The Rural Voice, 1981-03, Page 6Optimistic, independent
Mack and Janet Webster [top] take a breather during the busy calving period on their
Varna - area farm while [below] Mare Ellen and Mark take a close p_look at the
livestock. [Rural Voice Photos]
PG. 4 THE RURAL VOICE/MARCH 1981
BY ALICE GIBB
While many employees can count on a
cost of living increase annually, the beef
producer has learned to live with cycles -
and with the fluctuating income that
results. Cattlemen, with a reputation for
being both independent and optimistic.
must believe like Mack Webster of Varna
that "things will be better" or they
wouldn't stay in the game. After all. as
Webster points out, "they can't get much
worse or there won't be any beef."
Mack Webster and wife Janet own a
cow -calf operation named Bannockburn
Farm, outside the village of Varna. Right
now, they have 59 cows. including horned
and polled Hereford, which they mate
with a polled Charolais purebred bull.
January and February - months when
many farmers have a breathing space -
are their busiest months. since that's
calving time at the Websters.
When the Websters started the
operation, calves were planned for the
spring. But the Websters decided to
change to the winter months, since
they've found Tess problem with disease
and the calves seem to be bigger. The
Websters keep the calves until the fall
stocker sale in Hensall, when calves
average about 500 pounds. Last year,
they sold 55 calves to local buyers.
The family owns 100 acres of land
along the winding Bannockburn River,
and rents another 100 acres from Mack's
father. Of this, 40 acres is riverflats, and
can't be used for anything but
pastureland, since the river overflows its
banks almost every spring. Still, Mack
said. the land "is a good grass farm."
Webster puts his cows out on grass
from May until November. and in the
winter months, feeds them ensilage,
straw and hay. The calves are creep -fed,
which means they get straight oats for
part of the year.
When Rural Voice visited the
Websters, they were right in the midst of
calving - with two veru pregnant cows
expected to deliver any minute. The
inside of the barn was a bit like a hospital
maternity ward. Webster said when they
know a cow is doing to calve. they stay up
later, and then check the barn at 3 a.m.
and again at 6 a.m. Webster said usually
there aren't anycomplications, since
most of the cows are older and
experienced at motherhood.
But three years ago, during a
particularly hectic period when nine
calves arrived in 36 hours, and Mack was