Totally Disgusted

[Willowcreek]

Folks, it kind of sounds like your CCA has been bought off by the packers the same way the NCBA has been in the states. Both seem to think that Packers can do no wrong!!

Both countries need some strong laws banning packer ownership and control of cattle. Until that happens they use these cattle as a captive supply to keep all of us close to the poor house.

[Willowcreek]

Are there not laws in the States to limit Packer ownership of cattle?

[grassfarmer]

k-way, look at the NFU website at "www.nfu.ca" There are some recent documents there showing what is really going on in agriculture - a good read for anyone who is not familiar with them.

[Incognito]

I'll make you cattle guys a deal.

You can have the NFU wholeheartedly if you keep them out of grain policy and politics.

They've already undermined the CROW payout when it was 13 and 7 billion dollars versus the 1 billion when it was finally settled.

And did their best to undermine (and succeed) ridding western Canada of the Continental Barley market.

And yes, deep scars take a long time to heal. So if you want them - take them and good riddance.

[wbrower]

Incognito: No Deal. There might be a few old Trotskyites left in Saskatchewan that will entertain the NFU, but not in Alberta. On the other hand I could be mistaken about that as it seems there is one, and only one, chapter, of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce that recently voted against a Voluntary Canadian Wheat Board. It seems there is one little commie nest left in LETHBRIDGE, Alberta.

[k-way]

Hey, I thought we were talking about cattle conditions, not throw-backs to the cold war!

[Incognito]

Then why the NFU infomercial?

[k-way]

Not an infomercial, just curious as I have never heard of them before. And I'm willing to listen to anyone willing to help since CCA/ABP aren't (despite that we're paying them for the priviledge of supporting the packers). Didn't realize it would stir up such a rats nest!

[cowman]

The NFU pretty well discredited themselves a long time ago with some of their goofier communist ideas, but the concept of a farmers union is a good one if it involves getting a fair deal for ALL farmers. I think a large part of the problem is different commodity groups definitely see things differently(let alone individual farmers)! And farmers have this mindset of being unco-operative and independent? But surely we all have issues that are common to all? Where we can work together? I believe Quebec has a strong Provincial association that works for all farmers? Why not something like that?

[dalek]

Exactly. The NFU's one major contribution to the Nutrient Management Discussion in Ontario was to claim that any farm with over 150 nutrient units (150 beef cows, about 80-90 dairy cows including dry cows) is an industrial business and not a farm. Mostly they spend their time basing every policy they have on their jealousy of anyone with a bigger farm.