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D4. Feeding two-day old Jersey calf a ee Ontario Egg Board accomplishment Egg producers atten- ding the 21st Annual Meeting of the Ontario Egg Producers' Marketing Board were told 1985 was a sound and stable year as far as financial, produc- tion, and marketing situa- tions were concerned. Nevertheless, said Board Chairman Jim Johnstone, 1985 was a year of significant achievement for the On- tario Egg Board. "The past year has been most satisfying for me as your chairman,"' he said. '"There were no ma- jor controversies. No new policy initiatives, only minor amendments to several existing policies.. The move to our new of- fice went off without a hitch; the contrract for the 'Ontario Egg Producers' Chair' at the University of Guelph was signed. All in all, a year of many ac- complishments."' The Chair established at the University of Guelph will investigate new uses for eggs with the aim of improving markets and so enabling producers to increase their produc- tion. The research Chair is the first at the University, and represents the only such work of its scope be- Maple Syrup 86 Although some local sugar bush operators tap- ped their first maple trees a month ago, and have already harvested two or three small runs of sap, the maple syrup season is considered a little late compared to recent years. Last year, the sap was flowing by the end of February, before a severe cold snap halted produc- tion until later in March. Once the season is underway, the sap nor- mally flows off and on for between four to six weeks. Ministry of Agriculture Maple Syrup Specialist John Butler, in Elmvale, reports generally good news about the maple syrup production an- ticipated for 1986. "The sugar should be in the trees," he explains, "after a healthy growing season last summer." Weather conditions from the previous winter are traditionally used to predict the quality of each maple syrup season, but Butler claims next month's weather is of far greater importance to the trees' production. Cold, frosty night (mid to low 20° F), and warm days (mid 40° F) are the op- timum conditions for good runs of quality sap. In addition, demand for this year's crop is ex- pected to be high, he says, Annual crops In Simcoe County last year a total of 15,483 acres were set aside to grow potatoes. . On average their crops yielded about 20,000 pounds per acres. Another cash crop gaining returns in the county is sod. Last year a total of 12,000 acres was set aside for this cash-producing product. Page 8, Tuesday, April 1, 1986 ing conducted anywhere in the world. The past year also saw the Board move into its first Board-owned office building, in Mississauga. It had been renting office space in Willowdale, north of Toronto. Ontario Egg Board General Manager Brian Ellsworth said 1985 brought few financial, market, or production changed for producers. While producer prices declined 6 cents over the year, he said, they follow- ed declining feed costs and so continued to pro- vide producers with ade- quate returns. The Board sets minimum producer prices using a cost of pro- duction formula which in- cludes such input costs as feed, pullets, and labour. Mr. Ellsworth said productivity-the number of eggs laid by a hen in a year--had increased by about 1% in 1985. And although table consump- tion of eggs (those bought by consumers) was about even with last year's, an increase in usage by the processing market meant producers were able to maintain their quota allotments. The Ontario Egg Board sets production quotas in order to ensure adequate supplies of eggs are pro- duced for consumers. Quotas are based on hens, meaning each producer is allotted a certain max- imum number of hens he may have in production at one time. These quota allotments are based on each producer's historical capacity. The 2ist Annual Meeting was held March 18-19, in Toronto. Maple trees tapped Last year a total of 79,485 maple trees were tapped. The information is contained in a report prepared last year by the staff of the Ontario Ministry of Ag. ; Some dos and don'ts Silo unloaders can be very dangerous. Each year in Ontario, there are a number of accidents in- volving silo unloaders. Gables, winches and elec- trical wiring on unloaders should be periodically checked for wear. Electricity should be shut off when making any adjustments. Avoid getting underneath a suspended unloader and under no cir- cumstances stand on an unloader while it is being hoisted. Avoid any of these dangers with your silo unloader. And did you know the average cost of a farm ac- cident is increasing? It is generally agreed upon by most safety ex- perts that the uninsured costs of an accident are usually ten times the in- sured costs. Meanwhile it has been revealed that 123, 159 acres was set aside last year in the county to grow hay while 78,329 was set aside for alfalfa and 24,000 for corn silage. Farm products sales close to *500 million Statistics taken from the 1981 1981 totalled $500.1 million. census for Central Ontario state that According to the 1981 census, the $475.2 million was the value of 19809 average number of automobiles per farm products sales. ; farm was 1:18; farm trucks, .96; Nearly 35,000 people lived on 10,312 tractors, .2; grain combines, .29; farms in 1981. Farm cashreceipts for Swathers, .18; balers, .56. "NOW IS JUSTIN TIME" ..T0 come in and meet Herb! For all your Lawn & Garden needs gne® $2495" Accidents can cause financial hardships for farmers. You can reduce the risk of an accident on MOWER your farm by setting up INCLUDED comprehensive safety pi. PLUS gram. A safety program 3 YEAR WARRANTY will not only reduce the number of accidents but will eliminate the costs that go hand in hand with farm accidents. And did you know a large number of farm in- juries happen to children under the age of fifteen. While children can be very helpful around any farm, they lack maturity and the knowledge of danger areas associated with farming. Salas & Service 25 Bradford St. BARRIE 728-2697 PARTS & SERVICE FOR ALL MAKES & MODELS Briggs Stratton, Tecumseh, Kohler Engines Coming Events THURSDAY, APRIL 3 OMAF Boardroom 1 P.M. "All About Canola"' THURSDAY, APRIL 10 Oe Gallagher Power Fencing Seminar Hay Preservatives TUESDAY, APRIL 15 Sprayer Calibration & Rootworm Control Clinic Bring your sprayers & your questions! EVERYONE WELCOME 8th Line Flos 322-3041 : a LTT TE ENE LT TT