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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-01-22, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22,1997 Huron Cty. Bee f Producers Producers discuss animal rights By Bonnie Gropp Citizen, staff The voice of the animal rights activists is not the right one to be heard as far as Huron County Beef Producers are concerned. At their annual meeting on Jan. 15 in Brussels, one producer, James Armstrong, RR3 .Bayfield, expressed his concern regarding a report he had heard on television, during which a member of AA asked that animals be banned from the Royal Winter Fair. He was wor­ ried that through things like this, young people get the wrong mes­ sages. He wondered whether the beef producers should be putting together an education package for the schools. Peter Doris, a special projects manager with the Ontario Cattle­ men's Association, said that it was his understanding the Alliance was focussing this effort strictly on what happens at the Royal, not at a factory farm. "Farmers do care about their animals. That's the mes­ sage you want to get out." Another Ron Bennett, RR1, Gor- rie noted that a rebuttal had been televised the next day. "It was well- editted and low-key. I think we broke even, but it certainly is some­ thing to be concerned about." HCBP director Kittie MacGregor of RR1, Londesboro, said that while the Slice of Huron, an educa­ tion fair, which had been held in Seaforth the past several years, was not going to be continued as it had, the intent was to take the pro­ gram into the schools. "We want to make sure that the kids are educat­ ed about agriculture," she said. Though agreeing the issue must be dealt with, Past President Ken Alton, RR7, Lucknow warned that reacting might just provide AA with more ammunition. Cam Procter of RR5, Brussels said he had volunteered last year at a Slice of Huron and was surprised at how very little children did know about the industry. "We would be best working in our community. Kids aren't stupid, but they had no idea of things, we think of as every­ day stuff. They were just gobbling up the information we gave them." MacGregor said that when volun­ teers begin going into the schools help would be needed from HCBP members. "We have to get out there and make sure that the community has the right message." Beef exec The executive of the Huron County Beef Producers was elected on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at the annual meeting in Brussels. Back row, from left: Second Vice, Cam Procter; First Vice, Alan Powe; OCA Director, Ken Flanagan. Front: President, Doug Howatt; Secretary- Treasurer Rosemarie Bishop; Past President, Ken Alton. HCBP elects executives SHARP DEALS ON QUALITY - CLEAN READY-TO-GO Bean prices stay up for organic farmers Prices for organically farmed crops like edible soybeans should remain high, Steve Speller of W. G. Thompson & Sons Ltd., told the fall conference of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario in Ethel The prices for organic crops did­ n't react to the pressures that drove conventionally-produced crops to record highs this year but they're not dropping back the way these crops are, Speller told the day-long conference attended by about 70 fanners. At $18 a bushel for organ­ ic soys and $23 for organic natto beans, more conventional farmers are looking at turning to organic agriculture, he said. Land that has been in sod for pasture for several years is being broken up for crops. Speller said Thompsons got into organic grains because their cus­ tomers in Asia asked them for organic beans. The move also fit the company philosophy of aiming at specialty markets, he said and because their Ailsa Craig branch has 90 individual storage tanks, ranging from 1,200 to 10,000 bushels, it was possible to separate the organic crops, unlike large silo elevators. The company's experi­ ence in handling certified seed allowed it to more easily adjust to the paper trail required to guarantee organic certification, Speller said. But he warned farmers looking at selling their crops that quality is demanded by Asian buyers. They can buy soybeans closer to home for less but they come to Canada because of the quality Thompsons has been shipping them, he said. That means farmers have to keep adhered soil out of the beans because it gives an off-taste to soy­ milk and tofu. It means that keep­ ing weed stains off beans and reducing auger damage is essential. Thompsons also sells smaller quantities of organic wheat, oats, rye and spelt. Most of the wheat goes to smaller bakeries in Canada and the U.S., he said. Larger bak­ eries are unlikely to start an organic line of bread unless they can be guaranteed a continuous supply of organic flour, he said. There was a shortage of spelt this past year because of winter-kill problems, he said and prices will likely remain strong. Thompsons will be contracting with farmers for organic crops from December through until planting time. Harold Saunders of Elginfield discussed growing soybeans and com for the organic market on his farm which has heavy clay soil. Generally this has been used for feed for his livestock, he says, but this year he had enough left over for sale. While he regularly grew black hilum soybeans from his own seed, this year he used a yellow hilum bean designed for human consumption. This variety doesn't work well in keeping down weed pressure because it didn't fill in the rows with foliage, Saunders said. It was probably intended for a nar­ rower-row cultivation system than the 30-inch row system he uses. Soybeans are included in his Continued on page 11 Brussels Upholstery Brian & Sandy McKnight Mill St., Brussels 887-6056 For all your upholstery needs • Furniture • Auto Machinery seats etc. Sample and estimates free of charge By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff Only one resolution came for­ ward at the Huron County Beef Producers annual meeting in Brus­ sels on Jan. 15. Neil Rintoul, RR2, Lucknow, made a motion regarding the bi­ weekly "Canadian Cattlebuyers" bulletin. Due to government cut­ backs, the George Morris Agency was now publishing the bulletin at a cost of $85 a year to subscribers. OMAFRA had distributed them before at no cost to the members. Rintoul sought support for his resolution that OCA help cover some of the cost for the’publica- tion. The motion carried. Jack Flanagan, RR1, Dublin was returned as OCA director. Ken Alton is first alternate and Alan Powe is second. Elected to the executive was: President Doug Howatt, RR1, Bel­ grave; First Vice, Alan Powe, RR1, WHERE DO YOU TURN WHEN YOUR DOG OR CAT IS LOST? YOUR NEWSPAPER: The link to your community Exeter; Second Vice, Cam Procter, RR5, Brussels. Past President is Ken Alton, RR7, Lucknow. Delegates to the OCA annual meeting in Toronto this February are: Powe, Co Zondag, Ron Ben­ nett, Howatt, Gordon Gross, Proc­ ter, Alton, Bill Haines, Ralph-Scott, Paul Coultes, Bob Bell. Alternates are: Rintoul, Glenn Coultes, Har­ vey Hoggarth and Don Kerslake. In her report, HCBP Secretary Treasurer Rosemarie Bishop noted a bank balance of $2,715.51. This was down considerably from the Dec. 31, 1995 balance of $5,953.67, due primarily to the investment of $4,000 in a GIC, which will mature Sept. 9. The County Beef Herd Improve­ ment Association was in a deficit position of $538.16, Weigh fees brought an income of $770, while weighman fees, insurance and scale repair totalled $1,308.16. 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