Nobody Needs Your Cattle

[kato]

"I see a number of ambitious back stabbing people who feel that they can use this situation to start a new lobby group or undermine the present leadership in your lobby groups."

Sorry Ted, that's a little cold, don't you think? Do you really think this new group, (and I think I know which one you mean), is in this for ambition and power? Get a grip!

When your "leaders" run out of ideas, and are not open to new ones, or are muzzled by 'outside powers' (and I think YOU know which ones I mean), then you just have to start sticking up for yourself. That is what this is all about.

There is one thing that you Americans want that you don't have, and that's Japan and Asia, and other international markets.

You've just been using our beef all along to fill these export contracts anyway, so I guess you won't mind if we move in and export in your place?

Don't mean anything bad by that, don't take offence, but face it, when the U.S. finally finds a positive cow we will be way ahead of you in the ability to regain international markets.

When you get your cow, and if the USDA is right you WILL get a positive or two, you couldn't trace it back to save your lives. You guys are still arguing over whether or not you even want and ID program, so how many years before it actually happens? The lack of traceback ability will put you guys off the international market for years.

We, on the other hand have reached the point where we are willing to do WHATEVER it takes to get the beef moving. We can have testing for export up and running faster than you can ever imagine. Who knows, if R-Calf keeps up the fear mongering, we may even find markets for our beef in your country.

That is our goal. To regain access to international markets and get them all tied up while you guys sit and bicker over how or if to ID your cattle.

No hard feelings now, just trying to point out the facts.

Have a nice day.

[ALICIA]

This person (god loves the usa) He posted the very same speech last year. If you scroll back you will find it. I believe that cowman gave him a what for.

[whiteface]

Really appreciate that you would write back in a less confrontational manner, Ted, you're right in that we're all a little sensitive up here. Compare it to your corn growers or you're son in Iraq, then multiply it by about a billion...
It's our very lives that are at stake here, and you better believe we're willing to fight for it. I'm sure you think we're all a real complacent bunch, maybe, until we're pushed to the brink...
I think what we're after here is just a little more fairness from the United States, both in their manner of dealing with us, we'd like to feel a little less used by you and not have our "good natures" taken for granted and trade deals honoured. We realize you may not need our beef, it's not a good enough reason to shut us off, unfairness creates more unfairness. There are an awful lot of people who want an "eye for an eye" up here with the States. Similar to what you feel you had to do in Iraq. "Shut off their pumps" is our new catchphrase. Nobody wins. You need something from us, we need something from you, and since you're all such God loving people down there, why do y'all not honour the "honour thy brother" part. How come you're all so religious just when it suits you I would like to know. So you don't need our beef, so you say, at least stop being arrogant about it and trying to open the border to Japan just for your selves, we never hear Canada mentioned in that sales pitch even though you've still got 400,000 of our cows down there and incidentally, don't know where any of them are. I think kato said it best, I'm sure you won't mind if we just bypass you guys altogether with that meat going to Japan whilst you sort out your whole trade issues and hypocrisy. And I as well, really not being mean about this either, although I have tended to lash out viciously at anything I percieve as arrogant, thank you for treading more sensitively this time around. This will happen, we WILL be testing, and I really think sooner than later, WE have the traceback, WE killed thousands of cows that even breathed on the one found positive for BSE. We have been 10000% honest with our customers, no hiding texas cows or any others for that matter. WE have the confidence, WE have the ability to export, WE are in position to move a head at a moments notice without you. The rally tonight in Olds, I had opportunity to meet with a gentleman from Montana, while he was extremely humble and polite and dealt perfectly with us sensitive Canadians and our plight, I'm sure curious ( I didn't ask ) if he's also wondering just how close we are to achieving the independance we seek and leaving the US to wonder what hit them. These rallies continue to gain momentum and really, it's only a matter of time. My suggestion is that if you truly want to "help" us, first and foremost recognize that this is as serious to us as your son in Iraq, the farmers in your corn belt and incidentally, if you're all so convinced we don't need your beef, go ahead open the border and we'll just see if we have any American buyers, supply and demand? Put your money where your mouth is, we'll just see if you don't need the meat rather than trying "force it." That is just arrogant and exactly why you are quickly becomeing the most hated people on the planet even though we realize you're not all the same, a lot of you're attitudes suck as much as your science. And by the way, all of us and Japan included know that you're covering up BSE cases just like Texas, no traceback, you have no prayer getting your beef back into the export market unless and until you all stop bullying and bombing people and start treating them fairly and listening for a change. Thanks for reading, Ted. And thanks for the input again.

[jensend]

whiteface hit the nail on the head. if the us is self-sufficient in cattle and beef prove it by giving your consumers access to our production. you make silly statements which are not backed up by fact or action.

[rsomer]

GLTUSA: Although this has nothing to with beef today's news item is something important to our family and many in this country.

"NEW ORLEANS - The U.S. pilot who bombed and killed four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan struck a deal on Thursday to avoid a court martial.

Maj. Harry Schmidt will now face a non-judicial hearing by his unit's commanding officer, in which the worst outcome could be 30 days of house arrest or a loss of one month's pay of $5,600."

We are frankly hurt the lives of our four soldiers meant so little. Maj. Schmidt will be sentenced on Canada Day.

[rsomer]

People like "God loves the USA" make me sick to my stomach. I am not a very religious man but connecting God to a bunch of personal irrational opinions is shameful. Pick a new name you dork, your arch enemies in Iraq already use that God stuff in everything they proclaim to be right. I know a lot of wonderful American people, and even a few Iraqi Canadians, but connecting religion in any way to an opinionated economic forum makes you totally irrelevant.

[ALICIA]

rpkaiser: Not a better statement was ever made. I was thinking the same thing.

[rsomer]

I have reread GLTUSA’s posts several times and cannot find any reference to religion other than he is praying for us.

GLTUSA claims Canada is blocking imports of U.S. corn. Does anyone know if this is true? I have not heard of it. I thought the only reason corn is not moving into Canada is because barley is cheaper.

While GLTUSA claims the U.S. does not need our beef that is not accurate. Canada has a competitive advantage when it comes to cattle production. Partly because of our climate which, especially in Alberta, is better suited to coarse grain and forage production but also because the U.S. distorts its marketplace by encouraging export grain production through subsidies. So yes, the answer is Canada can sell into the North American market at a profit, expecially at present U.S. prices. The cattle herd in the U.S. has been in decline for years and that is not predicted to change. Certainly the U.S. does not have the production capacity to export beef and meet its domestic demand as well.

When GLTUSA says "I see a number of ambitious back stabbing people who feel that they can use this situation to start a new lobby group or undermine the present leadership in your lobby groups." he raises an important point. The reason we held onto to our consumer’s confidence after May 20 was at least in part because of the unified Team Canada approach the industry took. We have lost that and that concerns me. The next time we have a BSE in Canada I see the industry bickering instead of cooperating and the consumers are not going to be impressed.

GLTUSA, if you still care to participate, what are your views on the Australia/U.S. free trade agreement. Australia will have free access to the U.S. market in 18 years. Is this a concern for U.S. producers?
As well, any comments on yesterdays non-negative BSE test. What is the American view on the impact this will have?

Based on some of the comments GLTUSA made there is some miscommunication and bad information out there between Canadians and Americans. It takes some courage for someone openly American to post a comment in these threads. When GLTUSA says he is trying to be helpful I take him at his word. Some communication with the Americans on our part can only be helpful as well. I am hoping GLTUSA can take the time to participate further.

[rsomer]

Your concerns over Team Canada could be adressed by yourself rsomer, if you would quit bickering over testing,and the efforts of BIG C.

[cropduster]

rsomer,you talk of the Canadian advantage ........you might also tell our American chatmate of the feed price advantage feeders get from the CWB.Some of the R-Calfers know and are aware. That`s why some of them feed cattle here.Funny how the feeders `forget` that the feed grain they buy comes from a captive seller.How many came to Lethbridge to see these sellers go to jail for freedom???Lots I suspect were `just too busy`.Now the boot is on the other foot and it`s really toooo tight!!!

[kato]

Feed price advantage from the CWB?

In Manitoba the feed price advantage comes from the freight being more costly than the grain!

[cowman]

I have to agree somewhat with cropduster on this one. The CWB completely screws up the "continental" feed barley price!
However I also believe if the western Canadian farmer had unlimited access to the American feed grain market it wouldn't take long for the Americans to slam that border shut real quick.
But the fundamental right to sell your property to whoever you please, is one all farmers should support?
The same way, you should have a fundamental right to do whatever tests you please on your cows?
When did we ever give up our right to try to get the most money for our products?
The CWB no longer serves any useful purpose, other than to provide cushy jobs and positions for the lackeys of the power elite and distorting the markets so they can steal the farmers grain! A much better system would be an open market with appropriate legislation to protect the farmer from the international pirates? Incidently the same group of pirates that are robbing the cattle industry blind right now?
Now pirates will always be pirates...it is their nature? The real scandal isn't the pirates but the cowardly corrupt governments we have that won't protect the little guys from being ****d and pillaged? Shame on them!

[cropduster]

Thanks, Cowman,but who is government????????Canadians don`t express themselves strongly enough to their representatives.Here people think they are here at the government`s whim not `the government is here at the people`s whim`.......similar to Reagan`s quote.The CFIA has no master ,that I know,and that is disgusting.Ultimately it should be the people.....rightly or wrongly.

[grassfarmer]

Very good argument Cowman I agree with you completely. One question I would ask, when you mention that grain would be better sold on an open market with "appropriate legislation to protect the farmer from the international pirates?" in all the anti-CWB or removing CWB talk has anyone got an agreement from Government that such legislation would be implemented? Without it I fear grain farmers would be thrown to the wolves like beef producers are at the moment.

[rusty1]

RSOMER in regards to the US NEEDING our beef. (tonge in cheek) they don't. They could import all the current millions on tons they buy from us from Uraguay or Austrailia or from other countrys that is willing to become a serf for them.