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The Rural Voice, 2006-05, Page 27k e s d s n :r d a. 5 r tt harvest corn and bale hay in big square bales. It's the economics, Frank says. Today it doesn't make sense to own the equipment necessary to do the work yourself. With 150 acres they have to buy feed but it makes sense until they can buy more land close by. Frank is sold on the robotic milkers, though he admits it might make sense to go to a parlour if they have to expand too much in the future. Still, they'd hate to give up the freedom automation gives them, though there's still more hands-on farming than some people might think. "Some people think you don't have to go to the barn anymore but that's far from the truth," Frank says. "With animals you have to be there," adds Ella. "We spend roughly the same amount of time in the barn but it's flexible time. If you want to be done at 5:30, then you can be done at 5:30." "A lot of people with this many cows have a full-time hired man around." says Frank. "We do it basically by ourselves with our family. There's lots to do." "Our kids help out," Ella says. "Our oldest is 14 now," (they have two boys and three girls). "They all like to help," adds Frank. "They enjoy working there. It's just a family business. We go to the barn as a whole family." "But now they have time for the clubs: the girls' clubs, the boys' clubs, the 4-H. Before we didn't," says Ella. "In the summertime before it might be 8:30 before we were done. now 7:00. even earlier than that, is no problem." Frank adds. Their children are interested in farming and love working with 4-H cattle and Frank and Ella may be passing the farm on eventually but "We're farming because we want to farm. We don't farm because the kids want to. If they don't want to farm. that's fine. It would be nice of course but if not ..." "1'm not going to blindfold them and say you have to be a farmer," added Frank. If they choose to take up dairy farming. they'll have seen the future close at hand.0 PACKERS: WE BUILD RUBBER TIRE PACKER SPECIALISTS Order Now Also large fold -up steel drum packers. lawn & estate rollers. custom manufactured HAROLD JONES ENTERPRISES RR 12, Arthur. Ont. (519) 848-2799 LYNJO ELECTRIC MOTORS Sales & Service • Motors • Rewinds • Pumps 24 Hour Service. Free Estimate Highway 21,2 km west of Springmount 1-888-867-6166 519-371-2170 Fax 519-371-3869 lynjo@sympatico.ca Reliability and Customer Satisfaction Since 1936 • GENERATOR SYSTEMS & ELECTRIC MOTORS • FANS AVAILABLE See our Lucknow Showroom at: 85965 Lucknov Line For all your agricultural. Industrial & residential generator needs SOMMERS 85965 Lucknow Line (519) 529-3714 Sommers Motor Generator Sales Ltd. 1-800-690-2396 www.sommersgen.com DRAINAGE Specializing in: Plastic Tile Installation Backhoe & Dozer Service :} Septic System Installation For Quality, Experience. & Service, call: Mwns ©©©Bz g°ROS -`4900 R.R. #2 Zurich, Ont. NOM 2T0 PARKER t ttePARKER L t M I T E c www.hay.neU-drainage 11h ltletalue'd HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE Gorrie, ON NOG 1X0 Phone: 519-335-3551 Fax: 519-335-3427 Toll Free 1-877-335-3551 • Spruce and Pressure Treated Lumber • Pressure Treated Poles up to 30 Long • Steel Roofing, Siding and Trims • Plywoods • Barn Pine • Barn Door Track and Hardware • Windows and Doors • Flooring • Cabinets • All Types of Insulation and Door Cut Outs • Pressure Treated • Cedar • Trex Decking • Aluminum Railing System "WE'VE GOT YOUR LUMBER" Supplier of quality Vicwest Steel E-mail: sales g watsonshomehardware.com www.watsonshomehardware.com MAY _'006