Interesting Little Article

[whiteface]

Where the heck is our negotiating team?
Is the only group working for our harmonized market the USDA? Have we had any movement on the part of CFIA to open our border to Japan for tested Japanese product? What is it that we are negotiating?

Some of the biggest players in our feedlot industry are quoted as saying "The packing plants are doing absolutely nothing wrong. They're operating under a normal cicumstance. They're helping us out with killing as many days as they can," says Ed Miller (hiway21 feeders) and Arno Doerksen.

If this is normal circumstance, why 70 cents for fats. Maybe Ed is getting more. Who is to know. The price is always an average, and has no reason to be 70 cents. What is going on in these people's heads. It will never cease to amaze me how these folks will remain the top dogs in the industry when this is all said and done. They will go about demanding types of cattle, stealing anything different, and builing little empire's based on someone else's loss. Scoffing at those who had any idea that we could build an industry where everyone,including the Canadian based American packers, could profit. Proud of the new found position they have jetisoned themselves into by making statements like the one quoted above.
We are not in the position we are in because of grassroots people trying to make a difference. Threats about reamining status quo for fear of making things worse make me sick. Things are worse! Worse than anyone could have imagined. And most of the reason lies with people who feel their future is tied to obedience to the American Packer run USDA.

I really hope that this thread, and all the others I have taken part in is read by this band of fools, the packers and the USDA. LOL. I wish I could be on the black list along with Mark Purdey, Cam Ostercamp, and others. I will survive in this industry, and will never lay quiet. I hope Ed Miller and Arno Doerksen sleep well at night. This is not about the ABP, or the CCA, or any other group. It is about individuals with power, who have chosen a self serving route, that will eventually destroy the small rancher, and the family farm.

Thanks for this opportunity to rant.

[kato]

You are very welcome! I love a good rant.

[BWC]

I certainly appreciate everybodys views on this. This whole turn of events this week are making me more nervous than ever. Those who wish to sail our boat back into the waters of status quo will end up killing the Canadian cattle industry The following is a list of points that are really causing me serious brain cramps, sure would like to know eveyone elses view.

a)Our border has been closed for 14 monthes to the USA. So far our industry leaders and gov't have no real solution other than an open border. No real plan B. Why are they so freaking inflexible on this subject, or are they blinded by the bling- bling of the USA and big business?

b) The chain of events this week, have really got me thinking something is really rotten, how about you?
1) 2 suspect cows discvered in the USA, just prior to their negotiations with Japan.
2) Apparentley there is some movement on the Japanese side to 100% testing . Bang false positive #1 is announced. That sure helps drive the point home, that the USA is doing every thing possible to alleviate the worries of the Japanese.
3) The japanese people now get to use their consumers as a sounding board on the testing issue, in their upcoming elections.
4) OH so quietly yesterday afternoon false positive #2 is announced. At close of trading markets and just as the Japanese delegation is on their way out of the USA.
5) Why are samples from other countries sent to the UK for final verification, but this confirmation can be done by the Americans themselves? If the lab in the UK is the world authority on the tseting game why not be good sports and send them some samples? Control issue?
6) Meanwhile .. back at the ranch the good Canadian rancher sits in wait for the border to open , like a good apathetic citizen should in our country,
and hears the story that we must not tug on Supermans cape. What is wrong with this picture?
7) There's more where that came from and how long do we sit quietly on the sidelines and wait for the coach to throw us a little playing time?

Surely it's time for a diffrent proactive approach. WE ALL have to get involved to help make a difference. Feedback please.

[kato]

a) Our "leaders" are afraid to make the U.S. angry at us. They say things will get "worse". Worse for WHO is the big question. Those in power have not felt the brunt of this fiasco yet. We in rural Canada, (and I don't just mean cattle producers, I mean small towns and businesses too) are the ones taking the hit. It's a lot like other Canadian political problems, they aren't 'real' until they affect someone in power.

b)Yes, something stinks. The bad part is that I don't know if the USDA is aware that they aren't making anything better with all of their well timed events. They just keep giving the conspiracy theorists more ammunition.

They seem just as bent on losing credibility as R-Calf is on losing consumer confidence. From where we are standing, it's almost unbelievable. Kind of like watching a train wreck.

If they want to retain credibility, then for heaven's sake send the sample to the UK! Even if they are sure it's negative, by not getting an unbiased opinion, they are losing a chance to prove themselves to the international community.

You would think smart beaurocrats, knowing there is an election coming which could mean new bosses would try and put themselves in a better position to keep their jobs.

As for back on the ranch, it's time to quit waiting for someone to save us. We've got to keep up the fight to save ourselves.

We've done the rallies, we've done the letters, we've contacted politicians and media.

We've got to keep on doing it...over and over and over again until someone listens.

[whiteface]

BWC your feedback from me is I sure like having a motivated, positive, detective-like, forward thinking person like you on our team. Welcome aboard once again. We so need more people like you and I feel seriously a revolution is comeing, where the boys "above us" listen or we're throwing them out, period. No possible way we're going to lay down and die with more and more people realizing just how badly we're being controlled and manipulated. I'm fit to be tied over all the same things you just mentioned concerning the "schedule of events" that have taken place with USDA, BWC and I think having more and more people aware of all information available as kato said, the balance of power starts to shift back to us. I applaud BIG C, I applaud Manitoba for already meeting their testing quota for the year, I applaud all of us supporting each other and working tirelessly, detecting the bullshit, writing letters, using our voice, travelling to get the word out, standing together for the good of our industry, I even appreciated reading somewhere here rsomer, that you feel as positive as the rest of us in looking for alternative for our industry, with or without the border opening. Thanks for the support, we need your ability to find the facts and help us do exactly what we're capable, within the law or maybe not. That's my plan BWC, keeping it up, we're being heard.

[BWC]

Thanks for the positive replies ... maybe I have'nt gone nuts afterall. You are absolutely right about not giving up. We have to keep pushing until somebody listens. I know I have to look in the mirror pretty hard before citicizing those who have given their efforts in the last 14 monthes, but man their inlexible approaches are insane.
I know that the ABP and CCA have elections as well as other producer groups in SK and MB. If these folk don't start listening to our points of view I know that my name could end up on a ballot, more folks gotta do it...

[15444]

Exactly BWC, we need cow/calf guys in the top positions that aren't blinded by border-minded thoughts like Jahnke and Eby as well as others. Do they rely on off farm income and are just hobby people? Would help explain why they aren't screaming and hollering at the politicians, rather then going to the media and saying, "Yeah, the border hasn't opened yet, maybe on ________, 20___. And if not then, then the Americans will definately open it on ________,20___."

[cakadu]

BWC, you are on the right track when you say that if you don't see things improve, then your name might go on a ballot. It's high time that we started seeing more involvement from "new blood" people in these organizations that just don't seem to be moving things ahead on behalf of the actual producers themselves.

I know full well that too often it is the smaller producer that can't afford the labor while he/she is gone to meetings etc. and that is why we often end up with the "bigger fish" running things because they can afford hired help. I guess what we have to ask ourselves now is how long can we not afford to get involved.

The only way to hope to see change is to get involved.

It's quite disturbing to see that politically in many rural ridings, it's not rural people that won in the election. How much of a voice is that going to give agriculture in Ottawa?

It's only by becoming involved and having a diversity of opinions out there that we will see real change happen.

[blackjack]

... today on the radio the Alberta government opens up a new lab for testing ... didn't catch if it was a scientist but the person said we had our own false positives with the new quick test... only after going through the gold test the results come back negative... the states are just playing now with the testing and making it a farce to discredit anyone else that test for real... just my opinion...

[blackjack]

... today on the radio the Alberta government opens up a new lab for testing ... didn't catch if it was a scientist but the person said we had our own false positives with the new quick test... only after going through the gold test the results come back negative... the states are just playing now with the testing and making it a farce to discredit anyone else that test for real... just my opinion...