The Rural Voice, 2003-02, Page 31sometimes the odd one would get
more cattle than he put in, and the
odd time there would be some
slaughtered in the Commons. She
was a humdinger of an outfit."
He goes on to say, "I'II tell you a
story and I won't mention any names
but there was one chap and he pushed
a lot of cattle up there. He would take
a nickel and he'd make a slit in the
shoulder of the cattle beast and he'd
put a nickel under the hide. You
couldn't detect it unless you got the
beast tied up, but you could feel it
though. He lost a cattle beast and it
went out into Osprey Township. So
he was driving around one day and he
saw it in this chap's field. So he went
in and said, "I believe you've got a
steer of mine."
"Oh, no, no, no" said the farmer.
"Well," he said. "I'll tell you,
we'll put them in and if I can feel this
nickel in the shoulder, and you can
feel it, it's my steer." So they put it
in, they were near the barn, and sure
enough; and to prove if he made a
little slit and took the nickel out. So
he got his steer. I never heard tell of
that before."
perhaps unknowingly, Dorine
and Ralph McGuire have
played a very important role in
their rural, farming community for
the past 50 years. Their sound
husbandry practices on their well -
kept, prominent farm has earned them
the respect and admiration of their
neighbours. Undoubtedly they have
had a positive influence on hundreds
of children, either in the classroom or
on the school bus. Their remarkable
memory for dates, people and details
of events make them an invaluable
source of information and stories of
days gone by. They have helped keep
alive certain rural traditions and at the
same time have adapted to changes
by welcoming newcomers who have
moved from the city, thus
maintaining a sense of community.
These days the McGuires are
enjoying a more relaxed pace of life
in their community and are able to
reflect on a very satisfying and
rewarding life on their farm. Recently
Ralph and Dorine McGuire were
honoured by the Euphrasia Township
Federation of Agriculture for their
contribution to agriculture by
receiving the Agricultural Heritage
Award.0
Jo
niL.S,'jtb
7� h
ouNo s9k
Marvin L. Smith
B.Sc.F. (Forestry), R.P.F.
Farm Woodland Specialist
570 Riverview Dr.
Listowel, Ontario N4W 3T7
Telephone (519) 291-2236
Providing advice and assistance with:
• impartial advice/assistance in selling timber.
including selection of trees and marking
• reforestation of erodible or idle land
• follow-up tending of young plantations
• windbreak planning and establishment
• woodlot management planning
• diagnosis of insect and disease problems
• conducting educational programs in woodlot
management
• any other woodland or tree concerns
r
SIZE MATTERS!
A FORUM ON THE INTERESTS OF SMALL
HOG PRODUCERS
Friday, Feb. 28th 9:45 AM sharp!
Doors open 9:00 AM
Shakespeare and District Optimist Hall
Shakespeare, Ontario
Forum Speakers Include:
Barry Wilson
Ottawa correspondent, Western Producer
Elbert Van Donkersgoed
Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario
Dr. Tim Blackwell
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Fred Tait
Hogwatch Manitoba
Admission: $25 ($20 spouse/youth)
Full lunch provided
PRE -REGISTER NOW!
For more information visit our website at
www.smallhoaproducers.com
or call SIZE MATTERS! at (613) 924-0044.
SIZE MATTERS! is a joint project of the Independent Ontario
Hog Producers Association, Catholic Rural Life Conference
and NFU -Ontario in support of smaller hog producers.
L_ 4J
FEBRUARY 2003 27