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oF," 4 | ae | Oe Sey, ee eee ag, Met oe te Re on ein eh eee ee en See Ck wk Oe ee. ee Gate to plate Taking stock of Embrun exchange By Anne Davelaar Have you ever wondered how that porterhouse steak you had for dinner last night got from the farm to your plate? The complicated process takes place almost every Monday morn- ing between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Embrun Livestock Exchange, attracting farmers and dealers from eastern Ontario, western Quebec and even from New York state. Business is brisk as a crowd of pick-ups, cattle-trucks and cars jockey for space around the sprawling metal exchange, built in 1950. An office-worker states that on an average Monday between $75,000 and $100,000 worth of ~ livestock changes hands. No wonder a:staff of over 25 people must be on hand to process the livestock. Besides three office- workers and three auctioneers, at least 19 farm-lads are kept busy. By unloading the animals, herding them through the auction process and loading them up after sale, they can "make from $50 to $75 a day", according to their boss, Jean-Paul Menard. To protect the consumer, THE PROFESSIONAL WAY. Rent the fantastic new Up & Out Hydro-Mist Machine for superior carpet clean- ing. Loosens and removes dirt, previ- ous shampoo residue, and up to 90% of the moisturg in just one step. Save money... get results just likea professional! AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL 4 HOUR--8 HOUR-- OR OVERNIGHT BASIS LORAL 'HOME HARDWARE Ted Lehowski, Prop. RUSSELL, ONT., 445-2171 Ministry of Agriculture officials also take part in the processing. Roger Guillemette, antemortem and meat inspector, watches the unloading closely. If he suspects disease in an animal, he im- mediately places a tag marked 'HELD' on it, separates this animal from the others and calls in the vet, who has the last word in the case. The alleyways of the exchange are clogged with traffic and signs warn that visitors enter at their own risk. All the while, the voice of the auctioneer on the public- address system rises above the bleating goats, bellowing cattle and squealing pigs, as it informs farmer and dealer whether prices are rising or falling. Regent Menard, his uncle Leo Menard and Del Spratt are the focal point of the auctioning pro- cess, as they take turns at the microphone above the semicir- cular fenced-in ring. Livestock auctioning is a three-man opera- tion. One punches in-the exact weight of each animal on a com- puterized scale, equipped with a display screen for the customers. The second fills out the bills of sale and the third runs the bid- ding. The auctioneer often uses the telephone beside him to keep track of the latest Toronto and Montreal figures, in order to determine the best price for each animal. A fraction of a cent per pound can mean the difference between profit and loss for the farmer. "We rely a lot. on our own judgement," says Regent Menard, who has been an auctioneer for about 20 years. "We also rely on the farmers here for the prices they want."' SUNDAY FLEA MARKET KIWI CAMPING Hwy. 417 -- Cornwall Junction Baird & Nylene McNeill VICE & CRAIG Funeral Homes Inc. METCALFE 821-2120 WINCHESTER 774-2120 CHESTERVILLE 448-2120 - Page 7 The action is fast at Embrun Livestock Exchange every Monday with auctioneers Regent and Leo Menard and Del Spratt keeping things hustling. (Mary Rowsell Photo) ""We have to be careful," says Regent Menard when asked about his company's profits. The dealers, some of whom are agents for six or seven companies, also use telephones, provided at their front-row seats so they can keep in constant touch with their clients. Farmers and their families fill the rest of the stands. Once he has announced the weight and the best price for the animal, the auctioneer starts the bidding at a lower figure. Sometimes the pace is furious as people raise their hands to outbid each other. At other times the auctioneer needs all his wit and charm to make the best sale possi- ble. He uses his gavel freely and switches easily back and forth bet- ween English and French. In the snack-bar farmers con- gratulate each other on especially good deals as they enjoy coffee and hamburgs, served by two women who find this a pleasant way to get out of the house, and earn some money too. All seems to be running smoothly at the Embrun Livestock Exchange, but ap- pearances can be deceiving. Hav- ing lost thousands of dollars in sales in the past, the three Menard men and their partner, Del Spratt, now work with bonds guaranteed by the bank for large sales. Small sales are risky, "but you've got to take a chance," says Jean-Paul Menard. -"'They charge us a big insurance because everybody smokes in the barn."' As the day wears on, farmers and dealers load up their trucks at the back of the building and 'gradually disperse. The Embrun Livestock Exchange is only a small link in the chain of events leading from farm to table, but a glimpse of its operation leaves one with lots of food for thought! SINGLES NOW OPEN!!! RENE GIROUX & FRANCOIS DUBE MEN'S WEAR at GIROUX -- DUBE you'll find everything: SUITS -- COATS -- SPORTS COATS -- SHIRTS -- TIES -- HATS -- SHOES -- SOCKS -- LEATHER COATS -- LADIES SUITS & SWEATERS -- BOYS SUITS FREE ALTERATIONS WEDDING SUIT RENTALS COME SEE US GIROUX -- DUBE Corner of Maheu & Sons -- Embrun 443-2506 Mon. to Wed. -- 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thurs.-Fri -- 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. -- 9a.m.-5 p.m. METCALFE PHARMACY LTD. Metcalfe -- 821-1224 REGULAR HOURS Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ns "Mark Il $49,400 MORTGAGE 12 1/2% e YOUR CHOICE OF LOTS e YOUR CHOICE OF CARPET e YOUR CHOICE OF HOME LOTS e YOUR CHOICE OF CUSHION G EM COLOURS FLOOR COLOURS e YOUR CHOICE OF KIT. CABINET e YOUR CHOICE OF COUNTERTOP FENCING (SAMPLES) COLOURS _ «YOUR CHOICE OF CERAMIC COLOURS PHONE: OFFICE 445-5666 arter Hours: 445-3016 « 445-2079 Chantal Place QUALITY BUILT & CONTROLLED BY CHANTAL DEVELOPMENT INC. RESIDENTIAL CHAINLINK - GALVANIZED & VINYL SUPPLY @INSTALLATION ®REPAIR FREE ESTIMATE DIRECTIONS: Take 417 East to Boundary Rd. exit, turn right and follow our signs to Russell, Ont. or take Hwy. 31 to Metcalfe Corner, turn left to Russell, Ont. Phone... Ab Rredddrsisiescnereven GB MEAD cei re Fae ex