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The Citizen, 1991-07-10, Page 14Farm. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 10,1991. PAGE 15. Brussels Livestock report 299 steers on offer Agriculture poor cousin of other lobby groups By Jim Fitzgerald As many of you have already read in a previous edition of djc Citizen, The Rural Voice Magazine is now in the fold of North Huron Publishing — or more properly, back in the fold, since Keith Roulston was the founder in 1975 —and our staff has relocated from Goderich to Bly th. We have already published an edition from our new location and are gradually getting back to normal — whatever that means in the agricultural sector these days. Keith suggested I write a weekly column for the Citizen, so first a little background is in order (or as they say in government "a briefing" — which isn't really brief at all) for those who don't read the magazine regularly. I'm the general manager/editor for the monthly publication which reaches about 15,000 farm homes in the counties of Huron, Bruce, Grey, Perth and Dufferin. Along with Gerry Fortune of Belgrave our advertising representative; Tracey Rising our production co-ordinator; and part-time assistants Rhea Hamilton-Seeger of Carlow and Anne Harrison of Goderich, we put out an average 72 page publication each month for and about the agriculture industry with an emphasis on the human side of rural affairs. Although I was bom and raised a city kid, I have been involved in agriculture since I fell in love with farm life as youngster on summer vacations on my uncle's 200-acre mixed farming operation near Strathroy, where I learned about, and actually enjoyed, picking stones, hoeing Canada Thistle out of 25 acres of sweet com, cleaning up after 30 milk cows, slopping the pigs and shoving dusty oats into the back of the granary. Gee, the water always tasted so sweet and my aunt's home- cooked meals where like mana from heaven after one of those chores, or after a hot day of putting second-cut hay at the top of a mow under a hot steel roof. I had the privilege of editing a weekly newspaper down the road (now a competitor) for 10 years where we placed heavy emphasis on agricultural coverage. But my agricultural education was significantly broadened when I had the honour of serving as chief of staff for four years to Ag. Minister Jack Riddell. Now, I wouldn't trade those four years in Queen's Park for anything as an education in how our supposed democratic government runs, but at the same time, my rather rosy outlook on life was somewhat jaded by seeing first hand how your (and I stress your) government really runs. It reminds me of those who brag about our justice system who say "justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done." However the reality of the situation in government and business today is quite the opposite. It's more important to have a good public relations image than to actually do anything (witness all the companies jumping on the green wagon movement). So perception becomes reality and "justice doesn't necessarily have to be done, it just has to appear to be done." So what happens in government these days is the special interest groups are really setting the agenda. The better funded they are, the more chance they have of lobbying the politicians and equally as important the more money they have to spend on creating a positive public in the eyes of the general public. Agriculture, a poor cousin, is a prime example. For instance, why is spending $10 billion a year on education in Ontario an "investment in our future" while the piddling amount — $500 million or about one per cent of the province's budget — spent on farmers is a handout? What future would hungry people have? Why even some farmers are becoming brainwashed from all the negative propaganda being hurled at them lately, and are feeling guilty for supplying the most bountiful, nutritious, and cheapest food in the world. At any rate, we'll attempt in future columns to translate some of the complex problems facing agriculture into terms that will enlighten all those readers of the Citizen who are on the peripheral of the agriculture industry. Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending July 5 were: slaughter cattle, 353; cows, 181, veal calves, 169; lambs and goats, 150; pigs, 108. There were 299 steers on offer selling from $81.90 to $90.60. Forty-four steers consigned by W. B. Pletch, Rockwood averaged 1235 lbs. and sold for $89.85 to the high of $90.60. One steer con­ signed by Keith Jacklin, Bluevale weighing 1220 lbs. sold for $88.75. Twenty-seven steers consigned by Maple Emblem Farms, Dungannon averaged 1201 lbs. sold for $86.22 to the high of $90. Eleven steers consigned by Maple Ridge Farms, Brussels averaged 1430 lbs. and sold for $85.95 to the high of $96.50. Forty-two steers consigned by Gerald Giesel, Elmira averaging 1396 lbs. sold for $85.73. Thirteen steers consigned by Burt Hale, Feversham averaging 1295 lbs. sold for $85.05. One steer con­ signed by Earl Bennewies, Born­ holm weighing 1190 lbs. sold for $85. Sixteen steers consigned by George Adams, Wroxeter averaged 1228 lbs. and sold for $83.08. Nine steers consigned by Moses Bauman, St. Clements averaged 1180 lbs. sold and sold for $82.39 Twelve steers consigned by Dale Taylor, Creemore averaging 1400 lbs. sold for $80.17. There were 54 heifers on offer selling from $70 to $84.50 to the high of $91.90. Four heifers consigned by Kevin Murray, Chepstow averaging 1095 sold for $91.90. One heifer con­ signed by Archie Jacklin, Bluevale, weighing 1250 lbs. sold for $83.75. Nine heifers consigned by John Van Nynatten, Mitchell, averaged 1059 lbs. and sold for $82.61. Four heifers consigned by Maple Ridge Farms, Brussels averaged 1057 lbs. and sold for $82.12. Three heifers consigned by Wilma and Ross Jeffery, Wroxeter averaged 1210 lbs. sold for $75.91. One heifer consigned by Don E. Scott, Teeswater, weighed 1160 lbs. and sold for $75. Two heifers consigned .by David Bowles, Brus­ sels averaged 1025 lbs. and sold for $74.91. One heifer consigned by Aaron Tibben, Kincardine weighed 1120 lbs. sold for $70. There were 181 cows on offer selling from $52 to $63.50 to the high of $71. Four cows consigned by Dave Gibson, Ripley averaged 965 lbs. and sold for $66.10. One cow con­ signed by Bill Butson, Seaforth, weighing 1350 lbs. sold for $67.75. One cow consigned by Henry Reesor, Brussels weighing 1230 lbs. sold for $66.75. Two cows consigned by Harvey Thompson, Ripley averaged 1335 lbs. and sold for $66.10. Three cows consigned by ARt Helm, Lucknow averaged 1217 lbs. and sold for $65.10. Two cows consigned by Bill Van Ness, Ethel averaged 1225 lbs. and sold for $63.44. Two cows con­ signed by Jewell Haven Farms, Goderich averaging 1180 lbs. sold for $62.63. Three cows consigned by Ray Zcttler, Walkerton averaging 1313 lbs. sold for $62.50. Four cows consigned by Robt. Thompson, Ripley averaging 1498 lbs. sold for $61.53. Three cows consigned by Benneweis Farms, Borholm aver­ aging 1370 lbs. sold for $61.01. There were 169 veal on offer selling from $86 to $107 to the high of $119. One veal consigned by Terry Brown, Monkton weighed 510 lbs. and sold for $114. Two veal consigned by Wayne Brown, Monkton averaging 525 lbs. sold for $113.13. Two veal consigned by Robt Haelzle, Teeswater averaging 605 lbs. sold for $110.41. Eleven veal consigned by John Schwartzentruber, Brussels averaging 575 lbs. sold for $109.75. One veal consigned by Vern Willoughby, Listowel weighed 530 lbs. and sold for $108.50. Two veal consigned by Kevin Murray, Chop- slow averaging 655 lbs. sold for $107.41. Three veal consigned by Garry Raynen, St. Pauls averaging 613 lbs., sold for $101.95. Ten veal consigned by Pete Serecla, Cen­ tralia averaging 548 lbs. sold for $100.34. Eleven veal consigned by Eric Schcurwatcr, Paisley averaged 579 lbs. and sold for $97.07. There were 109 pigs on offer selling under 50 lbs. $64.44 to $103.50; 51 - 70 lbs., $52.38 to $86.88; over 70 lbs., $68.57 to $77.58. NOTICE In order to provide better service to pork producers in the area, the pig sale at Brussels Livestock will be held every Friday morning at 10:30, at least for the summer months. It was felt that the earlier sale time would suit both buyers and sellers, as the pigs would not be moved in the heat of the day, and not be as long without feed or water. As well, both buyers and sellers, would be back home earlier in the day, a benefit especially in seeding and harvest. For further information, contact BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK at 887-6461, or WALLACE BALLAGH, at 392-6170 - Call me... you won't be sorry- Buying a used combine to harvest 200 or 2500 acres is serious business, you can't afford to be wrong Tenders called Now that Huron County has approved the negotiation of a con­ tract for the construction of the Huronview North seniors home south of Brussels, Brussels council will call lenders to the construction of the Elizabeth Street extension to serve the site. The street, which will take sewer-lines to the property as well as providing a rear entrance for the home, will go from its current end, near Frederick Street, to the edge of the Huronview property. Village councillors agreed at their July 2 meeting that tenders will be opened al their Aug. 6 meeting with a com­ pletion date (without paving) set for Sept. 30. Reeve Gordon Workman indicat­ ed he felt the village, which will pick up the costs of the construc­ tion, is paying too much of the tab. "We're getting suckered," he said, noting that the county is paying the whole tab for an extension of sewer services to the Central Huronview site south of Clinton. McKercher Construction Announces We've now added.... BACKHOEING and offer demolition type CONTAINER BIN RENTAL SERVICE We would like to congratulate Glenn McKercher on his retirement and we will continue to keep up the quality service. JOHN MCKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. BULLDOZING, LOADING & HAULING SAND AND GRAVEL JAMESTOWN 887-9061 Brian McBurney, Sales Rep., Res: 335-3761 Sales DepartmentI u I HURON|j^J tractor Blyth 523-4244 1-800-265-9002