Where will all the cows go?

[cowman]

Valuechain: Has anyone ever looked at the old Canada Packers plant in Red Deer? It's been shut down for about 12 years. I think they killed about 700 head a day and had cooler capacity for about 1200. They had a boning line for cows with a caacity of about 120 head a day. It was pretty state of the art in its day. Had a steam pasteurizer, a quick chill ice water bath, and an electric shock tenderizer.
Might be worth a look?

[rookie]

Its good to hear your're back. Things just weren't as interesting without your comments.

[ValueChainFX]

Oh the best thing that has happened this year! Our old friend cowman is back, welcome home!

Yes the Canada Packers plant has been looked at several times, there are some major challenges with the building, the infrastructure and the people that own it!

You are right about being a good old plant; this is one of the main locations for the introduction of boxed beef! Can still remember telling someone in the plant as we watched this new process "It'll never last". Goes to show you what we all learn eh.

We are also looking at the Barrhead pork plant that was never finished ... time will tell what happens there. But all in all so far the best option is to build a new plant.

I also just got word that we will be able to put a lab in the plant and can test every animal for BSE. Still have the talks going on there but looks good. We are not going to wait for government or anyone else to control our destiny!
Again Welcome back cowman!

[dalek]

Last week, 3 leaders of Ontario farm groups went to Michigan and Pennsylvania to meet with US farm groups and government reps along with the Ontario minister of agriculture. During the talks on re-opening the border and about US groups supporting the re-opening, the Ontario farm leaders weren't particularly impressed to hear comments along the lines of "Don't be surprised if the border doesn't open to live cattle soon, because the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has never even bothered asking the USDA to consider reopening it for live animals." Apparently the USDA considers CFIA to be the only authority it will consider as to whether or not live cattle are safe, but since trade isn't CFIAs job, they aren't pushing it.

[carebear300]

Welcome back Cowman, sure did truly miss your insight into all the goings on in this crazy old world. We do need that extra slaughter capacity big time and as quick as possible. The only way to get rid of them old cows and you can be sure that the industry will take full advantage of the situation as long as they can and steal them from us. If things don't change it will cost more to test the carcasses then what they are worth.

[dalek]

There are a few people here in Ontario talking about trying to get someone to build a cow plant to try to keep the business the fast food restaurants have switched to Canadian beef, however, from what I've seen, that beef was being supplied before at 28-29 cents live weight from other countries, and with the extra cost of testing would translate into about 25 cents to Canadian producers under normal circumstances IF Australia, New Zealand etc. are willing to just let that market go. Maybe that's going to look good for the next few years, but do we really want to lower our long-term expectations so far that we're building plants planning on competing for 25 cent cows 15 and 20 years from now? Better to take the hit now and hope for something better for those who somehow squeak by.

[countryguy]

Good to hear from you again Cowman.If you happened to read any of the old posts you will see that we were wondering what the heck happened to you!Looking forward to more of your infinite wisdom.

[Junebug]

A neighbour just sold a 4 year old cow, Got a cheque for $128.30 My parents just sold a 6 week old shizu pup for $325.00 How pathetic is this?

[cowman]

Junebug you shouldn't write things like that! Some government official might read it and figure it's a way to solve the farm crisis! Get rid of all the cows and encourage us all to grow shizus! We'll all get rich raising little furry doggies out on the prairies! And the tax dollars will flow in!

[ValueChainFX]

LOL, and that is why we all enjoy cowman .... he is always looking for a way we can diversify!

The sad part of that statement is he is probably right, and if something happens to the doggie market all the ones that told us to go into them will be under their desks and telling us we should have made a better business choice when we diversified!!

Go figure????