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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-05-15, Page 26Page 26 Times -Advocate, May 15, 1996 FARM ]IMATF Gray Ridge Farms develop better quality "natural" egg LISTOWEL-"We've taken a good egg and made it better." That's how Bill Gray, pres'dent of L. H. Gray & Son Limited, de- scribes a new egg developed by the company at its Gray Ridge Egg Farms, in Moorefield, east of Lis- towel. The company's "Natural Brand Omega 3" egg will be available throughout Ontario, beginning May 21. Authorized by both Agriculture and Health Canada, the new product will be welcomed by people who love their eggs, but worry about cholesterol and the wrong kind of fats. According to nutrition information supplied by the company, the Natural Brand Omega 3 egg, compared to a regular egg, will have 43 per cent more polyunsaturated fats, 38 per cent less saturate fat, five times the Vitamin E, 14 per cent less cholesterol and the same amount of protein and energy. The Natural Brand egg also looks and tastes the same as a regular egg. The secret behind the new egg is the addition of flax to other all natural ingredients fed Leghorn laying hens at Gray farms in Moorefield. The addition of flax which con tains an abundant source of ome- ga-3 fatty acids, results in these 'good' fats turning up in the egg yolk. Five Years Mr. Gray said it has taken the company five years to develop the new egg. In that time the compa- ny's nutritionist has worked closely with researchers at the University of Guelph. Mr. Gray is proud of the fact the development was carried out with out the assistance of government grants. "This was privately funded. We have a nutritionist on a retainer and the testing was done right on our own farms." To meet market demands from Windsor to Oshawa to Timmins to Sault Ste. Marie, the company will begin by supplying a total of !0,000 dozen eggs per week. Some 30,000 Leghorn hens are now on the flax enriched diet. Should the market demand more eggs, Mr. Gray said it takes a lay- ing hen four weeks on the flax en- riched diet to begin producing Omega eggs. "We might be able to do it a bit faster, but we're giving it a full four weeks," he said. "We will be marketing only large sized Natural Brand Omega 3 eggs," Mr. Gray said, adding small sized eggs will go into regular production. "We sell to all the major retail outlets and many independent stores as well," Mr. Gray said. Natural Brand Omega 3 eggs will,; retail at $2.49 to $2.69 per dozen, which is about a dollar higher than the price for a dozen regular large eggs. Mr. Gray said flax is a costly grain to add to other natural ingredients fed to hens. Company History Beginning in Ridgetown, Gray Ridge Egg Farms is a family busi- ness that has been producing, grad ing and distributing fresh eggs in Ontario since 1934. The best breeds of laying hens are monitored and housed in temperature controlled layer barns, such as the ones located at Brussels livestock sales Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending May 10, 1996. Fed cattle 628 Cows 223 Veal calves 184 Lambs 139 Stockers 1960 Pigs Light run. The market at Brussels Livestock saw fed steers and heifers selling $5. high- er. Cows sold $2. - S3. higher. On Thursday the veal traded S5. lower with the Iambs selling steady. On Friday all classes of stockers sold $112 There *ere 362 steers on offer sell inrfrOtrr'MOD fo of 95.00. Twenty steers consigned by Cunningham Farms Lucan averaging 1380 lbs. sold for an average of 82.99 with sales to 91.50. One hundred steers consigned by Mac Willits, Wingham averaging 1416 lbs. sold for an average of 82.25 with sales to 90.50. Fourteen steers consigned by Allan Rundle, Exeter averaging 1236 lbs. sold for an average of 86.61 with sales to 89.85. Seven steers consigned by Charles Ready, St. Marys averaging 1281 lbs. sold for an average of 85.22 with sales to 88.25. Seventeen steers consigned by Murray Shiell, Wingham averaging 1415 lbs. sold for an average of 80.27 with sales to 87.25. Eleven steers consigned by Fred and Clyde McClure, Walton averaging 1235 lbs. sold for an average of 81.97 with sales to 85.00. Ten steers consigned by Woodham Farms, Woodham averaging 1306 lbs. sold for an average of 78.27 with sales to 84.50. Nine steers consigned by Harglen Holstein Farms, Crediton averaging 1311 lbs. sold for an average of 77.21 with sales to 84.40. There were 178 heifers on offer selling from 78.00 to 85.00 to the high of 94.00. Twenty-six heifers consigned by Leroy Gould, Exeter averaging 1145 lbs. sold for an average of 84.21 with sales to 94.00. Seven heifers consigned by Krueger Bros., Cambridge averaging 1049 lbs. sold for an average of 75.84 with sales to 87.25. Three heifers consigned by Edgar Jones Ayton averaging 1120 lbs. sold for an average of 81.69 with sales to 85.95. Ten heifers consigned by Frank Roney, Staffa averaging 1343 lbs. sold for an average of 77.96 with sales to 81.75. Four heifers consigned by Leonard Knoll, Elmwood averaging 1224 lbs. sold for an average of 80.73 with sales to 81.75. Three heifers consigned by George Chenleburgh, Wingham, averaging 1286 lbs. sold for an average of 77.88 with sales to 80,50. Two heifers consigned by Irvin Schenk, Petersburg averaging 1167 lbs. sold for 80.00. Three heifers consigned by Ferg A. Jantzi, Dublin averaging 1043 lbs. sold for an average of 76.20 with sales to 79.50. Ten heifers consigned by Murray McKechnie, Port Elgin averaging 1232 lbs. sold for an average of 75.35 with sales to 79.50. Two heifers consigned by Howard Bender, Listowel averaging 1268 lbs. sold for 78.50. There were 224 cows on offer selling from 35.00 to 53.00 to the high of 63.50. Two cows consigned by Harold Hossfield, Mildmay averaging 1110 lbs. sold for an average of 52.89 with sales to 63.50. One cow consigned by Stuart Hackett, Lucknow weighing 910 lbs. sold for 62.00. Seven cows consigned by K & A Beef Farms, Wroxeter averaging 1367 lbs. sold for an average of 56.91 with sales to 60.00. There were 31 bulls on offer selling from 48.00 to 67.00 to the high of 70.50. One Limo bull consigned by Everts Stege, Palmerston weighing 1530 lbs. sold for 70.50. One Limo "ul) consigned by Robert Hohnstein, Mildmay weighing 2190 lbs. sold for 70.00. There were 184 veal on offer selling -- beef, 70.to 99.00. Hol. 50.00 to 60.00. Plain Hol. 50.00 to 50.00 A veal consigned by Dave Elphidt, Lucknow, weighing 765 lbs. sold for 90.00. A Limo veal consigned by Adam Hope, Staffa, weighing 835 lbs. sold for 87.00. A Char. veal consigned by David Erb, Wellesley, weighing 665 lbs. sold for a 85.00. Lambs: under 50 lbs. 127.50 to 154.00 50-80 lbs. 134.00 to 145.00 Sheep: 32.00 to 46.00 Goats: 100.00 to 136.00 Stockers Steers: 400 - 499 lbs. 61.00 to 95.00 500- 599 60.00 to 99.50 600 - 699 68.25 to 90.75 700- 799 69.75 to 91.00 800 - 899 68.50 to 90.00 900 & over 70.00 to 88.50 Heifers: 300-399 71.50 to 84.50 'x • 499 54.00 to 91.00 500.599 57.00 to 93.50 600•699 62.501016.00 700.799 60.50 (0 75.60 100 t over 59.00 (0 80.50 Moorefield. Hens are fed all natural in gredients. Utilizing modern equipment and technologies, Gray Ridge Eggs is able to produce eggs having the best possible shell and interior quality. Egg grading facilities in Listowel and Strathroy process Gray's own eggs and eggs purchased from Ontario egg producers. These egg grading facilities are less than six years old and have the latest in modern equipment that ensures the product is healthy and safe. The Gray company states its eggs are never touched by human hands, and its facilities are supervised by Agriculture Canada to confirm high standards of produc tion. Eggs are shipped fresh through out Ontario in specially equipped trucks, assuring customers that Gray Ridge eggs arrive in the best possible condition. Dietary Fat It has been known for some time that Canadians eat too much saturated fat which is a major fac- tor in the development of heart dis- ease. Since fat is not formed by the body, but must come from food, diet is of major concern. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, high fat diets tend to raise blood cholesterol levels. And as blood cholesterol goes up, so do the chances of having a heart attack or stroke. The health of one's heart depends on keeping one's blood cholesterol under control. This in turn means being careful about the amount of fat one eats. However, the good news is that there are different kinds of dietary fat, some of which are good, and some considered bad. For example, saturated fats tend to raise blood cholesterol, so one should not eat too much of these fats. Most saturated fat comes from animal foods such as meat, poultry, milk, cheese and butter. It also is present in tropical oils such as palm, palm kernel and coconut oil. On the other hand, polyunsatu rated fats help to lower blood cho lesterol. These fats come mostly from nuts, fish and vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower and corn oil. Omega-3 fats, such as those found in Gray's new Natural Brand eggs, tend to lower blood triglycerides (a type of blood fat also involved in the development of heart disease). Besides the new egg, people can increase the amount of omega-3 fat in their diet by eating more fish. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadians are now getting about 40 per cent of their calories from fat. Diets would be healthier if this figure could be lowered to 30 per cent. This means the average woman needs to cut about 20 grams of fat, and a man about 30 grams of fat. According to nutrition informa- tion supplied by L. H. Gray , based on Health and Welfare Canada nutrition recommendations, fe- males aged 25 to 49 require 1.1 gram of omega-3 fats per day. Males aged 25 to 49 require 1.5 grams. According to the Gray company, two Natural Brand eggs will supply 0.8 grams of omega-3 fats. This amount to 73 per cent of the daily requirement for females and 53 per cent for males. Agriculture Minister raises questions TORONTO( . upg b A at# ris has questions regarding the ani' nouncement of the creation of an Ontario crown agency called Agri - corp. At a hastily called press confer- ence, Minister Villeneuve an- nounced that several services now under OMAFRA's jurisdiction will be downloaded to Agricorp by re- pealing and replacing existing leg- islation. How is this new agency to be funded? Who will make the deci- sions on its operations? Who will pay for the services? What will this do to ensure Ontario farmers will be competitive 10 years from now? "If farmers are to be charged user fees they must be allowed to con- tribute to the administration of Ag- ricorp. Farmers must have the op - portunit�y :to actively. participatt 4, •difcis4"pris1that `'ei'feci :the'tr''fb °ta Ad to ensure maximum benefit is derived from scarce dollars," said Tony Morris. It is essential that the government listen to farmers and allow farm or- ganizations to appoint the majority of members to the board of direc- tors of this new agency. To remain a competitive indus- try, it is critical that we have the very best research and education facilities. The future of agriculture and agri-food and this prbvince de- pends on it. "I am more interested in ensuring farmers in Ontario have the tools they need to move into the next century, than in the elimination of some outdated pieces of legisla- tion," said Tony Morris. J Bill Gray, president of L.H. Gray & Son Limited, holds one of tht; company's new Natural Brand Omega 3 eggs. The company spent five years developing the more nutritional egg that will be on the market May 21. ACC loans help with planting CLINTON - The Agricultura Commodity Corporation (ACC provides an alternate source of op crating capital at a competitive rate for the planting of crops. Last year for example, the interest rate on loans was between 0.6 per cent to one per cent below prime. Current ly the interest rate is 3/4 per cen below prime. Loan amounts are cal- culated as owl:, .•�erm.a,a crop insurance guarantee per. X number of acres for each crop. The Loan rate for several spring crops is as follows: Corn - $2.15; Soybeans - $5.15; White beans - $14. and colored beans - $18. In addition to these loan rates the ACC will directly pay premiums for crop insurance on all spring seeded grain and oilseed corps. The maximum loan is $750,000 with no minimum. Administration fees for the loan are based on the loan amount. In addition a 2.1 per cent holdback will be deducted from each loan cheque issued, and 2 per cent plus interest will he returned to the pro- ) ducer when the loan is repaid in _ full. You must carry crop insurance for all the crops that you request a , loan on. Loans are advanced in two stages; up to 50 per cent may be advanced after your application is ' _ approved, the remaining 50 per t cent is forwarded once the ACC re- ceives your final crop acreage re - rt issued ll ..omp,.,iy8 ans tof'gr3 •Ts`either sold, f tri livestock, or the latest, February 28, 1997 i for grains, oilseeds, apples, and 1,3ta- toes. Loan requests currently may take up to three weeks to process. Application forms are available from the Ontario.Ministry of Agri- culture, Food and Rural Affairs of- fice in Clinton, some input sup- plies, Farm Credit offices, or directly from the Agricultural Commodity Corporation at (519) 766-0544. Denfield Livestock Sales Ltd. The market at Denfield traded on a very strong demand at prices 8.00 - 10.00 CWT higher on all classes of slaughter cattle. Cows sold strong at prices 5.00 CWT higher. Pigs sold steady, sows and boars strong. Gord Hardy, Lucan sold 10 steers ave. wt. 1398 lbs. ave. price 84.71 sales to 95.00 purchased by Holly Park and 94.75 purchased by M.C.I. Norm Hodgins, Parkhill sold 19 steers ave. wt. 1336 lbs. ave. price 82.75 sales to 93.75 purchased by M.G.1. Bob Hodgins, Lucan sold 19 steers ave. wt. 1485 lbs. ave. price 82.18 sales to 93.00 purchased by Holly Park. Don Eedy and Mark Vanderploeg, Denfield sold 11 heifers ave. wt. 1219 lbs. ave. price 84.77. Jamie Hodgins, Parkhill sold 2 heifers ave. wt. 1178 lbs. ave. price 87.40. Choice steers 85 - 90 sales to 95. Good steers 76-82 Plain steers 65-70 Choice exotic cross heifers 83-88 sales to 92.00 Good heifers 76-82 Common and medium 60-70 Good cows 50-60 sales to 63.00 Canners & cutters 38-45 Shells 25-35 Bulls 50-62 Ken and Jeff White, Denfield sold a bull 2005 lbs. at 62.00 A light run of stockers sold steady Pigs: 40-60 lbs. 80-95 Sows 45-52 Over 60 lbs. 70-80 Boars 40-45 8BORLAND FARMS m8 m (519) 23 6-0 66 7 (RES) (519) 660-9689 (MOBILE) a19) 642-8797 (iPAGER) 8 Custom No -till min -till drilling r• Custom stone picking% I► . • Picking • Windrowing • Hauling I'8 Farm account books have arrived CLINTON - The wait is over! A good supply of farm account books have arrived at the Ontario Minis- try of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office in Clinton. If you would like an account book, please call the Clinton office at 482-3428 or 1-800-265-5170. The office is open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you would like to pick one up on person. Linda Dillon Clinton Field Office. Brian Hall Business Management Advisor Clinton Field Office FARM B.MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE Specializing In: • Farm & Municipal Drainage • Clay & Plastic Tile installations • Backhoe & Dozer Service • Septic System installations For Ouality, Experience, & Service call; Wayne Cook. (519) 236-7390 R.R.2 Zurich, Ont. NOM2TO L I MIT tit4gt-I aixtai1k11�1.La_ 1. 1kigiaLlteatatassetstscax! .00.ROkant_ Hensall Livestock Sales Ltd. Klppen Ontario Located 1/2 mile east of K/ppen on County Road #12 Receiving Fat Hogs - Tues. and Wed. 7 a.m. - Noon Sows and Boars - Weighed upon arrival. Tues., a.m. only Local and western stockers arriving daily Shipping fat cattle, cows and veal Tuesday and Saturday For information call Office 519-263-5370 Barry Miller 519-235-2717 Truck 51946616956 Jeff Warelflg U9.268-2941 ri