No rain

Farmers will sell off stock earlier than they'd prefer

by Alicia McCutcheon

MANITOULIN-Rumours are circulating among the cow/calf operators on Manitoulin that an early selling season may have already begun.

The extremely dry conditions facing Island farmers is putting a strain on both crops and cattle, causing farmers to think about selling in August as opposed to the traditional September sell-off time.

Barrie Island farmer Scott Runnalls expects this may be the case and said he has already talked the possibility of selling early over with his family, but has not made a final decision yet.

"We're still kind of plodding along," he said.

Mr. Runnalls has upwards of 600 cattle out in pasture but the pasture is fast disappearing.

"There's still some green stuff around the bush, but once that is gone..." the farmer said. "We try to rotate the crops but if the grass doesn't regrow, there's no sense in rotating."

Water too is becoming a worry, as the farm's water holes are getting low and muddy.

This year, the Runnalls farm consists of cattle, hay and pasture-no grain crops. He explained that the family has come to rely on the second cut of hay, but this year the second cut was made just last week, at only one third of what it normally is.

"One-hundred and fifty acres is a normal second cut-we did 50 acres this year, and the other 100 isn't worth cutting," he lamented.

Mr. Runnalls worries that the dry conditions on Manitoulin are becoming a trend.

Normally, he explained, the cows would be put on their winter feed (hay) in late October or November, but if the dry patterns continue, they will have to supplement grazing much sooner than is normal. Mr. Runnalls said that he does carry crop insurance and expects to see a payout this year.

Manitoulin farmers were "test pilots" of Agricorp's crop insurance program a number of years ago, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs local agriculture representative Brian Bell explained. The program lost subscribers, however, when, on the last day of the prescribed time frame before claims could be realized, it poured rain, causing the farmers to lose their chance at cashing in on their misfortune. Mr. Bell said he is seeing a rise in farmers purchasing into crop insurance again, although it is still a relatively small amount.

Each farmer who buys crop insurance is connected to one of 15 rain stations located throughout the Island and will receive claim payment if the measured rainfall during the insured period (May through August) is less than 80 percent of the long-term average for the area. For Manitoulin, the average for May is 74.3 millimetres (mm), while June, July and August receive an average of 68.5, 62.1 and 78.6 mm, respectively for a total summer average of 283.5 mm of rain.

Larry Moggy in Bidwell has not been fortunate enough to have a second cut this year on his farm. He has 10,000 acres of mostly hay and grain. When the Expositor first spoke to Mr. Moggy four weeks ago, his grain was barely over his knees, when it should have been at least waist high.

"When your income relies on hay and grain, it can be frustrating," he said. "It can go both ways."

Last week, Mr. Moggy was calling the conditions on his farm "severe."

"My take on it as that now that the grass is no longer green and mature, the protein level has dropped," he said. "There's no regrowth. The cattle rely on the pasture until November."

He guesses his crops will need between three and four inches in that many days or "we'll be in trouble."

"We will have to supplement grain from Southern Ontario," said Mr. Moggy. "The hay is totally useless now."

The farmer is also worrying about his water holes, which are dangerously low. On one of his pastures, the water has to be brought in by the tankful each day.

"When we turn the cattle out in the spring, we always have these conditions in mind," said Mr. Moggy. "If the pasture could hold 40, we put 30 on instead."

"Nobody's panicking yet, but it's getting there, he said. "It's just something you have to fight through."

"At least it's good for the tourists," he said, trying to see a bright side to the conditions.

According to the Agricorp website, Tehkummah and Carnarvon are the only two regions on Manitoulin to have above-seasonal rainfall-just barely. Alec Anstice has been working on the family farm his entire life, and in all 23 years, he cannot remember a drier season, despite Tehkummah's above average rainfall.

"We did get a second cut of hay," he said, noting that he and his father take the first cut earlier than most, from early to mid-June, due to the higher protein level garnered for their dairy production. This also allowed them more time for a second growth.

The Anstices just finished their second cut and figure it to be about one-half of what they would normally see.

Mr. Anstice attributes some of their good fortune in a second cut to tile drainage. He explained that by having the special system installed in their fields, moisture holds because the roots will travel deeper into the soil, thus allowing for better water holding capacity in the plants or "capillary capacity."

He said tiling also allows for earlier planting in the spring as it aids in runoff while keeping the moisture in. The young farmer is hoping for rain and consequently another cut of hay.

Ten years ago, in 1997, Manitoulin received a total of 57.5 mm in total precipitation for June, according to Environment Canada Statistics In July, the number decreased to 32.5 mm. In June of 2000, 68 mm was catalogued, while July had a scant 18.5 mm. For 2007, Manitoulin received only 28.5 mm in June, with 38 mm in July.

Any way you look at it, Mr. Bell said it clearly, "we desperately need rain."

4-H calf show returns to Prov Bay Fair

by Lindsay Kelly

PROVIDENCE BAY-It takes skill, patience and, most of all, practice to show a calf well, and the members of the 4-H Beef and Calf Club will have a chance to demonstrate what they've learned about showmanship during this year's Providence Bay Fair.

It's been close to 40 years since the Island has had a calf club, and for the first time in as many years, the weekend-long fair activities will include a 4-H Achievement Day.

The 4-H Beef and Calf Clubs used to operate through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Today, the clubs function independently, and a local contingent of 13 members has been learning the ropes under the direction of co-leaders John Featherstone and Jim Martin.

"With the beef club, they pick a calf every spring, they teach it to lead, feed it, and generally learn husbandry," Mr. Featherstone explained.

Through 4-H Ontario, members of each club hold an achievement day at a local fair, where they have the opportunity to show their calves in front of a judge-the judge evaluating showmanship in Providence Bay will come from GenCor in southern Ontario-and demonstrate the skills they've learned through the program.

"Our ultimate goal is to have a small group of Manitoulin calves at the Royal Winter Fair," Mr. Featherstone said. "I think club members can be goodwill ambassadors for the Island."

Since many of the members are still relatively new at showing calves, he said he doesn't expect to go this year, but he does plan to take a vanload of kids to the fair so they can get a taste for what to expect when it's their turn in the ring.

In the meantime, the leaders will continue to share their knowledge and continue to teach the curious members that show an interest in husbandry.

The 13 members currently comprising the club include Caitlyn Baker, Derek Bailey, Mallory Bailey, Bryn Millsap, Regan Millsap, Allesha Mitchell, Katie Runnalls, Cameron Runnalls, Nicholas Martin, Reilly Featherstone, Peter Jansen, Chelsea Strain and Ashley Borton. Members range in age from 10 to 15.

Members are divided into junior or senior categories, depending on when their calf was born. Members in the junior category will be showing calves that were born early this year, while those showing calves born last year qualify for the senior division.

The Achievement Day calf showing will start at noon on Saturday and should run until about 3 pm. They will first bring their calf into the ring for the judging of the best calf on the ground, and members will then return to the ring to be judged on showmanship.

Mr. Featherstone said he hopes to see Islanders out to support 4-H Club members, and get a sense of the skills they are learning from this unique club.

EDITORIAL

Congratulations on 40 years of Haweater volunteerism

Not too many years ago, the Wikwemikong Powwow (now officially known as the Cultural Festival) celebrated its fortieth annual event, to much fanfare.

This past weekend saw the Little Current Lions Club's Haweater Weekend pass this same landmark: 40 years of successive annual celebrations.

Just as in a marriage or a career, 40 years is a remarkable achievement. The quarter-century mark is great to meet and surpass. Forty years is remarkable, and all the more so when we realize that the Little Current Lions Club's 40-year history has been accomplished exclusively through the work of local volunteers. There has never been any paid staff, not even summer students.

As a retrospective story in the Haweater Weekend fortieth anniversary supplement to this paper a couple of weeks ago pointed out, the first Haweater Weekend, in 1968, was built on a hugely successful Centennial Year (1967) weekend held the previous year.

The community had enjoyed this big bash (intended as a one-time event in the year of Canada's centennial). It was determined to recreate it the following year as a Lions Club fundraising event and community party.

It was given the name "Haweater Weekend" because, at that time, the "Haweater" moniker seemed to be more meaningful than it is today. It implied belonging to, being a part of, Manitoulin.

That first year of Haweater Weekend, badges were produced (their purchase also doubled as the cost of admission to weekend events) that identified the wearer either as a true Haweater or as someone who wishes he/she had that status.

In fact, at the opening ceremony of this year's event held last Friday, three members of the 1968 Little Current Lions Club were on the podium, and each one proudly sported a red, white and green button, from 1968, declaring they were each a Haweater. (This writer still has one of the "I wish I were..." variety).

Did these three (Doug Tracy, Doug Hore and Don Cooper, all Little Current businessmen at the time, as Doug Hore remains) and the other members of the club those 40 years ago have any idea that their "Let's have a big weekend!" idea would keep on going and going and become a tradition? None of these three are vain, nor were the other members of the club at that time. They simply thought it was a good idea, as have their successors and other members of the Little Current and area community who also step up to the plate to help the Lions on their big weekend.

The fact that the event remains not merely viable but hugely successful is a tribute not just to those who had the idea in the first place but to all of those torch-bearers who have kept the event alive during the ensuing 39 years.

Congratulations on this year's event, certainly, but also to all who have built and kept Manitoulin's "big bash" going through thick and thin.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Meldrum Bay is a small but vibrant tourist destination

We even have Internet availability

To the Expositor:

The community of Meldrum Bay is alive and well, and the Mississagi Lighthouse is open and operating.

Meldrum Bay has a lot to offer a visitor-a world-class restaurant and hotel (Meldrum Bay Inn), one of the larger employers on Manitoulin Island (Lafarge), the Net Shed Museum (housing many artifacts of our history), a family-run retail store (Dove's Place), a resort and charter business (Whitesea), the famous Mississagi Lighthouse and Campground, and the Meldrum Bay Marina and Campground in the village, which serves seasonal and transient boaters and campers. We also have Internet access availability. Meldrum Bay may be a small community but we have a big heart.

Peggy Morrison

secretary-treasurer

Dawson Citizen's Improvement Association

Landowner suspects links between trail group and government

It seems there will always be a conflict with land use

To the Expositor:

I have read the replies of Mr. Fuhrman and Mr. Barnett to my June 6 letter titled "Resident skeptical of conservancy group's role on Island." As I stated in my previous letter, it is still not clear as to the final goal that the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy has in mind. Mr. Barnett states, "We have absolutely no relationship with any government agency," yet as I read Mr. Barnett's document titled "Manitoulin's Escarpment: The Escarpment Biosphere's work to date and plans for the future," he mentions the MNR several times. My personal observation is that the EBC must have some connections with the government or there are several misleading statements in Mr. Barnett's document. Mr. Barnett also states in this document that the EBC hopes to extend the "World Biosphere Reserve" 300 kilometres to Cockburn Island. Who regulates a World Biosphere Reserve? Would it possibly be the Niagara Escarpment Commission? Mr. Barnett also points out that Manitoulin has none of the "benefits" of the Niagara Escarpment Plan, the World Biosphere Reserve or the Bruce Trail. Is he trying to say that he wishes to implement these so called "benefits" to Manitoulin Island? Along with the "benefits" there must be some negative aspects to some property owners.

Mr. Barnett also mentions in his letter to the Expositor that the Southern Trails generate about $100 million per year. How many hikers would have to visit Manitoulin to produce these amounts of revenue? Would this many people create environmental problems that the taxpayers of Manitoulin would have to deal with? Would that much traffic over the trail system create large amounts of human waste and garbage to fill up sewage treatment plants and our landfill? Also, would that many visitors disrupt the very things that the EBC and Mr. Barnett claim that they need to protect? Do these trails just create a place for city folks to use without the expenses of ownership? It is my personal belief that so many visitors could not possibly visit Manitoulin without leaving their mark on an area that has to date received very little traffic from human visitors. I see the Cup and Saucer trash cans overflowing from the visitors that walk that trail; multiply that by a few thousand more visitors and all of a sudden we have a problem. To date, I have not seen the EBC's plan to deal with problems like these and to hear them say who would be financially responsible for disposing of the garbage.

It has been indicated that I may be "biased" and "confused" and perhaps I am, but trust me, it comes from reading Mr. Barnett's document and from reading statements from people that are somewhat "biased" and "confusing" themselves. Some may even call me a "fearmonger" but I think my concerns and questions to the EBC are warranted from the information I have read. It is also comforting to know that I am not alone in my confusion, that there are several hundred residents and landowners of Manitoulin that are just as concerned and, perhaps, as confused as I am. I also noticed that my concerns and so-called "confusing" questions concerning the property taxes have never been addressed by either Mr. Fuhrman or Mr. Barnett. Will the parcels of land purchased by the EBC be removed from the tax rolls? I am certain that this issue will not be resolved through our letters to the editor. Many Manitoulin landowners have purchased their property so that they can enjoy activities other than those promoted by the EBC and other like organizations, so it is almost certain that there will always be a conflict when it comes to land use. In closing, I am very happy to see that the Manitoulin Landowners' Association is up and going again. We need a united group to ensure landowners' rights are protected. My donation is in the mail.

Mike Bauer

Rockville

Letter unfairly stereotypes residents of US Ozark region

Statements like this do nothing to promote tourism

To the Expositor:

I read the letter written by Shelagh Saul ("Case of missing pup, presumed killed, should be wakeup call") about her missing dog in the July 4 edition of the Expositor. While I sympathize with the plight of the missing dog, I take great exception to the writer's comment that Manitoulin is "not the Ozarks of the North." What exactly is this person implying? I'm not exactly sure, but I get the impression that the writer feels people from the Ozark region of the US are uneducated, uncultured, un-peaceful and non-law-abiding people, or a bunch of "gun-loving, redneck vigilantes."

The writer also states that people on Manitoulin "should all deeply care that the financial sustainability of Manitoulin Island is based on tourism dollars," and that "our seasonal dollars depend on visitors who choose Manitoulin over Muskoka, the Kawarthas, or Killarney."

I happen to be an American who owns property on Manitoulin Island and my family chooses to spend the majority of our vacation time and money on Manitoulin Island. If the writer truly understood the importance that tourism plays on the Manitoulin economy, she would not make these types of comments. Like it or not, lots of people south of the Canadian border choose to spend their vacation dollars on Manitoulin Island over places in Michigan, Ohio, and probably even, God forbid, the Ozark region of the US. The type of statements made by Shelagh Saul do nothing to promote the increased tourism revenue that the writer feels is so important.

Chris Wenz

Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan

Trevor Shawanda

D & D Trading Post,

Whitefish River First Nation

I'm your neighbour

Pull in to the D & D Trading Post on a muggy, summer afternoon and you're likely to find Trevor Shawanda behind the counter, bustling around as he attends to the needs of the many customers stopping by.

The unique store-located on Highway 6 in Whitefish River First Nation-is a popular stop for people travelling the long stretch of pavement between Birch Island and Little Current, because it's smack dab in the middle of the route.

Mr. Shawanda has been working at the store since it came under new management about two months ago, and since then, he does occasional work at the store, helping out when he's needed. Aside from helping customers purchasing snacks and putting through gas orders, his responsibilities include "filling coolers, keeping the building clean, cigarette orders, and doing pop orders," he says.

But the little store is more than just a convenient stop for people travelling between communities. It also has a selection of crafts and artwork by local artists for sale. Near the counter, a large work by painter Mike Cywink brings a bit of colour to the walls, while a cabinet nearby hosts intricately woven quill boxes and braids of sweetgrass. In the window, a colourful array of dreamcatchers twinkle in the sunlight.

With the busy summer season in full swing, Mr. Shawanda has been spending more and more time at the store, which keeps him busy until he finds work in his field of choice: carpentry.

Enrolling in a training program through the Whitefish River First Nation band office taught him the skills of the trade a few years ago, and Mr. Shawanda's goal is to get back into the field. With his small community of Birch Island growing all the time, he's sure there will be work for him in the near future.

In the meantime, he's enjoying working at the store, where the variety of work keeps him busy, and brings him into contact with a host of different people.

"You meet some pretty friendly people," he says. "I like it here."

Shopping at local stores like D & D Trading Post ensures lasting employment for people like Trevor Shawanda.