The Rural Voice, 1999-01, Page 46(om)
r"I"1-1
supervise all activities related to
schedule 2 and 5 pesticides,
including most herbicides,
insecticides and sced treatments.
Ontario has 34,000 license holders.
W;th thc changes, the farm still needs
a certified license holder to supervise
pcsticidc handling, but the workers
must also attend a health and safety
course.
There won't be an exam, instead
thc focus is similar to industrial
Advice
safety training programs — to make
surc workers know how to keep
themselves safe, and what to do in
emergencies. Even with the
certificate, however, assistants won't
be allowed to buy or recommend
pesticides or calculate application
rates, calibrate a spraycr, or decide.
how to store a pcsticidc. If a trained
assistant wishes to try the
certification exam later, he/she may
do so within six months of attending
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100
III
FARM AUTOMATION SPECIALISTS
11. N1(11101,SON
A\ S O N
I UNIH.II I1�1,
CON114,1( N,1( H,N(
• PIPELINES • COOLERS
• PARLORS • AUTOMATION
• SERVICE ALL MAKES •
Complete professional sales and service of:
• Feeding • Milking •Manure Handling Equipment
• Livestock Stabling • Farm and Industrial Supplies
✓AO•
VENT
AgrlMetal VALMETALI /?QVIBEC
HOULE
(519) 934-2343 Fax: 934-3179
Toll Free 1-877-FIXFARM (349-3276)
RR #2, Tara, Ont. NOH 2N0
Ben & Sheri Rie Owners
Bob Nicholson - Sales
Ernie Schopf - Sales
42 THE RURAL VOICE
the course, at no extra charge.
Family members and employers
can get a jump on the program by
attending spray courses this wintcr.
Cost is S65 — the same price for
farmers who want to take the exam
and qualify for a full spray license.
CaII your OMAFRA office to put
your name on the waiting list for
January and February.courses:0
Beef producers,
know your cost of
gain
By Marlene Werry
Beef Specialist
OMAFRA, Port Perry
At a recent stocker sale, a feedlot
operator was quoted as saying "I
can't understand this new math". A
pen of 800 lbs. Charolais cross steers
were going through the sales ring at
S1.08 per Ib. In this producer's mind,
he couldn't buy on the market that
day. He knew his cost of gain and
realized that he couldn't "pencil a
profit".
Knowing your cost of gain is the
key to making profitable buying
decisions. Many experienced
operators would say that "you make
your money the day you buy the
cattle". Each buyer has a different
cost of gain and should know what
he or she can afford to pay for cattle.
Ontario's break-even for November
'98 was calculated to be $90.77 per
cwt. This price is needed to break
even on yearling steers (925 lbs.)
purchased in October/November at
$97.69 per cwt. and sold at a weight
of 1325 lbs. in March 1999. Cost of
gain was $74.76 per cwt. with feed
costs being over 60 per cent of this
cost at $47.94 per cwt. Feed costs
were bascd on $3.24 per bushel corn
and supplement at $236.75 per tonne.
Harlan Hughes, Livestock
Economist, North Dakota State
University, states that beef producers
need to integrate business
management skills into their
production management skills.
Profitability in 1999, and beyond will
require that careful consideration be
given to the integration of
production, resource utilization and