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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-07-28, Page 3232 Farm news Faix•ers dig deeper to fin By K tte Monk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN -- Last year's drought has many people lined up for new wells. "So many people got caught with a marginal supply last year and had to buy water," said Jay Hayden, owner of Hay- den Water Wells in Lu - can. "People are thinking a little further into the do- future." Nearly all the wells go- ing dry are shallow, dug wells under 30 feet deep and 40-60 years old, Hayden said. These wells are often replaced with 50 feet deep bored wells. Hayden said his busi- ness was up about 20 per cent last year, thanks in �w- two part to the fact his com- pany can bore and drill wells. He has enough work to keep his crews working 10 months a year. According to the Ag- riculture Canada/Ontario -Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Best Management Prac- tices publication, groundwater supplies 90 per cent of the water in rural areas for domestic use and livestock wa- tering. While a reduced water supply is a major in- convenience for people with rural lots, it's a se- rious situation for live- stock farmers. Hayden said last year farmers were trucking . 5,000 - FCC helps finance agribusiness enterprises What started as a conversation over coffee has resulted in a thriving specialty cheese processing operation for a group of dairy producers near London, Ontario. Across the country, an Alberta man has expanded a semen collection business for beef cattle to include customers from across North America. What do these two agribusiness enterprises have in common? They are both making their mark in the value-added agricultural industry. "A growing num- ber of Canadian producers are entering value added and agribusiness," explains Terry Kremeniuk, , Vice - President of Farm Credit Corporation's Agribusiness Division. "The growth of value added brings markets closer to home for primary producers and creates jobs andeconomic growth in rural communities." Dairy producers open own cheese plant Reducing dependence on global commodity markets was the driving force behind the decision to open Quality Jersey Products Ltd. in Seaforth, Ontario last July. Back in 1993, a group of local dairy producers with Jersey herds began discussing the merits of opening a cheese plant to reduce the risk of depend- ing solely on raw milk sales. The group saw an oppor- tunity to compete against European imports by pro- ducing high-quality specialty cheeses like Gouda, Edam, and Limburger. Six years later, these. produc- ers watched as the first block of cheese came off the processing line. "Producers getting together to add value works," says Bruce Schmidt, one of the original 12 dairy farm- ers who.is now president of the seven -member board that runs the company. "But it's a long process that is not for the faint of heart. It requires commitment, ingenuity and lots of capital." - The producers took the•first .step by pitching in $500 each towards a feasilb illty study.. After attracting 43 ad nal, investors from across Southern Ontario, they converted a retail facility in Seaforth into a processing plant and bought a cheese plant in a nearby town to gain access to the equip- ment and ution'network. To achieve the quali- ty they sought, they hired a master cheese maker who had trained in Europe. a - c4 tif jd Independent Breeders Independent Breeders is a thrlvfrhg business based in Airdrie, Alberta. Owner Harry Haney has spent the past several -years expanding his custom semen col- lection ,operation for beef to become the largest Canadian operator in this specialized market. "The bulls in our facility are owned by ranchers and breeders, mostly from Western Canada, but also from down east and the United States," Haney says. "We collect semen from about 300 bulls a year." Through agribusiness financing, FCC plans to sup- port the growth, of individual enterprises and the industry as' a whole. "The contribution of value- added to Canada's global agricultural trade has already exceeded 50 per cent," Kremeniuk states. "At FCC, we anticipate that future growth in this industry will contribute to the overall growth and success of Canadian agriculture." For more information about FCC's agribusiness services, contact the nearest office or call 1-800-387-3232. 6,000 gallons of water a day to meet their dairy, swine or poultry re- quirements. Farmers and rural landowners seldom bud- get for a new well. Drilled wells cost $32 per foot and bored wells 'are $90-95 per foot. In the area between Lucan and London, six- inch drilled wells are the norm and north of Lu - can new wells are mostly bored, Hayden said. "We're not always wel- comed with opened arms," Hayden admitted but defends the hefty price tag with the need to do the project correct- ly. "So many people got caught with a marginal supply last year and had to buy water." -- JAY HAYDEN HAYDEN WATER WELLS "We have to use the best technology and materi- als," he said. Hayden said the area's groundwater quality is good but older wells can be contaminated from surface runoff when seals or cas- ings are. cracked. "The sources are usu- ally fine. It's just the lack Wednesday, July 28, 1999 water of maintenance," he said. Klaus Seeger, Huron County's senior public health inspector. agrees Huron's groundwater is in good condition and the good quality makes it an ideal time to establish `baseline' data to com- pare future changes. This will be done through a research pro- gram to determine bac- teria levels, the amount of natural contaminants such as sodium and the amount of man-made contaminants in the wa- ter table. The county and local agencies will . be c i,s dinating the pro- ject. arnyard runoff, faulty septic systems and care - less or excessive use of pesticides can pollute wells. A well that is suitably located, properly con- structed, regularly tested and well maintained should never be con- taminated by septic tanks systems or surface drain- age, according to the Ag Canada publication. Pes- ticide contamination of wells is primarily due to carelessness around the farm well. The publication rec- ommends drinking water be tested annually for bacteria and nitrates. If there is evidence of pes- ticides, samples should be tested every three years. Brussels livestock sales yard report The total receipts at Brussels Livestock for the week ending July 22, were 1668 head of cattle, 405 lambs and 36 goats. Fed steers and heifers sold at strong steady prices. The cows sold $1.00 to $2.00 higher. On Thursday the beef veal sold- L. steady with the Hol. veal selling $2.00 to $3.00 high- er. The lambs sold under pressure. On Friday the stocker calves sold at steady prices with the year- lings trading $2-$3 higher. There were 463 fed steers on offer selling from 89.00 to 93.00 to the high of 105.00. Twenty-one steers con- signed by Kada Farms, Bluevale, averaging 1262 lbs. sold for an average price of 95.42, with one lim. steer weighing 1200 lbs. selling to Gross. Abattoir for 105.00. Forty steers consigned by D.hi. ;McAlpine Farms, Ailsa Graig averaging 1391 lbs. sold for an average price of 92.53, w,th one black steer weighing 1455 lbs. selling for 102.50 to MGI Packers. A bwf. steer consigned by Skinner Farms, Mitchell, weighing 1100 lbs. sold for 103.00. A lim steer consigned by Leroy Gould, Exeter, wei hhainngg 1225 lbs. sold for a 102.00,with his overall offering of twelve steers averaging 1315 lbs. selling for an average price 'of 94.71. Twelve steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms, Woodstock, averaging 1448 lbs. sold for an average price of 93.69, with sales to 100.25. Four steers consigned by Jon Dreise, Fordwich, aver- aging 1100 lbs. 'sold for an average price of 93.20, with two lim steers averag- ing 1133 lbs. selling for 99.50. Forty-three steers con- signed by Cunningham Farms, Lucan, averaging 1336 lbs. sold for an aver- age price of 92.75, to the top of 98.00. A lith steer consigned by Sereda Farms, Centralia weighing 1305 lbs. sold for 97.00 with their total offer- ing of 43 steers averaging 1429 lbs. selling for the overall price of 90.47.. A lim steer consigned by Cunningham Kids, Lucan, weighing 1430 lbs. sold for 96.50. Twelve steers consigned by Doug Shiell, Wingham, averaging 1453 lbs. sold for an average price of 93.50, with sales to 95.50. There were 174 fed heifers on offer selling from 89.00 to 93.00 to the high of 98.00. Twenty-four heifers con signed by Johnston Farms, Bluevale, averaging 1173 lbs. sold for an a average of 92.10 with 2 gold heifers averaging 1173 lbs. selling for 98.00 to Dominion Meats. Eight heifers consigned by Skinner Farms, Mitchell, averaging 1241 lbs. sold for an average price of 91.08, to the high of 94.00. A lim heifer consigned by Gary Potter, Clinton, weighing 1145 lbs. sold for 95.50. Fifteen heifers consigned by Leroy Gould, Exeter, averaging 1193 lbs. sold for an average price of 92.89, with one heifer weighing 1215 lbs. selling .to Dominion Meats for 97.00. Fifteen heifers consigned by Hugh Love, Atwood, averaging 1204 lbs. sold for an average of 90.38 with • one char heifer weighing 1140 lbs. being purchased by Gross Abattoir for 94.00. Six heifers consigned by Dennis Lamport, Crediton, averaging 1165 lbs. sold for - an average price of 92.39, with sales to 93.00. . Nine heifers consigned by Tom Hardy, Lucan averag- ing 1117 lbs. sold for an average price of 86.94, to the top of 94.00. There were 203 cows on offer selling: DI -Ind D2 cows 57.00 to 64.00 to the high of 71.00. D3 cows 54.00 to 57.00. D4 cows 46.00 to 52.00. A 11-n cow consigned by Kevin Leudke, Elmw )0d, weighing 1385 lbs. sold for 71.00. A hol cow, consigned by David Colling, Ripley, weighing 1245 lbs. sold for 69.50. A lim cow consigned by Harold Leudke, Elmwood, weighing 1545• .lbs .sold 'for 69.00. There were 14 bulls on offer selling from 70.00 to 83.00 to the high of 88.00. A' lim bull consigned by Noah Weppler,. Ayton, weighing 1840 lbs. sold for 88.00. A lim bull consigned by John VanBakel, Bornholm, weighing 2115 lbs. sold for 87.00. A lim bull consigned by Wallace Harrison, Durham, weighing 220 lbs. sol,l for 86.00. �. - _ f were ere 224 veal en offer selling: :v -_1 Beef: 90.00 to 131.00. Hol: 85.00 to 105.00. Plain Hol: 70.00 to 85.00. A lim bull consigned by Richard Horst, Listowel, weighing 625 lbs. sold for 131.00. A black veal consigned by Rob Dekens, Clinton weighing 655 lbs. sold for 126.50. A lim veal consigned. by Don Eadie, Wingham, weighing 625 lbs: sold for $124.50 Lambs: Under 50 lbs. 145.00 to 155.00. 50 to 65 lbs. 87.50 to 140.00. 65 to 80 lbs. 90.00 to 130.00. 80 to 95 lbs. 90.00 to 110.00. 95 to. "11..0 lbs. 87.50 to 100.00. . Sheep: 52.50 to 87.50 Goats: $32.50 to $130.00 hit - �� Stockerr: Steers - Under 400 lbs. 128.00 to 163.00; 400-499 lbs. 134.00 to 146.00; 500-599 lbs. 124.00 to 137.00; 600-699 lbs. 109.00 to 129.00; 700- -799 lbs 103:00 to 116.00; 800-899 lbs. 104.00 to 110.50; 900 and over lbs. 95.50 to 107.50. Heifers - 300-399 lbs. 106.00 to 110.00; 400-499 lbs. 81.00 to 111.00; 500- 599 lbs. 106.00 to 122.00; 600-699 lbs. 103.00 to 117.00; 700-799 lbs. 100.00 to 113.75; 800-899 lbs. 95.00 to 106.50; 900 and over lbs. 88.00 to 102.50. Plain stockers: 47.00 to 66.00. FARM & MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE Speciayzing in: .Farm & Municipal Drainage • Clay & Plastic Tile installations • Backhoe & Dozer Service • Septic System installations For Quality. Experience & Service call: Wayne Cook (519) 236-7390. R.R..2 Zurich Ont. NOM 2T0' www.ney.net/.-a►auage el *it 4' • •PAKKEIt L1 NIITED SC ystm Iflstallatlon -A - I.-_J'\Af I. . Our En vii'oil t ent'.1 (.'/t uiee optic Tritatment W. Have A Solution. 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