Cow by the Tail

[charliep]

Made a trip to the Auction (dump) Mart last night and said to the fellow unloading cows that I have more fun going to the dump. Even thought the dump charges are about the same for a load, I know that some pirate scavenger isn't waiting to rifle through what I can't get anything for, and make a pretty good profit for himself.

Then I saw a number of diesel dually's with 20 plus foot aluminum stock trailers lining up to do the same. The farms that I passed here close to Olds AB, almost all have incredible building sites, and beautiful homes. An editotial from last weeks Western Producer from an irrate taxpayer from the city talked of no more government money going out to an industry with an infrustructure worth so much. Too bad this fellow didn't realize that the majority of this infrustucture was built with money from non farming enterprises.

I guess my point is "Hang on to the cows tail", but only with one hand. Keep the other one ready to wipe the shit from your eyes when she drags you through it. We must keep our eyes wide open, and that other hand also ready to pick up the bags of goodies that old cow gets you close to.

[kato]

We had an old cow give us a bag of goodies two days ago. She's sixteen years old, and missed the truck last fall. She just produced her second set of twins in three years.

This cow has had twins before.. she's given us 18 calves over the years. Now that's a cow tail worth holding on to! LOL

[frustrated1]

I thought I was the only one left with cows old enough to vote!

Know what you mean about the public perception. Whenever there's any problem in the ag sector the camera crews go to the first available spot. In our case that's either Ft. Sask or Calmar. Ever hear of a crop failure in either of those places? Why not drive to Hanna just once? When I see all the shiny iron on TV and hear the guy whining I've got a pretty tough time feeling sorry for him myself and I know what he's talking about. Take someone who only knows he's grumbling and try to get some sympathy.

There's a 4th generation ranch family I know quite well. They've always said " hold on to a cows tail..." Last year the old boy finally added: But if we don't soon let go she's just going to pull us under. Hope they're wrong and I can afford one of those shiny new aluminum trailers soon. Won't buy one 'cause they make guys for that, just wish I can afford one. 'Til then the rust bucket I've got will get the bulls moved and the odd critter to the vet.

Have a great spring everyone!

[cowman]

In one of the local weeklies there was an article that quoted the leader of the Wild Rose Producers in Alberta as saying he thinks the border won't open to live cattle until November. I suspect this is probably right...and if Bush loses it might just never open?
He states that he hopes he is wrong but if it isn't open by July the election will get in the way and it won't be opening. I suspect that is also right?
Bush is in a dogfight to save his presidency and the American public is starting to turn against his little adventure in Iraq. He'll need every vote he can get to hang in there and he certainly doesn't need to alienate the American farmer?

[rsomer]

While I agree that if the border doesn't open by July the election will get in the way, I think most industry observers anticipate an earlier rather than later opening. Paul Martin is scheduled to meet with Bush April 30. Expect an announcement between then and May 20. It is very possible live cattle will be moving south in volumes by the last part of June.
Hanging onto the cows tail is a slippery undertaking, one that takes both hands.;--)

[ALICIA]

I believe the boarder will open to 30 and younger live cattle, but we will still have no place for the old cows and over 30 age group.
Unless the boxed meat can be older animals, or the animals be born after 1997 when all remunite animals mixed feed stopped.

[PureCountry]

Hey frustrated, do you remember when the Hay West campaign did their first name draw? I remember the guy that won the first load of hay. His picture was on the front page of the Edmonton Journal, and he said something like, "We're sure thankful for this load of hay. If it wasn't for this one, we might have had to dip into our reserves left over from last year." It then went on to explain that he was a dairy-farmer from the Leduc/Edmonton area.
I'll never forget the moment I read that, because it was the same day I heard of a guy shooting himself because of drought-induced depression. Meanwhile somebody else is glad they didn't have to dip into last year's leftover feed. What a world.

[cowman]

Purecountry: I hope you realize that the suicide thing never happened? It was a story that went around...a rural myth if you will? I know I heard it a couple of times but the fact is it never happened.
The hay west thing was really sort of a joke but the important thing about it was it showed the genuine concern eastern Canadian farmers had for our plight? I believe that one act did more for Canadian unity than all the millions wasted on government ads? It left the western farmer with a warm fuzzy feeling towards his eastern counterpart?

[kato]

I think that the Hay West thing did a lot to bring attention to the problems of the drought.

It's impossible to help everyone, but the fact it was farmers helping other farmers did a lot for the unity of rural Canada at least. Those guys down east didn't have to offer help, but they did, and for that everyone should be grateful.

I think they showed a lot of class. Just think, if rural Canada was in the hands of corporations, the eastern ones would have used the drought as an opportunity to buy out the western ones.. cheap. Since it's in the hands of private individuals (for now at least), the eastern ones used the drought as an opportunity to help neighbours.

[cowman]

You got it kato! Just goes to show that farmers are farmers, and quite frankly the "best" people in the world!
I am a blatant western separatist! But I never have had a problem with my Ontario brothers, my Quebec brothers....I just have a problem with the power elite in Ottawa/Toronto/ Montreal! In fact I have no problem with my American fellow farmers! Just the b%&*$#@s who screw us all! Too bad we all couldn't get together and throw the rascals out???