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The Citizen, 1989-10-25, Page 18THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1989. PAGE 19. Huron’s present, future discussed with OMAF The problems of present day Huron county and possible solu­ tions for the future were discussed at a special “community focus” meeting held in Clinton Thursday night. About 30 people from around Huron County took part in the Livestock report Active market, prices higher at Brussels sale The market at Brussels Livestock Inc. Friday met an active demand, with choice slaughter cattle selling $1.00 higher than last week. There were 202 slaughter cattle and 141 pigs on offer. Good to choice steers sold from $84 to $86.75. Five steers consigned by Jake Versteeg of RR 2, Clifford, averag­ ing 1112 lbs., sold for an average price t>f $85.97, with sales to $86.75. Two steers consigned by Ron Gordon of RR 2, Blyth, averaging 1260 lbs., sold for an average price of $84.88 with sales to $85.25. Three cattle consigned by Bob McPhee of RR 3, Auburn, averaging 1173 lbs., sold for an average price of $82.52. Five steers consigned by Allan Koch of RR 1, Gowanstown, aver­ aging 1068 lbs., sold for an average price of $82.29, with sales to $84.25. Fifteen cattle consigned by Richard Siegel of RR 5, Kincardine, averaging 1039 lbs., sold for an average price of $82.19. Good to choice heifers sold from $84 to $87. Grain stabilization deadline extended The deadline for the second year of the Ontario Farm Income Stabili­ zation Plan has been extended to Dec. 31, 1989, from Oct. 1, 1989. The voluntary, three-year plan, which began in 1988, covers corn, NFU worried about beef countervail National Farm Union Red Meat committee Chairman Ellard Powers of Beachburg reported to the Eastern Ontario zone meeting in Smiths Falls on the beef situation in Ontario. Powers pointed out ‘‘the loss of local abattoir’s and the distances cattle have to travel was removing any profitability in the cattle busi­ ness”, he explained. ‘‘Cattle sold over the rail were being downgrad­ ed due to the stress from long trucking and without rest time at the packing plant. The demand by packers for larger loads means smaller shippers have to rely on drover and auction bam buyers for their markets. This automatically reduces the profitability of these cattle for small producers”, he concluded. In addition Power predicted the imposition of a countervail duty on exports to the United States would not be limited to hogs in the very near future. event sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF). The people taking part (from about 90 invited) came from a variety of businesses and profes­ sions from farmers to merchants to professional planners. The group members were asked NeilSix heifers consigned by Rintoul of RR 2, Lucknow, averag­ ing 1105 lbs., sold for an average price of $84.01, with sales to $87.00. Seven heifers consigned by Delmar Sproul of RR 3, Auburn, averaging 1060 lbs., sold for an average price of $83.41, with sales to $84.50. Seven heifers consigned by Herb McLean of RR 1, Conn, averaging 1044 lbs., sold for an average price of $83.38 with sales to $84.75. Seven heifers consigned by Jerry McPhee of RR 3, Auburn, averag­ ing 1020 lbs., sold for an average price of $81.56. Fifteen heifers consigned by Bruce Corrigan of RR 1, Bluevale, averaging 1118 lbs., sold for an average price of $81.13, with sales to $84.60. DI and D2 cows sold from $52 to $56; D3 and D4 cows, $48 to $52; bulls, 1600 lbs., and over, $63.25; 1600 lbs. and under, $70.25. Weaner pigs under 40 lbs., sold to a high of $74.67; 41 - 50 lbs., sold to a high of $67.46; 51 - 60 lbs., sold to a high of $42.58; 61 - 70 lbs., sold to a high of $47.83; over 70 lbs., sold to a high of $62.50. soybeans, barley, oats, winter wheat, spring wheat and canola. Participating growers receive a supplementary payment from the stabilization fund in years when market prices are depressed. No fee or crop production esti­ mates are required to enroll. To be eligible for the plan, producers must agree to complete, sign and return a crop sales report each year. The 20 per cent penalty for late enrolment by eligible producers for the second year of the plan has been eliminated for the period up to Dec. 31, 1989. Any forms postmarked after that date will be accepted for the third and final year of the plan at a 20 per cent penalty. Payments will be limited to the two-thirds of the plan funded by the provincial government. Producers who enroled in 1988 for the three-year /program will receive acknowledgement of their enrolment later this fall. Enrolment forms will be avail­ able at local agricultural offices later this month. Yields down Continued from page 1 bag yields we’ve gotten used to in the past,” he said. On top of yields being lower, a lot of growers had trouble getting the whole crop off because the plants were so short because of the summer’s drought. Still, he said, what crop was harvested was of good quality. to deal with four questions: 1. What have been the significant changes in this county during the past 10 years? 2. What do you anticipate will be the significant changes in the next 10 years? 3. What are the major issues this county is currently facing? and 4. What creative new directions are emerging to resolve any of the issues identified? What creative approaches need to be initiated? Issues ranging from the fact there are one third fewer full-time farmers left on the farm and the resulting impact this has on busi­ nesses serving the farmer, to soil degradation, to the increasing con­ cern for environmental problems; to the gaps in income between the well-to-do and the poor with fewer people filling the middle ground in farming communities were identi- . fied. Predictions for changes before tfie year 2000 included a growth in the number of tenant farmers as farmers find it harder to finance purchase of farms and more out­ siders look at farmland as an investment; an influx of urbanites 4-H club holds show for BY JOHNNIE MINERS The Achievement program the Brussels 4H Rabbit Club was held at the Brussels Fair on September 20. All members showed some of the rabbits that they had raised during this project. The rabbits were judged, according to type, and condition. The members also did showmanship, where their hand­ ling of their animals was judged. Classes were: Senior Doe - Kent Bray, Bobby Steiss, Johnnie Min­ ers, Wanda Martin, Barb Alexan­ der, Wayne Alexander; Senior Buck - Grant Martin; Junior Doe - Johnnie Miners, Kent Bray; Junior Buck - Kent Bray, Johnnie Miners; Doe with Litter - Wanda Martin. Showmanship is judged on mem­ ber appearance and attitude, the rabbit, showing, lift and carry, presentation and examination. First was Johnnie Miners; second, tie - Wanda Martin and Bobby Steiss; Third, Grant Martin; Fourth, Barb Alexander; Fitth, Kent Bray and Sixth, Wayne Alexander. Ribbons were presented to the members by Nick Geleynse from OMAF. An excellent job was done by the judge Mr. Jim Chambers of Wing­ ham, who gave the members many pointers on the qualities to look for in meat rabbits and on showman­ ship. NOTICE TO ALL CATTLEMEN For Further Information Call: 887-6461 ob 529-7970 Brussels Livestock looking for country quality of life and the problems this may bring for farmers; a reduction in the number of full-time farmers; more environmental concerns and in­ creasing problems providing ser­ vices for a population that is growing older. Later the group was broken down into discussion groups to look at specific problems identified in the earlier discussion. The group discussing the envir­ onment called for greater use of recycling and better education into environmental problems. They call­ ed for pressure to be put on government and for consumer pressure to get more environmen­ tally sound products. The group discussing changing attitudes to food called for more education of the consumer through a co-operative effort of producers, industry and government involving processors and retailers. A group looking into the problem with rural people’s image of them­ selves felt the solution was to start at the local level to get people acting as a community through neighbourhood and community meetings as well as working to counteract some of the backward images of farm people used even in ads to sell farm products to farmers. A group looking at farm incomes talked about the growing gap between rich farmers and poor farmers with few people in the middle. Farmers must first be educated on the problem, the group said, because if farmers can’t see the problem, how can MONOWAY FARMS YORKSHIRE LANDRACE Wayne Fear duroc and Sons hampshme Quality Swine Approved Boars Priced $300 and up • ROP PerformanceTested giltsand boars from a herd with very good mothering ability •QSF1 YorkxLandracegilts, open or bred, available on a regular basis. YORK,LANDRACE, HAMPSHIRE, DUR0C& DUROTCXHAMPBOARS Herd Classified Good * * by theAnimal Industry Branch; Quality Swine Approved Contact Wayne Fear at MONOWAY FARMS 6MILESWEST OF BRUSSELS ON HURON RD. #16 Call Wayne anytime at 519-887-6477 Call Gord at noon or after six p. m. at 519-887-6668 Q.S. Rep. Don Ruttan 887-9884 Between 7:15 and 8:15 a. m Brussels Livestock is now offering to all of their customers a special commission rate of $4.00 per head on Fat Cattie. anybody else be expected to see the problem? The group said there must be a change in attitude and that farmers must farm more like it is a business than a way of life. There must be more emphasis on alternative in­ come for farmers, they said. The group also worried about the influence of the major media outlets where the only time farming seems to make the news is when a new subsidy program is announc­ ed. Information from the Huron con­ ference will be taken to a two-day conference in November at which representatives of a six-county area try to deal with similar concerns over current and future rural problems. Several delegates from Huron county will attend that meeting. FUNK SEEDS Part of a stronger corn program G40I0 2600 H.U. G4027 2750 H.U. Magnum Plus FUNK'SSee your Funk dealer today. JU II ackKeith B R.R.#1, Belgrave 357-1092 John A. Van Beers R.R.#1, Blyth 523-4431____