Money losing Hobby

[cowman]

One of my hobbies is working in the shop. I am a fairly competent welder. I've made quite a few different things over the years and being of a "thrifty" nature I make some things that I would like to have but am too cheap to buy!
From time to time I build things for people for money. Quite a few years ago I built a maternity pen which was a blatant copy of one of the most popular brands on the market. Works very well and I've since built about half a dozen for various farmers. Sell them for half the price of the store bought model.
Anyway I had a farmer ask me to build him one last fall so I did. He never called and I know he starts calving mid-March so I rang him up and asked when he was coming to get it. He confessed he couldn't pay for it! Well what can you do? I told him come and get it anyway. Pay me when you can and if you go broke just bring it back. I mean it was only $750 but I don't doubt he is broke...his whole yard is full of last years calves!
So I'm out a couple of hundred bucks and several hours labor but I guess thats just how it is. I hope it works out well for him.

[cakadu]

I think we have to help out where we can and it's great to see that you are in a position that you can let him have it. I'm sure it wasn't easy for him to have to tell you that after ordering it and helping him to keep his dignity is important too.

I'm a firm believer in giving because it comes back to you tenfold (or more sometimes).

What you're doing cowman is in large part what the rural community is all about - helping and lending a hand whenever one can.

[wbrower]

I also attended the Western Barley Growers convention. It was packed with pertinent speakers with a wealth of information pertaining to this business of agriculture.

This is in stark contrast to the CWB accountability meeting that was held in Lethbridge the night before, which I also attended. After the high carb supper the CWB put on for the old boys, there was little that followed in the way of questions or accountability.

I look forward to the day when a producer in Western Canada can market Wheat or Barley without being threatened with jail time or subjected to the inefficiencies and corruption of Government of Canada agencies.

[parsley]

wbrower,

What I found particularly revealing was the linechart that traced movement of grain from Producer straight through to the End-user. It followed Possession, Control and Who Pays through each of step of transportation, and clearly identified where we are going wrong. Unsurprisingly, the CWB is really a major problem.

Sometimes, producers become penalized because of what he called unintended consequences, too.
The railways, or grain companies modernize,or get leaner, for example, and farmers end up paying for the extra 50 mile haul, and are stuck with the bill, with no recourse.

Didn't you find Shirley McClellan filled with a deepened resolve, saying she really wanted to see the end of the monopoly before she quit politics?

Parsley

[wbrower]

Parsley
The fact that the CWB has a monopoly on Wheat and Barley coupled with the fact that it takes them an average of 79 days from the time a producer delivers to an elevator at which point the board gets possession, until they get it loaded on a ship, speaks volumes about just how inefficient a state run monopoly like the CWB really is. This kind of Socialism failed in the old Soviet Union and in like manner it will eventually fail here.

Another thing one of the speakers referred to was the trading of demurage charges amongst the players at Port. Kind of like a little futures market. In some jurisdictions that might be referred to as Racketeering. Maybe it takes the CWB 79 days to make sure that there is ample time for all these players to extract maximum benefits unto themselves.

Finally, I have to say I was pleased to see that Shirley McClellan does seem to have the resolve it is going to take to restore a free market to Wheat and Barley markets.

There is now under construction a huge malt Barley plant in Great Falls, Montana, and another one in Idaho. I don't believe there is enough barley in Montana to supply even one of these plants. Maybe the CWB could cut them a sweet heart deal, if we let them.

wbrower

[ALICIA]

You's all are doing the feed lot and packers a great favour by keeping all the cattle because they know you have to sell them some time, and you's are feeding them for the winter for nothing.
A guy in Aston, Ontario keep his, he said he just had hay and the cattle lost weight and the human society stepped in. He sold every thing for 100.00 per and said the for sale is going up on the farm the next day.

[cowman]

Well Linda, What can you do? You have to be able to take the attitude that maybe I'll be the one needing some help tommorrow. It isn't this guys fault he is broke and he does need the maternity pen. So you do what you can and really what difference will it make a hundred years from now? That is my way of looking at things.
We all need to be helped at times in our lives and I have found if you treat others like you would like to be treated in the end it comes back to you. Being more than fair and having compassion for others is a good way to live...maybe not the most profitable moneywise but much better mentally, emotionally and spiritually?

[cakadu]

They say that most of us are only "2 paycheques" away from the street. In talking with many of my urban friends, I believe this to be true.

I like the philosophy you espouse cowman and try to live up to it everyday, with somedays being more successful than others. I guess that "cast your bread upon the waters" really sticks with me.

You're quite right - you never know when you might be the one needing a helping hand up, so the more you give, the more you get in return, I think. It may very well be why I don't get very far or have buckets of money, but at least I can look myself in the mirror every morning and that's what counts the most.