August/September 1998
Industry News
Terry Boland, Editor-in-Chief

1998 Plowing Match
The 1998 International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show is getting ready in Frontenac County. More than 150,000 visitors are expected to view approximately 1,000 exhibits at the annual event taking place near the Village of Sunbury, near Kingston, Ontario from September 15-19. This year patrons can watch plowmen from six provinces participate in the Canadian Plowing Competition, among many other regular and special attractions. UPI is the official fuel supplier for the 1998 IPM highlighting ethanol-blended fuels.

Upcoming Plowing Matches
For those who like to get ahead of the game, here is a list of the future locations for the International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show:
1998 - Frontenac County
1999 - Huron County
2000 - Wellington County
2001 - Ottawa-Carleton

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, located in Woodstock, Ontario, is undergoing major changes to meet exhibitor demand. Organizers for the show, which takes place from September 8-10, are preparing for new exhibits, test plots, demonstrations and on-site services. The expansion means extending six lanes to the south to create a new Machinery Mall, adding more underground cable and water, and seeding 10 additional acres of turf. Another area experiencing growth will be the Ride and Drive program where farmers can test drive farm machinery.

CRFA Communications
The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) has hired Ellen Klupfel, Guelph, to manage a new Public Information Program for renewable fuels in Canada. The two-year program is designed to increase consumer awareness and understanding of ethanol and biodiesel. Ellen is a graduate of the University of Guelph and will begin her new job on August 4. The two-year program is a co-operative effort of the CRFA and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Clean Air Bill
New clean air legislation, introduced on June 8, 1998 by Chatham-Kent MPP Jack Carroll, has received all party support and passed second reading in the Ontario legislature. The amendments to the Environmental Protection Act could result in a regulation requiring a minimum 2.7 per cent oxygen content in gasoline for motor vehicles sold in the province. The legislation, Bill 34, now heads to the Resources Development Committee of the Ontario legislature for consideration.

Manure Management Tour
The Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario (IFAO) has arranged for a tour of eastern Ontario and Quebec to observe the latest technologies for handling manure that are both environmentally friendly and cost effective. The bus trip will take place from August 19-21. Program items include manure exchange agreements between livestock producers and cash crop farmers, a no-till and minimum till manure application project and meeting producers, researchers, extension agents and consultants. The cost of the excursion is $225 per person, plus GST, and covers transportation, accommodation and most meals. For further information on the event contact the IFAO at (519) 769-2443.

Year 2000
Are you ready for the Year 2000? Are you addressing the millennium bug? What does it mean? If you operate computers, computer-assisted equipment, fax machines, pocket organizers, etc. you should check with the manufacturer to ensure that the program running the equipment is 2000 Ready. On December 31, 1999 at 12 midnight when all computer or program-based equipment change the date to the Year 2000, it will attempt to show a “00” for the year, rather than the four-digit figure 2000. If not addressed, the equipment may fail to operate or when you need to use the year in a program, the program may crash. In our computerized world this could be extremely serious. Find out what it could mean to you and do a check of your equipment. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has a page set up on the Internet and if you need more information a quick search of the Internet finds three million references on the problem.