Now Is The Time

[grassfarmer]

Apathy and complacency by those that are ready to get out of the cattle business and know their land is worth more today than it was in May of 2003.

[farmers_son]

I am not trying to get producers to attend meetings with these posts. I am trying to get a few good people who see producer packing plants as a viable means to inject a measure of competition into our industry to put their names forward as ABP candidates in each zone.

Just 4 people in each zone, but what that really means is one person says they are willing to make a difference and it happens 4 times.

That is all it takes to change the way our industry operates. It really is that simple. Whoever is reading this, please give running for ABP delegate some serious consideration.

No one should expect the packers are going to start paying fair prices for our live cattle just out of the goodness of their hearts or that some white knight is going to build a packing plant with the express goal of competing with the big packers for our live cattle. It will take an industry effort but it can happen. Who is willing to step forward? The nomination forms are available from the link at the top of this thread.

[grassfarmer]

I'm in no way trying to pick a fight or run down your idea here farmers_son but when you yourself mentioned in a previous post that "The status quo people are already lining up candidates who will work to see old ABP policies remain in place." that indicates to me that we do need more and different producers to attend and vote - it's clear the few that are regular attenders normally vote for the status quo people or they wouldn't hold the positions they do today. As I see it we need the 4 volunteers per zone but we also need a majority to elect them.

[cowman]

farmers son: Bad comparison there with the example of the Lougheed Tories! If that is your example I think I'll stick with the old ABP boys!
A good solid stable government that got good value for Albertans to a reckless, spendthrift crew who gave away the store! Yea maybe we'd better stick with the old boys?

[wd40]

emrald1 - I think you need a reality check as far as the ABP is concerned. I have talked to the E manager of ABP, one of the members of the finance committee, and several others who are high up in the executive. I have been at numerous ABP meeting and at Cam Oostercamps meetings. In all cases, and I might add - (the delegates freely admitted) that they would not take the sentiment of producers nor their loud and clear directive to support a producer owned packing plant to the Alberta Govt.

I don't care if the individual delegate is in love with his captors (IBP & Cargil), however I ademately believe that it is their JOB to carry the voice and opinion of producers to Govt.

When they refuse they should be fired or at least resign! &*^&%^

[farmers_son]

I was just trying to show that change can happen and all it takes is a few good people to make change happen.

If change does not happen then we are sure to continue to follow the same path as we have. We will continue to receive at least $100 less per slaughter steer/heifer than an American producer. We will continue to be dependent upon live cattle exports to provide even limited competition for live cattle in this country. We will continue to be vulnerable to the U.S. border closing to our live cattle.

Cowman: Are you saying we should maintain the status quo? There is a saying that you get what you ask for. If we want to see things continue as they were I am sure that is exactly what will happen.

But let’s not forget that our industry will never be the same after BSE as it was before. The status quo has simply vanished and we cannot just go back. Cargill controls a greater share of the live cattle market today than they did prior to May 20. Some of the U.S. packers that were buying our live cows have disappeared not to mention that the border is still closed to our live cows and might not reopen for a long time. We have to change. Part of that change needs to be a producer owned packing plant. The ABP needs to get onside with that reality and it will take delegates who support that change to see it happen.

Again, I do not know how many actually read Agri-ville but hopefully someone does and they will take a few days away from their farm and run as delegate to do their part to see change happen.

[farmers_son]

I certainly agree with your comment "As I see it we need the 4 volunteers per zone but we also need a majority to elect them." I guess I am thinking first things first. One step at a time.

Based on the way the delegates voted at the last AGM the majority do not wish the ABP to play a role in seeing change happen in the industry. Although the AGM votes were by no means unanimous producer resolution after producer resolution supporting producer packing plants were voted down. These were resolutions that grassroots producers passed in the country often by large margins. The same will happen at this falls Annual General Meeting unless new delegates come forward and are elected at the fall meetings.

[wd40]

When a jury of our peers "street peons" can have a decission over-rulled by a judge what hope is there.

You know who's in bed with who.

Cattlemen must pay Tyson's legal bills

by Pete Hisey on 8/26/2005 for Meatingplace.com


Plaintiffs in the captive-cattle case against Tyson Fresh Meats not only lost the case, but must pay Tyson $70,000 in legal bills, a panel from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled. According to Tyson, the appeals court rejected the plaintiffs' argument that the case was "close," deciding that the plaintiffs had "lost every aspect" of the case.

The cattlemen plan to appeal the panel's decision to uphold the finding of an Alabama judge, who overruled a jury verdict that would have paid the cattlemen over $1 billion. The cattlemen complained that Tyson's business practices harmed independent cattle producers.

[wd40]

f_s - I couldn't agree more with you. However as a feeldot opperator I am blackmailed into keeping my mouth shut about packers.

The is too much appathy amongst producers. They havn't relly had a reality check yet. :-(

[farmers_son]

Wd40: Neither the courts, the Competition Bureau or Parliamentary Committees seem able to address the problem of packer monopolies and lack of competition for live cattle.

That is exactly why producers must deal with these problems themselves. A properly structured and properly funded producer packing plant seems to be a viable solution, not only to me but the majority of producers throughout this country. Producers are looking to address the problem of chronically unfair returns for their live cattle themselves by creating a source of competition for live cattle rather than look to government for solutions. Producer packing plants do provide an answer and the ABP should be part of that solution.

However unless delegates come forward that will vote for needed change that change will not happen.

[rkaiser]

Talking about politics. Isn't it funny how governments of democratic countries actually have opposition parties to deal with. Opposition parties that are often made up of human beings with ideas just like the ruling party. Not always the ideas that work, but ideas just the same. These opposition parties are partially funded by the tax base just like the ruling party, am I wrong?

Not with ABP/CCA. It's either their way or the Hiway. BIG C does not pride itself on being the opposition party to the ABP, however a lot of the IDEAS that BIG C follows are contrary to the dictate of ABP.

Millions of dollars are funneled through the ABP/CCA for hundreds of IDEAS, but repeated requests for assistance from ABP for any form of BIG C activity is quickly swashed. All activity conducted by BIG C has been member funded ($100.00 yearly membership) and volunteer time by active members.

Congradulations ABP/CCA.

I hope that people consider farmers_sons call for nominees, but I also hope that everyone gets out and supports the organised resolutions being formulated by BIG C and their members.

We will need these resolutions passed at EVERY meeting this fall to send the message that a Producer Owned packing industry is needed to protect the interest of the Grassroots, and Feedlots producers of this country.

Now is the time all right.

Randy

[rkaiser]

randy, excellent groundwork and I do hope that producers get out and show their support.
Hopefully the newspaper ads for the zone meetings are in rural papers at least a day or two before the meeting. All too often people get darn busy in the fall, and don't pay any attention to what is happening, then pick up the paper a day after it is published only to find that the ABP Zone meeting was the night before.

Delegates and candidates should have phoning committees in place in each zone.