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mp" Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, December 13, 1994 -- 15 <a Local farm now a Beef Development Centre by Heather McCrae There's a nice big sign in front of Breezy Acres farm near Blackstock, stating the farm is now a Beef Heifer Development Centre. Breezy Acres, owned by Harvey and Joan Graham, and their son, Mark, is the only Beef Heifer Development Centre in this area of Ontario. The program, relatively new in Ontario, was implemented by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) three years ago in conjunction with several beef cattle producers. Now, it's a three- way agreement between OMAFRA, the BIO (Beef Improvement in Ontario) and 12 station managers located throughout the province, with Breezy Acres being one of these. In an interview with Harvey and Mark Graham recently, they told the Citizen "the program is designed to take calves, after they're weaned, and raise them to breeding age; then evaluating them for their genetic potential". After weaning, the six month old calf is put on a balanced ration feeding program for 120 days and weighed every+ thirty days to measure its average daily gain. At the end of this period the heifers are evaluated for frame score, temperament, rib eye area, back fat and the pelvic area. The pelvic measurement is an indication of the heifer's ability to calve with or without difficulty. "The rule of thumb" Harvey 4 GUITAR © LESSONS ; AVAILABLE Starting in January, «J Taking names now: Shiftworkers welcome. [ Beginner to Advanced, All Ages. GUITAR REPAIRS (Acoustic & Electric) 4 For further details call ki} TOM MARK GET YOUR TAX REFUND ' BEFORE CHRISTMAS For Those Who Qualify H&R BLOCK 174 PERRY STREET, PORT PERRY .* once again offers December Cash Back. told the Citizen, "states the average pelvic size is 180 sq. cm., usually guaranteeing the heifer will calve a 90 1b. calf unassisted. If the pelvic area measures below an acceptable size then that heifer will be culléd from the breeding program and be destined for the feedlot. "We try to use only the best heifers in the program for breeding. The whole project is to measure the genetic potential of the animal" they concluded. Veterinarian Jerry Blackburn started measuring the heifers at the end of the 120-day feeding program, taking into consideration all the factors previously stated. MARK GRAHAM R2EEZY ACRES FAT ga A mixture of beef cattle, including Gelbvieh, Simmental, Maine Anjou, Black and Red Angus make up the herd at Breezy Acres. Selected heifers are bred naturally on the premises to primarily Red Angus bulls because that breed usually produces low birth weight calves, making calving easier on the heifers. While most of the cattle at the Blackstock farm are their own, several are consigned, most locally, although some animals have come from as far away as Havelock and Madoc. These animals can either stay at Breezy Acres or return to their owners after the 120-day program and continue on the Pasture and Breeding program. Most beef heifers are bred at 15 months and are due to calve nine months later. Two weeks ago the Grahams held their first auction sale at Wilson's Sale Barn, selling 120 head that had gone through the Heifer Development Program. Dr. Blackburn had done a pregnancy check on every animal and was pleased to state all are in calf and due to deliver in April or May of next year. This auction was the first sale of its kind since the Heifer Development Program surfaced three years ago. "It was a very successful sale", Mark said. "All the pertinent information on the animal was listed in the sale catalogue which most people found useful. Most heifer sales don't have that information" he said. Having been involved in the program for a year Harvey and Mark feel it's been a positive experience and the Centres are a good way to provide a service for other people that don't have the facilities to carry the project. Harvey is on the executive of both the Provincial and Canadian Cattlemen's Association. Ontario LL 1)2 FORDER - PARKS INSURANCE BROKERS INC. 34 Water Street, Port Perry, 985-8471 PERSONAL ATTENTION TO ALL OF YOUR GENERAL INSURANCE NEEDS (CH NOX YEAR it Best Rat Harvey Graham and his son, Mark, have the only Beef Heifer Development Centre In this part of Ontario. See story of their new venture. " OVER 6000 SQFT, of SHOWROOM | Furniture, Appliances, TV, VCR and more! All at Guaranteed Low Prices! 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