Looking ahead?

[rusty1]

I've reported on this meadia before that the is an initiative to build a producer/stakeholder owned packing plant. We have launched and as soon as we have the name registered and the corporation formed and a bank account formed, we'll hit the airwaves with it.
I think you'll be excited about it.

[redhen]

Hi Cowman, and others.

It's great to see so many people involved in this discussion. I'd like to add some thoughts about the future of farming from the beef consumer's perspective, if I may.

When thinking philosophically, my favourite quote is "Everything happens for a reason." (Murphy hates that one!)

As a result of the BSE crisis, the Avian Flu, and Foot and Mouth in Uk, I believe the concept of feedlots will become a thing of the past. High concentrations of any livestock in one area invites the spread of disease.

Feedlots violate the laws of Nature in virtually every way. If memory serves me, I believe feed lots were developed as a way to utilize surplus grain production several decades ago.

Cattle are browsers. The article featured in this week's AgriVille summary, about using alfalfa and clover as finishing, makes a lot more sense to me than crowding animals into a feedlot and feeding them grain laced with antibiotics to ward off the bacteria that thrive in such an environment.

I also champion the idea of farmers selling their products directly to the consumer. Again, I am happy to pay retail prices to farm-gate producers if I know the products I'm consuming have come from pasture-raised animals and poultry that are free of growth hormones and antibiotics.

I love the idea of farmers organising their own "cooperative" processing facility. It makes perfect sense. Put a retail outlet right in the facility, for those who live in the area. Advertise on TV. Develop a web-site where products can be ordered on-line. Ship frozen products/variety packs directly to consumers. You'll be amazed at the response, because the educated environmentally-aware consumer is eager for these products!

I think we are going to see a return to mixed farms, and a future that facilitates the development of more Community Supported Agriculture farms, more farm-gate sales, and the eventual demise of the feed-lot mind-set.

Personally, I can't wait.

[rusty1]

redhen - I am thankful for you're comments. And yes you are right about our need as producers getting more involved and responsible for how our productes represent our nature as stewards of our part of the world. My vision is to see our industry become more aware and committed to the fact that we are raising food not a commodity. If I can point out gently a couple of things. The reason the industry is where it has been is because there has been 1) no loyality from consumers, and 2)that the ag economy is dedicated (and controled by those out side of our control) to provide you with the cheapest product possible. So inorder to compete and survive we have had to become very efficient or we don't survive. However that may be changing.
I do need to inform you however that contrairy to popular belief, the beef business as a whole is not a big user of antibiotics. If in a pen of calves 10% of the calves need antibiotics then the feeder feels he is in a wreak. We do use vaccines ofcourse just as do you children. However antiobiotics are only used when an animal is sick just like my kids do.
However I might quietly add that is not the case for both of our major competing meat products. Thanks for you're support and what you are suggesting may become reality sooner than you think.
PS: We would really like to get rid of the hormone we use (not because they are harmful) but becausse it goes against our sence of stewardship. However again to compete there is a very measurable benefit to using them and until we get paid gor not using them we can't survive either.

[blackjack]

redhen ... You are so right ... but we still have governments that support cheap food policy to keep the rest of society with money to buy the other things.When we as farmers are down to 2 or 3 % of the population base the politicians will have less will in changing policy that help small farmer.For example how many young farmers in your area under the age of 40? I bet you can count them on one hand.

[cowman]

Well blackjack that is what happens when you get 30 years of government indifference and bungling?
It's sort of like our army? Cut off the spending and let all the equipment go to pieces...and the wonder why we can't fight our way out of a wet paper bag?
But you do raise an excellent point...how many young farmers are around? I get a sinking feeling when I sit in the auction mart and realize I'm just about the youngest guy there!
Now I don't know how it is other places, but that's how it is in central Alberta.
We can talk all we want about valuechains and niche markets and other such things,but the fact is we are not getting enough for our produce and we are paying way too much for everything we buy. A clear example: In 1992 I sold 768 lb. steers right off mama for $1.24 for a total of $952 each. I bought a new chev 3/4 ton 4x4 that year...$18,900. In 2000 I sold steer calves up to $1.37 but a new 3/4 ton 4X4 was now $35,000. This year...calves? truck $46,000!
Then there are all the other goodies that have been going through the roof? gas, heat, electricity, phone? How about lumber? Bought any plywood lately?
Agriculture is in fact a loser. I think the Canadian consumer pays like 9% of their income on food, while Europeans spend something like 35%. Now how can that be? The fact is Europe has decided that their farmers and countryside have value and they are prepared to pay for it, while Canada has decided farmers and rural areas have no value and they won't pay for it!

[nerves]

does anybody out there know how much money is made off one 1400 pound steer. A friend of mine figures it is close to 12 thousand once it goes through the entire system. Nothing is wasted. I find that hard to believe but maybe he is right.