Feature Article January 8, 2003
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Farmers appeal for hayElmer and Barbara Ellsworth run a small Hereford farm on the Price Road halfway between Mountain Grove and Arden. They have 30 head of cattle today, and are as much victims of the Mad Cow scare as large Alberta ranchers.
Normally, the Ellsworths maintain their herd by selling off older calves and adult cows, the adults fetching up to a thousand dollars, and the calves somewhat less. Lacking equipment, they purchase hay each year to overwinter their cattle, and pasture them in the spring.
When cattle prices collapsed last May, the Ellsworths did not make enough money to purchase hay for the winter. They sold off 10 head at a very low price in June, but by the time Christmas rolled around, they found themselves without hay, or money to buy hay.
We tried everything we could think of, said Barbara Ellsworth, we contacted the MP, the MPP, and nothing happened.
An appeal through the Kingston Whig Standard resulted in a donation from Newbugh area farmer of 23 round bales, which was much appreciated.
The farmer from Newburgh had to drive through icy roads last Friday, January 2, and he brought us enough hay to last 10 days, for which we thank him very much, Barbara Ellsworth told the News.
But now the Ellsworths are running out of hay again, and appeal to anyone who has extra hay to phone (613) 335-5337. We also received a call from a gentleman on Wolfe Island, who has hay to donate, but he has no way of getting it to us and we dont have a truck ourselves, so if anyone has transportation available, it would also help us out, Barbara Ellsworth said.
Round or square bales, we can use any hay we can get, she added..
