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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgriculture 2002, 2002-03-13, Page 12Quality time One of the newest additions to Shepherd's Fold, located outside Belgrave, gets a cuddle from owner Bethanee Jensen. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Natural warmth Bethanee Jensen displays one of the colourful blankets made from Shepherd's Fold wool. The blankets come in a variety of colours and sizes. ze ore ou • u give r c utc eon s a t co C) 0(1) C 00 .r.. 4c7; O ai O a) C C C) C) 00 C .C7) 0° L7 O. O ai C a) a. '11) a) C O 2000 OLDS INTRIGUE GX - fully loaded, 4 dr., economical V6,cam.ette_ dee. forest green met, _only 57,(X)0 km, balance of fac warranty. $19 9bU 1 CHEV MALIBU - 4 dr., economical 4 cyl, auto, air, lilt; cass 1 owrier kyataikuisaga metallic. $12,950 1990 PONflAC - fully loaded, 4 dr. V6, gold me_talljc_ _only 78,p9Q_km, spoiler. - $15,450 1999 PON mu GRAND AM SE - fully loaded, V6, 4 dr., mauve metabcpaint 104 00Q Ism,,incl spoiler. $14,950 1999 POPMAG GRAND AM SE - V6, air, 4 dr, auto, power lock% . cassette, black_ jpqlamps, 114,030 km. $13,950 1998 SA i URN su - one owner, 4 dr., auto, air, 4 cylinder, pearl grey., only _96 000 km excellent condition, AM/FM cassette. $ 9,950 19% CHEV MALIBU LS - fully loaded, 4 dr., V6, incl power seat CD & cassette, pewter metallic 124,000 km. $12,950 1998 CHEV LUMINA LS-fully loaded, 4 dr., economical V6, voliesi. whrte. 7MQQ cassette. $14,450 1998 GHtV CAVALIER - 4 dr., economical 4 cyl, auto, air, depplilue met 21Artier.,_on 67_000 km. $10,950 1997 PON NT SUNFIHE SE - sporty black, 2 dr, economical 4 cylipd.._,.er air auto, casette, spoiler, only 106,000 km, 1 owner. Reduced to $ 8,9b0 white CD ca t84 km. 1097 OLDS LS -40loaded, 4 dr., economical 3.8 V6, spotI te mi $15,950 19.01/ uOuGt si HA S -4 dr.auto,air, fully loaded economical 4cy,1 met green metallic. Reduced to $ 8,950 199/ CHRYSLER LHS - fully loaded luxury, Only 76,000 km, deep _amettitst_paint like new condition, leather, economical 3.5 V6. $16,950 1%4 FORD TAURUS GL - fully loaded, 4 dr.,3.8 L V6, deep greed me 150 0010_km, 2 yr warianty SPORT- 2 economical 4cyl., white excellent condition. 1994 mEReuRY TI us sPORT- 2 dr., auto, air,alum. \Nils 450 5,950 1994 OLDS 88 ROYALE- fully loaded, economical 3.8 V6, keyless en_try, teal Tcellent condition er seat, 154,000 km. $ 9,450 19%t CHD/ LUMINA EURO - pow fully loaded, 4 dr., 1 owner, onl:1 00Q km spgtjess.Oorgundy, economical 3.1 V6. $ 6,950 1"c BUICK PARK AVE - fully loaded, luxury economical 3.81_ V6 spotless deep_ blue metallic, excellent condition. $ 8,950 1993 CHEV LUMINA- fully loaded, V6, burgundy, air, cass., excellent condition Teat fuel economy, Reduced to $ 5,950 1993 FORD ESCORT LX WAGON- Economical 4 cyl. auto, air, ciss. oolongton white„ higher km,certified & warranty 4,950 19R1 CHB/ CORSICA LT - 4 dr., economical V6, auto ai_r, 1K000 km. $ 5,450 1902 plus 98 - Fully loaded,economical V6, luxury, black/silver, like new condition. $ 7,450 TRUCKS, VANS & SUV'S 2001 CHEV BLAZER LT 4 X 4 - fully loaded, 4 dr.,leather onstamlsg white only 30 000 km. Balance of factory warranty. Reduced N X123,950 2000 GIVIC SIERRA SLE - fully loaded, Vortec V8, only 27,000 krn, balance of factory warrantyrennin boards. $22,950 1999 CHEV sK.VEHm0 EA I HA CAB LS - fully loaded, 1 owner, 3 dr. spotless white 110 000 km, vortex 4.8 V8. Reduced to F11,950 1999 CHEV SILVERADO - Vortec V8, auto, air, tiff, AM/FM stereo, 1 owner, pewter, only 77,000 km, $19,950 All certified cars & trucks include a minimum of 7 months /11,000 km. warranty including roadside assistance. Collision & Body Shop Service. We also do Windshield Replacements No Drip Oil Coating from $69.5° I! J.L. McCUTCHEON meow Downtown BRUSSELS 887-6856 or 1-888-351-9193 CHEVROLET ee us or New or sed. We sell or ess! ee us or New or Use • . e set or less. 1999 GMC SIERRA SL - Vortec V6, auto, AM/FM stereo, bright red 1 owner boxliner. $17,950 y 199 DODGE CARAVAN - fully loaded, 4 dr., platinum edition, only 94 000 km ke less antly, lots of warranty. $16,950 1998 PONTIAC TRANSPORT VAN - fully loaded, economical V6 1 ownef,green extended luxury, 104,000 km. $15,950 1998 CHEV 'CHEYENNE - economical V6, auto, 1 owner, excellent condition, only 60 000 km medium blue metallic. $15,950 1998 FORD F150 XL SUPER GAB - economical V6, 5 spd, air 1 owner black with silver, 82,000 km. $17,950 1998 FORD WINDSTAR - 3 doors, 4 captain chairs, 7 passenger, 5,950 fully loaded sanddrift paint. 2 to choose from $1 1998 CHEV VENTURE EXT. - fully loaded, 4 dr., including 2 facto child seats 1 owner sand drift met, 129,000 km. Reduced to $15,950 1997 CHEV CHEYENNE - Vortec V8, air, cruise, tilt, PDL, 1997 CHEV SILVERADO BU CAB - fully loaded, 1 owner, 2 top$1e4g;e9_:?gold, one owner blue, boxliner, on{ 73 km. 5 OL Vortec V8 topper only.92,000 km, like new condition. $19,%.0 1997 CHEV VENTURE LS -1 owner, 7 passenger, extended, 1997 MA CAB - 3 dr., fully loaded, Vortec,2,95° CHEV SILVERADO E fully loaded 1 child seat, 4 doois_cioly 122 000 km, white. V8 keyless entry' 1 owner med blue met only 64,000 km. $19,950 1097 CHEV CHEYENNE EXTRA CAB- vortec 305 V8, air, cruise. - tilt cass. ,_2 tone blue/sand 117,0(X) km. Reduced to $16,950 1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN LE- fully loaded, 3.8 V6, 4 ciL, 1996 Vortec V6, MG SiSL - reg cab, economical V6, auto, air, 950 red met., only 99,000 km, 1 owner, 4 captain chairs. boxliner runningtoard_s light blue metallic, spotless, 121,000 km. $12,950 1996 FORD AEROSTAR XLT EXT - ALL WHEEL DRIVE, fully loaded, V6 deep blue like new condition, 95,000 km. $10,950 1996 CHEV PICKUP-1 owner, deep green metallic, excellent condition,__ 13 2 000 km_, V6 auto air cassette, aluminum wheels, box liner. $12,958 1995 GM SAFARI SLE- ALL WHEEL DRIVE, fully loaded, luxury includin rear air 143,000 km, blue metallic. $11,950 19%. GMC SLE 1 TON- 350 V8, auto, air, fully loaded, incl. steoboards lig 950 1995 CHEV SILVERADO EXTENDED CAB 4X4 - 305, auto, r $13 , hltilue met loaded,green/silverlike new, only 99,000 km box liner & boards. 518,M0 1994 CHEV SILVERADO 3/4 TON TURBO DIESEL 4X4 - ivy loaded, to-tone tan/brown excellent condition. $12,950 1994 GMC SIERRA SI EXTENDED - 305, V8, auto, air, running boards cass. meddren met excellent condition. $10,958 1994 FO F150 XLT - reg cab 302 V8, fully loaded, bright 1994 DODGE GRAND CARAVANN SE EXT.- Economical, 3.3 V$67'95° green/white real sharp truck 1 owner, high las. fully loaded spotless white of life left in this one. 0,950 1994 CHEV BLAiER LT 4X4 - in exceptionally good condition, economical 4.3 V6 fukloaded 4 dr black/gold. Reduced to $ 9,950 1994 CHEV CHEYENNE 3/4 TON- 350 V8, auto, air,blue/white_ interior, ready for towir_ig veggoos_i condition. Reduced to S11,950 1992 CHEV SILVEFUkDO DMNDED 4X4 - fully loaded, long box, 6.2 diesel 2 tone silver/burgundy excellent condition $10,950 1992 DODGE D1501/2 TON PICK UP - 318 Magnum V8, auto, darkgreen topper. $ 4,450 1992 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4- 4 dr., fully loaded, leather &sunroof__,.. sport bucket seats, blue/silver, excellent condition. Reduced to 10,91Cill 0 CD U) 0 co O O CD Cif C) CD U) U) cD CD 0 (D U) 1:1 0 cD O cD U) 7 cD •••6 (.0 CO PAGE A-12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2002. Agriculture 2002 Former accountant lives out a dream By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor Sometimes the right decision is made for us. Bethanee Jensen moved to a farm on Brandon Road, just outside of Belgrave in November of 1993. An accountant by trade she had. grown up on a farm and loved the rural way of life. Her employment allowed her to indulge this desire and she started her little agricultural sideline with 19 ewes and a ram. Admitting that as a single female she is a bit of an anom- aly in the livestock industry, Jensen says, "Back in my 20s I decided the only way I could afford a farm was to• make money so I got my accounting degree. You might say it was kind of like going from point A to C to get to B." Then on Jan. 20, 2000, she lost her job and made the deci- sion to not return to the 9-5 world. "The intention all along was to be a full-time farmer. Losing my job helped to spur on the timing." With her severance, unem- ployment and a government self-employment benefit Jensen was able to take the necessary steps to get her farm operating as a full-time ven- ture. "When I was working (the operation) was as big as I could have it and handle a full- time job. I needed to get bigger to financially support myself so that money helped to bridge the transition period." Today, at Shepherd's Fold, she sells registered purebred Dorsets, and having for in "expansion mode" for the past year hoped to have the number increased to 200 by last month. The reason for choosing sheep, says Jensen, may not have been as practical as some. It was less about the bottom line than enjoyment. "I love sheep and wrgking with them," she says. Admitting that she had a _ good deal to learn about the sheep industry and for that matter is still learning, Jensen says the first lambing was the most challenging time. "1 had no idea what to expect. I took sheep management courses for two winters before I even got the sheep, but textbooks don't prepare you for the reality." Jensen says she can still remember the first lamb she pulled out by herself. "It was quite a scary experience, but mom and lamb were fine." Time and experience have a way of altering perspective, she says, adding, that now, when assisting Mother Nature with a birth, she doesn't even think about it. Sleep was a rare commodity that first year, too, says Jensen. "That first lambing season I would stay up all night. Now I see them at 11 and say good- night unless there's a prob- lem." Because purebred stock has to grow to a certain size before they will even be selected for breeding, Jensen noted that the freezer lamb part of her busi- ness fits in well with the sale of purebreds. Choosing the best for breeding relies on many factors including multiple births, rate of growth, good teeth and good EPD (Expected Progeny Differential), which is calculated using record of per- formance (ROP) weights). ROPs are gathered within one's own flock, while the EPD is taken from stats of every flock in Canada. For her freezer lamb, Jensen has regular customers, who purchase through orders, which she delivers directly to the door. She is of course, always looking for new cus- tomers. People who like lamb have very specific tastes, she says, thus typically will stick with one producer. "In fact, one of my customers wanted lamb and I was out but told him I would get him some. He said he would wait until mine was ready." The taste will vary depend- ing on things such as the age of the lamb and its gender,. says- Jensen. While breeding and meat sales provide income, there is another product derived fr'om sheep, which Jensen has found a unique way to market. For - the health of the animal, sheep should be, sheared, says Jensen, but for two years, when she sold wool to the wool growers association, she lost money. "I decided I wasn't going to do that again.", The sheep are sheared in late August and a few weeks later Jensen makes a trip to Prince Edward Island where the, wool is made into blankets.- "This has been more profitable," she says, adding that. she sells the blankets at Shepherd's Fold, through word -of mouth and through consignment at stores in Stratford and Kincardine. The blankets, which are pro- duced without chemicals, come in an assortment of sizes and colours. While, all of this has Jensen with little spare time on her hands, last November, she added another line to her resume as a farmer. She is now' serving as president of the Western Ontario Lamb Producers Association, an organization with a member- ship of roughly 75 which meets monthly. "I had received so much help and information by attending the meetings when I was first starting out and I figured it was time to give something back," explains Jensen of her reason for taking on a leadership posi- tion. The sheep industry, says Jensen, has experienced signif-, icant growth in the past seven or eight years, due in part to the bottoming out of pork prices and high milk quota. For dairy producers, she says, sheep are a viable alternative. The milk of dairy sheep is very high in fat and doesn't have to be homogenized because it doesn't separate. It is used primarily for making cheese. Jensen says it is a growing industry in Ontario, but adds that it is between being a niche market and sup- plying the grocery store shelf at this point. For-Jensen, the decision to be a sheep farmer has come with few regrets. Though there have been moments. She recalls a recent Saturday when two ewes were afflicted with listeriosis, nicknamed the cir- cling disease, for which treat- ment is 95 per cent ineffective. "In this case the bacteria went to the brain. There's nothing you can do. It's pretty grue- some to watch them die." Not only did she lose two ewes, but their lambs -as they were just days away from giv- ing birth. "It was really dis- heartening, but it's one of the realities of farming. If you have livestock, occasionally you will have dead stock." She acknowledges the sup- port of others in the farming community, who have helped when the going gets tough. "God didn't bless me with size, sex or muscle," said the five- foot woman, "but he gave me stubborness, determination and wonderful neighbours." "The most important thing to me is I followed a dream. I am doing what I love to do and I'm thoroughly enjoying it."