39 Ate Today? Thank a Farmer. Better Farming | June/July 2024 Canada to somewhere out west had been switched from gallons to litres accidentally. It still puzzles me whether the pilots and others in the cockpit checked the fuel gauges. This flight had to make an emergency landing on a deserted air strip in Manitoba. The plane was big enough that it needed a long runway. Thankfully the plane landed safely. By the time Dr. Rennie and I met for lunch, the crop issue had died away. He asked me many questions about where I saw OMAFRA and where it should be. Dr. Rennie was a gentleman and a very wise man. Just before we left he said, “The minister asked me to talk to you, but you know, I would rather talk to you about letting this one go than to try to talk to some other staff to motivate them to do more.” So, my punishment for this little mistake on my part was that I got to be the official witness in defending the government against cases brought against it for crop damage. I loved it. I always have loved going up against lawyers. The lawyer for the government was good. We had practice sessions where he would be the opposing lawyer questioning me. He would ask a series of questions, then throw in a different spin. At first, they caught me off guard. When I answered wrong, he chewed me out. Eventually we started to settle claims put forward. In one case, the farm supply company had paid a farmer for crop loss. I knew the company rep and smiled and asked how things were going. At break, the lawyer chewed me out and said, “In that room, we are not friends. Do not do that again.” Most of the claims were thrown out. Years later, I reflected on the whole issue. My final thought was this: It didn’t matter what who said or wrote. The label was the last word. You have to follow the label. And whoever sprays is liable. (I once had an interesting case that involved myself and the Ministry of the Environment, which lasted over seven years. The case looked at liability when a herbicide is sprayed. They charged me. Maybe I can tell that story later.) BF P.S. I have recently been off with an illness. A bacteria from an unknown source landed on my liver and produced a cyst. Recovery was a bit long. I did a lot of reflecting and thought about a number of incidents in which I was involved over the years. The above story was one recollection. And thanks to the many people who prayed for my recovery. DELTA POWER EQUIPMENT Alvinston, 519-898-2961 Chatham, 519-351-4300 Dunvegan, 613-527-1501 Renfrew, 613-432-4133 Winchester CIH, 613-774-2273 deltapower.ca EQUIPMENT ONTARIO Lindsay, 705-324-6136 Port Perry, 905-982-1500 equipmentontario.com J & H SALES & SERVICE Chesley, 519-363-3510 jhsales.com PREMIER EQUIPMENT LTD. Alliston, 705-435-7551 Ayr, 519-632-8998 Elmira, 519-669-5453 Listowel, 519-291-5390 Norwich, 519 688-1011 Ospringe, 519-833-9332 Smithville, 905-957-2133 Tavistock, 519-655-2200 Salford spreaders accurately apply fertilizer, lime, or combination applicators for both. Save time with a wider swath and greater durability. SALFORD. PRECISION FROM THE GROUND UP. FIELD YOUR BEST Salford, Ontario Elie, Manitoba FALL TILLAGE & APPLICATION PROGRAM ON NOW! CONTACT YOUR SALFORD DEALER TODAY. crops: the lynch fileS PATRICK LYNCH Patrick writes a weekly crop production newsletter and is a popular speaker at farm meetings. Opinionated, controversial; formerly with OMAFRA and Cargill. CCA-ON.
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