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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-11-29, Page 200 Page 20 Times -Advocate, November 29, 1995 FARM IIPnATF. Picked your free yet? Milt Agate, left, with sister Kim and father Art by one of the more bushy tree picks of the season. Plowmans meeting held CLINTON - The annual meeting of the Huron County Plowmans As- sociation was held November 23 at the OMAFRA office in Clinton. Following the business, President Paul Bettles thanked the Pentland family for the use of their farm for their 1995 match. Queen of the Fur- row Charlene Townsend was in at- tendance and spoke briefly. O.P.A. director Neil McGavin reported on the successful match held at Ayr. The 1996 local match will be held on August 22,23 on the farm of Neil and Marie McGavin near Wal- ton. Jerry Thiel was named bid chair- man for the official presentation to be made at the O.P.A. convention in Waterloo on February 12. It was agreed that the club should order morg shirts, the same style as those of last year. They will be available before the convention. The executive were returned for another year: Past president Bob Brussels livestock sales BRUSSELS - Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending November 24, 1995. Fed cattle 708 Cows 358 Veal calves 270 Lambs & Goats 158 Stockers 1918 Pigs 113 The market at Brussels Livestock saw fed steers and heifers selling $2.00 higher. Cows and bulls sold steady. On Thursday veal sold steady. Lambs sold on a very strong active trade. On Fri- day stockers sold on a steady trade. There were 406 steers on offer selling from 86.00 to 89.00 to the high of 102.00. Nine steers consigned by James M. Martin, Holstein averaging 1481 lbs. sold fen an average of 92.25 with sales to 102.00. Two steers consigned by Laverne Martin, Mount Forest averaging 1400 lbs. sold for an average of 94.75 with sales to Q6.50. Foyrteen steers consigned by lint Howatt; Londesborough averaging 1298 lbs. sold Tor an a'virige of 89.49 with sales to 96.00. Twenty-six steers consigned by Murray Curran, Dungannon averaging 1313 lbs. sold for an average of 86.00 with sales to 94.50. Thirty steers consigned by Johnston Farms, Bluevale averaging 1346 lbs. sold for an average of 90.61 with sales to 93.75. Fifty-six steers consigned by Cunningham farms, Lucan averaging 1431 lbs. sold for an average of 88.13 with sales to 92.00. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Woodstock averaging 1338 lbs. sold for an average of 87.39 with sales to 91.50. Fourteen steers consigned by Carlyle Thomson, Parkhill averaging 1463 lbs. sold for an average of 87.48 with sales to 91.25. Twelve steers consigned by Beetonia Farms Ltd., Beeton averaging 1397 lbs. sold for an average of 86.31 with sales to 89.25. There were 252 heifers on offer selling from 86.00 to 89.00 to the high of 93.00. Eight heifers consigned by Ron Jackson, Stratford averaging 1176 lbs. sold for an average of 84.56 with sales to 92.25. Eight heifers consigned by Menno Hoover, Bluevale averaging 1061 lbs. sold for an average of 79.04 with sales to 92.25. Three heifers consigned by Oscar Bloch, Elmira averaging 1287 lbs. sold for an average of 85.09 with sales to 88.50. Nine heifers consigned by Don Fraser, Blyth averaging 1138 lbs. sold for an average of 85.43 with sales to 88.50. Two heifers consigned by Walter Lynn, Stayner averaging 1280 lbs. sold for an average of 86.01 with sales to 88.50. Two heifers consigned by Jeff Bloch. Elmira averaging 1225 lbs. sold for an average of 86.64 with sales to 87.50. Seven heifers consigned by 1 & B Laidlaw Farms, Atwood averaging 979 lbs. sold for an average of 80.91 with sales to 86.75. Nine heifers consigned by Terry Dalton, Lucknow averaging 1173 lbs. sold for an average of 80.33 with sales to 86.75. Six heifers consigned by Lloyd Weppler, Ayton averaging 1330 lbs. sold for an avetage of 84.39 with sales to 86.75. Ten heifers consigned by Gordon Dougherty, Z',oderich averaging 1214 lbs. sold for an average of 83.01 with seals to 86.25. There were 358 cows on offer selling from 30.00 to 48.00 to the high of 68.25. Three cows consigned by Bill Weber, Walkerton averaging 1456 lbs. sold for an average of 53.59 with sales to 68.25. Two cows consigned by Don Dodds, Seaforth averaging 1240 lbs. sold for an average of 53.31 with sales to 61.00. Three cows consigned by George M. Miskie, Chesley averaging 993 lbs. sold for an average of 40.07 with sales to 58.50. There were 21 bulls on offer selling from 43.00 to 56.00 to the high of 67.00. One Limo bull consigned by Glen Plantz, Ayton weighing 2035 lbs. sold for 67.00. One Limo bull consigned by Robert Hill. Arthur weighing 1710 lbs. sold for 65.00. There were 270 veal on offer selling Hol: 75.00 to 95.00. beef: 80.00 to 108.00. Seven veal consigned by David Weber, Paisley averaging 619 lbs. sold for an average of 89.43 with sales to 108.00. Three veal consigned by Bill Devos Jr.. Bluevale averaging 622 lbs. sold fqr an average of 92.97 with sales to 106.50. Two veal consigned by Murray Clarke, Kincardine averaging 563 lbs. sold for an average of 101.84 with sales to 103.50. Lambs: 50.80 lbs. 132.00 to 231.00 80-94 lbs. 127.00 to 155.00 Over 95 lbs. 105.00 to 115.00 Sheep: 54.00 to 73.00 Goats: $32.50 to 5135.00 Stockers Steers: 400 - 499 lbs. 71.50 to 116.00 500 - 599 66.50 to 114.50 600 - 699 69.00 to 97.00 700 - 799 68.50 to 91.75 800 - 899 60.00 to 99.00 900 and over 79.50 to 102.50 Heifers: 300 - 399 lbs. 63.50 to 100.00 400 - 499 67.50 to 95.00 500 - 599 61.00 to 107.00 600 - 699 62.50 to 93.50 700 - 799 66.50 to 77.50 800 and over 71.50 to 96.00 Bell; President Paul Betties; First vice president George Townsend; Second vice president Paul Pent- land; O.P.A. director Neil McGa- vin; Secretary treasurer Marie Hicknell. On January 17 at the OMAFRA office in Clinton, a "Gearing Up" meeting will be held for those inter- ested in going to the convention, so come out for more information. Denfield Livestock The market at Denfield trad- ed on a very sharp demand at prices 3.00 to 5.00 higher on all classes of slaughter cattle. Good cows showed some improvement. Stock- ers sold steady, veal stronger, pigs fully steady. 400 cattle, 250 pigs on offer. Don Eedy and Mark Vander Ploeg, Denfield sold 10 heifers, avg. wt. 1246 lbs. avg. price 99.26 with sales to 1.05 for 2 heifers purchased by Dendekker Meats and 1.03 75 purchased by Norwich Packers. Mike Mortier, Thamesville sold two heifers avg. wt. 1260 lbs. avg. price 94.00. Jim Scott, Lucan sold 10 mixed heifers avg. wt. 1211 lbs. avg. price 89.85, sales to 94.50. Gwen Coulter, Parkhill sold two steers avg. wt. 1400 lbs. avg. price 99.00 purchased by MGI. Charles and Stuart Eedy, Denfield sold a steer 1160 lbs. at 95.75. Morley Hodgins. Parkhill sold 26 heavy steers avg. wt. 1401 lbs. avg. price 90.00 sales to 95.10 purchased by MGI. John Walls, Denfield sold 10 steers avg. wt. 1339 lbs. avg. price 88.11 sales to 91.00. Wayne Watson, Denfield sold a steer 1160 lbs. at 93.00. Choice steers 90-95 sales to 1.00 Good steers 84-90.00 Plain and common steers 60-75 Choice exotic cross heifers 90-98 sales to 1.05 • Good heifers 84-89 Common and medium 60-75 Good cows 40-48 Low yielding shelly type cows 30-40 Bulls 45-72 Choice veal 90-1.00 Good veal 80-90 Common and plain veal 50-75 Stock] Yearling steers 85-92 Yearling heifers 85-90 Steer calves 90-1.09 Heifer calves 80-1.00 Pigs 40-60 lbs. 75-90 over 60 lbs. 65-75 Sows 38-44 Boars 35-40 Brenda Burke T -A staff ILDERTON - When it comes to choosing a real Christmas tree, some prefer to do it the old fash- ioned way by tromping through the bush and laying claim to what will become the focal point of their fam- ily festivities. According to Milt Agate, who helps his father, An, operate The Agate Tree Farm, otherwise known as The Christmas Tree Place, tree picking is still largely family oriented. "People like to come out and cut the tree and bring the kids," he said. Some people will take hours to wade through the snow and choose the perfect tree, sometimes leaving hats or gloves to mark favorites while others prefer to pick up an al- ready pre-cut version that is some- times cut to order. Milt said custom cutting trees is challenging since he tries to achieve "total perfection." Although shapes of trees vary as much as individual people do, ac- cording to Art, "everybody wants a tree two feet bigger than their ceil- ing." A six to seven -footer is a popular choice, with many forgetting a star and stand will add inches to their tree's height. The most popular species of tree is Scotch Pine. "According to the Christmas tree growers, the market is 60 per cent Scotch Pine and 40 per cent every- thing else," said Art. Among his 30 acres of trees, White Spruce, Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce are also ready for the picking. And, Art is experimenting with growing White Pine and Aus- trian Pine, two species not normally used as Christmas trees in the area. During his first six years in busi- ness, Art planted between 3,000 and 5,000 trees per year. Now that his stock numbers 20,000 trees, he doesn't need to plant as many. this year he planted 1,700 trees. The trees take an average of sev- en to eight years to grow before they're ready to be sold for Christ- mas at $15 each, with the exception of $40 Blue Spruce, which take longer to mature. When Art began selling Christmas trees in 1990, he charged $18 per tree and the price has varied since, according to sup= ply and demand as well as competi- tion. Although he occasionally sells to businesses, the major portion of his sales consist of drawing individual customers from Lucan, Parkhill, London, Strathroy and surrounding areas. At least half the people buy- ing trees bring their own saws and occasionally arrive equipped with a toboggan. "We have been mainly...a family- oriented cut -your -own business," said his daughter, Kim, who also works at the tree farrn. People unable to cut and move their own tree receive help from the Agate family. "We have some elderly folks that like to do the walk," said Milt, "but certainly can't cut the tree." He recalled a young boy trying to use his plastic saw to help his fa- ther cut down a chosen tree one year. "I think there are more families coming out," he added. Although Art had already sold a few trees in November, December proves to be his busiest selling time. He advises tree buyers to check the butt of the trunk on their chosen tree, to make sure it's straight and long. Also, if they're not taking the tree home immediately, half an inch should be cut off the trunk just before putting it in water. Because the tree will seal within 24 hours, a new cut must be made in order to allow in a flow of water. "Don't let it run out of water," he added. Although a tree in water will keep its needles for a month, he said it's a "definite tire hazard if (people) don't keep it wet." Even while the trees are still growing, they needs lots of rain, ex- cept during planting season in April, or the busy tree buying sea- son. "(Rain has) ruined a couple of busy weekends," said Kim. "The perfect condition," added Art, "is a nice dry field, you plant your trees and it rains for a week." Although established trees handle heat periods well, extended drought may mean loss of young trees. Dur- ing a two-year drought beginning in 1987. Art lost 2,000 newly plant- ed Scotch Pines. "I brought in 12,000 gallons of water and just couldn't save any- thing," recalled Milt. Lack of rain isn't the only chal- Advance payment program for corn and soybeans CLINTON - The Advance Pay- ment Program provides an oppor- tunity for producers to manage their operating costs and reduce in- terest costs. Advances are availa- ble on spring grains, canola, corn, soy$, apples and spelt. Shelled corn, high moisture corn and crib corn stored at an elevator or on the farm are eligible. Advances are provided to farm- ers who wish to store crop for fu- ture sale or livestock feed. The ad- vance is repaid as the crop is sold or fed. The first $50,000.00 of the advance is interest free, and the re- maining amount up to a maximum amount of $250,000 is at prime plus I/4 per cent. Advance payment rates are as follows: Spring Grains $55/60 per tonne Canola $150 per tonne Spelt (with chaff removed) $145 per tonne Corn $72 per tonne Soybeans $150 per tonne Apples (fresh commercial sales) $70 per bin Apples (Spy peeler apples) $60. per bin. The apples, spelt, canola and spring grains programs are admin- istered by the Agricultural Com- modity Corporation (519) 766- 0544. The Ontario Corn Produc- ers' Association (519) 837-9144 administers the Corn Advance Pro- gram and the Ontario Soybean ,raZ�Z�Z�Z� Z.�Z�I�Z�Z�Z�Z�Z�Z�Ziiiti�Z�I�Zt'Z�Z�Z�Z�• NOTICE Township of Usborne Usbome Township Council requests the co-operation of the ratepayers regarding the parking of cars and other vehicles on township' roads during the period in which snow clearing operation is necessary. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 The township will not be held responsible for any damage done to these vehicles. Also the residents are asked to co- operate by not pushing or dumping snow or ice out of private driveways onto public roads or road allowance as this practice would lead to an accident, in the event of which ratepayer concerned would be held liable. By-law 1128, 1992 Ken Parker Road Superintendent 1 1 Growers' Marketing Board (519- 352-7730 looks after the Soybean Program. Applications and infor- mation are available at your local Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office, the organizations named above or the - elevators. lenge Christmas tree growers watch for. They sometimes spray for Pine Shoot Moth since eggs laid on the tree develop into worms that eat tree tops and cause branches to grow deformed. Growers also spray for Scale when necessary, an insect who's home appears in the summer as white lumps that eventually kill trees. Although Art used to spray weeds surrounding the trees, he now resorts to mowing the rows to control weeds that could hinder pruning and limit customer access to the trees. Between mid-June and mid-July, pines are pruned with long narrow knives. "You have to get your pines pruned in that time frame," said Art. "If you didn't cut that new growth every year...Then you can't cut it the following year...The buds won't form on old growth." Short -needled trees, on the other hand, are pruned between October and Christmas. Contrary to the pines, spruce buds are not fully de- veloped in the summer. "We prune every tree every year," said Art, adding he lets top leader branches grow up to one foot long per year. If the leaders are left on too long, they harden and can't be cut. This leaves gaps between whorls, or layers of branches as the tree grows. Although the Christmas season is the busiest for Art, easily providing full-time work, the rest of the year presents part-time duties -The Agate family clearly prefers re- sponsibilities the Christmas season presents over other year-round tree tasks. "It's just such a happy time of year," said Kim. Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications are Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTE Larry Gardiner, RR2, Staffa 78 Monis Willows, RR2 St. Pauls 48 Lorne Feeney. Mitchell 348-8853 Jack Hodgert, RR1, Kirkton 2294152 Joe Chaffs, RR5 Mitchel 348-9705 Michael O'Shea RR3 Granton 225-2600 AGENTS Wayne Mayer Exeter.... 235-1915 John Moore, Dublin .... 345-2512 Joseph Uniac, Mitchell 348-9012 Head Office, Exeter 235-0350 A refund from surplus was de- clared for all policy holders who qualify, are on record and in good standing as at Decem- ber 31, 1994. Out 1M Riese Soda 4" x 6" Halogen Flood $24.00 Trapezoid $17.00' 4" round Halogen Flood $17.00 AGCO Allis Super Premium Motor OIIs 15W40 CD 1I, CD, SH 10 U.S. qt. jug $17.80 AGCO Allis 821 Hydraulic 011 Exceeds our 50 Manufacturers Spec's S18 ■ 57 10 U.s. qt. 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