The Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association is looking for a large turnout at its meeting tonight (Wednesday) to bring members and interested parties up to speed on issues affecting the industry locally.
Among the items on the agenda is the new breeders’ co-op program that will extend bridge financing to farmers wishing to purchase bred cows and heifers.
The program—similar in principle to the successful feeder co-op system currently in existence—will enable farmers to finance these purchases over a five-year period.
RRCA vice-president Peter Spuzak said the initiative will be a welcome shot-in-the-arm for the cattle industry since it will relieve producers of the burden of large, short-term cash outlays.
Another issue sure to generate discussion tonight is the ongoing attempt by the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association to radically restructure the organization by reducing the number of directors.
There now are about 40 reps throughout the province but under the new proposal, that number could be reduced to as few as 12.
Spuzak said the reduction will be felt most acutely in the north, where representatives already have to travel vast distances to attend meetings.
He added the move is seen by some members as an attempt by powerful interests based in southern Ontario to gain greater power and influence at the expense of northern operators.
“I think it’s a power grab more than anything,” said Spuzak. “I’m not happy because when organizations get smaller, there is less representation and that could be dangerous.”
RRCA president Tom Morrish said this even may be an attempt by feedlot operators to sever their connections with cow-calf breeders like himself and Spuzak to form a separate organization.
A proposal put forward by the Rainy River Future Development Corp. to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to build a new abattoir in Stratton also may be discussed tonight.
Beef farmers in Rainy River District have been required to ship their cattle to Dryden for slaughter ever since the former abattoir in Stratton closed years ago.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
