The Rural Voice, 2003-04, Page 451
in the area who can help breeders
obtain this.
In the spring the Tolls will find out
if they have once again succeeded,
when they attend the Clydesdale sale
in Illinois.
With the days of the workhorse
long over, what's the attraction to
this powerful animals? Who's
buying?
"Budweiser is the big thing," Toll
says referring to the highly -
recognizable promotional wagon and
team for the beer company. "People
with a small acreage want a Bud
horse. Though there are a few like us
who were born and raised around
them and want the breed to buy and
sell."
Toll's father has actually sold a
few of his Clydes to Budweiser.
Even considering that the
Clydesdales are generally
purchased more as a novelty
than for business or hobby, Toll says
there are more people showing them,
particularly south of the border.
"Their state fairs are big money
makers," he said. "An attendance of
100,000 people a day is considered
small so the prize money is good."
Toll's Clydesdales do well at the
American shows. Three times they
have had the high -selling stallion at
the Illinois event, one of which was
in the lead of the Bud hitch at the
Royal.
Comparing this sale to the Royal,
Ontario's premier farm show, where
in 2002 he copped second for his
yearling filly in the Ontario bred and
sired class, Toll is concerned. "The
location is a problem. Trying to drive
these trailers in and out of Toronto is
difficult and it may be a factor in
why the numbers seem to be
decreasing."
Toll worries about the future of the
Royal, about people such as himself
having somewhere to showcase their
animals and agriculture in general.
"Livestock numbers are down and it
would really hurt the industry to not
have the Royal. I'm not saying that's
the direction it's headed but it looks
like it."
Noting that the agricultural
ministry used to invest in the Royal,
Toll says it seems now that they are
willing to let the fair go. "It really
doesn't seem to matter to them.
anymore."0
BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK
887-6461
887-6811
SALES
SPECIAL
VACCINATED SALES
AprlI14&28.10am
April 3 & 10 - Easter Lamb & Goat
Sales -11:30 am
April 19 - Stocker Sale in lieu of
Good Friday • 10 am
Tuesdays 9 a.m. - Fed Cattle, Cows, Bulls
Thursdays 8 a.m. - Bob Calves, Veal, Lambs, Goats & Pigs
Fridays 10 a.m. - Stockers
Confidence • Trust • Service
WESTERN STOCKERS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE SALE
Visit our website at www.brusselslivestock.ca Email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca
You're invited to
Join in the celebration of the future of agriculture
and its people at this year's John Deere Day.
Stop in and take a look at the latest in agricultural
equipment and technology. Or visit our Genuine
John Deere Parts and Service Expo and get to
know our friendly parts and service staff. Don't
miss this year's John Deere Day!
Date• APRIL 17T", 2003
Time: 2 & 8 P.M.
Location DEALERSHIP
A
JOHN DEERE
IVAN J.H.
CARMICHAEL LTD.
Selling John Deere for over 48 years
Hwy. #6, one mile south of Chatsworth
519-794-2480
1-800-533-4215
APRIL 2003 41