Big Farms

[coppertop]

I agree with those comments. Don't kid
yourself, the feedlot that requests their
check off refunded will ride on the coat
tails of any promotional campaign to market
their product. In my area the small
feedlots and larger cow/calf operations
were all in favor of a plebicite to let the
producers decide.

[grassfarmer]

I am direct marketing, will apply for the refund and have no use for the BIC materials in my promotions. I have found the BIC to be of very little value to my marketing when I was initially trying to establish my direct marketing venture. I would phone to ask for advice on cuts, weights you get off a carcase etc and was treated as if this was not part of their job. Impression was they were there to promote generic beef sales and were not answerable to levy paying producers wishing help setting up direct marketing operations. I've heard wonderful things about BIC and their activities but that was not my experience.

Coppertop,
In my area most producers I know were also in favor of a plebicite. They have wanted one for several years and the leadership of ABP roundly refused such requests. This last minute claim for a plebicite by the very same leadership of ABP is such a bogus issue it's not even funny - I'm surprised you would fall for it.

[coppertop]

Grassfarmer, my position on a plebicite has
nothing to do with ABP's position, I feel
as a producer I should have my 'say'. If
the majority favored a refundable check off
then that is the democratic process. It has
nothing to do with my 'falling ' for
anything. Actually, most people that know
me grassfarmer will tell you I am the least
likely person to 'fall' for anything !!!!!!

[blackjack]

...while the packers have had a free ride on the backs of producers for years...what ever dollars went into BIC should have been paid by the packers not us.I am selling a raw product whatever someone else wants to do with it after that is their choice.I perfer the choice to put my dollars into a group that will support live cattle sellers not a group that kisses packer butt.What world do you live in coppertop farmers and ranchers have been living off each since the beginning of time.

[coppertop]

blackjack, if you choose to put your
money into a group that will look after
your interest that is great, however it
isn't mandated that anyone put their
refundable check off into anything to do
with marketing beef.
I live in the REAL WORLD Blackjack, one
where I like to see people allowed to
vote on any issue that affects them vs
top down legislation before hearing the
wishes of producers. The end result
could have been been the same, but at
least the government would know the
wishes of producers.As someone who
believes that people have the right to
be heard, I would have preferred a
plebicite.

[IAMTHEMOLE]

Just for clarification, the government moved on this issue at the request of the cattle industry in Alberta. It is just that ABP decided to fight it when when they realized that they were losing control. The government did not impose this on anyone. Don't believe all you read or hear from ABP.

[coppertop]

The government moved on this at the
request of the larger feedlots etc. EG;
Highland Feeders. The feud between
Minister George and ABP has been going
on for a long time, it is unfortunate
because ABP is supposed to be the voice
of the cow/calf producer and without
them being a strong voice and with
friction between them and the minister
it leaves the cow/calf producer out in
the cold. I don't think that what is
good for the large feedlots and the
packer is necessarily good for the
cow/calf producer. Most of you have much
larger operations than I do, so if you
feel that you are getting adequate input
into government policy, then I guess it
will work for the rest of us.
I would suspect that many of the same
people that raised pure hell over Bill
19 are some of the same ones that agree
with Bill 43 !!! I am concerned where
the funds will come to ever challenge a
counterveiling duty issue, because they
cannot come from government. The last
time around ABP footed the bill, and if
most producers pull their check off out
of ABP, hopefully there are other
producer groups that step up and ante up
the cost!!!

[mcfarms]

I've been waiting for someone to figure this out, whose helicopter and airplane and big donations were given to the premier during the leadership race. They cost money and now they'll get it back and then some.

[coppertop]

One or more individuals made his plane
available to fly the candidate to various
locations.
I know one of those who provided the use of
their aircraft did not seek any publicity
for doing so.

[blackjack]

coppertop.There was a group of at least 4 that made up the Beef Industry Alliance that went to govt..Two of those groups were the WSGA and BIC and possibly NFU which are cow-calf people.The ABP did not want anything to do with this group.Now that they are scared of losing the checkoff their the ones that speak for the cow-calf man.I personally do'nt buy it.