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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-08-02, Page 12Page 12 Times -Advocate, August 2, 1995 A flock of adult emus gather together at Jerry Wilder's farm near Zurich. Emu farming a viable option Brenda Burke T -A staff ZURICH - When Jerry and Susan Wilder began raising emus in 1989 their farm was among the first in Ontario to breed the hardy birds now produced on more than 300 farms across the province for their oil, meat and hide. Wilder said his 400 emus, in- . eluding 200 adult birds and 200 chicks, keep him busy on a full- time basis. A 12 to 15 -month-old fully grown emu weighs between 100 to 125 pounds at harvesting time. "A marketing co-op will pay $6 a pound," said Wilder who stopped raising hogs because it wasn't drawing enough money. "(Emus ) always looked extremely good as a production animal." Emus have become a viable op- tion for farmers as a means to di- versify their stock. Originating from Australia, the birds are ex- tremely healthy and therefore easy to care for. They have the ability to survive without food or water for 60 days at a time. Wilder recalled a flock of emus that fasted for 21 days after being transported to a new farm. Not only are the birds hardy, they supply the farmer with products now in demand. Emu meat is very lean and low in cholesterol. Wilder described it as "a red meat that cooks and tastes similar to beef but has the nutritional value of turkey breast." Genesis Emu Inc., formed by lo- cal emu producers, markets the delicacy meat processed in an Exet- er meat market. By eating emu, health conscious people are able to increase the amount of red meat in their diet without adding excess fat. During the past three or four years, emu fat has been recognized as a source of oil rich in collagen and skin -penetrating qualities as well as being an anti -bacterial agent used for burn victims and an anti-inflammatory for arthritic pain. Emu hide is made into fashionable leather goods complete with dec- orative quill dot designs. "(Emus) have an extremely dur- able leather that's thin," said Wild- er. And emu feathers, although not yet in wide demand, are used for craft goods. "There will be a market for that kind of stuff down the road," said Wilder, adding processing plant employees have not yet shown al- lergic reactions to emu feathers. The only problem with producing emu products, according to Wild- er, is supply can not always keep ep with demand. Leather com- panies want emu hide by the tonne and cosmetic companies need mil- lions of litres of oil. But because there are now enough farms pro- ducing emu products and since re- search is catching up with product demand, the shortage of emu prod- ucts may soon be eliminated. "We're phasing out of the breed- ing stock market and phasing into the commercial market," said Wilder. "We've got to the point where we can process...The slaughter end has taken off." When raising emus in Canada first became popular during the late 80's and early 90's, farmers relied on buying and selling limited stock quickly in order to satisfy a, grow- ing demand. This caused breeder stock prices to peak in the fall of 1993. It also caused classification problems. "Here we are with an animal with red meat and feathers," said Wild- er, explaining government spec- ifications disallowed red meat in a poultry plant and likewise dis- qualified feathered animals in a red meat plant. Last spring the govern- ment allowed the processing of the birds in red meat plants. Jerry Wilder scratches the neck of Harry -0, one of his favorite 'emus. Leadership in action CLINTON - The provincial "Leadership in Action" program will be offered again this fall. The 4 day experimental leadership train- ing retreat will be held September 12 to 15 at Geneva Park, near Oril- Ila. The program allows present or future directors, chairmen, staff and committee members, from a variety of organizations, to learn and share about topics like public speaking, volunteer management, effective meetings and conflict resolution. . All costs of meals, accommodation and resources are covered by your $250. registration fee and the spon- soring Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. If you or your organization would like more information on this ac- tive, hands-on training event, con- tact the OMAFRA office in Clinton at (519) 482-3428. Applications arc available now. • New swine advisor Jim O'Toole Manager, Field Services Clinton and Stratford We welcome Doug Richards of R.R.#2, Ailsa Craig as Swine Ad- visor in the Clinton OMAFRA Field Office covering Huron County. He begins his duties July 17, 1995. Doug has had extensive experi- ence in the swine business and production management. He is a 1980 graduate of the University of Guelph with a major in Agricultural Economics and a minor in Animal Science. He has been the manager of a purebred swine breeding operation near Brussels, the swine breeding stock and marketing manager for Quali- ty Swine Co-operative near Shed- den, and, as well, has had experi- ence with a swine equipment manufacturer: He was a lecturer at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology, a facilitator in swine nutrition management and swine housing with OATI and a counsel- lor with the Farm Family Advisor Program. Doug is Past President of the Ontario Institute of Agrologists, Western Branch and has served on many committees in the past in- cluding the Pork Congress, Onta- rio Swine Herd Health Improve- ment Association, the Junior Barrow Show at the Royal Winter Fair, and has been involved in the Ontario Swine Breeders' Associa- tion. He has toured Denmark and, more recently, spent a month in the Ukraine as a volunteer Agricul- tural Extension Specialist. We look forward to Doug join- ing the Clinton staff in his special- ty of Animal Care, Behaviour and Handling. Denfield Livestock DENFIELD - The market at Den- field Livestock Sales met a strong demand on hard fed good quality cat- tle, with the lower end of the grades under pressure. Cows sold steady. a light offering of veal barely steady. Pigs were stronger. There were 350 cattle and 200 pigs on offer. Bill Woodburn and John McLin- chcy, Parkhill sold 14 steers average weight 1262, average price 95.41 with sales to 99.75. Purchased by Lobo Abattoir. Norm Lewis and Jim Thompson. Ailsa Craig sold 15 steers average weight 1288. average price 92.71 sales to 97.75 purchased by Nor- wich. Charles and Stuart Eedy had the high sale for steers average 1165 al 100.50 purchased by M.G.I. Doug McCormick. Sarnia sold 143 steers average weight 1249, average price 92.22 with sale to 97.50 pur- chased by Norwich Packers. Ray McPhail, Kerwood sold 6 steers average weight 1444 average price 94.65. Choice steers 92-96 sales to 100.50 Good steers 87-91 Choice exotic cross heifers 90-96 sales to 100.00 Good heifers 85-90 Common & medium -65-75 DI & D2 cows 55-60 sales to 65 D3 & D4 cows 45-50 Shells 40 No light choice veal on offer Good heavy veal 75-80 Bulls 65- 75 Light ran of stockers sold steady. Holstein bull calves 130.00- 180.00 Pigs 40-60 pounds 65-70 Over 60 pounds 60-68 Brussels livestock sales BRUSSELS • Saks at Brussels Livestock for the week ending July 28, 1995 Fed Cattle: 490 Cows:I55 Veal calves: 182 Shap & Goats: 268 Stockers: 568 Pigs:Light nun The market at Brussels Livestock saw fed steers and heifers selling on a good strong active trade. The cows sold SI. - $2. lower. On Thursday veal sold steady. Lambs sold $3.-S4. low- er. On Friday the stockers traded steady. These were 328 steers on offer selling from 87.00 to 90.00 to the high of 98.00 Eleven steers consigned by Murray Forbes Farms Ltd.. Clinton aver- aging 1352 lbs. sold for an average of 91.76 with sales to 98.00 Two stars consigned by Jerry Cronin,Dublin averaging 1437 lbs. sold for an average of 93.62 with sales to 96.75. Ten stars consigned by Phil Conlin. Ailsa Craig. averaging 1154 lbs. sold for an average of 86.73 with saes to 9530. Ten steers consigned by Murray Sheell. Wingham averaging 1409 lbs. sold for an average of 87.41 with sales to 95.00. Filly -three steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1329 lbs. sold for an average of 88.41 with sale to 95.00. Eleven steers consigned by Russell Kernighan, Goderich averaging 1229 lbs. sold for an average of 86.53 with sales to 94.25. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc.. Woodstock averaging 1397 lbs. sold for an average of 86.80 with sales to 93.00. Forty steers consigned by Dale and John Taylor Farms. Creemore averaging 1362 lbs. Forty-two steers consigned by Ed McCann. Dashwood averaging 1406 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 88.86 with sales to 91.00. Eleven steers consigned by Alton O'Neil. Lucan averaging 1336 lbs. sold for an average of 87.51 with sale to 90.75. There were 144 heifers on offer selling from 87.00 to 90.00 to the high of 91.50. Seventeen heifers consigned by Corrilea Farms. Bluevale averaging 1098 lbs. sold for an average of 86.73 with sales to 91.50. Seven Heifers consigned by Johnston Farms. Bluevale averaging 1229 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 84.74 with sales to 90.00. Seven heifers consigned by Gordon Daer. Auburn averaging 1105 lbs. sold for an average of 86.14 with sales to 89.00. Nineteen heifers consigned by Keith Elder. Chesley averaging 1084 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 85.89 with sales to 88.85. Six heifers consigned by Doug Gallaugher, Shelburne averaging 1062 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 86.31 with sales to 87.00. Five heifers consigned by Joe Tteffler, Chepstow averaging 993 lbs. sold for an average of 84.82 with sales to 85.50. Three heifers consigned by An Hinz. Monkton averaging 1172 lbs. sold for an average of 84.35 with sales to 85.00. Three heifers consigned by Keith Jacklin, Bluevale averaging 1221 lbs. sold for an aver- age of 82.82 with sales to 84.50. Three heifers consigned by Calvin Semple. Ethel averaging 1175 lbs. sold for an average of 82.33 with sales to 84.25. There were 155 cows on offer selling from 40.00 to 56.00 to the high of 58.00. One cow consigned by Robert G. Anstett, Cargill weighing 1475 lbs. sold for 57.50. Five cows consigned by Dennis Calhoun. Chesley averaging 1348 lbs. sold for an average of 53.99 with sales to 56.00. Two cows consigned by Larry Elston. Wingham averaging 1332 lbs. sold for an average of 53.84 with sales to 55.50. There were 14 bulls on offer selling from 54.00 to 62.00 to the high of 95.00. One Char bull consigned by Earl Reabum, Shelburne weighing 940 lbs. sold for 95.00. One Limo bull consigned by Paul Martin, Clifford weighing 1470 lbs. sold for 71.50. There were 182 veal on offer selling from Hol. 60. to 80.80 - 100. Eleven veal consigned by Duchanne Farms Ltd., Zurich averaging 604 lbs. sold for an av- erage of 73.78 with sales to 100.00. Two veal consigned by Lloyd Pfeifer. Monkton averaging 563 lbs. sold for an average of 83.76 with sales to 96.50. Four veal consigned by Carl Reist. Listowel averaging 669 lbs. sold for an average of 69.80 with sales to 89.00. Lambs: under 50 lbs. 50 to 80 lbs. 107.00 to 147.00 80-94 113.00 to 126.00 Over 95 lbs. 100.00 to 112.00 Sheep: 43.00 to 66..00 Goats: $25.00 to 105.00 Stockers: 400-499 lbs. 87.00 to 121.00 500-599 60.00 to 114.50 600-699 73.00 to 104.00 700-799 74.00 to 99.50 800-899 89.50 to 111.00 900&over 84.00 to 96.25 Heifers: 300-399 lbs. 81.00 to 110.00 400-499 90-00 to 105.00 . 500-599 78.00 to 105.00 600-699 86.00 w 103.00 700-799 85.00 to 92.50 800-899 79.50 to 92.75 900&over 72.00 to 92.50 141 FARMERS! FOR FREE INFORMATION ON PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS FOR EROSION CONTROL AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, Contact ONT:\RIO FEDERATION OF ANGLERS& HUNTERS Box 2800 Peterhorough OnI K9J 8L5 fl :1,r! 601 The value of straw Brian Hall Business Management Advisor Clinton Field Office CLINTON - Now that wheat har- vest is in full swing, the question arises as to how much straw is worth in the field. If straw is val- ued on only its nitrogen, phosphor- us, and potash content as a fertiliz- er, then wheat and barley straw are worth about one half a cent a pound, and oat straw is seven tenths of a cent per pound. If a large square bale is 800 pounds, then the fertilizer value is $4. a bale for wheat straw. On a per acre basis, if straw yields are 1.5 metric tonne or 3,300 pounds then the val- ue would be about $16.50 per acre. However we cannot ignore the organic matter content of the straw. If the land is sandy or low in organ- ic matter (i.e., 2% or less) than likely you should be retaining as much organic -natter as possible. If the land is being farmed under a no -till or minimum till system then removing the straw would likely he desirable. 1 FARM b. 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Sales & Service Phone (519) 236-4934 Fax (519) 236-7330 22 Main Street, E., Zurich WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FUNDULEA WHEAT * Red and White Wheat * Three Receiving Pits * Harvest Services available CUSTOM COMBINING AND TRUCKING AVAILABLE AC RON, ZAVITZ, HARUS AND FUNDULEA SEED WHEATS AVAILABLE WINTER CANOLA SEED AVAILABLE • CONTACT PETER ROWNTREE OR BEV HILL Varna 233-7908 VARNA GRAIN 233-3218 •