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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-11-20, Page 1212 News Record • Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Young farmers confident about future in the veal industry By Lilian Schaer They're young, they're edu- cated and they're passionate about their future as veal farm- ers in Ontario. Tom Oudshoorn and his brother Paul raise about 2,000 grain -fed veal calves on their home farm in the Auburn area in Central Huron and on a sec- ond farm near Kincardine, where Paul now lives. They were still in high school - Tom, age 14, and Paul, age 16, - when they started raising their first 20 calves after a barn had become empty on their family's farm. Both have since graduated from the agriculture program at the University of Guelph -Ridge - town Campus, with Tom finish- ing his diploma in June 2012, and are now full-time farmers keen to continue to expand their farming business. "Every day is a bit different when you're farming and I really like being my own boss," explains Tom, adding both he and Paul enjoy making their own decisions, a benefit that comes with being self-employed. "As well, there are always ways you can improve and get better." Thanks to the support of their family, the brothers were able to balance both school and farm- ing while first Paul and then Tom completed their post -secondary educations. Today, Tom looks after the younger calves and Paul's main responsibility is for the older animals, although they both pitch in to help each other out when needed. Attending school was extremely beneficial, says Tom, as it helped them get a better understanding of the business side of veal farming, make con- nections with others in the industry and gain ideas they could apply to their business, particularly when it comes to farm management and record- keeping. Tom and Paul regularly par- ticipate in educational work- shops and seminars offered by the Ontario Veal Association (OVA), the industry association that represents veal farmers in province, where they also take the opportunity to network with fellow farmers who are willing to share helpful production tips with the young brothers. In Ontario, veal calves - the male offspring from dairy cows - can be raised in one of two ways: fed on a milk -based or on a grain -based diet. Milk fed calves are ready for market when they weigh approximately 500 pounds and grain -fed calves when they reach approximately 700 pounds. Meat from the Oudshoorns' animals is sold at Longo's as well as through butcher shops across the province. There are many different ways to enjoy veal and for Tom, it's hard to narrow it down to just one - he likes them all. Submitted Photo Brothers Tom and Paul Oudshoorn started farming in their teens, growing from 20 to 2,000 calves. ANL OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Clinton News Record is as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm Nows Cli n Record 53 Albert St., Clinton, ON PH: 519-482-3443 www.clintonnewsrecord.com "Stew is really good but we also grill it or eat it as a roast - it's so versatile you can eat it year-round," he says. Veal farming is one of the smaller sectors of Ontario agriculture and many people don't know a lot about it. Even other farmers, says Tom, will ask him questions about the industry when they find out he's a veal farmer - although their questions are a bit different than those he gets from urban consumers. "Even dairy producers don't know where their bull calves go sometimes. Farmers always ask how long it takes to feed the young ones on milk," he explains. "Most city people always want to know how big they actually are and I give them a quick rundown on what they eat and how long it takes to go to market:' Tom and Paul's future plans include continuing to grow their veal business as well as adding cash crops to their farm operation. This article is one in a series of profiles on Ontario farmers and farm businesses produced by Farm & Food Care Ontario. Brucefield Community UCW enjoys slide show of Europe Varna News Joan Beierling The Brucefield Community United Church Women met at the Church last Thursday Nov 5. President Joyce Hum - mill welcomed everyone. Carol Simons and Barb Norman were in charge of the Devotion. Barb Norman started with Prayer and everyone put a poppy on the cross in silence. Carol read a poem "In Flanders Fields" followed by Barb with Scripture. Linda Keys introduced the Guest Speaker Jeff Denys and he spoke and showed slides of his trip overseas to Belgium, France and Vimy Ridge. Linda thanked him and lunch was served and a short meeting followed. The Christmas Meeting will be Dec. 3 and the ladies will be catering and serv- ing the Stanley Club at the Complex on Dec. 4. The Nov. 6 Meeting for the Stan Lee Club met at 7:30 p.m. at the Complex. Minutes and Treasurer reports were read and Bernice Reid gave a reading entitled "Please Take Time." A thank you card was read from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140 Clinton Roast Turkey Dinner Sunday November 24, 2013 Dinner served 4:30pm - 6:30pm Tickets are $10 each in advance or $12 each at the door Please have advance tickets prepaid by y Friday, November 22 Reading Club at Huron Centennial for the donation. The Christmas Meeting will be Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. and will be catered too. The cost will be $15 per person. The meeting closed with some good music by Jim and Elaine Scott and lunch was served. Tuesday Nov 12 the Varna Crokinole Club met in Brucefield at 7:30 p.m. Win- ners were Dave Whyte and Ken Pollock 28pts, 2nd Murray Perdue and Sjoujke Steenbeek with 27pts, 3rd was Cheryl Trewartha and Charles Reid with 26. Tied for 4th place with 23 were Ralph Stephenson and Wayne Beierling and Steve Lefaive and Doug Trewartha. The club will meet Tuesday Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Odd Fellows hosted a card party on Nov. 14. Men's high was Alex Townsend; low man was Bob Fother- ingham; high lady was Donna Collins and low lady was Mary Fotheringham. Most lone hands was George Cante- lon and winners of the draw were June Thomas and Doug Cartright. The next card party will be Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome! The Church news is the Stewards have decided that improving the sound system of the Church is a priority, and are setting up a special fundraising account. People wishing to donate can make cheques payable to the Brucefield Community Church and indicate it is for the sound system. They are still in need of more volun- teers to be helpers for the Sunday School teachers. The Worship Commit- tee is looking for volunteers to greet and also readers for Sunday Services. This year White Gift Sunday will be held Sunday Dec. 1. The Huron County Christmas Bureau have made changes. This year they are not collecting food items. Families will receive grocery store gift cards instead. Gifts of new toys, clothes or monetary donations are welcome! Please keep the Huron County Christmas Bureau in your thoughts as you do your shopping this month. The Stewards will meet Wed. Nov 20 at 7:30 p.m. and the Council meeting will be Nov 27 at 7:30 p.m.