HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-03-19, Page 11The volatile exchange rate on the
Canadian dollar, the amount of U.S.
pork being sold in Canadian
supermarkets, the effect on the U.S.
government’s compulsory Country
of Origin Labeling (COOL) and the
high cost of feed all contributed to
another bad year for Huron County
Pork Producers in 2008.
In delivering the Huron County
Pork Producers’ Association’s brief
to Feb. 28 Members of Parliament
Briefing sponsored by the Huron
County Federation of Agriculture,
Grant Love told the politicians that
cost of production for farmers is
$165 per hundredweight while
they’re getting $126. On average,
producers got $2 per pig less in 2008
than a year earlier.
Across the province, 150
producers dropped out of the
business last year, though Huron
actually increased by one producer.
Despite depressed prices,
Canadian pork is being displaced on
supermarket shelves by imported
U.S. pork. Meanwhile, the
compications associated with the
new mandatory U.S. COOL
regulations mean U.S. packers don’t
want to bid on Canadian pigs,
reducing competition. At the same
time, producers worry about the
future of Maple Leaf Foods
Burlington slaughter plant which the
company has said it wants to sell.
Producers need it to stay open to
provide Ontario processing capacity,
Love said.
The volatility of the exchange rate
on the Canadian dollar has been
devastating, first rising to higher
than the U.S. dollar, killing
Canadian exports, then falling back
to 80 cents.
At the same time, producers have
faced higher costs because of feed,
Love said.
But Wayne Hamilton of the Huron
County Corn Producers argued that
despite a spike in corn prices last
year, current prices indicate corn
growers will have trouble making
back their cost of production this
year.
“In all due respect to livestock
producers, the real problem is in the
price of their end product,” Hamilton
said. “Our corn prices are way below
our current costs.”
Love complained about the lack of
support from the federal
government, both financially and
regulatory. Federal supports should
be based on the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs
cost of production versus what
farmers can get from the market, he
said.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009. PAGE 11.
The Happy Gang Seniors of
Londesborough had a busy week
hosting card parties at the
Londesborough Community Hall.
On Thursday, March 12 they held
an afternoon card party as part of the
Card Cavalcade that benefits the
Auxiliary to Clinton Hospital
Foundation. There were 15 tables of
euchre players.
Doug Cartwright scored the most
points for the men while Vera
Colquhoun won the high lady prize.
There were three door prizes
donated by Londesborough seniors.
Wilmer Glousher won an afghan
donated by Marie Glousher. Mrs.
Pickard was the winner of one of
Milt Dale’s unique pens. Doug
Cartwright took home a candle
donated by Marie Glousher.
Friday, March 13 didn’t keep card
players home the next night when
the seniors held their regular March
card party. This evening there were
18 1/2 tables of players.
Leona McDonald and Edna were
declared the high scoring couple
with 80 points. A score of 77 points
won second place for Stuart Wilson
and Alex Townsend. Close behind
with 76 points were John Brown and
Catherine McDonald for third place.
Dorothy Carter and Joann
MacDonald played the most lone
hands successfully with seven.
The seniors will hold their next
regular card party on April 17.
I’ve seen my first robin. Have
you? The same day I watched two
blue jays flitting about the tree just
outside the kitchen window, I saw a
robin as I drove in the lane from
work – a welcome sign.
In last week’s column I mentioned
that Hullett Central Public School’s
Carnival and Auction had the theme,
Hullett’s Hawaiian Luau. But I
neglected to tell you the date. The
community fun night is Friday,April
17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Posters will
be out soon and another reminder
will be given in this column.
It seems the May 24 holiday
weekend has been designated as
yard sale time for the village.
Londesborough United Church is
gearing up for a sale that Saturday
and other village homes will likely
do so also.
Moving on
Four members of the Blyth Skating Club travelled to Sarnia for a skating tournament last
weekend after performing well earlier this month in Milverton. From left: Lauren Cronin,
Courtney Middegaal, Nicole Middegaal and Kathryn Chalmers. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Hard times for pork producers
Movie night will be held at
Londesborough United Church on
Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. The
feature movie is The March of the
Penguins. The community is invited
to these family evenings.
The Sunday School will hold its
annual crokinole party on Thursday,
March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Sunday
school room. Please bring snacks to
share for a social time following.
The sacrament of baptism will be
held on May 10. If you wish to have
a child baptized, please contact the
church office by April 21.
Londesborough United is looking
for a part-time secretary. If you are
interested, pick up a job description
at the church office.
Londesborough United will hold
its annual Songfest on Sunday, April
19. Admission is $10 at the door.
Children under 12 are free.
This year’s guests include
Marshall and Ethan Durnin, the
Beard Family, the Snell Family, Lisa
Elliott and Audibly Awesome.
Busy week for Happy Gang
Cheryl’s
Critter Care
NOW OPEN
421 Turnberry St., Brussels
beside
laundromat 519-887-8885
Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 4:30 pm - 9 pm
Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 3 pm
Grand Opening Saturday, April 4
Services:
~ Dog grooming at your convenience
Call for appointment
~ Big dog bathing
~ Dog and Cat food sales
~ Fish supplies
~ Collars, leashes, etc.
~ Crickets
The 2008 Annual Water Reports
for the Municipality of
Central Huron are now available for
viewing at the Municipal Office,
23 Albert Street, Clinton, Ontario
or view them on the
municipal website:
www.centralhuron.com
Steve Gibbings, Utilities Manager
Municipality of Central Huron
NEWS
FROM LONDESBORO
Churchhostsmovie
night
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
PEOPLE AROUND
LONDESBORO
BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED
Did you know?
((NC) – Cows cause 33 per cent
of animal-related injuries and 16
per cent of animal-related
fatalities on Canadian farms. The
calving season of January to June
is the primary times of incident
occurrence.
Canadian Agricultural Injury
Surveillance Program.
– News Canada
Check the classifieds
at www.northhuron.on.ca