Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-08-19, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19,1992. PAGE 19. By Keith Roulston Speaking of Farming Brussels Livestock report Market $2 higher at sale Failure in GATT talks disaster for Canadian agriculture, study says Even supply managed commodities would be better off under the proposals for GATT reforms proposed by Arthur Dunkel than by failure of the GATT talks, a new report from the George Morris Centre at the University of Guelph says. The report, Implications of the Dunkel Proposal for an Agreement in GA.T.T. in the Canadian agriculture and Food Sector is authored by James Rude, Mike von Massow and Larry Martin. "If there is no GATT deal, the international trading environment of the post-GATT period will look nothing like the pre-GATT period," Mr. Martin says. The study says that under the Dunkel proposals the grains and oil seed sector would be much the same, red meat would be slightly better and supply-managed commodities would be worse off than before GATT talks began but that the fall-out from a failed deal would be so bad that the pre-talks rules wouldn’t apply. The U.S. and European gov­ ernments have indicated they will continue to increase subsidization of exports if the talks fail. Meanwhile uncertainty is killing agriculture both at the processing and producer level, the report says. "The most common response to nearly any proposal to do anything in the sector has been 'well, we'd better wait to see what happens at GATT.' Most recently, however, our experience is that many of the best and brightest in the sector, from the largest multi-national to the small Canadian food processor, to the com­ mercial farmer in every commodity has changed the refrain to 'I can compete with anyone anywhere, if I just know what the rules are. So let's makd some decisions and get on with it.'" The study seems to suggest Canada is in another one of those situa­ tions where we've got very little to gain and a whole lot to lose by an agreement but we're being told that we're better with an agreement than without one. Even the red meat sector, the study suggests, won't gain as much from higher prices as it loses in government support. Supply managed commodities might not be protected even under the old rules, as witnessed by the GATT decision on ice cream imports, the study warns and then Canadian dairy and poultry producers wouldn't even have the benefit of the tariffs offered under the Dunkel proposal. In addition, Canada's safety net programs are under attack by the U.S. as unfair subsidies. "The pre-1990 status quo is simply a figment of histo­ ry. Canada needs to develop long-term policies for agriculture in the future. Those policies need to be consistent with international rules. They need to be developed with assurance that Canadian agriculture will not continue to be victimized by U.S. Trade Law. Most important­ ly, it is time the uncertainty ended so that Canadians can get down to the business of demonstrating their ability to compete." What Martin and company seem to ignore in their report on how well we can compete with all those cost factors that drive Canadian input costs up. Can we expect a further report calling for a reduction of all those costs so Canadian farmers and processors can be competitive: per­ haps a reduction in support for universities so taxes were lower? The sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending August 14 were: fed cattle, 1071; cows, 216; veal calves, 210; lambs and goats, 154; stockers, 450 and pigs 181. The market at Brussels Livestock was $2 higher from the previous week with cows on a steady demand. There were 170 steers on offer MVCA seeks nominees The Maitland Valley Conserva­ tion Authority (MVCA) is inviting the public to make nominations for the Authority's 1992 Conservation Awards. The health of the environment, including soil and water resources, is important to everyone. To encourage the wise use of soil and water the MVCA will again be recognizing individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to the conservation of local natural resources. “An award could be presented for any of a number of conservation practices, including tree planting, preserving or restoring wetlands, forest management, or conservation farm practices, to name a few,” said Paul Weitendorf, MVCA Communications Co-ordinator. For more information, or to nominate an individual or group, contact the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at (519) 335-3557. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of MVCA Directors. There are two levels of awards presented. The Conservation Award of Distinction will be given to those making a long-term, outstanding commitment to conservation. To recognize and encourage shorter-term contri­ butions, Certificates of Apprecia­ tion are presented. The deadline for nominations is September 18. The presentation of the awards will take place at the general meeting of the Maitland Valley Conservation to be held in October. Area girl on Huron 4-H team BY SUSAN OXFORD Well over 200 youngsters were packed into the Seaforth fairgrounds judging ring on August 5 for the 1992 Inter-County 4-H Dairy Judging competition. The 4- H members came from all over Ontario, and many of those who had travelled a great distance spent the night of August 4 at Centralia College. At the competition, the 4- H members formed 38 teams to judge nine classes of dairy cattle. They also had to give reasons for their placings in six of the classes. One half of the team that represented Huron County is Donna Lynn Armstrong, daughter of Fred and Ruth Armstrong of RR 2, Auburn. Donna has been a 4-H member for eight years now, including two years as a junior member. Her accomplishments in 4-H have been recognized with many including a Judging these beauties Donna Lynn Armstrong of Blyth was one of two contestants for the Huron County team at the Inter-County 4-H Dairy Judging competition held in Seaforth. Huron Expositor photo congeniality award for 1990 and 1991, showmanship and confirmation trophies. Donna has attended a 4-H selection weekend in Toronto as a runner up for Huron County for a citizenship award, and a leadership camp in Port Stanley where she learned self-awareness and how to communicate better. This was her first all-Ontario competition. When Donna isn't working on a 4-H project, she is either attending Goderich District Collegiate or working as a lifeguard/swim instructor at Vanastra Recreation Centre. Donna and her partner, Patrick Hallahan of Blyth, judged nine classes which consisted of Guernsey two-year-old, Holstein junior yearling, Holstein three- year-old, Jersey four-year-old, Jersey winter yearling, Brown Swiss four-year-old, Holstein two- year-old, Guernsey senior yearling, and Holstein December calf. They also wrote a quiz and answered general questions on dairy cattle. The Huron team performed well and placed 17th in overall performance under the guidance of their coach Glen McNeil of RR 6 Goderich. Individually, Patrick did very well and earned a crystal bowl award for placing second. selling from $80 to $92.10 to the high of $98. Forty-nine steers consigned by W. B. Pletch Co. Ltd., Rockwood averaging 1278 lbs. sold for an average of $89.91 with sales to $98 purchased by Star Brand Packers. Two steers consigned by Murray Johnston, Bluevale averaging 1350 lbs. sold for an average of $91.52 with sales to $95.25. Fifty-six steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1280 lbs. sold for an average of $89.26 with sales to $94. Six steers consigned by Keith Johnston, Bluevale averaging 1258 lbs. sold for an average of $89.35 with sales to $94. Fifteen steers consigned by Harvey McMurchy, Clarksburg, averaging 1306 lbs. sold for an average of $87.93 with sales to $92.75. Five steers consigned by David Bowles, Brussels averaging 1308 lbs. sold for an average of $89.42 with sales to $92.75. Fifteen steers consigned by Ron Funston, Ripley averaging 1364 lbs. sold for an average of $90.31 with sales to $92.50. Forty-four steers consigned by G. A. Stewart Farms, Ripley averaging 1182 lbs. sold for an average of $90.55 with sales to $92.25. Twenty-seven steers consigned by Schmidtbrook Farms, Woodstock averaging 1439 lbs. sold for an average of $87.12 with sales to $92. Five steers consigned by Laurie Siemon, Bornholm averaging 1282 lbs. sold for an average of $89.18 with sales to $91.75. Four steers consigned by Carling West, Lakeside averaging 1240 lbs. sold for an average of $88.39 with sales to $91.75. Twenty-nine steers consigned by Gerald Geisel, Elmira averaging 1439 lbs. sold for an average of $88.16 with sales to $91.50. Three steers consigned by Jim and Les Stephenson, Ethel averaging 1187 lbs. sold for an average of $88.85 with sales to $91. - There were 341 heifers on offer selling from $79.75 to $90.40 to the high of $95.25. Four heifers consigned by Sellers Farms, Bluevale averaging 1140 lbs. sold for an average of $93.66 with sales to $95.25 purchased by Star Brand Packers. Ten heifers consigned by Neil Rintoul, Lucknow averaging 1116 lbs. sold for an average of $85.22 with sales to $91.50. Fifteen heifers consigned by Stephen Aberle, Elmira averaging 1224 lbs. sold for an average of $90.25 with sales to $91.10. Fifteen heifers consigned by Howard Famme, Stratford averaging 1062 lbs. sold for an average of $82.98 with sales to $91. Twenty-two heifers consigned by Robert E. Wallace, Shelburne averaging 1085 lbs. sold for an average of $89.30 with sales to $90.40. Twenty-five heifers consigned by Keith Elder, Chcsley averaging 1171 lbs. sold for an average of $87.54 with sales to $90.30. Five heifers consigned by Calvin Semple, Ethel averaging 1182 lbs. sold for an average of $87.39 with sales to $90.25. Six heifers consigned by Ross Corbett, Exeter averaging 1138 lbs. sold for an average of $85.57 with sales to $89.60. There were 216 cows on offer selling from $52 to $63, to the high of $74.25. Two cows consigned by Don Dodds, Seaforth averaging 1370 lbs. sold for an average of $68.30 with sales to $74.25. Two cows consigned by John Rutherford, Wingham averaging 1385 lbs. sold for an average of $65.63 with sales to $72. One cow consigned by Mike Gulutzen, Brussels weighing 1710 lbs. sold for $67.50. There were 200 veal on offer selling from $60 to $82.50 to the high of $98. Thirteen veal consigned by D & D Veal, Zurich averaging 634 lbs. sold for an average of $80.82 with sales to $98. Nine veal consigned by Keith Nelson, Palmerston averaging 699 lbs. sold for an average of $82.38 with sales to $96.50. Three veal consigned by Larry Fear, Brussels averaging 700 lbs. sold for an average of $79.13 with sales to $91.50. Lambs: 50 - 79 lbs. sold, 78.00 - 106.00; 95 and over, 72.00 - 78.00. Pigs. There were 181 pigs on offer, 40 - 49 lbs., sold to a high of 58 cents per lb.; 50 - 59 lbs., to a high of 55 cents per lb.; 60 - 69 lbs., to a high of 62 cents per lb.; 70 - 79 lbs., to a high of 56 cents per lb.; 80 - 89 lbs. to a high of 56 cents per lb.; and 90 and over, to a high of 55.5 cents per lb. MARK YOUR CALENDAR Consignment Auction Sale at STANLEY FARM EQUIPMENT Hwy. #9 Village of Bervie Saturday, August 22 1:00 p.m. 100 pieces of farm equipment, including tractors, combines, haying, harvest and tillage equipment. AUCTIONEER: Brian Rintoul TO CONSIGN: Ron Stanley (519) 395-2434 (519) 395-2441 after 8 p.m. BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS 9 a.m Finished Cattle& Cows 11:00 a.m. Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs 11:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs BRUSSELS 887-6461