Anybody see this?

[cowman]

I suppose you are right. It's interesting when you talk about the future of agriculture and I do agree we need to take care of our "niche" or local markets. I actually think the farmers markets type idea is the way to go. You cut out the middle man and deal directly with the customer. You have a high quality product or you take it back home with you! Of course now you have to be a marketer instead of just a producer! Which is a big pain in its own way but can also be very rewarding! Some people are born salesmen others aren't very good at it and actually shudder at the thought of it.
I like the idea of actually getting a little more than Safeway because people know you have a much better product!
I suspect the days of selling grain and livestock for export are pretty well done. Our government has pretty well decided they are too cheap to play that game! So in reality the US, Europe and South America will continue to beat us up in the international marketplace. And yet when you go down to the farmers market people don't care if the tomatoes cost 20 cents more than the imports at Safeway, because they know they are getting something that is tasty, fresh and naturally grown. And maybe helping out their local farmer a bit?

[ValueChainFX]

Cowman, selling product is selling product, being a marketer is something we all do. What comfort level we are at with who we are talking to is what makes the market! In saying that I know what you are saying and that is why we work with producers as a facilitator to the market! The system we are working on is far from perfect, but is coming together. Basically we have tied the marketing in with what is called a delivery contract (a New Generation Coop thing) the marketer wants to buy the producer wants to sell and the processing plant wants to book space. Each is part of the sale. Several options become open to the producer such as partner agreements with the marketer, value added pooling, etc. each options is well explained and each is tracked and measured for success. Since the animal is able to be traced back to the producer there is also an ownership in the animal (or meat) until the money actually changes hands.

The important part of what is being said here is ... you are right in that as the producer sells more directly to the consumer there is more possibility to make additional income on your product (animal).

I like the idea of putting coin into the producer pockets! I like the idea of closer contact to the Canadian customer! I like the idea of information going back to producer so they have a clear picture of the true value of their product in the market and how the cost of that value break down!

As uncomfortable as this makes some producers drastic times may mean drastic changes. If people are happy in the system we have worked in for years bless them! If they aren't they need an alternative, so someone has to start putting it together.

I get nervous when I see a group of people on TV telling the country they represent the industry and they are trying to figure out how to reduce the herds! I know most of these people on a more personal basis and many are so far removed from being a producer that sometimes I actually think they work for the government!!!!!

[cowman]

I suspect you are right and the guy who wants to stay in cattle will have to adapt. It has always bugged me that a lot of these old cowboys don't know and don't care if they are making any money! At least I know I'm NOT making any money! I still do it because I'm some kind of idiot or something but at least I don't delude myself! Guess my "profit" is watching the little calves running around!
I often wonder how come we have anyone raising cattle? It is just great when the good years roll around, even though they really aren't that good? I think if you could take the money you have invested and put it in just about any other business, you would do a lot better.

[Junebug]

Cowman: Both our accountant and a loans officer told us (the same day) that most farmers just do not know their cost of production.(and some don't care). Funny both guys said My spouse and I wouldn't be so stressed out if we didn't keep our pencils so sharp.
I used to take great offence to the saying "The dum farmer" now I'm starting to think its true.

[Junebug]

Cowman: Both our accountant and a loans officer told us (the same day) that most farmers just do not know their cost of production.(and some don't care). Funny both guys said My spouse and I wouldn't be so stressed out if we didn't keep our pencils so sharp.
I used to take great offence to the saying "The dum farmer" now I'm starting to think its true.

[Junebug]

Cowman: Both our accountant and a loans officer told us (the same day) that most farmers just do not know their cost of production.(and some don't care). Funny both guys said My spouse and I wouldn't be so stressed out if we didn't keep our pencils so sharp.
I used to take great offence to the saying "The dum farmer" now I'm starting to think its true.

[cowman]

Junebug: Oh well we're mostly old and so it's okay. We'll look good in the history books! You know"The courageous(but dumb) Canadian farmer battling all odds until they became mostly extinct in the early 21st century" sort of thing! Sort of like the DoDo bird, we'll go down as a legend! One more species that couldn't adapt...thats the way of the world!
But cheer up...theres always next year, right?