Big Meat-Packers in Contempt Over BSE Finances

[cowman]

I think you have got it very right rsomer! When CP Red Deer tried to get some money from the province to expand and compete with the new Cargill plant they were turned down flat. At the time they wanted to diversify more into a cow plant because they knew they couldn't go head to head with Cargill. Of course the Alberta government was also in bed with Lakeside, who were expanding their cow line, so there was no way they wanted any compensation. I believe at the time a Japanese firm basically owned Lakeside and there were rumors Peter Lougheed had money invested.
The rest is history! Meat packing is about one of the sleaziest businesses in the world...not very far removed from the Mafia and the drug trade! All you need to do is check out all the lawsuits and fines Cargill/IBP have had over the years down in the States...these are not nice people at all? Then check out Tyson and find out where his money came from?

[cowman]

Oh and kato, you are also very right! The Alberta government bought the feedlot industry with the Crow offset program and by running out the old Canadian plants. The plants in Winnepeg were outdated and the feeding industry was gone, but you can lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of Mr. Lougheed and Mr. Getty...those two paragons of "free enterprize"!
...and then we have Ralph?

[kato]

Just talked to a neighbour who called our local cattle buyer today. He was told that since yesterday, he can't even get a bid price from the plants in Alberta.

They don't want any cattle. At all. At least from Manitoba anyway.

Something smells.