Loading...
The Citizen, 1991-08-21, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21,1991. Prices down for slaughter cattle at Brussels Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending AugUst 16, were: slaughter cattle, 583; cows, 133; veal calves, 194; lambs and goats, 90; pigs, 200; stackers, 500. Slaughter cattle sold $1 to $2 lower from the previous week with the cows selling steady. There were 323 steers on offer selling from $83.25 to $85.60 to the high of $100. Three steers con­ signed by Frank Dolmage, Seaforth averaging 1167 lbs. sold for $90.15 to the high of $100. One steer con­ signed by Earl Giesel, weighing 1320 lbs. sold for $89.75. Twelve steers consigned by John Barbour, Orangeville, averaging 1296 lbs. sold for $85.65 to the high of $88.75. Six steers consigned by Paul Ald- winkle, Vama averaging 1171 lbs. sold for $85 to the high of $86. Thirteen steers consigned by Ger­ ald Giesel, Elmira, averaging 1381 lbs. sold for $84.65 to the high of $84.80. Ten steers consigned by Geo Blake, Brussels averaging 1307 lbs. sold for $84.25 to the high of $85.50. Forty-four steers consigned by W. B. Pletch Co. Ltd. averaging 1192 lbs. sold for $84.10 to the high of $85.50. Eleven steers con­ signed by Ken Bearss, St. Marys, averaging 1333 lbs. sold for $83.90 to the high of $86.50. Twenty-eight steers consigned by Maple Emblem Farms, Dungannon averaging 1266 lbs. sold for $83.60 to the high of $85.70. Nine steers consigned by Fraser Farms, Lis- towel averaging 1062 lbs. sold for $82.75 to the high of $88. Nine steers consigned by Bill Van Dyke, Lucknow averaging 1368 lbs. sold for $82.25 to the high of $85.75. There were 261 heifers on offer selling from $82.65 to $85.30 to the high of $86.25. One heifer con­ signed by Art Anderson weighing 1270 lbs. sold for $85.50. Three heifers consigned by Dean Aid win­ kle, Vama averaging 1090 lbs. sold for $84.55 to the high of $86. One heifer consigned by Pat Bernard, Walton weighing 860 lbs. sold for $84. Seven heifers con­ signed by Fred Middleton, Clinton averaging 1054 lbs. sold for $83.60 to the high of $84.50. Eighteen heifers consigned Albert Weemink, Kirkton averaging 1051 lbs. sold for $83.40 to the high of $85. Thirty-six heifers consigned by G. A. Stewart Farms, Ripley aver­ aging 1089 lbs. sold for $83.30 to the high of $86.25. One heifer con­ signed by Ray Consitt, Kippen weighing 1140 lbs. sold for $82.75. One heifer consigned by Glen Haney, Seaforth weighing 1120 lbs. sold for $82.50. Two heifers con­ signed by John Van Nynatten, Mitchell averaging 1015 lbs. sold for $82.25 to the high of $83.25. Four heifers consigned by Gordon Daer, Auburn averaging 1132 lbs. sold for $81.95 to the high of $83.75. There were 133 cows on offer selling from $53.75 to $58.50 to the high of $64.50. One cow con­ signed by John Johnson, Lucknow weighing 1600 lbs. sold for $64.50. Continued on page 23. Paying the price for going it alone The latest farm crises to hit our concessions in the decade-long saga of the decimation of rural Canada by high interest rates, low prices shows that, contrary to what big business leaders and city business writers are trying to tell the public, the once heralded farm lobby has become practically impotent. A decade of farmers feeding on each other for their own short term gain has cut their numbers so drastically — the census this year will show that farmers are only 2.5 per cent of the population and shrinking fast — that they have little clout with the public anymore. Farmers have so little voice now that even their traditional allies, the federal and provincial ministers of agriculture, are now ignoring them. That was very evident in the last couple of weeks as both governments tried to down play cash crop farmers' pleas for help for farmers suffering from prices that are the lowest in 15 years. It appears the government is even trying to neutralize the call for emergency financial assistance from a coalition of commodity groups and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (in an unusual show of unity between farm groups). While OFA president Roger George and his allies from three commodity groups were touring the countryside, the federal government tells the urban news media that net farm incomes will be up eight per cent this year,'while burying the fact that incomes were down 28 per cent last year. When asked about the farm crises and the need for more dollars to help alleviate the cash flow crises, Ontario Premier Bob Rae and his agriculture minister Elmer Buchanan say they "just don't have any more money." They seem to be able to find $3 billion to top up the $21 billion teacher's pension fund, but they can't find a few million to keep our farmers afloat for another year. Two new crop stabilization plans, which were to be the salvation of cash-croppers, won't kick in until late next year, and when they finally arrive, it will be like throwing crumbs to a person who has already starved to death. It wasn't always this way. At one time, the minister of agriculture was a major player around the cabinet table because politicians such as Bill Stewart, Eugene Whelan and Jack Riddell could deliver a large number of rural ridings to the ruling parties. The rural vote, for instance, played a major role in keeping Ontario's Tones in power for 43 years straight. Now, the farm voice in the province has been reduced to the faint voice with as much punch in cabinet as a double amputee. Where cabinet was once filled with people who were farmers or one generation removed from the farm, there isn't one real farmer in the present NDP cabinet.And you can count on one finger of one hand the number of people in the NDP caucus with an intimate knowledge of agriculture. The NDP have been in power almost a whole year and they have done less in 12 months than Riddell did in the first 12 weeks of his tenure. In the hierarchy of the government in Toronto nowadays, OMAF is now almost as invisible as the ministry of citizenship, or tourism and recreation. There is even a rumour flying around Queen's Park that the ministry's name will be changed to the “Ministry of Rural Affairs”, evidence of a further divorce from its agricultural roots. It's quite possible that parts of the ministry could be spun off into other ministries, for instance with food the processing and market development branches going to the ministry industry and trade; while the quality and standards division would go to the ministry of health; the education and training branch could be absorbed by the ministry of colleges and universities; farm products could be amalgamated with the attorney general’s office; while the foodland preservation branch would disappear in the municipal affairs ministry; waler management branch and the pesticide services branches would be taken over by the ministry of environment.; and so on. All that would be left would be a skeleton made of an ag reps branch and the rural organization and services (ROS) branch which would deal more with "rural development" than programs such as 4-H. It appears that radicals such as Allen Wilford and Tom Shoebottom from the Farm Survival movement in the early 1980s were right after all about their dire predictions for rural people. They claimed that farmers should stick together to fight banks, big business and governments. Once resoundingly rejected by many of those same greying mainstream farmers who today are hurting badly, the activist’s calls for a united farm community are truer today than ever. It's a pretty sad day when you can make far more money studying what the future holds for farmers than actually farming! There are those in the farm movement who say it's still not too late for farmers to lake the farm survivalists' advice and band together like the post office workers or the auto workers or the teachers, and speak with one voice. Beef info night planned at Kirkton BY JOHN BANCROFT FARM MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST FOR HURON COUNTY The annual Beef Information Night will be held at the Kirkton- Woodham Community Centre on Monday, August 26. For $3 per person, everyone will be able to enjoy an informative program that begins at 8 p.m. Ross Daily, the host of “This Business of Farming”, on CFPL- TV in London, will be the feature speaker. His talk promises to be lively with challenging thoughts for everyone to take home. Following Mr. Daily on the pro­ gram, Kevin Grier, of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, will be speaking on the “Cattle Market Outlook”. Mr. Grier plans to discuss the Ontario, Canadian and American market situations. The evening program will be wrapped up by Glenn Coultes, President of the Ontario Cattle­ men's Association. Glenn will be providing an update on the current activities of the provincial Cattle­ men's Association. The sponsoring Cattlemen's Associations in Huron, Perth and Middlesex Counties, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, invite everyone to attend this meeting. Learning the Ropes Pays Off 'AI SCOUTS CANADA SHARP DEALS ON QUALITY- CLEAN READY-TO-GO USED CARS Great Savings on These Used Cars & Trucks. Some One Owner Low Mileage. 1989 Plymouth Acclaim 4 door / with air 1989 Pontiac 6000 4 door V-6 with air 1989 Mercury Cougar (Lady Owned) 1989 Chrysler Dynasty 4 door with air 1989 Chev Celebrity 4 door with air 1989 Ford Taurus, 4 door V-6, air & cruise 1988 Ford 4X4 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis, 4 door, loaded with options 1985 GMC 3/4 ton pick-up, V-8 automatic 1983 Ford F150 4X4 pickup HAMM'S BLYTH PHONE - 523-4342 VEAL PRODUCERS CONSIDER THE FACTS ABOUT SELLING YOUR VEAL AT THE ONTARIO LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE WATERLOO, ONTARIO Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision1 Let us help you make the right one1 GARRY WOODCOCK Quality Cars & Trucks We Can Save You Money Drive A Little - Save A Lot BACK*TO*SCHOOL SALE Leather CQQ.99 RUNNERS^Oy »up ALL Back To School aa°0 Fashions (J or7OFF Jg^NTGOMERY] LUCKNOW 528-2813*^523-9709 Starts August 20th WEBSTER'S Selections Are At Their Best! CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR BLYTH SALES EVERY TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY 12:00 NOON FACT: Large market, with modern penning reduces bruising and shrinkage. FACT: Every producer or trucker, delivering 10 calves or more, is guaranteed a separate pen further reducing stress. FACT: Strong buyer support from many packing houses giving you the competition you deserve. FACT: Guaranteed same day payment for your veal. FACT: Bonded & Government Inspected scales with NO pencil shrink. FACT: Your calves sell early in the week so they are not held over the weekend before slaughter, which means Buyers will pay more. CALL US AT (519) 884-2082 FOR FURTHER MARKET INFORMATION ” WE'RE HERE TO HELP" LARGE SLAUGHTER COW MARKET ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY WITH BUYERS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND QUEBEC AND SEVERAL LARGE ONTARIO COW PACKING PLANTS JUST MINUTES FROM OUR YARDS