Let's just say

[smcgrath76]

Devil's advocate...
Why does it need to be producer owned?
Why could a professionally managed,
producer directed, outside financed plant
work?
I don't think the folks behind one earth
for example are exactly farmers at heart
(Sprott Resources). Why not look at a
model like that for a plant(s)?

[rkaiser]

"Got it" Sean and "on it" too....

[perfecho]

Just to interject.....think that the "50" head plant, with implants etc banned, could be a very saleable export. I would much rather be a niche marketer that a commodities farm. My very first post was on Agriville was to just after the BSE tragedy. Get rid of all old cows, shoot for a Niche market of hormone free, ethically raised beef that could be shipped anywhere. We are not the only nation concerned about the quality of food we are buying.
There will always be countries who can produce cheaper than us....but can they produce better product?

[per]

Sean that is the most likely model to get off the ground and to me makes plenty of sense. As far as the 50 head plants exporting, no doubt that is a possibility but it goes against the 100 mile idea that sort of goes hand in hand with the small plant model. Also the cost of export regs (which as an industry we must reel in) would make it much more difficult with a small plant.

[perfecho]

Per....unless you live within 100 miles of Port Alberta!!!
Really, I agree the small plant has it's roots in a local market, but if there are other markets, why not?
If there is a demand, go for it, give the consumer healthy options!

[per]

For sure if you can get it to pencil then go for it. We are limited mostly by our imagination and current paradigms.

[perfecho]

Keeping with the "50 head or -" there are a few considerations that also can come into play. Aside from the "good food" scenario, I do believe there are other factors.
Food security.....if terrorists or acts of terrorism were to take out just two plants...where would we be? A few years ago, diesel was in short supply, had to wait a week to fill our farm tank, truckers were stranded for a day or so waiting for fuel....could you imagine if this happened again, but in a worse scenario for whatever reason. A while back there was an article in the Edmonton Journal that stated Edmonton had a 3 day food supply....sounds farfetched, however many things are happening in today’s world that seemed only a scare tactic a few years ago. Most of us have never gone to a grocery store to find shelves bare, and most likely won’t, but there are things we can to help mitigate the chances.
Efficiencies are a big part of our world today, however personally I don’t believe the financial outcomes should be the most important. More emphasis could be placed on what’s best for people and the surrounding area and not the bottom line. There are more, but this ends my “sermon” for tonight…. ;-)

[kato]

I agree with that totally. I've seen empty shelves in stores. I remember a blizzard when I was a kid that had grocery stores in Winnipeg out of bread and milk within hours, and other stuff ran real low real fast, because it took at least four or five days to restock them. My Mom sent me and my sister to the store right after the storm quit, because she knew this would happen. We literally walked over cars. Only kids could make it because they floated on the snow! Nowadays people have even less food on hand than they did back then.

Food security is the most important kind of security there is. Lose it, and you lose everything if something ever goes wrong. Things can get pretty ugly when there is nothing to eat.

[grassfarmer]

How does having producer owned packing plants keep the store shelves stocked after a blizzard or diesel shortage?

[rkaiser]

Every producer who owns a share in the plant will have to sign a document saying that after a big snowstorm,they will send their children out to the stores with a knapsack full of hamburgers and snow shoes to help them stay on top the snow due to their extra weight. Not sure what to do about the diesel fuel thing grassfarmer, might have to sleep on that one..

[perfecho]

OK boys, I know it is a little farfetched, and may not happen. The point......if it has 30 miles from plant to consumer, it would be a whole lot easier to get to the consumer than 500 or more miles...and a whole lot easier to get your beeves in for processing. Your surrounding community would be much more involved and could make things happen if need be. The point is also, it does not have to be producer owned, could be, but not necessarily....just a group that believes bigger is not always better and are willing to put better before more profit. But it could be producer owned as well, and sustainable! Remember that just a few years ago the tragedy at Fukushima would have made a good fiction novel, now it’s reality.
Now git yur skee dooos ready and I'll hitch up the team, quit making fun of Kato.....or me ;-0

[burnt]

perfecho you have GOT to be joking! Don't go complicating a nice problem by showing a little practicality!!!

[Kathy]

I'll have you all know that after a very large blizzard this spring, the daughter (22 yrs of age) of friends in Hanna, actually cross-country skied to work at a local restuarant. (only a few blocks, but you couldn't drive on the streets and walking would have required the snow shoes). Such a dedicated worker is hard to find...

Dedicated and specialized workers will be required for the plant... people that know what they are doing but are still able to communicate with those who don't understand the business...