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The Rural Voice, 1998-07, Page 34• Low profile • Foldable R.O.P.s • Transmission with syncromesh creeper and shuttle • Fully independent PTO • Oil immersed disc brakes oemnbegesksi Lamborghini Tractors J & H SALES and SERVICE Chesley, Ontario 519-363-3510 Axial Fan* More maim b f • •' •y aw••Prray Frt. •ry ursoaang ukup. BUTLER BERG EQUIPMENT FaatDry Continuous Flow Dryer with Auto Dry Control* a.w% Cul un Floors Taloa as along as oiler floors • GSI Feed Tanks • Butler Bins • Flex Auger Conveyors Continuant Fon A llrr 11 n •' ow4 SUPERIOR QUALITY - SUPERIOR WORKMANSHIP AND ON-THE-JOB SERVICE COUNTY LINE EQUIPMENT Jim 343-3467 Neil 343-2483 RR 2 Palmerston LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTION LTD. John Baak, President RR 1 Hanover 519-369-5478 30 THE RURAL VOICE ' they'll turn around and look and if they don't feel threatened anymore they'll just start to graze again. If they have no elbow room, they may, by that time, be in the neighbour's field." If animals do get out, the concern is more for the buffalo rancher than for the neighbours or environment, Aaron says. The animals like to stay close to home and they'll soon be wanting back in. Unlike some exotic species, buffalo are not a concern if they do escape. They can't weaken the gene pool of other animals because they can't interbreed. They can't spread disease or parasites. As well as meat and breeding stock, there is demand for several by- products. If the animals are processed in October when the hide is prime with the hair on it, its hide can be made into buffalo robes or hats and coats. Animals marketed in summer when the buffalo are shedding, goes for garment leather production. The heads, if they're spectacular, are mounted and sold. If the head isn't spectacular, the skull will be bleached and sold for decorations for bars or rec rooms (at prices from $120 to $170). There is even demand for the bones for crafts. Buffalo remains a small niche market, even if it is growing. In a recent article in Smoke Signals, the quarterly publication of the Canadian Bison Association, Alberta producer Maurice Moore pointed out: "Even if we were to keep back (for breeding) every female animal in North America, it would take us 50 years to reach only 10 per cent of the beef cattle population." Meanwhile there is demand for buffalo meat in Europe but there isn't a consistent supply to be able to till the need on a regular basis. The Mountains are still fascinated by their buffalo which they find intelligent and playful, loving to play tag and frisk around in the evening. "We've had them now for so long but there's nothing we'd rather do than take the tractor and wagon back and sit on the wagon and just watch them," Arlene says. What other farm animal can add entertainment to its other positive qualities?0