open border

[Horse]

Well we have all made our predictions over the past 20 mo I would sure like to hear how you all figure this is going to play out now that we have a date.
There has been some pre anouncement buying going on by the large players ,I wonder if that is to get them back what they lost initaly.
Anyway happy new yr and I hope prosperity is coming.

[grassfarmer]

I hope you get it afterall the border won't open before March. Also it would be unfair if those like myself that got paid under the scheme got money and you didn't. They won't get mine back anyway it's already spent!

[grassfarmer]

While welcoming the news as a positive sign there are many things that make me cautious. All the wording of the announcement makes it clear that as Ostercamp predicted the border would open when it suited the Americans and not before. They "expect" to import 2 million head in the first 12 months after the ban ends - neatly making up their own slaughter deficit that saw them slaughter 32.5 million head in 2004 down from 35-36 million in the most recent years. They "assume" that beef imports from Canada will subsequently drop as the Canadian plants move to killing more cows rather than young cattle. The crucial part of the announcement was missing - what happens to the beef of the OTM cattle? will this be allowed to move across the border or are we expected to eat purely cull cows here while the US cherry-picks the young cattle?

[cakadu]

What are the chances that groups like R-CALF will look for an injunction on this announcement? What would their chances be for getting an injunction?

Just today the Alberta government announced something about there being around $8 million available for mature ruminant species other than cattle such as bison, sheep, goats and elk that have been hit by the border closure. What will happen to this now? I haven't heard anything about the border being open to live lambs under 12 months of age, which is where something like 90% or better of the lambs produced in this country went.

Are most producers being cautiously optimistic regarding the open border announcement? What will happen to the plans for increased packing capacity here? It would be an absolute shame to see the work of many people like Randy, Rusty and others go by the wayside because the border is open. How much momentum will there be to continue on? Will the promise of short-term gain, however badly needed, usurp long-term change and sustainability?

What will the true "price" be to have an open border - joining in the missle defence scheme?

Many more questions than answers at this stage of the game.

[grassfarmer]

I fear that if in fact OTM beef is eligible for export from March you can wind up the plans to build Canadian cull plants tomorrow. Short term gains will be a high price to pay though for selling our industry out to become even more dependant on the US Corporations adding (stealing) value from our country and our cattle. More questions than answers as you say.

[ALICIA]

I heard the news also March 7th and talks of olders cattle at a later date.
Plus they talked about other cuts of beef, this could mean that cattle over 30 months and up to 1986 or 1987 could be shipped as boneless boxed beef.
The Amarican dollar is getting close to our dollar, so this could mean that our plants that are getting up and running can still compeate.
The New year for the cattle industry does look bright.
The only bad thing about it is that may heart and thoughts are with the Ashin people, and I find it hard to believe that the US could find the time to tell Canada it is going to open the boarder to live cattle. I guess the thought of Canada's sell beef to Ashia right now looks like a money maker to the US.

[Horse]

I rather supose that those calves already taged will be in demand to go south as it wont matter to the U.S. if they are taged or not , but how will the producers in Manitoba feel as they have to retain ownership until jan 06 as I understand.
I think as with all govmt programs this one dosent do anything it was set up for. Sure there is some money gets into the right pockets but most is scamed off.

[DaneG]

I tagged my calves on Dec 9 and sent the form off the next day, today I got the check in the mail full $200/calf.
The tags only became available in DEC. It takes the Manitoba gov't a while to get things in motion but it gets in high gear pretty quick.