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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-12-31, Page 1010 Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 31, 2008 SAG R C :TURF] IJ Canadian Agriculture's needs remain At a time when national and internation- al corporations are knocking on govern- ment doors in need of financial assistance, farmers in Ontario and Canada have to be wondering what this means for agriculture. We as individual farmers and as farm organizations have to ensure that our gov- ernments, both provincial and federal, rec- ognize the investment opportunities offered by agriculture. In Ontario, we have proven to all levels of government that agriculture produces a generous supply of safe food, but in addition to that we re contributing clean and green energy for the rest of soci- ety and we re providing wildlife habitat and a host of other ecological services. Jobs are a major consideration for our governments as large corporations face financial difficulties and downsizing that threaten employment stability. In Ontario, the agri-food sector is behind almost 700,000 jobs everything from growing and harvesting the food to processing, transportation and retailing. Keeping this number of people employed is a major responsibility, and Ontario farmers take that responsibility seriously. We fully understand what s at stake if the auto sector doesn t get the support it needs to stay in business -we know society needs a pay cheque to be able to continue buying the food and energy we produce. We hope our governments can achieve the delicate balancing act needed to bring everyone out of this recession in a healthy condition. As 2008 drew to a close, OFA reminded our federal minister of agriculture and agri- food of promises made but left unfulfilled - such things as the 100 million dollar install- ment for the Cost of Production Program, promised by the government as part of a 10 -year program to help farmers survive escalating cost- of -production increases. Emergency advances need extending Our cattle and hog farmers need to see emergency advances extended for another year; beginning farmers need programs adjusted to their needs; and farmers enrolled in the CAIS Inventory Transition Initiative and the kickstart Initiative are still waiting for final payments totalling about 130 million dollars.Compared to other demands from a variety of sectors totalling in the billions of dollars, agriculture s needs may appear small, but they are very essen- tial to the country s second largest industry. We have also reminded our federal min- ister of the ongoing need for support for regional programming. The Prime Minister and the Minister re -stated their commit- ment to funding the Risk Management Program during the October election cam- paign, and Ontario farmers need to see that promise fulfilled along with the develop- ment and implementation of like programs for horticulture and livestock. There was also a promise to reduce the federal excise tax on diesel fuel used by farmers - that doesn t amount to a lot of money, but when each farmer gets that tax refunded, it will mean a greater amount available to operate the farm. Better regulations needed There are also policy initiatives agricul- ture needs from the federal government that won t require a payment. Topping that list is better regulations for product of Canada labeling. Canadian farmers are waiting for Prime Minister Harper to deliv- er on his promise to improve the regula- tions that Canada has in place to better inform consumers of where the food they are buying is produced. Some work has been done on this issue, but we understand there is a broad lack of agreement between all the partners involved in changing labels on food. Our government needs to deal with this issue immediately. Running a country isn t easy, and Ottawa is in a state of flux right now. But we remind all of our federal politicians of the tremendous contribution agriculture makes to our economy and our society and we work to ensure agriculture s best interests are reflected in the upcoming budget and policies. This can only be good for the country. By Bette Jean Crews, president Ontario Federation of Agriculture Rapid thaw leads to high water levels t` ' x,!11' 0!. T. .4111 December thaw Unseasonably warm tempera- tures on the weekend, coupled with rain, resulted in a rapid thaw, which saw high waters at MacNaughton Park in Exeter and at Morrison Dam.Above and at right are scenes at MacNaughton Sunday afternoon, while below is Morrison Dam. (right and below photos/Scott Nixon; upper photo/PeterTgahrt) \116"P" - Fed steers and heifers sell on steady market Brussels livestock report for the week ending Dec. 23 Total Receipts: 1,155 head of cattle, 1,365 lambs and goats Summary: Tuesday Fed steers and heifers sold on a steady market on a light offering. Choice steers and heifers sold 97-100 with sales to 110. Second cut sold 95- 97, cows $1-$2 higher. Thursday: Veal sold on a good active trade. Lambs, sheep and goats sold higher. Friday: Calves and yearling sold on a steady market. Steers: There were 15 steers on offer Ryan Sholdice of Brussels consigned one limo steer weighing 1,340 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for 110 Brian and Bill Dallner of Atwood con- signed four steers averaging 1,418 lbs. sell- ing for an average of 99.17. With one blk steer weighing 1,400 lbs. selling for 100.75. Heifers: There were 48 heifers on of- fer. Barry Skinner of Mitchell consigned 20 heifers averaging 1,231 lbs. selling for an average of 96.14, with one char heifer weighing 1,305 lbs. selling for 99.50. Lawrence B. Martin of Harriston con- signed three heifers averaging 1,220 lbs. selling for an average of 95, with two red heifers averaging 1,223 lbs. selling to Holly Park Meat Packers for 96.75 Amsey Gingerich of Wingham consigned three heifers averaging 1,103 lbs. selling for an average of 93, with one bwf heifer weighing 1,025 lbs. selling for 93. John Sherk Jr. of Clifford consigned one red heifer weighing 1,345 lbs. selling for 93. Cows: There were 100 cows on offer. Beef Cows: 50-58 with sales to 69, D1 and D2 40-49, D3 30-40 Ritzema Farms of Seaforth consigned four cows averaging 1,319 lb.s selling for an average of 51.89, with one hol cow weighing 1,065 lbs. selling for 69. Rick Portena of Monkton consigned five cows averaging 1,218 lbs. selling for an av- erage of 42.90, with one hol cow weighing 1,400 lbs. selling for 67. Klaas Steebeek of Varna consigned four cows averaging 1,504 lbs. selling for an av- erage of 49.86, with one hol cow weighing 1,705 lbs. selling for 61.50. Bulls: Not enough to establish a market. Veal: There were 184 head of veal on of- fer Beef: Good Holstein 110-130 sales to 139, 95-105 sales to 116 Medium Holstein 85-95, Plain and Heavy Holstein Plain: N / A Good Heavy: 90-100 Brandon Coleman of Kippen consigned three veal averaging 710 lbs. selling for an average of 134.96, with one char heifer weighing 695 lbs. selling for 139. Moses J. Shetler of Lucknow consigned four veal averaging 694 lbs. sell- ing for an average of 132.38, with one char heifer weighing 715 lbs. selling for 135. Mike Durnin of Auburn con- signed nine veal averaging 713 lbs. selling for an average of 131.28. With two char steers averaging 735 lbs. selling for 137.50. Lambs: under 50 lbs. 320-365, 50 - 65 lb.s 247-365, 65 - 80 lbs 158-332, 80-95 lbs. 150-267, 95-110 lbs. 147-200, 110 lbs. and over N/A. Sheep: 44-75 with sales to 97 Goats: Kids -70-130 with sales to 148 per head Nannies: 70-100 Billies: 200-300 Top Quality Stocker Steers: un- der 400 lbs. 81-126, 400 - 500 lbs. 94.50 -128, 500 - 600 93-115, 600-700 89-115.50, 700-800 84-102, 800-900 89.50-105, 900-1,000 90-106.75, over 1,000 91.50-103.10 Top Quality Stocker Heifers: under 300 lbs. 78-82, 300 -400, 82-106, 400 - 500 85-107, 500-600 77-109.50, 600-700 92.50-105, 700-800 68-101.75, 800-900 91.50-100.50, over 900 lbs. 90.50-98.50. Do you know of a former South Huron District High School student who has gone on to do big things since graduation? The Times -Advocate would • like to include them in an • upcoming series of • feature articles intended to • answer the question, • "Where Are They Now?" IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHOSE STORY WOULD BE INTERESTING TO OUR READERS, PLEASE CONTACT BEN AT bforrest@southhuron.com OR BY PHONE 519-235-1336 EXT. 114