The Rural Voice, 1980-04, Page 8— 4
Ron Henry relaxes in the office of Henry
Farms, on County Rd. 25, outside the
village of Blyth. Ron, his two brothers and
his father operate a beef feedlot on a gravel
ridge outside town and the topography of
the farm allows them to leave the cattle
outdoors year round. (Photo by Gibb)
change their operations in the tuture, since
"you're strapped too much if you buy high
and sell low." Ron Henry said their feedlot
operation buys and sells a load of steers a
week, so their profit and losses average out
over the year. Right now, he admits, isn't
the best time for cattlemen - "Prices are
down, interest is awfully high and it
doesn't look like it will change for a few
months anyway." Another factor to consid-
er is that "we have to eat our way out of
this pork supply" which means consumers
may be buying more pork than beef while
pork prices are low. But Ron Henry is
optimistic that beef prices will pick up -
"They'll have to, or some guys won't make
it."
The Henry feedlot has already been the
subject of considerable interest - both from
farm publications, other cattlemen and the
public. The day the Rural Voice reporter
visited the tarm, a field crew trom UMAr
was shooting footage around the feedlot tor
a film to be shown at farm meetings.
But Ron Henry is the first to admit their
system isn't for everyone. Some cattlemen
just plain prefer to keep their livestock in a
warm barn. Also, the unique topography of
the Henry farm was a major factor in their
decision to introduce the open -style feedlot
although Ron Henry said cattlemen in the
west often build a hill in pens so their cattle
will have shelter.
But while this method isn't for everyone,
it's an impressive sight to see the cattle
contentedly feeding outside in weather we
might think isn't fit for man or beast.
PG. 6 THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1980
It pays!
Fertilize
RAGE
Forage fertilizer could be the best
investment in low cost feed you'll make.
And the payoff is quality protein —
as much as 1 ton from every acre!
Ask about custom spreading right now.
L.J4-"112 UNITED CO-OPERATIVES OF ONTARIO
U.C.O. BELGRAVE
Brussels Wingham Listowel - Auburn
887-6453 357-2711 291-4040 526-7262 Zenith 19920