JANUARY 2021

Happy and Healthy New Year !

I am sure there are many people happy to see 2021 after the previous year of 2020 with the COVID quarantines and restriction requirements.

We have heard so many people say including ourselves that we are hoping to get back to normal living and get away from masks and crowd restrictions.  Although, we expect the precautions will stay with us for quite awhile yet.  

Questions is “Will normal return?” 

CARL'S CORNER

       We still have some 2021 calendars left if you need one. They are available at the mill and I carry a few with me in my truck.

     The provision of feed is deemed “an essential service” and we will continue to manufacture and deliver our feed products and ingredients.  However, because of the provincial lockdown imposed by the Ontario government, my colleagues and I are not allowed to make on-farm calls to our producers until the restrictions have been lifted.  I will continue to be available by phone, text, or email should you need my assistance.

     I want to personally thank each of you for taking delivery of your feed prior to the holidays.  To my knowledge, we did not have any of our producers run out of product due to your foresight by ensuring that you had enough feed on the farm to keep all your animals “gently lowing” over the busy two-week period leading up to New Years.

I have been advised that there will be a price increase on some of the feed samples on January 11^th.

     The feed products highlighted this month will appeal to small ruminant producers  -   the sheep and goat farmers.

The specific products are:

SMALL RUMINANT

16% Lamb Starter Ration - Medicated and

Non-Medicated

20% Kid Goat Starter (Plain or VPM)

Dairy Goat Crumb Mineral Supplement

Shur Gain JANUARY Feed Specials

               $2.00 Off Per Bag

         $25.00 Off per Metric Tonne

SMALL RUMINANT

• 16% Lamb Starter Ration - Medicated and Non-Medicated

• 20% Kid Goat Starter (Plain or VPM)

• Dairy Goat Crumb Mineral Supplement

Rich’s Remarks

       Ontario Pork’s report on December 31, 2020 states that the 100% formula price was $138.63/ckg DW.  This is down $19.51 from last month’s newsletter.  The CME price was $60.16, which is down $7.12 from last month’s newsletter.   The Canadian Dollar is at $0.7832  which is up $0.013 from last month.

     OMAFRA’s Ontario Market Hog Price Trend Sheet is not being produced right now.  Therefore I have looked at the futures numbers from Ontario Pork’s report on December 31 and calculated out the 100% formula prices for February $155.85, April $163.92, May $175.19, June $189.18, July $189.99 and August $189.06.  These are mixed from last month’s newsletter.  February, Apr and June were down $1.00 to $4.00 while July was up $3.00.

     Keep an eye on your gilts and sows.  We are seeing higher levels of Zearalenone and T2 levels in corn and ddgs even though Vomitoxin (DON) levels are below 1 ppm.  In gilts and sows, the vulva and reproductive tract become enlarged and vaginal and rectal prolapses occur.  Heats become irregular and litter size is reduced.  Luckily, our toxin binder Zenith C does a good job at binding up these toxins.

     USDA Quarterly Hog Report – Released December 1, 2020

      Breeding inventory, at 6.28 million head, was down 3% from last year, and down 1% from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 71.2 million head, was down 1% from last year, and down 1% from last quarter.  

Restricted or Commercial 

           Rat/Mouse Bait

As a reminder, please update your name on file to include your updated Pesticide Licence in order to purchase, restricted or commercial Rat/Mouse Bait.

As stated – “Effective January 1, 2021 every farmer must be certified by successfully completing the Grower Pesticide Safety Course to purchase and use pesticides that are federally designated as Restricted or Commercial.  These pesticides are now classified as Class B and C in Ontario respectively.”

The regulatory amendments 63/09 of the Ontario Pesticides Act came into force on May 1, 2020 changing Class 4 restrictions. Beginning January 1, 2021 a farmer will need a Pesticide Certificate to purchase Restricted or Commercial Products. The amendments will include changes to training requirements for farmers as well. 

Death Notice

As some of you may already have read in the Badder Obituaries, Bill Roberts passed away December 31, 2020 at Riverview Gardens Long Term Care Home at the age of 79.

He worked at McBrayne Feed for over 40 years driving trucks for deliveries and pickups.  He retired for health reasons but when he was able, he continued to come to the office to make our coffee for the employees’ breaks and to re-visit with everyone.  He will be missed!

CLOTHING

Are you ready for Cold Weather, check out what we have:

Insulated Coveralls and Unlined Long-

sleeved Coveralls

Button-up or zipper-front insulated

shirts

Quilted freezer vests

More items to protect against the

cold temperatures:

Insulated boots in Regular Soft Toe or

CSA

Warm Socks made with soft Merino

wool in them

Winter Gloves for the hands

Balaclava or furry Aviator hat for

extreme cold days