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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-07-24, Page 15Brussels Livestock report THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24,1991. PAGE 15. Prices steady at Brussels sale Farm Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending July 19, were: slaughter cattle, 473; cows, 144; veal calves, 190; lambs and goats, 57; pigs, 200. There were 357 steers on offer selling from $85.80 to $89.90 to the high of $91.75. Forty-four steers consigned by W. B. Pletch Co. Ltd., Rockwood averaged 1199 lbs. and sold for $89.22 to the high of $91.75. Thir­ ty-three steers consigned by Elton Hall, Alliston averaging 1328 lbs. sold for $87.87 to the high of $89.10. Fifteen steers consigned by Murray Forbes, Clinton averaged 1222 lbs. and sold for $87.50 to the high of $90.50. Three steers consigned by Jim and Les Stephenson, Ethel averag­ ing 1243 lbs. sold for $86.40. Six steers consigned by Martin Metske, Lucknow averaged 1190 lbs. and sold for $86.16 to the high of $88.50. Thirty-two steers con­ signed by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1373 lbs. and sold for $85.41 to the high of $88.30. Eleven steers consigned by G. A. Stewart Farms Ltd., Lucan averag­ ing 1361 lbs. and sold for $85.31 to the high of $88. There were 116 heifers on offer selling from $79.31 to $85 to the high of $86.80. One heifer con­ signed by Ross Stephenson, Ethel weighed 1110 lbs. and sold for $86. Two heifers consigned by Clayton McClure, Seaforth averaging 975 lbs. sold for $85.25 to the high of $86. Twenty-five heifers consigned by Alvin Grainger, Wroxeter aver­ aging 1099 lbs. sold for $84.46 to the high of $86.80. Four heifers consigned by Irvin Schcrbarth, Monkton averaged 1150 lbs. and sold for $84.31 to the high of $85.25. Four heifers con­ signed by Bill McDonald, Luc­ know averaging 1023 lbs. sold for $84.25 to the high of $84.40. One heifer consigned by Jim Wallace, Grand Valley weighed 1060 lbs. and sold for $83.50. Six heifers consigned by Percy Bros., Holyrood averaging 986 lbs. sold for $83. Twelve heifers con­ signed by John Hunter, Grand Val­ ley averaged 1114 lbs. and sold for $82.22 to the high of $83.25. Six heifers consigned by Allan Web­ ster, Aubum averaging 1035 lbs. sold for $81.33 to the high of $85. There were 144 cows on offer selling from $58.50 to $64 to the high of $68. One cow consigned by Harry Ritz, West Monkton weighed 1370 lbs. and sold for $68. Two cows consigned by Reuben Weber, Neustadt averaging 1210 lbs. sold for $64.73 to the high of $66.50. One cow consigned by Gordon Marshall, Durham weighed 1410 lbs. and sold for $64. Three cows consigned by Ivan Pickett, Clinton averaging 1167 lbs. sold for $63.56 to the high of $65.50. One cow consigned by Carl McLellan, Brussels weighing 1130 lbs. sold for $63.50. Two cows consigned by Dominion Peel, Blue­ vale averaged 1385 lbs. and sold for $63.06 to the high of $65.50. Ten cows consigned by Victor Knapp, Hanover averaging 1154 lbs. sold for $61.54 to the high of $65. Two cows consigned by Tom L. Miller, Bluevale averaging 1200 lbs. sold for $60.72 io me high of $63.25. There were 190 veal on offer selling from $87.42 to $96 to the high of $105. One veal consigned by Ross Gray, Bluevale weighed 690 lbs. and sold for $99. Three veal con­ signed by Wayne Brown, Montkon averaging 503 lbs. and sold for $95.72 to the high of $105. Two veal consigned by Ron DeBoer, Wroxeter averaging 650 lbs. sold for $95.50. One veal consigned by Cranbrook Farms, Brussels, weigh­ ing 645 lbs. sold for $95. Two veal consigned by Doug DeBoer, Wroxeter, averaging 625 lbs. sold for $95. Four veal con­ signed by Carl McLellan, Brussels averaging 633 lbs. sold for $91.88 to the high of $94.50. There were 200 pigs on offer selling from: 50 lbs. and under, $57.16 to $65.23; 50 lbs. to 70 lbs., $55.84 to $61.64; over 70 lbs., $59.31 to $61.15. Brussels 4H dairy club prepares for Calf Mania These farmers work for environment While working on a story recently for our sister publication, The Rural Voice, on the progress that local farmers have made on controlling soil erosion and environmental degradation caused by ages old soil cultivation practices and livestock waste handling systems, I was amazed at the personal commitment and dedication they had made to making the raising of our food as least disrupting of the environment as possible. They are gradually slowing down, and even reversing, a process that in recent years has led to some major abuses of our soil and water. Over the past four decades since the Second World War, agriculture and food production has undergone a revolution with science discovering high-tech methods to raise our food. We have seen the introduction of large, energy- gobbling equipment that, combined with breakthroughs in plant breeding and chemical pesticides, and the use of artificial fertilizers, has meant that a single farmer today can feed 96 people, compared to only a handful at the turn of the century. In fact, had it not been for those advances, the urban society we know today just wouldn't be possible. You don't hear it much today in this land of plentiful, cheap food, but civilization, like an army, marches forward on its stomach. But many people a decade or so ago, including some farmers, were becoming concerned about the abuse they were putting these non- renewablc resources through, and the soil, which took thousands of years for nature to create, was being washed away in a single generation. At personal expenses to themselves at first, and now with the assistance of some of those same scientists and suppliers, farmers are starting to swing the pendulum back to more sanity. They have proven that crop rotation is beneficial, and that by not flipping over the soil each fall with the time- honoured mold board plow, they could save the soil. By leaving all that trash (crop residue) on top of the fields each fall, although not a pretty sight — at one time there was a law against not having "cleanly" plowed fields — they help the soil stay put. They have also embraced methods to prevent and slowdown run-off with grassed waterways, berms, reforestation and other erosion control methods to preserve this valuable commodity. They have also discovered cultivation methods to get around all this trash without lowering yields, and by localizing their weed sprays to a "band" in the row, they could cut chemical use by up to two-thirds. By careful incorporation of animal manure, they have substantially cut their use of manufactured fertilizer. Not that Canadian farmers are addicted to chemical use. In fact, a recent study released by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development confirms that Canadian farmers use chemical fertilizers and pesticides very sparingly. On average, an acre of arable land in Germany or the U.K. gets seven times more nitrogenous fertilizer than in Canada, and five to six times more pesticides. Japanese farmers put 18 limes more pesticide and five times more nitrogen, while even U.S. farmers are using twice as much pesticides and nitrogen fertilizer than Canadians. Ultimately though, because we live in a society that worships the economic bottom line, these new conservation methods, (or really rediscovered old methods), have saved farmers substantial sums of money in the input costs mentioned above, as well as fuel, and wear and tear on equipment. Many in the urban media (particularly David Suzuki) have falsely portrayed farmers as uncaring, despoilers of the environment. But it’s unfair. Although, there is still a long way to go before all farmers are using conservation practices, this new breed of farmers has proved you can have sustainable, ethical food production methods. FARMERS! What's bugging your grain??? Spray your grain bins "MALATHION" before harvest, and treatwith your grain at harvest time with "GRAIN GUARD". Both in stock along with a good sup­ ply of Binder Twine & DAUPHIN FEED & SUPPLY /0T DUNGANNON WALTON BY VERONICA GROBBINK The Brussels Dairy Club had its third meeting on July 3 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Crawford. Carla Johnston opened the meet­ ing with the 4-H pledge. John McFadzean set out coals for the members to judge. Members had to select the best coat for a rainy and stormy night. Then the members watched a show on automatic milk­ ing machines. They talked about Calf Mania and what we had to bring. John McFadzean set out knives for the members to judge. They had to select the best knife to take to school in a lunch bag or lunch box to cut up an apple. Carla Johnston closed the meeting. The next meeting (Calf Mania) will be held at the Seaforth fair­ grounds where the members will loam how to train and take care of their calves. Badminton's easy and exciting! After work or on the weekend.» rAllVl Wk/i ix k/1 V/11 11IV WVVIXV11V1, make it part of your game plan! paHTinpacTinn^. Make your move. YARD SALE •THURS., JULY 25 «FRI., JULY 26 «SAT., JULY 27 CANADIAN MADE UNDSEY QUALITY PATIO SET 10 PIECE - SQUARE OR ROUND TABLE ?129.95 12 SETS ONLY!! HUNDREDS OF OTHER ITEMS ONE OF A KIND CLOTHING -FERTILIZERS/SOILS •MISCELLANEOUS FARM ITEMS 20" BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE e OO PUSH MOWERS * 139. RIDING LAWN MOWERS 1H°p $1100. 1hp *1400. k°HNPY$2500 10 ONLY - 40 WATT PATIO BUG KILLER 3 ONLY-120 WATT BARN BUG KILLER REG. *99 *$39.95 REG. *399* $99% SEE YOU THERE BELGRAVE CO-OPERATIVE Hwy. #4, Belgrave 357-2711 523-4454 Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5 Sat. 9-12 noon AUBURN CO-OPERATIVE County Rd. #25, Auburn 526-7262 Store Hours: Mon -Fri. 8:30-5:30 Sat 9-12 noon f