Wednesday, July 26, 2006 · Page 7 Many issues in agriculture by Paul Mistele, Vice-President Ontario Federation of Agriculture When planting a field of grain, you know when the job is done. You can look back at the end of the day and admire your accomplishments. Farm people involved in agricultural politics rarely have the opportunity to say their work is done, regardless of the effort and long hours spent. Measuring success is also elusive. Just when you think you're on the cusp of success, something happens to prove you wrong. This has been a year of much activity by farmers those willing to participate in the task of lobbying government. Farmers have staged rallies across the province. They have had measurable success in moving governments to recognize the direction agriculture needs. We have realized advances in dealings with the Ontario provincial government, and after getting several thousand farmers on Ottawa's Parliament Hill in April, the May 2nd federal budget looked full of promise. Being able to get a handle on the 1.5 billion dollars outlined in that budget continues to be a challenge. Improving farm income is job one for OFA and our lobby efforts. Hearing government leaders acknowledge that Canadian farmers need increased income and protection from foreign subsidies gives us a strong feeling of accomplishment. That feeling quickly fades when we ask for details. Farmers need those details to facilitate their business plans, but government officials stall, giving us details that are far too sketchy. OFA is working in conjunction with its federal partner, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and our commodity partners to develop policies and programs that would become part of the second Agricultural generation Policy Framework. We know the importance of effective income protection for farmers, and getting the APF II right the first time. One of the more positive issues between farmers and the provincial government has been around the energy file. This government wants to demonstrate to society that it is focussed on developing new and renewable sources of energy, and farmers are in an excellent position to help. Wind energy is literally popping up around the province as farmers make their lands available for the installation and operation of wind turbines. Ethanol and biodiesel are gaining in popularity with consumers as a clean and renewable source of fuel. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is also lobbying for the production of renewable fuels from sweet potatoes which may be one option for displaced tobacco growers. We have to make sure mechanisms are in place so farmers reap benefits from new technology. Because so much of what farmers do is directly relat- ed to the environment, part of OFA's focus is currently about changes to legislation concerning species at risk. While farmers strive to take all the necessary measures to be good environmental stewards, OFA finds it necessary to protect our members' interests when government ministries and other organizations don't understand how their efforts would put agriculture communities in jeopardy. Source water protection legislation is another example of OFA working to ensure farmers and their ability to farm, using good farm management practices, are not compromised. Farmers have always lived on and operated their farms, fully aware of agriculture's special relationship with the environment and the rest of society. Getting sciencebased legislation is critical and OFA will continue to monitor and provide input to the provincial government on this issue. These are just a few of the issues OFA has been involved with, as our organization also moves through the internal process of reviewing our governance structure. We're inviting input from members now that will form the basis of recommendations to be presented at our November convention. This will effectively position OFA for future challenges. INTRODUCING FORD FAMILY PRICING. NOW BEING PART OF OUR FAMILY MEANS YOU GET THE BEST PRICES OF THE YEAR. PERIOD. ON 2007 AND REMAINING 2006's.* $ UP TO 3,000 DELIVERY ALLOWANCE GET ** % MONTHS 5 YEAR/100,000km 0 TO 60 ON SELECTED 2006 FORD VEHICLES ANDUP PURCHASE FINANCING AS LOW AS PLUS JUST ANNOUNCED N POWERTRAIN COVERAGE ON MOST REMAINING 2006 AND NEW 2007 VEHICLES 2006 FOCUS ZX4 SE WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND AUTOMATIC YOUR FAMILY LEASE PRICE 2006 F-150 XLT 4X4 SUPER CAB WITH XTR CHROME APPEARANCE PACKAGE YOUR FAMILY LEASE PRICE 2007 RANGER SPORT 4X2 SUPER CAB WITH AIR CONDITIONING AND AUTOMATIC YOUR FAMILY LEASE PRICE $ PER MONTH/36 MONTHS WITH $1,995 DOWN OR EQUIVALENT TRADE PLUS FREIGHT $1,050. 173 5.9 WITH (Dealer may sell or lease for less) $ L % LEASE A.P.R. $ PER MONTH/36 MONTHS WITH $3,995 DOWN OR EQUIVALENT TRADE PLUS FREIGHT $1,200. 266 2.5 WITH (Dealer may sell or lease for less) $ L % LEASE A.P.R. $ PER MONTH/36 MONTHS PLUS FREIGHT $1,100. 231 3.9 % WITH L LEASE A.P.R. $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT. MSRP: FORD FAMILY PRICE: Delivery Allowance: YOUR PRICE*: PLUS $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT. MSRP: FORD FAMILY PRICE: Delivery Allowance: $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT. MSRP: (Dealer may sell or lease for less) $ $ $0 DOWN PAYMENT. 19,619 $ 17,882 $ 3,000 Plus freight $1,050 38,149 $ 33,538 $ 2,000 FORD FAMILY PRICE: Delivery Allowance: YOUR PRICE*: PLUS 23,934 21,559 $ 2,500 $ 14,882 YOUR PRICE*: PLUS $ 31,538 Plus freight $1,200 $ 19,059 Plus freight $1,100 0% 36 month Purchase Financing On All 2006 Focus Purchase 0% 36 monthOn Most 2006Financing F-150 1.9% 36 month Purchase Financing On Most 2007 Ranger HURRY IN, THEY ARE GOING FAST. ford.ca Built for life in Canada WISE BUYERS READ THE LEGAL COPY: Offers valid in Province of Ontario. **Receive up to ($3500)/($3000)/($2700)/($2500)/($2250)/($2000)/($1500)/($1300)/($1250)/($1000)/($750)/($500)/($400)/($300) in Delivery allowance on the purchase, purchase financing or lease of (2006 Focus ZX3 SE)/(2006 Focus ZX4, ZX5, ZXW, ZX3 S/2006 Taurus)/(2006 Ranger Super Cab 4x4 excl. XL)/(2006 Grand Marquis/2006 Expedition)/(2006 Ranger Super Cab 4x2 excl. XL)/(2006 Five Hundred, 2007 Ranger Super Cab 4x4 and 4x2 excl. XL)/(2006 Freestyle/2006 F-150 "Price Leader"/2006 F-150 Super Crew Lariat)/(2006 Freestar Cargo and Freestar Base)/(2006 Ranger Regular Cab & Super Cab XL/Escape XLS I4 FWD Manual)/(2006 Explorer 4 Dr/2006 F-150 Regular Cab, Super Cab, Super Crew excl. Lariat/2007 Ranger Regular Cab & Super Cab XL)/(2006 Escape XLS I4 FWD Auto & 4WD)/(2006 Escape excl. XLS I4/2006 Freestar Sport, SEL, Limited/2007 Escape excl.XLS I4)/(2006 Fusion SEL V6)/(2007 Freestar Cargo & Base). Receive 0% purchase financing on the 2006 Escape (excluding Hybrid)/2006 Freestar/2006 Focus for a maximum of up to 60/60/36 months to retail customers, on approved credit from Ford Credit. E.g., $20,000 purchase financed at 0.0% Purchase APR for 60/36 months, monthly payment is $333.33/$555.56, cost of borrowing is $0 or APR of 0.0% and total to be repaid is $20,000. Down payment on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit. Receive 1.9% purchase financing on the 2007 Ranger Super Cab 4X4 and 4X2 excluding XL for a maximum of up to 36 months to retail customers, on approved credit from Ford Credit. E.g., $20,000 purchase financed at 1.9% Purchase APR for 36 months, monthly payment is $571.98, cost of borrowing is $591.28 or APR of 1.9% and total to be repaid is $20,591.28. Down payment on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit. Purchase a new 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 SE/2006 Ford F-150 XLT Super Cab 4X4/2007 Ford Ranger Sport 4X2 Super Cab for $14,882/$31,538/$19,059 (which represents the Ford Family Price minus the $3000/$2000/$2500 delivery allowance), Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after delivery allowance deducted.L Lease a new 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 SE/F-150 XLT Super Cab 4X4/Ranger Sport 4X2 Super Cab for only $173/$266/$231 (after foregone delivery allowance of $3000/$2000/$2500 deducted) per month based on an annual lease rate of 5.9%/2.5%/3.9% and a 36/36/36 month lease from Ford Credit to qualified retail lessees, on approved credit from Ford Credit. Total lease obligation is $8,223/$13,571/$8,316. Optional buyout is $8,515.29/$19,724.50/$12,567. Some conditions and a mileage restriction of 60,000 km over 36 months applies. A charge of 12 cents per km over mileage restriction applies, plus applicable taxes. $1,995/$3,995/$0 down payment or equivalent trade required. First month's ATTENTION payment and $0 security deposit required. All offers exclude freight ($1050/$1200/$1,100), license, insurance, registration, PPSA, administration fees and all applicable taxes. No Security Deposit on most 2006/2007 Ford vehicles (excluding 2006 and 2007 F-Series Chassis Cabs, 2006 and 2007 Medium Trucks and LCF, Ford GT and Shelby Mustang GT 500) effective June 30, 2006 through October 2, 2006. Security Deposit may be required by Ford Credit based GRADS! on customer credit terms and conditions. N All new 2007 Ford vehicles, excluding 2007 Model LCF, F-650 and F-750, will come with a 5 year/100,000 km (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Warranty and full Roadside Assistance benefits together with a 5 year/80,000 km (whichever occurs first) Safety Restraint Warranty. For a limited time all new 2006 Ford light trucks and SUVÛs purchased on or after July 13, 2006, excluding 2006 Model LCF, F-650 and F-750, will come with a no extra charge 5 year/100,000 km (whichever occurs first) Ford ESP PowertrainCARE Extended Service Contract (includes 5 year/100,000 km (whichever occurs first) Roadside Assistance Coverage) with a $100 deductible. The 2006 Ford ESP PowertrainCare Extended Service Contract is not combinable with Government Price Concession and Competitive Price Allowance. All 2006 new Ford Cars, Freestar and Freestyle come with a 5 year/100,000 km (whichever occurs first) Powertrain Warranty (excluding Roadside Assistance benefits and Safety Restraint Warranty). Some conditions and limitations apply see your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. *Ford Family Pricing is only in effect from June 16 to August 31, 2006 at participating Ford of Canada Dealerships. Ford Family Pricing is available on most new 2006 and 2007 Ford and Lincoln vehicles (excluding Mustang Shelby GT 500, SVT, Ford GT, Edge, MKX, F-Series Chassis Cab, Econoline Cutaway and Stripped Chassis, LCF and Medium Truck). The new vehicle must be delivered or ordered from your Ford/Lincoln Dealer on or before August 31, 2006. Ford Family Pricing does not include freight($1,050/$1,200/$1,100), taxes, registration, administration, pre-delivery or license fees. Ford Family Pricing is not available on any Fleet or Government delivery. Additional incentives may apply. See your local Ford of Canada Dealership for complete program details. Dealers may sell or lease for less. Vehicles shown may include optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers may be cancelled at any time without notice. Some conditions may apply to the Graduate Recognition Program. See Dealer for details. Ontario FDA, P.O. Box 2000, Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4