ABP elections

[numbercaller]

I wish I could stand up and say that ABP is putting money in your pocket, but I cannot. I will say that on some occasions that they most likely prevent government from taking more money out of your pocket, by implementing some policies that could be detremental and distorting.(gov't that is)
Pertaining to the website, you most certainly have a point, it is not easy to navigate, and does'nt contain enough information on any given subject to quench even a small thirst for knowledge. Here's the good news, as we speak there is a committe, working with a techy company to revamp and overhaul the website , so as to be more practical, and informative.
As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the lack of a comprhensive mailing list really seriously hampers communication with producers.That also is very close to happening and should go a long ways to revitalizing communication to stakeholders.
Is it a perfect organization ?.... No but like it or not we all put money in, and I for one would like to try and get my moneys worth. Change does'nt happen overnight, and it starts with little things and moves on to bigger things.
Maybe involvement isn't for everyone..... but it beats the alternative of being negative and feeling hopeless.
I too was, and still am very disgruntled at times with what goes on with industry leadership and government. I thought I was being shut out in the information department. But as I got involved I found out that had I talked to some Delegates and Directors the information I wanted was at hand, now having said that, being involved makes it much easier to get more and better information. but again thats not the way it should be... but I feel that help is on its way in the communication department.
I choose to be involved and try and make things better if possible, in some eyes I'm wating time......but I don't think so.

[grassfarmer]

gwfl, Could you explain your comment "If I had a choice of where a good portion of my check off dollars went, it would be to the Alberta Beef Magazine. Maybe they could be the official voice of the cattle industry in Alberta." it makes no sense to me especially when you later say you(like me)have cancelled your subscription to the magazine.
I echo your sentiments on Cam's contribution and am disgusted that ABP expended so much time opposing his efforts.

numbercaller, Perhaps you could enlighten us on whether the ABP is lobbying the Alberta Government to pay producers to age verify calves. I asked this question in another thread and never got an answer.

[kato]

I don't understand this problem with a mailing list. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the Manitoba Cattle Producers Assoc. uses names and addresses from the checkoff as their membership and mailing list. Does the ABP not have access to who is paying the checkoff? I would think that if you pay a checkoff you are a member.

[numbercaller]

ABP is not lobbying the gov't to age verify. The gov't wants to make AV mandatory, or attempt to. Gov't wants to pay producers for two years to get more of a critical mass of AV calves. Abp is saying to Gov't if you want to pay for two years... fine .... but not mandatory.

[numbercaller]

Kato you're probably right in the case of MCPA. ABP, when it was hatched had markets,dealers,and plants collect check of dollars.... in all of the founding fathers wisdom there was nothing required by the collectors to remit mailing info to ABP.(Brilliant eh). Now many years latter FOIP has taken hold and this type of info cannot be shared without a whole lot of political wrangling. One could approach some markets , and dealers and most likely get the info... but others will not even entertain the idea of giving up the info. Hope that helps explain a bit.

[wd40]

The only reason to Age Verify calves is for export to Asia - are we doing that? I don't think so. Its another "Red Herring".

ABP need to move out of their Ivory Tower (oak, brass, & glass) and into some up staires back rooms of some auction mart, they they might get back to reality.

[grassfarmer]

WD40, I agree on the returns ABP are putting in producers pockets they should be working out of the back room at an auction mart. That said I have nothing against people have fancy offices IF they were deserving of them.

Will post thoughts on your age verification comment on a new thread.

[rkaiser]

Bingo numbercaller.

It's always difficult to negotiate these sites after rants when you don't know who is reading or responding. I appreciate that some folks simply do not want to expose themselves and please do not think that my purpose is for notoriety. I simply think that we have all been hiding too long and if it takes an exposure from someone like myself who could care less what others think of my words - then so be it.

Sure makes for an interesting introduction with those who see me agin, or for the first time. I would recommend it to anyone - it's fun.

In fact that brings me to a suggestion for the ABP website. Let's start an online forum at the ABP website to discuss industry goings on without the big Oak Doors and the brass knobs. Or the camera and mikes that I still don't know were off the whole time we borrowed the board room for a producer initiated meeting. ----In fact maybe they should be turned on all the time. They have cameras and mikes on at the leg and parliament buildings where elected delegates debate issues.

How bout it - transparency and even invitation to opposition - sounds like a move out of stone age democracy to me.

Oh yes and about the board room - I am going to work over a resolution to allow any checkoff paying group to book the damn thing when it is not being used by someone else. Of course the ABP - in whatever form they may be in after 2007 - would have first dibs and if it ended up being the upstairs coffee room at Highwood Auction Mart, I guess the producer group would have to decide if they wanted something that posh or not. LOL

[numbercaller]

Thanks rkaiser this isn't my first trip to this site as I have stood up for your honor here before. Frankly I don't need introduction, or anonymity. Have a good one

[rkaiser]

Nomination day is done. Aug. 31. Sure hope we see at least an election in my zone. Already preparing a speech. Would hate to have the chairman sit me down when I present it during the resolution portion of the meeting rather than a as an election platform. Hope to see as many folks out this fall as possible. I think we are all going to see some very interesting developments to say the least. Even looking forward to the yearly film about how many folks have moved through the doors of the office. Darn transient workers.

[rkaiser]

We have an election in Zone 6 and in one other zone as well. All of the other zones will be filled with acclamation seats. Hope to see a turnout at the fall zone meetings - I know there are a few of you agriville folks in Zone 6.

[grassfarmer]

Only two elections, wow, I think that tells you how incensed the beef producers of this province are with the current state of affairs(not!)The question is are they so content with the current representation of ABP?, so happy with the current situation within the beef sector? or so unconvinced that ABP can further the aims of the average beef producer?
It's a sad state of democracy that's for sure.
By the way, not that I'm blaming the lack of elections on this, but I received my "summer edition" of the ABP leaflet "Grass routes" yesterday - September 5th and it contained the nomination form for candidates on the back page - unfortunately the deadline for applications was August 31st.
I'm also still waiting on a copy of/or confirmation on a letter that ABP agreed to write on producer's behalf in a local oilfield dispute with an August 3rd deadline - I doubt it has ever been written yet either. What an efficient organisation.