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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-02-21, Page 15Update on dairy production It was a full house at the Brussels Legion, Feb. 15 when dairy producers from across the area gathered to hear speakers discuss management practices. McKERcHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. R.R. 2 Bluevale • LICENSED SEPTIC INSTALLATIONS • SCREENED & FIELD TOPSOIL • BARK MULCH • SAND • GRAVEL • FILL • BACKHOEING • BULLDOZING • EXCAVATING • LOADING & HAULING Give us a call 887-9061 Fax 887-9999 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2001. PAGE 15. Agriculture Brussels Livestock report 345 steers on offer, avg. $108 to 120 Total receipts at Brussels Livestock for the week ending Feb. 15 were 2,196 head of cattle and 470 lambs and goats. On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers were selling $3 higher. The cows sold on a steady market, On Thursday, top veal sold $5 higher, all other veal sold steady. Lambs sold on a very strong market. On Friday, all classes of stockers sold on a steady market. There were 345 steers on offer selling from $108 to $120 with sales to $134.75. One limousin steer consigned by Ardlyn Farms Ltd., Newton, weighed 1,420 lbs. and sold to Holly Park Meat Packers for $134.75. Their overall offering of sixteen steers averaged 1,379 lbs. selling for an average of $127.13. Tom and Ernie Lobb, Clinton, consigned three steers averaging 1,253 lbs. selling for an average of $121.69 with one limousin steer weighing 1,275 lbs. selling to Norval Meat Packers for $134. Perry Sereda, Crediton, consigned one limousin steer weighing 1,405 lbs. selling for $132.25 to Norwich Packers. His overall offering of thirty-one steers averaged 1,454 lbs. and sold for an average of $125.85. Eleven steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms, Woodstock, averaged 1,548 lbs. and sold for an average of $122.77 with two limousin steers averaging 1,402 lbs. selling to Holly Park Meat Packers for $133.50. Bender Beef Farms, Hensall, consigned one limousin steer weighing 1,350 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $123.75. Their overall offering of forty- nine steers averaged 1,490 lbs. selling for an average of $118.92. Four steers consigned by Mark and Paul Pennington, Mildmay, averaged 1,385 lbs. and sold for an average of $118.02 with sales to $119. Neil Thompson, Atwood, consigned ten steers averaging 1,445 lbs. telling for an average of $116.38 with one charolais steer weighing 1,285 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $124.75. Twenty-eight steers consigned by John Van Nynatten, Mitchell, averaged 1,319 lbs. and sold for an average of $115.30 with one limousin steer weighing 1,285 lbs. selling for $124 to Dominion Meats. Amos B. Weber, Wroxeter, consigned four steers averaging 1,381 lbs. selling for an average of $114.31 with one limousin steer weighing 1,335 lbs. selling for $122.25. Twenty-two steers consigned by Lyle Morrison, Holstein, averaged 1,516 lbs. and sold for an average price of $107.61. One red steer weighing 1,445 lbs. sold for $120. There were 225 heifers on offer selling froth $108 to $120 with sales to $136.25. Hugh Love, Atwood, consigned one blue heifer weighing 1,440 lbs. which sold to Norwich Packers for ,$136,25. His overall offering of twenty-nine heifers averaged 1,252 lbs. and sold for an average or $121.46. Thirty-two heifers consigned by Kada Farms, Bluevale, averaged 1,273 lbs. and sold for an average of $122.98. Their top heifer weighed 1,175 lbs. and sold for $133.25. Merkley Farms, Wroxeter consigned six heifers averaging 1,141 lbs. selling for an average of $124.20 with two limousin heifers averaging 1,190 lbs. selling for $131.50. One gold heifer consigned by Bruce Johnston, Bluevale, weighed 1,195 lbs. and sold for $120.75. Gerry McPhee, Auburn, consigned four heifers averaging 1,225 lbs. which sold to Ryding Regency for $119.25. Two heifers consigned by Gordon Borth, Mildmay, averaged 1,410 lbs. sold for an average of $118.29 with sales up to $122. Gordon Dougherty, Goderich, consigned eight heifers averaging 1,192 lbs. selling for an average or $118.16 with one limousin heifer weighing 1,280 lbs. selling to Dominion Meats for $124. Eight heifers consigned by Lewington Farms Inc., Brussels, averaged 1,268 lbs. and sold for an average of $117.10 with sales to $119.25. Paul Murray, Ripley, consigned nine heifers averaging 1,135 lbs. selling for an average of $108.82 with one gold heifer weighing 1,285 lbs. selling for $120. Four heifers consigned by George Weber, Wroxeter, averaged 1,149 lbs. and sold for an average of $112.92 with sales up to $124. There were 185 cows on offer. Dl and D2 cows sold $60 to $65 with sales to $81.50; D3, $55 to $60; D4, $50 to $55. Adolf Hostettler, Monkton, consigned one simmental cow weighing 1,800 lbs. which sold for $81.50. One holstein cow consigned by Phil Clark, Goderich, weighed 1,470 lbs. and sold for $78. Handy Acres Ltd., Seaforth, consigned two black cows averaging 1,453 lbs. which sold for $78. There were 12 bulls on offer selling from $70 to $7178 with sales to $80.50. Richard Ulch, Monkton, consigned one limousin bull weighing 2,295 lbs. which sold for $80.50. One simmental bull consigned by Les Caldwell, Blyth, weighed 1,645 lbs. and sold for $78. There were 238 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $105 to $145; Holstein, $90 to $104; Plain Holstein, $75 to $90. Richard Horst, Listowel, consigned one limousin veal steer weighing 685 lbs. selling for $145. Peter E. M. Martin, Linwood, consigned one red veal heifer which weighed 735 lbs. and sold for $129. One RWF veal steer consigned by John J. Miller, Auburn, weighed 655 lbs, sold for $126. Lambs, 50 - 64 lbs. sold $200 to $225; 65 - 79 lbs., $175 to $190; 80 - 94 lbs., $142 to $178; 95 - 109 lbs., $129 to $155; 110 lbs. and over, $112 to $124. Goats sold $30 to $150. Sheep sold $60 to $106. Steers, under 400 lbs., sold $113 to $178; 400 - 499 lbs., $131 to $169; 500 - 599 lbs., $132.50 to $172; 600 - 699 lbs., $103 to $152.25; 700 - 799 lbs., $110 to $140; 800 - 899 lbs., $115.50 to $139; 900 - 999 lbs., $116.75 to $133.50; 1,000 lbs. and over, $102.75 to $123. Heifers, 300 - 399 lbs. sold $121 to $152; 400 - 499 lbs., $123 to $159; 500 - 599 lbs., $109 to $147; 600 - 699 lbs., $110 to $143; 700 -799 lbs., $106.25 to $136; 800 - 899 lbs., $111 to $125; 900 lbs. and over, $106 to $131.75. • Dairy producers learn about management practices By Janice Becker Citizen staff It was a day for education, debate and consultation when dairy producers from across the region gathered in Brussels for a management seminar, Feb. 15. Farmers were fortunate to have a second opportunity to listen to Dr. Michael Hutjens, a dairy extension specialist from the University of Illinois, who was back in Ontario by popular demand. Speaking on the management of the transition cow and calf, Hutjens detailed the numerous aspects to be considered •to sustain cow health through calving: Focusing on nutrient intake and requirements during the final days and weeks prior to delivery, Hutjens explained the occurrence of ketosis, a condition which can severely impact the long-term well-being of the cow. Ketosis occurs when the animal is not consuming enough nutrients to sustain both the.grovyjug calf and the cow. The body begins to mobilize fat that for legumes or grass. Corn silage is Illinois' cheapest forage and can reduce feed costs from 25 cents to 50 cents per cow per day," he said. He said forages are what give dairy farmers in Ontario, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa the competitive edge over producers in other areas. Though these regions heave the ability to grow good quality silage, Hutjens said there are still aspects to consider in making it a successful food source. "There must be sufficient fermentable carbohydrates to make the silage ferment properly," he said. The type of storage facility factors into the success of silage fermentation and the cost effectiveness. Components such as capital input, labour costs, fuel and dry matter losses must be accounted for. Depending on the storage structure, dry matter losses can escalate from a low of three per cent to a high of almost 25 per cent, depending on climactic conditions and efficiency of facility %Ise. Though Hutjens said open bunkers experienced the greatest losses, one producer in attendance strongly opposed that position, stating there were too many contributing factors to loss to state those numbers. While Hutjens agreed farmer diligence could impact results, he was only reviewing the outcomes of another man's study and could not speak to specifics. Herd size would also be a determining factor in the type of storage method used. For less than 100 head, Hutjens recommended tower silos, bags or wrap. Once the number exceeds 200, he suggested bags, bunkers or packed piles. The bunker structure he referred to would be approximately 10 feet high so that a four to six-inch depth would be taken off the entire width in one day. Forage quality and particle size also affect loscs. He said panic le size was important C. ntinued on page 19 which can lead to fatty liver, a fatal situation if the fat level exceed 25 per cent. The cow may not survive another lactation. Hutjens spoke of the need to ensure adequate intake of quality dry matter both prior to calving and for up to 21 days after. He also reminded farmers there is a definite interaction between the animal, its diet and environment in which they are housed. "It is. important not to crowd the animals and don't mix the young with the old," he added. In the discussion about rations, he said it is important to consider the cow. "Old cows need different amounts of protein then heifers." Hutjens dealt with the issues associated with silage storage and strategies in his afternoon talk. "High quality forage is a must as its relative feed value is greater that BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS 9:00 a.m. Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows 8:00 a.m. Drop Calves. Pigs, Veal, Lambs, Goats & Sheep 10:00 a.m. Stockers BRUSSELS 887-6461 -