Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-05-12, Page 15Wednesday,May 12, 2004 Itallstartsonthe a culture 15 TIMES—ADVOCATE Conservation Ontario launches new brand identity NEWMARKET — Conservation Ontario has launched a new brand to reflect their renewed commitment to providing the best service possible to the people of Ontario in managing the province's natural resources. "Our new brand, tagged Natural Champions, is a statement of our contin- ued commitment to excel- lence in watershed man- agement," said the Chair of Conservation Ontario, Peter Krause. "Conservation f Authorities (CAs) have been in the business of managing natural resources in this province for almost 60 years and are a natural choice to continue this important work, particularly in source protection plan- ning," he said. There are 36 Conservation Authorities located throughout the province. Conservation Ontario (CO) is their non-govern- mental umbrella organi- zation. FARM BRIEFS Paving the way to business success The Government of Canada, in partnership with the provinces, has introduced new initiatives to help the agriculture and agri-food sector. Planning and Assessment for Value -Added Enterprises (PAVE) and the Specialized Business Planning Services (SBPS) are now available. PAVE is available to producers considering estab- lishing or expanding a value-added enterprise. The SBPS offers producers access to funds to help pay for consultants to assist in preparing detailed business or succession plans for their farm opera- tions. These new initiatives are part of the toolbox pro- ducers can draw on to become more competitive and profitable, and expand their operations. They are currently available under the renewal element of the Agriculture Policy Framework in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The remaining provinces and territo- ries are expected to join the programs soon. Our man in Asia Face-to-face discussions with key trade partners are one route the Government of Canada is follow- ing to re -open borders to Canadian beef. Recently, the federal government appointed Dr. Norm Willis as senior technical advisor in Asia. Based in Tokyo, Dr. Willis will provide detailed information about Canada's Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) risk management measures and food safety system to agriculture and health officials in Japan and other Asian markets. Additionally, he will promote the adoption and implementation of internationally recognized trade requirements with respect to countries that have detected low levels of BSE. Dr. Willis has impressive credentials. He was Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada, Executive Director of the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease and is a past president of the world organization for ani- mal health, the OIE. Dentie d Livestock V ar et ' error The market at Denfield Livestock Sales traded on a good demand on the fancy well-fed cattle with heavy plainer cattle under pressure. Cows sold steady to the weekend decline, Holstein bull calves strong, sows and boars strong. Ross & Henry Duff, Croton sold 19 steers avg. wt. 1500, avg. price 92 sales to 95 purchased by Norwich Packers. Norm Hodgins, Parkhill sold 13 steers avg. wt. 1467 avg. price 82.39. Morley Hodgins, Parkhill sold 12 steers avg. wt. 1471, avg. price 81.56. Glen and David Minielly, Wyoming sold 11 heifers avg. wt. 1195, avg. price 83.42 to a high of 97.25 purchased by Norwich Packers. Doug Easton, Exeter sold 8 heifers avg. wt. 1266, avg. price 80.41 with sales to 93.75. Choice steers: 90-95; Good steers: 80-86; Plain steers: 70-80; Choice exotic cross heifers: 90-97.25; Good heifers: 78-84; Plain heifers: 50-70; Good cows: 25-30; D1 and D2 cows: 20-25; D3 and D4 cows: 15-20; Shells: 8-12; Bulls: 30-60; Good Holstein bull calves: $175-$235; Good Sows: 50-55. CAs are community- based environmental organizations that man- age natural resources on a watershed basis in Ontario and are governed by locally elected and/or appointed representa- tives. "The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority has the distinction of being the first CA formed within Ontario in 1946." Tom Prout, ABCA General Manager, said. Almost 90 per cent of the Ontario population, or just over 10.5 million peo- ple, live in watersheds managed by Conservation Authorities. Conservation Ontario will promote the net- work's collective brand through CO's new Web site, at trade shows and conferences and through public relations cam- paigns. "This renewed brand embodies the promise of Conservation Authorities to the people of Ontario to continue providing pro- grams and services that promote healthy water- sheds," stated Richard Hunter, General Manager of Conservation Ontario. "It is a commitment to ensuring the quality of life we all want," he said. Conservation Authorities are legislated under the Conservation Authorities Act to safeguard the province's natural resources and ensure their future economic and environmental viability. While early efforts focused on the protection of people and homes from flooding and erosion, Conservation Authorities have a very broad man- date. Over the years, Conservation Authorities have addressed all aspects of watershed management including protection of water quality and quantity, afforesta- tion, natural habitat, landowner assistance, environmental education and recreation. More recently, Conservation Authorities are taking an important lead role in source protec- tion planning as recom- mended by Justice O'Connor in the Walkerton Inquiry in 2002. Conservation Authorities are the only agencies in Ontario organized on a watershed basis. Conservation ONTARIO Natural Champions Funding available for environmental projects AUSABLE BAYFIELD — Funding is available to help rural landowners with projects in the Ausable River, Parkhill Creek and Bayfield River watersheds to pro- tect or improve water quality. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) co-ordinates these grant programs and has staff to help landowners prepare a funding application for a local peer review committee. Grants may cover up to 100 per cent of project costs although grant availability may vary across water- sheds. The following stewardship projects are eligible for funding: • Fences, crossings and watering devices to eliminate cattle access to watercourses. • Planting trees, shrubs and grasses on erodible farmland, floodplains and valleylands. • Planting trees, shrubs and grasses to establish buffer strips. • Increasing forest cover. The Parkhill Creek and Ausable River watersheds are the focus of the Habitat Stewardship Program Species at Risk funding. In addition to the above projects, there are 50 per cent grants to a maximum of $4,000 for liq- uid manure spreading equipment modifications to reduce runoff and tile drain contamination. Applications for manure spreading equipment are due May 31. Similar funding is also available for conservation tillage equipment to reduce cropland erosion. Landowners may be eligible for more than one grant. To receive grant application forms, call the ABCA at 519-235-2610. The ABCA also provides advice on options for addressing environmental problems on farms and rural properties. Stewardship projects to improve water quality have been identified in the Ausable River Recovery Strategy for aquatic species at risk. The river has a highly diverse aquatic community that has historically sup- ported over 83 fish species, 24 species of freshwater mussels and over 21 reptile species. This variety of aquatic life makes the Ausable River one of the richest watersheds of its size in Canada. Several of the species found in the Ausable River have been listed as special concern, threatened or endan- gered at the provincial, national and/or global levels. Protecting and improving the river will help ensure the long-term survival of all aquatic species — especially those at risk — and ensure watershed residents can use and enjoy the river. Brussels Livestock report Brussels Livestock Market Report for the week ending May 7, 2004. Total Receipts 2,751 head of cattle, 721 _ lambs and goats Summary Tuesday: The fed steers and heifers sold $2 to $3 lower. Fancy and double muscle steers and heifers sold 90 to 95 with sales up to 104.25. Choice steers and heifers sold 82 to 87 and 2nd cut steers and heifers sold 78 to 82. The cows sold under pressure at sharply lower prices. Thursday: The veal traded on a steady market while the Iambs sold on a strong active trade with the heavy lambs selling at higher prices. Friday: The calves traded on a steady market while the yearlings sold at prices $2 higher. Steers There were 356 steers on offer. Abner Bauman, Wroxeter consigned one limo steer weighing 1305 Ibs which sold for 104.25. His overall offering of five steers averaged 1375 lbs selling for an average price of 88.45. Forty-three steers consigned by Stan Francis, Kirkton averaged 1571 lbs selling for an average price of 80.99 with his top blonde steer weighing 1500 lbs selling for 103.75. Keith Kirk, Shallow Lake consigned one blk steer weighing 1265 lbs which sold to Norwich Packers for 96.75. His overall offering of ten steers averaged 1398 lbs selling for an average price of 92.90. Heifers There were 225 heifers on offer. Wayne Rowe, Woodham consigned one red heifer weighing 1280 lbs which sold to Dominion Meat Packers for 100. His over- all offering of twenty-eight heifers aver- aged 1218 lbs selling for an average price of 85.13. Five heifers consigned by Andy VanderVeen, Blyth averaged 1283 lbs sell- ing for an average price of 89.52 with his top gold heifer weighing 1285 lbs selling for 93.25. John Martin, Lucknow consigned one sim heifer weighing 1385 lbs which sold to Holly Park Meat Packers for 88.75. Cows There were 234 cows on offer. D1 & D2: 25-35 sales to 45; D3: 20-25; D4: 10-15; Shell Cows: 5-10. One red wf cow consigned by Bob Perkins, Dobbinton weighed 1770 lbs which sold for 42.50. His overall offering of four beef cows averaged 1610 lbs selling for an average price of 33.09. Jason Beirnes, Listowel consigned one red cow weighing 1130 lbs which sold for 42. Two limo cows consigned by Mike Hern, Woodham averaged 1293 lbs selling for an average price of 32.85 with sales to 39.50. Bulls There were 15 bulls on offer selling from 15 to 48 sales to 67. Murray & Debbie Duncan consigned one blk bull weighing 2375 lbs which sold to Levinoff Meat Packers for 48. One limo bull consigned by Vern Willoughby, Listowel weighed 1495 lbs selling to Dominion Meat Packers for 34.50. Veal There were 196 head of veal on offer. Beef: n/a; Good Holstein: 55-70 sales to 74; Medium Holstein: 40-50; Plain Holstein: 30-40. One hol veal steer consigned by Dan & Joanne Baarda, Blyth weighed 700 lbs sell- ing to New Market Meat Packers for 74. One gold veal heifer consigned by George Ducharme, Dashwood weighed 690 lbs which sold to Millgrove Meat Packers for 73.50. Chris Weigand, Parkhill consigned one hol veal steer weighing 715 lbs which sold to New Market Meat Packer for 70. Lambs under 50 lbs: 100; 50-65 Ibs: 108-135; 65-80 lbs: 123-141; 80-95 lbs: 129-135; 95-110 Ibs: 126-136; 110 lbs and over: 85- 117. Sheep 25-55 Goats $11-$71 Top Quality Stocker Steers under 400 lbs: 94-121; 400-500 lbs: 93.50-145; 500-600: 93-127; 600-700: 96- 128; 700-800: 94-117; 800-900: 87- 100.50; 900-1000: 85-112.25; over 1000: 81.50-92.75. Top Quality Stocker Heifers under 300 Ibs: n/a; 300-400: 91.50-108; 400-500: 90-121; 500-600: 84.50-115; 600-700: 82.50-107; 700-800: 85-104; 800-900: 81-94.50; Over 900 lbs: 80-89.50.