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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-04-26, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate, April 26. 1995 FARM IIPnATR One Foot in the Furrow By Bob Trotter Good farmland should be preserved Niagara Region's planning committee made a decision a few weeks ago which could have far-reaching results right across this province. A fruit grower sought permis- sion to sever two pieces of land to sell as housing lots. The own- er operates a 10 -hectare family farm and owns or leases more than 200 hectares at different sites. He is an established farm- er who not only owns but loves the land. His reasons for asking for the severance made sense: The land was wedged between existing homes and the parcel was too small to use automated sprink• - lers and big machinery. Not only that, but it was susceptible to the ravages of road salt and even fruit thieves, the owner said. The severance came about with plenty of opposition, though. Staff members of the regional planning board reported that the good, tender fruitland on which these severances are located is a regional and provincial resource that is to be preserved. They are absolutely right. Good farmland -- and especially these tender fruitlands -- should be preserved. Once lost, they are gone forever under concrete and asphalt, non-renewable. There are probably dozens, perhaps hundreds of similar plots of land throughout Niagara Region and in other regions and counties of Ontario. Opening the floodgates could cause all kinds of problems. I maintain that farmers cannot have it both ways. They must ei- ther be proponents of land sev- erance laws until it comes time to sell a lot of their own for big bucks. The cash is hard to resist. Some need the money desper- ately just to keep farming. On the other hand, why pre- serve even topnotch land if it is unworkable? Many years ago, I was given permission to sever a two -acre lot a mile out of town. The farmer who rented the land said the same thing: He couldn't get big machinery onto the lot prop- erly. But that exact area now has at least a dozen houses along the road that used to be a farm lane. Mind you, there is a golf club and a curling rink at the end of the road now that were not there when the land severance was al- lowed. Traffic is so heavy that the township saw fit to pave the road a few years ago. Brussels livestock sales BRUSSELS - Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week end- ing April 21, 1995. Fed Cattle: 742 Cows: 175 Veal Calves: 283 Sheep & Goats: 322 Stockers: 1893 Pigs:92 The market saw top quality steers and heifers selling steady, with the second cut selling under pressure. Cows sold steady. Thursday heavy veal were selling $4-6 lower, light veal selling 51-2 lower. Lambs sold fully steady to last week. The grass cattle on Friday sold 52.00 higher with other cattle steady. There were 491 steers on offer selling from 89.00 to 94.00 to the high of 100.25. Twenty-five steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1465 lbs. sold for an average of 90.95 with sales to 100.25. Forty-five steers consigned by Bill Ferguson, Shelburne averaging 1006 lbs. sold for an average of 90.18 with sales to 98.50. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc. Woodstock averaging 1424 lbs. sold for an average of 87.74 with sales to 98.00. Fifteen steers consigned by Ken Eadie, Holyrood averaging 1482 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 93.24 with sales to 97.00. Twenty steers consigned by Kada Farms, Bluevale averaging 1423 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 91.51 with sales to 96.25. Seven steers consigned by Doug Shiell, Wingham averaging 1342 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 94.44 with sales to 96.25. Five steers consigned by Kevin Horsburgh, Mount Forest averaging 1488 lbs. sold for an average of 93.64 with sales to 96.00. Thirty-three steers consigned by James McCarthy, Granton averaging 1472 lbs. sold for an average of 90.01 with sales to 94.50. Twelve steers consigned by Ralph Dickson, Mitchell averaging 1462 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 91.75 with sales to 94.25. There were 225 heifers on offer selling from 89.00 to 94.00 to the high of 98.50. Twelve heifers consigned by Francis Hunt. Walton averaging 1 180 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 91.62 with sales to 98.50. Sixteen heifers consigned by Gerald Rathwell, Brucefield averaging 1077 lbs. sold for an average of 89.57 with sales to 96.75. Eleven heifers consigned by Murray Johnson. Bluevale averaging 1165 lbs. sold for an average of 87.91 with sales to 94.2S. Twelve heifers consigned by Russ Faber, Kippen averaging 1080 Ibs. sold for an aver- age of 90.40 with sales to 94.00. Four heifers consigned by Jerry Cronin, Dublin averaging 1228 lbs. sold for an average of 85.84 with sales to 94.00. Three heifers consigned by Gordon Borth. Mildmay averaging 1311 lbs sold for an av- erage of 90.45 with sales to 93.25. Two heifers consigned by Bruce Johnston, Bluevale averaging 1110 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 86.01 with sales to 92.75. Two heifers consigned by Diane Osborne, Monkton averaging 1044 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 86.01 with sales to 92.75. Three heifers consigned by Elliott Hackwell, Walton averaging 1135 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 89.28 with sales to 91.50. There were 175 cows on offer selling from 45.00 to 64.00 to the high of 73.00 . One cow consigned by John Dietrich, Mitchell weighing 1000 lbs. sold for 73.00. Two cows consigned by Ken Thompson, Kincardine averaging 1318 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 65.04 with sales to 72.00. Two cows consigned by Murray Aitken, Mount Forest averaging 1505 lbs. sold for an average of 67.24 with sales to 70.50. There were 24 bulls on offer selling from 68.00 to 77.00 to the high of 84.,25. Five Sim bulls consigned by Eric Kerns, Hanover averaging 1227 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 79.69 with sales to 84.25. Three Sim bulls consigned bLong Lane Simmentals Puslinch averaging 1233 lbs. sold for an average of 77.86 with sales to 80.00. There were 283 veal on offer light hol. 80.00 to 95.00; heavy hol. 65.00 to 80.00; beef 85.00 to 114.50. Two veal consigned by John Verberg, Londesboro averaging 718 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 108.98 with sales to 114.50. Twelve veal consigned by Allan McKinnon, Shallow Lake Ontario averaging 624 lbs. sold for an average of 97.01 with sales to 113.50. Five veal consigned by BiII Devox Jr. Bluevale averaging 734 lbs. sold for an average of 91.54 with sales to 110.00. Lambs: under 50 157.70 to 250.00 50 to 79 lbs. 177.00 to 240.00 Sip: 38.00 to 74.00 Goats: 35.00 to 90.00 Twelve lambs consigned by Cam Anderson, Belgrave averaging 60 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 187.22 with sales to 250.00 Stockers: steers 400-499 lbs. 105.50 to 138.00 500 to 599 102.50 to 131.00 600 to 699 93.50 to 119.00 700 to 799 87.50 to 114.00 800 to 899 89.25 to 103.00 900 to 999 88.00 to 113.00 1000 and over 81.00 to 89.50. Heifers: 300 to 399 lbs. 90.00 to 113.00 400 w 499 113.00 to 124.50 500 to 599 104.00 to 120.50 600 to 699 90.00 to 111.50 700 to 799 90.75 to 105.25 800 to 899 87.00 to 101.50 900 and over 85.00 to 92.85 • ,PROMECHANICAL TRUCK AND FARM REPAIRS • • SAFETY INSPECTION STATION • 3 MECHANICS ON DUTY • DIESEL ENGINE REBUILDING 88 Main St. R.R. 3, Lucan, Ont. NOM 2J0 Ph: (519) 227-0077 Fax: (519) 227-4179 Peie Yan leuken Owner 1 I think the development would have occurred anyway but I, as a proponent of saving good land from developers, have always felt a wee twinge of guilt for be- ing the owner of the first house on that beautiful, peaceful stretch of rural road. Rules to prevent severances were passed some years ago in most counties. Perhaps it is time to take a look at some of these small plots of land just to see if some can become country homes. I can see many farmers looking at a small plot and de- liberately leaving it to grow weeds because it is too much trouble to get a big tractor haul- ing a huge plough around it. By the time he had everything straightened out, it's time to make another turn. It's like try- ing to get an ocean liner into a small marina. But, as was said in Niagara, it could open up a floodgate for those thousands of people who want a home in the country. When they get there, they want roads plowed early. They want city services they cannot have. They want policing, fire protec- tion, schools and social services. And you cannot blame them. But they do tax rural services to their limits and beyond. Rural councils have some tough decisions ahead of them. Denfield livestock sales DENFIELD - The market at Denfield traded under pres- sure on all but the fancy fed cattle which traded active at strong prices. Stockers sold steady, cows sold steady, light veal strong, pigs and sows steady. There were 760 cattle and 210 pigs on offer. Jim McCarthy, Granton sold nine steers average wt. 1403 lbs. average price 1.02.73 to a high sale of 1.17 for a piendmonties steer weighing 1460 lbs. purchased by Richard Heleniak for Norwich Packers. Chad Pickering, Dashwood sold I steer 1345 lbs., at 1.02.50 purchased by Norwich Packers. Don Eedy and Mark Vanderploeg, Denfield sold 8 heifers average wt 1246 lbs. average price 91.95 sales to1.01 purchased by Holly Park. Claire and Kevin Schwartz, Crediton sold 11 heifers average wt. 1261 lbs. Average price 90.06 sales to 99.50 pur- chased by Norwich Packers. Bill Dykes, Granton sold 8 heifers average wt. 1411 lbs. average rice 90.09 Choice exotic cross heifers 93-1.00 sales to 1.17 Good steers 93 - 1.00 sales to 1.17 Good steers 87- 90 Plain and heavy steers 80-86 Choice exotic cross heifers 90-95 sales to 1.01 Good heifers 84 - 89 Common and medium 70-80 DI & D2 cows 54-58 sales to 62 D3 &D4cows45-50 Shells 10-35 Bulls 65-80 Choice veal 85 - 95 Good veal 70 - 80 Large frame steers 800-900 lbs 90 - 1.02.50 .46 Large frame heifers 800-900 lbs. 85-99 Pigs 40 - 60 lbs. 65 - 80 Over 60 lbs. 60 - 75 MCC Specializing In: • Farm & Municipal Drainage • Clay & Plastic Tile InstaIIs, ons • Backhoe & Dozer Service • Septic System Installations For Quality, Experience, & Service call: Wane Cook (519) 236-7390 R.R 2T Ont. NOM •PAI � Your Views Letters to the editor Towing the party line "Shame on the other liberal MP's who were conveniently absent..." Dear Editor: Paul Steckle, our local Liberal MP deserves full credit for his public stand against the gun legislation his government just railroaded through. Paul voted with his conscience, not his parliament ID card and more importantly stood up for what his constituents believe in. Shame on the other liberal MP's who were con- veniently absent or who chose to abstain rather than to vote against the party line! They should have a big red button sewn to their chests so the liberal bosses can just push it when they require a team vote. And what reward does our MP Paul Steckle re- ceive from his Liberal government for this action? A swift remova, from his position on just how much agriculture means to this government. Paul repre- sents Huron -Bruce of which Huron county rates Number one nationwide (by county) in gross re- ceipts from farming. This action is very reminiscent of the quiet remov- al of Jack Riddell, a strong voice for farmers, from the provincial Liberal caucus a few short years ago. It sure makes you wonder why we elect MP's. Is it not for our interests or are we supposed to sit hack and let them tow the party line? Jody Durand, Farmer Co-op announces new coloured bean project HENSALL-Hensall District Co -Op Inc. (HDC) announced plans Wednesday to construct a new coloured bean receiving, drying and storage facility at the company's Hensall site. The $1,500,000 project will include 5,000 bushels per hour receiving capacity, a special- ized edible bean dryer as well as storage for 109,000 bushels for several varieties of coloured beans. HDC president Martin Van Raay said the new facili- ties will be based on the latest technology developed to ehlp ensure that the highest quality edible bean products arc mar- keted to our customers. "The expansion into coloured beans will enable HDC to in- crease the volume through the new world class bean process- ing facility constructed last year. It will also allow HDC members and producers to di- versify their cash crop produc- tion acreages," Van Raay con- cluded. Brussels Livestock Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. Upcoming Sales Tues. 9 a.m. Finished cattle & cows Thurs. 10 a.m. Dropped calves, veal, goat, sheep and Iambs Frl. 10 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1 p.m. Pigs Brussels 887-6461 "Confidence, Trust & Service" Conservation Authority your local environmental partner Community Tree Planting Day •. April 30, 1995. NI- Join us in a celebration of Arbor Week: a national event promoting conservation, educating people about trees and encouraging tree planting. • With your help we will spend the afternoon planting 20 Spruce and Ash trees. Planting fun begins: 2 - 4 p.m. A day for the whole family! Environmental games for those young at heart. A grab bag available - full of tree information, puzzles & games for the kids! FREE ADMISSION s' Bring your own shovel and mug. Refreshments provided. Location: Usborne Township shed and Stephen Township shed. ri Preregister for each planting site by April 26. r A message from your local environmental partner telephone 519-235-2610 fax 519-235-1963 "PREMIUM DOLLARS" to be earned growing Varieties include Certified Marathon, Certified Apache and Certified Sundance Premium of .300 bushel over W.G.Thompson Hensall board price if export quality met. Call W.G. Thompson & Sons Limited, Hensall 262-2527 for details "A family owned Canadian company" t l fl'UIOCI[YJo Q Oco)Ao 4i* n 5 5 I N5 fir A N 5 Searorth Hensall ftivaraAp 51.105 rraroil rras Mitchell Allse Craig Granton Pt. Albert 345-2545 262-2527 348-8433 293-3223 225-2360 529-7901 •