PV?�+ price 527.49... 32" INTERIOR DOOR Select varnish mahogany grade`4, + 32" x 80" x 1-318" Conklin usual price 528.55 32" BI -FOLD SLAB DOOR Select varnish mahogany grade 32" x 80' x 1-3/8" Eq. (t ' Conklin usual price 541.75 32" EXTERIOR HOLLOW CORE DOOR . 32" x 80" x 1-3/4"� Conklin usual price $43.65 32" CEDAR EXTERIOR DOOR This quality door measures 32" x 80" x 1-314" with window. Conklin aseal price Eii)7.s9 While we make every effort to continue the supply.of advertised products due to space limitations some items may . not be available at some.locahons Rain cheques W,H be available wherever possible MAHOGANY MOULDINGS 2-114" COLONIAL CASING SET Two 7 ft. & one 3 ft. Conklin usual price 58.85 2-1/4" CASING SET. Two 7 ft. & one 3 ft. Conklin usual price 56.55 4-9116" JAMBS Two 7 ft. & one.3 ft. Conklin usual price 513.45 1-1/4" DOOR STOP • Two 7 ft. & one 3 ft. Conklin usual price 53.85 2-1/4" COMBINATION BASE Conklin usual price .30 3-1/4" COLONIAL BASE Conklin usual price ,44 LIN. FT. W' 16 STORES TO SERVE YOU KINGSVILLE HARROW AMHERSTBURG WINDSOR WEST .WINDSOR CENTRE WINDSOR EAST RIDGETOW'N WEST LORNE EXETER G GRAND BEND THEDFORD GODERICH KINCARDINE SOUTHAMPTON OWEN SOUND KITCHENER Rif chener Oiuilaf town 733.2341 738-2221 736 2151 734 1221 254 1143 7276001 674 5465 768 1520 235 1422 2362374 296 4991 524 8321 396 3403 797 3245 376 3181 893-,7901. 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