New Alberta program???

[ValueChainFX]

Stabalization Programs are good in times of normal market ups and downs. Usually these funds do not have the ability to carry on. In such cases as the BSE challenge there would have to be more thought put into how this would work across the board.

Risk management is something we all hear a lot about, but like any management practice, risk management is based on looking into the future and trying to forcast something that "MAY" happen than trying to figure out how we are going to deal with it (if it does).

I look at the numbers of import and exports ("State of the Union on BSE" from the Alberta Beef Producers) and ask myself what the government wizards dealing with imports and exports have come up with. I would hope they have looked at the programs we use for importing and exporting beef products to and from other countries and are in the process of designing a paper (this is what they do best) to help reduce the imports into Canada. The total value of these imports in 2002 was $997.4 million dollars. Our major importing nations being USA at 456.00 million dollars imported, New Zealand at 165.00 million dollars imported and Austrailia at 293.5 million dollars imported Argentina is 5.8 million and Brazil is 6 million. Seems to me that under the conditions we have in Canada we can figure out a way to put some of those dollars back into the producers jeans??? Your thoughts?

[rsomer]

charliep: No sooner do we understand one program than another comes along. Could you give us a heads up on what we are looking at with the new CAISP program. Thanks.

[kato]

I attempted the CFIP forms once, and gave up in frustration as soon as it became clear there was nothing in it for us. I know people who paid accountants more than they received from the program. I'm not sure who ever got money out of it. Anyone here?

We do know that NISA is toast. Got a letter telling us it's going to shut down the accounts. Since we are among those who never had cash to deposit, big deal. We are going to borrow some this fall and top up what we can, then take it all out and pay back the loan. Other than that, it's never been much use to us. I just send in the forms with the income tax and wait to see what happens. How they decide all the payouts etc. is up to them.

It has been years since we were eligible to receive any money, and yet we never had any to put in.

I think that is one of the most frustrating things to deal with now. We have always preferred to figure our way out of tight spots on our own. Not used to this asking for help business. The government seems to ignore the fact that of all the segments of society, cattle producers have always gone it alone without asking for handouts, bailouts, and breaks. You would think they would realize this, instead of treating us like a bunch of whiners looking for a free ride.

I sent an email to Mr.V.C. last night letting him know my opinion of this whole thing, and I tell you it made me feel a little better just venting. Too bad you can't yell in an email. ;-)