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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-01-19, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012. Suicide survivor group holds meetings Beef Producers hold their annual meeting The Huron County Beef Producers held their annual meeting in Brussels on Jan. 11 with the message that tough times are ahead, but that there’s no reason not to keep the faith. After considering doing away with vaccinated sales at last year’s annual meeting, former president Harvey Hoggart says he feels the sales are now generating enough profit to justify them continuing. At the end of 2011, the Beef Producers had just under $11,500 in the vaccinated sale account. The night’s keynote speaker was Elliott Miller, who visited the International Livestock Conference in Calgary, Alberta as part of a group of 20 young people involved in the beef business. Ten of the 20 were from Canada and the other 10 were from all over the world, including young peoplefrom Australia and Brazil, amongother countries.The group visited several locations on the trip, including the Cargill plant and Olds College. Miller said the Cargill plant in High River was one of the trip’s highlights for him, as the group visited the plant’s killing floor. “The plant processes 4,500 head of cattle a day and moves 100 trucks a day,” Miller said. The plant operates five to six days a week on full 24-hour shifts. In addition to the tour, Miller said the group was able to be part of several seminars on the beef industry and its future. He said that going forward social media will play a big part of marketing beef to youth and he also said that a lot of the beef industry needs a wake-up call. Miller said that beef producers are now working in an increasingly volatile marketplace where nothing is predictable anymore. He said that producers should always be striving to provide consumers with more product information and he said that there is light at the end of the tunnel. He said that feed costs are rising and that while prices are good right now, feed costs can be a barrier for many beef producers. He said producers need to stop being “bullheaded” in producing their product. They have to be willing to adapt and change with the market and give the consumer what they want, he said. Miller explained that Brazil’s economy is currently booming and there is a great demand for high quality beef. The portion sizes, however, needed to be smaller. The European Union was willing to adapt and change the portion sizes, so they were able to secure the trade contract, he said. Those are the kindsof changes that Canadian producersneed to be willing to make, he said. In addition to watching Brazil and the rest of South America for their markets, Miller also said that beef producers need to keep an eye on the U.S. economy. He said that sources say there could be another recession coming. However, the local market, if approached properly, will always be one that beef producers should strive to tap into, Miller said. “People would rather buy local beef,” he said. “They want to know that it was produced safely, humanly and produced according to government standards.” Miller said that demand has been staying steady, which is a good sign for producers. He said that the Canadian economy is in better shape than the American economy, which provides for more stability and in the event of another recession, Canada should be able to “weather the storm” better than the U.S. If producers are willing to accept change, Miller said, and move away from the one-size-fits-all approach, they will be able to increase efficiency. Representatives from the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association also made presentations. At the provincial level, the focus was the new Risk Management Insurance Plan and how beef producers could tap into that program. At the federal level, Ryder Lee said that market access was going to be key going forward. He spoke specifically about South Korea as a market the Canadian government is working towards opening up once again. THE EDITOR, Suicide – that unmentionable – that elephant in the room … Many people carry this secret, the shame, the guilt, of knowing someone close to them who has committed suicide. This ‘elephant’ is a heavy, lonely burden to carry for those who are left behind. The isolation and inner turmoil, the mystery, the unanswered questions can affect our daily lives and take a big toll on us both physically and emotionally. It can also affect relationships with our family, friends, neighbors, and in the workplace. Huron Hospice Volunteer Service has become aware of the need to support those who are suffering from the loss of loved ones who have completed suicide. Huron Hospice has volunteers who are facilitating this support group to meet this need. Our facilitators come with a wealth of expertise in this area and from their own personal story of being affected by suicide. They provide a safe place to explore the unfinished work that suicide leaves behind. ‘Out of the Darkness’ – Survivors of Suicide (SOS) meets at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 9 Victoria Street, Goderich (use the side entrance) every second and fourth Monday of the month from 7-9 p.m. Huron Hospice welcomes inquiries regarding the Survivors of Suicide (SOS).For more information please call Huron Hospice at 519-527- 0655. Kathy Procter Huron Hospice Manager of Volunteers/Programs 519-527-0655. 9 Rattenbury St. E., Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 Ph.: 519-482-9924 ~ 1-888-235-9260 Res.: 519-524-9260 Check out RRSP and RRIF plans designed to meet your needs. GIA, Mutual Funds, Seg. Funds Invest in your future today! RRSP DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 29, 2012 Have you ever considered planning your financial future? See Lawrence for a free consultation. A change The Huron County Beef Producers held their annual meeting in Brussels on Jan. 11 where Bob Bennett, centre, was named president of the organization for the next two years, taking over for past president Matt McCall, right. Kittie MacGregor will remain the group’s treasurer. As of the meeting, the group did not yet have a vice-president. Both McCall and Bennett, however, said they hoped to have one in place soon. (Shawn Loughlin photo) By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Letters to the Editor Volunteers thank Bureau chair THE EDITOR, By the time this reaches the press, Christmas 2011 will have passed. I wish to congratulate Barb Hogan for commandeering a very successful Christmas Bureau season. Approximately 460 families were blessed this year, thanks to our Chair and legion of volunteers. For almost 50 years, Huron County families have benefitted from the Christmas Bureau. At the helm of this successful program in recent years was Joan Vandenbroek. In July Joan retired from the Volunteer Co-ordinator position at the Children’s Aid Society and the torch was passed to volunteer Barb Hogan to continue the Christmas Program. Barb’s dedicated demeanor carries this light with all the responsibilities as a volunteer. Barb’s compassion, expertise and her gift of time require recognition. During the fall months, Barb has several meetings to chair, data to process, duties to delegate. When the Bureau commences in December, her 32-hour weekly calendar is filled with interviews, charitable events and office management. In fact, when I was finalizing this article, I called Barb and guess where she was on Jan. 6? She was at the Christmas Bureau office. So her commitment continues for 2012. Thank you Barb Hogan! Gayle Dunn, Volunteer. Stick With the Classifieds. If you’re shopping for something special, keep looking in the Classifieds. Every week, you’ll find a great selection of listings for everything from apartments for rent to things to buy and see. The Citizen