Respecting the opposition?

[cowman]

Over the years I've ripped R-CALF...and I've agreed with some of the things they have to say? I do find it very informative how some of these guys think and why they believe what they believe?
I think people like Willowcreek, Haymaker, GLTUSA bring a different perspective to the debate and I welcome their comments. Willowcreek brings up some very good points even though it often comes with a fairly protectionist slant? Haymaker and GLTUSA can be a little bit "out There" but hey it takes all kinds of people to make the world go around and that shouldn't detract from the message they try to convey?
I believe they have been very subdued in their posts here? If you ever visit ranchers.net you will know it can get pretty down and dirty!

[farmers_son]

Certainly in the past Canadian producers were pretty protectionist too. I would have counted myself part of that protectionst group. But the world has changed and the cattle business has changed and protectionism works against the best interests of all cattle producers.

It is my firm belief today that international trade in live cattle benefits producers in each of the NAFTA countries. It is folly to believe that encouraging policies which have the effect of lowering live cattle prices in another NAFTA country can raise live cattle prices at home. The opposite is true.

Although American producers have enjoyed higher prices in the last few years they need to keep in mind that the bulk of those higher prices came as a result of a weaker U.S. dollar. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, when U.S. live prices strengthened not weakened after trade resumed in UTM live cattle last summer resulting in an increase in Canadian live prices. The pool of cheap live cattle in Canada were working to limit live prices in the U.S. If the price of live cattle was the same in Canada as in the U.S. there would be no source of cheaper live cattle.

For those American producers who wish to see reduced imports of live Canadian cattle into the U.S., the best way to succeed is to encourage the price of live cattle in Canada to rise, not fall. The profit motive is such that the cheaper our live cattle are the more pressure will be exerted by various interests in the U.S. to access those cattle.

And for Canadian producers, it is in our best interest to see high live prices in the U.S. We need to do all we can in this country to ensure the live cash to cash basis between the U.S. and Canada is as close to zero as possible. We need to work to make sure there is enough competition in our markets that the prices paid for our live cattle at home are fair.

Producers need to be clear in their mind that the opposition is the packing plants who directly compete with producers over a share of the same consumer dollar. We are in not in competition with American producers any more than they are in competition with the producer in the neighbouring state.

[Willowcreek]

Thank you cowman-- I think you and I agree on more things than we disagree on...I even have a few of those white cows left in my herd...LOL

I agree that I am a protectionist- I think most ranchers are to some extent...It comes with the old "take care of yourself because no one else is going to" thinking..

And I hope Canada can build 100's of new slaughter plants, build an Asian export market, build competition for the multinational conglomerates, and raise prices...

I just don't want it to go back to the old system of multinationals being able to use differences in laws and money exchange to play their games with the US market...

I actually think in the years to come you will see Canadian and US ranchers becoming much closer in thinking in the battle against the impending onslaught of imported meat from the third world South American countries.....I think many will see then the importance of M-COOL and why the packers will do anything short of murder to stop it.....

[cowman]

Willowcreek and farmers son: You both mentioned the difference in the dollar and how that can affect trade? It is my personal belief if you want to have a true free trade deal you have to be able to harmonize both currency and rules. What started out with a free trade deal between Canada and the USA must eventually lead to an economic union? That is the next logical step in integrating our countries.
I hope to see a day when there is one food inspection agency in both Canadian and American plants and no custom booth at the border! Now to achieve a truly open border we would need a joint tax system and a joint customs/immigration policy?
From a strictly commerce sense one country?
This may sound fantastic but we started down that road when Mulrooney and Reagan signed that deal and who knows where future events in Canada might take us? If Quebec or Alberta go its a whole new ballgame!