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The Citizen, 1991-11-13, Page 15Heavy trade at Brussels Livestock Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending November 8 were: slaughter cattle, 915; cows, 210; veal calves, 190; lambs and goats, 85; stockers, 1400; pigs, light run. This week’s trade was steady to previous week with heavy over-fat cattle discounted. The cow trade was steady. There were 650 steers on offer selling from $71 to $77.80 to the high of $86. One cow consigned by Ham­ mond Bros., Monkton weighed 1320 lbs. and sold for $79. Forty- four steers consigned by W.B. Pletch Co. Ltd., Rockwood averag­ ing 1249 lbs. sold for $76.50 to the high of $82. Two steers consigned by Earl Geisel, Elmira averaging 1390 lbs. sold for an average of $74.95 to the high of $76.25. Thirty-five steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averag­ ing 1391 lbs. sold for an average of $74.20 to the high of $86. Seven­ teen steers consigned by Glen Johnston, Bluevale averaging 1323 lbs. sold for an average of $73.05 to the high of $77. Forty-five steers consigned by Geo. Underwood Farms, Wingham averaging 1366 lbs. sold for an average of $70.15 to the high of $79. Nineteen steers consigned by Alton O'Neil, Lucan averaging 1440 lbs. sold for an average of $69.60 to me high of $78. There were 265 heifers on offer selling from $68.90 to $76.30 to the high of $81.25. One heifer consigned by Kevin Gray, Harriston weighed 1300 lbs. sold for $81.25. Fourteen heifers consigned by John Barbour, Orangeville averaging 1204 lbs. sold for an average of $78.75 to the high of $80.75. Four heifers con­ signed by Aaron Fisher, Ayton averaging 1095 lbs. sold for an average of $75.95 to the high of $78. Six heifers consigned by Lome Hackett, Lucknow averaging 1242 lbs. sold for an average of $75.70 to the high of $79.75. Five heifers consigned by Bell Hackett, Luc­ know averaging 1114 lbs. sold for an average of $74.40 to the high of $75. Five heifers consigned by Greg Hackett, Lucknow averaging 1178 lbs. sold for an average of $74.35 to the high of $75. Fourteen heifers consigned by Neil Williams, Gowanstown, averaging 1171 lbs. sold for an average of $73.50 to the high of $76.50. Six heifers con­ signed by David Proper, Wingham averaging 1050 lbs. sold for an average of $72.30 to the high of $79.25. Twenty-nine heifers consigned by Maurice Coe, Shelburne, aver­ aging 1216 lbs. sold for an average of $71.70 to the high of $76.30. There were 210 cows on offer selling from $48 to $55.75 to the high of $64.75. One cow consigned by Jack Hatten, Chesley, weighed 1310 lbs. sold for $58.50. There were seven bulls on offer selling from $60 to $65 to the high of $66.50. One bull consigned by Robt. Thompson, Ripley weighed 1460 lbs. sold for $65.50. One bull con­ signed by Hans Straub, Gowans­ town weighed 2100 lbs. sold for $62. There were 190 veal on offer selling from $94.50 to $110 to the high of $114. Two veal consigned by Doug Marroit, St. Marys aver­ aging 600 lbs. sold for $111.80 to the high of $114. One veal con­ signed by Murray Clarke, Kincar­ dine weighed 570 lbs. sold for $113. Speaking of Farming By Jim Fitzgerald Consumers will change farming Amid all the doom and gloom in the agriculture sector lately, there are some rays of hope shining through for Ontario food producers and processors, as a recent study on consumer trends by the Food Development Division (FDD) of Agriculture Canada has shown. In a recent edition of their newsletter Visions, the FDD, after examining attitudes and demographic factors that influence purchase patterns, has detailed five major consumer trends we should be anticipating . In order of preference, consumers of tomorrow will be demanding freshness, variety, convenience, nutrition and safety, and environmental friendliness, and they are willing to spend more for products that meet these specific needs. First of all there's freshness. Studies by Ag Canada and the Grocery Products Manufacturers of Canada show that 68 per cent of consumers want food that looks and tastes fresh, because they equate quality with freshness. This has led to an increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables, organic produce, bakery products, deli meats and cheeses, and fresh pastas. This trend has also spurred prepared main dishes which are frozen or chilled to preserve freshness, and inspired the development of new processing and packaging technologies such as modified atmosphere containers For instance the Ontario pork board is examining a process to vacuum pack pork in carbon dioxide that extends its freshness by several weeks). Many local farmers have benefitted from the fresh trend as well, because of the resurgence in the popularity of direct marketing channels such as farmers’ markets, pick-your-own farms, and local food “boutiques” run by farmers to speed up the delivery of fresh food to the customers. The second trend is the demand for variety, which is becoming one of today’s most powerful trends, affecting everyone from the farmer through to the retailer, to the foodservee manager. Tired of basic “meat and potatoes” diets, consumers — partially because of the changing ethnic mix of Canada — want hundreds of fruits and vegetables available year round (broccoli, cauliflower and peppers) as well as new varieties of breads, meats, and other formerly unavailable foods. For example, only a few years ago, bagels and nacho chips were unheard of in Blyth, and now you can buy them fresh, daily at the local store. Many area farmers will spot these new niche markets and grow some of these once exotic foods locally. The third trend, convenience, is the result of Canada’s changing demographic profile which shows higher levels of education, higher average incomes, more working women, and smaller households than ever before, says FDD. The resulting time pressures have created demands for name-brand food and beverage products that are easy to prepare and tailored to meet the consumer’s busy lifestyle. With microwave ovens in 70 per cent of households now, processing and retailing opportunities exist for chilled or frozen microwavable products, for precut, cleaned produce, and for new, take-home, prepared dishes. The fourth trend for nutrition and safety is the result of high consumer confidence in the Canadian food system. But with an aging population, there is increasing concern about health, and consumers want to avoid chemicals, additives, and contaminants in food. Ag Canada studies have shown that 68 per cent of Canadians are concerned with chemical residues, and 71 per cent are concerned about the use of herbicides and pesticides. There is a demand for products perceived as nutritious, high in fibre, and low in cholesterol, calories, fat, and salt. And lastly, consumers are demanding products that are not highly processed or over packaged in order to reduce waste and environmental degradation. With the food and beverage processing sector in Canada accounting for nearly 60 per cent of all packaging, or over $3 billion in 1988, manufacturers are becoming concerned because 45 per cent of Canadians perceive waste from food packaging to be a serious environmental problem, and almost 60 per cent are worried about air quality, waste management, and the depletion of natural resources. As well, groups will have different demands, depending on their age group. While the “traditionals” or over 50 group generally consume fewer prepared foods and beverages and have lots of money, few debts, and plenty of time for shopping, they will be receptive to convenient, portion- packed, prepared produce and meal cuts backed by a brand name. The “boomer families” (25-49 years) will continue to demand healthful, convenient products that are easy to prepare, and offer a variety of choices, while the “after boomers” (under 25 years) who place little value on brands but like attractive products, could be sold on distinctive, appealing products with minimal packaging to reduce waste and environmental implications. So there are local opportunities that entrepreneurial farmers in the area will be able to take advantage of. However, they will need retraining to equip them with new skills in marketing and processing, along with new capital investment to change them from being simple suppliers of raw products — that in some cases are no longer in demand in a glutted market — to successful, profitable operations with the ability to meet the demands of the new markets. • GATES •FEEDERS • ETC. at Brussels Stockyards OPEN: TUESDAY, THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS $2,00 discount on long distance phone orders 669-4472 VICZIESKE THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1991. PAGE 15. Farmers get amnesty on old pesticides BY JIM FITZGERALD Huron County farmers still have a chance to dispose of all their unused or out of date pesticides, no questions asked, on November 20 and 21 to the Centralia College Research farm, which is 1/2 mile north of the campus. It’s all part of a new pilot experi­ ment being undertaken by a group of Ontario farm groups called Ag Care with funding by the Ontario Ministries of the Environment (MOE) and Agri-culture and Food (OMAF). Originally, farmers were to have pre-registered what they planned to bring with their Clinton OMAF office by October 25, but at a news conference last week, Bill Allison, a farmer from Halton who is vice- chairman of Ag Care, said that farmers could bring right up to the date. Alan McCallum, OMAF soil and crop advisor for Huron, said that as of Nov. 1, 50 producers had already registered to bring in unused pesti­ cides. “They’re from right across the county,” said McCallum. “We hope they'll phone ahead so we can tell them how to handle and trans­ port the chemicals safely to the Centralia site.” The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both dates. Allison said that the Centralia site was the best suited for the dis­ posal, as it can be made safe. “Strict safety procedures will be observed with Laidlaw Waste Sys­ tems carefully repacking the con­ tainers for shipment and disposal elsewhere. He anticipates that most of the pesticides will be unused Continued on page 19 TUESDAYS 11 a.m. Slaughter Cattle & Cows THURSDAYS 11 a.m. Veal, Goats, Sheep & Lambs FRIDAYS 10:30 a.m. Pigs 11:00a.m. Stockers >ELS 887-6461 __________________________________ NOW OPEN! BRUSSELS AGRI-SERVICES LOCATED AT BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK R.R. #3 BRUSSELS CALL 887-9391 We are one of the largest suppliers of feed to the Canadian farmer offering a complete line of feeds, supplements, premixes, and minerals for all animal species. Brussels Agrl-Services can offer you a quality performance proven and competitive feed to meet your needs. MIKE CHAMBERS Manager JACK ROBINSON OPEN Monday -1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday-8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday - 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday -9 a.m.-8 p.m.