It was a small crowd that attended the annual general meeting of the Renfrew County Cattlemen’s Association to hear about farm safety on the road presented by Constable Janice Sawbridge, who is with the Renfrew County detachment of the OPP.
The event was Thursday night at the Cobden Agricultural Hall.
Prior to Const. Sawbridge taking to the floor, president David McGonegal talked about some of the issues that occurred throughout the year. Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz met with several farm groups at a meeting on various issues he said, including the trade agreement with Korea and the CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), which is a trade agreement between Canada and the European Union. The meeting was organized by Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant.
“CETA is still in discussion,” he said, adding, that’s because there are many countries in the European Union that have to agree to this agreement, he added.
“It was nice to have the minister come and meet with the farmers,” he said.
The dairy farmers group was upset with Minister Ritz because of the expansion of the cheese agreement in CETA.
“Mr. Ritz was prepared and very diplomatic,” Mr. McGonegal said.
In September, the cattlemen’s hosted a beef barbecue and outdoor meeting at Ben Snyder’s farm on the Zion Line. Dan Ferguson of Beef Farmers of Ontario provided an overview of the updated Code of Practice while veterinarian Donald Clarke spoke and demonstrated the preferred way of dehorning and castrating cattle.
Mr. McGonegal said the cattlemen’s group is no different than any other farm organization and more people to take on executive positions are needed.
“We need new directors,” he said. “We sent six members to the annual meeting in Toronto and we needed seven.”
He added, “We’ve even had difficulty getting quorum at our local monthly meetings regarding financial matters.”
Mr. McGonegal said it’s also time for a new president, as he’s had the position for five years.
While trying to determine the reasons, he said, it’s understandable people are busy and the meetings could be boring.
“We try to make the meetings not too boring,” Mr. McGonegal said. “Sometimes we get off topic and sometimes a little down to earth.”
He questioned if meeting once a month is too much.
“Maybe once a month is too much of a commitment, but it doesn’t seem like a whole lot,” he said. “Maybe we’re not contributing enough to the livestock community.”
Mr. McGonegal suggested if there are new people on the board, there might be more ideas.
“Anyone interested we would appreciate you and welcome you to the board,” he said.
He also suggested it’s time the organization began looking for new leadership.
“Not that I don’t enjoy the job, but sometimes new leadership brings new ideas,” he said. “I’ll certainly continue on until a new leader is elected.”
Mr. McGonegal also thanked secretary Donna Campbell, who does a lot of work behind the scenes. He congratulated Ms. Campbell and her husband Dave for being accepted into the Agriculture Wall of Fame for Renfrew County last year.
Const. Sawbridge has been a police officer for 25 years, the past 14 as community services officer with the Renfrew detachment. She lives outside of Eganville on a small farm with husband Bruce, who is a sergeant with the Killaloe Detachment of the OPP, and their three teenaged children.
“I’m not an expert on farm tractors or the type of equipment,” she said. “The majority of information I’m going to give you tonight is probably a review.”
She noted that most of the rules that apply to vehicles on the road also apply to tractors or other farm equipment on the road. The rules that do apply are impaired driving, signalling and careless and dangerous driving. The rules that don’t apply are slow driving, seat belt requirements and driving on the shoulder of the road, she noted.
If a farm vehicle does not have turn signals, hand signals must be used, Const. Sawbridge said. She further stressed while mirrors are not mandatory, it is up to the driver to ensure it is safe to turn, even if using mechanical turn or hand signals.
For those operating farm equipment on the roadways, the driver must be over 16 years and cannot be prohibited by the courts from driving, she said. As for those under 16, they are allowed to drive directly across the road, she said.
For loads that overhang by five feet or more, a red flag or marker must be used, she said.
Const. Sawbridge said regardless of how wide your farm vehicle is, it is mandatory that half the road be allowed for oncoming traffic. This topic had much discussion from farmers at the meeting, because it seems municipalities are not taking into consideration the larger farm equipment that is being used when constructing or rebuilding roads.
Trudy Desjardins said, “Our sideroads (in Whitewater Region Township) are not wide enough for two vehicles, let alone a tractor.”
She further noted, “People defy us. While it’s easier for them (a vehicle) to back up then it is for us to move further over, they don’t. We aren’t purposely blocking the road, but people are pushing us.”
Const. Sawbridge said if there is a complaint and the police are called, while she can’t say what the outcome would be for any other officer, she would make the smaller vehicle back up. If there is a collision, it would be hoped that everything was done by both parties to avoid it, she said.
Sgt. Sawbridge, while not a guest speaker, added, “When an officer arrives at the scene, his main goal is public safety.”
Ms. Desjardins said it’s not so much the local people who are causing the problems, but the tourists. It seems they think that even though the farm equipment coming towards them is larger, it shouldn’t matter – they get half the road.
In response to a question about who’s at fault if someone passes a farm vehicle that pulls over to allow for vehicles behind to pass, Const. Sawbridge said, it is up to those passing to ensure there is no oncoming traffic.
She also stressed the importance of using the slow moving vehicle sign. When that sign is displayed, it means the vehicle is going no faster than 40 kilometres an hour, she said. It’s also important for people to realize this sign is not to be used for any other purpose, although it has been seen on gate posts as reflectors.
Const. Sawbridge spoke about ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) and the law.
“There is only to be one person on an ATV,” she said, adding, “Even if there is a permanent two-up seat. There can be no passengers.”
ATVs must be plated and insured, she noted. The driver must wear a helmet and have a minimum G2 driver’s licence, she said.
It is up to each municipality and county to determine what roads and at what speeds ATVs can be driven, she said.
Const. Sawbridge spoke about rural crime prevention. The most common crimes are theft, break and enter and fraud, she said.
“Thefts from vehicles is still happening,” she said. “A parking lot like this (at the ag hall) for a thief is ideal. The majority of people are younger and are stealing change.”
She recalled people being arrested in Renfrew for going into unlocked vehicles and they had about $90 in loose change in a baggy.
“The simplest way to prevent theft is to lock your doors,” she said. “Protect your property from being stolen. Hide valuables.
“I can’t encourage you enough to lock your doors,” she continued. “Many people leave their keys in their vehicles overnight.”
Even those farmers who drive their pick-up truck to the field and leave the keys in it while they work in the field — by the time they get back to the truck, it could be gone, she said.
“I’ve seen that happen in this area,” she added.
Fuel is expensive – lock your fuel tanks.
“Young people know where fuel is stored,” she said.
When selling a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, make sure it’s safely secured so it can’t be easily stolen, she said.
“Thieves are lazy,” Const. Sawbridge said. “Make it harder for them to choose you as a victim. A gate at the end of your driveway is a deterrent. Mark your property with the same identification number. If it’s stolen and we receive it, we can return it.”
She stressed that all crimes be reported, whether by having an officer come to the scene or self-reporting, which is something new. To self-report, the number to call is 1-888-310-1122.
For more information about the Highway Traffic Act and how it affects farm vehicles, call 1-613-731-1471 Ext. 117 or 613-432-3211 Ext. 2.
Const. Sawbridge advised that people should educate themselves about scams.
“The numbers are staggering when it comes to fraud,” she said. “It’s in the millions of dollars of people being defrauded. These people know how to trick people every day into giving out your credit card or bank account numbers. Many people don’t want to report it because they feel foolish and embarrassed. Don’t be – these people are professionals.”
The most common scam is the grandparent one, where a young person calls an elderly person claiming to be a grandchild and needs money to get out of jail, but asks that their parents not be notified. Don’t believe it, she said. Call the parents, because that would even be in the best interests of the child.
A question from the floor was about a guard dog biting an intruder and the dog being quarantined. Const. Sawbridge said yes, if a dog bites a person, regardless of whether the person should have been on the property, it will be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days. However, she added, it can be quarantined at the owner’s home.
There was also a short discussion about the horse and buggy use in the area. Do they need lights? If it’s a sleigh, do they need bells? Do the buggies need slow moving vehicle signs?
Const. Sawbridge said while she wasn’t 100 per cent sure of all the answers, she advised the sleighs should have bells and unless there is a religious reason, all the buggies should have at least one slow moving vehicle sign and there should be a red light on the back.
She noted the municipalities where the horse and buggies are now seen in this area, have put up signs warning people there are horse and buggies on the roads.
The new executive of the cattlemen’s organization was also acclaimed by meeting’s end. Elected to the board are Dave Campbell, Bob Dobson, Myles England, Bill Hass, David McGonegal, Craig McLaughlin,Gerald Rollins, Janice Sawbridge, Wade Schroeder, Brent Stewart and Tim Tabbert.
Out of those elected, Mr. McLaughlin is the advisory councillor; Mr. McGonegal is president; Donna Campbell is secretary (not on the board) and Mr. England is treasurer. Mr. Rollins, by election by Beef Farmers of Ontario, is a director on the BFO board.
