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ge Agriculture Update Beef industry is in decline The picture emerging from the $1.7 million Beef Industry Marketing Task Force report is one of an industry in decline. Beef is still the largest sector of the agricultural industry in the pro- vince, but the current herd is smaller than at any time this century. Since 1971, the number of farms registering cattle has fallen from 64,295 to 39,647 and a total herd of three million head is now about 2.4 million. Much of the decline in numbers can be attributed to increased pro- ductivity, particularly in the dairy sector where per cow milk yields have risen dramatically - but beef consumption has fallen. Since 1976, when an average of 51.5 kilograms per capita was be- ing consumed, beef has been go- ing out of fashion. In 1987 the average Canadian was eating only 38.15 kg -- 15 kg less than in 1976. Poultry has become more popular in a society in which more women work out of the home and more energy is spent on health concerns. Society as a whole is spending less of its income on food -- and considerably less on beef. In 1969, about 11.8 per cent of total expen- diture on food went towards buying beef. By 1984 that was down to 7.8 per cent. Finally, the spread between retail Hwy. 26 YS\ FALL "SPECIALS NEW HUSQVARNA DEALER Full line in stock service & parts One FREE chain sharpening Plus FREE file kit On purchase before Nov. 15/88 asi B | FARM EQUIPMENT LTD. and wholesale prices has widened. The general decline in consump- tion and the fall in the amount of money being spent on food are bad enough -- what has made mat- ters worse for the farmer has been a decline in the producer's share of the consumer's dollar. Add to that increased feed costs and it is easy to understand why so many producers have been squeezed out, and so many of those still in the market find it dif- ficult to cover their costs of production. The size of the average beef operation has also changed with a decline in the number of farms her- ding in the middle range: in 1971 almost half the cattle in the pro- OFA forms new council The province's livestock associa- tions and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture have formed a Farm Animal Council. Its annual budget is near $100,000. The organization was formed "to protect agriculture from the legislative actions of animal rights groups." Among the activities in which the council will engage are the preparation of classroom materials to be distributed to schools. 45 - 2.7 cu. in. 44cc Lightweight, well balanced yet powerful. Excellent for home or farm. Packed with professional components. Reliable elec- tronic ignition, matched air intake/ex- haust system for smooth operation. In- ertia activated chain brake standard. NOW ONLY $39995 50 - 3.0 cu. in. 49cc Easy to use on tough jobs, this chain saw puts professional performance into the hands of non-professionals. Efficient, quiet, vibration dampened, the 50 is perfect for part-time users who demand full-time performance. Inertia activated chain brake standard. NOW ONL $42995 428-3132 vince were in herds between 33 and 77 head. Today, it is the largest farms which account for more than 60 per cent of the beef cattle in Ontario. At the same time, the number of beef operations where the farmer is spending the bulk of his time working off the farm has increased. As the task force puts it: '"The On- tario cattle industry represents the major part time agricultural activity in the province."' According to Ontario's farm accounting" project, cow-calf operators tend to have high degrees of equity - an average of more than 80 per cent -- and it is this which has allowed them to sustain low returns over the years. 1 50¢ ¢ OFF ! 1 ? 20 kg Bag : q SIFTO : ill € CRYSTAL PLUS Hi i¢ any SPARES? $S= SSS eS Offer expires November 30/88 re J. & S. 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Now's the time to put Wheel Horse Power to work for you! Wheel Horse 212-5 (shown above) features: * No-tools mower attachment system « Automotive type steering column shift *|Wheel Horse + 12-hp Briggs and Stratton I/C engine + Headlights + 5-speed gear drive * Hourmeter + Extra wide turf tires ° Voltmeter ¢ Large seat * Unitized frame construction * Optional 36" rear, 37" side mower lever See your local Wheel Horse Dealer for more details" WALHER Smatte MOTORS -.ttTo 24 Ronell Cres., Collingwood 445-0881 Wednesday, October 26, 1988, Page 11