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The Citizen, 2015-01-22, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015. PAGE 11. Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Jan. 15 were 2,238 cattle, 541 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold on a strong active trade at prices $4 higher. Fancy steers and heifers sold $195 to $205. Choice steers and heifers sold $186 to $195. Second cut sold $180 to $186. Cows sold on a strong active trade at prices $3 to $5 higher. On Thursday veal sold on a steady market with heavier holstein calves selling barely steady. Lambs, sheep and goats all sold steady. On Friday all classes of cattle sold on a strong active trade with calves selling $3 to $5 higher and yearlings fully steady. Chris Smith of Brussels, consigned 11 steers that averaged 1,654 lbs. and sold for an average price of $194. One limousin steer weighed 1,590 lbs. and sold to Horizon Meat Packers for $205. David Bowles of Brussels, consigned five steers that averaged 1,611 lbs. and sold for an average price of $189. One black steer weighed 1,580 lbs. and sold to Horizon Meat Packers for $192. Costa Plenty Farms Ltd. of Wingham, consigned 12 heifers that averaged 1,492 lbs. and sold for an average price of $196. One limousin heifer weighed 1,445 lbs. and sold to Cargill Meat Packers for $198. Southlore Farms Inc. of Palmerston, consigned 17 cattle that averaged 1,361 lbs. and sold for an average price of $183. Two red heifers weighed 1,425 lbs. and sold to Clark Bros. Livestock for $191.25. There were 275 cows on offer. Export types sold $114 to $129 with sales to $134; beef, $128 to $140 with sales to $149; D1 and D2, $85 to $90; D3, $75 to $85; D4, $70 to $75. Les Falconer of Clinton, consigned three cows that averaged 1,422 lbs. and sold for $147. One black cow weighed 1,485 lbs., sold to Cargill Meat Packers for $149. There were seven bulls selling $82 to $145. Daetwyler Farms Ltd. of Atwood, consigned three cattle that averaged 1,238 lbs. and sold for an average price of $132. One holstein bull weighed 1,360 lbs. and sold to Butch Clare for $144. There were 175 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $185 to $235 with sales to $261; good holsteins, $175 to $180 with sales to $190; medium holsteins, $155 to $170; heavy holsteins, $145 to $160. Lamar Frey of Listowel, consigned two calves that averaged 860 lbs. and sold for an average price of $253. One limousin steer weighed 870 lbs. and sold for $261. John F. Martin of Wallenstein, consigned four calves that averaged 834 lbs. and sold for $232. One gold heifer weighed 780 lbs. and sold for $250. Jonathan Jantzi of Linwood, consigned nine calves that averaged 831 lbs. and sold for $244. One limousin heifer weighed 860 lbs. and sold for $249. Lambs, 50 - 64 lbs. sold $300 to $332; 65 - 79 lbs., $287 to $325; 80 - 94 lbs., $261 to $287; 95 - 110 lbs., $252 to $260/lb. Sheep sold $90 to $150. Goats: kids sold $150 to $300 with sales to $370; nannies, $80 to $130; billies, $150 to $300/lb. Top quality stocker steers, 400 - 499 lbs. sold $315 to $350; 500 - 599 lbs., $292 to $340; 600 - 699 lbs., $267 to $300; 700 - 799 lbs., $246 to $280; 800 - 899 lbs., $237 to $265; 900 - 999 lbs., $245 to $258; 1,000 lbs. and over, $228 to $239. Top quality stocker heifers, 400 - 499 lbs., sold $267 to $325; 500 - 599 lbs., $245 to $280; 600 - 699 lbs., $229 to $257; 700 - 799 lbs., $223 to $239; 800 - 899 lbs., $221 to $229; 900 lbs. and over, $204 to $228. After several years of sales and “a good run” the Huron County Beef Producers have discontinued their vaccinated sales. Proving that there is no rainbow without the rain, former Beef Producers President and current Beef Farmers of Ontario representative for Huron Harvey Hoggart said that extremely high beef prices forced the vaccinated sales program into folding last year. The numbers simply weren’t there to keep the program viable, Hoggart told the group at its annual meeting on Jan. 14, held at the Brussels Legion. “The prices have increased so much that you can sell any calf for an excellent price,” Hoggart said. “Anything sells; it doesn’t matter if it’s vaccinated.” Hoggart says there have also been advances in the world of antibiotics, so many producers will simply administer antibiotics to their animals to fight disease. There are continuing concerns, he said, with the animals developing a resistance to antibiotics, whereas if animals are vaccinated, that will be passed down to calves being born. There were also market concerns, Hoggart said, with the consistently successful Friday sales at Brussels Livestock. The Beef Producers had hoped to piggyback onto those successful sales in order to show their animals to a larger group of buyers, but the Beef Producers and Brussels Livestock just couldn’t get on the same page, he said. With 2,100 head of cattle on offer at a typical Friday sale, he said, adding another 500 head of vaccinated cattle would simply be too much, he was told. “We just couldn’t go on with the numbers we had,” Hoggart said. “We had a good run, but all good things have to come to an end.” A champion of the vaccination Walton’s Matt Shortreed to lead Beef Producers A new era The Huron County Beef Producers ushered in a new era last week at their annual meeting, held at the Brussels Legion, as Matt Shortreed, second from left, was named the organization’s president for the next term. Shortreed will be taking over for Bob Bennett, second from right, who was thanked for his service with the piece of art the two men are holding. Also on the executive are Secretary/Treasurer Kittie MacGregor, right, and Harvey Hoggart, left, the organization’s representative on the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO). (Shawn Loughlin photo) Walton’s Matt Shortreed was named the President of the Huron County Beef Producers (HCBP) at the organization’s Jan. 7 meeting at the Brussels Legion. In an interview after the meeting, Shortreed said he is excited to take on the role after several years as the vice-president for the organization. “It’s exciting, that’s for sure,” he said. “I’m not as big as some of the other producers, but I think I’m going to do a good job.” Shortreed said that his family had cattle until his father passed away and the barn space was rented out. However, in 2004, the family started maintaining a herd once again. “We have some of our own and custom feed some other animals,” he said. “We work with about 200 head and rent out space in other barns.” Shortreed said that stepping into the position wasn’t a surprise because he had been vice-president for several years and said he didn’t envision implementing a lot of change under his tenure. “I’m stepping in at a good time here,” he said. “Prices are high and the industry is as prosperous as it has been in a long time.” He said that he is looking forward to representing the HCBP at the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) meetings in Toronto over the next several years, but he said that, as an organization, the HCBP is looking forward to the International Plowing Match in 2017, which is being hosted just around the corner from Shortreed’s Walton-area farm. “We’re looking at getting geared up for that and helping where we can,” he said. “Aside from that, it will be good to be at the BFO meetings and be a voice for Huron County.” Bob Bennett of RR1, Gorrie, outgoing president of the Huron County Beef Producers, says he enjoyed his three years at the head of the organization and that he learned a lot about the industry, as well as life. During his president’s report at the Jan. 14 meeting at the Brussels Legion, he said that 2014 had been a very interesting year for beef producers throughout Ontario and all over Canada. New markets in new countries had opened up, he said, which were all good news for beef producers in Huron County, who are among the best producers in the world. “Demand is on the rise and that’s thanks to the hard work of the producers,” he said. He said that while beef prices are at their highest level in recent memory, producers shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking they can’t do better still. “I know we’ve reached a new plateau, but even with this, there is potential for growth and profit,” he said. Bennett thanked the group for the privilege of serving as its president for three years, saying he learned a lot in that time. Before ending his speech, Bennett called for a moment of silence to remember 41-year-old Dave Johnston of Morris-Turnberry who tragically died as the result of a farming accident earlier that week. A friend to many at the Legion that night, Bennett said, he and his family will be in his prayers. To wrap up his report, Bennett wished the best to incoming president Matt Shortreed of Walton, who had served the previous term as first vice-president. BP discontinue vaccinated sales TUESDAYS 9:00 a.m. Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows THURSDAYS 8:00 a.m.Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Lambs, Goats & Sheep FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. Stockers Call us 519-887-6461 Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES Agriculture Brussels Livestock report Fed steers, heifers sell on strong trade BLYTH 519-523-4244 www.hurontractor.comHensall 519-262-3002 | 1-800-265-5190 | www.hdc.on.ca Multiple Locations across Southwestern Ontario · GRAIN ELEVATORS · CROP PRODUCTS · PETROLEUM & PROPANE · FEEDProud to be farmer-owned. wouthoss Srrotions accraoccaMultiple L ensall 519-262-3002 | 1-800-265-5190 | wH V· GRAIN ELE d.wneo farmer-o bee ud tPro · FEED · PETROLEUM & PROP · CROP PRODUC arioern Onttaesttewwe a.on.c.hdcwwensall 519-262-3002 | 1-800-265-5190 | w ORSTAATV ANEM&PROPPA ST· CROP PRODUC Get breaking farm news on the Rural Voice section of our website at www.northhuron.on.ca By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Continued on page 17