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The Citizen, 2005-03-17, Page 38THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005. PAGE A13. Farmers’ support helps keep business alive Breakfast Prior to the Stocker sale at the Brussels Livestock, buyers and sellers had an opportunity to sit down and have a bite to eat or just a cup of coffee as they talked about the current beef situation. (Jim Brown photo) Continued from A12 situation in the United States is more political than anything else. “Everything is in place,” said Gamble. He indicated that despite (he low prices in 2003, Brussels Livestock was able to keep its doors open thanks to the support of area farmers and their cattle, pigs, sheep and other livestock. “We have to keep the farmers in business in order to stay in business," he said. “If farmers don't have any spending money, then we don't have anything.” The situation has to be resolved so the border can get open as cattlemen are again beginning to get “pretty good prices” for their cattle. A young Mennonite farmer from the Paisley area said he really couldn't complain and he really couldn't say how he has been affected by the situation. He only brought one load of cattle (six head) and wasn’t really sure what he got for them. Bob McLachlan and Grant Lehrbass from the Alvinston area, were at the Brussels Livestock to sec what kind of prices they were getting there. McLachlan said everyone is affected by the closed border. “Farmers arc just not getting any income,” he said. “They have no money if they spend $400 to gel a calf and can only get 25-cents a pound.” Lehrbass said he is in a similar situation. Clarence Dekens of the Clinton area said he has been hurt by the closed border. He said he feeds about 300 head of cattle and what he makes doesn't even cover what it costs to feed the cattle for a year. However, he indicated he has not been forced to sell off his cattle. “The cattle are selling. I’m just not getting what I expect,” said Dekens. Bruce Keys of the Varna area said he ships about 15 head of cattle a week. He indicated that right now. the price for corn and soybeans is low. Corn is going tor $90 per tonne, but should be getting up to $250 per tonne. ‘Last year we were getting $4.75 a bushel,” he said. Keys said it doesn't matter what a farmer gets for this product, it doesn't cover his input tests. A hobby farmer from the Walkerton area believed the cattle were selling very well on March 4, with some going for as much as $1.15 per pound. He added that lambs were selling really well. He said more plants are needed to help local producers. Dairy producers have also been hurt by the closed border, especially Holstein farmers, because of the cull cows and the replacement heifer market. EFAO a quarter century old By Jim Brown Citizen staff For more than 25 years, people interested in organic or ecological agriculture have had a network of expertise known as the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario. But. that has not always been the case. Though it began with a relatively small group of people, 20 to 25, interested in this form of agriculture. Tony McQuail of RR1. Lucknow says there are now over 500 members throughout Ontario. He says the group started back in 1979 under the name of Natural Farmers Association. It was at a time when there was little information or awareness about organic farming or an ecological approach to agriculture. “They really didn’t have much in the way of sources of information,” he says. “Herb Eldridge of the Ethel area was the one who actually spearheaded the group.” According to McQuail. Eldridge called a meeting of the people who were actually interested in this type of farming in order to get together and talk about it. “Out of that meeting came the organization, a very loosely organized group at that point, called itself the Natural Farmers Association,” he says. The goal and purpose were simple. They were supportive and encouraged one another to get together with other people interested in this form of agriculture. McQuail says it was both useful and educational as they were able to share what they had learned through the trial and error process, as well as their successes, so that people didn't all have to make the same mistakes. “It was very much a farmers’ self­ help and mutual encouragement brganization,” says McQuail. “People would agree to host a tour of their farm.” During these tours, he says the hosts would tell people everything about their soil and crops. In regards to soil, he adds they would dig up a shovelful of soil and tell how it was doing: how it looked, how it felt, how it smelled and the problems they’ve had. “They would dig into their compost pile and see how it was Continued on page A14 Untied Building or Renovating? Call us for the highest quality new or replacement windows and doors. REPL4 It’s Dirty Work and we do it all.... NESBITT CONSTRUCTION INC. 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