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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-07-30, Page 10Page 10 Times -Advocate, July 30, 1997 FARM UPDDATE Corn Producers' Association works to keep corn as king of the crops in Ontario Market development, research, technology and safety nets are the focus of the 21,000 -member association By Kate Monk T -A Reporter USBORNE TOWNSHIP - At nearly $1 billion in value and 1.7 million acres in production, corn is king in most parts of Ontario. Al- though more people are planting soybeans, corn is still a major feed crop and commodity for many fanners. Huron County corn producers have a strong voice in the Ontario Corn Producers' Association with Bob Down of Ushorne in his sec- ond terns as president of the 21,(00 -member association. On Friday, at his home near Exeter, Down outlined the OCPA's in- itiatives: The tueI ethanol' industry in On- tario has been a high priority of the Market Development Committee for several years. Down estimates the new ethanol plant near Chat- ham will use a significant portion of the 1998 crop. "That's been a goal right from the start so we're quite pleased it's up and on its way. That's been a good accomplishment," said Down, adding Quebec is planning to build ethanol plants as well. The committee continually mon- itors research developments that could result in other new value- added markets for corn such as de- gradable plastics, road de-icer, packing chips, food containers and other energy applications. Down said with fewer govern- ment dollars in crop research, the OCPA is trying to pick up the slack to keep Ontario corn of high quality and at the forefront of the industry. "We're putting a lot more empha- sis into research. The governments have pulled hack their dollars so commodity groups are having to Brussels livestock sales The sales at Brussels Livestock for the wick ending July 25, 1997 'Fed cattle: 756 Cows: 233 Veal calves: 379 Lambs and goats: 358 Stockers: 945 Fed steers and heifers sold SI higher with cows selling on a steady trade. Thursday veal sold on a steady trade with lambs also selling steady. Friday good calves sold steady With second cul calves selling $5 higher with yearlings selling $2 high- er. There were 396 steers on offers selling from 88.00 to 94.00 to the high of 107.00. Twenty-five steers consigned by Don Culbert. Dungannon averaging 1300 Ibs. sold for an average of 93.43 with sales to 99.25. Eight steers consigned by Brian Bearss, SI. Marys averaging 1281 Ihs. sold for an average of 94.43 with sales to 99.(0. Three steers consigned by Earl. Bennewies, Bornholm averaging 1233 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 90.48 with sales to 98.75. • Four steers consigned by Shirmac Farms. Granton averaging 1239 lbs. sold for an average of 96.29 with sales to 98.75. Fifty-seven steers consigned by Cunningham Farms. Lucan averaging 1323 lbs. sold for an average of 93.29 with sales to 98.50. Six steers consigned by Frank Voisin. Formosa averaging 1304 lbs. sold for an average of 94.40 with sales to 98.50. Four steers consigned by Jim Howatt, Londesborough averaging 1281 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 97-25 with sales to 98.00. Twenty steers consigned by Walter Riddel. Granton averaging 1236 lbs. sold for an aver-• age of 94.05 with sales to 97.75. Three steers consigned by William Ten Hove, Monkton averaging 1065 lbs. sold for an average of 89.04 with sales to 96:00. Thirteen steers consigned by Howard Martin, Brussels averaging 1312 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 93.15 with sales to 95.75. There were 346 heifers on offer selling from 88.0010 94.00 to the high of 105.00. Five heifers consigned by Gord Brown. Shelburne averaging 1039 lbs. sold for an average of 94.21 with sales to 105.00. Forty-six heifers consigned by Perry Sereda, Centralia averaging 1153 lbs. sold for an av- ewe of 94.02 with sales to 98.75. Sikteen heifers consigned by Brightbill Farms, Bright averaging 1089 lbs. -sold for an aver- age of 89.17 with sales to 97.50. Fourteen heifers consigned by MIx Lea Fauns, Woodstock averaging 1204 lbs. sold for an average of 93.48 with sales to 97..00. 1 hree heifers consigned by Paul Gowing, Bluevale averaging 1078 Ihs. sold for an aver- age of 94.78 with sales to 96.75. Twenty-one heifers consigned by Hugh Love. Atwood averaging 1 148 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 91.35 with sales to 94.75. Three heifers consigned by Robert R. Norris. Staffa averaging 946 lbs. sold for an average of 92.56 with sales to 94.75. Fifteen heifers consigned by Geoffrey Calder. Holstein averaging 1090 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 89.4I with sales to 94.25. Four heifers consigned by Vern Steinacker, Strafford averaging 944 lbs. sold for an aver- - age of 85.90 with sales to 93.75. Twelve heifers consigned by Keith Dunston, Mildmay averaging 1193 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 85.82 with sales to 93.75. There were 233 cows on offer selling frotn 45.00 to 62.00 to the high of 70.00. • Twelve cows consigned by Daniel Hay. Clifford averaging 1076 lbs. sold for an average of 53.87 with sales to 70.00. Two char cows consigned by Jiin Rapson. Walton averaging 1183 lbs. sold for an average of 62.32 with sales to 65.00. Four cows consigned by Les Brown. Shelburne averaging 1 193 lbs. sold for an average of 58.78 with sales to 64.50. There were (2 hulls on offer selling from 64.5( to 72.40 to the high of 81.50. One gold hull consigned by Jim Braiden. Shelburne weighing 1755 lbs. sold for 81.50. One red hull consigned by Reuben & Gordon Lantz, Ayton weighing 970 lbs. sold for 7700. There were 379 veal on offer selling: beef - 90.00 to 138.00;1101 - 80.00 to 95.00; plain hot - 65(0 to 85.01. Fifteen veal consigned by Enc Scheurwater, Paisley averaging 614 lbs. sold for an average of 112.60 with sales to 138.01. Six veal consigned by John Verburg. Londesboro averaging 672 lbs. sold for an average of 98.61 with sales to 128.(0: Twenty-two veal consigned by Rick Smith. Ripley averaging 635 Ihs. sold for an average of 98.93 with sales to 121.01. Lambs: Under 511 Ihs.. 142.50 to 170,00 50-80 lbs. .132.00 to 167.00 80 - 95 lbs. 134.00 to 145.00 Sheep: 45.00 to 64.00 Goats: $25.00 to $80.00 Stockers: Steers:Under 4(10 lbs. 105.0010 131.00 400 - 4.49 104.00 to 128.00 5(XL 599 94.$0 to 124.00 6011; 699 96.0010 114.50 700 - 799 97.00 10 110.00 800. 899 87.50 to 109.25 900 and over 93.00 to 108.00 Heifers: 3() • 399 lbs. 400 - 499 500 - 599 60() - 699 700 - 799 800 - 899 9(Xland over Plain stockers 107.00 to 125.00 79.00 to 123.00 99.00 to 118.00 98.00 to 108.50 91.50 to 110.50 92.00 to 106.75 75.50 to 104.75 60.001o80.00 MIkt 'S BLASi ANd PAINi Should have been listed in the small phone book under Hartman Mike instead of under Mike's Blast and Paint put more money into research. We've always been quite strong in research in order to make sure that corn the right kinds of corn are be- ing bred," he said, adding "It's go- ing to be interesting with the bio- technology that has come in now. Things can be done quicker - bio- technology allows us to speed up the process a fair bit." The association's research efforts include "minimizing or eliminating Fusarium ear molds and my- cotoxins using biotechnology. The long list of research topics also in- cludes: the efficient use of nitrogen fertility, expanding the acreage of corn under reduced tillage, im- proving the effectiveness of crop sprayers and reducing weed control costs, reducing grain drying costs, improving corn quality for food and industrial uses of corn and con- tinuing genetic improvement through plant breeding. "We've been heavily involved with the safety net programs of the federal and provincial govern- ments," explained Down. "We have a continuing problem with large treasuries affecting pro- duction and supporting producers in other jurisdictions that directly compete with us in Cahada. The U.S. is one and the European com- munity is another. That's how the safety net program evolved," Down claimed. "There has been a lot of talk that the U.S. with their new farm bill that just came out for the next sev- en years, was going to cut back on their support for agriculture. But in reality, they changed quite a bit and didn't cut back their support. In some cases they raised their sup- port. We still have that to battle," said Down. He believes the association has a very balanced safety net program which includes the Advance Pay- ment for Crops Program, Gross Revenue Insurance Program, Net Income Stabilization Account Prod., gram and crop insurance. The Advance Payment Program provides corn producers with ac4 cess to low-interest loans in comms bination with interest-free pro' visions under the federal Agricultural Marketing Program Act. Crop insurance, GRIP and NISA provide safety nets against market price declines and weather damage. It there is one thing Down would like to accomplish during his term as president, it is to see agriculture coalitions strengthened. "Farm groups should leam to work together and resolve our dif- ferences. A coalition is a vehicle we've just got to have to coordinate things." Down says one example of the value of a coalition is when farmers need to go to the government with an issue. "We can take a poll of how many (organizations) are on side. In most cases we get most on side if it's a good issue. So we have a much larger group being represented and gives us more clout." The OCPA provides support for the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, AGCare (Agricultural Groups Concerned about Resources and Environment), Ontario Agri - Food Technologies, Ontario Field Crops Research Coalition and other sectoral coalitions. Down is also proud of the as- sociation's first-rate web page on the Internet. Located at www.o,ltariocorll.org, the site in- cludes the latest developments in corn production as well as links to other organizations and commodity listings. The semi-annual meeting of the Ontario Corn Producers' Associa- tion is September 4 at the Quality Inn, Woodstock. Lyle Vanclief, Canada's Minister 'of Agriculture has been invited to be the special guest speaker. "We're a very busy organization. We have some of the most ag- gressive and best staff around," concluded Down. On the farm.•., think about safety and practice it all year `round Denfield Livestock Sales The Market at Denfield Livestock traded on a very active strong demand at prices 1.00-2.00 higher on all classes of fed cattle. Cows sold fully steady, veal steady, stockers strong, pigs, sows, and boars fully steady. Don Eedy and Mark Vanderploeg, Denfield sold 11 heifers avg. wt. 1130, avg. price 96.00 with sales to 102.50 purchased by Holly Park and 99.25 pur- chased by Clark Bros. Dennis Dietich, Dashwood sold 6 heifers avg. wt. 1037 lbs. avg. pace 92.27. Mike Pickering, Dashwood sold 5 steers avg. wt. 1340 lbs. avg. price 97.80 to a high sale of 106.25 purchased by Holly Park. Morley Hodgins, Parkhill sold 27 steers avg, wt. 1326 lbs. avg. price 92.61 sales, o 94.70 purchased by Ralph Dorr for Dorr Bros. Murray Switzer, St. Marys sold 8 steers avg. wt. 1305 lbs. avg. price 92.77 safes to 96.00 purchased by Holly Park: Bob Hodgins, Lucan sold 15 steers avg. price 1343 lbs. avg. price 92.08. Mac Parker, Watford sold 5 steers avg. wt. 1097 lbs. avg. price 91.64. Choice steers 92.00-99.00 sales to 106.25 Good steers 87.00-92.00 Plain•steers 80,00-85.00 Choice exotic cross heifers 92.00-96.00 salts to 99.25 Good heifers 87.00-91.00 Common and medium 70.00-80.00 Good cows 54.00-60.00 sales to 65.00 Capners and cutters 42.00-50.00 Shels 25.00-35.00 Direct to packer cows over 600 lbs. 110.00 Direct to packer bulls 112.00 Choice beef veal 100.00-110.00 Good Holstein veal 85.00-98.00 Plain veal 70.00-80.00 Good Holstein bull calves 125.00-195.00 Pigs 40.60 lbs. 115.00 - 125.00 Sows 58.00-62.00 Boars 50.00-55.00 Close to tassling. Ontario Corn Producers' Association President Bob Down was pleased to see his corn was near- ly in tassle last Friday at his farm in Usborne Township. In his second term of office, Down is optimistic about the ini- tiatives of the OCPA and the outlook for corn. Corn farmers slowly selling '96 crop GUELPH - There are indications that Ontario farmers are slow sell- ers of the 1996 corn crop. Accord- ing to Ontario Corn Producers' As- sociation checkoff records, commercial sales of corn for 1996- 97 in the province totalled 2.13 mil- lion tonnes to the end of May. com- pared to 2.87 million in 1995-96 and 2.29 million in 1994-95. The percentage of the total Ontario corn crop sold commercially, by May 31, was 43 per ceht in 1996-97, versus 57 per cent in 1995-96; and 51 per cent in 1994-95. (The per cent of total crop produced averag- es about 60 per cent in a normal 12 - month period.) While trade sources suggest that sales have "picked up" since May, the per cent of the crop sold is likely behind the average of recent years. As of mid July, about 60 per cent of corn Advance Payments had been repaid in 1996-97, versus over 70 per cent in 1995-96•and over 60 per cent in 1994-95. A recent survey of OCPA direc- tors indicates that, as of July 23, an average grain corn crop is expected in Ontario in 1997. This means about 111 bu/acre. With a 1997 grain corn acreage of 1.7 million acres, this means an estimated pro- vincial crop of 189 million bushels (4.8 million tonnes). This,compares to crops of 195, 202, 193, 180 and 136 million tonnes in 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, and 1992, respectively. 1 THE LAST HENSALL D STRICT C • . >ttrrva POST No more broken, cracked or rotten fence posts. Everwood posts, manufactured from recycled plastic containers are everlasting. IT WILL NEVER NEED REPLACING! EVERIOOD POSTS- forever! SALE Reg 99 8.59 Sales ends Aug. 31/97 Dottcenter EXETER PH: 235-2081 1-888-874-4435 • ILDERTON (519) 666-1300 • AILSA CRAIG (529) 293-3282 • SEAFORTH (519) 527-0770 • WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE YOUR 1997 * Red and White Wheat * Three Receiving Pits * Harvest Services available AC RON, HARUS, FREEDOM AND FUNDULEA SEED WHEATS AVAILABLE Hill AND Hill FARMS UNITED VARNA ONT. CUSTOM COMBINING AND TRUCKING AVAILABLE CONTACT PETER ROWNTREE OR BEV HILL Varna VARNA GRAIN 233-3218 Varna 233-7908