The Rural Voice, 1982-08, Page 11on sorghum requires some planning as at
some stages of growth, this plant
produces a poison. When they studied the
crop, university scientists advised them to
avoid poisoning by making sure the sheep
were fed hay before turning them into the
sorghum pasture and to have some hay in
feeders available to them at all times.
Some rams will fight when they are
together in one pen with a flock of ewes.
This can be quite violent at times. Bill
says. "We went into the barn yesterday,
and they backed up and banged their
heads together. You could just feel the jar
when they did that."
Bill says one old fellow with a lot of
experience in sheep told him he was going
into trouble-free livestock. Either they
were healthy or they died. While that may
have been true at one time, Judy and Bill
chorus. it isn't anymore. Vaccinating for
such things as pulpy kidney is a must.
Ticks are no problem. They can't
survive in our cold winter climate without
a "wool blanket" and the Geddes' sheep
are shorn twice a year.
Marketing is still a headache for sheep
producers. Too often a large number of
farmers bring their lambs to market on the
same day. This saturates the market and
drives the price down.
Bill and Judy think a better marketing
system with more stable prices would be
appreciated by both the consumer and the
producer.
Judy. who is vice-president of District 2
BULK BINS
• Galvanized Feed Bins,
• Automatic Feeding
• Limit drop systems
• Flex augers
AEROVENT
VENTILATION
• Fibreglass &
stainless steel fans
• aerobaffle inlet
Affon
Sales 8 Service
Contact
NORTH-WEST EQUIPMENT SALES
RR .71 DRUMBO
ONTARIO NOJ 1G0
J. Douglas Holmes
519-463-5666
sheep association, says the organization is
trying to find a better marketing system.
Bill is happy he didn't over -extend his
resources. He did buy the 50 acre farm
next door but he doesn't think this will
cause too much of a problem.
The Geddes family have done most of
their own building but Bill bought one
building from the plowing match when it
was held in Bruce county. and re -erected it
on the farm. This barn now holds
hundreds of Iambs.
While sheep is their main source of
income they didn't neglect the security of
additional livestock. They also have a pig
operation for diversification and security.
So. it's not all gloom and doom in Bruce
county.
H. KUNTZ
MANUFACTURING INC
Gee*, Feeders & Equipment
BEAN PULLERS
equal to the best on the market are now being
manufactured in St. Jacobs at much lower
prices. Mig welded for superior strength.
Limited quantities. Buy direct or through
these local dealers and others.
Phair Farm Supplies
L F I Farm Supplies
Charles Fortner
Harvey Ratz Ltd.
Gerald Edwards
Dresden
Clinton
Ilderton
Shipka
Thedford
H. Kuntz Manufacturing Inc.
46 Isabella St., St. Jacobs, Ontario
(519) 664-2820 NOB 2N0
THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1982 PG. 11