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THE HERALD Page IS Agriculture The promised land still not in sight for farmers By TOM MITCHELL Communications Division Statistics Canada OTTAWA Promised land farm incomes up Set aside the biblical reference and a headline like the one above is accurate Figures recently released by Statistics Canada show total net farm income stood at billion in up from 5 billion in But anyone who wants a true picture of agricultural economics won get it by looking at one factor m isola tion Many other numbers regularly published by Statistics Canada give plenty of evidence that farm life today is not a bed of roses For example realized net in come lor fanners net cash come plus any income in kind but minus depreciation dropped in 1969 reaching just 1 billion compared with billion in 1988 Farm cash receipts were up billion compared to billion in 1988 a 2 increase But that was only about half as much as the increase the rate of infla tion Farm expenses hit billion in 1989 up a hefty billion or 6 from the previous year Even with all the effects of inflation removed the expense bite was still 1 higher than 1988 The cost of operating machinery crop in surance interest expenses wages and feed all moved higher in 1989 narrowing the potential for profitable operations Crop receipts were generally higher than in 1988 with Wheat Board payments counting for almost 70 of that increase Barley prices hit their highest level in four years primarily due to tight North American feed grain supplies resulting from the 1988 drought But cash receipts were almost unchanged for cattle and calves and for hogs More animals went to market but prices were lower Receipts for dairy products were up less than Some operations were hit particularly hard For example shrinking markets brought a 28 drop in fur farming receipts down to just million in 1989 The debit side of the account book offers a look at the fiscal picture from another angle Farm debt outstanding totalled 5 billion at the end of That was down only from 8 billion in Through the 1970s and the first half of the 1980s farm debt kept edging upward Since then the trend has been downward Analysts say this has been due in part to increased caution by both lenders and farmers That caution could be taken as a major indicator of how things have been going for the farm community The promised land still lies beyond the horizon For further information con tact Tom Mitchell 613 Communications Division Statistics Canada Ottawa Ont K1A0T6 SAVE 25 ON ALL MIROLIN REGULAR VANITIES AND TOP COMBINATIONS Valley TWO HANDLE FAUCETS fin sh no leaks no ps Llfet me limited warranty Kitchen Faucet SALE Model No TC1038C REG SAVE Bathroom Faucet SALE Model No TC805C SAVE 20 ON ALL 0NDINE SHOWER HEADS if Sill The I PLUMBING BOUTIQUE YOU CAN IMPROVE THE LOOK AND STYLE OF YOUR BATHROOM WITH EUER Eler Murray two piece toilet in white and matching pedestal basin Price also includes lined tank toilet seat and single lever bathroom faucet in chrome All For The Supersaver Price of A SAVING OF 7500 Bone anU Grey Available At Extra Cost Conditioner Pellet Salt Distilled Bottled Water GENMAR WHIRLPOOL FLUSH WHIRLPOOL SPA CONDITIONER BOTTLE 995 HOURS WED 30 AM 600PM THURS 30 A M 8 P M SATURDAY 9 30AM 500PM PRICES EFFECTIVE FROM FEB siiuanaster GARBAGE DISPOSERS ADD THE EUROPEAN LOOK TO YOUR KITCHEN WITH MIR0ST0NE Made of a special combination of qua and resin that Is scratch and resistant Has I mo war under normal kitchen use and is available in 10 designer colours sink Burmese teal board and a ngle lever kitchen faucet chrome Faucet also has a I me warranty PRICED TO SELL AT nee Off Mountiimnew PLUMBING BOUTIQUE 8731090 GUELPHVIEW SQUARE STREET GEORGETOWN ONTARIO L7G 4B1