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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-03-04, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1998. PAGE 15. Brussels Livestock report Choice, exotic steers, heifers sell on steady market The sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending Feb. 27 were: fed cattle, 530; cows, 296; veal and bob calves, 421; lambs and goats, 92; stockers, 1,533. The choice and exotic steers and heifers sold on a fully steady market with the second cut cattle selling $2 to $3 lower. The cows traded $1 lower. Veal sold on a steady trade with lambs selling on a strong market. All classes of stockers sold on a steady trade. There were 220 steers on offer selling from $88 to $94 to the high of $103.50. Seventeen steers consigned by Strong Farms, Gorrie, By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff While many of the province's pork producers may want to see an end to Ontario Pork's sale monopoly, local producers seem less sure. Debate raged at an information meeting in Brussels on Thursday night, between members of the Ontario Pork Industry Marketing Task Force and 75 Huron pork pro- ducers and pork industry council- lors. The task force was established to look at alternative marketing strate- gies. The proposal is the establish- ment of a new co-operative for selling hogs, while strengthening Ontario Pork's focus on industry- wide issues. Recommendations were presented in January at the Huron County producers' annual meeting. Now input is being sought, so councillors can offer meaningful discussion when the recommenda- tions are presented at this month's annual Ontario Pork meeting. Several producers expressed con- cern over some suggestions. Many were puzzled by how a co-op could also allow an opportunity to indi- vidual producers to explore new systems of production and market- ing. Chairperson Don Taylor said people should be able to sell hogs as they choose. "While this may seem in conflict, a balance will have to be achieved." Taylor said he believes it's important for a co-op to be estab- lished, but that a decision be reached on whether producers have an opportunity to market outside the co-op. "In the U.S. producers have been encouraged to market outside the co-op in some cases as it lets them see that the co-ops are the best way," said Taylor. Clare Schlegel, Perth County director and a task force member agreed that there would be growing pains. "What we are suggesting is that Ontario Pork do what it does now, but implement it in a new way to reflect the changing produc- er population." Task force member Jody Durand of Zurich, added, "You are only fooling yourself if you don't think there is disarray today. We have the opportunity to do this in a co-ordi- averaging 1,426 lbs. sold for an average of $97.30 while a gold steer weighing 1,345 lbs. sold for $103.50 and purchased by Norwich Packers. Two steers consigned by Willard Siegner, Mildmay, averaging 1,300 lbs. sold for an average of $96.50 with sales to $97.75. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Woodstock, averaging 1,549 lbs. sold for an average of $89.28 with sales to $97. Twenty-two steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan, averaging 1,428 lbs. sold for an average of $90.56 with sales to $96.50. Four steers consigned by nated fashion and capitalize on what we are doing well." Dave Linton, a Morris Twp. pro- ducer disagreed with a number of comments made by the task force adding that moving in this direction because that was what they are doing out west was wrong. "That was the argument I gave my mother when I got caught smoking - that's what that other guy is doing. I got my ass kicked and maybe so should you guys." Linton said any plan needs to be studied so that only the good will be put into place. "Before anything is dumped you should look at ways of improving it." Look for improvements before dumping system - Linton Schlegel said he understood Lin- ton's concerns but is convinced col- lective action is reasonable. "The status quo in my mind doesn't cut it. I believe if enough producers sign up and can market 30,000 hogs a week it can be the leader in the industry." Mother producer wondered what wasn't working with Ontario Pork now. "Why are we going from a bigger group that only needed structural changes in marketing?" he asked. "This is controversial and uncertain." His comments that a co- operative had the "potential to split us." and, "when we need each other most we are not going to be there." prompted applause. Taylor said opening up the mar- ket should increase sales. "Our expectation is that if you went to this system it would capture most of this province's pork right off the bat." Also, he stressed, "Don't think we're suggesting tearing Ontario Pork all apart. The sense is to open it up. In some recommendations we're actually strengthening it." The concerns with the existing situation, Durand said is that poli- tics and sales are getting mixed. "It makes it hard to be competitive with the large integraters in the States. There are no big producers in Ontario and I wish everyone would grasp that." Machan Construction, Monkton, averaging 1,266 lbs. sold for an average of $88.52 with sales to $94. Fourteen steers consigned by Mark Fisher, Ayton, averaging 1,346 lbs. sold for an average of $84.90 with sales to $92.75. Three steers consigned by Allan Thornton, Gorrie, averaging 1,141 lbs. sold for an average of $88.48 with sales to $92.75. Five steers consigned by Fred and Clyde McClure, Walton, averaging 1,235 lbs. sold for an average of $89.38 with sales to $91.50. Two steers consigned by Murray Johnston, Bluevale, averaging 1,417 lbs. sold for an average of $89.88 with sales to $90. • Four steers consigned by Don Niesen, Mildmay, averaging 1,332 lbs. sold for an average of $85.33 with sales to $90. Nineteen steers consigned by Allan Edgar, Brussels, averaging 1,669 lbs. sold for an average of $81.10 with sales Bruce Bergsma of Hullett Twp. said that if politics is the problem then perhaps the time had come to switch directors. This comment hit a nerve with Schlegel who said, "We are doing the best we can to serve your best interests. This is a report. It's up to the industry to say what we're doing with it." Bergsma said the co-operative was not about evolution, but revo- lution, prompting Schlegel to say, "My belief is it is evolution. We're on a journey. Some would like to turn the clock back to the time before contracting, but I think we're saying this industry can have a strong voice." Presently Ontario Pork is selling and contracting. Schlegel said the task force is suggesting licensed sellers and a commitment from pro- ducers. "The strike (Maple Leaf) has shown we have to know how many hogs we are selling. We will be coming to ask producers if they want Ontario Pork to sell their pork." Durand said that if, at the annual meeting, the decision is reached that the task force's work has been "no good'', then it won't happen. Taylor reminded producers that the time to vote was not that night. "We need lots of direction and more needs to be done. It will be up to council and directors as to how soon they want to do something." Linton said, "Every time some- thing came up (in the report) that was going to cost me money I put a dollar sign in front of it. I have eight dollar signs. If I was going down a blind alley I put an arrow. I have 10." "It's going to cost me more to market my hogs. What you've done is flip everything upside down and make it look like it's not going to be tough. These things just don't make sense to me." Linton also asked if he was cor- rect that the task force had cost $200,000 so far. His response to the affirmative answer was, "Wow". The fact that some producers indicated by survey that they were interested in the co-operative was something that had to be consid- ered seriously, said Taylor. "We have to be honest with all produc- ers. There are a significant number who feel they aren't doing as well as they could with Ontario Pork. That's not going to go away." to $89.50. There were 275 heifers on offer selling from $88 to $94 to the high of $100. Twelve heifers consigned by Hugh Love, Atwood, averaging 1,164 lbs. sold for an average of $90.68, a blonde heifer weighing 1,215 lbs. sold for $100 purchased by Dominion Packers. Fourteen heifers consigned by Ronland Farms, Stratford, averaging 1,277 lbs. sold for an average of $86.88 with sales to $98. Fourteen heifers consigned by Mux Lea Farms, Woodstock, averaging 1,174 lbs. sold for an average of $88.05 with sales to $98. Twenty-nine heifers consigned by Robert E. Wallace, Shelburne, averaging 1,154 lbs. sold for an average of $88.43 with sales to $97.25. Twenty heifers consigned by Kada Farms, Bluevale, averaging 1,249 lbs. sold for an average of $91.51 with sales to $97. Seven heifers consigned by Allan Horsburgh, Mount Forest, averaging 1,307 lbs. sold for an average of $91.72 with sales to $94.25. Fourteen heifers consigned by Johnston Farms, Bluevale, averaging 1,206 lbs. sold for an average of $87.76 with sales to $93.75. Twelve heifers consigned by Darryl Finkbiener, Crediton, averaging 1,110 lbs. sold for an average of $89.32 with sales to $93. Ten heifers consigned by Schultz Bros., Blyth, averaging 1,009 lbs. sold for an average of $87.97 with sales to $91. Fourteen heifers consigned by Frank Roney, Staffa, averaging 1,254 lbs. sold for an average of $87.22 with sales to $90.75. There were 296 cows on offer selling from $37 to $59 to the high of $65. Two limousin cows consigned by Tom Stull, Listowel, averaging 1,380 lbs. sold for an average of $62.99 with sales to $65. One limousin cow consigned by Allan and Dorothy Martin, Listowel, weighing 1,385 lbs. sold for $64. One holstein cow consigned by Ross and Annie Cormack, Mount Forest, weighing 1,500 lbs. sold for $63.50. There were 15 bulls on offer selling from $54.50 to $64.50 to the high of $74. One charolais bull consigned by Les Pottruff, Wingham, weighing 1,080 lbs. sold for $73. One black limousin bull consigned by Ivan Pickett and John Bennett, Clinton, weighing 1,985 lbs. sold for $69. There were 291 veal on offer selling from: Beef, sold $85 to $129; Holstein, $75 to $80 to the high of $99; Plain Holstein, $60 to $75. Two veal consigned by Ken MacLean, Lucknow, averaging 563 lbs. sold for an average of $115.94 with sales to $129. Twelve veal consigned by John Verburg, Londesboro, averaging 681 lbs. sold for an average of $99.37 with sales to $128. Eight veal consigned by John Schwartzentruber, Brussels, averaging 716 lbs. sold for an average of $99.65 with sales to $126. Lambs, 50 - 79 lbs., sold $190 to $240; 95 - 109 lbs., $127.50. Steers, under 400 lbs., sold $86 to $125; 400 - 499 lbs., $95 to $128.50; 500 - 599 lbs., $101.50 to $126; 600 - 699 lbs., $86.75 to $117.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $97 to $114.25; 800 - 899 lbs., $95 to $108.50; and 900 lbs. and over, $87 to $108.50. Heifers, 300 - 399 lbs., sold $94 to $138; 400 - 499 lbs., $90 to $120.50; 500 - 599 lbs., $93.75 to $114.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $85 to $108.50; 700 - 799 lbs., $79.50 to $114; 800 - 899 lbs., $77 to $101.50; and 900 lbs. and over, $62 to $98. Plain stockers sold $45 to $60. Sheep sold $50 to $92.50. Goats sold $50 to $1 15. arm Producers question co-op Your Bird & Pet Food Headquarters Take care of them with good nutritious feed mm*44 'Il • Mixed and specialty bird feed 1l in bulk & bagged THIS WEEK'S 20°A) off all Bird Feed SPECIALS 10% off all Pet Food LONDESBORO SEED PLANT Custom Seed Cleaning Londesboro Bob Szusz 523-4399 BRUSSELS Division of UPCOMING LIVESTOCK Gamble & Rogers Ltd. SALES TUESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS 9:00 a.m. Finished Cattle & Cows 9:00 a.m. Bob Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs 10:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs BRUSSELS 887-6461