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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-10-04, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012. PAGE 19. Act an opportunity for provincial strategy A Sunday drive The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority held its annual fall colour tour on Sunday at the Wawanosh Nature Centre. There were snakes on display throughout the afternoon and tractor rides throughout the centre’s grounds. Stewart Lockie did the driving on this particular ride. (Vicky Bremner photo) Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Sept. 28 were 2,323 cattle, 927 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold on a strong active trade at prices $1 to $2 higher. Choice steers and heifers sold $110 to $114 with sales to $118. Second cut sold $104 to $109. Cows sold on an active trade at steady prices. On Thursday veal sold on a very strong market with prices $10 higher. Light lambs sold slightly higher, while heavy lambs sold $5 to $10 higher. Sheep sold steady and goats sold on a good active trade. On Friday calves sold on a strong active trade and yearlings sold $1 to $2 higher. John Wiersma of Blyth, consigned five steers averaging 1,450 lbs. selling for an average of $116.72 with one limousin steer weighing 1,435 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $120. David Bowles of Brussels, consigned three steers averaging 1,540 lbs. selling for an average of $111.56 with one red steer weighing 1,550 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $115.25. Bruce Higgins of Brussels, consigned four steers averaging 1,413 lbs. selling for an average of $112.02 with two black steers averaging 1,453 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $112.75. Leonard and Andrew Black of Proton Station, consigned 18 steers averaging 1,525 lbs. selling for an average of $110.02 with two red steers averaging 1,498 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $112. Chris Smith of Brussels, consigned 38 heifers averaging 1,345 lbs. selling for an average of $111.23 with one charolais heifer weighing 1,250 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $122. Dwayne Johnstone of Coldwater, consigned 40 heifers averaging 1,253 lbs. selling for an average of $112.72 with one limousin heifer weighing 1,125 lbs. selling for $118.75. Johnston Farms of Bluevale, consigned six heifers averaging 1,145 lbs. selling for an average of $110.60 with one black heifer weighing 1,350 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $118.50. Southlore Farms of Palmerston, consigned nine heifers averaging 1,350 lbs. selling for an average of $109.77 with one charolais heifer weighing 1,585 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $116.50. Rob Bren Farms of Wingham, consigned three heifers averaging 1,155 lbs. selling for an average of $110.82 with one charolais heifer weighing 1,340 lbs. selling for $114.50. Fred Riehl of Gadshill, consigned two heifers averaging 1,295 lbs. selling for an average of $106.29 with one limousin heifer weighing 1,305 lbs. selling for $111.50. Frank Foran of Lucknow, consigned two gold heifers averaging 1,298 lbs. selling for $111.50. Noah Weppler of Ayton, consigned nine heifers averaging 1,284 lbs. selling for an average of $104.51 with three bwf heifers averaging 1,282 lbs. selling for $111. Art and George Hinz of Monkton, consigned eight heifers averaging 1,391 lbs. selling for an average of $110.04 with five red heifers averaging 1,374 lbs. selling for $110.75. There were 276 cows on offer. Export types sold $58.50 to $68 with sales to $68.50; beef cows, $61.50 to $72.50 with sales to $73.50; D1 and D2, $54 to $60; D3, $48 to $54; D4, $37 to $47. Len Baird of Wingham, consigned three cows averaging 1,558 lbs. selling for an average of $68.17 with one limousin cow weighing 1,545 lbs. selling for $73.50. Allen and Dorothy Martin of Listowel, consigned one limousin cow weighing 1,250 lbs. selling for $72.50. Mark and Elaine Fisher of Ayton, consigned seven cows averaging 1,480 lbs. selling for an average of $64.44 with one charolais cow weighing 1,805 lbs. selling for $72.50. There were 23 bulls selling $50 to $75 with sales to $80. ABS Global Canada, consigned 10 bulls averaging 2,001 lbs. selling for an average of $60.79 with one holstein bull weighing 1,880 lbs. selling for $80. Dan Middlekamp of Ripley, consigned one holstein cow weighing 1,690 lbs. selling for $76.50. There were 149 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $130 to $170 with sales to $175; good holsteins, $110 to $120 with sales to $125; medium holsteins, $100 to $110; heavy holsteins, $105 to $115. Ervin W. Shantz of Wallenstein, consigned nine veal averaging 827 lbs. selling for an average of $149.89 with one crossbred heifer weighing 750 lbs. selling for $170. Lamar Frey of Listowel, consigned 20 veal averaging 782 lbs. selling for an average of $149.23 with three crossbred heifers averaging 758 lbs. selling for $166. Suzanne Coleman of Kippen, consigned three veal averaging 742 lbs. selling for an average of $174.31 with three black steers averaging 742 lbs. selling for $175. Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $185 to $225; 50 - 64 lbs., $192 to $266; 65 - 79 lbs., $161 to $220; 80 - 94 lbs., $139 to $165; 95 - 109 lbs., $138 to $162; 110 lbs. and over, $122 to $150. Sheep sold $70 to $100 with sales to $110. Goats: kids sold $50 to $125 with sales to $155 per head; nannies, $50 to $100 per head with sales to $130 per head; billies, $200 to $300 per head. Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $199 to $213; 400 - 499 lbs., $155 to $199; 500 - 599 lbs., $148 to $178.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $138.50 to $172.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $136 to $155; 800 - 899 lbs., $132.50 to $151.25; 900 - 999 lbs., $129.35 to $143.75; 1,000 lbs. and over, $123 to $134.85. Top quality stocker heifers, 300 - 399 lbs., sold $162 to $190; 400 - 499 lbs., $162 to $172; 500 - 599 lbs., $136 to $160; 600 - 699 lbs., $119 to $145; 700 - 799 lbs., $127 to $143; 800 - 899 lbs., $122 to $137.75; 900 lbs. and over, $117 to $134.50. By Nathan Stevens Water use-related issues are of rising importance to farmers across Ontario. Potential solutions to environmental concerns surrounding wash and waste water for fruit and vegetable growers are progressing slowly. If Ontario is going to continue to succeed as a major food producer, agriculture needs low cost, efficient solutions that meet environmental concerns head on. Earlier this year, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) expressed its support for greenhouse and nursery growers to have a new option available to them in handling wash and waste water through the Nutrient Management Act. Farmers desire more options than the Environmental Compliance Approval approach that is currently required. The CFFO believes that an outcome oriented, triple-bottom line approach to regulations is essential. A number of agricultural organizations have expressed strong concerns regarding the requirement of Environmental Compliance Approvals for greenhouse wastewater and vegetable wash water. The provincial government has responded with a regulatory review. The work being conducted so far by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is producing some interesting possibilities. While nothing is set in stone yet, it is possible that a tool box approach that allows farmers to choose the best option for their individual operation may be the outcome of this process. There are issues that remain By Mark Wales, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture With more than 200 different agricultural crops grown in Ontario, our province is the most diverse food-producing region in Canada. The recent announcement that the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is pursuing a Local Food Act is welcome news to Ontario farmers, and if it’s done right, the Act will go a long way in securing a solid strategy for a sustainable and profitable local food supply. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has been active at the national level, working with our federal counterparts and stakeholders across the country to draft a National Food Strategy. The National Food Strategy, put forward by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, is a collective vision for the future of Canadian food in the years to come. The National Food Strategy sets some specific ideas for how industry and governments could grow Canadian agriculture and improve the health of Canadians. It includes principles that are easily adaptable to an Ontario-specific food strategy. Among them, the OFA would encourage the Ontario government and institutions to lead by example and increase the utilization of Ontario grown and processed products each year. We would also encourage the adoption of market structures to enhance farmer empowerment in the marketplace through value adding initiatives, farm markets and co- operatives. In Ontario schools, the OFA encourages the Act to facilitate the reintroduction of food and agriculture to the school curriculum to increase knowledge of healthy eating patterns, and how to plan and prepare nutritious meals. We would like to ensure every 16 year old in Ontario is equipped with the knowledge and skill to plan and prepare at least six nutritious meals to give them a healthy start to adulthood. On the OFA’s wish list for Ontario farmers is a modern and efficient infrastructure for storage, transportation and distribution of food. We also need leading edge communications technology and advisory services, and a regulatory structure and process to enhance competitiveness. Environmentally, we need to see sustainable energy pricing policies and resilient government programs to help farmers mitigate impacts of climate change. The OFA is heartened by the government’s interest in supporting, promoting and celebrating Ontario food. Good things do indeed grow in Ontario and our farmers and food industry stakeholders are interested in seeing the sector itself continue to thrive. 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 2012 Special Fall Sales SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 4-H Show & Sale - 10:00 am Show; 1:00 pm Sale FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Regular Stocker Sale - 10:00 am Hereford Influence Sale - 1:00 pm AgricultureBrussels Livestock report Fed steers, heifers sell on strong trade Water regulations progressing slowly Continued on page 26