Thank you.
I'll give you just a bit of history or background to start off, and I'll then go on with my speech.
I'm from a dairy farm in Cornhill, New Brunswick, which is about 20 to 25 minutes away from here. My dad originally came in 1973. He started with 11 cows. We're now at a herd size of 210. We crop about 2,000 acres. I'm in the process of taking over. We just built a new dairy facility.
There are many things that I'd like to see in the future of farming. At this time, I'll go ahead with my speech. If there are any questions, we'll do that after.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Karl Von Waldow. Coming from a dairy farm in Cornhill, New Brunswick, these are some views and points of interest that I see in the future of farming.
I think more respect should be paid towards farmers, because farming is no longer for family members who did not go to university or college. Many farm operations are now multi-million dollar businesses that need very careful planning and management practices and skills, along with a vast knowledge of many things.
With the general public growing ever more populated in rural areas around farming communities and complaining about smell, noise, mud, and animal rights, we need to implement certain regulations. This way, complaining citizens cannot force an established farmer out of a lifelong business. Nine times out of ten, they were there first.
For example, in more populated areas around the world, such as California, there are regulations that inform new home builders, or new buyers of existing homes, that there are certain elements that come with a farm. If they choose to live in this area, they must respect the farmer because he was established there prior to them.
There should also be more education in schools about agriculture. This way, people would understand what goes on in the farming industry and where their food products derive from. Farmers also should open their doors to the general public, showing their daily practices and their efforts that go into making a quality product. Whether it be tours of the operation, open farm days once a year, or school field trips, all of these would educate present and future adults. It would show the public where the products come from and perhaps further entice them to buy locally.
Another alternative in the farming industry that would benefit everyone, and the future of the farming industry, is green energy. Having another source of income to pay for rising annual costs of production is always beneficial. Methane digesters, wind turbines, solar panels, pressed solids, and undigested fibres are only a few examples.
Methane digesters would dramatically help in greenhouse gas reduction by taking methane and producing power to either feed into the grid or power small communities. A 300-cow dairy has the potential to produce 300 kilowatts an hour or eight megawatts a day for 365 days a year, and to reduce the odours of manure up to 95% or greater.
Removing solids from manure not only can be source of bedding for cattle; it can be sold to gardeners and landscapers. When the leftover liquids are applied to the soil, there's greater absorption time and less runoff. All this would give the farmer an extra source of revenue.
This is an area that I'd like to see more focus on. Allow farmers to feed into the grid in certain provinces that do not have the opportunity as of yet. Perhaps grants and a fair price for electricity would make this type of project feasible.
There is a saying that my father has always told me: give a farmer a dollar, and we will spend two.
As a last remark, we have a great system in this country. There are endless possibilities and opportunities in agriculture, quality products, and a very strong agricultural community among farmers. It's just becoming a dying breed. I think we need to put more incentives into farming to intrigue younger farmers so that they will enter the workforce. Whether they're from a farming background or not, it's a great life and an interesting career.
Thank you for your attention and your time.