Here's for all you irresponsible cowbows

[wd40]

not willing to take ownership of your industry!


_______________________________________________NEW S RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Lethbridge, AB • December 17, 2004

Beef Processing Facility Expression of Interest Received and
Community Involvement Planned for January

Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) has received a formal expression of interest from a food processing company who has indicated Lethbridge is the preferred location for a small, state-of-the-art beef processing facility.

In announcing the receipt of the letter, Eduard Fetting, CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge, said, “This is another step in our new community participation process. Sharing the expression of interest with the Beef Evaluation Advisory Committee as well as with community stakeholders is an innovative approach for economic development in Lethbridge, one that has never been used here before and one that we’re optimistic will result in the best outcome.”

The expression of interest involves the following key factors:
• A small, state-of-the-art facility on approximately 10 -15 acres of land
• 100% Alberta owned company
• Processing less than 500 head of cattle per day
• Expect up to 120 employees will be hired, at above average industry wage rates
• Latest technology for efficiency
• No rendering on-site (minimizes odour)
• Facility location proposed for northern portion of Sherring Park Industrial Area that is zoned for heavy industrial
• Cattle gathering area situated outside of city limits
• Financial capabilities to fund project development
• Extensive beef processing and industry experience.

The name of the food processing company will be released when the Beef Evaluation Advisory Committee completes their evaluation of the proposal and the company makes a formal announcement.

“We are at a stage where both parties must continue with a thorough and substantive level of mutual due-diligence. We want to make sure this is the right type of investment for Lethbridge – and that Lethbridge is the right location for the company.” said Fetting “That being said, we are very excited as this investment potentially furthers our community goal of being an agri-food processing center of excellence in western Canada.”

Fetting added, “During the month of December, we made presentations to a variety of groups regarding the possibility of this type of development for Lethbridge. Now that we have something formal to consider, it is critical that we continue our new community involvement approach, particularly with those near the proposed site. We understand there are those who will have concerns and we want to hear from them.

To that end, we have public information sessions set-up for early January and we intend to create a neighborhood-based task team to help with the planning process.”

Next week, Economic Development Lethbridge representatives will be going door-to-door in the areas nearest the development to provide information and answer questions. Homes and businesses near the Sherring Park industrial development will also be receiving an information flyer by mail drop.

In addition, the following schedule of public information sessions is planned for anyone interested in this project:

DATE LOCATION TIMES
Tuesday, January 11, 2005 Lethbridge Christian School
3 St. James Blvd. N. 4:30, 5:45, 7:00 and 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 River of Life Community Church
2820 – 18 Avenue N. 4:30, 5:45, 7:00 and 8:15 p.m.

Thursday, January 13, 2005 Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery
Dr. Gerald B Probe School
120 Rocky Mountain Blvd. W. 2:15, and 3:30 pm

5:45, 7:00 and 8:15 pm

Economic Development Lethbridge is also developing plans for the establishment of a neighborhood task team of volunteers to assist with the planning process. Details on this group will follow in early January.

In the meantime, the Beef Evaluation Advisory Committee will be evaluating the potential development against the criteria they established this fall. This committee was formed specifically to make recommendations to the Economic Development Lethbridge Board on their assessment of a potential beef processing facility in Lethbridge.


- end -

For more information, contact:
Eduard Fetting, CEO,
Economic Development Lethbridge
Cell: (403) 330-4100




BACKGROUNDER
Since receipt of the initial inquiries from various beef processing companies, Economic Development Lethbridge has taken a new community participation approach to this process. The following steps have been taken since August 2004:
• Outlining to the community via media the interest from potential companies
• Establishment of the Beef Evaluation Advisory Committee with community representation from 23 volunteers who have participated in the following:
o Establishment of a mandate and terms of reference
o Gathering and sharing of relevant information related to this kind of development, including discussions with experts from various fields (i.e. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Alberta Environment, City of Lethbridge Development Services, etc.)
o Potential food processing presentations and discussions
• Presentations to various general interest groups (i.e. Seniors groups, nearby municipalities, etc.)
• Beef Processing Open House where information was shared and input gathered from community participants
Details on these activities and related information can be found on the Economic Development Lethbridge website www.ecdevlethbridge.com or by calling 320-3017

[Bez]

This sounds like a very proactive approach to getting a buy in from the community where the proposed facility is to be located.
I imagine that the stakeholders in the proposed plant are hoping to avoid the huge opposition that Ranchers Choice received from residents of Calgary.
I have always felt that you can never provide too much information to the general public, it is the fear of the unkown, and the rumors that always circulate about new development that gets the public up in arms. The best policy is always to make people who may be affected aware of all aspects of proposed development.

[cakadu]

I'm in agreement with you emrald. It also helps to ensure that you address each of the concerns that someone has even if they seem irrelevant to you, because to them they ARE relevant.

It also helps when proposing a new idea to come across as being approachable and willing to work towards solutions that are agreeable to the majority.

There will be the odd few who won't be happy no matter what you propose, but you find those no matter where you go.

[wd40]

My point is friends that as beef producers we are content to remain as a 'Third World Country' and wash our hands of our raw material and let the Barons of the world reep the REAL Value. Shame, Shame on us.

If you are one of those you don't have a leg to stand on when complaining about the beef industry.

Lets grow up, it's high time we grew up and take back control.

[wd40]

wd40, I'm afraid I don't understand your opposition to the project. Aren't producers involved in this initiative ?

[wd40]

Sorry the answer is no. The iniative is a single Albertan. That's good, however I really feel that the brightest future lies in producers waking up to the incredible possibilities available to producers and consumers if we would bury (once and for all) our narrow/short sighted focus that is so self centered we litterly are shooting our selves in the foot and don't know it.
Get out of the box, look out of the box and think out of the box.

Check out USPB.com

[ivbinconned]

You’re right Wd. Whats even worse, I hear from a contact in Alberta that a group from Calgary area are courting the number 3 multinational in the US who are seriously looking at building a plant in Southern Alberta. If that happens....my cows are down the road.

[kpb]

wd, I'm afraid you're about 10 years too late. There's no way we're going to take back control of our industry all the way to the consumer--the government won't support new producer-owned plants, the producers won't invest in their own plants (check out the current funding problems) and, in any event, the multi's arent going to roll over for us.
So, unless you've got a bright idea I suggest you sit back and enjoy our corrupt world of control by foreign-based multi-nationals.

[grassfarmer]

ivbinconned, Is that ConAgra you refer to or did they get taken over by someone else?

[JD4ME]

As with any investment it has to make sense, I agree fully that with the concept of value chains and producer participaction all the way to the table but I have watched sadly the events of the last year and listened as my grandfather has told me it reminds him so strongly of the feelings that started the cooperative movements in the 30's with the wheat pools and the farmers unions and such. I sit here with stocks from Agricore United on the pile of papers on my desk once in a while I pull them out and think of what happened with that once proud company now simply a puppet of ADM and its desires. The only way cooperatives could make it is if they don't become top heavy and non responsive to the marketplace like AWP became.
I have traveled alot of miles to different meeetings on different proposals for beef plants the last year and very many all had one thing in common when you got to the details in the fine print. The control in each as well as the majority of the profits were going to flow to a few individuals within. I went to one meeting on a proposed cow / bull plant there were guys writing cheques after the verbal sales pitch without reading the offering documents I took them home and read them and to my mind on that one there are three guys who are going to pull out hundereds of thousands in profits before it kills a cow. IS this a sound proposal?? My grandfather also likes to tell me about the people in the thirties who went from town to town praying on the fears and despair of the people and selling them on false hopes for only a few of their remaining dollars and that has been going on. There are good proposals and there are bad just be careful where you decide to place your bets.
I truly want to see strong value chains that provide better returns to producers for their product and if one comes along that is affordable to me and is a true copperative with a strong business plan I am in with both feet.

[cakadu]

wd, I agree with you that we all need to get out of the box and stay out of the box so that we can reap the benefits of what it is we are producing. If I'm reading what you've posted correctly, it is that instead of producers working together and getting a plant going, it appears that at least one plant is being set up by what appears to be a sole practitioner?

Your objection is then that producers are just setting themselves up to "take" whatever price is being offered?

If it is in fact an Albertan who is setting up the plant and not an Albertan as a front for something else, then isn't the increase in packing capacity a good thing? Not knowing all the details of what is going on, it is hard to make comment, but I would think that if this plant would allow for producers to retain ownership of the cattle and sell to it directly and cut out all the middlemen then that would be better for the producer. Of course, that would imply that cattle producers would want to retain ownership.

There is no doubt that there has to be changes to the way things have been done. There won't be any different results without change.

[wd40]

kpb - to sit back is to commit tresion, if not suiside. My inlaws would tell me us Canadians are gutless.
I wouldn't let my childern or grandchildren grow up thinking I capitulated while I had breath.
If I read any history books, every empire fell sooner or later, and I believe I can make one small contribution toward that change.
So if you would kindly SHUTUP - in your wollowing, at least quit infecting others who might still hope or more out.

[wd40]

correct me if I'm wrong - ConAgra is Swift. Their very large feedlots in Colorado and Kansas just got bought out in a hostile take over by Smithfield (Packerland) who is playing hi-stake poker to shut out Swift out of the market. It's working. The Swift plant in Greely just announced that they were shutting down their plant in Greely because the feedlots that they where rellying on to supply they with cattle now won't ship to them. (sleepen at the switch).
Smithfields goal is to gain enough presence in the Contiental North West (Canada) to further draw the string around the throats of the IBP plants in Washington and Idaho.

[rusty1]

Way to go WD40-
There is one very good reaon for us as producers for taking back control of our industry (which we can) is it pays more. Argiculture across the continent from lettuce to fish are making it happen. (BUT I WANT TO BE A COWBOY AND CHEW TABACCO)
If you examine the US scenario - there are a multitude of small 750 to 2000 hd per day packers springing up focused on producer supply chains and nich marketing.
The big packers can't go there. Their so big they don't even see the opportunity, all they see is Walmart.
I stuck significant time and energy into a initiative and we are totally confident that we could survive.
If we can get the right cattle we have the market prepaired.
The 2 giants here only want to focus on their export to US or abroad, so they have really ticked off the domestic markets.

[cowman]

It is a good thing that some individual wants to set up a plant in Lethbridge, whether he is Canadian or American or whatever. Obviously he has probably done his homework if he is investing his own money? Probably he is already involved in the meat business? I can only applaud his initiative and the city of Lethbridge for doing all it can to assist this private enterprize.
One of our local small abbatoires is looking at building another plant. This guy has his feet on the ground and knows what he is doing. He is going into this venture with both eyes open and not on a whim. He will add some capacity to the system and be viable whether the border opens or not...and yes he probably will make quite a bit of money!
I do believe this is the type of operation we should be supporting? One that is built on the concept of free enterprize and profit instead of one that milks the taxpayer?