Plan "B"

[cakadu]

Alicia and Lilac - I am not referring to producers in those provinces - I am talking about those that are in the major centres and those who do the buying for the food chains like Sobey's etc. I'm not sure that those people understand the gravity of the situation, especially when there hasn't been much of a change in the grocery store. When you have over 4 million people in the greater Toronto area, I'm not sure that they are that much in tune with what is happening in rural Alberta or even Ontario for that matter.

Lilac - we produce lamb and have for over 10 years now. I'm wondering why organizations like CSF and the provincial organizations haven't been more vocal and more visible throughout this whole ordeal. After all, lamb is dropping in price every week it seems like, just when there was some recovery from low prices about a year to 18 months ago.

I really hope there isn't a plan b either because it won't solve the problem in the long run. We need to find out more definitive answers that we can provide to the major countries that are banning our product right now. We will likely not be able to go much longer than 7 weeks with the border remaining closed, let alone 7 years. The recovery time for the current closure is going to take long enough.

[cakadu]

Yes I would have to admit that I did mean the rural Easterns are the "sincere ones"'
They know what life is all about. I have cousins in Toronto and area that don't believe the things they read about the farming situations. They are only 1 generation removed to boot. Its really not much wonder when you walk through any grocery store in any town or city in North America. There is no shortage of food, not lack of variety and certainly no line ups like European or Eastern Bloc nations have experienced. The NA's take their food for granted, and have the disposable income to spend. They should try balancing input bills, farm payments, and machinery leases etc and try and by out of season food. Fruits and vegetables are the prime example.

We see all the publicity that the big chains are getting "Fire Saling" beef at $1/lb. The local Co-op is selling beef paks of meat.......... 145 lbs of assorted cuts for $250 Sounds still like a pretty reasonable return to them, the wholesaler and the packer. Their price is $1.72 a pound, the Sask farmer is getting about 45 cents?

As far as the Sheep Associations, the majority of lambs are just going to market now. Ours went on June 10th. We were happy with what we got, but most of the
spring lambers have not weaned. The numbers of sheep and the lost dollars / head just don't attract the media attention. Roy Leitch of Brandon, and who runs a large feedlot and buying program is quoting loss of $100 / head. That would mean that every penny our buyer paid us for the 95 lb lambs........... is lost to him.
The buyers that we have dealt with are amongst the more honest fellows I have met. They certainly have been straight shooting telling us what kind of lambs are wanted by their order buyers. I certainly don't hold much hope for the sheep industry if we lose their contribution.

All in all we do need to educate the populus, but when the shelfs are full, who would believe us? Lets start by getting a Government in Ottawa that cares.......... or atleast an Ag Minister that can part his hair right, and stand up for his department.

[rusty1]

I found the best claification on this who BSE issue - it's a must read. Finally something that makes sence @ http://www.leiss.ca/chronicles/125
William Leiss is a prof at the U of Calgary.

[ALICIA]

Bruce14- no drop in prices, restrarant are just saying there beef is the finest grade but not saying if its Canada or US etc. Major eastern centres are being keep I think pretty much in the dark.
I just herd about talk of a mass slaughter out west. It was just before a commercial. This is want it said. Talking of a mass slaughter of cattle out west. Commercial. nothing more.
I'f you's are not slaughtering the cattle then the Agr. department has to pay the TV around $10,000.00 for a few minutes of air time on TV because talking about it is not news, but a happening is.
Soom people in the citys, I have heard are starting to talk amoung them selfs because they do not under stand how come the prices in the stores has not gone down. The average person doesn't know about all the meat that is still coming into Canada from out side.
But talk is starting, even the Rolling Stones concert is starting to say we want some of the money to go to the ranchers and farmers. Word is getting out but it is taking time because it has to be by month,person to person.

If it was not for me being on this chat line I would not know what has been going on out there because back east it seem that they are trying to hold on to optimistic thought and don't what any one to be negitive.

[Muttley]

Bruce14, I heard Melenhead say the drought is over in Sk. to. I guess he is able to water his lawn so that makes it over!!!