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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-09-22, Page 21Wednesday, September 22. 1999 Exeter 'Til *= v cati news 21 Why the fuss over the WTO talks? By Aviculture and -Food Mid LyleVandlef "Why are you so concerned about these so-called WTO talks when farmers are hurting now because of low prices for their products? Nothing is supposed to come of these talks for three years - at least!" I've been asked that, and it's a legiti- mate question. Let me try to explain why we are taking these trade negotia- tions so seriously. It is because, in the long term, we believe those negotiations can help farmers get what they deserve for their production out of the market- place, which is all that farmers want themselves. Right now, there are two reasons for . those low prices: oversupply because of a series of good crops worldwide and reduced demand in Asia and •Latin America; and huge foreign subsidies of those products, which further drive down the price in the marketplace. The size of the crop in the future will be decided by farmers' planting decisions and the weather, so what we are con- centrating on are those foreign subsi- dies. We have to convince the United States and the European .Union, the prime subsidisers, that over the long term farmers need - and want - to get a reasonable return in the marketplace and not from the mailbox. Canada is not alone in this belief. Last month, I met with the Cairns Group, some 15 like-minded agricultural exporting countries named after Cairns, Australia, the place they first met. Canada is a member of this group, along with major trading countries like Australia, South Africa and Argentina. At the end of our latest meeting, we agreelire14-40immon negotiation frOsit freer, fairer and more market-oriented trading conditions. This is what we will be pushing for. wken talks begin this fall in Seattle, Washington. It is there that the latest round of WTO agriculture negotiations will be launched. It is there that we have to try our best to convince our other trading partners and competitors to let farmers make their decisions based on the market rather than on the size of national treasuries. I've said it before and I will be repeat- ing it in Seattle: farmers are among the most efficient business people in the world - they have to be, given the thin margins associated with the industry. Our farms are fertile and our desire to succeed is beyond compare. If we can curtail these destructive foreign subsi- dies, our farmers will be able to com- pete with those of any other country in the world. In the meantime, we have had to take short-term measures to deal with what Els- happened to commodity prices. With the co-operation and support of the provinces, we have made our existing farm support program more flexible by increasing access to the Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA) program, and we have introduced the $1.5 -billion Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance (AIDA) program. We are working on improvements to AIDA and we are exploring ways to implement a long- term disaster program. However, no oneargues that the best long-term farm support program is a healthy market bringingfair returns to farmers for their efforts, unencumbered by trade -distorting subsidies. That is our aim at the WTO talks and that is why you will see and hear so much about those. talks in the coming months. If you have somethoughts on this col- umn, or other topics you would like.te . see addressed, please don't= hesitate: to contact me . at: .agr.eafhmati/em a n Or you can write to me atm. Lyle Vanclief, Minister, Agriculture and Agri - Food Canada, Sir John Carling Building, 93,0 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 005 Until next month. Brussels Livestock weekly sales report Total receipts at Brussels Livestock for the week end- ing Sept. 17, were 3462 head of cattle, 434 lambs and 35 goats. There were 442 steers on offer selling from 89.00 to 94.00 to the high of 102.00. On Thursday veal sold on a very strong active trade. Lambs sold steady. Stocker calves sold $2-$3 higher with yearlings selling on a steady trade. Two gold steers consigned by Bender Beef Farms, Hensall averaging 1382 lbs. sold to Dominion Meat Packers for 102.00 with their overall offering of 102 steers averaging 1454 lbs. selling for an average of 92.75. One limo steer consigned by Walter Riddell, Granton weighing 1375 lbs. sold to Norwich Packers for 100.50 with his overall offering of ten steers averaging 1334 lbs. sold for an average of 92.64. Twenty-two steers con- signed by Doug and Murray Wagg,, Mitchell averaging 1229 lbs. sold for an average of 95.03 with sales to 96.5 Twenty steers consigned by Murray Shiell, Wingham averaging 1376 lbs. sold for an average of 93.49 with sales to 95.75. Eleven steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Woodstock averaging 1415 lbs. sold for an average of 93.36 with sales to 97.50. Three steers coby Allan Thornton, Go a aver- aging 1318 lbs. sold for an average of 90.81 with sales to 93.00. 'Thirty-seven steers con- signed by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1384 lbs. sold for an average of 90.50 with sales to 94.75. Two steers consigned by Amos Knorr, Lucknow aver- aging 1070 lbs. sold for an average of 90.35 with sales to 94.75. There were 148 fed heifers on offer selling from 89.00 to 94.00 with sales of 98.25. Two red heifers consigned by Dale Gammie, Lucknow averaging 960 lbs. sold to Howatt Bros. Ltd. for 98.25 with his overall offering of ten heifers averaging 1045 lbs. selling for an average of 92.62. One gold heifer consigned by Leroy Gould, Exeter weighing 1125 lbs. sold for 98.00 to Dominion Meat Packers with his overall offering of ten heifers aver- aging 1184 lbs. selling for an average of 91.04. There were 193 cows on offer selling: Dl and D2 cows 54.00 to 59.00 with sales to 65.50. D3 cows 50.00 to 53.00. D4 cows 45.00 to 50.00. One char cow consigned by Brent Scott, Holyrood weighing 1665 lbs. sold for 65.50. One hol. cow consigned by Hank Hofman, Wroxeter weighing 1480 lbs. sold for 65.50. Three cows consigned by Dimas C. Arruda, Arthur averaging 1518 lbs. sold for an average of 59.01 with sales to 64.00. There were .17 bulls on offer. selling from 59.00 to 68.50 to the high of 72.50. One limo bull consigned by Frank Mahy, Owen Sound weighing 1980 lbs. sold for 72.50. One limo bull consigned by John Hoogendoorn Sr. Clinton weighing 1705 lbs. sold for 71.50. There were 193 veal on offer: Beef: 100.00 to '135.00. Hol: 95.00 to 110.00. Plain hol: 80.00 to 90.00. Lambs; 50-65 lbs. 96.00 , to 120.00. 65-80 lbs. 96.00 to 135.00. 80-95 lbs. 96.00 to 1134.00. 95-100 lbs. 97.00 to 108.00. 110 lbs. and over: 99.00 to 104.00. Sheep: 50.00 to 65.00. Goats: $32.50 to $145.00 per head. Stockers: Steers - Under 400 lbs. 140.00 to 166.00; 400-499 lbs. 129.50 to 160.00; 500-599 lbs. 126.00 to 147.00; 600-699 lbs. 114.00 to 130.50; 700-799 lbs. 104.00 to 120.75, 800- 899 lbs. 100.50 to 116.50, 900 and over lbs. 82.00 to 110.50. Heifers - 300-399 lbs. 132.00 to 143.00, 400-499 lbs. 113.50 to 139.00, 500- 599 lbs. 116.50 to 139.00, 600-699 lbs. .110.00 to 125.00, 700-799 lbs. 97.25 to 117.7 5, 800-899 lbs. 98.25 to 113.00, 900 and over lbs. 94.00 to 110.75. Plain stockers: 47.00 to 66.00. Huron federation meeting charts course CLINTON -♦- October 7 is a date not to miss if you are interested in agricul- ture. Six prominent agricultural lead- ers are coming to Brussels to tell us what they want agriculture to look like in the next centiuy. The theme of the meeting is 'Charting a Course for Agriculture". Four heads of leading farm organiza- tions are among the panelists: John Core. dairy; Will Nap, ' pork; Anna Bragg, corn; and Ed Segsworth, Ontario Federation of Agriculture will be joined by board directors John Maaskant, chickens and Stan Eby, beef. Each person will have ave minutes to present their version of what they want their industry to be like. Twenty min- utes of questions from the floor and among the panelists should stimulate a lively discussion. At the end of the question period, each panelist will have two minutes to give us an action plan. The audience will have a chance to create their own action plans. These ideas will help HCFA board of directors to chart our course as we enter the next century. HCFA directors are very pleased that so many of our farm lead- ers were willing to commit to being a part of this challenging evening. The meeting takes place in Brussels at the BMG Community Centre with a social time at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. The tickets cost $10 and can be reserved by phoning HCFA at 1-800-511-1135. Come and hear our agricultural lead- ers as they help us chart a course for the future. Denfield Livestock weekly The market at Denfield Livestock met a moderate demand at steady prices on the good well fed cattle with the second cut cattle trading lower. American orders were a bit sluggish due to the rising dollar. Cows sold $1.00-$2.00 lower, veal steady, stock- ers strong, sows traded at strong prices. Rick Davidson, Thedford sold 7 steers average weight 1256 average price. 95.76 with sales W 102.00 purchased by Norwich Packers. Harold . Carroll, Wardsville sold 25 steers average weight 1434 average price 90.52. Allan Carroll, West Lorne Sold 13 steers aver- age weight 1415 average price 91.68 with sales to 103.00 purchased by Norwich Packers. Ernie Tellier, Tilbury sold 5 steers average weight 1255, average price 102.35 with sales to 106.75 purchased by Norwich Packers and 104.00 purchased by Norwich Packers and M.G.I. Packers. McCormick Farms, Inwood sold 7 steers average weight 1179 average price 95.92. Ed McCann, Parkhill sold 21 steers average weight 1414 average FARM & MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE Specializing in: • Farm & Municipal Drainage • Clay & Plastic Tile Installations • Backhoe & Dozer Service • Septic System Installations For QUdlity. Experience Si Service .,.ill: Wayne Cook (519) 2567390 R.R. 2 Zurich Ont. NOM ZTQ www.IMftniR/'4ralnakge price 90.71 a,11 another 21 steers averaging 1310 average price 91.97. Morley Hodgins, Parkhill sold 20 steers average weight 1353 average price 90.33. Prospect . Feedlot, Wyoming sold 7 heifers average weight 1131 average price 90.76. Jerry Goens, Highgate sold 6 steers average weight 1188 average price 93.28. Walter Riddell, Granton sold 10 steers average weight 1314 average price 91.80. Paul : McTavish, Alvinston sold 7 steers average weight 1245 average price 90.56. Choice steers 92.00- 95.00 sales to 106.75 Good steers 88.00-92.00 Common steers 85.00- 90.00 Choice exotic cross heifers 91.00 -94.00 Good heifers 88.0°- 90.00 Good cows 50.00-55.00 Medium cows 45.00- 50.00; Shells 20.00-30.00 Direct to Packer cows over f0 lbs. 112.00 Direct to Packer bulls sales repo 120.00 Good Holstein veal calves 90.00-100.00 Plain veal 75.00-85.00 Steer calves 120.00- 135.00 Heifer calves 115.00- 125.00; Good Holstein bull calves $175.00- $200.00 Sows 30.00-40.00; Boars 10.00-15.00 a.ccurnulation to Sept.16 At the Centralia Research Station Heat units Heat units 3079 Days ahead of normal 45 Heat units to date in 1998 3067 30 year normal 2722 Rainfall in m Sept. to date 49.8 Sept.. normal 86 August 1999 58.2 August normal 90 Source: OMAFRA FALL SERVICES AVAILABLE • Custom Combining - Wheat, Soyabeans and Com • • Wagon Usage • Custom Stone picking - Tractor, Picker, Dump Wagon and Operator • Custom No Till Wheat Planting • Custom Soil Saving & Deep Ripping - eliminate yield reducing hard pan - (1 pass operation) - will provide tractor, man and soil saver • Custom Spraying WINTER WHEAT AND WINTER BARLEY AVAILABLE SECAN WHEAT VARIETIES - Soft WIdte • Certified AC Ron • Certified Harus PROPRIETARY WHEAT VARIETIES - Soft Whit • Certified AC MacKinnon • Certified Superior. • Certified Karena • Certified Marilee • Certified Caledonia - • Certified Freedom • Certified Ashland • Certified Mendon - illaninad • Certified Fundelea • Certified Patriot • Certified AC Morley • Certified AC Zorro BARLEY • Certified McDiarmid • Certified McGregor • . 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