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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-06-26, Page 22Page 20 Times -Advocate, June 26, 1996 a n may shorten strawberry season by inns tr Starke T'y! Psporrar KIPPEN - The combination of a late spring and a humid, . *et start to summer May shorten this year's strawberry sea- son. "A few more days of tain and the berry season will be over with," said Leonard Lovell of Lovell's Berry Farm oh Monday, following intermittent days of rain and warm tem- peratures, Strawberries need rain while they are green and forming in size but too much rain when they ripen, accompanied with humid temperatures, can cause them to rot. Four or five days of such weather is enough to cause damage. Be- sides, it's difficult to find pickers willing to work in the rain. Although the berries can be picked two to three days ahead, berry farmers ideally prefer to pick and sell the same day. "There's nothing more perishable than a strawberry," said Lovell, "because they're so close to the ground." Strawberries have a short, unpredictable season and they're being harvested a week late this year due to the late spring. In the berry business, the weather is critical and eve- ry day counts. "The weather forecast drives you crazy," said Lovell, who opened Friday after a six-day delay. "Opening day is very difficult...lf you wait too long, then you lose money." June 15 is the target date for starting strawberry season, which, according to Lovell, can last from five days to two and a half weeks and depends on when the blossoms set. Blossoms setting at different times is ideal. When the ber- ries ripen all at once it causes problems for growers be- cause they often rot before they can be picked. Describing the last two years as good years for straw- berries, he recalls having "red fields" a few years ago. Heavy picking usually comes a week after opening the sea- son and good crops are sent to stores. Late varieties mature at the end of lune. Although the beanies were off to a slow start this year, Lovell claims they are las than a week behind and are not faring as poorly as local corn and soybeans, which have taken a beating with the late spring, delayed planting, and recently, excessive rainfall in the Exeter region. ` But according to Lovell, growing strawberries is "very la- bor intensive." "It's a little more complicated than some crops," he said, explaining blossoms must be picked by hand the first year they are planted. Each year soil must be hold and vines trained to grow in rows. "You plant them in perfect rows but they would meet if you let them," he said. As well, irrigation helps control frost while straw added to rows in the fall and removed In the spring keeps the soil temperature more consistent, controls weeds and keeps ber- ries clean. Although some Ontario growers are facing a rise in de- mand with the news of a parasite that has attacked the American crop, Lovell said he hasn't noticed a difference in demand. The parasite, called Cycolspora, is transmitted by con- . taminated foods such as strawberries. It causes loss of ap- petite, weight loss, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fa- tigue, muscle aches, low grade fever and diarrhea. According to a recent press release from the Huron County Health Unit, symptoms usually begin a week after eating the contaminated foods and can last from nine to 43 days. The illness can be avoided by thoroughly washing imported berries and cooking them. The press release states Dr. Richard Schabas, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, advises that until further no- tice, imported strawberries should not be consumed by peo- ple with weakened immune systems, such as those on chemotherapy or with HIV. Leonard Lovell displays local strawberries, which are now ready to pick. Depending on weather conditions, the berry season can last from five days to two and a half weeks. Denfield Sales The market at Denfield Livestock Sales met a good demand at steady prices on all classes of fed cattle with the fancy hard fed cattle selling strong at premium prices. Cows sold a little lower, bob calves sharply higher, pigs a little tower. Bob Hodgins, Lucan had the high sale at 1.0150 purchased by Dendeck- er Meats. Cord Hardy. Lucan sold 4 steers ave. wt. 1405 lbs. ave. price 88.56. Mac Parker, Watford sold 5 steers a ave. wt. 1224 lbs. ave price 85.30. Hugh Lynch, Hyde Park sold 26 steers ave. wt. 12.' i lbs. ave. price 84.81 sales to 96.75 purchased by Mike's Meats. Morley Hodgins, Parkhill sold 14 steers ave. wt. 1278 lbs. ave. price 85.10 - sales to 96.00 purchased by Dendecker Meats. Norman Hodgins, Parkhill sold 31 steers, ave. wt. 1324 lbs. ave. price 84.12. Ken and Jeff White, Denfield sold a Limousin bull 1550 lbs. at 80.00 pur- chased by Dendecker Meats. Choice steer - 85-90 sales to 1.0150 Good steer 80-83 Heavies and plain steers 70-80 Choice exotic cross heifers 83-90 Good heifer 73-80 Common and medium 63-75 Bulls 60-80 Good cows 45-50 sales toss Canners and cutters 35-42 Shells 25.33 Good veal sold stronger 63-73 No choice on offer Pigs 40-60 lbs. 63-80 Over 60 lbs. 63.73 Sows 30-60 Boars 40.50 Ontario strawberries, hOwerrer, are she. Although Lovell notices there are more glowers around the region compared to 10 years ago, **also notes "they're in and out so fast," trying the crop for a few years before giving it up. After 27 yettits of being in the strawberry business, Lo- vell, who grows eight acres of the fruit, claims "every year's a bit different than the year before," adding the pick - your -own trend seems to be waning in popularity. Be admitted he made more money in berries when he first began because all the berries were picked, therefore causing less waste. "We could sell all our berries through pick-your- own...It's not as predictable now as it was 20 years ago." Because people are busier, and better off financially, he explained, "Over the years people (who) want to pick their own is declining...It's a trend all over Ontario...These are trends that keep changing." While middle-aged and senior people continue to pick their own berries, he said, fewer younger people tend to do so. The price of berries has risen approximately 20 cents dur- ing the last 10 years and there is a huge savings when peo- ple pick their own. At an average of 75 to 90 cents per quart, that price doubles when they are purchased already picked. Lovell also notices how eager people are for berries even when they're not ready. Social events that depend on straw- berries, he explained, are usually held before local berries are ripe. Huron County growers, he said, do not often get a chance to service such events. "About a week before we're ready, the phone starts to ring." Of all the berries, he added, "strawberries have the strongest demand...(They're) the very first fruit of the sea- son." Farmers need to pull together "What is it about human nature that only wishes the worst for our farming neighbours?" Editor's Note: Although it is not T -A policy to publish unsigned letters, we felt this one deserved special recognition. ' 2 pAtlittlislMtFarn�ilt 3` A'jat'ini51 potra'h. growing conditions seems tgghave brought out the worst in a harming community that should be pulling together. It started off with rumors about land rent. The stories got bigger all the time. Farmers that were not even involved were dragged into the most ridiculous lies. Land owners got involved by pitting farmer against farmer, ly- ing about bigger farmers coming in to steal land so the owners could jack up the price. Then came the rain. Instead of commis- erating with each other, one group of farmers is laughing at the ones who have not got crops planted, another group is laughing at the ones who planted in mud. Haven't we all heard, "those small farmers who planted wet will have terrible crops in the fall," and "those big farmers have way too much land and they get what they deserve." Do we all need a kick in the butt!? What is it about human nature that only wishes the worst for our farm- ing neighbours? We all sit in church together, and our kids go to sc1 ate tunnel, as suet ;! ba are turned, knife i§ up to the hilt. If this letter makes you mad - good! It is food for thought in a time when we should quit gos- siping, believe half of what you see and nothing what you hear, and start appreciating how nice it is to be part of a successful community where there is a place for everyone, big and small. Name Withheld Berry tips 'Mek fir the Morning or ire after- noon to avoid excessive suit expok sure. *Wear loose clothing that covert, arms ind lep so prevent scratches and sunburn. Durable boots, gar - *Ong gloves, a hat and sun block Ihring liquids to quench thirst; a stfaw mat to kneel on and storage containers and coolers to store ber- ries is the car. • •Berry Hotlines Ontario berry growers provide currant information for availability and picking of strawberries, raspberries and blue- berries in lune and July at 1-800- 263-3262. L FARM CREDIT CORPORATION The Farm Credit Corporation is Canada's Largest Long•Term Agricultural Lender, Dedicated Exclusively to the Financial Needs of Canadian Farmers. ► lit gO`er Long-7brm Loans and One Year Convertible or Fixed Loans FCC can finance equipment and livestock using security other than real estate. F'C'C c n nowmance di bit To discuss your financing needs at your farm or at our office, please tall: 482-5115 or 1-800-567-6659 FCC SCA Farm Credit Corporation SodeS du aidk apricots Canada AO Van Ouoka estinJahn Becker, Dais Mcl.otad and Gerald VMI Meta thous lirtm equIpl»ent at an Exeter combine clic* hekll Ofr Due to the Canada Day Holiday, there will be NO Blue Box pick up on July 1, 1996 with the exception of the Village of Zurich and the Townships of Hay and Biddulph ' Regular Monday pick up will resume on July 8. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. FARM CREDIT CORPORATION The Farm Credit Corporation is Canada's Largest Long•Term Agricultural Lender, Dedicated Exclusively to the Financial Needs of Canadian Farmers. ► lit gO`er Long-7brm Loans and One Year Convertible or Fixed Loans FCC can finance equipment and livestock using security other than real estate. F'C'C c n nowmance di bit To discuss your financing needs at your farm or at our office, please tall: 482-5115 or 1-800-567-6659 FCC SCA Farm Credit Corporation SodeS du aidk apricots Canada AO Van Ouoka estinJahn Becker, Dais Mcl.otad and Gerald VMI Meta thous lirtm equIpl»ent at an Exeter combine clic* hekll Ofr