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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen-Agriculture 2001, 2001-03-14, Page 29The Ares Now in her second year as president of the Huron Beef Producers, Kittie MacGregor of Londesboro, credits her family and the membership with making the job easier. FOR ILL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS * Package Pricing * Free Estimates * Free Delivery We Carry: • Spruce Lumber • Plywoods • Pressure Treated Lumber • Insulation • Hardware • Tools • Steel • Doors & Windows • Trim Manning's Building j Supplies Ltd. Hamilton St Blyth 523-9305 Wake Up to the Season's Best Buys If you've been taking a long Winter's nap, now is the time to wake up and hurry in to your New Holland dealer. He's ready to give you great buys on a new baler, mower-conditioner, forage harvester, or other eligible hay tool from New Holland. All with special retail financing programs. Wake up to the only choice that makes sense... New Holland. Hurry in to see your New Holland dealer for big savings before March 31, 20011 II NEW HOLLAND CREDIT .IVIcGavin FARM SUPPLY LTD. Walton,ON (519) 527-0245 • (519) 887-6365 email: mcgavins@wcl.on.ca web page: http://www.mcgavinequip.com Fax: 519-887-6381 CENTRAL RENTAL & SUPPLY LTD. CENTRAL HEALTH SUPPLIES Natural herbs and Supplements Bill Crawford - Manager Honda Engines Industrial & Farm Supplies Horse Tack & Supplies Small Equipment & Tool Rental — Two Way Radios — Paging — 26 Isaac St. Clinton Phone/Fax 482-7930 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2001. PAGE A-9. Beef producers president says gender no barrier in industry By Janice Becker Citizen staff In an industry and organization often perceived to be dominated by men, the Huron County Beef Producers Association is led by a woman. But for Kittie MacGregor of Londesboro, now in her second year as president, that fact really has very little impact on the local group. "There is no barrier for men and women in this organization. There is no different treatment for me." MacGregor credits her success in the beef producers association to the support of both the membership and her husband. "My husband is a real- ly good sounding board." Her children have also helped out around the 10-head cow/calf opera- tion when MacGregor is called on to see to organization matters. The chil- dren are of an age where they can easily take over the daily chores while she attends two-day confer- ences in Toronto. But the availability of farm hands will soon be in question as they move on to post-secondary . educa- tion. MacGregor says that will be the time to reconsider her role in the HCBPA. Though a step contemplated by Farm, a family operation Continued from A-8 system." Memento HolSteins is definitely a family operation with both Peter and his wife, Annelies fully involved in the business. Though the two oldest children Sandra and Rolf are cur- rently attending college, they return to help out and younger sister Irene has regular calf chores. They also have three hired hands, one full- time, one for morning feedings and one who milks - that participants do not need to have big undertakings to be directors. "Everyone needs a say, to decide where the money goes and what ini- tiatives the industry is working towards." The Huron organization continues to strive for 48 representatives, three from each township. MacGregor encourages more people to get involved though she realizes this is difficult because many farmers run beef operations and work full-time off the farm as well. Though she notes there is a certain time commitment for directors as they meet four to five times a year and are requested to attend the annu- al conference in Toronto, she says other duties are shared amongst members. Even attendance at neigh- bouring counties' annual meetings are not the responsibility of any sin- gle person. As president, MacGregor admits that a considerable amount of read- ing material arrives for her perusal, particularly with the provincial wing's - restructuring and name- change deliberations. The change of name for the OCA has been on-going for eight years, she says. Consideration is being given to renaming the association as Beef Producers as the end product is beef. "We must deal with the perspec- tive of the urban customer." MacGregor says there is no fear that the organization could lose touch with its rural roots by focusing on urban consumers because the directors come from rural areas. For all 12 members attending the Toronto conference, all pertinent information must be read by them as well. "This is a volunteer organization. It takes commitment to volunteer and we work together to make it work." "There is not a lot of extra work as president and anyone can fill the role." She also notes that some directors for the beef producers wear two hats, bringing input from their involve- ment with organizations such as the Ontario Cattle Feeders Association. "There is no animosity between us. They are there for our industry." She also sees great benefit in belonging to a producer organization as she has learned about pasture management and maintenance of the herd. (HCBPA member Tim Prior recently received a pasture manage- ment award.) By interacting with members. who are involved in all aspects of beef producing, from cow/calf operations and feeders to specialized producers of purebreds, MacGregor says there is a lot to be gained. In speaking initiatives taken dur- ing her five to seven years with the organization, she says, "We have always had an environmental aware- ness. If we don't look after our ani- mals, they will die. We are always looking for the most efficient and effective way to run the farm." Only in its second year, MacGregor is most pleased with the way the vaccinated-calf sale went last year and is looking forward to increased involvement this year. Though not directly related to her association with the HCBPA, MacGregor never shies away from an opportunity to speak out on her industry or farming practices in gen- eral. After viewing a television com- mercial which showed a man stand- ing inside a silo while it was being filled, MacGregor wrote to the Canadian Radio and Television Commission regarding the inappro- priateness of the scene. "We spend time and money edu- cating our children on how to stay safe around the farm and then they see that on television." Continued on A-10 others after leading a local organiza- tion might be to look at provincial representation, MacGregor says she must consider the time away from her operation, as she is the primary caretaker. As a member of the Ontario Cattlemen's Association, MacGregor says there would be an increased time commitment and a need to be away from the farm more often. "I couldn't run the operation in the winter and be away so much." Noting the association includes members with very large operations to more modest enterprises such as her own, MacGregor emphasizes