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Letters to the Editorcan be sent to: E-mail editor@betterfarming.com January 1, 2000
Double-booking comment clarifiedRegarding the comment attributed to me in "Behind the Lines" (Page 4, Better Farming, December 1999) that farmers are double-booking their orders of genetically enhanced and non-genetically enhanced corn for spring 2000 planting, I'd like to clarify.Although there is considerable uncertainty in the marketplace with hybrid and variety selection due to controversy surrounding agricultural biotechnology, we have virtually no evidence to date that double-booking is in fact occurring. What I recall saying was that double-booking could be one potential outcome of the confusion in the marketplace and that our sales representatives would need to work closely with their customers through the winter months to provide the latest information and help them select the appropriate products fortheir farming operations. Art Stirling Communications Manager Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited
Bulldoze One Stone Road, save tax dollarsThe Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) head office was designed as an administration centre for local field offices and extension programs. Ernie Hardeman, our Honourable Minister of Agriculture, believes that these local field offices are unnecessary because farmers today have instant access to Stone Road through their personal computers.That may be so for a few farmers but certainly not with the majority. We don't need bureaucrats in an ivory palace when we don't have service at the local level. Service to farmers started to decline when engineers were removed from the local county offices in 1991. Then our local soil and crop specialist was eliminated. We now have to rely on private enterprise, no longer receiving an unbiased opinion. OMAFRA has withdrawn support to local rural organizations such as 4-H and Soil and Crop Improvement Associations. These groups may cease to flourish without strong leadership to keep them going. In time they could be gone without the consistent stability provided by OMAFRA. The final blow with the closing of the field offices eliminates the extension services to enable farmers to be educated in technology and adaptations to the global marketplace. At critical periods, personal contact with specialists through a computer is not very realistic in its ability to provide diagnostic evaluation and remedial measures. What's the purpose of Stone Road if not to support the contact with individual farmers? We have the University of Guelph and its' satellites to educate our kids and carry on research in the agricultural field and Agricorp to effectively administrate crop insurance and stabilization. It seems now with the demise of the local field offices that Stone Road is nothing more than the white elephant that came 30 years too late. So, bulldoze Stone Road, or I wonder how many bushels of grain it would hold? Bernie Calhoun Essex
Optimism evaporated QuicklyDear Editor, I poured through the inaugural issue of Better Farming (BF) with considerable optimism, which evaporated quickly. Compared to predecessors, the view and stories are similar, the corporate support identical. Uncritical support of biotechnology, high input-high tech agriculture and fear of organic agriculture permeates each article while the legitimate fears of the public about GMO foods and the simple desire for accurate food labels are given short shrift.If you really want to live up the name Better Farming, I'd suggest its time to invite organic farmers into your tent; having Ann Clark present her views on GMOs will be a good start. Organic farmers have much to share with conventional farmers, including access to markets and ways to blend conventional with transitional and organic agriculture but it is hard to find the energy to do so when we are attacked relentlessly by the ag-tech establishment. At least this one organic farmer would like to work with the ag-tech crowd but only when treated fairly and with respect. Criticizing the Governor General and giving gleeful credence to the likes of Ms. Gottlieb betrayed an anti-organic prejudice and denial of the public's deep-rooted uneasiness with the effects of conventional high-tech agriculture and GMO food. Nastiness born of jealousy is not the way to get our help. I suspect many conventional producers are going to need our help to survive in the coming years, especially as the high-tech producers seem to have neither a coherent strategy to deal with the GMO controversy nor any means to address the deep systemic distrust of the conventional ag-tech establishment. Supporting GMOs by giving credence to those who do not want GMO products labelled and sniping about the GG's choice to support Canadian organic farms is not the way to get it. James P. Ludwig, Ph.D and Manager SERE Farms and Harrovian Orchards Kingsville
Refreshing ArticlesI am writing to compliment your staff on the quality of the Dec. 1999 issue.As a dedicated reader of any ag-related publication I can get my hands on, it is refreshing to read articles that are not biased to the corporate and bank driven agendas that populate other farm journals and that I feel have put all farmers on the financial hot rails to Hell. Risk taking articles such as Brian Slemming's chilling quotes from Brian Doidge are the two by four of reality that needs to be slammed over the heads of complacent Ontario farmers before we all become indentured servants to our globalist masters. Equally refreshing is Owen Roberts' (an old musician associate of mine!) comments on the despicable state of agricultural communications in our farm press, and the eye-opening article by Anne Clark debunking the biotech brainwashing farmers have been subjected to for the last few years. To all the staff at Better Farming, my respects and do keep up the good work! Robert W. Johnston, Becher, Ontario
Clark's column disputedAnn Clark's December anti-biotechnology column contains several references to tenuous, preliminary research findings which are presented as fact - coupled with other statements which are simply wrong. Her statements notwithstanding, there have been no progressive increases in Ontario's 20 per cent refugia guide for Bt corn. Preliminary reports implying flaws in corn Bt strategies - caused by suggested differences in maturation of Bt-resistant cotton bollworms, or by possible dominance-insect resistance to Bt - have been largely dismissed by several credible entomologists.The well-publicized Scottish research reports of Dr. Pusztai on biotech potatoes were reviewed, and rejected, by the Royal Society, Britain's most prestigious scientific body. The journal, Lancet, chose to publish some of Pusztai's work - despite reviewer rejections - because of public interest, it said. Clark's implications that some Canadian-approved biotech crop genes have not tested for human safety are untrue. In fact, the proteins and secondary metabolites for which these genes code are subjected to rigorous toxicological evaluation essentially the same as that for new pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Finally, Clark condemns corn farmers for threatening organic farmers by using Bt technology for pest control which organic farmers have used for 40 years. Clark has been consistent and vocal in her condemnation of many aspects of modern science and agriculture. Her list now includes biotechnology. Terry Daynard Ontario Corn Producers' Association Guelph
Kudos on planning, hidden taxCongratulations to Better Farming for two really helpful features in your December issue. I learned a lot from the article on estate planning. Anyone nearing retirement would profit from reading it. Farmers need to know when situations like Russell county's unacceptable and somewhat concealed development tax arise. Your magazine told that story clearly.The Blanchard family deserves a lot of credit for sounding the alarm quickly and for being so open with their fellow farmers. I don't normally write letters to the editor but in this case I feel efforts like the Blanchard's should not go unrecognized and the quality of articles in Better Farming deserves our thanks. Simonne Van De Wiele Langton
More kudosI wondered what had happened to Farm & Country . Now I know.I am a Chrysler retiree and a part time farmer; on 80 acres that I bought just over 50 years ago. I am also a member of chapter YQG amateur aviation group of Windsor and Essex County. I am sure many of our members would be interested in two articles from your first issue; the one about hot air balloons and "The airplane and the henhouse." May I congratulate you and your staff for starting a new farm oriented magazine. Best wishes for blue skies. Mike Balipap Essex
December 1, 1999
Landowners rightsRegarding the issue of ballooners landing on farm fields (Coming Down to Earth, Nov.1 issue, Better Farming).In 1980 the "Occupiers Liability Act" which created nightmare situations and cost for owners was replaced by two companion acts "The Occupiers Liability Act" which stated that risks were assumed by the intruder with the exception that the occupier could not set deliberate traps or devices which could cause injury. The other legislation was the"Trespass to Property Act" which excluded liability when persons were given permission to enter land, ie, snowmobilers, skiers, etc. It also provided fines for unauthorized entry and the same court could assess damages payable to the landowner in situations where buildings or crops were damaged. Two excellent booklets explain these laws, "This Land is Whose Land?" and "Property Protection and Outdoor Opportunities". These booklets were available at Ontario Provincial Police offices in the past. Sam Woosey Vankleek Hill
Missed opportunitiesI have noted in the editorial of your last issue that Jim Laws executive director of the Canadian Farm Business Management Council(CFBMC) refused to discuss an issue of policy because it was Saturday. Advising you to reach him during the week meant he missed an opportunity to have the farm press respond quickly to the comments printed in the political trash magazine "Frank".The editors of Better Farming did the right thing by phoning Laws, Saturday or no Saturday. As contemptible as "Frank" may be in farmers eyes, (many have never likely heard of it) it has circulation in the Ottawa capital. This town has the top politicians and civil staff in the country. Trying to get our story to the politicians and the public sometimes means working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Farmers live and breathe this schedule and we have little patience for missed opportunities, and the attitudes that bring them about. Ten years ago Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Brigid Pyke preached that her schedule was "24 and seven" long before it became the cache of the new business leader. In case you might think it was just talk, countless volunteers of OFA can verify receiving calls any time between 6 am. and midnight seven days a week from Mrs. Pyke. That's the obligation of leadership. I understand that the council is hosting a conference in Banff in February. Knowing a little bit about this resort town, I conclude it may be one of the most expensive places on the planet earth about then. Surely the council risks being seen as out of touch with the farm community values yet again? David Older Thamesford November 1, 1999 A Solid show of supportCongratulations on the launch of your magazine Better Farming. This forward-looking initiative by a dynamic group of individuals brings together tremendous farm journalism experience and resources to create a new business management tool for Ontario farmers. Better Farming is being introduced just in time for the new millenium and the next WTO negotiations when, more than ever, farmers need factual information to face new challenges and secure a strong position on the world's agriculture stage. Yours is a welcome complement to the existing farm information vehicles in Ontario.On behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, I salute the Better Farming team as you start your new venture and wish you every success. Ernie Hardeman Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
As the third largest employer in Canada, the agriculture and agri-food industry represents one of Canada's most important economic sectors. The hard work of our Canadian farmers, and those who process, transport and sell their products, has earned for Canada the reputation of the "bread-basket of the world," and we are known internationally for the high quality of our products. I am indeed proud to represent so many who have dedicated their careers to sustaining this important economic activity.
I would like to extend my congratulations to the staff of this new publication, Better Farming, and I wish you success in this new endeavour.
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