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The Huron Expositor, 1982-07-21, Page 15Farmers are different On@ 'ffcxA On IN@ qumw by Mb 46©IN®o Some farmers out there in the boondocks can write. Some of the newspapers with editors brilliant enough to use tbis deathless prose every week carry a heading with the column which invites letters. Sometimes. I get one in a eck. Sometinies, half a dozen, especially i.f 1 write a colutnri extolling the virtues of nuclear energy for peaceful purpbses. especially to supply energy„ come rolling into our mailbox at the end of the lane. ft Would be impossible to acknowledge every letter that comes my way. However, one arrived a few days ago that is extremely interesting and much ail is worthy of reprinting. It was written by R. Stephen Thompson, R.R. 2, Clinton. Ont. (I always have reservations about people who use a first initial in front of a given name, Stephen. Ain't it sort of pretentious?) Ido agree. though, with much of what R. Stephen ThoMpson has to say. He 'is a farmer by occupation, an economist and a businessman with a couple of degrees to his credit. Here's what Mr. .Thompson has to say: "No one can deny that retail prices for supply managed goods are higher than in the U.S. and higher than they would be without marketing boards- .which were formed principally to increase and stabilize prices to the farmer and have been successful. Naturally, these higher prices to farmers eventually become higher retail prices because of the generally inelastic processing costs. To deny that food under supply management costs more than in similar open market systems is to deny the original purpose ,for introducing supply management. "Mr. Whelan's statement about food price increases is a, classic example of the type of misleading generalizations I try to unravel. Food prices. ...(include) processing, handling and retailing costs. For many years, consumers have been demanding increasing amounts of packaging with food items. Thus, the farmer's share of the food dollar is continually declining as the consumer seeks even greater processing and services. . "There is nothing sinister or mysterious about this. If the total food purchases in 1981 were made in the same format as in 1976. the price increases would probably be far less than 75 per cent. It is the increased amounts of processing and the rapidly -increasing costs of that processing which are causing the 75 -per -cent increase." Mr. Thompson maintains that poultry, for instance, takes less processing than many other foods and to compare total food costs of one or two relatively unprocessed components, =•as Mr. Whelan continues to do --is Misleading and of little value. And Mr. Thompson is absolutely right. He also maintains, though, that the key questioti in supply management is: How long is society willing to pay extra to support certain segments of the agricultural industry in Canada? He compares farmers to textile workers and suggests they, too, should be given protection since Canada has a cold climate and clothing is necessary. Or shoe manufacturers. "I cannot believe." he state's, "that we farmers are any more important than any other special interest group.," Which is where I part company with Mr. Thompson. I believe farmers are different. I believe that agriculture is so basic to this entire nation that farmers must be treated differently. The textile industry in Canada is almost dead now yet few mourn its passing. But food is too basic, too necessary. I remember some years ago listening to Gordon Hill, a`" past -president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, who has constantly maintained that farmers and farming cannot be compared to any other segment of the economy. "We are more than businessmen. We are different. We are, dammit; we are farmers," he said, "and we deserve different treatment.' ' I still cannot explain it after writing about agriculture for more than 20 years. But Gordon Hill was right. , Farmers are different, dammit. It's LOt tax ti ut aybet it s Nuitc,fi 'MUM P@WO For most farm people it is not income tax time. Possibly we should have income taxes filed quarterly. because it seems it is the only time many farmers really examine their books. In working with the Ontatio Farm Adjustment Assistance Program. I have been as- tounded how little many farmers know about their own farm operation. It appears they take the shoe box to the accountant once a year, and that's it in most- cases. Would a business man do this? Not very likely. He would be taking off gross sales, likely each day or week, and keeping tab on his .expenses and prepare a profit and loss statement regularly. I'm not suggesting a profit New owners There are changes in the area farm publications scene this week with new owners for one publication and the supervision of another. Two Huron County women have taker their knowledge and experience in farming one step further. With the formation of a new partnership, Sheila Gun - by of Dungannon and Bev Brown of Bluevalc. both of whom have been actively farming for the past 12 years. will now be channelling their energies into the publishing business. The pair, both well in the agricultural commu- nity, are the principals in gunby brown publishers, based in Dungannon. Flag- ship publication for the new enterprise will be "THE RURAL VOICE". a monthly farm magazine which was started in the early 70s by Kcith Roulston of Blyth and sold to McLean Bros. Pub- lishers Ltd., Seaforth in 1977. The women have been on the editorial board of the maga- zine for five years and are planning a smooth change- over which will not affect the e, ould and loss for farmers. I do feel they could easily keep run- ning totals on what income has been received and ex- penses incurred. A scribbler, farm account book or the accountant's record book should be kept up regularly. Keep income and expense totals for each month and bring these figures forward for totals. This way you would know your position at each month end. Why leave it to year end or next March? Know as you go. Stan Paquette, Associate Agr. Rep, An Expositor Classified will pay you dividends. Have you tried one? Dial 527-0240. Remember, it take but a moment to place an Ex- positor Want Ad. Dial 527-0240. knf9r Rural Voice magazine's 7,000 farm sub- scribers in Huron, Perth, Bruce and Grey counties. We will be continuing the format which was developed by McLean Bros.,' ' Ms. Brown says, "and we will be retaining the same editorial board, most of whom are actively involved in farm- ing.' ' Meanwhile, J.W. Eedy Publications Ltd. Exeter an- nounced the indefinite su- spention of its year-old 20.000 -circulation Farm Up- date, which was sent free distribution to farmers in Feeder pigs sell higher dTig, aecd'zy©fi'clo The market at Brussels Stockyards traded under pressure on all classes Of fat cattle with very few choice cattle on offer. Cows sold steady. Feeder pigs sold higher. There were 608 cattle and 1430 pigs on offer. Choice Steers -82.00 to 86.00 with sales to 87.50. Good Steers, "9.00 to 82.00. A steer consigned by Carl Trapp of R.R. 1. Elmira weighing 1140 lbs. sold for • '.50 with his lot of 9 steers :Averaging 1121 lbs. selling for 86.20. Eighteen steers consigned by George Underwood Farms of Wingham averaging 1259 lbs. sold for 86.00 with their load of 2' steers averaging 1300 lbs. selling for an overall price of 85.'0. Six steers consigned by Martin Murray of Seaforth averaging 1231 lbs. sold for 84.50 with his lot 01 12 steers averaging 123- lbs. selling for 84.20. Five steers consigned by Gordon Hopkins of R.R. 1. Hanover averaging 1108 lbs. sold for 83.50. Three steers consigned by Norman Bonnett of R.R.1. Belgrave averaging 1100 lbs. sold for 84.00, Sixteen fancy light steers consigned by Murray Forbes of Clinton averaging 1027 lbs. sold for 82,85. Choice Heifers -78.00 to Every week more and more people discover what mighty jobs are accom- plished by low cost Huron Expositor Want Ads. Dial 527-0240. 82.00 with sales to 82,75. Good light heffers•75.00 to '8.00. A heifer consigned by Bob Blake of Brussels weighing 1160 lbs. sold for 82.75. Three heifers consigned by Robert M. Scott of Seaforth averaging .1025 lbs. sold for -9.25. Two heifers consigned by John Bennett of Goderich averaging 1015 lbs. sold for an average price of 80.00. A heifer consigned by Barry Jacklin of R.R. 2, Bluevale weighing 1120 lbs. sold for 81.25. Choice Cow s•56.00 10 59.00 with sales 10 61.85. Good Cows -52.00 to 56.00. Canncrs & Cutters -48.00 to 52.00. • 30 to 40 lb. pigs traded to a high of ai.m. 40 to 50 lb. pigs to a high of 56.25. 50 to 60 lb. pigs to a high of 6-.25. 60 to 7016. pigs to a high of -4.50, -0 to 80 lb. pigs to a high of 82.50. . Tasty -Nu Specials • Hamburger :39 Hotdog Rolls • B's Reg 91c Save 33c 2/1 49 Marver Cheddar Cheese 2- 8 9 lb a .. WE HAVE SHAW'S FRESH DIPPED ICE CREAM CONES -... J.M. Schneiders Cold Cuts TASTY NU BAKERY & CHEESE HOUSE 14 Main St. Seaforth . 527-1803 Huron, Middlesex and Perth. "We're not out of it for- ever. We'll be back in a shot if things turn around next spring." said advertising manager Jim Beckett. He cited rising costs of publicat- ion and "the soft economy in agriculture" as the reason for suspending publication. • Every week more and more people discover what mighty jobs are accom- plished by low cost Huron Expositor Want Ads. Dial 527-0240. EF© GOOD TRACTOON - Lorne Glanville of VValton had plenty of traction in the antique division of the mini -tractor pull held a,t the Seaforth fairgrounds on Sunday. He purchased the 1936 steel wheeled John Deere eight months ago. The pistons and valves were seized at the time. He is seen above, firing up the work horse. (Wassink Photo) Don Pullen honoured Huron County agricul- tural representative Don Pul- len -is the first recipient of the newly inaugurated Dis- tinguished Extension Worker Award, presented by the Canadian Society of Eaten- sionists at a banquet on July 13 during the Agricultural Institutes of Canada conven- tion at the University of British Columbia. AIC membership includes the Canadian Society of Agri- cultural Economists, the As- sociation of Faculties of Agri- culture in Canada, the Cana• diart Consulting Agrologists Association, the Canadian Farm Mangement Associa- tion. the Canadian Society of Agrii.ultural Engineers, the Canadian Society of Agron- om and Field Crops and the Canadian Society of Animal. Science 'as well as Mr. Pul- len's associates. the Cana- dian Society of Extensionists. The national award has been established to recognize and encourage those who go well be9nd the call of duty while performing the myriad tasks v. ithin (and outside) the purv iew of an agricultural extension tl orker. Candidates were nomi- nated hv local groups of Receiving WHEAT KEN R. CAMPBELL FARMS LTD. R.R. 1, Dublin 527-0249 Asomaguarali, extension workers, and sub- missions included supporting documents from present staffs and farmer associates. Mr. Pullen's record as an agricultural extension worker covers the last two decades. He was raised on a beef, hog and sheep farm in Perth County, active in 4-H and Junior Farmers, a Queen's Guineas winner in 1956 and a National 4-H Conference del- egate the following year. After receiving an asso- ciate diploma in agriculture from Ontario Agriculture Col- lege in Guelph in 1958, Mr. Pullen worked as a slimmer assistant agricultural repre- sentative for Perth. Welling- ton and Dufferin counties until 1962 while continuing his education. In 1963, besides being named president of the Col. lege Royal, Mr. Pullen grad- uated from the University of Guelph (OAC) with his BSA degreemajoring in animal husandry. and joined the Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture. He served as assistant and later associate ag rep in Huron until 1968. when he THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JULY 21, 1982 - A15 was promoted to agricultural representative for Huron. When offering his congrat- ulations Douglas Pletsch, chairman of the Honours and Awards Committee. said, "The submission of your name and subsquent accept- ance of your nomination by the panel of judges demon- strate that your work is respected and • worthy of recognition by your peers. I trust that this award will serve to provide a point of reflection on your career described by your nominators as an "outstanding effective Extension worker, the ability to work softly yet efficiently. with his co-workers and the farm people he serves." Mr. Pullen, who feels his . staff should share the credit as their cooperation and sup- port were partially respon• , siblc for his success. will be presenting a paper dur,ing the five-day convention on "The team approach to agricultural advisory services.' Don Pullen, his wife Flor• ence and sons David. 15 and Michael. 12 live on a farm at RR4 Clinton. L41 the co-opetatoe nj *4 the co-opeatoe Insweix • Mo. • ',otos truly BRUCE SMITH Sales Representative Mitchell Co-op Store' 130 Georgina Street Mitchell, Ont. NOK INO Bus: 348-9975 Res: 348-9975 INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES UFE•HOME0A1JTO•BUSINESS•FARM Drain. • - pays off with increased crop yields C,CIOC1 CirCvcsnL3t, ,r1ve5I^N,111,,,X3'C11. CTIC ,,lorOvp("1 ,-,x1 io0t.00 thp onr MIQt . cy,,ho• R R GADSHILL ONTARIO WO<in 1__ 519.6562619 SHIP YOUR CATTLE THE CO-OP WAY UNITE!) CO-OPERATIVES OF ONTARIO ONTARIO STOCK YARDS (416) 767-1143 ******** YOUR U.C.O. 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