ABP elections

[farmers_son]

I think one of the reasons for a possible lack of producer participation is that more and more producers work off farm and cannot fit being an ABP delegate in with the job and the farm too. Some of the ABP delegates I know are very involved not only with cattle issues but community issues too. It takes involvement from the whole family to make that possible. It really helps if there is a father or son at home, otherwise it just may not be possible to be involved. The off farm time requirement can be fairly high.


I note rkaiser has put his name in, good for him. I understand that more than a few contributors to Agri-ville are or have been involved with ABP or ACC before that. .

[perfecho]

Coupled with the lack of energy to do much about our situation due to working other jobs to support the farming enterprise, I believe that there is a real sense of hopelessness amongst average producers; that they really can’t do anything about the state of affairs.
When you speak to an urbanite, they think it is going quite well for farmers. Remember, Ralph and Shirley said “Don’t worry, we will take care of our cattle producers” and when no one was looking, claw back. (Referring to the Alberta gov. “Equity Loss Program)
Look how many times you have seen the Feds add for the $400 million subsidy program, in every newspaper and brochures for quite some time now. Do you really think this is meant for us to be notified, or is it propaganda that can be paid for by earmarked ag money?
I believe that most are tired of trying to justify to others why we need a change, tired of being “whining farmers”, knowing that the push from all levels of gov is larger, corporate farms. Legislation that discourages small local plants. Farm land protection that may not allow a farmer the maximum realization of HIS assets. Why fight the masses? Even though the masses really want animals that are raised differently than the “efficient” way we have come to know.
Other than that, have a good one……………….

[smcgrath76]

I would commend anyone who contributes to ABP or any volunteer organization even if the opinions of the organization differ from my own. We require real leadership in Canadian agriculture and we require dissenting opinions as well.
I think as far as ABP is concerned, it is far from the minds of producers. I doubt if you went door to door and asked many producers could even tell you what zone they are in or where the fall meetings are.
While certainly some of the blame may fall on ABP, it also falls on producers (myself included). I think we have all been taught that working harder and being independent will save the day. I think for most, if it comes down to finishing up that last bale of straw or going to a fall meeting, the bale will win. I don't think this approach is a long term sustainable one for agriculture in general.
Further I think that there are too many delegates for the number of producers we represent and that the decision making process could use some serious reconsideration. I know that they are currently working on a project to review and revise how ABP works and I would encourage people to look for this and provide feedback.
I think members of producer board often take a lot of SH!@ for not a lot of glory, and generally speaking when those board members are well informed they make good decisions. We require operational structures that result in good information. I have seen countless board members in various organizations sacrifice potential in their own operation to serve the greater good, and often vote and act in favour of motions that are good for the whole and detrimental for their own operation.

[coppertop]

A zone 6 voter here Randy, you have my vote !!

[numbercaller]

Good call sm that will be one of the big undertakings is reforming the structure of ABP. hopefully to streamline the hole thing from the number of delegtes to numbers on the board of directors. Amalgamation of some committees etc. in order to cut back some budget and try to get back on track with producers. I whole heartedly agree that there has to be opinons on both sides of the street ... thats what starts reform. Have a great day.