Looking ahead?

[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.