The Citizen, 2008-08-14, Page 18The North Huron 4-H Sheep Club
recently returned from a three-day
excursion to Eastern Ontario. Nine
members and three chaperones visit-
ed Harinui Farm which is a large pas-
ture-based sheep farm on Waupoos
Island just off the shores of Prince
Edward County surrounded by Lake
Ontario.
The members were invited to the
island to help with weaning of the
lambs and shearing of the sheep.
The 4-Hers helped muster the 1400
ewes with their lambs, then drafted
the animals through a runway system
to sort the ewes from their babies.
The ewes then climbed the ramp to
the shearing floor where the members
would move the sheep into small
pens up in the shearing shed which
they would continually refill during
the day.
Professional shearers Don
Metheral and Gerald Gemmill would
shear approximately 450 ewes total
per day while the members were con-
stantly sweeping up the belly wool
that is kept separate from the fleece
and being the rouseabout which
means you pick up the fleece and
throw it over the table, to skirt the
fleece.
The soiled pieces were removed
and the wool was packed in the wool
presser. The press squashed the wool
into the wool bag.
Smoko breaks were taken after
nonstop shearing for two hours where
fresh baked goods were devoured
before the next session began. At
these times, the club members would
learn how they barge the sheep over
to the mainland before winter, then if
weather permits, they drive them
across the ice before the ice breaks up
in the spring with the help of their
dogs.
These sheep are housed outside all
year long where they are rotationally
grazed and watched from a distance
during lambing season. The Fleguel
family raises their sheep in a New
Zealand-style way that is generally
not practised here in Ontario.
From very early in the morning
until into the evening, the shearers,
the Fleguel family and the 4-H mem-
bers worked hard together, ate togeth-
er and enjoyed each other's company
as they took part in this very busy
time on Waupoos Island.
Sheep Club members also recently
went to the Canadian Sheep Classic
that was held this year in Ontario at
Ilderton. They participated in the
Ivomec Sheep Challenge against
other 4-H members.
They wrote a quiz on their knowl-
edge of the sheep industry and judged
a breeding ewe class as well as a mar-
ket lamb class. The members did
extremely well as three out of the
four top places were from the North
Huron club.
The North Huron 4-H Club has had
an exciting year of meetings and
activities. At Grazing Meadows farm
they toured the fencing demonstra-
tion and investigated 40 different
varieties of grasses that could be
planted on a farm. The members
learned how the cattle are rotational-
ly grazed throughout the summer.
This club had fun participating in
the Go for the Gold Competition for
Huron County.
The members are now preparing
for the 4-H Judging Competition and
getting their lambs ready for the first
show of the season at Bayfield Fair.
PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008.
4-Hers help out on eastern Ontario sheep farm
81st plowing match comes to Walton farmIt’s that time of year again, to getback onto the straight and narrow. The 81st annual Huron CountyPlowing Match will be run on
Friday, Aug. 22, with events running
from 7:30 a.m. well into the evening,
and the youth day, as always will be
on Thursday, Aug. 21.
This year the match will be held in
Huron East at Henry and Mary Ann
Grobbink’s farm just east of
McGavin’s Farm Equipment on
Walton Road.
Long-time Huron County
Plowmen director George Townsend
of Londesborough was one of the
orchestrators of the special events
last year. He helped put together aspecial class to be run in honour ofPaul Bettles, a long-time directorwho passed away in 2006. This yearTownsend has been integral in theevent as well, with his businessbeing one of the sponsors of the
Princess contest.
As has been the case for the last
few years, two ladies will be
crowned at the match, Thursday will
see the winner of the Princess con-
test crowned and then on Friday, the
Queen of the Furrow will begin her
reign.
Last year’s winner was Kabrina
Bishop of Brussels.
Townsend was one of the driving
forces behind the Princess contest in
its inception and is pleased to see the
first princess, Jory Wilts, take a shotat the Queen’s crown this year.Townsend says it makes himproud to see her go on to competefor the crown. He has also always supported thejunior day. In fact this year he will
have a grand-nephew who will be
plowing for the first time on
Thursday.
The two-day event will kick off on
Thursday morning, when the juniors
take to the fields to practise before
noon, when the plowing match
begins. At 11 a.m., the Princess con-
test will begin, where 12 girls aged
12 to 15 will compete. Townsend
sees this as a warm-up competition
for eventual Queen of the Furrow
contestants.
There will also be several activi-ties and exhibits set up for those noton a tractor. There will be antiqueand horse plowing, silent and liveauctions and agricultural displaysand exhibits.On Friday, the day begins early, as
a pancake breakfast is served from
7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and plowing
begins at 9 a.m. and will go until 3
p.m.
The Queen of the Furrow contest-
ants will give their speeches at 1
p.m. with the Queen to be crowned
later that night and just before sup-
per, local dignitaries, including host
and Huron County warden John
Bezaire will bring greetings from the
county to those in attendance.
There will be a barbecue supper at
5 p.m. Tickets are available fromMaja at 519-527-0686 before Aug.15, they are $13 for adults and $6 forchildren aged six to 12.The day will conclude with theaward presentations from the matchand the crowning of the new Queen,
an honour last year’s winner,
Margaret Vincent, daughter of North
Huron reeve, Neil Vincent, will have
to pass on.
Last year there were nearly 75 par-
ticipants plowing with both horses
and tractors and Townsend looks to
continue the tradition of local partic-
ipants winning big. Over the years,
over $42,000 has been won by
Huron County youth to further their
education, and Townsend hopes to
see that trend continue.
Shepherds
The North Huron 4-H Sheep Club recently spent time on a sheep farm in eastern Ontario. In
back, from left: Matt McNichol. Arden Coultes, Elliott Miller. Middle: Jacob Gemmill, Margaret
Vincent, Laura Higgins, Dominick Fleguel, Dallas Coultes. Front: Bailey Van Dopr, Emily
Moore and Kabrina Bishop. Chaperones were Chrystal Van Dorp, Helen Watson and Jacquie
Bishop. (Photo submitted)
Congratulations
Roy and
Donna Fischer
on your
50th Wedding
Anniversary
August 2
Celebrated with family and friends
Love, from your
family
Happy 30th
Anniversary
Mom and Dad
August 12
Love – Your Family
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen
Huron County co-chair Willi
Laurie is doffing her hat to the folks
from the county and beyond for their
generosity in the CT scanner for
Huron campaign. “We are rounding
the final lap with less than $500,000
to go.
As of July 31 the folks in the
Clinton postal code area have donat-
ed $63,623 to the cause, Bayfield
residents have fundraised $48,487
and Varna has pulled together
$12,205.
Brucefield, Hensall and Kippen
are just shy of $4,000 and Zurich,
Grand Bend and Dashwood have
donated $7,744. Seaforth and
Walton have pitched in $3,600 while
farther afield in Lucknow almost
$5,000 has been raised. Dungannon
has added a further $7,675 and
Auburn $9,955. Bluevale, Blyth,
Belgrave, Brussels and
Londesborough have raised a com-
bined $5,675.
“Thanks to our hardworking vol-
unteers and to all of you in the coun-
ty for your contributions,” said
Laurie.
To make a donation a cheque can
be written to the AMGH Foundation
(CT Scanner in the memo line) and
mailed to the AMGH Foundation,
120 Napier St., Goderich ON N7A
1W5.
CT campaign rounds final lap
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The Citizen