Canada Farm Direct ??

[kajun]

This group is wanting to buy out one of the existing packers. They think it is better than trying to get a new plant up and running, will have a turn key operation,complete with markets. Whats everyone thing?

[SASH]

I think the more producer owned packing plants we have, the better off we'll be. I would spend a little extra just to support these guys. The thing about this whole border issue that is ticking me off is that now the US is talking about taking UTM cattle and limiting boxed beef. I think we should be working real hard on shipping boxed beef to the Chinese market. On the globe, they aren't far from the west coast.

[WoolyBear]

Maybe we should start suggesting to our neighboring BULLY Senators that Canadians should boycott products and events in their states. Won't hurt my feelings......... still won't be able to afford the State Fair in Minot this year anyway.

[15444]

WoolyBear:

I will be boycotting certain 'contentious' states long after this whole thing blows over, and more specifically R-Calf members.

On a different note, once the border opens to breeding cattle both ways, I wouldn't mind getting to know some of the Hereford breeders in Minnesota. They seem to have some fine breeders and cattle across that state.

[magpie]

When will we ever learn? As long as they produce similar products we produce and try to access the same markets, there will always be challenges to ship across border no matter what products. Only raw materials that are exempt from disputes are gas, oil and hydro that I’m aware of. Once we have a product that is unique to theirs, only then will we gain access hassle free. I to believe once we have our packing capacity up and running, than overseas should be targeted. Definitely china is a good place to start, china is poised to take over as a super economic power in the not to distanced future, I would agree now is the time to set the ground floor rules for exporting into that country.

[kato]

We used to go to Minot for a weekend at least three or four times a year.

We haven't been in North Dakota since the spring of 2003, and don't plan on going back anytime soon.

[Incognito]

See Kato:

I told ya u were a political animal...lol


Best,

[WoolyBear]

Hey 15444........ I hear you about Minnesota. Has to be one of the most "family farm / family friendly State that I have been able to visit. It would likely be one of only a handful of states that I would consider worth living in. On another note...... I wonder how the rules
will work in regards to breeding quality animals. Not much good if they have to be "Spayed" or "steered"........ even if they are Hereford.

MN has been able to keep their comments civil through all this commotion. I wonder what Jessie the Bod would have done <GRIN>.....

[cowsense]

I support any realistic proposal for producer owned plants & hope they can carry out their entire business plan.I do have a concern that financing and operating and competition costs will diminish expected returns! Good luck!

[wd40]

Their blowen smoke. They want to buy Neilson's out. The Calgary plant is so old and the city won't give them permits to change a door nob. To buy it would be an albetros around their neck.
The Moose Jaw plant is also very obsolete. Some people from out west had a plant design engineer do an apraisal on it before Nelsons bought it and the plant was deemed way too inefficient. Why else do you think they would be for sale.

[15444]

I don't know how the rules will work. All I know is that it will be many moons before I can go stateside and consider bringing something up here for breeding stock, or vice versa.