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WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1996 THE GEORGETOWN GEMINI Crop concerns plague Georgetown farmers BY FRANCES NIBLOCK The Georgetown Gemini A late, wet and cooler than usual spring is to blame for a host of crop problems for Georgetown farmers, who had to plant late and now are hoping and praying for a late frost. "It's been a frantic spring with lots of crop problems due to the rain," Richard Hendry, a soil and crop advi- sor with the Ministry of Ag- riculture, Food and. Rural Affairs explained on Mon- day. The Ontario Climate Cen- tre reported 123 mL ofrain in May and 109 mL in June, both measurements well over the usual amounts of 68 mL and 73 mL respectively. Some farmers are calling it the wettest spring since the 1960s. All the rain in April and May meant that crops went in late including soya beans, which this year had one of the latest plantings ever in Halton Hills. Farmers have also been slower getting the hay off because of the rain and Min- istry spokesperson Marie McNabb, at the Ministry's Georgetown office, said the rain also delayed spraying, so weed growth is nowa large problem. "The quality of hay has decreased because it hasn't been harvested as early as normal. It gets to a point where the quality and feed- ing value drops and that's what has happened here," McNabb explained in a re- cent interview. "In the fields, when we did get to the hay, it went to waste because of rain dam- age -- it basically rotted in the rows--so quality is an issue." Along with hay problems, area farmers are paying 30 to 40 per cent more for grain -- soya bean, corn, oats and bar- ley -- so feed costs are up substantially. "It's a global thing. Soya bean stocks are at their low- est ever in the United States and the demand is driving up the price of what's coming off the fields," McNabb said. Last year in Halton Hills the crop yield was average but prices were what McNabb described as "phenomenal." "This year we're not even sure if we will get average yields -- it will depend on how the summer goes and how late we get a frost." Gross crop and food pro- duction in Halton was worth $120 million last year with approximately $30 to 35 mil- lion coming from Halton Hills crops. Roughly 40,000 acres of land in Halton Hills is cropped each year. MeNabb said as bad as the rain has been, farmers who planted beans last week were happy with recent warm light rains. "Although the weather is a concern, it's amazing how optimistic some farmers can be. If they weren't, they would drive themselves around the bend," McNabb said. (GUMBO GAVIDEO) Na The Biggest Name In Entertainment! HOT NEW RELEASES *Congratulations and Good Luck to the New "GEORGETOWN GEMINI"* city HALL DIABOLIQUE COPIES HOMEWARD BOUND I THE JUROR HAPPY GILMORE RUMBLE IN THE BRONX * FREE POPCORN (while you browse) of the hit movies you want to see. 100% Canadian 'Owned and Operated 319 Guelph St., Georgetown (905) 873-8505 | BIDDING FOR THE BIRDS: John and Mary Duncan bid ona bird house at an auction held last Saturday during the Georgetown Agricultural Society's fourth annual beef barbecue. It was a fundraiser for this year's Georgetown Fall Fair. (Eve Martin photo) Optimist golf day is Aug. 27 The Optimist Club of Geor- getown is hosting their an- nual Mayor's Golf Tourna- ment on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at the Georgetown River's Edge Golf & Country Club. A shot- gun start is slated for 1 pm. Tournament organizers are looking for sponsors for each of the tourney's 18 holes, at$100 each. They also are looking for items and products that could be used as prizes. A program will be printed listing the names of compa- nies, associations and indi- viduals who have made do- nations and sponsorships. The 15th annual scramble tournament is limited to 160 participants, soregister early. For details on registration or sponsorship phone Tour- nament Chair Scott Campbell (873-7991) or Co-Chair John Fendley (877-2931). need. A sales pitch. g \Newont give youa hard sell, but our customers will. Our best salespeople don't even work for Saturn. They just happen to own Saturns. Which explains why most people who come to look at our cars already know a fair bit about them. From their neighbours, co-workers or friends. So we never have to push our rust and dent-resistant polymer panels, our no-dicker-with-the-sticker policy and our commitment to customer service. After all, that would be giving you something you don't really A DIFFERENT KIND OF COMPANY. A DIFFERENT KIND OF CAR. 1997 SL1 Now Available for Viewing SATURN ¢ SAAB ¢ ISUZU OF BRAMPTON 8046 Dixie Road, Brampton (905) 796-7960 hd SATURN. | | |