Wednesday, March 14, 2007 · Page 7 Working together with CFA by Betty Jean Crews, Vice-President Ontario Federation of Agriculture Ontario farmers know the potential strength when voices unite with a common message. We proved that in recent years. Canada's farmers have a similar voice the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. CFA had its annual meeting recently and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture brought its voice together with the voices of farmers from across the country. OFA continues to play an important role at CFA. In the past we have sent provincial leaders to meetings and they have gone on to become national leaders Jack Wilkinson is a prime example. He is now president of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers based in Paris, France. OFA's immediate pastpresident, Ron Bonnett, was successful in his bid to become CFA's second vicepresident at the recent meeting. He takes a wealth of leadership experience to CFA, not just locally, provincially, and nationally, but at the international level. Ron has travelled to South Korea as part of a delegation working to improve Ontario livestock producers' fortunes following the BSE crisis. On several occasions during the past year, he represented CFA's President Bob Friesen on the international stage. We look forward to strong and productive leadership from Ron as he takes on his new role at CFA. There are others from OFA moving through the ranks at CFA, offering their skills to agriculture's national voice. OFA's new president, Geri Kamenz, will serve on CFA's executive committee; OFA VicePresident Paul Mistele is co-chair of CFA's environment committee; and I will serve as co-chair of CFA's food safety committee. We are all proud to represent Ontario's farmers in these positions, and look forward to providing the Ontario perspective at the national level for agriculture. The resolutions process at OFA and CFA provides an opportunity for Ontario farmers to address issues that impact farmers, both provincially and nationally. As an example of this, an OFA resolution dealing with pest management materials was approved at the conference and is now CFA policy. That resolution calls on CFA to investigate proposed changes that would have the Pest Management Regulatory Agency consider changes to the Own Use Import regulations. It also asks CFA to lobby the federal government and its Pest Management Regulatory Agency to maintain the issuance of Own Use Import Permits until the alternative program proves to be financially superior through sustained use by producers. Another resolution, a collaboration by OFA and the Agricultural Producers' Association of Saskatchewan, calls on CFA to lobby the federal government for refunds or rebates for the Federal Excise Tax paid on farm fuel, and to have farm fuel exempted from GST at point-of-sale. As we see early signs of economic improvement in some sectors of agriculture, delegates to the CFA convention approved a resolution calling for changes to tax policy of the federal government. We ask that input tax credits be available to all farmers, not just certain provinces, as is the situation now. Such action will encourage farmers across the country to return to making investments in their businesses. These are just some of the examples of what is accomplished through cooperative efforts of farmers from across Canada. 4-H News Weaving Club BY DARREN MAYVILLE When everyone arrived at the Leamington Mersea Museum on March 6, our leader Germaine said that we would be working in the basement of the museum. To my astonishment, she told us we had to dress the looms, because they were naked. Well, I'll tell you now it would have been easier to have put a pair of pants and a shirt on it than to it was to fit 97 strands of string through what seemed to be a rather large comb, then through 97 eyes on the back of the loom and tying the strings at the back. It was not easy! Right in the middle of that we went upstairs and started the business meeting with the 4-H pledge, minutes and roll call. We ended our meeting with cookies made by the great Bonnie herself. Join me next time on March 20 when I'll be making my famous cherry cheesecake. Poultry Club BY CHELSEA BRIAN The 4-H Poultry Club's first meeting was called to order at about 7:00 pm at the Essex Civic Centre. First, people were asked how many toilet paper squares they would need if they were Jack Morris going on a week-long camping trip in the wilderness. Some people bravely took only one square and others took 20 or more!! Then the leaders told everyone to try to wrap your strip of toilet paper around your waist. Those that could were awarded goodie bags! The downside of getting a lot of toilet paper was that you had to say one interesting fact about yourself for every square you took! Luckily, the leaders took pity on people and said you only had to say ten facts. Phew! That was a relief for lots of people! Next came the more formal part of the meeting, the electing of the president, vice-president, secretary, press reporter and treasurer. After several close votes and some not-so-close votes it came out with: President: Sarah Morris, Vice President:Rachel Bauchwell, Secretary: Frankie Renaud, Press Reporter: Chelsea Brian, Treasurer: Travis Renaud. It was then explained that at the end of the 4-H Poultry Club you have to either make a poster or say a speech about what you learned about poultry through the club. Surprisingly, almost everyone chose posters. Wonder why... We also had to choose what breed of poultry we would like to have. There were many breeds to choose from including chickens, geese, turkeys and more, but Auctions Inc. most people chose either Plymouth Rock or Rhode Island Red chickens. Lastly, after discussing possible dates for future meetings and handing out Easter egg erasers and goodie bags, we had drinks, chips, and scrambled egg sandwiches. How appropriate! The meeting ended at about 9:00 pm. Scrapbooking Club BY JENNIFER QUIRING On March 1, the 4-H Scrapbooking Club held its second meeting. This meeting we decided on a name for our club. After a few suggestions like 'Super Scrappers,' and 'The Cutting Edge' (clever!), the name 'Scrap-it" was chosen. This name was suggested by Emma, and was the majority winner. During this meeting, we did nothing but scrapbook. I mean, that's what we are supposed to do, right? After scrapping for a few hours, we closed the meeting so we could all get home in time to watch 'Grey's Anatomy! LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. Our annual "Good Friday" Consignment Sale will be held on April 6th at 13400 Desro Dr. in Tecumseh. Featured in this sale will be the equipment and chattels from the estate of Bradt's Masonry. Consignments welcomed. Tuesday, April 17th the complete equipment - inventory and chattels at the former Acme Signs. (They have closed.) Approximately 900 lots to be sold. Saturday, April 28th Windsor Police Auction to be held at the Teutonia Club in Windsor. Every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at 13400 Desro Dr., Tecumseh is our Auto Auction - Bank and finance repos plus selection of dealer and public consignments. Sale begins with miscellaneous power and hand tools. For info on all above sales, please call RICHARD LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. 519-735-3070 TECUMSEH ly ncial Provi cted Inspe Custom Slaughtering, Cutting & Wrapping of Beef, Pork and Lamb 19950 Hill Road, Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0 Tel: (519) 674-3732 Fax: (519) 674-3918 Toll Free: 1-877-365-0155 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 Saturday, March 24 at 10:30 a.m. For Roger and Cecile Oriet, Stoney Point. Sale will be held at Roger Oriet's farm at 4225 Conc. 3. (Conc. 3 is located just south of Stoney Point grain elevator and R.R.) Watch for auction signs. This is a sale of good mid sized equipment. Please note sale order. Low Hours 1086 Tractor: IH 1086 dsl. tractor with only 2359 original hours. Combine: White 8700 Harvest Boss dsl. combine sells w/Kwik Cut White 15' header. No Till Drill: 1996 Great Plains model 1205 NT. Wagons: two like new Unverferth model 325 gravity wagons w/20" extensions, roll tarps and lights; plus other good gravity wagons. Implements: Triple OK 5 furrow hydraulic reset plow; Massey 18' wheel disc; Turnco 6' and 5' packers; Bush Hog 6' squealer chopper, etc. Shop Equipment & Other Items: quantity of shop tools and miscellaneous items. Farm Machiney from Mrs. Jean Nussey, Tilbury: Tractors: IH 886 dsl. wide front end, cab. 18.4x34 tires, dual outlets and 3 ph; IH 706 dsl., open station, 3 ph and 2 speed PTO and other small equipment. Items Consigned by Neighbours: dual axle steel livestock trailer 8'x5'x5 1/2' high; 6 gravity wagons, 12' IH wheel disc; PTO power ditcher plus other small equipment and miscellaneous items. Sale Order: Small items selling first, then Oriet machinery, followed by Nussey equipment and other consignments. No Reserve. Farms are Rented. Consignments also sell without reserve. Terms cash or personalized cheque day of sale. Owner or auctioneer not responsible for accidents day of sale. Lunch available. Proprietor: Roger and Cecile Oriet. For info call Roger at 519-798-3307 Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Details and photos at www.jackmorrisauctions.com Farm Machinery Auction Sale Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 10:00 A.M. For Green View Sod Farm 2446 Cty. Rd. 12 (Gesto Rd.) Directions: From 401 exit at Puce Rd. through Essex to Arner Rd. turn right on Cty. Rd. 12, approx. 5 kms Absolute Sale 873 Bobcat 1987, 2300 hrs., diesel, self-elevating and alx. hydr. 72" material bucket. Bobcat bolt on steel tracks, sod forks, Pioneer club car, 1200, 2001, 473 hrs., gas, elect. Lift dump box, Kubota L 4310 diesel, 2002, 2084 hrs. 21.5L-16 rear turf tires, 3 pth., pto., power str. Canopy, Kubota B1700 4wd, diesel, 2000, 1112 hrs., 33x12.5 rear turf tires, 54" cutting deck, 3 pth., power str. hydrostat. Trucks: 1986 Ford 8000 diesel, 3208 cat, 46500km, 12000km on new eng. 20" flatbed tandem axle, single drv. rear axle airlift, safety 2005, 1987 Chev. lt dump 219000km, manual trans., gas, 10 ft. landscapers box. Sod Equip.: Brouwer Sod Harvester, 16" cut on a 3910 Ford diesel tractor, 3648 hrs. 19.5Lx24 rears, JDJ 16 ft. 12000lb. Tandem trailer, elec. brks., ramps, Befco, 12 ft. rotary cyclone flex mower (like new), apprx. 1000ft. of 3" alum. irrigation pipe, 35 sprinkler heads and connecters, Rovatti irrigation pump, pto driven, 300gl. tandem axle calsa sprayer, 30 ft. boom. Sawmill Equip.: Bobcat mounted log splitter, CBM sawmill, 25hp. Kohler gas eng. 30ft. bed hydro. Log turner, cuts 26" diam. logs, Wood master planer/moulder, with dust collector syst. Dina Saw blade sharpener, portable teeth setter. Consignment: 550 JD sprayer, 60ft. hyd. booms, sgl. nos., 1115 tires, 500gl., hyd. hypropump, scorpion foam marker. Terms: Cash or personal cheque day of sale with proper ID. Sale management not responsible for accidents or injuries. Contact proprietor, Kevin Ross - 519-796-3962 for information John Sauve Marty Unholzer Home: (519) 723-2622 Home: (519) 723-2023 Cell: (519) 791-4101 Cell: (519) 791-4772 Hope to see you there. UNHOLZER/SAUVE AUCTION