Rumor or just a nightmare?

[kato]

There are lots who don't want to be at the bottom of the food chain. We are sick of it too.

So what is the answer? Do we all just get out and let the corporations fill Canada's need for beef with cheaper (for now) imported beef? Do we just see the small picture, and not look farther down the road?

Yes, we do like cows. Anyone who didn't would never choose to own them. But that's only the first part of the equation. Yes, the meetings are full of older producers, and not many young ones. That's the way in most commodities these days, and not a surprise. The older ones have a whole lifetime invested in this, and they also do remember better times. These older producers have spent a lifetime working toward a cow herd that is basically their retirement plan. And now, due to circumstances beyond their control, those plans are being smashed left and right.

The younger ones on the other hand, especially those just starting out, do not remember when it wasn't bad. They have not yet invested themselves totally to the cattle business, and are still young enough to have other options. And they have grown up during times when people have high expectations of what to expect from life.

People like us have spent many years developing cow herds that are productive and of a very high quality. The cow business has always been one of long term commitment. Anyone who thinks they can get in and out is sadly mistaken. The decision to get out is probably even bigger than the decision to get in.

Those people you speak of who complain they aren't making money, yet don't sell out will have reasons for their actions. Many are still hoping better times come back. Many are in the middle of the process of making that BIG decision to get out or stay. It's no small matter to suddenly have to find a career when you're in your fifties, and once those cows are gone, there's no turning back. Many are also probably just waiting until they can sell out for a decent amount of money. You don't work 40 years on your cow herd, and then just toss it all out the window in one panicked trip to the auction mart.

[per]

2 more years to pay for this place. Lots of native grass and areas not suited for grain farming. Those areas need to be maintained and the cows do a good job of that. They have become a tool for my land speculation business. Still cheaper than running a mower to take care of the fire hazard. Grain farming isn't rosie every year either. When the farm is paid for, more off farm investments will become possible.

[perfecho]

Just returned from showing at Farm Fair. Even the people who are always "positive" showed signs of wear and tear. One resounding theme...."we can't go on!"
And yet, there were no petitions, no vocal groups demanding a voice with our leaders. We moan to each other, but we do not make a stand. The consumer's perception is that "we are given money", even though the ag $ that are touted end up salaries to help us "fill in forms", sponsorships of some leading edge technology project that is led by a "freind" of the Ab gov, bonuses for heads of Alberta Ag Corps because "thats what it takes."
We do not lobby on behalf of ourselves, when Cargill is filling feedlots with cheap cows and being fed with tax payers money, (the old Bonnet lot)...when we import more cattle than ever for slaughter that do not have to have the same expensive protocols that we are submitted to in our own country, age verification etc. We sit and complain.
One fellow was in tears when he described his calf cheque. Had spent alot of money on a plant that our own AB gov needed for "file storage" and now did not know which way to turn. I hate to say it , but we are not doing much about this.
If every producer took three cull cows, cut out their ear tags and met on highway 2.....from the north end of the province to the south and threatened to release them unless something was done.....would that make an impact?
If we even did one petition about our plight, would it make a difference?

[perfecho]

And yes, I just sent my e-mail to the Mr. Stelmac.....had been in previous to MLA, but........

[coppertop]

When farmers learn to lobby like
Teachers and Health Care workers they
may get some attention. EG: A group of
high profile companies hired a firm to
lobby for amendments to Bill 50, they
had meetings with the Premier and Energy
Minister, they had a group of well
connected individuals lobbying at the PC
Convention and Voila there are changes
coming to Bill 50 ! Farm groups need to
do that as well vs battling each other.

[grassfarmer]

A first step might be joining the NFU - at least that organisation does and will lobby on producers behalfs and if public protests/demonstrations of any kind happen in agriculture they are usually involved somewhere. Too many of the other organisations are working for interests opposed to those of producers.

[kato]

We attended an information meeting when the report on the state of the cattle industry came out. Hubby said that he did not hear one single thing there that he did not agree with. We heard no bashing of other organizations, unlike what you hear at other meetings when the topic of the NFU comes up.

Rather than respond to what the NFU has to say, they attack and try and make them look like a radical fringe group. How many members does a group have to have before it's no longer considered "fringe"? Just about everyone I know, other than people like cattle buyers and those in the middleman category, agrees with pretty much every statement that comes out from the NFU. Yet it's considered fringe.... by some.

As for why there is no outrage, or demonstrations, I think everyone is just plain tired and beaten down. So far it seems like nothing we have done so far has made a lick of difference, and that no one else gives a rat's ass about what happens to the Canadian cattle producers. That's the plain truth.

I think this year will either make or break us all. By spring either there will be a Canadian cattle industry, or there will not. Maybe all that will be left will be one corporation, (we all know which one) and it will produce all of Canada's beef, and import what it can't grow. Canadians will either buy it, and pay what is demanded, or they will have to find a farmer of their own, if they can.

I don't even bother writing my MP. He has set a world record for not saying a word in parliament, so there's not much point. I just send the letters straight to the Ritz office. I've sent so many that they refer back to previous letters when they respond. I guess I'll just keep on sending them. Who knows, maybe some day someone besides a clerk may read one. I don't really believe Mr. Ritz reads them himself. But what the heck, there's nothing to lose by sending more.

So much for the negative rant. It made me feel a bit better. LOL.

So, how do we get some positive actions going? Anybody up for a good protest? Or some kind of lobbying campaign? I think we need to learn to use the media better. We need to use them to get the word to consumers, because without their backing we're not going to get anywhere. I think consumers are the key. They just need to learn more about what is going on.

What if everyone here made a promise to write a letter to the editor at their local paper? Not the farm papers either, that's preaching to the converted. Big city papers would be even better.

[perfecho]

I'm in!
Larry

[vagabonddreamer]

how about we turn 100 head or so...loose at all provincial legislature buildings..RIGHT at the front doors and let them waner...i have a couple corrientes..THEY will keep security busy.....maybe the guys in ontario can throw some on the front lawn of parliament as well!!vs

[perfecho]

Actually VG or VD ;-)......something like that would get attention, but a spokesman who is a good spokesman with facts, fiqures and not a ranter is needed first. Kato, are you up to the job?

[15444]

Get the whiners to quite sucking their rye bottles, put a cotton rag in it, grab the rifles and head to the legislature/parliament buildings. Anything less and your just asking to be treated like patsies as usual. If things are as bad as you like to claim, you got nothing to lose. Otherwise, suck it up and get on with life.

[perfecho]

Lots of truth in your comments 15444. Would leave the rifles at home though!