OTTAWA — The 20,000 grain producers in Ontario have a common age of 62 to 63 years. In any other industry, these individuals would be contemplating retirement, as they are nearing the end of a 40-year career.

In order to replace these farmers at retirement age, 500 young people per year are required to begin farming, just to maintain our current numbers. It has been estimated that 10 or fewer people have started to farm in Ontario in each of the past 3 years. It will be impossible to maintain this production profile. Where will this leave the Number 2 industry in our province? This problem is by far the most pressing and serious situation facing agriculture in Canada at this time. Is anyone watching these numbers? No!

If you think of agriculture as a bathtub of producers, it has not one drain, but three, and is emptying faster than anyone realizes. Us old guys are going down drain Number 1 through retirement or death.

My neighbour just went down drain Number 2 . At 45 years of age, he quit. And like many others, he’s getting a ‘good job’ as they have families to support and can no longer do so on the farm.

The largest drain, however, is Number 3, the one not being paid attention to. There is a total lack of young people beginning in our industry. This includes many of your sons and daughters who have left the farm for greener pastures. Surprisingly, their problem is the same as ours — not enough money. Big paying jobs, such as police, teachers, firemen, construction, etc., all which offer fair pay for a fair day’s work — a necessity for our young people today.

Al Mussel, of the George Morris Centre, stated last year: " Agriculture in Canada is in a downward spiral."

He is correct. I believe that serious change is needed and it is high time that all levels of governments come up to today’s standards. They must monitor and run this country like a successful operation, with all its checks and balances in place, and perform to their potential and our expectations. It is only then that our sons and daughters will feel good about calling this farm home.