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Cattle sale prices top expectations
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by Michael Erskine
LITTLE CURRENT---Prices were good at the 60th Annual Manitoulin
Livestock Cooperative Fall Cattle Sale last Friday, September 12.
The 1538 head of cattle waiting in the pens for their turn on the
auction block was good news, and that in itself was a positive sign,
being barely 200 head shy of last year's banner numbers. The real
news came as the auctioneer's hammer fell again and again on prices
above one doller, per pound.
"It was a great sale," said Mike Stevens, general manager of
Manitoulin Livestock Cooperative. "The prices were good, considering
all that has gone on."
The battering of Canada's cattle industry has been front page news
across the country all summer, as discovery of a single cow brain
with Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (Mad Cow disease) in western
Canada led to a closing of borders to Canada's beef that is only now
slowly beginning to relent.
Average prices came in at $107.25 per hundredweight, with a high
stretching to $125.75.
Prices have begun to rebound from the devastating lows seen just two
weeks ago, following an upward trend at cattle sales such as last
week's sale in Wiarton.
Owen Wieb, a Mennonite farmer from the Kitchener area said it was
'hard to say,' how prices are doing.
"It depends on what you compare it too," he said.
Mr. Wieb, who comes to the Manitoulin sale every year, did not go to
the Wiarton sale last week.
The stands at the cattle barn auction floor were filled to capacity
with farmers, buyers and sellers, but not everyone was actively
involved in the sale.
A lot of Manitoulin farmers said they were 'just looking,' as they
wandered around the cattle barn grounds, talking with old friends and
discussing the state of farming.
"I am just looking," said Rick Bond, who also said prices were
looking good, considering events. "It is really good to see the
number of people out."
Mr. Bond said he had serendipitously sold the bulk of his cattle
holdings prior to the border closing.
"I think that prices are better than down south," said NEMI Mayor Ken
Ferguson, who is himself a cattle farmer, although he was not buying
or selling at the fall sale. "I think that given all that has gone
on, prices are looking good."
While prices for unfinished cattle were stronger than expected, many
farmers had feared prices would be at 90 cents, they are still well
off what is needed for a profitable and vibrant cattle market.
"You can get near as much for a yearling as you can for one that's
finished," lamented one farmer, off the record. "That's got to change
if anyone is going to be making a living."
Indeed, farmers have little choice but to be optimistic, should the
borders not reopen and prices rebound, the industry will be in
serious trouble.
The prices seen at this year's cattle sale reflect that optimism as
does a thriving trade currently going on between Ontario and the west.
"There's lots moving back and forth to Alberta," said trucker Louis
Alcorn, who comes to the Coop cattle sale each year. "There is a big
demand for yearlings out west."
The banter amongst the truckers revealed that a number of favourite
farms and destinations are no more, forcing trips further afield on
the independents. Truckers too have known tough days over the past
year. High fuel costs are one difficulty, but it is insurance that
really rises their ire.
"Especially if you are running cattle," said Mr. Alcorn. "If you are
running cattle, nobody wants to talk to you."
When carriers do indicate they are willing to underwrite a cattle
trucking business, the rates have skyrocketed.
"We weren't too happy with our rates," said Mr. Alcorn. "After we
shopped around a bit, I'll tell you, if you have an insurer you can
live with, you'd better stay put."
Alison McAllister, Regional Inspector for the Ontario Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Agent Vickie Tyson had
nothing but praise for the way the sale was conducted and for the
handling of the animals.
"Everything looked good," said Ms. McAllister. "It's nice to see a
good sale. The farmers really need it, I think."
Ms. McAllister's organization's legislative mandate does not extend
to the transport of animals, per se, but there are instances, should
animals be in obvious distress, that she could take action. But there
was no indication anything was at all amiss at the sale.
Meanwhile, young Jason Mallette, years away from the worries of
school and work, wandered the grounds with his mother. He was at the
sale for one purpose, to see the cows, and his grandfather had
certainly had quite a few for sale.
"The prices are looking good," said Ms. Mallette, as she buckled
young Jason into his carseat.
Young Mr. Mallette comes from a farming heritage that is under
constant threat, but oblivious to all of that and the politics which
surrounds it, he just wanted to see some cows.
With a vibrant fall cattle sale, and if the borders reopen to the
United States, he may yet get to follow in his grandfather's
footsteps.
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Manitoulin fans go Wild!
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by Cheryl Waugh
LITTLE CURRENT---On a normal night, the Little Current Howland
Recreation Centre is colder than an iceberg, but with the
inaugural
game of the Junior A Manitoulin Wild playing there Friday night
it
was anything but normal, not when you have 800 people to heat
things
up.
Sweaters were out, shorts and T-shirts were in, as a capacity
crowd
packed itself into the arena. Hockey fans started arriving at 6
pm,
an hour and a half before the 7:30 pm start. By 7 pm, the stands
were
already jammed full of people. And yet, more people kept
arriving,
and arriving, and arriving....
At least 100 people had to be turned away at the door.
The team sold an extra 75-80 tickets by allowing people to watch
the
game upstairs in the centre's hall.
"We had overwhelming support for this first game," said Larry
Leblanc, general manager of the Manitoulin Wild. "We certainly
hope
that this keeps up."
He explained that the large crowd helped to spark season ticket
sales. When he got home after the game, there were two messages
on
his answering machine from people asking for season tickets.
They
hadn't gotten into the game.
And while the visiting North Michigan Black Bears ultimately
beat the
Manitoulin Wild 5-3, many fans left impressed with the speed of
the
game, and with the play of the players.
"It's good, fast hockey," said Mike Panamick, of M'Chigeeng. "I
really think this is going to be a good thing for Manitoulin."
In recent interviews with The Manitoulin Expositor, Mr. Leblanc
has
stated that this team is a community team, and that he believes
Manitoulin hockey fans will support the Junior A Wild.
The Manitoulin community certainly supported the team for its
first
game September 12 as people from all over the Island drove to
Little
Current to witness what many thought was a historic moment.
"It was worth the trip," said Al Tribinevicius, who drove up
from
Sandfield for the game. "This has been one of the most exciting
nights for Manitoulin in a long time." He added he felt the Wild
needed two big defenceman to help clear the front of the net.
The historic moment was why the Director of Waubetek, Dawn
Madahbee,
of Sucker Creek, came to the game. Both fortune and good timing
were
smiling on her that night, she was the last person in the door
before
the team cut off ticket sales.
Four women from Wikwemikong, Rosemary Pangowish, June Pangowish,
Sharon Assiniwe, and Donna Assiniwe, made the trip to Little
Current,
and though they couldn't get tickets into the arena, they did
manage
to be one of the 75 who got to sit upstairs in the hall.
And while the group upstairs was removed from the noisy crowd
below,
it didn't curtail their enthusiasm as they pounded on the glass
with
annoyance at missed Black Bears indiscretions by the referees,
and
cheered or clapped for the Wild. Most were just happy to be let
in
the door after almost being cut off from the game altogether.
"It's definitely been worth the trip," said Rosemary Pangowish.
"It's
exciting, fast hockey."
Donna Assiniwe has been a Junior A hockey mom as two of her sons
played for the Espanola Screaming Eagles, so she knew what to
expect
as far as the quality of play was concerned. "It's really fast
action
hockey," she said.
"It's really exciting to have Junior A hockey here on the
Island, but
they'll need all the support of hockey fans on Manitoulin," she
added.
Sharon Assiniwe is a big hockey fan, and said she can hardly
wait for
the National Hockey League games to start up again, but she was
enjoying what the Wild and Black Bears game had to offer. "It
really
is fast action hockey," she said. "I'm excited about Junior A
hockey
coming to Manitoulin, this is going to be great for the Island."
Mr. Leblanc said the Wild games will all be entertaining, and
that
the team will be more than competitive this year. "I think we'll
do
really well," he said.
The Wild had a tough first period going down 3-0 before coming
back
in the second period to make it 3-2. The Black Bears scored a
fourth
goal to make it 4-2, before Manitoulin added another. North
Michigan's final goal was into an empty net.
Mr. Leblanc said the team experienced first period jitters. "The
big
thing is the vast majority of these kids have never played in
front
of a crowd before. And, this was a big crowd. They were
overreacting
to what was happening on the ice, and getting caught out of
position."
"They were so nervous," said Coach Stephane Soulliere. "They
found
out before the game that it was sold out, and they started
choking up
on their sticks. It's hard to think and remember technical
details
when you're nervous like that. We made two defensive miscues
early
and they capitalized on them. The first period was the
difference in
the game."
The Wild are a young team. In a league that allows 20 year olds
to
play, the Wild are carrying one 15 year old, four 16 year olds,
six
17 year olds, six 18 year olds, and six 19 year olds. There are
no 20
year olds on the team.
"They're all rookies," said Alex Kowal, of Sudbury. "You have to
remember that. I think they showed a lot of character and heart
coming back like that."
Assistant Coach Mike Meeker also spoke of the character of the
players. "I didn't know any of them before training camp, but
these
kids are great. They are a great bunch of kids, and I am
impressed
with their character. I really hope the fan support that we got
Friday night keeps up."
Despite the loss, by the sounds of what people were saying after
Friday's game, it looks like that just might happen.
"It's been a pretty good game," said Barry Parsons, of Little
Current. "This is a great idea, and its good for our boys.
They'll be
able to stay at home if they want to play at this level. I think
it's
a good proposition for the whole of Manitoulin."
Manitoulin's hockey youth will not be the only ones to benefit
from
the presence of the Wild, general admission is only $6 for
students,
and its free for children nine years and younger. Suddenly,
there is
something for young people to do on a Friday night - that's when
the
majority of the Wild's home games will be played. Adult general
admission is $8.
"I've always had faith that the hockey fans of Manitoulin would
support us," said Mr. Leblanc.
The faith that he and his partners - which includes Robert
Beaudin,
of M'Chigeeng, Walter Manitowabi, of Wikwemikong, Tim Labelle,
of
Long Lac, and Mr. Kowal - showed in Manitoulin by bringing the
Wild
here was rewarded Friday night.
And, the large, diverse, crowd was rewarded with a fast,
skillful game.
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Wild succumbs to first game loss |
by Cheryl Waugh
LITTLE CURRENT---The inaugural game of the Manitoulin Wild was
essentially lost in the first period, as the team went down 3-0
to
the North Michigan Black Bears, but the team won over a lot of
fans
as they came back in the second and third periods.
Ultimately, the solid effort over the last two periods wasn't
enough
to overcome the first period jitters, as the Wild lost 5-3
Friday
night at the Little Current Howland Recreation Centre.
"We made two defensive errors early, and they capitalized on
them
right away," said Coach Stephane Soulliere. "The first period
was the
difference in the game. We came back and won the second and
third
periods."
It took only 50 seconds for the Black Bears to score the first
goal.
Then the Wild got three powerplay opportunities in a row as the
bigger North Michigan team started taking some aggressive
penalties.
Manitoulin couldn't score though, and at one point during a
powerplay
both defencman got caught, and the shorthanded Black Bears had a
2-0
break against goaltender Matt George. He came up with a pad save
to
keep the score at 1-0 Black Bears.
North Michigan scored their second goal on their own powerplay
with
only 2:12 left in the frame, and added their third goal with
only
19.7 seconds left in the first period.
In between periods, Mr. Soulliere urged his team to get the next
goal
and make it 3-1. "We had to make it 3-1, if they scored the next
goal
and made it 4-0, then we're down and out."
He noted that his team was really nervous prior to the game
after the
players were told the game was sold out. As well, he explained
that
the North Michigan team had been together for the last four or
five
months and had played two exhibition games. Manitoulin didn't
play an
exhibition game, so this was the first game together for the
players.
"If we had played an exhibition game, the players would have
jelled a
little better, but I thought they played really well overall,"
said
Mr. Soulliere.
The Wild came out much stronger in the second period, and were
beating the Black Bears to the puck in the offensive zone, as
they
got their forechecking game going. It paid off as less than four
minutes into the frame forward Steve Zwarich carried the puck
from
the right side boards and into the slot, wristing a perfect shot
over
North Michigan goaltender Ethan Gazdin to score the historic
first
goal for Manitoulin.
About four minutes later forward Ken May roared down the left
wing
side and fired off another wrist shot that found the back of the
net.
Suddenly, the score was 3-2 Black Bears with half the game still
to
go. The North Michigan team responded by taking a time out. The
ploy
worked as the Black Bears scored less than two minutes later to
make
it 4-2.
In the third, the Wild continued to come at the Black Bears with
their speed. Several good chances were kicked out by Mr. Gazdin.
The
Wild finally got to him for their third goal with only 4:18 left
to
play in the game. With 1:03 left in the third, Manitoulin took a
time
out, and then pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. North
Michigan scored their final goal into an empty net.
General Manager Larry Leblanc said the players still need to get
familiar with each other's style. "Last year, they all played
somewhere else and in a different system. You can practice all
you
want, but unless you get into a game you really don't know what
your
linemate is going to do, how he'll react to things on the ice,"
he
said.
He chalked up the first period to first game jitters, and
overall
said he was pleased with the team's effort. "I thought we
competed
with them pretty good. It was a one goal loss so I think that is
pretty respectable. We also didn't play anywhere near where
we're
capable of playing," he said.
The Wild will have a chance to do some game bonding this week
with
three games on the schedule. The team plays its first away game
Thursday night against the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats. The
Sabrecats
play all their home games at the Chelmsford Arena, game time is
7:30
pm. The Wild then face the Soo Thunderbirds at home Friday
night. All
Manitoulin home games are being played at the Little Current
Howland
Recreation Centre. The game starts at 7:30 pm. Finally, on
Sunday,
September 21, Manitoulin heads to North Bay to face-off against
what
is expected to be a stacked Skyhawks team.
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Manitowaning Agricultural Fair growing fast |
by Michael Erskine
MANITOWANING---Agricultural fairs are a foundation event in the
lives
of a rural community, and after decades of slow decline they are
rebounding with a vengeance. As the Manitowaning Agricultural
Fair
begins its 127th season, it continues to reign as the oldest and
continuous ongoing event of its kind in the province.
"I have seen a big turn-around in the last three years," said
Debbie
Kirby, District Agricultural Director with the Ontario
Association of
Agricultural Societies, "and a lot of that is thanks to the
support
we receive from local community newspapers. Agricultural fairs
depend
a lot on the coverage they get in local newspapers."
The weather also has a big role to play in making an
agricultural
fair a success, and this weekend's sunshine and warm weather was
a
great asset in getting the crowd out.
"Isn't it great," smiled Manitowaning Agricultural Fair
President
Kyla Jansen, as she helped ready a pony for the rides that
Honora Bay
Riding Stables hosted throughout Saturday. "We are really hoping
to
see a lot of people out today."
This year's events started out on Friday, September 12 with an
evening of entertainment provided by Hypnotist Mark Lewis, of
Toronto. Mr. Lewis also provided a children's magic show on
Saturday,
that had almost as many adults sitting enthralled in the
audience as
children.
"I began performing as a magician almost 40 years ago," said Mr.
Lewis. "It was my first love."
It was about a decade ago that he added hypnotism to his
repertoire,
and he said it was a lot of fun, especially in a small
community.
"People love seeing the folks they know up on the stage," he
said.
"It is a lot of fun to see them doing a few crazy things."
The Saturday lineup of events began with a pancake breakfast at
Knox
United Church, and by 11:30 am everyone was full and ready to
watch
the parade.
Huge tables stretched the length of the Manitowaning Arena,
bedecked
with arts, crafts and a cornucopic array of fruits, flowers and
monstrously huge tubers spoke volumes about the vibrancy of all
things agricultural in the area and the past summer's growing
season.
"Agricultural fairs are really at the mercy of the weather,"
said Ms.
Kirby. "If the sun doesn't shine, or if it rains too much, you
might
not have anything to show."
It isn't always good weather you need either.
"When it comes to the agricultural crafts, like quilts," she
laughed,
"a good harsh winter helps to keep people inside and working on
them."
Beginning at 12:30 pm, judging of livestock and poultry, and
then the
pet show, had a menagerie of creatures large and small parading
through the arena, with some owners alternately cajoling and
reprimanding recalcitrant creatures, while others looked on with
amusement. Laughter and smiles bedecked the faces of all.
Cotton candy, a number of vendors and even a dunk tank, also
helped
to bring a carnival air to the fair, and as the last visitor
headed
for the exit door a small cadre of dedicated individuals began
the
task of cleaning up.
Volunteers from the community truly provide the heart that is
helping
to keep the fine rural tradition of the agricultural fair not
only
alive, but thriving. |
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