cakadau - ua love the CCIA

[cakadu]

With all that is invested in the ABP by both producers and the government, I'm not so sure that it would be that easy for the packers and the feedlot owners to start up their own group.

Remember that under the Ag Policy Framework, the ABP received monies from the Beef Industry Development Fund - if I'm reading it correctly - in a rollover for the implementation of the APF.

Re-inventing the wheel is not too likely an option from anyone's standpoint.

How will you know if it will work or not if you don't at least try?

[grassfarmer]

15444, I agree with your idea that the industry is evolving rapidly due to the current crisis and a lot of things will be done differently in the future.
When you say "The producers that do survive BSE put their calves into their own feedlot or a custom one and cut out the middleman totally in order to stay afloat." I must say I see things rather differently as such a scenario is in no way cutting out the middlemen that are taking the huge part of our income - the Packers. It is my future plan to cut out these thieves as well as retailers to make a sustainable return for my business.

[15444]

Grassfarmer:

Yes, it would be nice to cut out the packers totally, but I am thinking realistically on a national level and not on an individual basis.

[pmckenna]

I as I recall, The Alberta Beef Council (ABC)would have provided an excellent structure for the overall industry to implement data sharing, CCIA-style. The packers were definitely supportive, as were feedlots, auction marts, order buyers, and WSA. Not many in the the ACC understood it, but I have a feeling that will change over time, as membership of ABP (not just ABC) realize the consequences we now face as a result failure to support a forward-looking and objective organization.