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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-07-02, Page 14THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015. PAGE 15. By Pat Jilesen, Board Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture A group of forward-thinking farmers made some very wise decisions for their industry many years ago. Their foresight established what would become the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). And as we get ready to celebrate 80 years in Ontario next year, it’s a great time to shout out to the local branches – county and regional federations – across the province, that are also reaching big milestones. It was 1936 when the OFA officially began representing the interests of farmers in Ontario. While the issues have changed over the decades, the focus stays straight and strong on advocating for a sustainable future for Ontario farmers. Much of the OFA’s work happens deep in the heart of our rural roots. The OFA’s network includes 52 regional and county federations across the province. These local federations extend the farmer-led organization into every rural region of Ontario to support and serve the local interests of OFA members. This year marks some very significant anniversaries for some of our local federations. We are so proud to recognize 75 years of serving Ontario farmers for the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture and the York Region Federation of Agriculture. Local federations are looking for unique ways to advance and advocate for Ontario’s agricultural industry, reflecting the changing face of our industry and the complexities of consumer wants. The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture is hosting a special event to bring consumers and farmers together over a great local meal. This event comes on the heels of a special award for the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture, which was recently awarded by the 2015 CKNX Radio Farm Advisory Board – an honour that recognizes the group’s local work to serve agriculture and their community. None of these accomplishments can happen in isolation. The OFA’s team of 21 Member Service Representatives (MSRs) work in tandem with local federations as on- the-ground expert field staff. MSRs advocate for OFA members in their own backyard, reading to help with issues affecting individual farms or the region. It takes an entire industry to keep agriculture thriving in Ontario. The OFA is proud of its rich heritage in the province, and honoured to recognize the accomplishments of our local federations. Let’s keep the momentum going that drives our farmer-led, dynamic organization as the advocate and voice for Ontario farmers. Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending June 26 were 1,355 cattle and 504 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold steady. Choice steers and heifers sold $196 to $200 with sales to $219. Second cut sold $192 to $196. Aged and medium fed steers and heifers sold $185 to $190. Cows sold steady. On Thursday veal sold on a strong active trade at fully steady prices. Heavier lambs sold slightly lower while lighter lambs sold steady. Sheep sold barely steady while goats sold on an active trade. On Friday calves sold on a strong active trade at fully steady prices. Yearlings sold on an active trade at barely steady prices. Chris Smith of Brussels, consigned 22 cattle that averaged 1,605 lbs. and sold for an average price of $208.23. One limousin steer weighed 1,540 lbs. and sold to Cargill Meat Solutions for $219. John Van Loo of Bluevale, consigned 15 cattle that averaged 1,543 lbs. and sold for an average price of $197.73. One charolais steer weighed 1,635 lbs. and sold to Horizon Meat Packers for $204. Noah Weppler of Ayton, consigned three cattle that averaged 1,595 lbs. and sold for an average price of $190.51. One black heifer weighed 1,505 lbs. and sold to Bruno’s Meat Distributors for $199. Southlore Farms Ltd. of Palmerston, consigned 12 cattle that averaged 1,420 lbs. and sold for an average price of $189.85. One gold heifer weighed 1,525 lbs. and sold to Horizon Meat Packers for $198. There were 180 cows on offer. Export types sold $118 to $123 with sales to $129; beef, $138 to $145 with sales to $168; D1 and D2, $115 to $123; D3, $105 to $115; D4, $85 to $105. Steve and Becky Dobbs of Durham, consigned one blue cow at 1,105 lbs. and sold for $168. There were 14 bulls selling $109 to $160. Dave Little of Glencoe, consigned one limousin bull that weighed 1,260 lbs. and sold for $160. There were 172 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $170 to $230 with sales to $235; good holsteins, $155 to $167 with sales to $197; medium holsteins, $140 to $150; heavy holsteins, $145 to $155. Lamar Frey of Listowel, consigned nine calves that averaged 901 lbs. and sold for an average price of $219.86. Two limousin heifers averaged 910 lbs. and sold for $235. Justin Ulch of Dublin, consigned one blue steer that weighed 765 lbs. and sold for $226. RG&G Farrell of Kincardine, consigned one black steer that weighed 695 lbs. and sold for $220. Lambs, 50 - 64 lbs. sold $304 to $317; 65 - 79 lbs., $274 to $303; 80 - 94 lbs., $246 to $264; 95 - 110 lbs., $245 to $247/lb. Sheep sold $75 to $115 with sales to $125. Goats: kids sold $200 to $325; nannies, $50 to $110 with sales to $140; billies, $150 to $300/lb. Top quality stocker steers, 400 - 499 lbs. sold $392 to $400; 500 - 599 lbs., $333 to $370; 600 - 699 lbs., $324 to $359; 700 - 799 lbs., $253 to $292; 800 - 899 lbs., $245 to $264; 900 - 999 lbs., $222 to $230; 1,000 lbs. and over, $221 to $230. To quality stocker heifers, 300 - 399 lbs. sold to $325; 400 - 499 lbs., $303 to $310; 500 - 599 lbs., $311 to $350; 600 - 699 lbs., $315 to $325; 700 - 799 lbs., $256 to $267; 800 - 899 lbs., $240 to $250; 900 lbs. and over, $219 to $235. By Bethanee Jensen There has been a lot of conversation about how farmers are going to have to feed nine billion people in the near future. If some changes were made in the way our society deals with food, this could already be accomplished now. I have previously addressed waste as a key factor and indicated that if we make changes in the way we buy, produce and consume food it can help feed the world. Another contributor is political manipulation and it has created major problems on the world scene. Here are some facts taken from the World Trade Report – 2014. The agriculture sector, which employs more that half of the work force in developing countries and over 70 per cent in the least developed countries, is critical in lifting people out of poverty. Evidence suggests that growth in agriculture delivers more poverty reduction than growth in other sectors in low-income economies. Moreover, virtually all economies that managed to reduce poverty significantly went through a period of increased agricultural productivity. The least developed countries are net food importers and are the most affected by tariffs, distortive subsidies and other price- based policies of other countries. Subsidies in richer countries push down prices for poorer countries that hurt their already struggling economies. The economies-of-scale of large multinational agro enterprises creates problems for small producers in developing countries. We are dumping our excess cheap subsidized food into third world countries to the point where those farmers cannot compete and make a living. Instead of feeding them, it is increasing their poverty. The least developed countries’ per capita incomes are just four per cent of the developed economies’ average. Poverty reduction can only be By Josie Snyder The Grey Township 4-H Watchers held their first meeting at the Baans’ house on June 12. Members got to play a game called Bird Song Hero. This is a guessing game on birds songs and calls. They also played a bird version of the game 20 questions. Members had the name of a bird taped to their backs and their partner had to answer yes or no questions that they made up, then members switched asking/answering questions. The name “Grey Township 4-H Watchers” was chosen for the club name. The second meeting also took place at the Baans’ house on June 19. This time, members made bird feed from corn meal, flour, peanut butter, lard and oats. They put it in a log with three holes in it. After that, they stuffed the holes full with the bird feed mix. Finally they put a wire through the hole that was made at the top. Youth leader Jolande Oudshoorn explained how to focus their binoculars by first looking through and focusing only the left eye piece, then covering the left side and using the diopter adjustment ring on the right side until a sharp image is seen. OFA nears 80th anniversary Grey 4-H Watchers hold meetings in Walton Time to focus The Grey 4-H Watchers began their life earlier this month, gathering at the home of Don and Monique Baan to learn how to use a pair of binoculars, with which they will eventually go hunting for birds to see. Here, Youth Leader Jolande Oudshoorn, right, shows the members how to focus their binoculars. (Photo submitted) Politics factor in feeding the world 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 Call us 519-887-6461 Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES Agriculture Brussels Livestock report Veal sells steady on strong, active trade BLYTH 519-523-4244 www.hurontractor.comHensall 519-262-3002 | 1-800-265-5190 | www.hdc.on.ca Multiple Locations across Southwestern Ontario · GRAIN ELEVATORS · CROP PRODUCTS · PETROLEUM & PROPANE · FEEDProud to be farmer-owned. wouthoss Srrotions accraoccaMultiple L ensall 519-262-3002 | 1-800-265-5190 | wH V· GRAIN ELE d.wneo farmer-o bee ud tPro · FEED · PETROLEUM & PROP · CROP PRODUC arioern Onttaesttewwe a.on.c.hdcwwensall 519-262-3002 | 1-800-265-5190 | w ORSTAATV ANEM&PROPPA ST· CROP PRODUC Continued on page 18