Ranchers Own

[PureCountry]

Water is definitely something overlooked in most discussions about plants. They take an absolutely massive amount of water. There is a large building here in Hardisty, AB, recently vacated by the supposedly profitable Encana oil and gas giant. The building is only 10 years old, and some locals were trying to build interest in a Co-op type packing plant. When someone mentioned water, all the air went right out of their sails. Large water supplies are just not to be found in this area, or alot of areas for that matter.

I hope someone gets off the ground though, and I do like the idea of one large 'central' plant. The key to it all will be committment and loyalty from all parties involved.

[ivbinconned]

Brooks Alberta once was a small town. It grew because of industry, Lake side ,oil etc.

If the cows come from the country...whats wrong with growing a town in the country. Many urbanites would jump at the chance to live and make a good living away from the urban jungle.

Also a work force (comunity)that exists because of an industry (packing plant) will be alot more symathetic to the operations and challenges it is sure to face.

[rusty1]

Don't worry about work forces. Labour moves in U-Haul. Labour is never an issue for big business. They make the announcment about industry and labour will be there.

[ivbinconned]

I aggree rusty. Build it and they will come. I think the bigger challange will be for all those who aggree horizontaly, will still get along vertically, and the effort will not get hung up because of personalities and side issues.

Lets stay focused and concentrate on resolving our dilemma.

[nerves]

Grassfarmer have these people also looked at the pet food industry this is also a large industry. Meat quality in alot of cows will be less so I would imagine they would have to market a lot of hamburger jerky and sausage, and hamburger is a hard sell here. Other countries might get excited over cheap meat. We made a meat run sat and sun into northern Alberta last weekend there is a lot of thin cows out there that would be tough even as hamburger.

[grassfarmer]

I'm not so sure labour isn't an issue, slaughter plants are not a nice place to work and very few people get long service medals in the job. If Brooks supports Lakeside so well why is there a big number of Sudanese immigrant workers there? poor pay or just a poor job that established Canadians don't want to do? The argument for putting it close to a city is that even if you have a high staff turnover there are plenty more to choose from.

nerves, I don't know if they are looking at pet food or not.

[rusty1]

I've heard the labor force in Brooks is $12 to $15 dollars. Maybe that's not high enough? But those immigrants drive better vehicles than I do.

I have a bright idea. Why dosn't the govt. buy 2 or 3 hundred thousand old cows, LIVE. Load them on boats and send them to places like oh say China, Congo, Berma or maybe Iraq.

[ivbinconned]

Could be there are some labour considerations but this has to be balanced with the reach such a plant might have. Loydminister was suggested...great for me,but not so good for B.C. interior. This plant primarly has to address OTM cattle and the people who own them and build the plant.
Labour pool is important and if treated well they will come.

[nerves]

power is another issue to have a plant with any size you will need 3 phase power for refrigeration. To get that put in just any place could be very costly.