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The Citizen, 2017-05-11, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017. Df Id9e. ELEVATORS— 43269 Amberley Rd. RR #2 Wroxeter Ph. 519-335-6813 Fax 519-335-4352 Jeff's Cell 519-291-7777 Receiving Elevator for FNSALL +!STRICT p -OPERATIVE Agriculture Brussels Livestock report ixj JOHN DEERE HURON TRACTOR BLYTH 519-523-4244 www.hurontractor.com Fed steers, heifers sell on good demand Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending May 5 were 3,064 cattle and 1,009 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold on a good demand at prices $3 higher. Choice steers and heifers sold $171 to $175 with a high of $177. Second cut sold $167 to $171. Cows sold on a strong active trade. On Thursday beef and holstein calves sold on a good active trade. Lambs sold slightly higher. Goats sold steady. Sheep sold lower. On Friday calves sold on a strong active trade at steady prices with grass cattle bringing a premium. Yearlings sold on a strong active trade at prices $5 to $8 higher. Warren and Marion Becker of Ayton, consigned six head that averaged 1,513 lbs. and sold for an average price of $166.85. One red steer weighed 1,620 lbs. and sold for $177. Caleb Martin of Fordwich, consigned one red steer that weighed 1,390 lbs. and sold for $176.50. Darren Johnston Farms of Bluevale, consigned 41 heifers that averaged 1,342 lbs. and sold for an average price of $167.97. Two red heifers averaged 1,405 lbs. and sold for $179.50. Bruce Dale of Centralia, consigned 11 heifers that averaged 1,362 lbs. and sold for an average price of $169.53. One charolais heifer weighed 1,340 lbs. and sold for $174.50. There were 250 cows on offer. Export types sold $88 to $96 with sales to $98; beef, $80 to $99 with sales to $111; DI and D2, $84 to $88; D3, $78 to $86; D4, $65 to $78. Paul Clarke of Atwood, consigned one limousin cow that weighed 1,330 lbs. and sold for $111. There were 13 bulls selling $83 to $129. Steve Holtby of Kincardine, consigned one limousin bull that weighed 2,180 lbs. and sold for $125. There were 200 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $130 to $170; good holsteins, $105 to $115 with sales to $118; Si heavy holsteins, $105 to $110; heavy holsteins, $100 to $105; medium holsteins, $90 to $105. Matt Ferraro of Hanover, consigned four calves that averaged 788 lbs. and sold for an average price of $152.19. One limousin steer that weighed 915 lbs. and sold for $170. Ezra Kuepfer of Kincardine, consigned six calves that averaged 768 lbs. and sold for an average price of $111.60. One limousin heifer weighed 770 lbs. and sold for $157. Keith Dunstan of A new beginning One of the biggest stages of a massive undertaking in Brussels took place on Tuesday morning as local workers began raising the urban bank barn project that Bryan Morton is bringing to Brussels. Everyone began bright and early Tuesday morning and hoped to have the entire structure erected by the end of the day. The barn will eventually house a number of new projects, including a year-round home for the farmers' market. (Denny Scott photo) New plan reflects commitment By Mark Reusser, Vice President Ontario Federation of Agriculture A new proposed action plan to reduce phosphorus levels in Lake Erie has been developed by the Canadian and Ontario governments. The Domestic Action Plan summarizes and seeks input on proposed actions to meet our commitments under the Canada - U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Lake Erie has been the main focus for phosphorus reduction in the Great Lakes. The result of excess phosphorus entering Lake Erie has been algal blooms that can be harmful to human health and the environment. The Canadian and Ontario governments recognize the complexity of this issue, and the many sources of phosphorus entering Lake Erie. Identified sources include runoff from cities and towns, agricultural sources, sewage treatment plants, airborne particles, septic systems and industrial discharges. Climate change, altered hydrologic patterns, changes in land use and the arrival of invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels also add to the algal bloom problems. The draft Domestic Action Plan recognizes the large number of contributing factors and proposes guiding principles to address phosphorus reduction in Lake Erie and surrounding watersheds. The plan identifies actions for government, municipalities, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities and partners in key sectors, including agriculture and industry, to help reduce phosphorus entering Lake Erie by 40 per cent. The Domestic Action Plan is open to public comment until May 24. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) will be submitting comments. The OFA continues to work closely with farmers, commodity organiz-ations and collaborative groups like the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative towards improving water quality. Ontario farmers are already Continued on page 33 Mildmay, consigned 13 holstein calves that averaged 721 lbs. and sold for $102.19. One holstein steer weighed 695 lbs. and sold for $118. Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $357 to $360; 50 - 64 lbs., $332 to $350; 65 - 79 lbs., $295 to $315; 80 - 94 lbs., $313 to $330; 95 - 110 lbs., $310 to $318 / lb. Sheep sold $85 to $145 / lb. Goats: kids sold $250 to $405; nannies, $50 to $125; billies, $150 to $300 / lb. Top quality stocker steers, 400 - 499 lbs. sold $205 to $250; 500 - 599 lbs„ $219 to $256; 600 - 699 lbs., $204 to $245; 700 - 799 lbs., $190 to $224; 800 - 899 lbs., $187 to $207; 900 - 999 lbs., $173 to $187; 1,000 lbs. and over, $170 to $176. Top quality stocker heifers, 400 - 499 lbs., sold $213 to $242; 500 - 599 lbs., $190 to $211; 600 - 699 lbs., $172 to $211; 700 - 799 lbs., $174 to $185; 800 - 899 lbs., $174 to $183; 900 lbs. and over, $167 to $179. Scottslea Farms of Blyth, consigned 122 head that averaged 700 lbs. and sold for an average price of $200.52. Fourteen charolais steers averaged 528 lbs. and sold for an average price of $256.50. Twelve charolais heifers averaged 849 lbs. and sold for an average price of $183. Middelkamp Farms of Ripley, consigned 60 head that averaged 701 lbs. and sold for an average price of $216.27. Nine charolais heifers averaged 643 lbs. and sold for $211. Fourteen charolais steers averaged 682 lbs. and sold for an average price of $226. Farmers under more scrutiny than ever By Keith Currie, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The recent Ontario trial for criminal mischief with farm animals in transit reminds us all that farmers and our everyday practices are constantly under scrutiny. Our customers and special interest groups have never been more engaged with how farmers grow crops and raise animals. Raising farm animals using safe, humane practices is never negotiable and Ontario fanners follow strict codes of practice. But public pressure on approved farming practices reminds us that social license must be earned each and every day. Social license has been defined as the privilege to operate with minimal restrictions by maintaining the public's trust for doing what is seen to be right. Farmers have traditionally been held in high esteem and trusted to produce the food we eat. But with each generation, Canadians are increasingly disconnected from food production. This growing gap in basic understanding of where food comes from and how it is grown and raised creates ongoing challenges in maintaining the trust that is essential for social license. The OFA advocates every day for Ontario farmers' ability to operate responsible and sustainable farm businesses. Building public trust and a sustainable farming sector is one of OFA's key objectives. Obviously, we need to ensure that our farm businesses operate within accepted practices. The challenge is to achieve general agreement on what constitutes "acceptable" practices. There are a lot of special interest groups working hard to convert the public to their own idea of acceptable farming practices. Make no mistake — farmers need to step up every day and clearly demonstrate they are farming in a humane and sustainable way. But government needs to step up and help establish and promote an attainable bar and defend the farms that reach or exceed that bar. The judiciary must protect responsible farmers from costly legal challenges that weaken public trust and weaken our competitive position. The recent Barton report to the federal government singled out food production as a major growth area, citing opportunities to export food to developing markets. Indeed, being blessed with abundant resources and skills, we have an obligation to ensure we feed our growing world. Frankly, we won't get there without a clear and concerted effort to recognize a balance of sustainable and humane farm practices that are also competitive. We need our governments to work with us to educate the public in food production and build the trust in our industry that is now flagging. Trust begins with awareness of farm practices that are deemed just and humane. This awareness then leads to an acceptance of those farm practices, at least by the majority. Then farmers and the entire agri- food chain must clearly demonstrate that they are meeting or exceeding those standards — every day. This is no simple task. But it is a necessary task. Our citizens and others around the world need food. We need to ensure they trust us as the source of that food. We must strengthen our social license. BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 9:00 a.m. Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows THURSDAYS 8:00 a.m. Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. Stockers Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@ brusselslivestock.ca Call us 519-887-6461