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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-06-13, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013. PAGE 15. Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending June 7 were 1,926 cattle, 749 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold at prices $1 higher. Choice steers and heifers sold $126 to $130 with sales to $137.75. Second cut sold $120 to $125. Cows sold steady to last week’s prices. On Thursday all weights and classes of veal sold at prices $2 to $3 higher. Lamb, sheep and goats sold at steady prices. On Friday all classes of cattle sold on an active market at prices steady to last week. Chris Smith of Brussels, consigned 28 steers averaging 1,491 lbs. selling for an average of $132.70. One limousin steer weighed 1,435 lbs. and sold to Horizon Meat Packers for $137.75. Art Bos Sr. of Blyth, consigned one gold steer weighing 1,550 lbs. that sold to Horizon Meat Packers for a top of $130.25. Terry McCarthy of Dublin, consigned 12 steers averaging 1,520 lbs. selling for an average of $128.30. One charolais steer weighed 1,520 lbs. and sold for $130.25. Trevor Pfeffer of Ayton, consigned three steers averaging 1,643 lbs. selling for an average of $128.26. A group of two steers averaged 1,658 lbs. and sold to St. Helen’s Meat Packers for $129. John Coleman of Kippen, consigned one black steer weighing 1,410 lbs. that sold to Norwich Packers for $128.75. Leonard and Andrew Black of Proton Station, consigned 12 steers averaging 1,426 lbs. selling for an average of $127.88. A group of three steers averaged 1,325 lbs. and sold to St. Helen’s Meat Packers for $128.50. Walter McKenzie of Dublin, consigned two steers averaging 1,575 lbs. selling for an average of $124.69. One red steer weighed 1,660 lbs. and sold to St. Helen’s Meat Packers for $128. Steve Lobsinger of Palmerston, consigned two steers averaging 1,325 lbs. selling for an average of $125.25. One red steer weighed 1,325 lbs. and sold for $127.50. Dennis and Marylou Bross of Listowel, consigned one heifer weighing 1,285 lbs. that sold for $129.25. Fred Schapelhouman of Jasper, consigned four heifers averaging 1,363 lbs. selling for an average of $129. A group of two limousin heifers averaged 1,373 lbs. and sold for $129.25. Neil Rapien of Monkton, consigned 12 heifers averaging 1,297 lbs. selling for an average of $125.25. One charolais heifer weighing 1,440 lbs. and sold for Norwich Packers for $128.75. Ron Smith of Denfield, consigned nine heifers averaging 1,329 lbs. selling for an average of $127.48. A group of two red heifers averaged 1,265 lbs. and sold to Norwich Packers for $128.75. Weswill Holdings Inc., consigned five heifers averaging 1,239 lbs. selling for an average of $128.06. A group of two black heifers averaged 1,290 lbs. and sold for $128.50. Fred Riehl of Gadshill, consigned seven heifers averaging 1,327 lbs. that sold for an average of $126.60. One blonde heifer weighed 1,210 lbs. and sold to Norwich Packers for $128.50. Glen Bieman of Ayton, consigned four heifers averaging 1,270 lbs. that sold for an average of $126.41. One red heifer weighed 1,310 lbs. and sold to St. Helen’s Meat Packers for $128. Earl Bennewies of Mitchell, consigned four heifers averaging 1,391 lbs. selling for an average of $127.63. One black heifer weighed 1,400 lbs. and sold for $128. William G. DeJong of Brucefield, consigned 30 heifers averaging 1,246 lbs. and sold for an average of $126.12. One black heifer weighed 1,210 lbs. and sold to St. Helen’s Meat Packers for $128. There were 253 cows on offer. Export types sold $70 to $81.50 with sales to $84.50; beef, $74 to $88 with sales to $89; D1 and D2, $54 to $63; D3, $45 to $52; D4, $37 to $45. Richard Stroeder of Mildmay, consigned two cows averaging 1,510 lbs. selling for an average of $83.45. One charolais cow weighed 1,360 lbs. and sold for a top of $89.50. Dwayne Harris of Teeswater, consigned three cows averaging 1,466 lbs. selling for an average of $79.95. One limousin cow weighed 1,320 lbs. and sold for $88. William Fogal of Gore Bay, consigned 11 cows averaging 1,205 lbs. selling for an average of $75.42. One charolais cow weighed 1,190 lbs. that sold for $87. There were 17 bulls selling $70 to $86. Doug Green of Listowel, sold one holstein bull weighing 1,480 lbs. for $85. Scottlea Farms of Blyth, consigned two bulls averaging 2,213 lbs. selling for an average of It’s no secret that Huron County has a rich and strong connection to agriculture. With the average of Canadian farmers now 54 years old, the next generation of farmers is not always visible, even in a rich agricultural community like Huron County. The number of farms has been declining and the average farm size has been growing. The sometimes narrow profit margins and high capital costs make farming a difficult industry to start in and establish yourself. However, there are still young people, especially in The Citizen’s community that are willing to face the odds and want to be involved in the agriculture industry. They are both realistic and optimistic about their future, and Citizen reporter Ursina Studhalter, with her own strong agricultural background has been charged with the task of sitting down with these young farmers and hearing their stories. Every second and fourth issue of The Citizen per month throughout the summer Ursina will tell a the story of a young farmer trying to make their own way. They are brave, they are hard- working and they are dedicated. These are their stories. - SL Sometimes starting small yields big results. William Ringgenberg from Walton has found that to be true. He has 100-ewe sheep herd. He says he started with “basically one,” then he added two more. “Once you have 20, it takes three or four years to get to 100,” he adds. “It’s been about 10 years,” he says since a neighbour gave him his first sheep. Last year, his family made a long- term investment in the sheep by building a new barn to house the herd. “I like doing construction projects,” he says. Ringgenberg will be graduating from Central Huron Secondary School in a few short weeks. In the fall, he will be attending the University of Guelph, following the footsteps of his siblings who all also attended the University of Guelph. He was accepted for a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Currently his major is undeclared. “I might go into animal science,” he says. Right now his goal with the sheep is to help pay for his university education. “I kind of worked it out with my parents,” he says about how he will manage both school and his herd. His herd consists of two breeds, Ile-de-France crossed with Rideau. Ringgenberg says he may eventually settle on one breed or the other. “Depending on what I like best,” he says. He lambs indoors and does seasonal breeding. His target markets are Christmas and Easter. He says he keeps the lambs that go to market indoors and the ewes on pasture during the summer. “I did research and got books,” he says about learning how to deal with his sheep. He also credits his father’s experiences and input with helping him get to where he is today. He has also attended several seminars put on by Ontario Sheep. He is proud of how his sheep are healthy and that he does not have too many problems with them. He does have improvements planned, especially a better handling system. He usually shears the sheep himself and plans to do so next year. While he sells some of the sheep as 4-H Club projects, most of them are sold through Brussels Livestock. Ringgenberg originally came from Switzerland with his family 13 years ago. He is fluent in English and French. He says he hopes to improve his German later this summer when he goes to Switzerland. He plans to work away from the family farm for a while after graduation but maintains that he wants to remain in agriculture. He wants to gain more experience. Ringgenberg says he enjoys working with the dairy cows and helping with the field work. Off the farm, he enjoys sports. He plays hockey, soccer and does cross- country running as well. He says while he participated in several 4-H dairy clubs, he had never been part of a sheep club. Huron County youth returning to the farm Making it work William Ringgenberg has started small, but has slowly grown his sheep herd into a business he hopes will help pay his way through post-secondary education. (Ursina Studhalter photo) • Custom application for post spraying of corn, beans, grains, and pasture ground • Row crop spraying • Low soil compaction • Very accurate • Hay and pasture ground needs that extra boost • Spreaders readily available • Terra-Gators • Bulk delivery unit CROP PROTECTION FERTILIZERS We will customize a fertilizer and crop protection program specific to your requirements. HOWSON & HOWSON LTD. Seed, Crop Protection, Fertilizer, Grain Elevators, Custom Application Blyth 519-523-9624 1-800-663-3653 ★GPS Field Mapping ★Nutrient Management Plans Available ★Soil Testing NK Tru-Bulk Seed System • Custom Treating and Inoculation DEALER FOR PRIDE SEEDS ® 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 AgricultureBrussels Livestock report Fed steers, heifers sell $1 higher at sale By Ursina Studhalter The Citizen Continued on page 20