The Rural Voice, 1981-03, Page 11feedlot operators who bought them got
stuck. In 1980 however, the farmers bid
lower prices for calves, which didn't help
the cow -calf men like himself. In 1981, he
predicts there will be higher prices for
calves, believing the run on beef will dry
up somewhat in the next half year.
Also, as an exotics' supporter, Van
Ankum hopes Ontario producers can
catch up with their Western counterparts,
or even pull ahead, in the race to produce
better beef.
"If people can produce the quality
here, they'll get paid for it," he says.
Also, by buying Ontario calves, he points
out the feedlot operator saves six or seven
cents per pound in transportation costs.
Although Van Ankum himself has been
converted to the exotics, he understands
farmers who have decided to stick with
the tried -and true domestic breeds; "I'm
not knocking them." His neighbour, for
example, has been "a Hereford man for
years and is very committed to them since
in his lifetime he saw the change from
scrub cattle to better breeds."
Van Ankum believes this generation
will see a similar change in the
acceptance of cross -bred exotic cattle into
commercial herds.
Van Ankum was running his farm as a
two-man operation for three years but
recently his co-worker decided to buy his
own operation. In the future, Van Ankum
hopes he can scale down his operation so
it will be a one-man concern again,
relying on neighbours for some additional
help during the haying season.
While beef may seem to have a risky
future at a time when prices are low, the
young Wroxeter farmer sees more
farmers raising some cattle as part of a
larger operation -partly since the danger
of erosion and continuous cash cropping
is threatening our agricultural land.
For Van Ankum. one thing is certain!
He's not tempted to return to the hog
industry, and not just because of
overprodt'ction problems in that area, but
simply because he likes the cattle better.
Anyone touring his barns can see
why -cross -breeding, a process of ex-
perimentation and some risk, does
provide a fascinating challenge!
4
PK7'irro
Thames Bend Lady 2128K
1979 Pork Congress Champion
Bred Yorkshire Gilt
Back Fat 10.5 m.m. 161 Days 136 index
Fourth Production
AUCTION SALE
Featuring Yorkshire, Hampshire, Duroc, Land -
race and hybrid breeding. Government R.O.P.
tested and health approved since 1966. At the
farm of Warren Stein, on the 11th line of East
Zorra township.
FOURTH SALE
Thursday, April 9th at 1:00 p.m.
THAMES BEND FARMS LTD.
R.R.6, Woodstock, Ontario N48 7W1
819-655-2942 or 462-2704
RICHARD AND WARREN STEIN
SNIYTM SNOWBLOWERS
Cutting Req'd Approx.
Width H.P. Auger Fan Weight Hoods
Rear Mount
72" (6 ft)
35 & up
Single
24" x 8"
700 Ib
Manual
16"
84"
55
Single
30" x 8"
800 Ib
Manual
20"
96"
70
Single
30" x 10"
950 Ib.
Hydraulic
20"
96"
100
14"
36" x 10"
1200 Ib
Hydraulic
20"
108"
120 & up
20"
36" x 12"
2000 Ib
Hydraulic
20"
SMYTN
Welding and Machine Shop
RR 2, Auburn, Ontario (519) 529-7212
THE RURAL VOICE/MARCH 1981 PG. 9