FALL 2012 SNAP SHOT --BEEF CATTLE PICTURE IN SASKATCHEWAN

[kato]

The common thread between the beef and grain is that this government has it's own agenda, and the opinions of the people most involved have no part in the decision making process.

Angering producers is not a problem. Angering big business is a problem.

Reaction to the CWB decision is different among producers depending on what their opinions were before the decision. It's between one producer and another. The general consensus among the pro CWB producers is that they were ignored. The anti-CWB producers are happy with the loss of the Wheat Board. However the anti-CWB producers should NOT fool themselves into thinking that the decision was made because of their opinions. It was made because it made the multinationals happy.

On the beef side, we producers feel our opinions are ignored. And big agri-business does not share that fate. They're pretty happy with the way things are. They're control grows every year, and shows no sign of slowing down.

With the current government, it's all about big business. We are just the serfs at the bottom who feed the system. And as long as we spend all our time arguing with each other instead of putting our heads together and presenting a united force, we're keeping it all going to their benefit and our expense.

Divide and conquer, that's the name of the game.

[smcgrath76]

This is an interesting discussion. Here is some of my perspective (worth the paper
it's printed on - LOL).
I don't disagree with the CWB decision, I do disagree with the approach on it as well
as a lot of other things. I am not and never have been a fan of dogmatism. There
was a middle ground on the CWB issue that could have easily been found, but was not.
I think part of the reason for the failure in the beef thing is certainly due to
profitability. Big debt and low returns are not that sexy when you are trying to pay
for groceries for a young family, and BSE wiped out a lot of equity. That said, I
think our beef model has been wrong for a long time, and we have often placed our
effort and investment in the wrong places. We suck at picking technologies that
improve our production per acre, unlike the grain guys, and we are always good at
adding costs. Examples of where we may have missed the boat are implementation of
better grazing systems and forage variety research. Low cost and big return.
We have also failed miserably at marketing in the broad context of industry. "The
Market" is made up of many smaller market segments and we have not done a good job of
proactively serving these market segments. Instead we have relied on a system where
a plant kills enough cattle in a day that they can ensure they can fulfill their big
$ markets and then they offload the rest. Law of averages if you kill enough, you
should be able to get a small percentage to fill a valuable market. No wonder there
are very few premiums passed back?
Also, I do agree with Sadie about the degree and volume of regulation and I see that
growing. I don't have a huge issue with this, other than it is not tied to adding
value, rather to governmental risk management and bureaucratic A$$ covering. I
support regulation/documentation that adds value (even traceability) if we can make
it add value. For example, traceability for growth implants to target special
markets could pay.
The final point is that due to some of the factors above there is a missing
generation. What this means is that there is a lot of the industry concentrated into
hands whose primary concern is equity preservation rather than risk taking and
growth. There is nothing wrong with this in an individual operation (I expect one
day to be at that stage as well), however when the industry is driven that way it
makes change a slow process in a rapidly changing world and is a competitive
disadvantage.
I am excited about the future of the industry, concerned about some of our
infrastructure and power concentration, and expect the unexpected with a sense of
optimism that the unexpected may be kind of fun.

[SADIE]

smcgrath 76--

I hasn't my last post yesterday because I do have one weakness in life ---I am a avid RIDER FAN. I had to go and watch the game. WHAT A VICTORY OVER CALGARY!

The situation is very critical and at a very high level at this time. Freedom of choice to do or not to do something with (this case) your own animals, on your own farm ---Huge media explosion level. Could also mean a huge embarassment to Min Ritz.

CFIA is supposed to enforce fines or penalty too those ie truckers, owners, auction market operators Video just posted below here. CFIA is suppose to represent animal welfare in the industry.

Each to his/her own beliefs but the case and now argument is set for huge massive debate.

1)I am not re-tagging with RFID eartags because----First tag deep in ear---ungly ripped ear. That alone will create a huge debate.

2)I am not re-tagging cows or bulls again because of ---acute pain, head thrashing, bellering operator injury, wrists, hands, face.

3) Exodus of the smaller family farm operator out of the business. Because of the above reasons.

The way it was told to me. This whole traceability and the need for application of the PLastic, blobs RFID eartags that now we know are only a 90 day feedlot tag (test data) was pushed from industry from the TOP DOWN. Packers, Feedlots to the ---cow calf person. Do it or else.

June 15 2010---AT my tribunal in closing arguments (it is documented and on record) we introduced.

Lets together take what we know, the shortfalls that are appearing and modify so that we can accomodate the "cow-calf"---Pasture of intermingling group. Ketchum Curlock Metal and only apply the PLASTIC BLOBS OF GARBAGE at the feedlot entry level.

This was also tried to be shown to CCA reps, SCA reps in JAN 2011 just after Dr. Temple Grandin spoke at the WCABP
Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practicioners.

I was shunned from the meeting. Some so called BIG CATTLEMEN that thought they could BUDDY BUDDY ME approached me and said. Stop this you are an AHOLE and you are hurting all of us. I see him at Agribition --he tries to talk to me now because all this new evidence is coming forward.---I ignore and give him my worst of words---I will always now and forever stand up for what I believe in. I remind him I am a veterinarian first, diagnistion and believe in doing the right thing for my animals regardless of any overiding law.

Property rights. This is our Prime Minister Platform also. A huge statement here. My cow herd is my property. I will not perform. I want my freedom to protect my property.

Harvest is done. I have time to write. I have introduced and set the seed with CFIA vets in Saskatchewan.

[SADIE]

Forgot two comments.

3)The use and need for using the electroejaculator during semen testing time on bulls. At the end of the test one more time ---turn the crank and you can now safely re-tag with the RFID eartag.

CCIA --I tried to talk to CCIA. Once yelled at by one rep in this province "IF YOU HAVE THE EVIDENCE COME ABOARD AND SHARE IT WITH US".

I have tried to offer. Now the spring of 2012 the Sask Ag minister announced spending tax payers dollars and putting $$ into research on why the tags fall our. No research without animal behavior research included!!!!

WHAT HAVE I POSTED ON HERE BEFORE:

THIS RFID EARTAG AND TRACEABILITY IS GOING TO GO DOWN AS A BIGGER GONG SHOW THAN THE CANADIAN LONG GUN REGISTRY.

WHAT PARTY AND PLATFORM CELEBRATED OVER THE DISMISSAL OF THAT ACTION.

DEATH SPIRAL OF THE CANADIAN BEEF COW HERD---WILL CONTINUE.

[smcgrath76]

Sadie - Ditto on the Victory (although
they certainly worked hard to make it
close).

[ASRG]

Sadie: Just a question? How is the PFRA pasture thing working out?

[SADIE]

ASRG---Meetings in Oct/Nov after take-out. Just read the SCA jounal on the pasture story. There is potential to keep in the hands of the patrons. Looking for models to follow. Possible long term lease remains with province but what to do with the FEDERAL improvements to the pasture.

I am presently in two PFRA pastures. One is 42 miles away and the other is 20. I see a chance to re-structure our levels over to the closer pasture situation. ALAS I have both a son & a daughter both with there own careers (civil engineer & Nurse) seeing a chance to start a process to re-connect to the rural life. Possibly a new-generation in the business!!