HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen Agriculture, 2003-03-19, Page 32THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2003. PAGE A-7.
BIO evaluation centre finishes first test run
New endeavour
Brian and Connie Alcock of McKillop Ward, Huron East,
have just completed the first test period for bulls at their new
evaluation centre. (Janice Becker photo)
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Sometimes, stepping into a new
business is a matter of timing and
talking.
That is how it worked for Brian
Alcock of RR4, Walton last year
when he was in the midst of
renovating his old bank bam.
The old structure needed some
work and Alcock knew he wanted to
Bucking specialization trend
Continued from A-6
by restrictions, Haak says he is
basically trying to do things as
organically as possible.
As a jersey farmer there has also
been a benefit on a more personal
level. “The pigs were not a family
friendly type of farming, says the
father of five. “Now it’s a whole lot
easier for everyone to be invol
ved.
While he still does have some
sheep and pigs, Haak is intent on
building his pastured jersey beef
business. He markets primarily
through brochures and word of
mouth.
He is also, as president of the
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do something with it. He just wasn’t
sure what.
“If I was spending money on it, I
wanted a way to make money,” he
said.
Then when the renovations were
half completed, he was casually
talking to someone who had contact
with the Beef Improvement
Organization (BIO).
After a few conversations to
determine what type of facility BIO
Huron County Christian Farmers, he
hopes, developing a vision for
agriculture, “trying to be a bit of a
trailblazer, I guess.”
A trailblazer perhaps, but one who
feels that while new ideas are good,
some of the old ones are worth a
second look. Once caught with all
his eggs in one basket, Haak says
there’s something to be said for
having a little bit of everything.
“There are benefits to me of
having pigs as the liquid manure
goes on the hay ground in the fall.
The sheep and cow manure can be
used on com land.”
“I’m bucking the specialization
trend.”
was looking for and what specs
would be needed, Alcock’s venture
became a new bull evaluation centre.
The main focus of the centres is to
allow objective evaluation of young
bulls as potential herd sires to create
herd profitability.
“It is hard to make money in the
beef business for young producers,”
said Alcock. “This would provide a
more secure income.”
Alcock has no investment in the
cattle as they are consigned by the
clients. His task is the daily care of
the bulls, weigh-ins every 28 days nd
treating or monitoring and health
issues.
“I am feeding good quality cattle
and my responsibility is to provide
good animal husbandry as well as
record and report bull information to
consignors and interested buyers.”
The first bulls arrived at the
McKillop farm last Oct. 19, just after
Alcock had finished installing the
final gate. Thirty-seven arrived that
day and 24 more on Nov. 16. They
came from an area bordered by
Peterborough, Owen Sound and
Woodstock.
Upon their arrival, the animals are
weighed, ears tagged, tattoos
checked and testicles examined. The
herd vaccination records and history
are also collected.
Every bull must meet criteria set
out by BIO and the centre manager. It
is recommended the animals weigh a
minimum of 400 lbs. and be no older
than 280 days with an age range of
90-day per test group. Each must also
have two normal testicles.
A centre requires at least 12 bulls
from four sires to run a test series.
The bulls are given a 28 day warm
up period to allow them to adjust to
the new surroundings. The four
weeks also helps minimize the effects
of previous care routines, eliminate
any health concerns and puts all bulls
on equal footing for the tests.
Bulls at the evaluation centre are
weighed every 28 days once the 112
day test period begins. They are all
fed a ration that meets the nutrient
requirements specified by BIO and
their average daily weight gains
monitored.
All report results from every bull
(or heifer) evaluation centre is posted
on BIO’s website at www.
biobeef.com so that owners as well as
potential buyers may watch the
progress of the various breeds and
animals.
According to BIO, the aim is to
create an industry standard for the
performance, reproductive and
carcass characteristics of the bulls.
Specific genetics can then be ranked
to determine potential profitability.
Throughout the test period, Alcock
said buyers visit the centre, looking
over the bulls and evaluating which
might work best with their herd and
carry characteristics sought.
At Alcock’s centre he has a variety
of bulls including black angus,
charlois, red angus, blonde-
d’aquitaine, maine-anjou, simmental,
black gelbvieh, limousin and
crossbred.
Information can be obtained about
individual bulls or a breed average
with charts printed from the website
site or mailed by BIO.
Alcock said the Ontario-wide
statistics are also good for his centre
as he can compare the weight gains
with other locations and get ideas for
improvement.
Each bull is ranked against the
centre’s other animals as well as on a
province-wide basis.
At the end of the test an ultrasound
is done to examine aspects such as
the bull’s ribeye area, marbling and
back fat. Hip height and scrotal
circumference measurements are also
taken.
The benefits of such a program
allows bulls and breeding programs
to be showcased. Superior stock can
be identified, certified and marketed.
With the first group ending testing
March 7, Alcock hosted an open
house March 9, allowing owners and
potential clients to meet and make
arrangements.
A pick-of-the-crop sale will be held
at Carson’s in Listowel, March 29.
BIO representatives choose the top
achievers based on average daily
weight gain with a minimum weight
of 1,200 lbs. and overall good
confirmation.
There are more than three dozen
bull evaluation centres across the
province including ones in Clifford,
Woodstock, St. Marys. Listowel,
Ayton, Thorndale and Palm
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