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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-01-29, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29,1997 PAGE 11. Brussels Livestock report 11 Howatt steers avg. $93.04, reach $98 The sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending Jan. 24 were: fed cattle, 675; cows, 252; veal calves, 426; lambs and goats, 50; and stockers, 1,076. Both fed steers and heifers sold on a barely steady trade. Cows were selling $1 to $2 higher. Veal sold $2 to $5 lower with lambs selling on an active market for the volume. There was a good strong active trade on all classes of stockers. There were 382 steers on offer selling from $87 to $91 to the high of $96. Eleven steers consigned by F arm Huron Pork Producers support single-desk sales There was some opposition but in the end the Huron County Pork Producers, Thursday, overwhelm­ ingly approved a resolution sup­ porting selling all hogs through the Ontario Pork Producers' Marketing Board. The resolution was written by the executive of the Pork Producers in answer to a letter being circulated by a group of large pork producers calling for deregulation of the Ontario pork industry. These pro­ ducers want to be able to deal with packers without any connection to the Ontario Pork Producers Market­ ing Board (OPPMB), including paying marketing and promotion fees. The Huron Pork Producers argued that recent changes give pork producers many options to sell their hogs, including contracts with specific packers. Bruce Bergsma of Londesboro argued that the rebel­ lious producers just want to get away from paying the $1.90 per hog marketing fee. "There's no such thing as shipping illegally to the U.S. unless you don't pay your $1.90" he said. But Bob Robinson of Walton argued that while the resolution supported the board, it shouldn't give the impression that they weren't open to changes to make the marketing system better. Another producer argued that the OPPMB is not doing a good job of getting the best prices for farmers, while farmers who sell directly to packers are gaining. "It's not right that my neighbour up the road piakes more than I do," he said. Two weeks ago he sold some hogs to Thom Apple Valley in Detroit and made about $12 per hog more than selling through the board, he said. "I don't know what single-desk selling is anymore," he said. "I think we already have dual market­ ing. These people (the rebellious producers) simply have their alter­ native marketing." But Jody Durand of Zurich argued that the resolution was a simple motion in support of the idea of single-desk marketing through the OPPMB. "We either stand together or we don't," he said. Robinson proposed a resolution to allow a reduced marketing fee for producers who market their pigs Jim Howatt, Londesboro, averaging 1,328 lbs. sold for an average of $93.04 with sales to $98. Six steers consigned by Harglen Holst. Inc., Crediton, averaging 1,412 lbs. sold for an average of $90.95 with sales to $95.50. Seventeen steers consign­ ed by Geo. Blake, Brussels, averag­ ing 1,298 lbs. sold for an average of $89.36 with sales to $94.50. Twenty-two steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan, aver­ aging 1,406 lbs. sold for an average of $87.66 with sales to $91.50. Seventy-four steers consigned by Mac Willits, Wingham, averaging directly to packers without using OPPMB facilities. But Durand argued that the unhappy producers, who are calling for a dual market­ ing, would be approaching the board to negotiate changes in the system and it wasn’t up to the board to initiate talks. One angry producer, however, blasted those who didn’t support offering changes to the disgruntled large producers. "Why should these people be penalized for getting a better price and showing the OPPMB is a failure," he argued. The motion was defeated. In his report, Julien Den Tandt, CEO of Ontario Pork told produc­ ers there had already been a meet­ ing with the authors of the letter. There could be changes, he sug­ gested. "It's part of the evolution of any industry that things come along that bring change," he said. "Certainly we cannot avoid change, but you have to be aware of the ramifica­ tions of change." Den Tandt suggested that quality assurance is the key to future growth in Ontario pork production. He noted that one large buyer in Japan wouldn't buy Canadian pork because Canada wasn't a big enough supplier to provide an assured supply. Korea is opening up and there is a huge market in China that may be available now that the Chinese have money to spend. But quality assurance is essential for the Japanese market where food is part of the religious process, Dent Tandt said. The Japanese are fanatical about quality. Ontario is farther down the line on quality assurance than many of its com­ petitors so is in a good position to capture some of this market, he said. The pork producers also approved a resolution to support the Huron County Planning Depart­ ment and municipalities in their attempt to rework the model liquid manure bylaw. The new proposal would call for farmers to prepare a nutrient management plan before they are allowed to get a building permit for a large manure storage lank. Ron Douglas, president of the Huron Pork Producers, said his Continued on page 15 1,357 lbs. sold for an average of $85.70 with sales to $91.50. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Wood- stock, averaging 1,430 lbs. sold for an average of $86.88 with sales to $90. Twenty-one steers consigned by Stan Francis, Kirkton, averaging 1,244 lbs. sold for an average of $83.21 with sales to $89.75. Eight steers consigned by Howard Martin, Brussels, averaging 1,231 lbs. sold for an average of $86.37 with sales to $89.50. Three steers consigned by Scott Hodgins, Cnjdi- ton, averaging 1,532 lbs. sold for an average of $87.08 with sales to $88.75. Two steers consigned by Tom and Ernie Lobb, Clinton, averaging 1,380 lbs. sold for an average of $87.48 with sales to $88. There were 279 heifers on offer selling from $87 to $91 to the high of . $94.25. Thirty-six heifers consigned by Hugh Love, Atwood, averaging 1,177 lbs. sold for an average of $86.22 with sales to $94.25. Four heifers consigned by Bill Fraser, Listowel, averaging 1,246 lbs. sold for an average of $85.84 with sales to $92.50. Thirteen heifers consigned by Neil Faulkner, Moorefield, averaging 1,280 lbs. sold for an average of $87.65 with sales to $91.75. Ten heifers consigned by Russ Faber. Kippen, averaging 1,271 lbs. sold for an average of $85.35 with sales to $91. Seven heifers consigned by Gordon Dougherty, Goderich, averaging 1,223 lbs. sold for an average of $85.88 with sales to $90. Two heifers consigned by Dwayne Dickert, Ayton, averaging 1,273 lbs. sold for an average of $88.05 with sales to $89.75. Eleven heifers consigned by Bev Hamilton, Hensall, averaging 1,090 lbs. sold for an average of $85.32 with sales to $89.50. Fourteen heifers consigned by Ronland Farm, Stratford, averaging 1,241 lbs. sold for an average of $82.55 with sales to $89.25. One heifer consigned by Ron Dietrich, Mildmay, weighing 1,135 lbs. sold for $88. Two heifers consigned by John Rhody, Elmwood, averaging 1,125 lbs. sold for an average of $85.13 with sales to $88. There were 252 cows on offer selling from $35 to $55 to the high of $70.50. Two cows consigned by Brad Torrie, Bognor, averaging 1,240 lbs. sold for an average of $60.67 with sales to $70.50. Two cows consigned by Tony Van- Miltenburg, Seaforth, averaging 1,385 lbs. sold for an average of $56.83 with sales to $64.50. One cow consigned by Jim McKee, Teeswater, weighing 1,400 lbs. sold for $58. There were 13 bulls on offer selling from $47 to $63.50 to the high of $69. Three limo bulls consigned by Hank Huigenbos, Wingham, averaging 1,350 lbs. sold for an average of $60.53 with sales to $69. One limo bull con­ signed by John Rhody, Elmwood, weighing 1,990 lbs. sold for $66.50. Our mistake There was an error in last week's issue of The Citizen with regards to the Huron County Beef Producers financial report. The figure given was for the county's Beef Herd Improvement Association. The correct balance for the HCBP is $121.59, with $10,000 in investments which come due May 5. We apologize for any confusion the error may have caused. There were 426 veal on offer selling from: Plain Holstein, $50 to $65; Holstein, $75 to $90; Beef, $80 to $111. Four veal consigned by John Verburg, Londesboro, averaging 666 lbs. sold for an average of $98.20 with sales to $111. Three veal consigned by Decroft Farms Ltd., Clinton, averaging 637 lbs. sold for an average of $86.42 with sales to $96.50. Fourteen veal consigned by Rick Smith, Ripley, averaging 675 lbs. sold for an average of $83.83 with sales to $95. Lambs, under 50 lbs., sold $197 A Look atAgijvulture The benefits of treating seeds for early growth diseases Ralph deVries, Crop Consultant with Howson & Howson Ltd. So, you made a resolution to do a better job in 1997? You have likely ordered some of your seed, but have not even considered whether or not you are receiving treated seed. Treated seed has several benefits. The seed treatment fights the diseases that reduce germina­ tion, plant stand and yield. In a recent four-year study at the University of Wisconsin on soybean seed, it was found that, on average, the seed treatment provided an 18 per cent belter stand emergence and establishment, in these same studies the average yield for the soybeans was 11 per cent higher for the treated seed. On a 40 bushel per acre crop this would provide a 4.4 bushel increase over untreated seed. The seed treatment would cost you approximately $2 per acre and return $44 per acre. This is a return on investment of 3,300 percent; BRE-X doesn't come close to that yet! Dr. Art Schaafsma at Ridgetown College has found that there is a 30 per cent better emergence with seed that is treated. This improvement is also true for any type of seed, whether it is certified, brown bagged or bin run. Seed treatment is not as expensive to the crop producer as increasing the seeding rate. Increasing the seeding rate would not help in a disease situation anyway. Seed treatments are not band-aid solutions for poor quality seed, but a valuable input to protect the genetic capability of all seed. The main diseases that affect seeds at germination are seedling blight, seed decay, and dampening off which are caused by various BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES _____________ TUESDAYS 9 a.m. THURSDAYS 10:00 a.m. FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. BRUSSELS 887-6461 to 215; 50 to 80 lbs., $165 to $205. Sheep sold $20 to $60. Steers, under 400 lbs., sold $61 to $108; 400 - 499 lbs., $65 to $106; 500 - 599 lbs., $64.50 to $105; 600 - 699 lbs., $74.50 to $101-, 700 - 799 lbs., $73 to $96. 800 - 899 lbs., $83.50 to $110; and 900 lbs. and over, $74 to $98.25. Heifers, 300 - 399 lbs., sold $55 to $91; 400 - 499 lbs., $59 to $97; 500 - 599 lbs., $59.50 to $81; 600 - 699 lbs., $67 to $87; 700 - 799 lbs., $68 to $89; 800 - 899 lbs., $78.50 to $90; and 900 lbs. and over, $56 to $90. Plain stockers sold $35 to $50. seed borne and soil borne fungi. One disease such as phomopsis seed mold is seed borne and develops in the fall prior to the harvest of soybeans. The fall of '96 was quite wet creating ideal conditions for the disease. This is leaving a situation in which germination and emergence of seed in the spring of 1997 could be quite variable for untreated seed. Rhizoctonia root rot is another soybean disease that is common in fields with crop residue on the surface or freshly applied manures. There are several things which can increase the risk of getting poorer emergence in the spring, one of which is earlier planting. Additional instances are cool soils, no-till fields, soils high in organic matter, cool and damp weather, soils which tend to crust, spring ploughed ground and ground where manure is freshly applied. In each one of these instances there is an increased risk of getting uneven crop emergence. Some products to start with when treating the seed is Vitaflow - 280, or Vitavax powder. Another product which can be used in the drill box for soybean seed in the spring is called Anchor. Note that these products do not protect against any insects so other products should be used in addition to these if insects are a potential risk. Treating seeds for early growth diseases has many benefits. Better emergence, increased vigor, even emergence, and more yield resulting in greater return per acre are some of the main benefits. Finished Cattle & Cows Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs Stocker Cattle Pigs