THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023. PAGE 13.
Agriculture
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Brussels Livestock report
Fed steers, heifers sell fully steadily at weekly sale Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week of March 31 were 1,870 cattle and 1,688 lambs and goats. On Tuesday, fed steers and heifers sold fully steady. Choice steers and heifers sold $205 to $219. Second-cut cattle sold $194 to $204; aged and medium-fed steers and heifers, $194 to $204; holstein steers and heifers, $140 to $185. Cows sold steady. On Thursday, holstein veal sold actively at easier prices. Beef veal sold fully steady. Lambs and goats sold steady and sheep sold higher. On Friday, calves sold actively on a steady market with quality considered. Top quality yearlings
sold steady. Second-cut yearlings sold on a easier market. Noah and Neil Weppler of Ayton, consigned 14 head. Three black heifers averaged 1,542 lbs. and sold for an average price of $217. Elam W. Martin of Harriston, consigned 11 head. One bwf steer weighed 1,510 lbs. and sold for a price of $219. There were 300 cows on offer. Beef sold $110 to $149; good holstein cows, $105 to $139; medium holstein cows, $95 to $105 and bulls sold $131 to $197. There were 185 head of veal on offer. Beef veal sold $195 to $248 with sales to $260; good holsteins, $190 to $206; SL heavy holsteins,
$185 to $216; heavy holsteins, $150 to $190; medium holsteins, $175 to $189; plain holsteins, $120 to $180. Jim Maw of Forest, consigned three head. One blue steer weighed 895 lbs. and sold for a price of $248. Robert Hess of Ayton, consigned six head. One holstein steer weighed 775 lbs. and sold for a price of $216. Lambs under 50 lbs. sold $415.75 to $435; 50 - 64 lbs., $385.50 to $406; 65 - 79 lbs., $361 to $390; 80 - 94 lbs., $299 to $340; 95 - 109 lbs., $270 to $295; 110 lbs. and over, $253 to $282.50. Goats: billies sold $150 to $450; nannies, $50 to $150; kids: meat, $400 to $530; dairy, $250 to $400.
Mike and Nick Masse of Zurich, consigned 45 head. Thirteen lambs averaged 80 lbs. and sold for an average price of $350. Tony Howe of Walkerton, consigned 13 head. Seven lambs averaged 61 lbs. and sold for an average price of $395. Top quality stocker steers, 400 499 lbs. sold $332.50 to $360; 500 599 lbs., $295 to $335; 600 - 699 lbs., $284 to $319; 700 - 799 lbs., $268.50 to $302; 800 - 899 lbs., $271.50 to $289; 900 - 999 lbs., $248.50 to $262; 1,000 lbs. and over, $244.75 to $259. Top quality stocker heifers, 400 499 lbs. sold $265 to $315; 500 599 lbs., $250.75 to $295; 600 - 699 lbs., $239 to $285; 700 - 799 lbs.,
$226 to $262; 800 - 899 lbs., $231 to $254; 900 lbs. and over, $212 to $242.75. Chad, Tanner and Steve Simpson of Goderich, consigned 25 head. Ten charolais heifers averaged 754 lbs. and sold for an average price of $262. Stewart Farms of Douglas, consigned 78 head. Nine charolais heifers averaged 843 lbs. and sold for an average price of $252.75. Nine charolais steers averaged 827 lbs. and sold for an average price of $289. Steve Pastoor of Kerwood, consigned 62 head. Seventeen charolais steers averaged 996 lbs. and sold for an average price of $262.
Lobb, Thompson consult Huron farmers at forum
The issues of the day
Huron County Federation of Agriculture President Murray Workman, centre, welcomed Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, left, and Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, right, to the organization’s annual politicians’ forum on March 31, held at the Holmesville Hall. (Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot photo)
By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot The Rural Voice The asks and thanks kept HuronBruce MP Ben Lobb and HuronBruce MPP Lisa Thompson alternating between smiles and serious nods at the Huron County Federation of Agriculture’s MP/MPP and Local Politician Forum on March 31 in Holmesville. There were demands for more processing facilities in Ontario and wishes for more funds via the Risk Management Program. At the same time, commodity leaders were vocal in their thanks to Lobb and Thompson for their commitment to agriculture. Lobb was praised as his private member’s bill exempting Canadian farmers from the carbon tax on natural gas and propane used to dry crops and heat livestock had just passed. There was a convivial atmosphere and this event, held annually, gave agricultural commodity leaders a chance to share their successes, concerns and needs with Lobb and
Thompson. The two listened, then shared their own successes, concerns and needs. It’s evident there is a long-standing respect between all, but that didn’t stop some leaders from urging the pair to do something about the lack of processing capacity in Ontario. “In the last couple of months and years, we have lost a lot of processing capacity to Quebec and the United States,” said Philip Van Raay, representing the Huron County Pork Producers. “We could keep that money in Ontario if we kept the pigs here.” He explained that when pigs get shipped south for processing, it can cost farmers an additional $25 per animal with the carbon tax, in addition to worries about African Swine Fever (ASF) making its way to Canada from the U.S. and how hard it is on farmers to have pigs (which keep growing) crowding in barns and potentially being euthanized if there isn’t space to process them. Beef farmers feel a similar pinch
and want to see increased investment in programs that support meat processing capacity and infrastructure, along with the training, recruitment and retention of meat cutters and butchers. Keith Todd, representing Ontario Sheep Farmers District 3, also chimed in saying in order to grow the sheep industry, they need more grocery space and a place to process lamb. “We need a federal processing plant,” he stressed, citing the closure of TruHarvest in Toronto, a farmer-owned packing plant that suspended operations in January. Dairy farmers are also worried, said Huron County Dairy Producers spokesperson Lorenz Guntensperger. “We are as concerned about the lack of processing as the others. In the dairy sector, we are processing at 100 per cent capacity. When something goes down, we are in a pinch,” he said. Guntensperger also spoke to the insensibility of a government
concerned about the carbon footprint while milk is being shipped from one end of the province to the other to be processed. “We want to figure out options for processing on this side of Toronto, in Huron and Perth County,” he said. “It was great to see in the budget there is money being allocated for this issue because there is a great demand for protein and we have an abundance of milk, so hopefully this will spur more processing and get something figured out to keep the money in Ontario.” Ethan Wallace, a dairy farmer and Ontario Federation of Agriculture board director, said processing is key to the agricultural industry and a requirement for strong communities. “Being able to process the commodities we produce in this county will add exponential dollars to our tax rolls and economy,” he said. The lack of processing for meat and dairy has been vocalized for many years at this forum and Thompson was pleased to report that a $10 million efficiency program for processors has been created to modernize existing processing facilities. She has toured the Lactalis Canada dairy plant in Winchester and seen its plans for expansion. “I thought, wait, where is Southwestern Ontario in this plan?” said Thompson. However, she said the plan was “phenomenal” and that the company and local municipal council have worked in tandem to create this opportunity. “If we want to attract value-added processing, we need to think about where the opportunities are and how we can be shovel-ready to bring processors to farmers.” Lobb said the need for more processing is more important than ever in order for Canada to be a sovereign nation. “Food is a sovereign issue,” he said. “We need energy sovereignty, food sovereignty and sovereignty within our borders. We do not have that. When we hear issues with abattoirs and processors and the fact that we do not make baby formula in this country, well that is unacceptable.” For many years, Canada has looked at off-shore production, but it’s time to look at home, he said.
A processing plant in central Ontario would add to the country’s gross domestic product, create jobs and protect Canada from “country of origin” labelling issues. Plus, it would be better for the environment, explained Lobb. Lobb was praised for his success in having Bill-C-234 passed in the House of Commons in March. “To have a private member’s bill passed in direct opposition to the leadership of the day is almost unheard of,” said Wallace. Lobb was thanked by many agricultural leaders, including Thompson. “Ben is humble, but I want to echo my thanks. We need smart policy that is not driven by ideology, because we need to be competitive,” said Thompson. “The biggest thing driving up food on the shelf right now is the carbon tax.” Speaking for the Farm Finance committee, Rob Vandenhengel wished the carbon tax “would come off everything.” In particular, he mentioned the tax is an issue for commercial dryers and elevators, but the bill does not cover them. “It would be great if there was an amendment in the senate to include them.” Lobb wasn’t alone in being appreciated and praised. Thompson was thanked for increasing money to the Risk Management Program (RMP) by $50 million for an annual allocation of $150 million though it isn’t enough, said some. “The Continued on page 16
BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd.
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