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Times-Advocate, 1996-05-22, Page 21FARM ilPD/-ATF Times -Advocate, May 22, 1996 Page 21 Planting delay causes concern for farmers Although farmers aimed to plant corn in mid-May, the critical period is not until June By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter HURON/MIDDLESEX/PERTH COUNTIES - With the delay of sprink has come a delay in plant- ing. April's cool, wet. Marco -like weather gave way to a May that has offered the occasional sunny, warm day between frequent showers. Prior to the recent heat wave, area fanners expressed concern about getting crops in and growing. But as Crediton area farther Oerald Van Osch put it, "It's Set too late yam., "I find the farmers all a little edgy this year," he said, adding he advises them, "Don't look at the calendar. Look at the soil." Although many corn growers in the area ideally prefer to plant by May 10 or 15, the critical late point doesn't hit until June. But a standard estimate indicates every day corn is left unpianted be- yond mid-May, it costs growers one bushel of yield per acre, de- pending o-pending on soil conditions. Last week Alan McCallum, crop advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Af- fairs in Clinton, said farmers may decide to begin planting an "earlier maturing hybrid." Gerry Lynn, a farmer near Clandeboye, was cultivating la4t week In preparation for com planting. "We're a week behind," he said at the time. 'We'll get the heat units later on and make up for it. Since then, temperatures have soared Into the late 20's, giving some area farmers a chance to get out on the land. However, rainfall has been plentiful. Brussels livestock sales Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending May 17, 1996. Fed cattle 754 Cows 272 Veal calves 149 Lambs 187 Stockers 1426 Pigs Fed steers and heifers at Brussels Livestock sold on a good strong active trade at steady prices. The cows also sold steady. On Thursday, veal sold on a fully steady active trade with lambs also selling steady. On Friday stockers were selling on a good strong active trade at prices 52-53 higher. There were 460 steers on offer selling from 78.00 to 85.00 to the high of 95.25. Twenty-four steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1382 lbs. sold for an average of 83.11 with sales to 95.25. Eight steers consigned by Sellers Farms, Bluevale averaging 1376 lbs. sold for an average of 86.06 with sales to 93.25. •1 Twenty-five stars consigned by n, Brussels averaging 1401 is. sold for an average of 82.51 .75. ' Ten steers consigned by Jerry Cronin, Dublin averaging 1541 lbs. sold for an average of 73.73 with sales to 90.50. Twenty-nine steers consigned by Kada Farms, Blucvate averaging 1323 lbs. sold for an average of 83.47 with sales to 89.00. Ten steers consigned by Delton M. Martin, Holstein averaging 1287 lbs. sold for an average of 80.55 with sales to 88.75. Forty steers consigned by Dale and John Taylor Farms, Creemore averaging 1425 lbs. sold for an average of 78.61 with sales to 88.00. Nine steers consigned by Allan Dunbar, Belgrave averaging 1484 lbs. sold for an average of 78.64 with sales to 85.50. Twenty-one steers consigned by Barry Thompson, St. Marys averaging 1533 lbs. sold for an average of 76.99 with sales to 84.50. Eleven steers consigned by Terry McCarthy, Dulbin averaging 1498 lbs. sold for an average of 81.82 with sales to 84.00. There were 261 heifers on offer selling 78.00 to 85.00 to the high of 85.25. Fourteen heifers consigned by Mux Lee Farms, Woodstock averaging 1259 lbs. sold for an average of 83.52 with sales to 85.25. Sixteen heifers consigned by Wayne King, Gorrie averaging 1084 lbs. sold for an average of 79.35 with sales to 34.50. Three heifers consigned by Bob McNaughton, Kippen averaging 1163 lbs. sold for an average of 75.42 with sales to 84.25. Six heifers consigned by Walter L McClure, Seaforth averaging 991 lbs. sold for art average of 72.90 with sales to 83.75. two heifers consigned by Alf Lieboid, Ayton averaging 1172 sold for an av- erage of 81.13 with sales to 83.75. Ope heifer consigned by Robert Thomson, Ripley weighing 1060 lbs. sold for 83.00. Four heifers consigned by Steve and Allan Finkbeiner, Crediton averaging 1248 1bs. sold for an avemgo of 79.99 with sales to 82.50. Thirty-seven heifers consigned by Wayne Rowe, Woodham averaging 1248 lbs. sold for an average of 77.94 with sales to 82.40. Five heifers consigned by David Bowles, Brussels averaging 1066 lbs. sold for an average of 76.36 with sales to 81.00. Six heifers consigned by Stanley Wright, Feversham averaging 1180 lbs. sold for an average of 76.81 with sales to 80.75. There were 272 cows on offer selling from 35.00 to 53.00 to the high of 60.00. Four cows consigned by Paul Diebel, Ayton averaging 1214 lbs. sold for an average of 46.12 with sales to 60.00. Three cows consigned by Larry Kydd, Flabaton averaging 1300 lbs. sold for an average of 49.06 with hales to 56.00. Three cows consigned by Scheurleens Farms, Teeswa e r averaging 1310 lbs. sold for an average of 51.90 with sales to 55.00. Thee were 20 bulls on offer selling from 51.50 to 61.25 to the high of 69.25; Three bulb consigned by Geo De Block, London averaging 1705 lbs. sold for an average of 62.32 with sales to 69.25. Two bulls consigned by Wright Farms, Moorefield averaging 1247 int. sold for an average of 63.18 with sales to 67.25. There were 149 veal on offer. Beef: 70-00 to 110.00. Hol. 55.00 to 65.00. Plain Hol. 40.00 to 35.00 Six veal consigned by Allan McKinnon, Shallow Lake averaging 706 lbs. sold for an average of 82.47 with sales to 110.00. One veal consigned by Shawn Haelzte, Gayle weighing 685 lbs. sold for 99.00. Seven veal consigned by Dominion Peel, Bluevale averaging 674 lbs. sold for an average of 79.90 with sales to 94.00. Lambs: under 50 lbs. 123.O0to 140.00 50.80 Ibs.126.00 to 160.00 Sheep: 34.00 to 51.00 Goats: 34.00 to 87.00 Steers: 400 - 499 11x. 500 - 599 600-699 700 - 799 800 - 899 900 ik. over Heifers: 300-399 400 - 499 500.599 600-699 700-79' 800 * over 74.00 to 91.00 67.50 to 100.00 71.00 to 102.00 70.00 to 89.00 70.00 to 92.00 69.00to75.75 59.45 to 78.00 59.00 to 94.00 57.00 to 80.00 63.50 to 85.00 58.00 to 77.50 58.50 to 69.25 Van Osch doesn't plan to switch any of his varieties until June. "It's been a while since we've had this kind of weather," said Paul Klopp, who farms near Zurich. "It rains every other day, it seems...The biggest thing is the temperature of the ground." Not only has the soil not been dry enough for planting, prior to last weekend's balmy temperatures, it also hasn't been warm enough for seeds to germinate. "Even the weeds aren't ger- minting," said Merton area farmer Ian Goudy, last Wednesday. "Everything's late." According to McCallum, crop heat units had not yet been re- corded by May 15. The units con- sist of temperature averages taken over three consecutive days with a mean temperature higher than 12.8 degrees. However, lack of heat units also means fanners * have theoretically not lost growing time since any- thing planted was not yet growing last week. "We really are not at a critical point yet," said McCallum, adding corn is gradually being planted now as the weather warms up. With area hay fields beginning to grow. pointed out Klopp, "that's an indication the ground's getting warmer." Gerald Dearing, a Exeter area farmer, said although the weather A flock of suflblk sheep graze on a twin near Elimville last week when the temperatures were still cool. has "backed corn up a little bit," he doesn't feel there's a problem until towards the end of May. "It's getting late but I'm not...sure that it's as critical as people think," agreed Goudy. "It's a lot later than what we've been used to." He feels it's too early in the season to determine any long- term crop outcome since good growing conditions later in the summer may make up for a late spring. Besides, he pointed out, get- ting crops in early doesn't guar- antee success. In 1992 he plant- ed corn by May 10 but remembers it as one of the worst summers, with cool, damp con- ditions and frost in mid-June. While there has been concern about getting corn in on time, soy beans aren't planted until late May or early June. Klopp planted his grain in mid-May, a crop usually started mid to late April. According to the May 14 Ontario Farmer Held and Crop Report, although "a few producers have planted enough (corn) to set their plant- ers," a few scattered areas of grain have been planted in Hu- ron and Perth Counties between periods of rainfall and there has been some concern over the ef- fect of late planting on yields. Harry Schroeder, who farms in the Centralia area, said his mixed grain planting would be a few weeks late this year. As well, he ad- mitted "it's likely too late now" to spread manure for his corn. In Mid- dlesex County, manure storage on many farms is near its limit. In the Zurich area, however, manure spreading and irrigation seem to be happening right on time, according to Klopp. As for winter wheat, winterkill has struck crops Wow -Ontario, particularly in the eastern part of the province, subjecting them to thaws, rain, cold temperatures and on top of that, a cool spring. As a result, the wheat board may have a problem meeting market de- mand. Farmers with crop insurance have until June 15 to tear up a win- terkilled wheat field and replant it with another crop. "It's been a pretty hard year on winter heat this year," said McCal- lum. Potatoes have also had a tough start with the spring of '96. Bert Visscher, of Visscher Farms near Dashwood, said most of his plant- ing is on schedule, partly due to uti- lizing a lighter type of soil. How- ever, his potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli are about half a week be- hind in growing. "A lot of fields aren't fit yet," he explained. "We're not going to have an early crop of potatoes." New field services manager appointed for OMAFRA CLINTON - On May 13 Dan Carlow assumed the duties of Field Service Manager for the OMAFRA field offices in Clinton and Strat- ford. Carlow replaces Jim O'Toole, who retired from the Ministry on February 29. Dan Carlow has served in several positions within OMAFRA r over the past 12 years, the most recent Field Services, Manager for the Ni- sigara offices; of- Vineland and/Pen- wick. Prior to that he was the Agri- cultural Representative for Niagara South. Carlow brings a strong agricultu- ral background to the position. He graduated from the University of Guelph in 1984 with a B.Sc.'degree in Agriculture. He was raised on a dairy and cash crop fain in Peter- borough County. This farm is cur- rently owned acid operated by Dan's brother. The position 'of Field Services Manager is responsible for the management and coordination of the human and, physidal resources of`the' field Mete " and prov:3es leadership to ensure effective pro- gram delivery in Huron and Perth Counties. Carlow will be based at the Clin- ton field office. Denfleld Livestock Sales Ltd. The market at Denfield met a good demand at prices showing some improvement from the week- end decline, with the fancy well fed cattle bringing a premium. Cows sold steady, stockers under pros - sure, pigs strong, sows and boars strong. Don Hedy and Mark Vanderpioeg, Denfield sold 11 heifers ave. wt. 1225 lbs. average price 83.09 to a high sale of 95.25, pur- chased by Norwich Packers. Doug Robinson, Dresden, sold 8 head average weight 1194 lbs. average price 84.22 to a high of 95.50 purchased by Dendekker Meats. Claire and Kevin Schwartz, Crediton sold 11 heifers average weight 1254 lbs. average price 82.13, to a high of 93.25 purchased by Norwich Packers. Bill Woodburn. Parkhill sold 18 steers average weight 1298 lbs. average price 80.05. Mike Pickering, Dashwood told 5 steers average weight 1552 lbs. average price 80.79. John McUncbey, Parkhill, sold 10 steers average weight 1264 lbs. average price 79.90. Norman Hodgins, Parkhill sold 15 steers average weight 1470 lbs. average price 79.35. Ken and Jeff White Denfield, sold 3 bulls average weight 1658 lbs. average price 64.37. Choice steers 80 - 85 to 95.50. Good steers 75. - 80 Plain steers 55. - 70 Choice exotic cross heifers 80.00 - 85.00 sales to 95.25 Good heifers 73-79. Common and medium 60-72 Good cows 45.50 sales to 55 Cannes & cutters 35-40 Shells 20-30 Bulls 45-69.50 No choice veal on offer Plain veal 42-60 A light run of rockets lacking quality sold steady. Holstein bull calves sold from 25.00 to 125.00 Pip: 40-60 lbs. 65.-80 Sows 45-55 Ova 60 lbs. 60-70 Boars 40.46 apmalp mTTTmmappro. B. 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