Ostercamps article

[pandiana]

cowman, check out
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd7874?opendocument

These numbers refer to 2001 census, i.e. pre drought and bse.

Also check out the current numbers. Media reported that the Farm Cash Receipts for Alberta were up 8.4%. I thought this was interesting and sounded rather strange considering all the whinning cattle farmers are doing.
It seems from the numbers that the ball is now being carried by the crop sector and by hogs in the livestock sector. Farm Cash Receipts (gross) for cattle are down 21% from the average. Even this doesn't really reflect my reality with a 60% loss on cull cows and around 20-30% loss on under 30 months. Maybe I am figuring wrong.

It looks to me as though Manitoba's strong position in hogs has carried that province into the black this year.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd9027?opendocument

[ALICIA]

I know those figures just blow me away also. Because I know that me personally am down 75% or more. Also I'm not lazy, but how does more running around get you a few more cents when it costs a few more cents to do the exter running around. All I do know for sure is I did get 45 to 65 for a cull animal, now its 19 and I get $1.00 to $1.25 for a steer calf, and 3 weeks ago I got 65 cents for my top steer calf. And prices are dropping more every week.

[ALICIA]

I know those figures just blow me away also. Because I know that me personally am down 75% or more. Also I'm not lazy, but how does more running around get you a few more cents when it costs a few more cents to do the exter running around. All I do know for sure is I did get 45 to 65 for a cull animal, now its 19 and I get $1.00 to $1.25 for a steer calf, and 3 weeks ago I got 65 cents for my top steer calf. And prices are dropping more every week.

[kato]

If the only reason we farmed was for the money, no one would farm.

A wise man once said "Find a job you loved so much you would do it for free, and you will never work a day in your life."

That pretty much describes most people here. It's the life we love.

When you get right down to the basics, it's having to leave the farm that would hurt the most. Not the other stuff that goes with it.

I have seen both sides of this. I grew up in the city. Always knew that I didn't belong there, and always wanted out of there more than anything else.

Think of the people you know in the city. They live for the weekend. Why? Because Monday to Friday really isn't all that great. Sure there's money, but is it a substitute for what we have?

On the farm, you hardly notice a weekend. Why? Because there is really no need to 'escape' your Monday to Friday job.

My brother-in-law once asked why we always go on 'road trip' holidays, where we drive like mad to see as much country as we can in the short time we can get away. "Why don't you relax in the shade under a tree, and enjoy yourself?" We just looked at him, and looked around the yard, and said "If we wanted to do that, we'd stay home!"

We've got it pretty good out here in the country, and there are a lot of people who would love to trade places with us. We need to stop, smell the roses, and appreciate it.

And also figure out a way to pay for our lifestyle. That's the challenge! LOL

[wd40]

COWS 20 MONTHS OR YOUNGER EXEMPTED FROM 100% TESTING CALL?

Last Friday Kyodo News reported Japanese sources close to the Food Safety Commission subcommittee as saying that the Commission plans to recommend the Japanese government remove beef cattle aged 20 months or younger from BSE testing policy.

Ending a policy in place since October 2001, the subcommittee will put forward this recommendation in the form of an interim report at a meeting of the panel members today, the sources reportedly said. If the entire Food Safety Commission endorses the recommendation, the government will start deliberations on the plan. Reuters reported a Commission official as saying that "some modifications still need to be made, but [panel members] largely agree with the report."

Japanese officials were cited in a Saturday United Press International report as saying Japan's Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry is set to relax its blanket requirement. As the panel concluded it is technically difficult to detect mad cow disease in calves, the Japanese government reportedly plans to exempt beef cows 20 months or younger from mandatory mad cow tests, according to the Mainichi Daily News. Since the Commission found the youngest cow infected with BSE in Japan was 21 months old (in tests on all beef cows), it concluded that it was difficult to detect the disease in cows younger than 20 months old. Officials said the Cabinet Office's Food Safety Commission is expected to officially approve the report this week.

The Agriculture Ministry and the Labor and Welfare Ministry will use the report to review the testing policy.

[ALICIA]

So what is this IF IT DOESN'T SHOW UP IT MUST BE OKA.

[cowman]

I don't doubt that farm receipts are up. Hogs are actually pretty good right now and there was a lot of money made on canola last year. Improved crop insurance also might have added to the bottom line?
By the figures you gave on cattle being such a small part of actual income for most farms I would suspect a lot of farmers see the BSE crisis as little more than an irritant? Also when NISA ended a lot of people got a pretty decent check...I wonder if that was factored in?

[kato]

Here's a ramification to think about. If the cut off becomes 20 months, have we seen the last of the grassed yearlings?

Calf born in April. Goes to grass the next June at 14 months. Comes home in October at 18 months. Finished in 8 more weeks? I don't think so.

Another problem. Teeth don't tell 20 month old cattle. This means that you need verification back to the farm as to birthdate on every animal.

I would think that with our traceback already in place, it would be a lot easier for us to implement birthdate recording than it will be for the Americans.

Because of this, the Americans are going to push some more on the Japanese to bend a little farther.

As for us....here's an opportunity. I just hope our 'fearless leaders' see it. The Americans are ready and willing to cut Canada out of the picture, and have done so with their Japanese negotiations, so let's get at it and think for ourselves.