Loading...
Zurich Citizens News, 1976-11-10, Page 19eef farmers BY BILL WOLFE Bill Wolfe is a member of the Executive Committee of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, which represents nearly 24,000 Ontario farmers. He operates a farm in Bruce County. Beef farmers call themselves free enterprisers operating in a world-wide supply and demand market. Realizing the cyclical nature of our industry, we have to take the bad years with the good. Over the years, the industry has been good to most of us, but we must keep in mind the effect of inflated land values on our im- proved net worth. I am concerned about several factors confusing our supply - demand system: the Nixon price freeze with resulting border closing, the present Ford beef import quotas and the dumping of Oceanic beef on our market. There are also the federal stabilization payments on slaughter cattle. Are feeders paying more for stockers ex- pecting a payment? We don't know what the 1976 stabilization level is, Why not? If feeders ever needed a payment it's this year, but will payments go equitably to those who suffered the greatest losses from selling on lower markets? Then there's the provincial Cow -Calf Stabilization Plan. Are producers keeping cows another year simply to receive a payment? That's potentially disruptive but most cow -calf producers need payments, Not ready for management Incentive programs will eventually lead to supply management -- unless the U.S. is willing to take all our surplus • beef. The beef industry isn't ready for supply management yet -- mainly because no one can comprehend how it would operate successfully and, of course, because we are free en- terprisers. But I am not saying that supply management would not work for our beef business. Indeed, some producers insist that it would. If we could find a meaningful stabilization or income insurance Obituaries THORNTON Suddenly at his residence, Zurich, Ontario, on Friday, November 5, 1976, Lloyd Ernest Thornton, in his 52nd year. Beloved husband of Donna M. (Chittuh) Thornton. Dear father of David Lloyd, Karen, Jacque- line, and Nancy, all at home. Dear brother of Joyce of Water- loo. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Thornton predeceased him. Funeral services were held from the Westlake Funeral Home, Zurich, to the Menno- nite Church, Zurich, on Sunday, November 7 at 2 p.m. Burial was made in the Wingham Cemetery. Pallbearers were Gerald Gingerich, Elmer Oesch, Jim Oesch, Asa Steckle, Philip Steckle and Arnold Steckle. MRS. LEAH BAECTILER Leah Baechler, wife of the late Solomon Baechler, passed away at South Huron Hospital, November 8, 1976, in her 83rd year. She leaves to mourn her passing, one son William of Exeter and five daughters, (Eva) Mrs Clarence Gascho, Zurich; (Gertrude) Mrs. Oliver Steckle, Bayfield; Verda, Zur- ich; and (Irma) Mrs. Floyd Buehler, St. Jacobs. Also sur- viving are 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The body is resting at the Westlake Funeral Home, Zurich until Thursday noon. The funeral will be held at the Blake Mennonite Church Thursday, November 11 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Clayton Kuepfer officiating. plan, applicable at non -incentive levels, we would all be happy. For now, at least disruptive support to our system would be after the fact, stop -gap payments to producers who had suffered heavy losses. We need a realistic federal meat import law. We are the only beef importing country without such a law. What about our marketing system for slaughter cattle? Many farmers would like to make changes. The farmers who sell efectively direct to packing plants are living off the backs of their neighbours who pay com- missions to sell their cattle through public auction markets -- where everyone's price is set. Should all slaughter cattle be sold through public auctions, especially if we had an effective carcass settlement auction in- troduced? Would we have a fairer re free price if all packing plants competed for all the cattle? Teletype system Some farmers suggest a teletype auction system similar to the hog program. Can you see cattle being offered for sale without ever leaving your feed lot? A successful TV feeder cattle auction was held recently in Billings, Montana, where 14,000 feeder cattle were offered for sale in a few hours. The cattle were still on the ranches where they had been filmed. The buyers, assembled in one auction ring, viewed motion pictures of the cattle on large TV screens, The owner or his agent described the cattle and conditions of sale and the owner was given the last bid. THAT LOOKS LIKE FUN—Dale Gingerich watches as Marty Merner takes his turn at sliding down the steep lawn in front of his home. The snow on Friday couldn't have happened at a better time for the school children as they had the day off while their teachers attended a professional development program. Photo by McKinley We're still open to serve you again this snowmobiling season. Service for all makes and models. Hours 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily Sundays and Holidays 9 a.m. to 12 noon We have in stock Skiroule demonstrators and many other used brands for sale. SEE YOU SOON! John Elder ENTERPRISES Hensall, Ont. Citizens News, November 10, 1976 -Page 19 nterprisers Improving system We need improvements in our beef industry, but let's not make hasty changes under the economic and emotional heat of a period of severe losses. Let's have maximum farmer involvement in the planning of any government programs. And let's make our changes through our democratically run County Cattlemen's Associations. Get out and join your local beef association. If you're not in- volved, at least on the ground level, have you any right to complain? As in the past, OFA is usually willing to support the OCA. T.U.C.O. PRODUCTS HENSALL DISTRICT CO-OP invite you to attend an INFORMATION MEETING on. M.G.A. FOR CATTLE to be held at the PINERIDGE CHALET, NOVEMBER 15, 1976 5' 7:30 P.M. Lunch and Refreshments Don't Delay . . Come In Today 1973 OLDS ROYALLE 4 -door, full power, air conditioning. Licence DFU1 18 1971 BUICK ELECTRA 2 -door, fully equipped. Licence COJ257 1972 MAVERICK 2 -door, 6 cylinder, automatic. Licence BZF515 1973 BUICK LE SABRE 2 -door, full power, only 30,000 miles. Licence DHA055 1973 BUICK LE SABRE 4 -door, fully equipped including air conditioning, power windows and power seats. Licence DJY193 1975 MAVERICK 4 -door, 6 cylinder, automatic, power steering, AM radio, rear defogger, only 29,000 miles. Licence JCNO21 1972 GALAXIE 500 2 -door, V-8, automatic, double power. Licence DFJ384 1970 FAIRLANE 500 2 -door hardtop, V-8, automatic, power steering and brakes, new paint. Licence CZN778 1974 LTD BROUGHAM 2 -door, V-8, automatic, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, power seats. Licence DFZ742 1972 FORD Custom Ranchwagon, V-8, automatic, power steering, radio. Licence DFU549. '3795 1895 9995 '3295 '3495 '3695 1595 1395 '2895 1760 Remember ... It's Sense T© See Snider's Huron County's Largest Ford Dealer Lamb Snider Motors LIMITED EXETER 235-1640 LONDON 227-4191 Open Weekdays Until 9:00 Saturdays Until 6:00