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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-06-16, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2011. PAGE 13. Council hears differing view on EAB issue At their June 7 meeting, Morris- Turnberry councillors recommended against one severance application for a surplus on the advice of their county planner, but indicated they’d support another, against the planning department’s recommendation. Councillors went along with the advice of the Huron County Planning Department in the application of Rastorfer Farms Inc. and Esben Anderson for a severance on Concession 1 of Morris Ward. Carol Leeming from the planning department told council that allowing the severance of the surplus farm residence would not be consistent either with the municipality’s official plan or with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) on rural planning. She pointed out that the minimum distance separation (MDS) between the house and a manure storage on a nearby farm is deficient by 27 per cent from the requirement. Councillors agreed that the amount of variation from the MDS was too great to be classed as a minor variance. Councillors did not see eye to eye with planners after council was approached by Sandy Fair about where they would stand if he applied for a surplus residence severance on his property at the western edge of Bluevale. Fair said a farmer was interested in buying the rest of the farm if the farm house could be severed from the farm. But Leeming pointed out that the county’s official plan said a severance of a home can not be allowed if there has previously been a house severed from the same farm. A lot have been severed off the corner of the farm in the 1970s. Fair argued that he could see no negative impact for anyone in the case of severing his home, which is so close to Bluevale it seems part of the hamlet. But Leeming said Fair’s house does not meet the criteria of being in a “built-up area” and therefore doesn’t meet the criteria necessary for allowing a severance. She warned that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing had recently appealed another severance where the county went against the PPS. Despite this advice, council passed a motion indicating they would look favourably on Fair’s application for severance if it proceeds. “If you don’t allow surplus residences you end up with empty countryside,” said Councillor Neil Warwick noting if houses are torn down because they cannot be severed there will be no children to go to local schools and no need for buses. “It’s a downward spiral. “I’m not aware of any complaints from people living in surplus residences,” said Mayor Paul Gowing. “Let’s hope it stays that way.” Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending June 10 were 1,257 cattle, 728 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold on a strong active market at prices $1 to $2 higher. Choice steers and heifers sold $108 to $112 with sales to $115.50. Second cut sold $102 to $107. Cows sold steady $2 to $3 higher. On Thursday veal sold on a strong active trade with holstein calves selling steady and beef veal calves selling $5 to $10 higher. Lambs, sheep and goats all sold on a steady market to last week’s prices. On Friday calves and yearlings traded on a strong active market. There were 50 steers on offer. Chris Smith of Brussels, consigned sixteen steers averaging 1,591 lbs. selling for an average of $109.76 with one limousin steer weighing 1,555 lbs. selling to Holly Park Meat Packers for $114. Mike and Darlene Schnurr of Walkerton, consigned seven steers averaging 1,581 lbs. selling for an average of $108.46 with one black steer weighing 1,515 lbs. selling to Ryding Regency for $109.75. Murray Dunston of Mildmay, consigned five steers averaging 1,377 lbs. selling for an average of $101.45 with one black steer weighing 1,360 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $106.25. There were 59 heifers on offer. Art Bos of Blyth, consigned three heifers averaging 1,303 lbs. selling for an average of $105.87 with one piedmontese weighing 1,385 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $115.50. Roy McCulloch of Allenford, consigned twelve heifers averaging 1,324 lbs. selling for an average of $108.56 with one black heifer weighing 1,320 lbs. selling to Holly Park Meat Packers for $111.50. Allan Thornton of Gorrie, consigned three heifers averaging 1,232 lbs. selling for an average of $107.41 with one simmental heifer weighing 1,175 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $107.75. Elmer Brubacher of Elora, consigned four heifers averaging 1,245 lbs. selling for an average of $104.14 with one black heifer weighing 1,235 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $105.75. There were 98 cows on offer. Export types sold $65 to $74.50; beef cows, $70 to $80 with sales to $85.50; D1 and D2 cows, $50 to $55; D3, $46 to $50; D4, $35 to $40. Mike Henry of Tara, consigned nine cows averaging 1,501 lbs. selling for an average of $74.42 with one black cow weighing 1,770 lbs. selling for $85.50. Ted Kloostra of Wroxeter, consigned two cows averaging 1,200 lbs. selling for an average of $78.11 with one holstein cow weighing 1,290 lbs. selling for $82.50. Grant Gilchrist of Lucknow, consigned two cows averaging 1,283 lbs. selling for an average of $74.64 with one bwf cow weighing 1,315 lbs. selling for $80. There were eight bulls on offer selling $80 to $84 with sales to $98. Rehorst Farms of Teeswater, consigned one blue bull weighing 1,875 lbs. selling for $98. Carl Williams of Englehart, consigned one limousin bull weighing 1,845 lbs. selling for $93. There were 130 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $110 to $165 with sales to $171; good holstein, $90 to $96 with sales to $105; medium holstein, $80 to $90; heavy holstein, $85 to $95. Lamar Frey of Listowel, consigned ten veal averaging 709 lbs. selling for an average of $146.06 with two limousin steers averaging 708 lbs. selling for $171. Alvin Horst of Listowel, consigned five veal averaging 753 lbs. selling for an average of $137.97 with one limousin steer weighing 715 lbs. selling for $143. Maynard Brubacher of Wallenstein, consigned four veal averaging 775 lbs. selling for an average of $131.95 with two limousin heifers averaging 745 lbs. selling for $140. Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $150 to $255; 50 - 64 lbs., $174 to $207; 65 - 79 lbs., $166 to $209; 80 - 94 lbs., $173 to $194; 95 - 110 lbs., $171 to $183. Sheep sold $42 to $92 with sales to $98. Goats: kids sold $50 to $160 per head; nannies, $70 to $120 per head; billies, $200 to $250 to $300 per head. Top quality stocker steers, 400 - 499 lbs., sold $141 to $172.50; 500 - 599 lbs., $130 to $160.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $120.50 to $148; 700 - 799 lbs., $104 to $131.50; 800 - 899 lbs., $113 to $124; 900 - 999 lbs., $105.50 to $110; 1,000 lbs. and over, $103.75 to $108. Top quality stocker heifers, 500 - 599 lbs. sold $110.50 to $135; 600 - 699 lbs., $108.25 to $131; 700 - 799 lbs., $100.50 to $120; 800 - 899 lbs., $98.50 to $111.50; 900 lbs. and over, $99 to $105.50. Huron County Council received a view on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) at its June 8 Committee of the Whole meeting that conflicted with its own and gave council an idea of the economic impact the pest could have. Richard Ireland of Ontario Selective Harvest Limited in Huron County spoke to council on the subject as an insider of the industry, saying that roping Huron and Perth Counties off from the rest of southwestern Ontario will devastate the sawmill industry. “This could have a grave effect on the lumber industry,” Ireland said. “At least 50 per cent of my product needs to be ash so I can run at full production and Huron County does not have enough to sustain full production in Huron County. “If we’re isolated from southern Ontario, there will be lost jobs and lost revenue.” Ireland said that he would like to keep his business in Huron County, but if he has to move to get away from harsh restrictions, he will. He insisted that he does not have financial stake in the decision and that he would be productive if he moved south to Lambton County, but it would be Huron County that would lose out on the jobs and the income. Ireland painted a much more grim portrait of Huron County’s EAB infestation, saying that the county has had the bug for two years and the county hasn’t been further canvassed since. “The only solution is for people to start cutting their ash,” Ireland said. “This bug has a 100 per cent fatality rate.” Ireland said if a tree is infected, it is guaranteed to die, but if Huron County starts cutting its mature ash trees, some lumber can still be salvaged. Central Huron Reeve Jim Ginn said he felt there was some misinformation in Ireland’s presentation and that one of the most important factors to consider is that other predator species are beginning to adapt, learning how to hunt the EAB. Ginn says this gives Huron County hope that perhaps the EAB could be eradicated sometime soon and that all was not necessarily lost. Ginn said that it was firewood that was the main issue, not lumberyards. A lengthy discussion was had and in the end Forest Conservation Officer Dave Pullen was asked to work with Ireland on a potential solution that could serve both parties. Ireland said he would be more than happy to work alongside Pullen and that he had no problem with the work Pullen has been doing. AgricultureBrussels Livestock report Fed steers, heifers sell on strong market 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. Pigs, 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 Calender boy Matty Hallman, centre received the keys to a new John Deere lawn tractor thanks to how cute he looks in the green hat. Hallman, shown here with, from left, his mother Alex, sister Amanda father Ben and Huron Tractor representative Henry Winters, won a competition to be a part of the Huron Tractor 50th anniversary calender. The photos of the top 12 children will go into the calender and all proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House. Hallman, for being the top-voted model, received the tractor. (Denny Scott photo) M-T approves severance while denying another By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen