Loading...
Zurich Citizens News, 1974-11-21, Page 17PAGE 18 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER G1, 1974 NFU meet government officals (by Ursula Regier) Across Canada the primary producers of beef cattle ace experiencing a severe econom- ic crisis, it is very apparent to the majority of farmers in Ont- ario who are engaged in divers- ified farming operations. Beef producers engaged ha the finishing of slaughter cattle have suffered heavy setbacks earlier this year and cow -calf operations are now experiencing the economic backlash result- ing from a severe decline in demand for replacement cattle, which has created a serious distortion in the price relation- ship of the various grades of cattle offered for sale on our public markets, by way of example, the price range for A-1, two slaughter steers on the Toronto market on Octob- er 31, 1974, varied from $51. -$53 per cwt. On November 1, 1973, the price range was from $42.50 - $44.50 per cwt. This year two cows, D-1, on October 31 ranged between $22. and $24. per cwt. on the Toronto market compared with $31.-$33 one year ago. They are, in short, priced at approx- imately two thirds their 1973 value, while A-1, 2 steers are higher on to -day's market than 1 year ago. Similarly, choice and good butcher calves which Novemb- er 1, 1973, ranged between 848 - 856 per cwt, in Winni- Steer This Way BY LARRY SNIDER When you jam on the brakes, you slosh fuel, so it turns into vapor more quickly. Result? Loss of fuel before it even gets to the engine. Carbon, oil or other foreign deposits on insulators of spark plugs can cause the misfiring that wastes gas. Try a silicone spray on the radio antenna, to inhibit battery post corrosion and to soften the sound of a noisy speedometer cable. Almost started a stampede on a road in upstate New York recently. Seems wind blew down a price sign at a gas sta- tion, uncovering the sign un- derneath - featuring 1958 prices! Overinflation weakens the cord body of the tire by reduc- ing its ability to absorb road shocks. Makes for a stiff ride, too. For the smoothest ride, drive a beauty from Larry Spiders. You'll get first- class tires too, each inflated to op- timum pressure. Larry Snider MOTORS LIMITED EXETER 235-1640 LONDON 227-4191 Huron County's Largest Ford Dealer Drive in soon! peg were quoted October 31, 1974 at between $35- $40 per cwt with medium and common types selling as low as $15 per cwt compared with $42 - $45 per ewt. one year ago. The situation facing beef producers today is a classic example of their exploitation by the packing house industry at whose hands they have exp- erienced similar shoddy treat- ment during the Alberta lock- out of packing plants in June and July of this year and the recent wide disparity in market prices between A-1 two steers and heifers. The encouragement for farm-, ers to produce an ever larger quantity of beef cattle to bolster the industrial develop- ment of Ontario and to meet what farmers were led to bel- ieve would be an inexhaustible demand for beef has now reach- ed a point of reconcilliation and accounting. Many cow - calf operators have only rec- ently become established with the aid of loan programs and are now facing bankruptcy. Others lack resources and facilities to winter their calves. Sure! Your Government has made itself a stoke -holder, the farmer is the risk -bolder, and have been used as econom- ic pawns for multinational corporations engaged in the food industry. Now your government, in its announced program of loans for cow -calf operators, is ask- ing farmers to extend their risks still further and have faith in an indefinite future market price for slaughter cattle over which we have no power of negotiation, our purp- ose today is repeat the demand of October 31, made to your government for cash grants of $100 for each 1974 crop calf up to a maximum of seventy- five calves per primary cow - calf production unit. We recognize the complex- ity of the situation facing beef producers today extends beyond the sole jurisdiction of the province including, as it does, the interest of the federal government making the follow- ing demancls at the Federal level -- "We have requested the Fed- eral government immediately institute a purchase and proc- essing program for plain quality cattle including canner and cutter cows at price levels no less than the 1973 average price, for these grades, "beef accum- ulated under this program could be utilized as part of Canada's food aid program to help relieve current food short- ages in needy countries. We request your support for this short term treasure. "Additionally we have req- uested the Federal Government Don't sacrifice safety to con- serve energy, advised Consum- er's Association of Canada. Locate portable heaters well away from material that might catch fire and burn and warn children to keep away from them. Have major or perman- ent heating installations made and maintained by a licensed heating contractor. Check chimney and chimney connect- ions carefully to make sure they are tight, clean and free from obstructions. It is import- ant always to keep a metal screen over the opening of a fireplace. Houses should be properly ventilated even in cold weather to prevent a build- up of dangerous carbon mono- xide gas. for the implementation of an adequate beef stabilization program for cattle with an indexing formula related to costs of production as part of an overall stabilization prog- ram for all farm products. We do not want a lift prog- ram in beef. By meeting the needs of producers in adequat- ely compensating for these classes of low grade cattle, it may encourage them to retain their young stock as replacemen animals for continued product- ion next year. We fail to see how this program meets the needs of the farmers when the Federal Minister himself accept• ed the fact last March that far- mers required $52 per cwt. for top grade slaughter steers in order to break even more recent estimates place the cost of 60- 65 cents for producing one pound of finished beef. We request your support as we see no hope for the future stabilization and orderly growth of the beef industry in this country without provision for an orderly system of marketing. "The National Farmers' Un- ion call for the immediate establishment of a National Meat Authority which will en- sure producers have an input into the prices they receive for their livestock." Such a program could place under public control respons- ibility for the forward planning of orderly growth in the meat industry, and establish proper price relationships between farm, wholesale and retail priee levels and have manage- ment over both imports and exports. It would create a marketing system that could protect the interests of both producers and consumers. A possible beef inquiry announced recently by the Federal Minster is not the ans- wer to the problem now facing farmers. Mask meetings have been held on November 7, meeting with Mr. Williams M.P., in Ottawa and again on Novemb- er 12 the NFU met with Hon. William Stewart, Minister of Agriculture in Toronto. Mr. Stewart called the federal subsidy program inadequate, but only could comment "bet- ter than nothing." ELECT: JOHN TINNEY For REEVE of HAY TOWNSHIP *12 nears experience on council *keen interest in municipal affairs *willillrt„r, t() listen to problems Your support at the polls will be sincerely appreciated! ON DECEMBER 2, VOTE TINNEY USED TYPEWRITERS (in good working condition) SMITH -CORONA, ROYAL, UNDERWOOD REMINGTON ?Inu i:'iupt see then - to appreciate th;': from $39.95 to $119.95 ideal for office use - or for students!! MlacrEi©h - HG)w70 236-4672 Zurich