The Rural Voice, 2002-05, Page 36(AL -MAR)
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32 THE RURAL VOICE
farmers are putting up grain bins and
mixing their own feed.
Ross Procter, a retired fanner who
has been involved in the poultry,
swine and cattle industry is more
sanguine about the changes in
farming. He feels that scientific and
technological advances have allowed
farmers to better respond to
consumer desires.
Some livestock farmers are
specializing in feeding stock for the
commercial market. Others engage in
breeding programs to produce the
stock for those commercial market
suppliers.
rocter notes that livestock
producers have come to
appreciate the benefits that
hybridization can provide, improving
as it does traits that can't be selected
for.
He says "farmers are not being
paid for the quality of the carcass."
"You can produce good quality but
only get paid the average."
He foresees a time when
technology will allow each beast to
be traced from "cradle to grave". It
will then be scientifically assessed at
the slaughterhouse to provide the
producer with both accurate
information and proper recompense
for the quality of the carcass.
The question of intensive livestock
operations is not one for the farm
community alone. Debate rages
around issues ranging from its effects
on the social fabric to the economic
and environmental consequences.
The economy of Huron County is
built around farming, tourism and
industry. Scott Tousaw, senior
planner for Huron County
commented everyone "must
recognize there are interrelationships
between all three areas."
The county's report on intensive
livestock operations notes that the
area's tourism industry "has
important ties to Lake Huron" The
fact that area beaches are often
posted for not meeting water quality
guidelines could begin to have an
economic impact on tourism.
Although the sources of the
contamination include urban sewage
and inadequate septic systems, farm
practices play a significant part in the
problem.
A more significant problem is
ground water contamination. The