Times-Advocate, 1996-01-24, Page 17Times -Advocate, January 24, 1996 Puss, 17
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The Huron County Plowmen's Assoclatlon presented a profile of Huron County last Wednesday night at Clinton's OMAFRA's
office. At left, Paul Betties, president of the Huron Plowmen's Association, Bid Chairman Gerry Thiel, Neil McGavin, Huron.
representative and director of the Ontario Plowmen's Association, Charlene Townsend, Huron Queen of the Furrow and Mike
Pullen, land division, Huron County.
Guelph zoologist challenges
waterfowl management
GUELPH - A University of.
Guelph zoologist is challenging
the spending strategies of the 81.5
billion North American Waterfowl
Management Plan (NAWMP).
NAWMP seeks to increase the
breeding population of ducks in
the continent's prairie regions by
75,000 a year by creating more
habitat and nesting facilities. But
zoology professor Vernon Thomas
says there's a bigger problem.
NAWMP could be less costly and
more efficient if it addressed the
human role in waterfowl depletion,
he says. Specifically, hunters need
to be better trained and educated.
"So far, NAWMP has concen-
trated only on the duck -production
side of the issue," says Thomas.
"What we need to ask is how effi-
ciently we, as humans, are using
the ducks."
He cites statistics on crippling
losses -- waterfowl that are shot
but not retrieved by hunters, allow-
ing them to shoot more to fullfil
their quotas. U.S. and Canadian
governments estimate that about
20 per cent of ducks shot by hunt-
ers go unretrieved and are lost to
crippling. But the Canadian Wild-
life Service (CWS), which sent bi-
ologist dressed as hunters out to
watch realhunters in action, sets
the actual figure at closer to 40 per
cent.
When Thomas and undergradu-
ate student Michael Norton juxta-
posed • this new estimate of crip-
pling losses with the • goals of
NAWMP, they realized that the
project's targeted annual popula-
tion increase of 75,000 is a faction
of the number of ducks wasted
each year through crippling. Based
on the government statistics, the re-
searchers estimate that crippling
losses amount to 1.5 million ducks
annually; in reality, a more accu-
rate figure could be closer to four
million a year throughout North
America, Thomas says.
"NAWMP is proposing to spend
$127 for each duck that is added to
the breeding population." he says.
'Because the ducks lost to crip-
pling might otherwise have been
added to the breeding population,
the implicit value 'of the crippling
losses is . therefore . between 8193
million and $500 million annual;
ly„
Crippling losses pose other prob-
lems as well. Dead ducks provide
food for foxes, raccoons and
skunks, strengthening a predator
population that can invade the
nests of ducks and reduce their
breeding capacity. In addition, the
losses increase the amount of lead
shot wasted by hunters. According
to Thomas' research, at least seven
shots are required for each duck re-
trieved, causing a half pound of
lead shot to be added permanently
to wetlands. The lead pellets are
often mistaken for seeds or grit and
eaten by ducks, which eventually
die from lead poisoning. Thomas'
concerns are mirrored by federal
Environment Minister Sheila
Copps, who has just announced a
ban on the use of lead shot for wa-
terfowl hunting in 1997.
To help overcome the problem
of crippling losses, Thomas argues
that a portion of the NAWMP
funds should be used to better edu-
cate hunters. He believes hunters
should be provided with range fa-
cilities to improve their shooting
ability and be required pass a prac-
tical test to get a licence. This
would ensure "clean" kills and re-
duce the amount of shot being
wasted. He also says each water-
fowl hunter should be required by
law to use a dog tp_ find .ancl. re, r
atrieve binds. Finally, he recom-;
mends that hunters prove their abil-
ity to identify certain species of
ducks to prevent the killing of less
common species.
"If we, as a society, allow hunt-
ing, we should also ensure that
hunters are proficient enough to
lower rates of crippling losses." he
says.
The results of this research by
Norton and Thomas appear in the
latest edition of the international
journal Environmental Conserva-
tion.
Surplus funds distributed
STEPHEN TOWNSHIP - A mo-
tion was carried at the Jan. 15 coun-
cil meeting to return surplus funds
held by the Ontario Clean Water
Agency with regard to the operation
of the Highway 21.water system, to
the township for distribution as pro-
posed by OCWA .
In its Dec. 19 Letter, OCWA pro-
ijrc.;flie ,.;•1
Brenda Burke T.A statist
CLINTON - Gearing up for its
Huron County presentation at the
annual meeting/convention in Wa-
terloo on Feb. 12, the Huron
County Plowmen's Association
held a preview at the OMAFRA of-
fice last Wednesday night..
Gerry Thiel, who, with the help
of Mike Pullen developed the pro-
file, hosted the presentation that
consisted of a simultaneous slide
show and promotional video.
"We're taking Huron County
down to the convention," explained
Thiel. "We feel that Huron County
will sell itself."
In introducing the presentation to
an audience of about 50 people, he
said, "These are scenes from Huron
County. You'll see some of your
neighbors."
Then the lights dimmed and the
room was transformed into a series
of creative slide photos of crops,
animals and farm scenes prepared
by Dan Holme, of Hensall. At the
same time, the county's highlights
were displayed in video.
"Our agriculture heritage is . im-
portant to us," said the video's nar-
rator, who, in addition to presenting
a brief history of Huron and de-
scribing it as the most agricultural-
ly active county in' Ontario, gave
outlines of its towns and villages.
"We are bringing this plowing
match back to its country roots and
focusing on farming," said Thiel.
Thiel then passed around copies
of the International Plowing Match
and Farm Machinery Show pro-
posal for 1999. The date also marks
the 7751h aaniveni ry of the,ttttroa
Cocty
's `.
'report contains maps, in -
eluding a grid map and color photo
of the proposed plowing match site
that consists of 2,000 acres near
Dashwood on the property of Earl
and Michael Becker and neighbors.
In the proposal is a section tided,
"Huron Coynty...Ontario's West
Coast." It points out the attEa's
strengths including the suitability
of the proposed site as well as its
accessibility, accommodations, ser-
• vices, business community and ag-
ricultural production and com-
petitiveness.
Also mentioned are the area's
grain elevators, railway, salt mines,
livestock sales outlets, hog as-
sembly yards, agricultural machin-
ery dealerships, manufacturing spe-
cialties, county and township levels
of administration, media services
and Lake Huron's availability for
freighter routes and commercial
fishing.
The report describes the plowing
match proposed site.
"The soil is sandy, running to
sandy loam, tiled systematically, a
very level contour, with open mu-
nicipal drains running through the
property."
It promotes Hay Township's road
systems as well as Dashwood's ac-
cessibility to surrounding com-
munities, airports, ambulance, fire
departments, police and hospitals.
Conservation activities and plow-
ing match horse accommodations
are also highlighted.
Brussels livestock sales
BRUSSELS - Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending
January 19, 1996.
'fed cattle 723 Cows 384
Veal calves 270 Sheep & Goats Light run
Stockers 829 Pigg Light run
The market at Brussels Livestock saw fed steers and
heifers selling 51.00 lower. Cows sold 52-3 lower. On
Thursday veal sold 55.00 lower. On Friday the steer calves sold 55.00 higher with
the balance of stockers selling steady.
There were 455 steers on offer selling from,83.00 to88.00 to th0 high;of 96.75.
Eighteen steers consigned by Jim Howatt, Londesborough averaging. i 3183 lbs.
sold for an average of 88.52 with seals to 96.75.
Sixteen steers consigned by George Blake, Brussels averaging 1352 lbs. sold
for an average of 89.18 with sales to 93.10.
Eighteen steers consigned by Jack Culbert, Dunganon averaging 1297 lbs. sold
for an average of 87.49 with sales to 92.00.
Three steers consigned by Darren Johnson, Bluevale averaging 1376 lbs. sold
for an average of 86.45 with sales to 88.75.
Fifty-five steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1456 lbs.
sold for an average of 84.80 with sales to 88.50.
Six steers consigned by Glen walker, Wingham averaging 1316 lbs. sold for an
average of 86.42 with sales to 88.00.
Forty-three steers consigned by W.B. Pletch Co. Ltd., Rockwood averaging
1306 lbs. with sales to 87.75.
Eighty-two steers consigned by Dennis Calhoun, Chesley averaging 1300 lbs.
sold for an average of 83.83 with sales to 86.90.
Seven steers consigned by Mery McPherson, Orangeville averaging 1405 lbs.
sold for an average of 84.39 with sales to 86.50.
Ten steers consigned by John Glousher, Wingham averaging 1507 lbs. sold for
an average of 83.76 with sates to 86.50.
There were 243 heifers on offer selling from 83.00 to 86.00 to the high of
87.00.
Fourteen heifers consigned by Mux Lea Farms, Woodstock averaging 1253 lbs.
sold for an average of 85.05 wish sales to 87.00.
Two heifers consigned by Dwayne Dickers, Ayton averaging 1313 lbs. sold for
an average of 86.51 , with sales to 87.00.
Three heifers consigned by Dennis J. Martin; Port Elgin averaging 1115 lbs.
sold for an average of 82.12 with sales to 87.00.
One heifer consigned by K & A Beef Farms, Wroxeter weighing 1215 lbs. sold
for 86:75.
Two heifers consigned by Willard Siegner, Mildmay averaging 1360 lbs. sold
for an average of 84.50 with sales to 85.75.
Six heifers consigned by Ross Cormack, Mount Forest averaging 1211 lbs. sold
for an average of 83.65 with sales to 84.75.
Nineteen heifers consigned by Doug Inglis, Wingham averaging 1244 lbs. sold
for an average of 83.21 with sales to 84.50.
Seventeen heifers consigned by Gordon Dougherty, Goderich averaging 1170
lbs. sold for an average of 82.64 with sales to 84.50.
Pour heifers consigned by Wayne King, Gorrie averaging 1181 lbs. sold for an
average of 78.89 with sales to 84.25.
Four heifers consigned by Blair R. Fraser, Blyth averaging 1105 lbs. sold for an
average of 82.89 with sales to 84.00.
There were 384 cows on offer selling from 30.00 to 50.00 to the high of 61.00.
Three cows consigned by Stacy Charlton, Chesley averaging 1498 lbs. sold for
an average of 48.96 with sales to 61.00.
Four cows consigned by Don Youngblut, Gowanstown averaging 1486 lbs.
sold for an average of 46.82 with sales to 56.00.
Six cows consigned by Keith Caner, Ripley averaging 1420 lbs. sold for an av-
erage of 46.63 with sales to 52.00.
• There were 21 bulls on offer selling from 43.50 to 64.00 to the high of 70.50.
One X -bred bull consigned by K & A Beef Farms Wroxeter weight% 2345 lbs.
sold for 70.50.
One limo bull consigned by Doug Scott, Lucknow weighing 1570 lbs. sold for
67,50.
• There were 270 veal on offer selling, Hob 60.00 to 75.00, beef 70.00 to 90.00.
Two veal consigned by Abrahm Verteeg. Clifford averaging 768 lbs. sold for
an average of 67.00 with sales to 85.50.
Three veal consigned by Su nor Holsteins, Moakton averaging 562 lbs. sold for
an average of 78.13 with sales to 82.00.
7Nvo veal consigned by Darryl Mackie, Zurich averaging 695 lbs. sold for an
average of 70.75 with sales to 80.50.
Stockers
Steers:
400.499lbs. 72.00 to 120.00
300.599 68.00t° 93.50
600 - 699 77.00 to 90.00
700- 799 74.50 to 86,50
800 - 899 7730 to 98.00
900 and over 72.00 to 99.00
... Heifer:
300 - 399 lbs. ' 69.301073.00
400.499 62.50 to 121,00
300- 399 600 - 699 :ifiOGis 77.50
60.00 to 79:73
700 - 799 66.50 a 75.00
100 sad over 63.50 ao 79.00
posed the funds, amounting to
8100,000, be divided between
Grand Bend, Bosanquet and Ste=
phen Townships, based on their wa-
ter usage.
Also, surplus OCWA funds in the
Dashwood Water System are to be
applied against the outstanding debt
on that system.
•/
In other council matters, the town-
ship.intends to provide fencing at its
landfill site for security purposes.
Also, the township has no objec-
tion to a permanent LLBO license
at the Grand Bend Motorplex.
r OR , h u.j.,
Can't decide what to grow this year?
Perhaps you are interested in growing early
maturity soybeans under contract for
Pioneers Hi -Bred.
For details call us at 1-800-265-0554 and ask
for Stu or Barb.
1
1
Denfield
Livestock
The market
at Denfield
Livestock met
a selected de-
mand at steady
prices qn the well fed cattle. Amer-
ican orders were steady, cows sold
active at stronger prices, a light sup-
ply of stockers sold under pressure.
Pigs sold actively at firm prices.
Don Eedy and Mark Van-
derploeg, Denfield sold 16 heifers
average wt. 1279, average price
90.41 sales to 93.50 purchased by
M.G.I.
Triple D Farms, Thomdale sold
five heifers average wt. 1212 aver-
age price 91.19 sales to 94.20 pur-
chased by Holly Park Meats.
Mike Hartman, Dashwood had
the high heifer sale at 95.00 and
high steer sale at 95.00 purchased
by Dendekker Meats.
Choice steers 88-94, sales to 95
Good steers 84-88
Common and medium 60-75Choice
Exotic cross heifers 90-94 sales to
95
Good heifers 83-88
Common and medium 65-80
Good cows 44-50 sates to 54
Canners and cutters 35-44
Shells 20-35
Bulls 62.50
No choice veal on offer
Good veal 70-80
Plain veal 50-65
Holstein bull calves $40. - 5130.
Pigs 40-60 Ib. 90-100
Over 60 lb. 85-90
Sows 36-40
Boars 32-35
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