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Clinton News-Record, 1984-02-08, Page 11'v• theisand •"' - When the Suffolk lamb is born it has a black coat, but as it ages the coat develops a mink like tone and finally a cream color. Florence Pullen (assisting the new borns) says that if she is forced to sell any of her lambs for meat, she keeps their skins and has Blyth's Old Mill make them into cosy sheep skin rugs. (Wendy Somerville photo) CLINTON NEWS.REIMIRP, INMEOP,4i: 1144--RWE ,/, 1,7"/ ..,/ , . , ,/, , ///// ix. I. / / / / ../ / ••,•/ ,/ / . / / //A SpiiniWa7si-already arrived at the Pullen farm Ry Wendy Somerville CLINTON- Raised on a farm, Florence Pullen has devoted much of her time and love in order to raise one of Ontprio's most poular breed of sheep. "My father was said to have the best herd of Suffolks in St. Marys," said Florence. "He died in 1978, midi still have a ewe from his original herd. She's old now, but I keep her for sentimental reasons even though you're not supposed to be sentimental in this business." In 1963, Florence purchased her first sheep, today she has 140 (not including new lambs). She said that one of the main pro- blems today is too many peoplelraise sheep as a pastime not a business. "There are not enough people producing sheep as a major operation," she said. "Un- • fortunately, sheep are an ideal animal to raise for a hobby." Though. the Pullen farm is by no means a 'small operation', Florence gives- each member. of the_hercL special attentien, When the_ lambs um rn they are. placed in small triangular shaped pens that are hastily put together using available materials like binder twine and loose skids. Florence says this is an important time for mether and young. Apparently, the mother must never lose the scent of her young or she will reject them.This -period -- lasts for about four days. ' Sometimes a mother ewe will have pro- blems; one side of her udder will fail to pro- duce milk. When this happens, Florence labels another mother–who has available milk and quickly places her with the milkless ewe's lamb. This is done so the foster mother can be tricked into thinking the adopted lamb is her own. So far, Florence hasn't lost any sheep because of her clever labelling and proper care. Once mother and young have settled, the lambs are left to strengthen and grow. Because the Pullen sheep are purebreds, they are sold primarily as breeding stock. If they are not sold this way, they go or meat. Those involved in the production of sheep must follow a certain provincial program designed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The Record of Performance (ROP) program requires lambs to be weighed when they are 50 days old and then again when they are 100 days old. Their value is then calculated by the amount of weight gained over those 50 days. Also considered is the lamb's coanformation and perfor- mance. Performance means the amount of lambs born to a ewe, and each producer tries for 200 percent which is two lambs per ewe. "I have had about 175 per cent perfor- mance from 110 ewes," commented Florence. "And though that is considered good, I am trying for a perfect 200." In another part of the barn that houses the mothering ewes, is what Florence calls her "geriatric ward." Larger pens with fewer sheep hold older mothsthat need alittle extra attention to avoid a difficult delivery. Once the Iambs are ' born, raised, and weighed, the herd is "cut". This siphons the better stock from those only fit for meat. Ac- cording to Florence, one of the main pro- blems with producing sheep for meat is there tends to be a flood in the Easter Together Today for a Terrific Tomorrow BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE. SeatortOwakelected Ylce-president. 'Together TRIaTTor–a—Terrifir-Toiner.-- M-aurice-Hal-fahan-of-R-R-1-;18elgrave was row" is the 1.984 theme, of the Ontario 4-H named as the association's secretary - program which recognizes the merging of treasurerfor the 32nd consecutive year. 'the agriculture and homemaking divisions Directors were named from each of the 4 - of 4-H. II agricultural groups. • Club leaders from both sectors were on The homemaking club leaders named as hand at the annual Huron County 4-H Club directors are: Brenda Love of Crediton, Leaders' Association meeting held in . BOnnie Johnston of Gorrie, Carel Hoftnesville Jan. 18 to learn how the merger Boneschansker of Ethel, Eileen Townsend. • affects 4.71•1•in Huron. • • of Brucefield, Bev Van Ninhuys of Clinton; Huron's representative on the Ontario 4-H and Joanne Sproul of Brookside. • _leaders' committee, Bob Hearn. of . Exeter; • The Exeter achievement area has yet to said one the main organizatibriaTehanTer•—appoint! director: will be the formation of club leaders'. Other changes to be phased -in are the age groups. As Huron already has such .a group limit of 4-H members • and the. various for its 47H. Agricultural clubs, the change awards. win Mean homemaking. 'Club leaders will • Currently homemaking members can be no* l irieluded iiithis asseetation. . • . • . between the ages of 12 and 26, while The changes. are to be phased -in.. agriculture members must be between 12 At the meeting, the agriculture club and 19.Yearsnf age. ' ' • leaders elected their executive as usual, . John Bancroft, Huron's 4-H co-ordinator, while the homemaking club leaders elected said there has been a compromise on the • a director from each of. their 'achievement • ages and the new limits for both sectors is 12 areas to sit on the club leaders' executive. to 21. He' said that in 1984 and 1985, 4-H Les Falconer of RR 5, Clinton, was named homemaking members aged 22 to 26 may president of the Huron 4-H Club Leaders' continue in the program. Association. He takes over from• Brian As for awards, the two.different systems Oldfield of RR 4, Seaforth. • being used by homemaking and agriculture First vice-president is Terry Smith of RR will be combined. Starting this year a pia - 1, Walton; while Diane Oldfield of RR 4, que will be presented to each first year 471-1 •Two groups to participate in Soil Conservation Day On Friday, February 24, the Huron Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the 'Huton-Soil-and-Water-Conservation-Distriet- - will be holding a Soil Conservation Day from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme will be "Economic Benefits of Soil Conservation" and the agenda will cover a number of perti- nent conservation topics. Morning sessions include windbreaks, ter- racing, erosion .control structures, Con- servation Authority programs and the. On- tario Soil Conservation add Environmental Assistance Program. The keynote speaker at. noon will be Tnm ?rout, Ueneral Manager of the Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Authority. - Afternoon sessions wilthe .on opprort;Coun.7. ty tillage projects, no -till, crop rotation and ridging. • Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Seaforth and District Community Centre. The registration fee of $5 includes a hot lun- ch. Plan to attend this interesting and infor- mative day and mark February 24 on your calendar now. For further informatien, contact the Clin- ton OMAF office at 482-3420. member with additional projects recognized by adding bars to the plaque Again, a phase-in period will be recogniz- ed for the homemaking club members seek- ing silver teaspoons. The awards for the completion of six, 12 and 18 projects will re- main the sarne. The awards night held in November will continue for the agricultural sector, said Mr. Bancroft. . NOTICE Hullett Township PLANNING WORKSHOP MEETING at Londesboro Community Hall on Monday, February 13, 1984 at 8:00 pm SUMMARY WORKSHOP Hullett Township Council Look to Purina for High Quality, Palatable SHEEP FEEDS Lambena, Ewe Chow and Lamb Milk Replacer are available at: DURST FARM CENTRE 275 HURON ST. (HWY. 8 WEST) • CLINTON 482-7706 - FOR .Purina.BarWM LINE RESULTS! .1 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO' HURON COUNTY PORK PRODUCERS Take notice that the 1984 Annual Meeting of the HURON COUNTY PORK PRODUCER'S ASSOCIATION will be held Wednesday, February 15, 1984 1 p.m. Legion Hall Clinton, Ontario for the purpose of the proper business of the Annual Meeting: The election of one (1) County Alternate for' a two year term. This election will be held between the hour of 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Guest Speaker James Rolling, Transport Manager with H.C.P.P. Russ Eedy President Lloyd Stewart Sec -Trees, 'NOW 1,81015,, ./fer.%Itte V.47/5aSt's .1;444 4,50% 1.4‘..V46' s • \;•4... 4tmoc, RC i ai S ,effective till closing Tues. Feb. 1,4 snal=amesmarea Carnation SKIM MILK POWDER I . LitiU Blueberry PIE FILLING Ib119 Ground BLACK PEPPER Ib. 2.99 RASPBERRY JAM BROWN SUGAR lb. .39 Store Cut Ib.1199 COLBY CHEESE HEINZ MUSTARD Ib. 049 We Do All The Scooping RECIPES AVAILABLE FOR ALL PRODUCTS Liquid HAND SOAP • 1 litre 2.89 litre 1.45 1/2 "NEW" The Soapmaker Quality Bulk Soaps, Cleaners, Shampoo 2.39 NORWEGIAN EDAM lb. 2.19 Dutch Style Dutch Style FINE : FINE CERVALAAT Ib. 2.59 LivERwoRstb.1.39 Bens Dorp 75 g roll Milk Chocolate or Bitter Sweet HONIG. SOUPS 8 Varieties ea. •55 MANY IN-STORE • SPECIALS - CHOCOLATE ROLLS 05. .89 GIFT BOXES OF CHOCOLATES FOR VALENTINE'S DAY GIVING She says most producers breed sheep in the fall, and because the gestation period is only just over five months, the lambs are ready for market by spring. In the spring, Ontario has the highest ethnic market for the meat in North America. This creates a problem because many producers, hoping to sell their lambs at a goodprice, aim for the earlier market. Also, the -ethnic shoppers prefer a smaller lamb, so a 40 pound lamb can sell for as much as $1.50 a pound. In the fall, when the ethnic market is practically non-existent, a larger lamb weighing 100 pounds, will sell for half the price. Florence said that restaurants like to take advantage of these reduced 'buys'. Laughing at an aging black Ewe whose maternal shape now resembles a pear, Florence says she "loves sheep because they are clean and docile." But Florence's love for sheep goes beyond feeding and watering the furry creatures. "Yesterday I thought she (a mother ewe) would give birth around supper time. As it turned ,oukteriambs didn't arrive till after midnight and I had to keep popping into the barn to catch the birth." Florence continues, "The ewes seem to have odd delivery hours. I've tried to change their feeding time because they say that makes a difference, but I haven't notic- ed a change. On the weekend I was up tiff four in the morning!" ss" 4. • . • , s',As #. • Choose from over 100 rolls of beautiful carpets and vinyl flooring in stock or pick from our large selection -of samples. Either way it means BIG SAVINGS for you. This is our FIFTH ANNUAL CARPET SALE and we think it's the best yet! Our regular low carpet and vinyl prices have been reduced and the savings are fantastic. Come in today and browse through our carpet showroom. In stock are the most popular level loops, pat- terns, plus -hes and sculptures in colour ranges for today's tastes. Have your new carpet installed by our professional in- Dort.,Bruce.,,._or install it.yoUrsejf. Either way DELIVERY IS FREE. Drop into Hodgins Lumber:today while the selection is at its best and get the carpets you've dreamed of at UNBELIEVABLE SALE PRICES! Ei,:_9-mstrong IMPERIAL ACCOTONE Choose from several rolls of this popular no -wax vinyl floor. A beautiful floor at this low, low. price 1. ONLY - 100% NYLON CARPET Exceptional value in this long wear- ing, level - loop carpet. We have it on sale at an unheard of price. 9 9 9 9 4 w. YD. 1 CARPET REMNANTS See our large selec- tion of factory remnants. Don't miss out on this big saving off the Manufacturer's Suggested list Price. SAVE 60' DON'T MISS THIS FANTASTIC SALE! Sale ends February 18, 1984 J. E. HODGINS LUMBER 11 NORTH ST. E. WINGHAM 357-3650 MON. FRL 8:00 - -5:30 SATURDAY' 8:00 - 4:00 MASTER CARD & VISA ACCEPTED . FREE DELIVERY