Agriville Vote on Producer Ownership

[rkaiser]

E.U. ear tagging is one of many things that we can do to make this dream become a reality. Quite a bit of talk about dreams and reality on this thread. In reality we are all realist. We are all functioning and some of functioning quite well in a system which has been broken for years. If that does not make us all realist's, I don't know what does.

As for the dreams. Both the BIG C and the WD 40 plans have been well thought out and have even made it so far as feasibility studies by independent groups. These are dreams that not only we believe could become reality, but many others as well. CBEF has spent multi millions of our dollars every year to keep telling us that the potential for Asian and E.U markets are real. As are the lucrative American markets which Tyosn and Cargill have no trouble supplying and have no competition to make them work for.

Any true plan needs marketing - and maybe even marketing first. The way for producers to help the dream of producer ownership, is to start the process now, so the marketing teams have something to work with when the time comes.

6 months is the protocol for tagging cattle that are no implanted. I personally know of very very few ranches that use implants at home any more. E.U. certification is easy and relatively cheap. Ask any vet how to get it done. The potential eliminate the captive Canadian cattle market and open the door to some of the fastest moving economies in the world is in our hands first.

The personal human tendencies to use the frustration of dealing with this BSeconomic situation are too bash each other are far too tempting. BIG C members grew an extra layer of hide early on in the game, and each of us now has the ability to bounce back after personal assault. The best lesson we have learned is to stop running down those who we wish to attract. Calling producers pathetic or apathetic is going to get us no where. We need to be patient and positive, and never shut up.

Producer ownership is not a dream. It could very well be reality. IBP used to stand for Independent Beef Processors - USBP is a functioning and competitive group, and New Zealand has an "Alliance" that leads the countries packing industry.

If the BIG C plan is not perfect, then help tweek it. It's time was two years ago, it's time is now, and it's time is also tomorrow. All we have to choose is which one.

[rkaiser]

Just a bit about the dough. Who would not have a thousand bucks to support a proposal that even has a chance of making things better than the thousands spend by government and industry over the last 4 years.

This also goes for the checkoff. How much could it really break any of us to try.

I have mentioned the competition thing, or the choosing of favorites before, but the BIG C plan favored support for one plant --- or any plant that wanted to apply for funding. Ad this to the fact that a producer owned industry of this type would support rather than stomp on any and all competition.

Is the thread dead again?

[grassfarmer]

OK, so I maybe shouldn't refer to the average producer as apathetic. But the reality remains that you will struggle to get any sizable number of producers to form a group, commit money and work together. I agree $1000 is chicken feed on the average ranch that's worth $1 million. But there is the cash flow issue for some and the trust issue for others. Do they trust other people involved in a group effort or does it go against the Alberta ideal of the rugged, loner cowboy who gets through by his own efforts? Either way there were not that many people putting up $100 to join Cam's group in 03 never mind $1000. I don't see how that will have changed.

I do not think we can dramatically better our position without political(governmental) intervention on the packer cartel issue and producer intervention by mass involvement)at the ABP/CCA level to totally reform these organisations so that they actually represent producers.

What is the WD40 proposal I'm unaware of it?

[numbercaller]

There is still merit to these ideas, but not without proper leadership and business planning. There have been all to many plant initiatives that gathered up some money but were unable to put together enough capital to get their ideas off of the ground. Herein lies the problem who's idea for a co-operative processing model will appeal to the masses. And who will emerge as the champion of the project and business plan, will he or will he not have the support of the governments of the day or will it become an Atlantic Beef, or a Ranchers Beef I hope not ,and I hope that someone or some group of people can come up with the right plan before us old farts run out of fight. People we have to keep talking and beleiving we can make a difference