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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-11-17, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1993. Brussels Livestock Report Fed cattle sell on fully active strong trade Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending Nov. 12 were: fed cattle, 853; cows, 370; veal calves, 146; sheep and goats, 73; stockers, 1,600; and pigs, 75. The market at Brussels Livestock saw fed cattle selling on a fully active strong trade. Cows were steady. There were 585 steers on offer selling from $90 to $95 to the high of $105. Nine steers consigned by Francis Zettler, Walkerton, averaging 1368 lbs. sold for an average of $94.46 with sales to $105. Seven steers consigned by Elmer Hall, Listowel, averaging 1027 lbs. sold for an average of $97.64 with sales to $103. Four steers consigned by Scott Geisel, West Montrose, averaging 1383 lbs. sold for an average of $97.92 with sales to $102.75. Forty steers consigned by Gerald Geisel, Elmira, averaging 1508 lbs. sold for an average of $92.35 with sales to $102. Twenty-four steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan, averaging 1465 lbs. sold for an average of $93.55 with sales to $99. Twelve steers consigned by Johnston Farms, Bluevale, averaging 1287 lbs. sold for an average of $91.79 with sales to $98.50. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Ltd., Woodstock, averaging 1387 lbs. sold for an average of $91.94 with sales to $98.25. Ten steers consigned by Bill Pearson, Ethel, averaging 1328 lbs. sold for an average of $91.38 with sales to $98.25. One steer consigned by Tim Halliday, Chesley, averaging 1303 lbs. sold for an average of $96.80 with sales to $97.75. There were 223 heifers on offer selling from $90 to $95 to the high of $99. Ten heifers consigned by John Black, Goderich, averaging 1082 lbs. sold for an average of $91.78 with sales to $99. Twelve heifers consigned by Neil Faulkner, Moorefield, averaging 1019 lbs. sold for an average of $91.96 with sales to $98.25. Fourteen heifers consigned by Mux Lea Farms, Woodstock, averaging 1240 lbs. sold for an average of $91.35 with sales to $97.75. Two heifers consigned by Edward Gingerich, Lucknow, averaging 1035 lbs. sold for an average of $89.50 with sales to $96.25. Two heifers consigned by Karl Terpstra, Mitchell, averaging 1100 lbs. sold for an average of $94.75 with sales to $96. Twelve heifers consigned by Jack Flanagan, Dublin, averaging 1232 lbs. sold for an average of $92.43 with sales to $95. Eight heifers consigned by Tilman Weber, St. Jacobs, averaging 1151 lbs. sold for an average of $88.83 with sales to $94. There were 370 cows on offer selling from $54 to $66 to the high of $75.25. Four cows consigned by Wayne Mewhinney, Paisley, averaging 1187 lbs. sold for an average of $65.14 with sales to $75.25. Four cows consigned by Ronald G. Kraemer, Walkerton, averaging 1108 lbs. sold for an average of $64.05 with sales to $74.50. Three cows consigned by Lauderlea Farms, Listowel, averaging 1313 lbs. sold for an average of $66.52 to the high of $73.15. There were 146 veal on offer selling from $89.50 to $109.50 to the high of $119. Two veal consigned by Wayne Hoegy, Dublin, averaging 650 lbs. sold for an average of $108.17 with sales to $119. One veal consigned by Elroy Martin, Milverton, weighing 550 lbs. sold for $114.50. One veal consigned by Mike Courtney, Ripley, weighing 640 lbs. sold for $109.50. Lambs, under 50 lbs., sold $116 to $163; 80 - 94 lbs., $111 to $123; and over 95 lbs., $98 to $102. Stockers: steers, 400 - 499 lbs., sold $119 to $148; 500 - 599 lbs., $99 to $143.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $92 to $124.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $97.50 to $114; and 800 lbs. and over, $90 to $115. Heifers, 300 - 399 lbs., sold $105 to $130; 400 - 499 lbs., $106.75 to $132; 500 - 599 lbs., $88 to $126; 600 - 699 lbs., $74 to $117; and 700 lbs. and over, $92.50 to $113. arm Speaker talks on organic farming in Montana By Janice Becker Approximately 75 to 80 farmers and citizens from across the district who are concerned with ecology and sustainable agriculture gath- ered at Grey Central Public School on Nov. 13 to hear speaker Nancy Matheson discuss organic farming in Montana. Ms Matheson is from Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) in Montana. AERO is an organization which deals with renewable energy, sus- tainable agriculture and conserva- tion, with an eye to greater community self-reliance. Ms Matheson says AERO was formed in 1974 with the mandate of dealing with the energy crisis. They looked at renewable resources and conservation. By the 1980s, the crisis had sub- sided and the organization turned to soil management and improving the methods for sustainable agriculture, she says. One of the largest obstacles to changing ideas and methods was the vast distances between fanners. There was no network for commu- nication. This became AERO's main purpose, she said. They talked to the ranchers and farmers, looking for new ideas to help maintain the soil and deal with the specific problems in their state. Montana is mainly a beef and wheat state, Ms Matheson says. Each year, approximately 50 per- cent of the land is left fallow, in strips between the wheat crop. In the eastern part of the state, Montana has very heavy clay soil which holds the water when it is available but the poor drainage can create ponds which flood the wheat crops. Once the land has dried, there is a big problem with wind erosion. The western section of the state on the windward side of the moun- tains is more plush and used mainly for vegetable, fruit and flower crops. Some of the projects researched in Montana found a solution to the erosion problem as well as helping to maintain the quality of the soil, she says. Many groups are experimenting with annual legumes such as black medic and fava beans, as a cover crop. These Saskatchewan bred legumes provide protection against wind erosion, they can be used as forage for the beef herds and they are also a cash crop. Montana farm- ers are also testing out more mixed cropping to protect the land. Another project worked on meth- ods to reduce the need for chemical sprays to eliminate weeds. They found sheep to be very efficient, she says, with a llama in the herds to scare off the coyotes. Ms Matheson says the horticul- tural farmers in the west worked more on marketing. AERO found that farmers were not able to communicate with each other about the problem they faced so they stepped in to help form small community groups, Ms Matheson says. They offered small start up grants to the groups to pay for administrative cost such as phone calls and travelling expenses as well as subsidize research projects. She says the projects ranged from on-farm, scientific based research to hiring speakers to talk to the group about alternative farming methods. The grants were less than $800 per group and were available for the first three years, she says, though most did not request help after the initial year. Once the group had formed, usu- ally started by those interested in alternative or organic farming methods, the conventional farmers in the area soon became interested. The new techniques drew them in. They were willing to learn and adjust their chemical based opera- tion, she says. Ms Matheson says, "The mem- bers of the groups had previously been seen as outcasts because they were on the cutting edge of new technology. Their ideas were dif- ferent from the norm. By getting the people together in groups of four of more, there was less isola- tion and a community feeling developed." In Montana, there are now 22 groups made up of 175 people, with very diverse projects which reflect local needs. The projects range from market- ing, processing, new product devel- opment, marker co-ops and shared agriculture plots, Ms Matheson says. "It has moved beyond just farming into any area that effects a farmer's viability and the strength of the community." AERO is there to provide admin- istrative support and technical assistance. Ms Matheson says it is best if each group has a secretary to keep track of achievements made through the project and to contact AERO so that they in turn can inform other groups so there is a flow of information. In return for sustaining this net- work of information, AERO has certain expectations from its mem- ber groups, she says. There is to be: an annual work plan, a willingness to share information with the other groups whether it be through tours or newspaper articles, there must be regular phone updates on the pro- ject, an annual summary of project results which includes how the group worked and who became involved besides the farmer and there will be an annual meeting to tell others of the project and to explain what went wrong as well as right. Ms Matheson says this flow of information sparks the imagination and can lead to more projects. The technical assistance should be provided by an agriculture rep- resentative in your area. The rep's presence should not be a one way street though, she says. "That per- son is there to learn from the farmer as well, to learn how to best assist the farmer and to listen to their concerns and problems. Ms Matheson says, "This will also help the Ministry of Agricul- ture and Food adjust its policies andpriorities to the needs of the local farmer." She says the group has several purposes. It gets farmers to work collaboratively, it acts as a social support group to help alleviate the feeling of isolation, it serves as an entry point for conventional farm- ers who may need practitioners to act as mentors for new methods and it raises the visibility of sustainable agriculture, thereby making it easi- er to get the assistance of an agri- culture representative. She says, "By becoming more visible, it can affect change in uni- versity and ministry research priori- ties. It helps the agencies develop an understanding of the farmers and what they want to do. In Mon- tana, there has been some evidence of scientific thinking turning 180 degrees after working with the farmers." "This is how change occurs, by getting the top level administration to change their thinking and then altering the mandate for the field workers to respond to the needs of the groups," Ms Matheson says. TUESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS Offer Expires Dec. 21, 1993 9 a.m. Finished Cattle & Cows 11:00 a.m. Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs 10:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs * Spark Plugs and Wires * Vacuum Control * Air Filters * Fuel Filters * Distributor Cap * Rotor * Electronic Module * Coil * Pole Piece J. L. McCutcheori Motors Brussels 887-6856