(Y95 News photo)
Years ago there were about 100 dairy producers in Yarmouth County, now there are just two.
Local dairy farmers were honoured Wednesday evening at Mariners Centre for their contribution to the community with the release of a booklet ‘Celebrating Yarmouth County Dairy Producers, Past and Present.
Retired dairy farmer Leslie Tedford started in 1961, right out of school.
“Everything’s gone now to computer. You’ve got to know more about computers than I do to keep going. Everything’s done by machine now. Putting hay in is a lot easier. Round bales, a lot easier than it was.”
He says he misses it.
Retired farmer Tony Mullen wonders how long the young people will keep at it.
“The younger generation don’t want to do it, they want their time off. Back when we were into it, we didn’t care, it was fun. If we didn’t enjoy it, we wouldn’t have been in it. If even if I don’t have a dairy now, i still keep a Jersey cow.”
Mullen laughs “Got to keep a cow around.”
Mark Firth, president of the Yarmouth Exhibition Association was pleased with the great turnout.
“It’s a great thing. It’s good to see all these people and we don’t want to forget the people that were in it and gave so much to the community.”
The Western Nova Scotia Exhibition hosted last night’s release as part of its 160th anniversary celebrations.
