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