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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-08-06, Page 12THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1986. PAGE 13. Cattle demand moderate at Brussels Stockyards The market at Brussels Stock- yards traded on a moderate demand on a light offering of cattle. A good supply of pigs sold steady to higher. There were 315 cattle and 942 pigs on offer. Choicesteerssoldfrom$81 to $84.50 per hundredweight. Good steers were $78 to $81. A steer consigned by Gordon Daer of RR 1, Auburn weighing 1270 lbs. sold for $84.50 with his four steers averaging 1152 lbs. selling for $83. A steer consigned by Bruce Bros, of RR 1, Belgrave weighing 1450 lbs. sold for $84.50 with their offering of 13 steers averaging 1294 lbs. selling for an overall price of $81.87. Four steers consigned by Jerryview Farms of RR 5, Mildmay averaging 1183 lbs. sold for an overall price of $82.19 Summer's the time to take pasture inventory BYBILLOLAN RED MEAT ADVISOR ONTARIO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD The quick lush growth of spring pastures has given way to the slower “mature” growth of the summer. Since we are into the slower growth period, now is a good time to take inventory of your pasture fields with regard towhat it is providing to the cattle you have on pasture. The results you gather from this inventory could give you an idea of the profitability of your pastures. What are some of the things you should be looking at in your pasture fields? Probably the most obvious item to look for in the field at this time of the year is weeds. Large bull thistles are most obvious now, along with other prominent species (many perennial weeds are usually prevalent). Take a little time and see what is actually happening around those weeds. You will probably notice that not only are the weeds crowding out the pasture species, but the cattle will avoid eating the pasture in the immediate areaof those weeds. (Cattle just don’t like the prickly thistles in their face when they are eating, so they avoid that area). The best remedy for weeds in your pasture fields seems to be clipping the weeds off with a mower and fertilizing your fields to encourage the pasture species there to crowd out the weeds. Another thing we should be examining in our pasture fields is the stage of growth in the pasture plants. In the early spring all growth of the pastures is vegeta­ tive. These lush, green, quickly growing pastures are eagerly sought by the cattle. As time progresses, these plants head out or turn to the reproductive growth. This is a much slower growth period. The cattle will avoid eating the seed heads and will seek out the fresh green pasture at ground level. Only as a last resort will the cattle eat the “mature” part of the pasture plant. By this time the nutrient value of the pasture plants is minimal at best. In other words, cattle may be up to their belly in pasture, but it may not be much good. How can you improve upon this? You must try to get the pasture plant into a vegetative state again. You can do this by waiting until September when the cooler weath­ er and more abundant rains will encouarge the plants naturally to become vegetative. As an alterna­ tive, you can clip the pastures and knock off the seed heads of the plants. This will “tell” the plants that their life cycle is not over and they will return to the vegetative stage of growth. In addition, proper fertilizing will assist in bringing about quicker vegetative growth. Also, at this time of year you should be examining your pasture plants to see what species are now present. Certain species perform better in the summer than others. All species will perform reasonably well in spring, but the hot dry su mmer will separate good pasture species from the poorer ones. With no-till planters, new species can be introduced into the pasture fields without drastically disturbing the present pasture stand. On the other hand, complete renovation and reseeding may be the answer. Now is the time to examine the fertility level of the pastures. This can be done in two ways - visually and by taking soil samples. Taking soil samples is by far the best way and then you can fertilize accord­ ing to need. However, just walking through the pasture and looking at the general health of the plants will give some indication of their nutrition. If needed, fertilizing now will certainly help give the pasture plants a boost for the rest of the summer and fall. In summary, taking inventory now of your pasture fields will give you an idea of the general state of your pastures. With this know­ ledge and continued clipping and fertilization, weed control will greatly be enhanced. At the same time the pastures will become more vegetative and a better level of nutrition for the pasture plants will be provided. With this inven­ tory you will also be able to determine if your pastures need renovation with the introduction of new species. In other words, with a pasture inventory, pasture man­ agement techniques can be appli­ ed which will provide better returns for your grazing dollar. with sales to $83.30. Thirteen steers consigned by John VanNynatten of RR 5, Mitchell averaging 1178 lbs. sold for an overall price of $82.08. Ten steers consigned by Glen Johnston of RR2, Bluevale averaging 1198 lbs. sold for an overall price of $81.75. Fourteen steers consigned from Dan Pearson Feedlot of Ethel averaging 1146 lbs. sold for an overall price of $81.40 with a sale at $84. Choice exotic heifers sold from $79 to $83.50. Choice white-faced heifers sold from $75 to $79. A heifer consigned by Warden and Glen Haney of RR 4, Seaforth weighing 1000 lbs. sold for $83.50 with their lot of six heifers averaging 977 lbs. selling for $80.95. Eighteen heifers consign- edbyDoug McPherson of Tees- water averaging 993 lbs. sold for an overall price of $81.35. Seven heifers consigned by Bruce Ray­ craft of Milverton averaging 1061 lbs. sold for $81.75 with his lot of 14 heifers averaging 1086 lbs. selling BEST RATE 1/4% FINANCIAL CENTRE . Goderich 524-2773 1-800-265-5503 for $81.05. Forty-five heifers, mainly herefords, consigned by Scott’s Elevators of Lucan averag­ ing 972 lbs. sold for an overall price of $78.21 with a sale at $82.50. There were no choice cows on offer. Good cows sold from $48 to $52.50. Canners and cutters were $44 to $48. Under 40 lb. pigstradedtoa high of $ 1.50 per lb.; 30 to 40-lb. pigs to a high of $1.34; 40 to 50-lb. pigs to a high of $1.30; 50 to 60-lb. pigs to a high of $1.23; 60 to 70-lb. pigs to a high of $1.16 per lb. Brussels Stockyards will be holding a special stocker and feeder sale on Tuesday, August 12 at 1:30p.m. To consign cattle to this sale, phone 887-6461. LOGEL Enterprises RR3, Listowel, Ont. * Fast Unloading * Accurate Probe System Trucking available TOPDOLLARS PAIDFOR SCRAPCARS ANDTRUCKS Parts to fit mostvehicles Check Our Prices! Call us at 291-1464 Elevator Division We are agents for the Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board for White Winter Wheat ★ Forward contracting of corn and soybeans. Come in and see us or give us a call and let us help you look after your crop Advertising.: tells you what’s new. CANADIAN ADVERTISING ADVISORY BOARD 523-9624 Elevator Howson & Howson Ltd Flour & Feed Millers, Complete Farm Supplies, Grain Elevators Blyth, Ontario 523-4241 Main Office Elevators 1 % miles east of Blyth on County Rd. 25 then 1/2 mile North