FISH AND VaLDLIFE DIVISION. 



fUR FARMING 

 1955. 



The mink pelt market opened strongly In December at prices gener- 

 ally 10^ to 15^ above the same period last year. By the end of March, it 

 was estimated that approximately 10% of the Canadian production of ranch- 

 raised mink was sold. European purchases, particularly from Italy, have 

 been a strong influence in maintaining the high price structure. 



For the first time and under the direction of the Marketing Board 

 of Canada Mink Breeders, a successful series of sponsored sales were held 

 at four Canadian auction companies. The mutation pelts carried the EMBA 

 tags and Dark Mink were sold under the label 'Magnificent "Majestic" Canada 

 Dark Mink'. It is interesting to note that pelts sold on these sponsored 

 sales brought from 10^ to 20^ more than similar quality pelts on independent 

 sales. 



Canada Mink Breeders held their Annual Meeting for the first time 

 in Toronto in July of this year. This afforded the ranchers of Ontario a 

 convenient opportunity to attend the meetings and see, at first hand, their 

 Association at work on their behalf. 



Virus Enteritis which has been present in the Province for the 

 past seven or eight years in varying degrees of virulence, broke out in the 

 St. Marys area this year for the first time. Some seventeen mink ranches 

 were affected. About 1,200 deaths were attributed to this disease. F\ir- 

 ther research has been undertaken at the Ontario Veterinary College and 

 preparations have been made for a mass inoculation of all the affected 

 ranches. 



There was a total of 533 Licences issued in 1955. 476 were re- 

 newals, 53 were new and 4 Licences were issued with retroactive provisions 

 to legalize the operations of the ranch during the previous year. This re- 

 presents a net decrease of 18 ranches, compared to the previous year. 



The following table shows the number and location by county or 

 district of licensed fur farms for 1955. 



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