Wednesday, February 28, 2007 · Page 7 Agriculture in the energy scene by Don McCabe, Member OFA Executive Committee Ontario farmers are watching major developments take place around them in the energy world. For years, they were net users of energy fuels to operate equipment, produce inputs such as fertilizers, and electricity to keep their increasingly-automated facilities and equipment running. But the world of energy is evolving farmers are increasingly entering the production side of the energy picture. You will find wind turbines on farms across the province, and slowly farmers are incorporating bio-digesters into their farming operations using bi-products from Jack Morris their production enterprises to produce heat and energy for their own use and for sale to the public power grid. Nuclear energy production may be an alternative to fossil fuels, but as society becomes more aware of the advantages of `green' energy sources, what farmers have to offer the energy world becomes increasingly attractive. Bio-fuels, when properly produced and used, are attractive substitutes for our diminishing sources of petroleum-based fuels. Farmers are in a position to produce the environmentally sustainable sources of energy society needs to Auctions Inc. prosper everything from power to heat to fertilizer and even animal feed. Ethanol and synthetic bio-gas from agricultural sources can become the chemical foundations of modern industry the fuels to take our society into the future. Climate change, as society is quickly learning, is becoming the driving force toward the shift in energy sourcing. We all need to direct our focus to minimizing greenhouse gas production. For agriculture, reduced greenhouse gasses will lead to maximizing profitability on our farms. There's a long list of responsibilities for our governments as we make this transition. Government policies can play a critical role in accelerating the transition that agriculture is moving toward. We need to encourage our governments to use appropriate economic instruments, not taxes, to encourage this necessary move to energy sustainability. Research and development have long been recognized as key ingredients to meeting challenges of the future. Agriculture is prepared to work with our governments and institutions to maximize the benefits of research into the latest technologies in on-farm practices capable of meeting society's demands for sustainable energy sources. Another component that holds great potential for agriculture is carbon credit trading. For decades, farmers have been employing techniques known to encourage soils and plants to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Now it is time for our governments to acknowledge the contributions farmers have been making and are preparing to make into the future in this area. Canadian farmers have been dealing with tough financial times in recent years, but are willing to accept the essential roles before them to meet society's challenges all that's needed are some essential investments by governments. The job can be done, but we have to understand what the job is and encourage society, including our politicians, to work with us. Understanding that all of our energy comes from the sun and farmers are ideally positioned to turn that energy into benefits for all members of society, will be a critical starting point. Country prospers if city comes calling An economic upswing is in store for rural Ontario if it caters to its city cousins, according to a new report from Guelph's Institute of Agri-Food Policy Innovation. In Services and Cities Driving Change in Ontario's Rural Business Landscape, authors David Sparling and Delia Bucknell say the most successful rural communities will be destinations that attract urban people. Blending agriculture, recreation and entertainment is key, combining food production with services and making rural communities attractive. "Agriculture has a new role to play, as a partner in the rural economy," says Sparling. "Farms are growing in size but shrinking in number, so jobs are moving out of production and into services. That's where the future lies for rural Ontario." Sparling is calling on farm groups to help their members deal with this trend, which is already taking hold. In fact, in 2005, more than half of all rural jobs were in services, such as finance, accommodation and entertainment. By comparison, production and agriculture jobs accounted for less than a fifth of the jobs. "Policy wise, there's traditionally been an emphasis on supporting food production in rural areas," says Sparling. "But it appears that to rural Ontario, as valuable as the food it sends cities, is the people it gets from them." Saturday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. For Mr. Tom Tellier, Belle River. Sale will be held at Mr. Tellier's farm at 1258 Essex Cty. Rd. 27, known as Belle River Road. From Hwy. 401 take exit #34 north on Belle River Rd. to farm. Or from Essex Cty. Rd. 46 take Cty. Rd. 27 north to farm. Or from Essex Cty. Rd. 42 take Cty. Rd. 27 south to farm. Tractors: JD 4240 dsl. tractor, 2921 hrs., motor rebuilt in 1994, 500 hrs. on rebuilt engine, 18.4x38 tires, tractor was repainted and had new cab interior at Kentown 3 yrs. ago, tractor has quad range, power shift and working air; White 1370 dsl. tractor, 1653 hrs., 16.9x30 tires, tractor was repainted a few yrs., ago. Combine: JD 4400 dsl. combine w/air, 1629 hrs., bin extension, straw shredder, bean screen, screen kit for weeds, sells w/JD 213 flex header. This is a real good combine. No-till Drill: Great Plains pull type 10' no till drill, 7 1/2" spacings w/Market hydr. swing fill auger, has seed lock, new coulters, this drill will plant 50 acres a day; A.T.V.: Honda two wheel drive Fourtrax 250, 1986 model. Duals: 18.4x38 snap on T-rail dual wheels. Wagons & Water Wagon: 400 bu. gravity wagon w/duals all around; Turnco 225 bu. wagon; two 275 bu. gravity wagons; two 250 bu. gravity wagons; 1550 gal. plastic water tank selling on wagon. Tillage: pull type 17 1/2' Triple K type cultivator, has leveling planks and roller harrows, was 3 ph and was converted to pull type; 16' cut IH 470 wheel disc; 16' land leveler; 10' and two 4' sprocket packers - packers have transport wheels; 16' fold up spring tooth harrows; older Ford 3 furrow 3 ph plow. Planter: IH model 56 - 6 row 30" planter with dry fertilizer. Other Machinery: 12' Unverferth hydraulic fert. auger; Allied 40'x6" auger; wagon tires; 3 ph - 6' Busy Bee chopper; 3 ph boom. Shop Items: Coleman 10 HP Powermatic 6250 generator on wheels; Logan metal shaper to square and size metal; portable air tank; plus other items. Items from Gerald Bellmore, Stoney Point: Combine: White 7300 dsl. combine selling w/13' Quick Cut love bar header. This combine is in very good condition. Other Items from Mr. Bellmore: IH model 56 - 7 row bean planter; IH 510 grain drill; 180 bu. gravity wagon; 10 ton flat rack 16' wagon; 3 furrow 3 ph plow; two row stalk shredder. Sale Order: All of Mr. Tellier's items first, followed by Mr. Bellmore's items. No Reserve on any items from either Mr. Tellier or Mr. Bellmore. Terms: cash or personalized cheque day of sale. Owner or auctioneer not responsible for accidents day of sale. Lunch available. Proprietors: Tom Tellier, 519-728-1315 Gerald Bellmore, 519-728-5946 Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Details and photos at www,jackmorrisauctions.com Farm Machinery AuctionSale Indeed, many rural service jobs are geared towards urban customers. Sparling says entertainment, recreation and accommodation hold the most hope for rural employment, and that linkages must be made to those sectors and networks developed. For example, much of the growth in rural services jobs was in the golf industry. Golf course and country club employment jumped by 1,400 jobs between 2001-2005 in rural regions. SEE RURAL, PAGE 8 General Seed Company CUSTOM DESIGN FORAGE MIXTURES RED CLOVER ALFALFA SWEET CLOVER LAWN SEED MIXTURES LARRY UNHOLZER 1629 South Middle Road Woodslee, ON N0R 1V0 Tel: 519-723-4010 Fax: 519-723-2840 Auctions Inc. Solid Hardwood, Laminate Flooring, Solid Granite & Porcelain Tiles COLEMAN GENERATORS & COMPRESSORS RECLAIMED TOOLS 13400 Desro Dr., Tecumseh (Corner of E.C. Row Expressway and Manning Road) Hardwood Flooring Auction ACCELERATED MARKETING SPECIALISTS JOHN B. McKENZIE & Associates Jack Morris Farm Machinery Auction Sale Saturday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. For Rudy Driedger Farms Inc. at 1210 Conc. 6, Leamington. From Hwy. 77 take Conc. 6 east to farm. From Hwy. 401 take exit #48 south on Hwy. 77 towards Leamington and take Conc. 6 east to farm. Watch for auction signs. Tractors: Case IH 7110 Magnum dsl., 3509 hrs., front wheel assist; IH 3288 dsl. w/cab; Farmall 806 dsl., open station; IH hydro 70 Farmall dsl., open station. Note: all 4 of these tractors have been repainted over the years and look exceptionally sharp and clean; IH 414 gas tractor needs some repair. Plus: 20' Salford 500 cult.; Case IH 11 tooth Conser-Till 650 cult.; 18' IH wheel disc; crowfoot packers; gravity wagons; 500 gal. dual axle sprayer w/50' hydr. fold boom, monitor, good pump; metal band saw; some tools and miscellaneous. Sale Order: starting with small items and machinery. At 12:00 noon selling tractors followed by any item not previously sold. No Reserve. Terms: cash or personalized cheque day of sale. Owner or auctioneer not responsible for accidents day of sale. Lunch available. Proprietor: Rudy Driedger, 519-326-2173 or cell # 519-322-8918 Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Details and photos at www,jackmorrisauctions.com Reminder Ad McKenzie's Associated Auctioneers in association with Richard Lavin Auctions has been instructed to sell an incredible inventory of Solid Hardwood Flooring including quality woods such as Oak, Maple, Kempas! 11 & 8 gal. 5.5 H.P. Compressors, 6250 & 5000 Watt 10 H.P. Generators SAVE ON RETAIL PRICES! Saturday, March 3, 2007 10:00 A.M. Preview at 8:30 a.m. 15% Buyers Premium Cash, Visa, M/C, Debit Card or Certified Cheque Associated AuctioneersTM McKENZIE'S Web Site: www.mckenzieauction.com Phone (519) 453-7182 1-800-265-1906 Fax (519) 451-2443