EDWARDS — Hundreds of farmers dropped in at Stanley’s Old Maple Lane Farm at Edwards to support the Skuce family who lost their repair shop in a Christmas fire. Farmers Forum was there to gauge the mood of farmers in uncertain times. We asked farmers: Which inflationary costs do you most worry about and does anything worry you more?” As Metcalfe’s Doug Reaney said: “Fuel is on everybody’s mind.”
Doug Reaney
“Fuel is on everybody’s mind, and (driven by inflation) interest rates are most definitely going to affect the next generation. It’s going to be very hard to continue to farm … when you don’t know what the numbers are going to be. It’s very volatile. I am worried, no question. We’re going to see some changes we’ve never seen before. And the government isn’t helping it with the drive for green energy. I’m all for green energy, but it can’t be at the price of people’s businesses and lives — and their food!”
Doug Reaney
Cash-cropper
Metcalfe, Ont.
Rudy Blaser
“I’m worried about rising fertilizer costs and fuel costs. (But) government overreach, that worries me more.”
Rudy Blaser
Dairy farmer
Metcalfe, Ont.
Garry Wilson
“Fuel and parts are the biggest thing. And there’s no need for it: About 7 years ago, oil was $115 a barrel and we were paying a buck and a half for diesel. Now it’s $102 a barrel, and we’re paying $2.30 for fuel. It’s nuts. It has nothing to do with COVID. It’s an excuse.”
Garry Wilson
Crop and beef farmer
Lunenburg, Ont.
Brian Groot-Lipman
“Number one would be fertilizer and fuel costs.
Brian Groot-Lipman
Cash-cropper
Russell, Ont.
Tim Stoodley
“I guess fuel and fertilizer, and I guess the interest rate because we all have mortgages.
(What worries me more is) our prime minister.”
Tim Stoodley
Dairy farmer
Westport, Ont.
Shawn McDonald
“Diesel would be number one, and diesel is number two.”
Shawn McDonald
Cash-cropper & custom operator
Metcalfe, Ont.
Shawn Quinn
“Definitely worried about inflation: Fuel and parts, fertilizers, taxes. (I worry more about) our state of government: Control and mandates.
Shawn Quinn
Hay and vegetable farmer
Metcalfe, Ont.
