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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-01-24, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013. PAGE 11. Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Jan. 18 were 2,314 cattle, 440 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold steady. Choice steers and heifers sold $120 to $127.75 with sales to $135. Second cut sold $115 to $119. Cows sold steady. On Thursday all classes of veal sold under pressure. Lambs and goats sold steady, while sheep sold under pressure. On Friday calves and yearlings sold steady to the week’s decline. K/C McAlpine of Ailsa Craig, consigned two steers averaging 1,532 lbs. selling for an average of $130.37. One limousin steer weighed 1,530 lbs. and sold to Horizon Meats for $135. John Wiersema of Blyth, consigned three steers averaging 1,527 lbs. selling for an average of $123.45. One blonde steer weighing 1,550 lbs. sold to Horizon Meats for $128.25. Larry Reinhart Sr. of Mildmay, consigned three steers averaging 1,400 lbs. selling for an average of $122.58. One limousin steer weighing 1,335 lbs. sold for $126.50. R. Wayne Culp of Kenilworth, consigned four steers averaging 1,341 lbs. selling for an average of $124.46. A group of two limousin steers averaging 1,373 lbs. sold for $125.50. Elam S. B. Martin of Wingham, consigned 11 steers averaging 1,468 lbs. selling for an average of $120.80. One black steer weighed 1,605 lbs. and sold to Ryding Regency for $123.25. Warren and Marion Becker consigned four steers averaging 1,310 lbs. selling for an average of $121.45. One limousin steer weighing 1,355 lbs. sold for $123. Dwayne and Lorri Dickert of Ayton, consigned three steers averaging 1,517 lbs. selling for an average of $121.08. One black steer weighed 1,510 lbs. and sold to Norwich Packers for $122.25. Reuben A. Miller of Lucknow, consigned five steers weighing 1,572 lbs. selling for an average of $120.05. One black steer weighing 1,520 lbs. sold for $122.25. Ed Van Donkersgoed of Gorrie, consigned three steers averaging 1,622 lbs. selling for an average of $118.95. One red steers averaging 1,455 lbs. sold for $121.75. M-R Farms of Exeter, consigned eight heifers averaging 1,349 lbs. selling for an average of $130.35. One black heifer weighing 1,440 lbs. sold to Horizon Meats for $132.75. K/C McAlpine, consigned six heifers averaging 1,394 lbs. selling for an average of $124. A group of two charolais heifers weighed 1,373 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $125.75. George and Art Hinz of Monkton, consigned six heifers averaging 1,414 lbs. selling for an average of $118.29. One charolais heifer weighing 1,390 lbs. sold to Norwich Packers for $124.25. Murray London of Waterdown, consigned nine heifers averaging 1,247 lbs. selling for an average of $116.56. One grey heifer weighing 1,440 lbs. sold to Ryding Regency for $123.50. Connell Farms of Palmerston, consigned 10 heifers averaging 1,385 lbs. selling for an average of $121.34. One black heifer weighing 1,490 lbs. sold for $123.50. Jim Shaw of Bluevale, consigned five heifers averaging 1,261 lbs. selling for an average of $120.54. One limousin heifer weighing 1,360 lbs. sold to Ryding Regency for $122.50. Terry Murray of Clifford, consigned four gold heifers averaging 1,310 lbs. selling to Horizon Meats for $120.50. There were 388 cows on offer. Export types sold $57.50 to $72 with sales to $83; beef sold $66.50 to $82 with sales to $90; D1 and D2, $48 to $54; D3, $45 to $47; D4, $37 to $47. Larry Reinhart Jr. of Mildmay, consigned two cows averaging 1498 lbs. selling for an average of $82.69. One limousin cow weighing 1,535 lbs. sold for $90. Dwayne and Lorri Dickert of Ayton, consigned one limousin cow averaging 1,355 lbs. selling for $90. Fortress Farms of Gowanstown, consigned three holstein cows averaging 1,403 lbs. selling for an average of $71.52. One holstein cow sold for $83. There were 28 bulls selling $65.50 to $82 with sales to $99. Murray Preece of Wyoming, consigned one limousin bull weighing 1,835 lbs. selling for $82. Jason Hoggart of Londesborough, consigned one hereford bull weighing 1,715 lbs. selling for $81.50. There were 211 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $110 to $150 with sales to $156; good holsteins, $93 to $100 with sales to $104.50; medium holsteins, $80 to $90; heavy holsteins, $90 to $105. Lamar Frey of Listowel, consigned nine veal averaging 784 lbs. selling for an average of $138.22 with three limousin heifers averaging 765 lbs. selling for $156. Premier Blue of Dublin, consigned three veal averaging 718 lbs. selling for an average of $132.53 with one blue heifer weighing 670 lbs. selling for $147. Tobias S. Bowman of Wallenstein, consigned eight veal averaging 753 lbs. selling for an average of $135.95 with one blue steer weighing 690 lbs. selling for $157. Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $225 to $265; 50 - 64 lbs., $180 to $255; 65 - 79 lbs., $171 to $206; 80 - 94 lbs., $145 to $175; 95 - 109 lbs., $136 to $170; 110 lbs. and over, $131 to $147. Sheep sold $60 to $95 with sales to $116. Goats: kids sold $50 to $120 per head; nannies, $50 to $100 per head; billies, $150 to $250 with sales to $350 per head. Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $152 to $176; 400 - 499 lbs., $122 to $183; 500 - 599 lbs., $131 to $182; 600 - 699 lbs., $126 to $170.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $115 to $142; 800 - 899 lbs., $108 to $145.75; 900 - 999 lbs., $124.50 to $143.75; 1,000 lbs. and over, $115.75 to $135. Top quality stocker heifers, 400 - 499 lbs., sold $125 to $162; 500 - 599 lbs., $121 to $150; 600 - 699 lbs., $112.50 to $145; 700 - 799 lbs., $114 to $132.50; 800 - 899 lbs., $116 to $131.75; 900 lbs. and over, $117.50 to $128.50. By Nathan Stevens The traditional debate between proponents of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) technology and its opponents has taken an unexpected turn. Mark Lynas, formerly one of Britain’s strongest opponents of the technology, has made an about face and is now embracing its potential as a tool to feed the world in a sustainable fashion. Time will tell if this is an impactful shift or a blip on the radar of this discourse on relatively new technology. Lynas professes to be an environmentalist who believes that everyone in the world deserves a healthy diet. His gut reaction to GMO food in 1995 was a natural adversity to a large American corporation that was altering the genetic makeup of species in an unnatural way – simply put, humanity had acquired too much technological power and the risk was too great. He then helped wage a fairly successful campaign using the term “Frankenfood” to scare people around the world away from its potential. The tipping point for Lynas was an examination of the science behind GMO. His pro-science stance with regards to climate change and his anti-science approach to GMO became an inconsistency in his thinking that he could no longer ignore. When he began to examine his assumptions against reality, he was disabused. For example, GMO cropping leads to reduced pesticide use, and additional dollars accrue to farmers with increased yields and reduced input costs. Humans are a tool-making species – turning to science has repeatedly been our path to solving problems. He now rejects much of the organic movement as a simplistic one that chose to stop adopting technology at 1950 as a matter of principle. He compared it to the decision of many Amish farmers to draw a line on technology, but with the key difference being that the Amish accept the limits for themselves while the anti-GMO movement is striving to force those limits on everyone. Lynas acknowledges that the organic movement has strengths that should be considered on a wider basis. Organic farming has innovated in its own ways in the areas of good soil management techniques, with intercropping and companion planting, recycling nutrients and on-farm diversity. Application of these innovations can improve the resilience of agriculture. Lynas’s assessment of the big picture is that three billion hectares of rainforest, savannahs and other natural heritage have been spared conversion to farmland thanks to modern agriculture, while feeding three billion more people than in 1950. He states the GMO debate is over – three and a half trillion meals without a single case of substantial harm. On the other hand, malnourishment caused by failing to meet the challenge of feeding nine billion people by 2050 will cause wide spread harm. Lynas’s shift in thinking may mark a turning point in the debate around genetically modified food. From my perspective, there are strengths and weaknesses inherent to any approach to agriculture. Farmers with an open-mind and an innovative approach can draw from the best in each approach and strengthen the productivity, resiliency and sustainability of their farms. By Mark Wales, President Ontario Federation of Agriculture There’s a new process to becoming a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) in 2013, and every year moving forward. Now, farmers earning more than $7,000 per year from their farm will need to follow a two-step membership process that includes completion of the farm business registration (FBR) process and completion of an OFA membership agreement. The changes are in place to address concerns raised in 2012 by the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal. Traditionally, when Ontario farmers completed the FBR process – which qualifies farmers for farm property tax designation and other programs – they also submitted a registration payment of $195 payable to the accredited general farm organization of their choice. The Tribunal decision now requires that those farmers take an additional step to clarify their choice of membership by explicitly signing a membership agreement. Farmers who select the OFA on their FBR form – and submit payment to OFA through Agricorp – have completed step one. New for 2013, those farmers will receive a membership agreement in the mail directly from the OFA. To receive all benefits of OFA membership, farmers wishing to be an OFA member must complete step two – signing and returning the OFA membership agreement in the mail or through the OFA’s website. Why take the extra step to become an OFA member? The OFA is the largest and strongest general farm organization in the province. We include 52 localized county federations of agriculture to provide strong leadership and local representation, elected by and for Ontario farmer members. And, the OFA is the only accredited general farm organization to provide members with 20 trained Member Service Representatives (MSRs) across Ontario. The OFA members also receive an OFA member card, which gives them access to unbeatable special offers from our extensive lineup of Member Benefit Partners. Because OFA membership now requires completion of a second step – that’s new for 2013 – the OFA is getting the word out through our “Drive Forward with OFA” program. Every member who completes both steps one and two before April 30, 2013 is eligible to win great prizes. Completing your membership agreement by mail gives you a chance to win great prizes. Completing your membership agreement online gives you two chances to win. As president of the OFA, it is my sincere hope that farmers will continue to choose OFA for the influence and leadership we have shown in representing farm families. Together, we make a difference on issues that matter to Ontario agriculture, and continue to strive for prosperous and sustainable farms. For more information about the new OFA membership process visit www.ofa.on.ca/driveforward OFA works with new membership process GMO technology debate takes a new turn AgricultureBrussels Livestock report Fed steers, heifers sell steady at sale 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 Get breaking farm news on the Rural Voice section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca