The Huron Expositor, 1984-10-31, Page 21TURN IT OFF—Michael Murray was not
impressed when the fire siren sounded at the
Seaforth firehall. Michael and fellow friends
OSCIA in
process of
upgrading
soil maps
The Ontario Soil and • Crop Improvement
Association in co-operation with the Ontario
Institute of Pedology and the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food are
presently in the process of upgrading
portions of the soil maps for Huron, Perth,
Bruce, Grey, Wellington and Waterloo
counties.
The objective of this pilot project is to
collect pertinent data that will compliment
the existing soil information. It is hoped that
this additional information will allow for
better and more accurate soil interpretations
(i.e., improved C.L.I. maps, soil conservation
and soil management recommendations).
The data collection phase of the project will
be completed during the first 10 to 13 weeks
of the program, after which the data analysis
and interpretation phase will follow. The final
stage of the project will involve the synthesis
of new information and its presentation on
1:50,000 scale maps. These maps will then be
distributed to the interested parties in the
above mentioned areas.
If successful this project will demonstrate
the ability to upgrade existing soil maps
without a full scale soil survey. it is
anticipated that in the coming year this
project will be expanded into areas of the
province not slated for regular soil survey
updating in the near future.
The co-operation of the landowners and
agricultural representatives in the concerned
areas is greatly appreciated.
Tough measures
pay dividends
for producers
Canadian egg producers swallowed some
bitter medicine last Jan. in the form of a five
per cent quota cut. But recent government
statistics indicate it's been an effective
anecdote for surplus production, the Cana-
dian Egg Marketing Agency said.
Statistics Canada reported this month that
hen numbers at the mid -way point of 1984
dropped four per cent from year-earlier
levels. This indicating widespread producer
support for the quota -cut program. The
report confirms CEMA 's field counts which
show the national laying flock at 23.4 million
birds -a million fewer than last year.
The one tier cent difference between the
quota cut and actual hen inventories is due to
a higher degree of quota utilization this year.
CEMA allocates quota to the provincial egg
marketing boards which in turn determine
the number of hens an individual producer is
allowed to keep.
Last year, egg supplies outstripped Cana-
dian demand resulting in heavy surplus
stocks. This surplus had to be sold on
depressed world markets, forcing egg
producers to pay heavy export subsidies
directly out of their pockets. The surplus
situation is now much improved due to the
quota cutback.
Exports have dropped 40.4 per cent in the
first three-quarters of this year to 936,000
boxes of 15 dozen from 1.6 million boxes in
the same period in 19&i. Since consumer
demand for eggs In Canada is cyclical,
exports are a way of life for the,egg industry.
Demand traditionally peaks at Easter and
Christmas while it falls during the winter and
summer months.
CEMA must ensure a steady supply of
eggs at all times of the year, so surplus stocks
during periods of low demand are inevitable.
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, OCTOBER 31, 1984— AS
People make the difference
BY RI Swine S" E, M. Sc.
t
The entrepreneurship has gone out of the
hog business. A few years ago it looked like
the hog business had unlimited opportuni-
ties; as if there was no tomorrow.
Dynamic, Versatile and infinite opportuni-
ties was a common outlook. NQW Its .a tired
industry. It's like a hot bath once you're in it,
it's not so hot. Even pork producers with good
equity are buckling down the. hatches. I've
had several. porktraducers say, "I'm tired
and frustrated. If the margins continue as
they are, I'm getting out of the business. Not
because the bank wants me to get out, but
because I'm not getting anywhere."
So if you plan td stay, be prepared to be
competitive. The hog industry is not like a
ballgame with three strikes or three outs. It's
a game with no time outs, no replays, no
half-time and no trial runs, it's a sudden
death game.
I believe supply and demand still sets our
prices, except we've saturated our demand
side of pork consumption. There's no
creativity, research or imagination in product
development. Red meat producers are
waiting for someone else to do product
development for them.
Without an influence on demand, the only
other way is to influence demand vyith price or
control supply. You can reduce I your costs
(thus price) even more, to become interna-
tionally competitive or you can close yourself
off to supplying a local market. To date many
advocated trying to lower cost of production
because off improved production opportuni-
ties.
The. second option implies quotas and this
option has never been clearly defined to me.
Dr. Bowman reported quotas are not
impossible if the industry so chooses, but I
have not been able to rationalize the
implications from competing meats; provin-
cial agreements; who sets policy; who retains
quota value; how do you enter or leave the
business; basic economic principles.
Others claim we already have a quota
system defined by Darwin in 1859 called
'survival of the fittest'. It's a ruthless,
inhumane and materialistic method, but like
Churchill said, democracy is not perfect, but
it's the best we have until we can come up
with something better. Short term, the only
option, is to look at all your alternatives to
reduce your cost of production.
of the Seaforth Pre -School Learning Centre for As a result, more producers are 'methokeeaping
s to
toured the f ire hall last week. (Waasink photo) finetune their opeetter records anrations.. searchSS me who thought
they were doing well, are finding they have
not been able to reduce their operating loan in
the past few years. With land prices coming
down, they're not so well off as they once
thought. Don't let the income tax return fool
you of your financial status. This year ask
your accountant for an accrual financial
statement along with your tax return.
i believe the biggest entrepreneurs left in
the hog business are in the age category of
early twenties. These young rink takers are
very impressive with their creativity, energy
and dedication. They are not caught up in the
tradition of having to own a land base. Not
owning land has given this group an
advantage over my age group, who have
grown up under a false economy of inflation,
often blaming everyone but themselves.
However, we need the entrepreneurs from
across the industry. Only intrepreneurship
can maintain our level of efficiency and
productivity .competitive with international
markets. The " industry needs a renewed
interest from the producers ‘ ho have equity
and who have done reasonably well in the
past. The industry cannot afford to coast.
There still are opportunities in any
business if we follow our Dad's advice: "work
hard, be shrewd and produce a quality
product, " Excek, :u this day and age we have
to recognize the implications of graduating
into a plumbers' union, legal profession Ar
having a C.A. or D.V.M. behind your name.
There are opportunities; but change becomes
the challenge.
Profit from Our
2725
EAT=
NITS
Num
This exciting new hybrid is characterized by its red
coloured grain and exceptional bushel weight.
Subject to licensing.
1983 PERFORMANCEOA.A
K1184 ri PIONEER M AVERAGE OF ALL
3950 OTHER VARIETIES
vino
eE ABEnACE
••000011151018
1. reasiunu
8/ACBE
SOURCES OF DATA
1983 Pnde Porto/ma/ICA Dela
Based on corn
(N 53 50/bu
CORN -FORAGES -SOYBEANS
GEORGE BLAKE — Brussels
MIKE LANE - Seaforth
WALTER McCLURE - Seaforth
The results are in
U.S. university and dealer results from the past four growing seasons prove it -- strip
applied fertilizer produces a higher yield than broadcast applications'. The reason is con-
centrated placement. Plant roots are more able to feed from a nutrient -rich strip than
from a diluted total coverage application.
Whether you are in conventional moldboard, minimum till or no -till , strip application
results in improved nutrient efficiency.
W h e n'
progressive changes
are necessary
Depend on your Co-op
to make them
Our Strip -Jets are on 20" centers
IIeiisaIIDiStriCt l
Henna II Zurich >Pueetletd ®et®�tk
1-800-265-7097 262-3002
527-0770