Behind the Lines - December 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
The farm community has a well-earned history of pulling together when weather-related disaster strikes one of its members. But what about when disaster strikes across a wide spectrum of rural Ontario? The ice storm of 1998 showed us how difficult it can be to start the relief process and now those types of disasters seem to be occurring more often. Witness the two ice storms that struck in Perth County in the last two years and the substantial increase in the number of documented tornadoes.
Rural Ontario has learned a lot since 1998. Backup generators are mandated in many large-scale livestock and poultry operations now, and governments at all levels have a strong interest in keeping things on track. In our cover story, which starts on page 12, Mary Baxter writes about extreme weather events, government and insurance company responses, and their aftermath.
There are good reasons to expect that wild weather events are not going away. Phil (the Forecaster) Chadwick's career in meteorology spans more than 35 years, both as a forecaster and as a teacher. When he submitted this month's weather column, where he predicts that the polar vortex will increase the number of "gullywasher" storms across the province, Chadwick wrote: "I have been watching the jet stream charts over the past year and, compared to early days as a meteorologist, this pattern is abnormal, but is so common now that it is 'the new normal.' " Chadwick's weather column starts on page 46.
In addition to weather, farmers have always been aware of food safety, but the number of food scares and increased government promotion and regulation spending have helped ensure that this issue is top of mind. Writer Susan Mann's horticulture feature this month makes one wonder whether there is a weak link in the fruit and vegetable sector.
We had been hearing that fruit and vegetable growers had mixed feelings about the reusable plastic bins that have been in limited use in both Canada and the States for about 10 years. About three years ago, supermarket chain Loblaw launched a pilot project promoting their use, so that was the place, Mann reasoned, to go for another perspective. The company's website states: "As the country's largest retailer, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) has a unique opportunity to help Canadians through the products and services we offer and the strong commitment we make to corporate social responsibility."
In response to Mann's request for an interview, however, their public relations department responded: "While we appreciate your interest in Loblaw Companies Limited, we have reviewed your request and are respectfully declining to participate." Mann's story begins on page 42.
Ultrasound probing of swine has meant that Canadian breeding stock have ranked among the best in the world. Have you ever wondered why ultrasound probing of beef cattle hasn't caught on in the same way? On page 44, Jim Algie takes a look the beef industry's response to this technology.
In his regular Letter from Europe column, correspondent Norman Dunn says Germany bested France in keeping farmers on the land. One example is the French fuel subsidy of about 36 cents a litre for farmers in remote areas. Germany has simply encouraged factories to move closer to remote areas so farmers in those areas can earn off-farm income. This story is on page 55. BF
ROBERT IRWIN & DON STONEMAN